It is common for people to experience a disorienting sensation after disembarking from a cruise. This feeling, often described as continued motion or swaying, can cause discomfort.
The Science Behind Post-Cruise Motion Sickness
The sensation of continued motion after a cruise is due to Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), or “sickness of disembarkation.” Your brain constantly adapts to sensory input from your inner ear (vestibular system) and eyes. While on a moving ship, your brain reinterprets these signals to maintain stability in a constantly shifting environment.
When you return to stable ground, your brain struggles to quickly re-adapt to the stationary environment. This creates a mismatch between expected stable input and adapted perception of motion, leading to the feeling of continued rocking or swaying. While most people’s brains re-calibrate within a few hours to a couple of days, for some, this re-adaptation process is prolonged, resulting in persistent MdDS symptoms.
Practical Strategies for Relief
Addressing post-cruise motion sickness involves re-orienting your senses and supporting balance. Sensory re-orientation, providing stable visual input, is an effective strategy. Focusing on a fixed point on the horizon, spending time outdoors, or walking on solid ground can help your brain re-establish a stable reference point. Engaging in activities with consistent visual cues, like looking at distant objects, can also aid this process.
Dietary adjustments can also help manage symptoms. Opt for bland, easily digestible foods, and avoid heavy, greasy, spicy meals, or those with strong odors, as these can exacerbate nausea. Ginger, in forms like tea, chews, or capsules, is often suggested for its anti-nausea properties, though its mechanism relates more to the gastric system than vestibular or oculomotor systems.
Maintaining hydration is important, as dehydration can worsen symptoms. Drinking water helps, but consider electrolyte-rich fluids if symptoms are severe or accompanied by vomiting, as fluid loss can lead to electrolyte imbalances. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated beverages, which might contribute to dehydration or stomach upset.
Over-the-counter antihistamines like meclizine or dimenhydrinate can provide relief by blocking histamine receptors in the brain, reducing nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Meclizine causes less drowsiness and has a longer duration of action than dimenhydrinate. Always follow dosage instructions carefully and be aware that these medications can cause drowsiness.
Rest and relaxation also play a role in recovery. Getting sufficient sleep supports healing, and avoiding stressful situations can prevent symptom exacerbation. Some individuals find relief with acupressure bands, which apply pressure to the P6 point on the inner wrist. While research on their efficacy is mixed, they are considered safe and may help some people by stimulating a nerve that sends signals to the brain to alleviate nausea.
When Symptoms Persist
Most instances of post-cruise motion sickness resolve within a few days to a week, but symptoms can occasionally linger. If rocking, swaying, or imbalance persist for more than a few weeks, significantly interfere with daily activities, or are accompanied by concerning symptoms like severe headaches, vision changes, or hearing loss, consult a healthcare provider. A medical professional can rule out other conditions causing the symptoms. They may also recommend specialized therapies, such as vestibular rehabilitation, which can help retrain the brain to process balance information correctly.