Feeling ill after a cruise? It might be land sickness

Still feeling the waves after disembarking? Here’s what causes this mystifying post-cruise condition, and the tips seasoned sailors swear by to manage it.

I’ve never been very prone to seasickness. Of course, there’s a first for everything, and I’m sure sailing through the Drake Passage would have me eating my words, but knock on wood, I’ve always had a pretty steady pair of sea legs.

Which is precisely why I was so bewildered to find that after I got off a four-day crossing from Brest in Brittany to Reykjavík in Iceland, I still felt as though the world was rocking beneath my feet. Despite being firmly on solid ground, I experienced dizziness, fatigue and an unsettling swaying sensation.

When I spoke to the friends I was travelling with, I soon realised I wasn’t the only one either. “It’s land sickness,” one of the more seasoned sailors among us explained.

What is land sickness?

Landsickness Credit Unsplash — Land sickness can cause dizziness and fatigue | Credit: Unsplash

Land sickness is also known as mal de terre, dock rock or stillness illness. Long-lasting, clinically significant cases are classified as disembarkment syndrome or mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS).

Whichever term you use, it refers to the persistent feeling of rocking, bobbing or swaying after exposure to passive motion, most commonly caused by being on board a ship, though it can also be triggered by plane rides, land travel and even virtual reality. It can also bring on dizziness, fatigue, brain fog and difficulty concentrating.

It’s more common if you spend an extended period at sea. For example, a transatlantic journey taking you from Southampton to New York without ports of call is a prime culprit.

The good news is this disorientating feeling doesn’t last forever. For most people, land sickness is relatively mild and disappears after a day or two.

MdDS is much more persistent, lasting months or more, and should be assessed by a medical professional. Thankfully, it is rare.

What causes land sickness?

Land sickness image unsplash — Women aged 30 to 60 are more likely to develop the condition | Credit: Unsplash

While there is some debate about its root cause, the leading theory is that land sickness involves the way the brain adapts to motion and its impact on the vestibular system, which helps control balance and spatial orientation.

Put simply, after a significant amount of time at sea, your brain readjusts to the passive motion in a process called vestibular adaptation, and when you get back on land, the result is sensory mismatch.

The people most at risk of MdDS? Women between 30 and 60; some have speculated that specific hormones may play a role, but there is no concrete evidence of this. People who suffer from chronic migraines may also be more likely to develop the condition, though the link is not well understood.

How do I manage land sickness?

Rest land sickness illness — It's vital to get enough rest | Credit: Unsplash

Here are six ways to manage symptoms that seasoned cruisers swear by:
Move: Your instincts might be telling you to stay put, but land sickness can actually be worse when you’re stationary. Mild exercise or even a car ride (don’t drive yourself if you’re very dizzy) can help you readjust.
Rest: Even though it might temporarily feel worse when you’re still, it’s important to get adequate rest when you’re experiencing symptoms, as fatigue can exacerbate them.
Limit screen time: Staring at your phone or laptop, or indeed, focusing on any close object, can make symptoms worse for some people.
Hydration: Not getting enough fluids after a cruise can make dizziness and fatigue worse, so be sure to drink enough water throughout the day. Rehydration sachets or water-rich foods like watermelon can also help.
Find a fixed point: Visual cues like the horizon or where the wall meets the floor can help counter the feeling of rocking or swaying.
Wait it out: For the vast majority of cruisers, land sickness disappears on its own after a couple of days. If symptoms do persist for a week or longer, you may want to consult your GP.

Top tip: A good way to minimise land sickness before it starts is to choose the right cabin. When you’re booking, select a stateroom near the middle of the ship and on a lower deck. Guests staying here will feel the ship’s motion less acutely than those staying on higher decks right at the aft or bow.

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