New Person Saying "Hi"

[Kevyn]

I am very excited to find this forum.  My husband and I have been dreaming of freighter travel for several years.  This past May both of the children graduated from high school and are leaving for college in August.  We now believe we are ready to begin to plan a trip within the next year.  My husband spent some happy years in the Navy working in the machine room.  He loved the sea and the life of a sailor.  A luxury cruise is not for him - just wouldn't be the same.  In my web exploring about freighter travel, I found your forum and am looking forward to learning from so many of you that have experience.  I have read every post and have learned alot so far.

I have one question that I have not seen addressed so far.  Sea sickness!  I have read how the ships are very heavy and the travel is often very smooth.  But, what about the time when it isn't smooth?  Does anyone have any stories about rough sailing?  Any ideas on how to manage seasickness should it occur?  My husband has no advice as he never got sick and loves all of the motion of the sea he can get.  Imagine that!

[Mitch]

I am told that ginger tablets are a good nad simple treatment for motion sickness.

[Kevyn]

thanks mitch!

[Mitch]

Kevyn, What areas would you be considering. Long or short voyage. THere are so many options all around the world. In February I will be flying to London from Australia then catching a ship back from there via Panama, about 50 days in all. It will be my first freighter cruise and I am really looking forward to it.

[lunamara]

For seasickness: there are many things that will help. "Seabands " - wrist bands are great IF they work for you. They either do or don't - nothing in between. Worth a try. Keep your stomach full. Bring crackers (biscuits). No alcohol when it's rough and not a huge amount of liquids, no greasy foods.

There are many good non- perscription drugs depending on what country you are in. Yes, it can get very rough even on a big ship. Just sleep through it. Rest on your couch don't try to move around a lot.

[Kevyn]

thanks lunamara.  i was wondering if rough seas are much of an issue.  i know i can take dramamine and get "knocked out" if i am desperate!  your suggestions are great, and i appreciate the reply.  happy travel

[usnretdocb]

Kevyn,

I took a freighter trip a couple of years ago.  Kept a journal and wrote up a trip report.  You can find it here.

http://www.independenttraveler.com/tripreports/tripreports.cfm?ID=355

It may bore you to tears or it may be useful information for your trip.

Any questions you can drop me an email  at  usnretdocb @ yahoo.com  (just connect it all together).   Please put freighter voyage in subject.

[Mitch]

John, Thank you for putting your link to your voyage on the Arno.I will be sailing with CMA CGM next February from Tilbury to Melbourne via Panama (about 7 weeks in all) and I found your journal very interesting reading.I will be calling at a couple of the ports you mentioned.I hope to be keeping a journal also on my laptop and hope to include some photos similar to some of the other posts that I have seen.

[Reddave]

thanks lunamara.  i was wondering if rough seas are much of an issue.  i know i can take dramamine and get "knocked out" if i am desperate!  your suggestions are great, and i appreciate the reply.  happy travel

If you feel queasy, try to hold onto something and look at the horizon, outside if possible for fresh air.

Try to stand with bent knees. This dampens the movement of the ship and helps your balance.

Try to eat a lot. A full stomach with something to do is less likely to get upset. If you do vomit then at least there's something there to expel.