Worried about sea sickness?

Won't book a cruise because you're worried about the constant movement?

The cruise ships these days now have stabilizers which the Captain will activate if he thinks they water is getting a bit choppy & will reduce the rocking motion of the ship. The stabilizers help a ship move more smoothly & will reduce passengers getting seasick. Cruise ship stabilizers extend out below the water line on the port (left) and starboard (right) hand sides of the ship. They prevent it from rolling to the left and right as it moves through the water. They act much as do airplane wing flaps, which can be adjusted to reduce turbulence. Although no stabilizers can prevent 100 percent of a cruise ship's movement, they can significantly reduce it. This is especially desireable in rough conditions when the waves are high or the wind is strong.



Fortunately there are a wide range of options available to you...

Personally I use the Acupressure band and these work an absolute treat for me & I would highly recommend these to anyone! They're an elastic band, looks a lot like a thick hair Tye on both of your wrists & has a plastic round button that you position on the inner wrist. Because the bands do not use drugs, they do not cause any of the side effects associated with any other anti-nausea drugs and can be worn on each wrist whenever you feel nauseous. They are suitable for both adults and children & very affordable $20 or so for a set!

Ginger - another natural remedy that has been used for hundreds of years! Its natural chemicals are thought to combat nausea and vomiting. You can purchase a bag onboard or you buy some at the supermarket before you leave however do remember that any uneaten ginger must be discarded of before you disembark!

One of the most common motion sickness prescriptions is the "patch," or or transderm scop (scopolamine).. It contains chemicals that counteract side effects such as nausea and cold sweats. This new method is in the form of a patch which is applied behind the ear & releases an active substance through the skin into the blood stream over a prolonged period of up to 3 days. Only recommended for adults and children over 10 years of age & there are known side effects such as drowsiness.

Here are some other good tips to avoid getting sea sick...

• When you going through the booking process please ask us for a cabin in the middle of the ship - this is the best place to be! The cheaper cabins are located up the front or the back of the ship & it's usually not too much more to pay to get into the middle area...
  
• Stay busy! Concentrate on something else to keep your mind otherwise occupied. Sometimes it's mind over matter...
  
• Get some fresh air - you will be able to find a quiet spot onboard the open decks
• Fix your gaze upon a fixed point such as the horizon or land...
  
• Watch your consumption of foods, drinks, and alcohol before and during travel. Avoid excessive alcohol and foods or liquids that "do not agree with you" or make you feel unusually full. Heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods may worsen motion sickness in some people.

Holland America availability

Holland America Line still has good availability for sailings in Europe in 2010!! With 6 of their 4-5 star ships - ms Eurodam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Noordam, ms Westerdam and Holland America Line's newest Signature-class ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam there are plenty itinerary options!! Contact us for suggestions, prices and availability.

Princess Cruises adds a Kiwi flavour to NZ cruises!

Princess Cruises is to introduce a distinct Kiwi flavour on its cruises to New Zealand.
From this spring, passengers on Sun Princess and Dawn Princess’ NZ cruises will be able to feel the spirit of Aotearoa throughout their voyage.
The move coincides with the launch of Princess Cruises’ 2011-12 cruise program, which offers a record 27 cruises from Australia to New Zealand.

Highlights of Princess’ New Zealand cultural program include:
New Zealand Cuisine –Kiwi dishes will be marked on the menu with a silver fern. Dinner will include items such as braised New Zealand lamb shanks on lentil ragout, while lunch menus will feature fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Passengers can even start their day with bacon and egg pie.
Wine and Beers – Bars will feature local Steinlager and Rheineck beers, while the wine lists will include a selection of New Zealand wines.
New Zealand Island Night – This will feature a New Zealand theme, with local food such as lolly log cake and drink selections, including Kiwi Caipirinha.
Chef and Bartender Challenge – This TV-style challenge features the ship’s chef and bartender facing off in a competition to make two dishes or five drinks with a secret
New Zealand ingredient in just 30 minutes.
Enrichment and Education – Destination experts will give passengers information about
ports of call, while a park ranger will provide narration as the ship sails through Fiordland
National Park. Princess is also working with Tourism New Zealand to present an onboard
exhibit where passengers can learn more about local history and culture.
In-port Cultural Programs – In select ports, Maori cultural performers will offer afternoon
presentations. Maori masters will offer workshops in Kapa Haka dance traditions, tiki
warrior rituals, Waiata chants, and lessons in Maori language.
Entertainment – While the ships are in port in Tauranga and Auckland, passengers can enjoy
performances from local entertainers. Maori bands and other local performers are also being
added to the lineup. The ships’ movie and TV screens will show films with a local twist, such as
the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Piano as well as NZ documentaries and sporting events.

The new programs and menus will be featured on Sun Princess sailings from 13OCT and Dawn Princess sailings from 08DEC.