Seasickness on an adventure cruise: rare, manageable, and never a reason to give up

Escales Polaires navigates in coastal waters, close to the fjords and shores. Long ocean crossings are not part of our model — and that is a difference that matters, for your comfort as well as for the quality of the experience.

There is a persistent misconception about cold sea cruises: that of sick passengers, glued to their bunks, on a ship that is rocking. This image does not correspond to the reality of the adventure cruises offered by Escales Polaires. Our itineraries — in Svalbard, Norway, Greenland — are designed to navigate in coastal waters, close to land, in naturally sheltered areas. The fjords, straits, and protected anchorages are the usual navigation settings of the M/S Tarmo and the M/S Isbjørnen II.

That said, the sea is alive. Weather conditions can change, and a journey between two islands or two fjords may be made in slightly rough seas. It is rare, it is brief — and unlike a large cruise ship that sticks to its schedule at all costs, we immediately alter the itinerary if the conditions are not right. This guide exists for travellers who wish to prepare for this eventuality, honestly and without dramatization.

Coastal navigation: why Escales Polaires' Arctic is very different from the open sea

Our model is not that of ocean crossing. The M/S Tarmo and the M/S Isbjørnen II navigate along the coasts, in search of wild anchorages, inaccessible coves for large ships, and passages between islands. Most of the time is spent at anchor or moving slowly on relatively calm waters — this is precisely what makes this type of navigation so different and so rich.

Open crossings do exist, but they are short and scheduled according to weather windows. The crew consults the forecasts several times a day, knows the available sheltered areas on each route, and does not hesitate to modify the schedule if conditions are not favourable. This is one of the real advantages of a 12-passenger vessel: the freedom to adapt, without the constraints of commercial planning. A large cruise ship cannot afford to change its itinerary for 3,500 passengers. We can — and we do.

Understanding seasickness: a simple mechanism, rarely triggered in our waters

Seasickness — or motion sickness — arises from a disagreement between the inner ear, which perceives movement, and the eyes, which see a fixed scene. This sensory conflict can cause nausea, sudden fatigue, and pallor. It affects about 25 to 30% of occasional sailors in rough conditions, according to studies — but in sheltered coastal navigation, this proportion is significantly lower.

Some profiles are slightly more exposed: people prone to motion sickness in cars or planes, those who lack sleep before boarding, or those who feel anxiety related to novelty. However, there is good news: the body adapts quickly. Many passengers describe acclimatisation from the very first day, sometimes within the first few hours. And in the context of our voyages, the conditions that would trigger lasting discomfort remain the exception.

If this happens: validated remedies and reflexes

The preparation remains the best remedy, even if the risk is limited. First-generation antihistamines — dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Mercalm) or meclizine — are effective if taken one to two hours before the crossing, not after the onset of symptoms. Transdermal scopolamine patches, available by prescription, provide prolonged and gentler action for sensitive individuals.

The Sea-Band acupressure bracelets stimulate the P6 point on the wrist, with no side effects, and show encouraging results in several clinical studies. Ginger in capsules — 500 mg — helps with mild to moderate nausea. On board, three simple reflexes: position yourself in the centre of the ship on the deck, look at the horizon to resynchronise vision and balance, and eat light but regularly. Lying flat in your cabin, eyes closed, is often more effective than sitting and struggling. Discuss it with your doctor before departure to choose the protocol suited to your personal situation.

Our approach: flexibility as the first response

On a large cruise ship, the itinerary is set in stone weeks in advance. On the Tarmo or the Isbjørnen II, the route for the next day is decided in the evening based on the weather, the state of the sea, and the wishes of the group. If a planned crossing looks uncomfortable, we find an alternative — a sheltered anchorage to explore, a nearby fjord to reach by a more sheltered route. This is not a retreat: it is navigation as it has been practiced for centuries in these waters.

This flexibility also applies to your personal comfort. Share your vulnerabilities with the crew upon arrival — meals can be adapted, crossing times adjusted. A ship with 12 passengers allows for attention to each person on board, without anyone having to remain silent out of modesty or fear of disturbing.

Seasickness should never be what holds you back from embarking on a polar adventure cruise. Our waters are coastal, our itineraries flexible, our crew attentive. For the vast majority of our passengers, the question never really arises. And for those who wish to prepare as a precaution, solutions exist, they are simple, and we are here to discuss them before departure.

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