The countdown to riding the wave

Whether you’re a super organiser who likes to prepare well in advance or someone who decides on the contents of their suitcase the day before your holiday, there are a few extra considerations when preparing for a cruise and it’s best to avoid being too last minute.

Of course, clothing choices will be based on the climate you’ll be visiting but as a cruiser, you’ll also need to factor in dress codes including any formal occasions or themed nights. That said, don’t panic and throw everything in just in case. Cabins usually have more limited wardrobe and storage space and you don’t want to be forking out for excess baggage charges.

Clothing basics include swimming attire, shorts, t-shirts, jeans and comfy shoes to walk in, as you’re likely to be clocking up a fair few miles while sightseeing on dry land. Then there’s the evening dress code ranging from cocktail wear and suits – tuxedos even! – to the sort of more casual attire you’d usually wear on a night out. Jeans are usually ok for buffets but keep the beach wear, baseball caps and flip-flops for poolside!

Seasickness preparation

Worries over whether seasickness will strike can certainly put something of a dampener on going on a cruise, particularly if you’ve never been on one before and you’re wondering if it will spoil your experience.

The good news is, in the worst-case scenario, the majority of passengers who do feel seasick tend to experience it within the first 48 hours of being on a ship or boat before acclimatising and getting their ‘sea legs’.¹

What is seasickness?

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness, it’s caused by the inner ear sending different signals to your brain from those your eyes are seeing.² The inner ear senses motion while the eyes sense you’re not moving and these confusing messages can cause you to feel unwell.²

Symptoms of seasickness

Symptoms include feeling sick, feeling weak, headaches, feeling cold, going pale and sweating.³ As with car, plane or train travel there are things you can try to prevent or relieve seasickness before you go down the route of taking seasickness medication.

If you’re concerned, know you’re prone to seasickness or you’re travelling with someone who is, try these tips³:

• Ahead of your journey avoid eating a heavy meal, opt for a light, carb-based food like cereal an hour or two before travelling.
• You can keep motion to a minimum by sitting in the middle of the ship, preferably on deck where you can breathe fresh air – the same applies when selecting your cabin.
• It may sound odd but try not to look at the waves! Look at the horizon instead.

You’ll find more tips on preventing seasickness – and travel sickness in general – here.

What about seasickness medicines?

If you’re concerned about seasickness ahead of your first cruise, speak to your pharmacist about an over-the-counter travel sickness remedy such as hyoscine hydrobromide. Hyoscine hydrobromide – an effective medicine for motion sickness³ – is the active ingredient in Kwells for adults and children over 10 and Kwells travel sickness tablets for kids aged 4+.⁴ 

Kwells travel sickness tablets

Hyoscine hydrobromide (the active ingredient in Kwells travel sickness tablets) temporarily reduces the effect of movement on the balance organs of the inner ear and the nerves responsible for nausea. Because Kwells tablets melt in the mouth, absorption into the bloodstream is very rapid and they can be taken up to 20–30 minutes before travelling or at the onset of sickness.⁴ Find out more about how Kwells help to prevent or relieve travel sickness or view all our travel sickness products.

Kwells 300 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for adults and children aged 10+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 microgram. Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for children aged 4+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 150 microgram. Always read the label