Peter Greenberg: Seasickness
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | Date Posted:
Submit a question
Are the airlines giving you worry lines? Need the latest news on the best cruise? Was your rental car not up to par? Or perhaps you simply need a destination recommendation. Our travel expert, Peter Greenberg, can help. Submit your query and your question might be answered in a future travel column.
Peter Greenberg Archive
Q: The last time I was on the ocean, on a sightseeing excursion, I got sick, which had never happened to me before. Now we want to do a cruise, so I would like to try a short one first. I am trying to go though all the listings, but most don't mean much. I am looking for a three- or four-day cruise that doesn't require schedules on board or eating with the captain, etc.
–Mark, Minneapolis
A: Believe it or not, it matters where your cabin is located on the ship if you're really worried about getting seasick. It's all about pitch, roll, and center of gravity. The lower your cabin and the more centered it is, the better off you'll be. The higher and more outside your cabin is, the wilder the ride. This is where things are almost counterintuitive: the folks paying the most money for high-deck cabins with balconies are the ones who will pitch and roll the most. A less expensive, inside, lower-deck cabin is the place to be.
And the last time I checked, no passenger was ever required to eat with the captain! Most of the large cruise ships these days, in fact, offer plenty of options for those who eschew schedules and want to dine on demand Many ships on a number of lines, from Royal Caribbean to Princess to NCL, have 24-hour restaurants and alternate dining options to the traditional, formal dining times. Some, like specialty restaurants offering steak or sushi, will have extra charges, while some offer all-day buffets for free.
As for cruise schedules, a number of lines offer three- and four-day trips from Florida to the Bahamas, or from California to Mexico, that are affordable and also serve as a great introductory voyage for those who have never taken a cruise, or, in your case, as a way to safely test out my center of gravity theory gravity theory and actually enjoy the experience.
–Mark, Minneapolis
A: Believe it or not, it matters where your cabin is located on the ship if you're really worried about getting seasick. It's all about pitch, roll, and center of gravity. The lower your cabin and the more centered it is, the better off you'll be. The higher and more outside your cabin is, the wilder the ride. This is where things are almost counterintuitive: the folks paying the most money for high-deck cabins with balconies are the ones who will pitch and roll the most. A less expensive, inside, lower-deck cabin is the place to be.
And the last time I checked, no passenger was ever required to eat with the captain! Most of the large cruise ships these days, in fact, offer plenty of options for those who eschew schedules and want to dine on demand Many ships on a number of lines, from Royal Caribbean to Princess to NCL, have 24-hour restaurants and alternate dining options to the traditional, formal dining times. Some, like specialty restaurants offering steak or sushi, will have extra charges, while some offer all-day buffets for free.
As for cruise schedules, a number of lines offer three- and four-day trips from Florida to the Bahamas, or from California to Mexico, that are affordable and also serve as a great introductory voyage for those who have never taken a cruise, or, in your case, as a way to safely test out my center of gravity theory gravity theory and actually enjoy the experience.
preview