Planning a cruise should be exciting, but for many people, motion sickness can get in the way. Motion sickness or seasickness happens when your inner ear, eyes and body send conflicting signals to your brain about movement.

On a boat, your body feels motion, but your eyes may not register it the same way — leading to symptoms like nausea, dizziness and vomiting. This guide breaks down the best medications doctors recommend so you can enjoy smooth sailing.¹

• Motion sickness is caused by conflicting signals between your inner ear and vision.

• There are many over-the-counter and prescription options for treatment.

• Prescription options like scopolamine patches can provide longer-lasting relief.

• Preventing symptoms early is more effective than treating them after they begin.

Over-the-counter motion sickness medications for adults

Several over-the-counter medications can help prevent or reduce motion sickness symptoms, especially when used on shorter trips before symptoms begin. Options include:

• Meclizine (Antivert®): Meclizine is an antihistamine that works by reducing nausea-triggering activity in the brain and inner ear. It can be a tablet or chewable tablet and lasts up to 24 hours.^2,3

• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®): This is another antihistamine that works by helping your body maintain a sense of balance. It can be found as a tablet, chewable or liquid. A typical dose is 50-100 mg and the effects last approximately four to six hours.^4,5

Prescription motion sickness medications for adults

For longer trips like cruises, doctors may recommend prescription options that provide stronger or longer-lasting relief. These options include:

• Scopolamine Patch (Transderm Scop®): Scopolamine is a patch that is placed behind the ear for up to 72 hours per patch. It is in a class of medications called anticholinergics and works by getting your central nervous system to create a calming effect on your stomach and bowel muscles.⁶

• Promethazine (Phenergan®): Promethazine is an antihistamine that reduces symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It comes in the form of tablets, suppositories or an injection. A dose for nausea is typically 25 mg and effects last eight to 12 hours.^7,8

What is the most effective motion sickness medication for a cruise?

Studies show that scopolamine is more effective than a placebo, and equal or superior to antihistamines like meclizine or dimenhydrinate. It is also less likely to cause drowsiness than promethazine or over-the-counter options.⁹

Without a prescription, meclizine can be suitable for shorter boat rides or day trips, as it lasts up to 24 hours. Dimenhydrinate is less convenient because it requires dosing every four to six hours and is more likely to cause drowsiness than meclizine.^10,11

For longer-duration needs such as a cruise, scopolamine patches may be the most convenient because they provide relief for up to 72 hours and are less likely to cause drowsiness.¹²

How do side effects compare (including drowsiness)?

Motion sickness medications can cause side effects, especially drowsiness. Studies show that scopolamine causes the least drowsiness, followed by meclizine and dimenhydrinate. Promethazine is the most likely to cause drowsiness.¹³

Other potential side effects are less common and listed below.

Meclizine may cause:

• Cough

• Difficulty swallowing

• Dizziness

• Fast heartbeat

• Hives, itching, skin rash

• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue

• Tightness in the chest

• Vomiting

If you experience blurred vision, call a care provider immediately.¹⁴

Dimenhydrinate may cause:

• Excitement or hyperactivity (especially in children)

• Headache

• New or worsening dizziness

• Ringing in the ears

• Dry mouth, nose or throat

• Problems with coordination

• Fainting

If you experience blurred vision or a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, contact your care provider immediately.¹⁵

Scopolamine may cause:

• Disorientation

• Dry mouth

• Dilated pupils

• Dizziness

• Sweating

• Sore throat

If you have any of the following symptoms, remove the patch and contact your care provider immediately:

• Rash

• Redness

• Eye pain, redness or discomfort

• Blurred vision

• Agitation

• Hallucination

• Confusion

• Believing things that are not true

• Paranoia

• Difficulty speaking

• Seizure

• Painful or difficulty urinating

• Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.¹⁶

Promethazine may cause:

• Dry mouth

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

• Nightmares

• Dizziness

• Ringing in ears

• Blurred or double vision

• Loss of coordination

• Nausea or vomiting

• Nervousness

• Restlessness or hyperactivity

• Abnormally happy mood

• Stuffy nose

• Itching

If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your care provider immediately:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• Fever

• Sweating

• Hoarseness

• Rashes or hives

• Muscle stiffness

• Decreased alertness or faintness

• Fast or irregular pulse or heartbeat

• Abnormal or uncontrollable body or eye movements

• Hallucinations

• Paranoia or confusion

• Unusual bruising or bleeding

• Sore throat, fever, chills and other signs of infection

• Tongue sticking out

• Abnormal neck position

• Inability to respond to people around you

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs.¹⁷

When should you take medication for seasickness?

Motion sickness medication should be taken before symptoms begin, ideally 30 to 60 minutes before travel, depending on the medication. For a prescription scopolamine patch, it’s best to apply the patch at least four hours before anticipated motion sickness.¹⁸

What actually works for motion sickness on a cruise (and what doesn’t)

If you’re prone to motion sickness, there are quite a few strategies that consistently seem to help, while others are more hit-or-miss.

What actually works
These approaches are backed by medical guidance and tend to be the most reliable:

• Proven medications: Prescription scopolamine works as well as or better than over-the-counter medications like meclizine and dimenhydrinate, although they also demonstrate effectiveness.²³

• Taking medication before symptoms start: One of the most important factors is timing, because motion sickness medications work best when taken before you start feeling sick. Waiting until nausea begins can make them less effective.

• Positioning and visual focus: Outside of medication, simple adjustments can also help reduce symptoms of nausea. Looking at the horizon, sitting in the middle of the ship where motion is less noticeable and getting fresh air can reduce the sensory mismatch that causes symptoms.²⁴

What may help, but is less reliable
Some home remedies are well-known, but evidence of their effectiveness is mixed or limited:²⁵

• Ginger: Ginger is commonly used for nausea and may provide mild relief for some people, but research results are inconsistent. It’s generally safe, but not as reliably effective as medication.²⁶

• Acupressure wristbands: These wristbands apply pressure to specific points on the wrist. There is no clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness for motion sickness, however.²⁷

• “Nondrowsy” antihistamines: Standard nondrowsy antihistamines (like Zyrtec or Claritin) do not seem to be effective for treating motion sickness.²⁸

How to choose motion sickness medication for a cruise

Choosing the right medication depends on your travel plans and personal needs:

• Trip length: This is important for cruises, as longer exposure to motion may require treatment with scopolamine patches.

• Past experience: If you are prone to motion sickness or had severe symptoms in the past, stronger options may provide better support.

• Prevention vs treatment: Preventative use is most effective.

• Tolerance for drowsiness: Some medications are more likely to cause drowsiness, which will impact your time on the cruise.

Regardless of which medication you choose, remember that preventative use is more effective than taking medication after symptoms appear.

When to consult a doctor

If you are interested in prescription motion sickness medication, consult a doctor weeks before your trip to ensure there’s time for diagnosis and treatment.

When you consult a healthcare provider, be sure to mention if you:

• Have severe or frequent motion sickness

• Have tried over-the-counter medications and they don’t work

• Have underlying health conditions

• Are taking other medications that may interact with motion sickness treatment

How RedBox Rx can help

If you are looking for preventative motion sickness treatment, RedBox Rx offers a variety of FDA-approved prescription medications.

• No membership or subscription fees.

• Low-cost $39 telehealth consult with a licensed medical provider.

• Scopolamine patches for $35 per treatment.

• Confidential, private and secure.

• Free standard shipping or expedited/overnight available.

Your first step toward relief is to consult with one of our experienced, licensed medical providers.