Best cabin location for vertigo

[Phillycat]

Can anyone tell me please where the best location would be for someone who has vertigo? Low deck, in the middle, on the outside? Mid deck in the middle or on the outside?

I haven't had an episode in 4 yrs, and need to chose my cabin wisely. Thanks.

[SadieN]

The smoothest ride is as low and in the middle as you can be.

[cb at sea]

Just remember....you won't be in your cabin most of the time....you'll be out and about!

[bbwex]

What is the perfect cabin? You'll be pleased to know that it doesn't exist, but let's discuss the issue.

 

To have the least motion when the ship is pitching (bow and stern going up and down) would be half way in between, which in cruising parlance is amidships. That one is fairly easy.

 

When the ship is rolling (side-to-side), which is frankly the most common, the ideal cabin would be half way measuring from side-to-side. Here is where it gets difficult. That would be an inside cabin. If you have issues, inside cabins can be about the worst possible place. The best place is someplace not too high, but see the discussion below as to how low.

 

Now let's talk about which deck. The old saying was "low and in the middle," but that is not as simple as it used to be. It used to be that around the main deck -- where the hull stops and the superstructure starts -- was about right, or maybe even a deck below that. The problem is that the problem itself is complicated. The ship has a Center of Motion around which it moves. That used to be "low and in the middle." With today's ships with monstrous superstructures, only a naval architect could tell you where the Center of Motion is, but it is higher than the main deck quite often these days. The best bet to reduce the rolling motion would be on a lower deck, somewhere around the main deck, but you might be fine a deck or even two above it, depending on the ship (the less superstructure, the lower you go).

 

Seasickness is a result of a conflict between the eyes not seeing motion, and the inner ear feeling motion. Hence an inside cabin with no view of the horizon can be deadly. You are best off with at least an ocean view. If you start to feel the motion, go outside, get some fresh air and watch the horizon (or just the seas) to eliminate the conflict in your brain. Everyone gets their sea legs in the first day (for the vast majority), and are fine thereafter. If you are noticing any motion, stay somewhere where you can see the horizon. If you have to go inside (bathroom, etc.) make it fast!

 

One other item: eat normal meals. This sounds counter-intuitive, but eat at normal times. Don't overeat or eat greasy foods, but having something in your stomach reduces the chances of seasickness.

 

Lastly, don't worry yourself into a problem. If you have been fine for the last four years, you will likely continue to be. Take the precautions above, and think about eating candied ginger, ginger snaps or taking ginger pills or perhaps an OTC medication. Most people are fine -- otherwise there wouldn't be many cruise ships. There is a mental element to seasickness -- I have seen a guy get seasick as our aircraft carrier was leaving port, and you would not have known we were moving unless you looked at the buildings on the shore. Relax, enjoy, and have a great time.