Heading on a Svalbard expedition cruise? What an incredible way to experience the High Arctic! But let’s be honest—you’ll face real ocean exposure out there. One day might bring perfectly glassy fjords, the next could throw you into rolling swells, especially when venturing beyond sheltered waters. The good news? Most seasickness can be prevented or at least kept mild with smart cabin choices, appropriate medications, and a few daily habits that really make a difference.
How Your Route Affects Motion
Protected Cruising vs. Open Water
The most significant motion happens during open stretches where wind and swell have plenty of room to build. Depending on your itinerary, this might mean transits along exposed coastlines or passages between island groups, which is why travel planning for a cruise to Svalbard can make a noticeable difference before you even step aboard.
Things calm down considerably in fjords and narrow sounds. Makes sense, right? The surrounding land blocks the wind and reduces fetch (that’s the distance wind travels over water). When tucked inside places like Isfjorden, Kongsfjorden, or other protected inlets, the ship often rides so smoothly you might forget you’re even on water.
Wind and Sea Conditions Matter
Ever noticed how waves hitting from different directions feel completely different? Beam seas (waves hitting from the side) typically feel much worse than head seas because they create more rolling motion. Meanwhile, following seas (waves from behind) create this gentle but persistent yaw and surge that might not bother you during the day but can become maddening when trying to sleep.
Ice and Operations
In light ice, captains slow down, change heading, or weave around ice floes. Slower speeds reduce pounding, but those frequent course changes can actually increase movement sensation for some travelers. Worth noting: Zodiac operations sometimes shift earlier or later to match conditions, throwing off your eating, sleeping, and medication schedule—all crucial for preventing seasickness.
Ship Size Matters
Smaller expedition ships tend to be more “lively” in swells, particularly along open segments. Yes, stabilizers help, but don’t be fooled—they won’t eliminate motion entirely. That’s just physics at work.
Picking the Right Cabin to Minimize Motion
If you’ve got cabin choices, this is hands-down your most important decision.
Find the Ship’s Center
The midship area experiences the least roll and pitch because it sits near the vessel’s natural center of motion. Think of it as standing at the middle of a seesaw versus at the ends.
Lower decks generally feel steadier than higher ones. The higher you go, the bigger the arc of movement becomes, which means more noticeable sway. Want the most stable spot? Look for midship, lower deck options.
What to Avoid
Forward cabins might offer great views, but they’ll subject you to more pitch and that unsettling “elevator drop” sensation when hitting waves. Aft cabins often experience more vibration and prop wash, plus in certain sea conditions, you’ll notice more yaw (side-to-side swinging).
Cabins near stairwells, crew doors, or public venues bring another problem—noise. Disturbed sleep makes nausea more likely the next day. Worth considering even if you’re not typically noise-sensitive.
Know Your Patterns
Are you someone who reliably gets queasy? Then prioritize stability over views. Sure, a window is lovely, but you can always head on deck for fresh air and horizon time. For comfort’s sake, a midship lower cabin often beats that high-deck balcony with the spectacular (but motion-amplified) views.
Medications vs. Natural Remedies
For most travelers, the best approach involves choosing one primary prevention method supported by good habits. Be careful about mixing multiple medications without a plan—this can create side effects that feel remarkably similar to seasickness itself.
Medication Options
Scopolamine Patch
Often quite effective for those with strong motion sensitivity. Apply behind your ear.
Common downsides? Dry mouth, blurry vision, drowsiness. Since it needs lead time to work effectively, start using it before motion builds—not once you’re already feeling green.
Antihistamines
- Meclizine (Bonine/Dramamine Less Drowsy): Popular among cruisers because it lasts longer and tends to be less sedating for many people.
- Dimenhydrinate (original Dramamine): Works well for some but can cause noticeable sleepiness. Not ideal if you want to stay alert for wildlife sightings!
Helpful tip: Worried about side effects? Try a dose at home first on a low-stakes day to see how your body reacts.
Ginger Plus Meds
Ginger can serve as a helpful add-on for mild symptoms or breakthrough nausea. While it’s rarely enough on its own for people who reliably get seasick, it can take the edge off when combined with other methods.
Prescription Anti-nausea Tablets
These come in handy if you tend to experience nausea even after taking preventive measures. However, they typically work better as backup rather than your only plan.
Golden rule to remember: Prevention works far better than rescue. If you wait until you’re already feeling awful, it becomes much harder to turn things around.
Natural and Non-drug Options
Acupressure Bands
Some travelers swear these wristbands change everything; others feel absolutely nothing. They’re low risk and easy to pack, so why not have them as an option?
Ginger
Available as capsules, chews, tea, or crystallized pieces. The key is taking it consistently rather than waiting until symptoms appear.
Peppermint
Tea or lozenges can settle the stomach for some travelers, especially when combined with fresh air. The cooling sensation seems to help distract from nausea.
Hydration and Electrolytes
Dehydration makes nausea more likely and headaches worse. Warm ship interiors and heavy Arctic gear can dry you out without you even noticing. Sip water throughout the day rather than guzzling occasionally.
Torn between going all-natural or using medication? A sensible middle ground: use proven medication on big crossing days and lighter natural tools on calmer days.
Daily Habits That Help on an Arctic Expedition
Start the Day Steady
Eat something small and bland before hunger sets in: toast, oatmeal, yogurt, or bananas work well.
Avoid starting your day with nothing but coffee. Caffeine on an empty stomach? Classic trigger for many people.
Stay Ahead of Motion
If the day’s itinerary includes an open water transit, take your chosen preventive option early enough for it to start working before the swell builds. Timing matters tremendously.
Keep a simple morning routine: wake up, hydrate, eat a light breakfast, take prevention if needed, then head out. Consistency helps your body adjust.
Use the Horizon
Feeling a bit off? Spend time on deck looking at the distance. Your inner ear and eyes need to tell the same “story” to settle your system. The disconnect between what you see and what your body feels often triggers that queasy sensation.
Choose the Right Spot
When seas get rough, midship lounges generally feel calmer than those glorious forward observation areas. If lying down becomes necessary, lie flat and keep your head still. Some people do better on their back with eyes closed, focusing on breathing.
Eat Smart
Favor frequent small meals rather than large, rich feasts. Heavy meals require more energy to digest, which can amplify nausea.
Go easy on alcohol. Yes, that Arctic beer might be tempting, but alcohol disrupts sleep and dehydrates you—making the next day potentially worse.
Sleep and Pacing
Poor sleep dramatically amplifies sensitivity to motion and smell. Light sleeper? Pack earplugs, a sleep mask, and keep your cabin cool.
Don’t overextend yourself on day one. Arctic expedition days can be surprisingly long with all the gearing up, landings, and activities. Pace yourself.
Manage Smell and Heat
Strong odors can trigger nausea amazingly fast. Step into fresh air if you catch whiffs of fuel, galley smells, or damp gear.
Avoid overheating by wearing too many layers indoors. Strip down in the lounge, then layer back up before heading outside.
Pack a Small “Rescue Kit”
Smart travelers keep these items handy:
- Ginger chews or tea bags
- Plain crackers
- Electrolyte packets
- Peppermint lozenges
- Your backup medication
- A sealable bag (just in case)
A Simple Approach That Works for Most
Book a midship, lower-deck cabin if possible. Choose one primary prevention method for crossing days (either patch or one type of antihistamine). Support your chosen method with consistent habits: light breakfast, steady hydration, horizon time, and avoiding heavy meals and alcohol. Always carry a backup option for breakthrough nausea.
With these strategies, you’ll likely spend much more time enjoying the incredible Arctic landscapes than worrying about seasickness. After all, nobody travels all the way to Svalbard to stare at the inside of their cabin!