QE2 & THE ROUGH ATLANTIC: PART 2 (SEASICKNESS FEAR)

Well, the more I read the postings and the emails, the more I got stressed out that the December crossing and the Q2 Penthouse Suite we have booked may be the trip of a lifetime (for the wrong reasons). And worrying about getting seasick became a major pre-occupation. The question I asked about that on the boards, seemed to create some "tension" among the regular crossers - and led to some tense debates..... but there did seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel...

JBAILEY: "Just enjoy the experience and don't even consider getting seasick. You can get a shot if you have to, but I never noticed very many really seasick people. QE2 handles rough seas very nicely and the motion is quite slow because she is so large"

TRANSATLANTIC TOM: "In reply to Gary B --- even in rough weather I have NOT seen QE2 passengers in distress, or getting seasick. As we all seem to be saying, QE2 is both a large ship, and she is an incredibly steady ship in rough weather. This is of course what she was designed to do: to cross the North Atlantic in all sorts of weather, INCLUDING December weather. Yes, you can feel the ship roll, sway, and pitch but I would tell your partner not to worry at all. It very well may be smooth.

Also, maybe others will disagree, but I would argue against automatically using those motion sickness patches that one can have prescribed. My wife used them during a smooth QE2 Transatlantic crossing to Southampton last August (she was a little apprehensive as it was her first sea voyage) and they made her drowsy and sleepy.....so obtain them if you feel so inclined, but DON'T put them on before sailing, and then only use them if you feel a little uncomfortable. As an aside, we may run into you aboard QE2 in December !!!"

GUERNSEY GUY: "If you do get sick the Doc has a jab that supposedly knocks you out, and when you wake you are fine and ravenous....enjoy!"

SANDIEGOCRUISERS: "Yes, the ship is extremely stable and can, and has, taken on some amazing storms. However, that shouldn't be confused with the ship making the crossing any more smoother. If someone is concerned about being seasick, I would not tell them to "Not to worry at all" when making a December Transatlantic, especially if they are accustom to Caribbean Cruises".

STOWAWAY2k: I sailed on QE2's Dec. 03 transatlantic to NYC, when I was fortunate to be assigned to the ship's doctor's table at dinner. The subject of seasickness and the "patch" came up, of course. The doctor advised against using it, as the side effects could possibly be worse, for some persons, than the seasickness it is meant to treat.

His suggestion was to simply take one of the tablets provided by your cabin steward/ess before going to bed, and you'll be fine the next day. If that is not enough, the shots given in his office work wonders, I'm told. I took one tablet before bed each night of this not-too-rough crossing, and had not a single moment of discomfort. I'll be crossing on QE2 again this December"

SANDIEGOCRUISERS: "I took that shot you spoke of one day out from Southampton. I would equate it to taking Nyquil, as an hour or so afterwards, it knocks you out. You sleep it off and the next morning you wake up feeling like a million bucks. For the next three months, I never had a problem, regardless of what weather we encountered".

COLIN C: "It seems to have that effect on most people but not everyone. My wife has had the injection several times and each time she is told that it will knock her out but it never does. It has a different effect though. Last year: Six PM.- lying on the bathroom floor talking to God on the porcelain telephone. Gets the injection. Seven PM.- hammering on the dining room doors demanding to be fed. It always seems to make her ravenously hungry instead of tired!"

TRANSATLANTIC TOM: I respect and appreciate the remarks made in response to my earlier message. I still stand by my statement that Gary's partner should not worry too terribly much about being sick during the December crossing. It sounds as if this will be their first Transatlantic crossing, and I don't think that it serves too much of a purpose to scare people. Caution them yes, but no more.

Yes, there are plenty of horror stories. I was purely pointing out to Gary, for purposes of reference, that the April QE2 westbound crossing was rather rough (with Force 10 winds on the Beaufort Scale, and heavy seas), but I personally did not see anyone sick, no sickness bags out in public rooms, and no general distress among passengers. Of course, someone might be tucked away in their cabin, and certainly each voyage is unique (i.e. the Millennium Cruise). Absolutely.

I still think that Gary and his partner should get some patches and their medicines of choice, but hold off on using them and see what happens. We may have a fairly smooth crossing in December, you just never know. As Captain McNaught says, "if you're in rough weather at sea, the QE2 is THE ship that you want to be on!" Gary, you'll love it !!!"

PETERNB: "Sea sickness. If you find yourself becoming ill. Don't hesitate. Go to the Doctor's (deck 6 - low) and either get the wrist band - or better still the injection. The injection can make some people very sleepy for 12 hours - but after that - you'll be banging your fists on the dining room door wanting masses to eat - followed by a sprint around the promenade deck and a bit of pole dancing on the fore-mast"

MARYKAYS: "You will have a wonderful time. I have crossed about eight times in December. The weather for most part is rough, however we did have a few smooth crossings in the winter. If you do get seasick, go down to the hospital located six deck, c stairway and they will give you a pill. I have heard it does wonders immediately as long as you don't prolong the seasickness. Nip it in the bud."

SO: the advantage it seems is that there is a sure fire solution: THE JAB!!!!!

All we now need to decide is if we stick to the pills we took for the Aurora cruise or get the jab! I believe from what I had read in an article that the jab has the same active ingredient as the pills (will probably do a posting ingredient on that). PLUS, I should remember I was on a storm on the AURORA once overnight and was fine...