What Causes Sea Legs After A Cruise?

Sea legs is a condition experienced by some travelers after getting off a cruise ship after an extended period of time. This condition, known as getting your sea legs, keeps you from crashing into a wall every time the ship bobs up or down. It is believed to arise from the brain’s adaptation to the constant motion experienced on a boat, car, or plane. Once the motion ceases, the brain struggles to readjust to the stability of solid ground, leading to a prolonged sense of movement and imbalance.

When someone has their sea legs, they can move with confidence on a ship or vessel. The condition usually goes away in a few days, but drinking a little alcohol can help. Common symptoms include nausea, headache, and blurred vision, which are consistent with rebound cholinergic activity.

Mal de debarquement (MdDS) is a condition that occurs after boating or sea travel, but can also occur after air travel, extended land travel, and even sleeping on water beds. Common symptoms include nausea, headache, and blurred vision. After a cruise, most people regain their land legs in a day or two, but for a rare few, the sensation of persistent motion lingers for weeks.