USVI-On-Line

Has anyone, who is susceptible to motion sickness, done a full day boat trip? How did you fare and what sort of precautions did you successfully or unsuccessfully take?

I've been hesitant to charter a boat for a long time due to my motion sickness problem. It's not cheap to go on a boat trip and I don't want to just "barely" make it through the precious day. Have tried some pills in the past but, as I recall, they didn't provide great results for me - that was a long time ago, though...

What remedy has and hasn

Ask your family physician for a Scopalamine prescription. It's the patch you place behind your ear. I used one on our last trip in February. I placed it behind my ear the night before we left for our boat trip, and left it in place for 3 days (which also happened to be our flight home too). I never felt one tiny bit sick the entire time. It was wonderful and well worth the money. Most physicians will prescribe them without question if they know you are planning on traveling and are prone to motion sickness.

Hubby has used scalpolamine patches as well to great affect.

Another thing to consider is the TYPE of boat that you take your daysail on. I find that smaller monohull sailboats (eg. Wayward Sailor) are not a good combo for me. On rougher days they can get a roll to them and that will really set me off.

Whereas a catamaran or even a powerboat work better for me. I did a trip to VG on a larger powerboat with zero issus. Or at least something that I can move around on.

The other trick is to pick a spot on the horizon and focus on that.

I did my first week long sailing trip with Vicki H and Sydney this same time last year and the first couple of days were brutal.

I had done day sails with little issue and certainly the ferry boats were never a problem, but I definitely was a little green at first on that trip.

Perhaps you could opt for a half day sail for less money in case it doesn't work out. Or just take the ferry to Jost that way you can feel like you're being adventurous, but you have 5 hours on land to recover when you get there.

Just some ideas...

Ditto to the comments above about smaller boats. We love Capt Phil and the Wayward Sailor but switched form the JVD trip to the 2 stop day sail after we really thought what it would be like to be on a boat that small for that much sail time. It can be a little quease-inducing.

We took the Limnos to VG in 2006 and none of us had a problem at all.

the bigger the boat, the less the feeling of seasickness for me.

I use Dramamine 24 hour and also use a wrist band for pressure points.(you can get them at any drug store) Never had a problem with Capt Phil on Wayward Sailor or Palm Tree Charters catamaran. Gromit is right on about looking at the horizon. Also, if you are on/off the boat that helps and the trip to Jost is quick. I am a bit of a worry wart and I have now gone on 4 boat trips with no problems!

I also agree that Dramamine works well. I take it about 3 hours prior to the boat trip. I also do WAY better on a catamaran versus a monohul as they rock and sway a lot less. Good luck.....a boat in the islands is a perfect trip and one that shouldn't be missed if at all possible

My wife used to get sick standing on a floating dock! Dramine didn't work, the patch worked ok till she took it of at home and got seasick on land! finally found Boneine...(probably spelled wrong) works.... she's been good for the past 3 years......

I will second the use of Bonine. I now take one pill an hour before any boating trips and never feel sick. Except for once on a sail boat and I took another pill when I felt queasy and in 15 minutes I felt fine. I have been on cruises and felt queasy until I took the Bonine. It works for me!

I take Bonine too and it always works for me. I also vote for a catamaran, they are very stable. I hope you can go, I know you've been interested for a long time!

I'm half way considering booking Captain Brandi to visit The Indians, The Caves, etc. next spring. I'm most worried about the ride after eating lunch with a few drinks. Not sure my wimpy stomach can take it well. Even when riding the winding roads on the islands, I use those wristbands and try to find any decent distant spot that I can focus on. I still get queasy often especially after eating or a long snorkeling.

I've gone on boat trips before (not in the Caribbean) but they were snorkeling trips and only for a few hours total. I wasn't completely fine but did okay. I was mostly in the water and not on the boat, anyway.

A half-day boat trip is a good idea. I may look into that. Not sure if Captain Brandi offers it. If not, does anyone have recommendations? Would love to visit The Indians and Norman Island for snorkeling.

It's good to know the experiences of other folks. I don't know what remedy will work for me - I guess I'll find out. Thank you very much, everyone, for the information!

California Girl wrote: I hope you can go, I know you've been interested for a long time!

Thanks, CG. You know me well.

Hey there, Pickle.
I'm with LazyLane & the wristband situation.
I tend to drink one hell of a lot of rum when I'm on island, and I'm sure that that doesn't help my belly much on a boat...
I'm not sure if it's "mind over matter", or not, but I put them on the second I leave the house to go to the airport, and keep them on until we reach whichever villa we're renting on STJ.
YES, it looks dorky, but it doesn't bother me. Hell, if anyone thinks they look wimpy/geeky/touristy, I'll gladly take them off and vomit all over said folks...-
Just kidding.
But they do,in fact,work for me. Like I said, it very well could be all mental, but they haven't let me down! Plus they're cheap...
Good luck, and always
Smiles-
MJ

Pickle wrote:I'm half way considering booking Captain Brandi to visit The Indians, The Caves, etc. next spring. I'm most worried about the ride after eating lunch with a few drinks. Not sure my wimpy stomach can take it well. Even when riding the winding roads on the islands, I use those wristbands and try to find any decent distant spot that I can focus on. I still get queasy often especially after eating or a long snorkeling.

I've gone on boat trips before (not in the Caribbean) but they were snorkeling trips and only for a few hours total. I wasn't completely fine but did okay. I was mostly in the water and not on the boat, anyway.

A half-day boat trip is a good idea. I may look into that. Not sure if Captain Brandi offers it. If not, does anyone have recommendations? Would love to visit The Indians and Norman Island for snorkeling.

It's good to know the experiences of other folks. I don't know what remedy will work for me - I guess I'll find out. Thank you very much, everyone, for the information!

hey pickle, is ti posible to try out a fe w meds before you go? the other thing is that brandi has a cat type boat--it's a very smoothe ride--(comparatively speaking) and since it is an open hull you might do better because you have the horizon and the wind in your face----i would try to test meds before you go if possible.

loria wrote:
hey pickle, is ti posible to try out a fe w meds before you go? the other thing is that brandi has a cat type boat--it's a very smoothe ride--(comparatively speaking) and since it is an open hull you might do better because you have the horizon and the wind in your face----i would try to test meds before you go if possible.

Maybe you can talk with a pharmacist you trust; then, I agree, try out the meds before going to St John.
My personal experience has been with Bonine, or meclizine, (for Meniere's disease); it has few side effects, comes in an easy to take chewable, and is inexpensive. I have heard that some people start taking it 24 hours before boarding for a cruise.
Also, John Brandi might have some suggestions for a slower paced day on the water.
... will be looking forward to some exciting pics!