Question:

We are considering a South Africa vacation and would like opinions on Trafalgar’s tour package or other reasonably priced alternatives.  We are planning 10 or 11 nights not including travel time from/to the USA.  We hope to use frequent flyer miles for airfare and would like to do everything else for $6,000 US$ or less.  Thank you.

Response:

I can’t help evaluate the tour package because my upcoming trip, will be my first. I will be flying from California (USA) to Tanzania…. If you haven’t already considered connecting through Europe to your South Africa destinations, BY ALL MEANS CONSIDER IT.  I looked at airfare from the California, USA connecting through several points in Europe ( Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Zurich). By making this hop, I will be saving about $1k USD. That would possibly translate to $2k USD for you since you are traveling as a couple. Have fun! I’ll be looking forward to reading the responses you receive.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We are considering a South Africa vacation and would like opinions on Trafalgar’s tour package or other reasonably priced alternatives.  We are planning 10 or 11 nights not including travel time from/to the USA.  We hope to use frequent flyer miles for airfare and would like to do everything else for $6,000 US$ or less.  Thank you.

Response:

We are considering a South Africa vacation and would like opinions on Trafalgar’s tour package or other reasonably priced alternatives.  We are planning 10 or 11 nights not including travel time from/to the USA.  We hope to use frequent flyer miles for airfare and would like to do everything else for $6,000 US$ or less.  Thank you.

Hi At the present rate of exchange 1US$ = R.7.12 at todays rate that will certainly change before you arrive. That equates to R42,000-00 plus change. 11 nights a little under R4000-00 per day / night for a couple. I don’t know what you get charged for tours coming from the USA, but that is quite a large budget for a South African. I have just come back from staying in a good +/- 2 star hotel 10 days for 3 (2 adults and 1 child) which worked out at R350-00 per night including a English breakfast. (actually a South African breakfast far superier to an English breakfast. Traveling is reasonably cheap a flight from Jo’burg to Capetown, then to PE and on to Durban and back to Jo’burg would work out to around R3,500-00 for a local flying at off peak times I know if you pay with a foriegn credit card and book a couple of days before the price can be double. Eating out except for 5 star hotels and Cape Town) is reasonably cheap 2 starters, a couple of beers and a couple of steaks should just leave some change out of $30 If I was planning on a holiday for two with $6000-00 I would expect one heck of a good time. Who ever you choose to book through I hope you have a holiday of a life time South Africa is one of the nicest countries in the World. Good Luck.

Response:

We are considering a South Africa vacation and would like opinions on Trafalgar’s tour package or other reasonably priced alternatives.  We are planning 10 or 11 nights not including travel time from/to the USA.  We hope to use frequent flyer miles for airfare and would like to do everything else for $6,000 US$ or less.  Thank you.

Hi…I went to the trafalgar website (www.trafalgar.com) and although they say they offer South Africa as a destination, when I search for tours there, it says they are not offering any at this time.  When I search for Africa tours, only their Egypt tours come up… So if you can describe the itinerary/cost they have proposed to you, perhaps someone can comment…

Response:

I was scheduled to do their Johannesburg to Cape Town last December, but they canceled fairly late. I did my own air and this caused me some problems. My TA told me that they canceled ALL their South Africa tours. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -We are considering a South Africa vacation and would like opinions on Trafalgar’s tour package or other reasonably priced alternatives.  We are planning 10 or 11 nights not including travel time from/to the USA.  We hope to use frequent flyer miles for airfare and would like to do everything else for $6,000 US$ or less.  Thank you.

Response:

Question:

Amsterdam is a great place.  Grab some guide books at the bookstore or online and start planning what you want do to.  Lots of great places to see if you are in to art, some of the old canal houses have been made into merchant museums, the Ann Frank house, and of course the out of this world Dutch Pancakes in both sweet and savory. You will have a great time

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If any of you read the thread I started DO NOT EVER BOOK A UNIWORLD CRUISE, you read that Uniworld ruined our vacation by chartering out our river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium. Some of you suggested that we not let then ruin the vacation and make alternate plans. Well, I spent much of today with a brick and mortar travel agent. We are now flying to Amsterdam on KLM and have a hotel package through their travel partner Northwest Airlines. Hey, it’s not a cruise, but my wife really had her heart set on seeing Amsterdam and at least we will be doing that. And it will be for a cost of about $1000 less. It is one day less, and unlike the cruise only breakfast will be included. But, I am sure that we will have a good time. BTW, thank you to all who replied in that thread. If I can keep even one person from booking Uniworld and being screwed by them It was worth the effort posting it.

Response:

Amsterdam is a great place.  Grab some guide books at the bookstore or online and start planning what you want do to.  Lots of great places to see if you are in to art, some of the old canal houses have been made into merchant museums, the Ann Frank house, and of course the out of this world Dutch Pancakes in both sweet and savory. You will have a great time

CHECK to see which days the museums are closed – I think Mondays?  That could put a real damper on the trip!  Also, I thought cabs in D.C.  were scary until I went to Amsterdam.  Enjoy! Chris

Response:

Jeff: I’ve followed your Uniworld saga with interest. Sorry it didn’t work out. But I agree with the consensus–you’re going to have a great time exploring Amsterdam! We’ve been a couple of times–most recently this August–but never for long enough to settle in and savor all of the wonderful things that make Amsterdam so inviting. You and your wife are in for a treat! As Mike suggested, get to a library, check out some travel guides and start reading up on what’s available that looks interesting to you. And even if you read it long ago, I highly recommend reading Anne Frank’s diary again, now. It will make your visit so much more meaningful. You will soon discover that pedestrians are second class citizens–cyclists rule! We rented from MacBike at the Leideplein (which is a fun place to check out, esp. at night/weekends). Here’s their helpful website: http://www.macbike.nl/english/locations.html One of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen is the gazillion bikes parked outside the central train station…it’s worth a picture! You might arrive there if you train from Schipol? It’s an easy transfer…. Enjoy! Diana Ball Near Houston, TX http://www.dianaball.net NCL Sea

Question:

THANKS SO MUCH! I have a CVS pharmacy right around the corner from my house I have to get some for our next cruise and our daughter. — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Helen, I just purchased it at a CVS Pharmacy. You probably could go on line and seach for it and purchase it on line if you are unable to find it where you live. Melissa Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties. It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

Also meclizine is a lot less expensive than bonine,usually a 100 for around $5.00 0r $6.00 where bonine costs around $4.00 for 8,and the expiration dates are usually for a year or two,well worth it ,been on thirty cruises,and will not go without meclizine             Annie

Response:

I’ve bought both the generic meclizine and Bonine, but since we don’t always cruise that often, I find the meclizine expires. Besides that, Bonine comes in a tasty, chewable form…kind of like baby aspirin. Meclizine is swallowed. I figure if I can spend a couple grand or more for a cruise, I can afford a little packet of Bonine.:-) And, there’s no waste. Also, one of my local drug stores sells their house brand of Bonine for less money. ~Lindsay

<<Also meclizine is a lot less expensive than bonine,usually a 100 for around $5.00 0r $6.00 where bonine costs around $4.00 for 8,and the expiration dates are usually for a year or two,well worth it ,been on thirty cruises,and will not go without meclizine             Annie

Response:

Robert mentioned: But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship

I do get a bit drowsy even with Bonine/meclazine.  So I take it at bedtime.  I sleep well and the drowsiness has worn off by the time I awaken in the morning.  Works well for me! Amber

Response:

Hi Helen, I just purchased it at a CVS Pharmacy. You probably could go on line and seach for it and purchase it on line if you are unable to find it where you live. Melissa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

My experience with Dramamine, Bonine and the patch is that I have very severe reactions to Dramamine and Bonine, but was just fine with the patch.  I guess it is an individual thing. D a n

Response:

Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen

Helen,You can find Bonine in any pharmacy or food market. It is packaged in a blue box  with large white letters and should be right where you found the Dramamine. It is in chewable raspberry flavored tablet form. Ask anyone in the pharmacy section of your food store chain or any drugstore. –Jean

Response:

I used the patch once, on a fishing charter in Cabo. It worked very well…more fun because I wasn’t worried about seasickness. I second the postings about consulting your doctor first. There are side effects and other problems, my dad would not use the patch because there’s an issue with people with prostrate problems….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

I have never gotten seasick on a large ship, but I worried about our recent cruise from NYC to Eastern Caribbean.  I knew we would be in rougher seas, so I thought I’d try the patch to prevent seasickness. Since I was worried about side effects, what I did was try out the patch a few days before we departed.  I figured if I got side effects, I’d switch to something else.  I had no problems whatsoever, except for some dry mouth.  I don’t think I would have even needed it because the seas turned out to be extremely calm, but I didn’t want to take a chance and remove it.  Oh, the only other thing that happened was when, after 3 days, I switched the patch from behind my left ear to behind my right ear, I got a little rash under the patch.  Odd it didn’t happen behind my left ear. Jo-Ann – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you tried taking 2 tablets a day of Bonine, try taking just 1 tablet instead.  Or, if you took one, just try taking a half. –Tom I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch. But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship. After that we ditched the Bonine and went on our business without any problems. Granted the seas were fairly calm even though we got within 160 miles of Claudette one afternoon. Robert (still looking for the perfect anti-nausia drug) Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Dramamine is not the same thing as Bonine.  Bonine’s generic name is Meclizine. You can ask the pharmacist for a bottle of Meclizine and pay far less than you do for the name box of Bonine and it’s the same thing.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

My wife also had problems with side effects. Although the directions say   not to, my wife now uses half a patch. When cutting in half, try not to squeeze it and wash your hands thoroughly after applying it. Also she takes it off when we go on shore excursions and puts it back on upon rejoining the ship. As noted, she uses one half for 3 days and then the second half. Again, the directions say you shouldn’t do this, but it works for my wife. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

My wife also had problems with side effects. Although the directions say   not to, my wife now uses half a patch. When cutting in half, try not to squeeze it and wash your hands thoroughly after applying it. Also she takes it off when we go on shore excursions and puts it back on upon rejoining the ship. As noted, she uses one half for 3 days and then the second half. Again, the directions say you shouldn’t do this, but it works for my wife.

As you have stated, it is NOT good to cut the patch.  It is composed of microfine layers, which release the dosage in a prescribed amount over time. Cutting the patch interferes with the correct dosage delivery… teddie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean

We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

If you tried taking 2 tablets a day of Bonine, try taking just 1 tablet instead.  Or, if you took one, just try taking a half. –Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch. But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship. After that we ditched the Bonine and went on our business without any problems. Granted the seas were fairly calm even though we got within 160 miles of Claudette one afternoon. Robert (still looking for the perfect anti-nausia drug) Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

My friend used the patch on a Golden Princess cruise last March.  He is a diabetic and had a bad case of sea sickness on his first cruise.  He became very seasick and ill on the second day of the cruise.  He went to the infirmary, where a nurse recommended he take the patch off and try dramamine.  He felt much better after a long nap and was fine on the dramamine the rest of the cruise.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

It’s basically the same ingredient that is often given pre-operatively. It dries up your mucus membranes and dilates your pupils. Scopolamine is the active ingredient. If you don’t mind this sensation, that’s fine, but I didn’t care for it all. My mouth felt like cotton and I couldn’t see the menu to order. It felt like I did after the eye doc dilates my eyes and then has me sit in the waiting room surrounded by (outdated) magazine I can’t even read. Also, some folks will have a reaction to it. Trans-Derm Scop was taken off the market at one time and added back again. Not sure about the specifics. I stick to Bonine or the generic equivalent called Meclizine–both 25 mg. Lindsay – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects?

Response:

I was wearing contact lenses back in ‘ 88 when I used the TransDerm Scop patch and I imagine that’s what happened to me—got some of it in my eyes when I inserted my lenses. Well…I got the patches free from a pharmaceutical rep. who came into the doctor’s office where I worked as a nurse. The price was right, at least.:) ~Lindsay

I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch.

Response:

Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

I have used the scop patch for flying and boating for over 15 years. Without it, I will be using the little sickness bag from takeoff to landing, and I am NOT exaggerating, unfortunately.  So, for me the patch has made all the difference in the world between feeling miserable and feeling fine. Doesn’t matter how big the ship is, either.  I sailed the humongous Explorer of the Seas using the electronic Reliefband, and ended up queasy.  On with the patch!! That said, there are some side effects, and they can vary by individual. For me, slightly blurry vision, and dry mouth is about it.  So, if you are considering using the patch, it is imperative that this be discussed with your physician.  Also, after using it for seven days straight on our first cruise, I had a bit of an adjustment problem once I no longer had a patch on, such as dizziness.  That resolved after a few days’ use of Bonine once daily. Please, to those caring individuals who may be so kind as to suggest alternatives like ginger or wristbands…they do NOT work for me ( I’ve tried them all!), and for many others who have serious motion sickness problems. Anyhow, Melissa, sorry to regail you with my details…you are very smart to want to be prepared, and hopefully, you will not even need to use anything!! Have a great cruise! teddie

Response:

I tried the patch once I had dry mouth but worst of all I was very tired and was no fun for the cruise. You need to look how likely you are to have problems Can you ride in the backseat of a car? Read in a car do you get airsick? I do all 3 I find I usually get seasick one day on a cruise it seems there is always one rough spot going thru some passage where the seas are rough. I take bonine and am fine. Alaska and the med were 2 cruises where I had no problems Panama Canal was the worst on night I was lying on bed and ship was rocking so bad drawers and door would fly open and then close over and over again! Wayne

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean

Response:

I also had a very similar experience to this.  I was miserable for weeks after the cruise.  I am very prone to motion sickness and have cruised many times without taking a thing with no problem.  I would wait and see before taking that strong of a medication again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise!

Response:

My wife is very susceptible to motion sickness and this was a concern for us on our first cruise. Therefore, we opted for a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise out of Miami in early November 1999 on Carnival Ecstasy. Before we left, we got a prescription to Transderm Scop. The patches work for 3 days and can be placed behind either earlobe. After the third day, remove the patch and simply place another patch on. I recommend the other earlobe–there tends to be some itchiness after wearing one for several days but I believe it’s psychological. Anyway on our 3rd day, on our return trip from Cozumel, a cold front caused rough seas. It was so rough that there were sea-sick bags taped to the walls and the elevators. There was no one to be found wandering the hallways or decks. My wife and I seem to have the ship to ourselves–although, we were stumbling side to side as if we were drunk. We were having FUN! My wife swears by them. Since then, we have taken a 12-day Panama cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale to Costa Rica on Holland America Amsterdam. Again, we ran into rough seas. This time it was skirting a hurricane that came across Cuba and southern Florida. When we left Ft. Lauderdale, we were surprised to find so few passengers on the ship. After working out in the exercise room in early morning, we strolled the ship in that familiar drunken walk. We found the tennis courts empty and took up a game of ferocious tennis. My wife had the advantage of playing with the wind and I, of course, had to play into the wind. I figure the ship was moving 15-20 knots and the winds were 20 knots. Needless to say, I stunk–the tennis ball seem to come right back to me after I hit it.   Two days later, my wife and I couldn’t believe there were so many passengers when we docked at St. Thomas–they seem to come out of the woodwork. Again, another testimony on its effectiveness. As far as any side-effects, there was only one–cottonmouth. However, I would empathically recommend Transderm Scop. A prescription is extremely inexpensive as compared to other prescriptions–I believe it was $10 for a package of six. Why pay for a cruise if you’re stuck in your stateroom nauseous–invest in the patch. As far as Bonine or other pills is concerned, you have to remember to take them religiously. They are not effective once you get sick. It’s best to put the patch on and enjoy your vacation. There is a warning on the application of the patch. The warning states not to touch your eyes after applying the patch and to wash your hands after doing so. Not that anyone would be touch their face or eyes with their hands… lord forbid. Enjoy your vacation with the patch.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch. But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship. After that we ditched the Bonine and went on our business without any problems. Granted the seas were fairly calm even though we got within 160 miles of Claudette one afternoon. Robert (still looking for the perfect anti-nausia drug)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

FYI!  RE: the "patch"–my doctor says it can have side effects such as stomach irritation like one gets after taking ibuprofin, motrin and all things similar for long periods of time.  He recommends dramamine to fight nausea and motion sickness–I have never been sick on a ship, however, this last time, I didn’t get my land legs back for a month and I still have moments of dizziness.  Guess I’m just a dizzy broad!!  What is the bracelet supposed to do?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The scopolomine patch, I believe it is called TranScope, like any other drug, can have different reactions with different people.  I tried it once and did not fare well with it.  I experienced dizziness and blurry vision after having it on for about 8 hours and decided it wasn’t worth it.  Once I removed the patch, I felt better in about  1 – 2 hrs. Dramamine, which can be purchased over the counter, works pretty well, but it could make you pretty sleepy.  What I have found to work the best is Bonine, which is also over the counter.  Two tablets every morning did the trick for me.  If you are someone who is prone to motion sickness, then I highly recommend it. Have a wonderful time on your first cruise! Karen Owings Mills, MD Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Be aware that all ships carry all the meds.  No need to buy stuff now, since most people do not experience motion sickness on large ships.

Response:

The scopolomine patch, I believe it is called TranScope, like any other drug, can have different reactions with different people.  I tried it once and did not fare well with it.  I experienced dizziness and blurry vision after having it on for about 8 hours and decided it wasn’t worth it.  Once I removed the patch, I felt better in about  1 – 2 hrs.   Dramamine, which can be purchased over the counter, works pretty well, but it could make you pretty sleepy.  What I have found to work the best is Bonine, which is also over the counter.  Two tablets every morning did the trick for me.  If you are someone who is prone to motion sickness, then I highly recommend it. Have a wonderful time on your first cruise! Karen Owings Mills, MD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Be aware that all ships carry all the meds.  No need to buy stuff now, since most people do not experience motion sickness on large ships.

Response:

The scopolomine patch, I believe it is called TranScope, like any other drug, can have different reactions with different people.  I tried it once and did not fare well with it.  I experienced dizziness and blurry vision after having it on for about 8 hours and decided it wasn’t worth it.  Once I removed the patch, I felt better in about  1 – 2 hrs.   Dramamine, which can be purchased over the counter, works pretty well, but it could make you pretty sleepy.  What I have found to work the best is Bonine, which is also over the counter.  Two tablets every morning did the trick for me.  If you are someone who is prone to motion sickness, then I highly recommend it. Have a wonderful time on your first cruise! Karen Owings Mills, MD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Be aware that all ships carry all the meds.  No need to buy stuff now, since most people do not experience motion sickness on large ships.

Response:

FYI!  RE: the "patch"–my doctor says it can have side effects such as stomach irritation like one gets after taking ibuprofin, motrin and all things similar for long periods of time.  He recommends dramamine to fight nausea and motion sickness–I have never been sick on a ship, however, this last time, I didn’t get my land legs back for a month and I still have moments of dizziness.  Guess I’m just a dizzy broad!!  What is the bracelet supposed to do?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The scopolomine patch, I believe it is called TranScope, like any other drug, can have different reactions with different people.  I tried it once and did not fare well with it.  I experienced dizziness and blurry vision after having it on for about 8 hours and decided it wasn’t worth it.  Once I removed the patch, I felt better in about  1 – 2 hrs. Dramamine, which can be purchased over the counter, works pretty well, but it could make you pretty sleepy.  What I have found to work the best is Bonine, which is also over the counter.  Two tablets every morning did the trick for me.  If you are someone who is prone to motion sickness, then I highly recommend it. Have a wonderful time on your first cruise! Karen Owings Mills, MD Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Be aware that all ships carry all the meds.  No need to buy stuff now, since most people do not experience motion sickness on large ships.

Response:

Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

I have used the scop patch for flying and boating for over 15 years. Without it, I will be using the little sickness bag from takeoff to landing, and I am NOT exaggerating, unfortunately.  So, for me the patch has made all the difference in the world between feeling miserable and feeling fine. Doesn’t matter how big the ship is, either.  I sailed the humongous Explorer of the Seas using the electronic Reliefband, and ended up queasy.  On with the patch!! That said, there are some side effects, and they can vary by individual. For me, slightly blurry vision, and dry mouth is about it.  So, if you are considering using the patch, it is imperative that this be discussed with your physician.  Also, after using it for seven days straight on our first cruise, I had a bit of an adjustment problem once I no longer had a patch on, such as dizziness.  That resolved after a few days’ use of Bonine once daily. Please, to those caring individuals who may be so kind as to suggest alternatives like ginger or wristbands…they do NOT work for me ( I’ve tried them all!), and for many others who have serious motion sickness problems. Anyhow, Melissa, sorry to regail you with my details…you are very smart to want to be prepared, and hopefully, you will not even need to use anything!! Have a great cruise! teddie

Response:

I tried the patch once I had dry mouth but worst of all I was very tired and was no fun for the cruise. You need to look how likely you are to have problems Can you ride in the backseat of a car? Read in a car do you get airsick? I do all 3 I find I usually get seasick one day on a cruise it seems there is always one rough spot going thru some passage where the seas are rough. I take bonine and am fine. Alaska and the med were 2 cruises where I had no problems Panama Canal was the worst on night I was lying on bed and ship was rocking so bad drawers and door would fly open and then close over and over again! Wayne

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean

Response:

I also had a very similar experience to this.  I was miserable for weeks after the cruise.  I am very prone to motion sickness and have cruised many times without taking a thing with no problem.  I would wait and see before taking that strong of a medication again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise!

Response:

My wife is very susceptible to motion sickness and this was a concern for us on our first cruise. Therefore, we opted for a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise out of Miami in early November 1999 on Carnival Ecstasy. Before we left, we got a prescription to Transderm Scop. The patches work for 3 days and can be placed behind either earlobe. After the third day, remove the patch and simply place another patch on. I recommend the other earlobe–there tends to be some itchiness after wearing one for several days but I believe it’s psychological. Anyway on our 3rd day, on our return trip from Cozumel, a cold front caused rough seas. It was so rough that there were sea-sick bags taped to the walls and the elevators. There was no one to be found wandering the hallways or decks. My wife and I seem to have the ship to ourselves–although, we were stumbling side to side as if we were drunk. We were having FUN! My wife swears by them. Since then, we have taken a 12-day Panama cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale to Costa Rica on Holland America Amsterdam. Again, we ran into rough seas. This time it was skirting a hurricane that came across Cuba and southern Florida. When we left Ft. Lauderdale, we were surprised to find so few passengers on the ship. After working out in the exercise room in early morning, we strolled the ship in that familiar drunken walk. We found the tennis courts empty and took up a game of ferocious tennis. My wife had the advantage of playing with the wind and I, of course, had to play into the wind. I figure the ship was moving 15-20 knots and the winds were 20 knots. Needless to say, I stunk–the tennis ball seem to come right back to me after I hit it.   Two days later, my wife and I couldn’t believe there were so many passengers when we docked at St. Thomas–they seem to come out of the woodwork. Again, another testimony on its effectiveness. As far as any side-effects, there was only one–cottonmouth. However, I would empathically recommend Transderm Scop. A prescription is extremely inexpensive as compared to other prescriptions–I believe it was $10 for a package of six. Why pay for a cruise if you’re stuck in your stateroom nauseous–invest in the patch. As far as Bonine or other pills is concerned, you have to remember to take them religiously. They are not effective once you get sick. It’s best to put the patch on and enjoy your vacation. There is a warning on the application of the patch. The warning states not to touch your eyes after applying the patch and to wash your hands after doing so. Not that anyone would be touch their face or eyes with their hands… lord forbid. Enjoy your vacation with the patch.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch. But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship. After that we ditched the Bonine and went on our business without any problems. Granted the seas were fairly calm even though we got within 160 miles of Claudette one afternoon. Robert (still looking for the perfect anti-nausia drug)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean

We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

If you tried taking 2 tablets a day of Bonine, try taking just 1 tablet instead.  Or, if you took one, just try taking a half. –Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch. But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship. After that we ditched the Bonine and went on our business without any problems. Granted the seas were fairly calm even though we got within 160 miles of Claudette one afternoon. Robert (still looking for the perfect anti-nausia drug) Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

My wife also had problems with side effects. Although the directions say   not to, my wife now uses half a patch. When cutting in half, try not to squeeze it and wash your hands thoroughly after applying it. Also she takes it off when we go on shore excursions and puts it back on upon rejoining the ship. As noted, she uses one half for 3 days and then the second half. Again, the directions say you shouldn’t do this, but it works for my wife. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

My wife also had problems with side effects. Although the directions say   not to, my wife now uses half a patch. When cutting in half, try not to squeeze it and wash your hands thoroughly after applying it. Also she takes it off when we go on shore excursions and puts it back on upon rejoining the ship. As noted, she uses one half for 3 days and then the second half. Again, the directions say you shouldn’t do this, but it works for my wife.

As you have stated, it is NOT good to cut the patch.  It is composed of microfine layers, which release the dosage in a prescribed amount over time. Cutting the patch interferes with the correct dosage delivery… teddie

Response:

It’s basically the same ingredient that is often given pre-operatively. It dries up your mucus membranes and dilates your pupils. Scopolamine is the active ingredient. If you don’t mind this sensation, that’s fine, but I didn’t care for it all. My mouth felt like cotton and I couldn’t see the menu to order. It felt like I did after the eye doc dilates my eyes and then has me sit in the waiting room surrounded by (outdated) magazine I can’t even read. Also, some folks will have a reaction to it. Trans-Derm Scop was taken off the market at one time and added back again. Not sure about the specifics. I stick to Bonine or the generic equivalent called Meclizine–both 25 mg. Lindsay – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects?

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I was wearing contact lenses back in ‘ 88 when I used the TransDerm Scop patch and I imagine that’s what happened to me—got some of it in my eyes when I inserted my lenses. Well…I got the patches free from a pharmaceutical rep. who came into the doctor’s office where I worked as a nurse. The price was right, at least.:) ~Lindsay

I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch.

Response:

My friend used the patch on a Golden Princess cruise last March.  He is a diabetic and had a bad case of sea sickness on his first cruise.  He became very seasick and ill on the second day of the cruise.  He went to the infirmary, where a nurse recommended he take the patch off and try dramamine.  He felt much better after a long nap and was fine on the dramamine the rest of the cruise.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

Dramamine is not the same thing as Bonine.  Bonine’s generic name is Meclizine. You can ask the pharmacist for a bottle of Meclizine and pay far less than you do for the name box of Bonine and it’s the same thing.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

My experience with Dramamine, Bonine and the patch is that I have very severe reactions to Dramamine and Bonine, but was just fine with the patch.  I guess it is an individual thing. D a n

Response:

Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen

Helen,You can find Bonine in any pharmacy or food market. It is packaged in a blue box  with large white letters and should be right where you found the Dramamine. It is in chewable raspberry flavored tablet form. Ask anyone in the pharmacy section of your food store chain or any drugstore. –Jean

Response:

I used the patch once, on a fishing charter in Cabo. It worked very well…more fun because I wasn’t worried about seasickness. I second the postings about consulting your doctor first. There are side effects and other problems, my dad would not use the patch because there’s an issue with people with prostrate problems….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

I have never gotten seasick on a large ship, but I worried about our recent cruise from NYC to Eastern Caribbean.  I knew we would be in rougher seas, so I thought I’d try the patch to prevent seasickness. Since I was worried about side effects, what I did was try out the patch a few days before we departed.  I figured if I got side effects, I’d switch to something else.  I had no problems whatsoever, except for some dry mouth.  I don’t think I would have even needed it because the seas turned out to be extremely calm, but I didn’t want to take a chance and remove it.  Oh, the only other thing that happened was when, after 3 days, I switched the patch from behind my left ear to behind my right ear, I got a little rash under the patch.  Odd it didn’t happen behind my left ear. Jo-Ann – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you tried taking 2 tablets a day of Bonine, try taking just 1 tablet instead.  Or, if you took one, just try taking a half. –Tom I agree with all the other posters and have experienced the same side effects. My wife apparently got some of the medicine in her eyes, which caused blurry vision and she was not able to read the menu during the entire trip. After the trip we both felt like we walked like drunken sailors for a couple of days after taking off the patch. But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship. After that we ditched the Bonine and went on our business without any problems. Granted the seas were fairly calm even though we got within 160 miles of Claudette one afternoon. Robert (still looking for the perfect anti-nausia drug) Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa

Response:

Hi Helen, I just purchased it at a CVS Pharmacy. You probably could go on line and seach for it and purchase it on line if you are unable to find it where you live. Melissa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties.  It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

THANKS SO MUCH! I have a CVS pharmacy right around the corner from my house I have to get some for our next cruise and our daughter. — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Helen, I just purchased it at a CVS Pharmacy. You probably could go on line and seach for it and purchase it on line if you are unable to find it where you live. Melissa Where does one get Bonine from? We’re going on a cruise and my 10 yr old daughter gets carsick.  I can find Dramamine but I can’t find anything that says "bonine" on it.  Is dramamine the same thing? — Helen http://home.comcast.net/~hkolln66 Takin my first cruise the end of August and would like to be prepared for possible seasickness. I have heard good and bad about the patch. Has anyone used the patch? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks in advance, Melissa Melissa, I had a horrible experience with the patch on an Alaskan cruise. Dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and being physically unstable. Scopolamine is a very strong drug. Even after I returned from the cruise, it took at least four weeks before I felt normal again. My doctor said that I really had a bad reaction that would take time wearing off. Afterwards, for quite some time, I used Bonine, which is taken BEFORE you feel queasy~ in fact start the morning of the cruise before boarding, and then take regularly each day. After about my tenth cruise, I found that I did not need anything for seasickness. Now if the seas get rocky, I go to the casino and when you are busy at a slot machine, you don’t notice!!  Seriously, if you have never used the trans derm patch, be sure to have a talk with your doctor first. The Bonine route seems the way many of the r.t.c. posters go. Have a great cruise! –Jean We’ve had tremendous luck going the Bonine route.  In fact… we’ve taken Bonine on 21 out of our 22 cruises.  The one that we didn’t was our first.  We learned the hard way. Now we even take Bonine for flights, for long bus rides that the kids took when they went to camp, etc. Bonine is a very safe antihistamine that has anti motion properties. It demonstrated such a tremendous safety profile that the FDA granted over the counter marketing (which usually only happens for an Rx drug after 1 million prescriptions are filled). –Tom

Response:

Also meclizine is a lot less expensive than bonine,usually a 100 for around $5.00 0r $6.00 where bonine costs around $4.00 for 8,and the expiration dates are usually for a year or two,well worth it ,been on thirty cruises,and will not go without meclizine             Annie

Response:

I’ve bought both the generic meclizine and Bonine, but since we don’t always cruise that often, I find the meclizine expires. Besides that, Bonine comes in a tasty, chewable form…kind of like baby aspirin. Meclizine is swallowed. I figure if I can spend a couple grand or more for a cruise, I can afford a little packet of Bonine.:-) And, there’s no waste. Also, one of my local drug stores sells their house brand of Bonine for less money. ~Lindsay

<<Also meclizine is a lot less expensive than bonine,usually a 100 for around $5.00 0r $6.00 where bonine costs around $4.00 for 8,and the expiration dates are usually for a year or two,well worth it ,been on thirty cruises,and will not go without meclizine             Annie

Response:

Robert mentioned: But, this trip we used Bonine and didn’t like it much either. We felt tired and even lay down to rest the first afternoon after we got on the ship

I do get a bit drowsy even with Bonine/meclazine.  So I take it at bedtime.  I sleep well and the drowsiness has worn off by the time I awaken in the morning.  Works well for me! Amber

Response:

Question:

You people have an incredible sense of self importance! Because YOU do something one way, then we all should. Maybe, just maybe, someone else is allowed to enjoy doing things a different way to you? "Moving is a hassle" in Europe, you say. Maybe it is to you, it isn’t to me. I enjoy travelling, and I enjoy it in Europe. Maybe others are allowed to? Maybe the poster is?

It’s just advice… I don’t think anyone is threatening to confiscate the OP’s train pass if he makes too many stops. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu New mini photo-feature: Life in DC: http://travel.u.nu/dc/

Response:

And, if he thinks that "a few hundred American dollars" is going to last for 58 days, he’s sorely mistaken.  Especially if he wants to stay in London.  Dollar isn’t doing too well against the pound right now.  Yes, before you ask, I do know that for a fact.  I had to withdraw money from my US account today to but into my UK account.  

Question:

Hi, I’m new to this group, but I was wondering if anyone knows if airline prices are really lower now since events on Sept. 11.  Does anyone know where I can go to look to find these deals?  I’m a poor student and I’m getting married in December.  My fiance and I are looking for something affordable (as cheap as possible).

Response:

Hi, I’m new to this group, but I was wondering if anyone knows if airline prices are really lower now since events on Sept. 11.  Does anyone know where I can go to look to find these deals?  I’m a poor student and I’m getting married in December.  My fiance and I are looking for something affordable (as cheap as possible).

There have been various sales all over the place. When in December, to/from where?? Michael

Response:

There are deals all over the place that may or may not be in place for more then a few days (yesterday there were some that were only a few hours) so you have to keep checking.  I like to start looking at Orbitz.com, but if you don’t have any clue as to where you are want to go, consider using the dream maps at travelocity, you tell it where you are, and it tells you where you can go for your budget. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new to this group, but I was wondering if anyone knows if airline prices are really lower now since events on Sept. 11.  Does anyone know where I can go to look to find these deals?  I’m a poor student and I’m getting married in December.  My fiance and I are looking for something affordable (as cheap as possible).

Response:

Hi, I’m new to this group, but I was wondering if anyone knows if airline prices are really lower now since events on Sept. 11.  Does anyone know where I can go to look to find these deals?  I’m a poor student and I’m getting married in December.  My fiance and I are looking for something affordable (as cheap as possible).

I saw IAH-BOS for $178 roundtrip on Continental.com. That’s the lowest I’ve ever seen. That’s just one example, but yeah, I think airfares are quite a bit lower. — Proud American Infidel

Question:

Its not a ‘new’ airline – its 12 years old. C3000 spares no expense when it comes to maintenance, so its about as safe as you can get. But don’t all charter airlines in canada have a pretty bad record of dispatch/on-time performance ?

C3000 is one of the better ones when it comes to dispatch reliability Scotty — Netnews and Listserv Admin                      519 824-4120 x2556 University of Guelph                     "If it’s not Scottish it’s CRRRRAAAAAAAPPPPPP!"

Response:

I flew Canada 3000 once YUL-YYZ on their 757.. nice flight, relatively comfortable for a charter carrier, pleasant cabin environment, friendly staff and a cheap fare. It was only one flight and one leg but they were ok, no complaints. http://Fly.to/Doug.Bull Come visit my Aviation Web Page. Thanks in advance for choosing to land here!

Response:

Its not a ‘new’ airline – its 12 years old. C3000 spares no expense when it comes to maintenance, so its about as safe as you can get.

But don’t all charter airlines in canada have a pretty bad record of dispatch/on-time performance ? Would this not be an indication that there are maintenance problems ? An airline can spend $365 once a year to maintain an aircraft, or it can spend $1 per day to maintain it. I’d think that the $1 per day might result in better dispatch rates for that aircraft, wouldn’t it ? If the airline spends the same amount on maintenance as real airlines, how come charter airlines have such dismal performance ? (or is that an urban myth ?)

Response:

Our flight to Europe was doomed from the start. We heard good comments about this new airline so decided to fly with them.

Its not a ‘new’ airline – its 12 years old. C3000 spares no expense when it comes to maintenance, so its about as safe as you can get. Although the 757’s are a bit of a tight squeeze, the A330 has ample room (more than scheduled, I believe) and while not every flight it perfect, they are usually quite pleasant. And great prices as well! Too bad you you got a bad flight. Pete

Response:

http://my.treeway.com/branson4free

<snip 100+ lines Right, 2-line comment and you put in the whole 100+ line post that you don’t even quote.  Adding to the kill file.

Response:

Our flight to Europe was doomed from the start. We heard good comments about this new airline so decided to fly with them. The list of <snip That’s Canada 3000, we saved 200 $ (for both us) and lost 2 nights of sleep and 2 days of precious vacation time.

Frankly, I think you don;t deserve too much sympathy.  Spend a little more and go scheduled next time.  It’ll most likely save you a little grief.

Response:

[ Snip ] – We are told aircraft is "unsafe to fly transatlantic but could certainly take us back to Toronto". We the passengers as a whole say: "no thank you! Bring another aircraft."

In this instance, your position was wrong.  It is extremely likely that they were being 100% accurate and conservative… and the aircraft could happily have made it back to Toronto without a hint of a problem, but the crew & dispatcher were not going to depart on a route that would take them several hours from a suitable airport IF something started to look odd. Passengers don’t know enough about aircraft to make this sort of decision, and when they insist on doing so, they need to accept the consequences of their uniformed actions… Malc.

Response:

 No kidding… When the airlines tell me there are mechanical problems before we take off..I am much more relieved to find out then while we are still on the ground… I never question professionals in this situation…. Sure I am disappointed…but in the long run…"better safe than sorry!" It’s not always that convenient to bring in another aircraft…it’s not like renting a car! The way I like to look at it…"there was a reason why I wasn’t suppose to go then!" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [ Snip ] – We are told aircraft is "unsafe to fly transatlantic but could certainly take us back to Toronto". We the passengers as a whole say: "no thank you! Bring another aircraft."

Response:

re the plane at Halifax being abe to return to Toronto but not fly to Europe. Mark Rogers explained this a while ago in a similar thread. After an engine failure, the plane must prove its airworthiness with a flight over ground before it is allowed to fly over water. This explains why Canada 3000 said the plane could fly back to Toronto but could not from to Europe from Halifax (since it would have to do at least one flight over land first). These are procedure to ensure that the aircraft is safe. This may not excuse the way you were treated, but it explains the reason why the plane, once repaired, was not allowed to fly to europe.

Response:

re the plane at Halifax being abe to return to Toronto but not fly to Europe. Mark Rogers explained this a while ago in a similar thread. After an engine failure, the plane must prove its airworthiness with a flight over ground before it is allowed to fly over water. This explains why Canada 3000 said the plane could fly back to Toronto but could not from to Europe from Halifax (since it would have to do at least one flight over land first). These are procedure to ensure that the aircraft is safe. This may not excuse the way you were treated, but it explains the reason why the plane, once repaired, was not allowed to fly to europe.

This sounds like a safety test flight but with paying passengers on board?  There may be no water to fall into, but what if an airport runway cannot be reached either? P. — Patricia The From address is NOT valid.  The Reply To address IS valid.

Response:

This sounds like a safety test flight but with paying passengers on board?  There may be no water to fall into, but what if an airport runway cannot be reached either?

The ETOPS (flying over oceans with 2 engines) rules require that engines be absolutely reliable. Twin engine planes, once past a certain speed on the runway, are capable of taking off and flying on a single engine. So that "test flight" over land is perfectly safe. If it lost the engine again, it would still be able to make it to its destination on the remaining engine (but would usually land at nearest airport which is usually about half and hour away). In other words, the plane was safe enough to fly, but until the fixed engine had proven itself, the authorities won’t let it fly over oceans.  The rules for a twin engine plane over oceans are many times stricter than for the same plane to fly over land.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our flight to Europe was doomed from the start. We heard good comments about this new airline so decided to fly with them. The list of complaints could take up a gigabit so here’s just a short description of flight 340, Toronto-Dusseldorf (75% elderly passengers) on September 22 – 7 PM departure from Toronto delayed while crew work on a faulty engine (could see them through the airport windows) – Landed in Halifax (10PM)- everyone off to the airport because engine failed – after 2 hours we are told crew has expired – can’t fly. – We are told aircraft is "unsafe to fly transatlantic but could certainly take us back to Toronto". We the passengers as a whole say: "no thank you! Bring another aircraft." – We wait. Crew expired, can’t fly anymore. There’s no crew available. We, the passengers demand: "find us hotel rooms". – Every hour or so we are told: "we’re still working on accommodation" until at 4 AM we’re told there’s a conference in the city and no rooms are left. – In the morning, after a sleepless night at the airport lounge we are told they found another aircraft, can’t take us to Dusseldorf though, instead we’ll be flown to Amsterdam and bused to Dusseldorf. – Most passengers get extremely upset, as it seems we won’t reach Amsterdam till late night and demand accommodation in Amsterdam instead of a joyful though sleepless bus ride. After a vote, we all want to sleep in Amsterdam, airline promises to arrange accommodation. – All pay phones are occupied by passengers trying to get through to CAnada 3000 headquarters – everyone is put on indefinite hold – or can’t get through to anyone in charge. – We land in Amsterdam close to midnight and are told there are no rooms in the city due to a conference. Some passengers go nuts and refuse further journey: they call around and sure enough are able to book themselves rooms at various hotels. – We reach Dusseldorf airport at 3 AM: no one to meet us. We try to sleep on the benches till our car rental agency opens at 7 AM. Not possible – security wakes us every 15 minutes. – When we get back to Canada we try to contact the airline to at least get an apology for a 29-hours sleepless journey to Europe – no answers to our mail inquiries, when we call the airline and demand to speak to whomever is in charge we are being put on hold – no one comes back to answer. That’s Canada 3000, we saved 200 $ (for both us) and lost 2 nights of sleep and 2 days of precious vacation time. $995 discount travel package. Use one of nine features and save your cost

1(888)493-4888 ext. 2266 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

That’s Canada 3000, we saved 200 $ (for both us) and lost 2 nights of sleep and 2 days of precious vacation time.

Nothing unusual in your story, I can relate worse with Canadian charter carriers, and even worse with UK charter outfits.  That’s why I fly with reg sched carriers, meagre saving with charters are not worth the hassels.  It might be a good idea for everyone to forward Jenny’s e-mail to Canada Three. Before you buy.

Response:

http://my.treeway.com/branson4free – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow… sounds like a nightmare….my family was in a similar situation on another carrier…so I have lived by a rule from that moment…"you get what you pay for". You have to ask if it was worth saving the money. If you would’ve been flying a regular scheduled carrier  such as Canadian or Air Canada or Luftansa for example and not a charter flight, the changes would be that you would have been able to catch another of their flights any day that week or possibly that day. Unfortunately most charters only fly once or 2 times a week…so, if you miss your flight you miss your flight….or that’s the only plane that can take you there if there are any mechanical failures etc. That’s what happened to us in Cancun…we paid for sell off tickets from Spokane Wa. to Cancun for 18 nights….Cancun was lovely, we had a lot of fun, but when it was time to fly back…(because the tickets were airport pickup and also hand written) the wrong times were put on the ticket for the return…and when we showed up that afternoon to catch our flight…the plane had actually already left that morning….we were 5 hours late!?!? We had just spent our last pesos to the cab driver….. I contacted the charter rep….and they immediately blamed it on the travel agent, (when the tickets were actually handwritten by someone in their company and airport pickup….) when I snapped back at her and said…"I am the travel agent". You could see her starting to go pale. She didn’t know what to say after that….but I know it did cost them a alot of money for their error giving us money for dinner that night, putting us up in a hotel, flying us back from Cancun to Seattle and arranging flights for us from Seattle to Spokane Washington. It’s sounds like they were very helpful, but it was a complete nightmare when we hit Seattle…the charter rep there never showed up for 8 hours…so we had to spend another night in Seattle….and wait for her to show up in Seattle Airport the next day….I told her at that point when she actually showed up…that if what we just went through ever happed to any of my clients…I would never book them again! I had heard she ended up quitting her job after that incident….. Thank goodness we weren’t paying big bucks for that flight!!!!! Our flight to Europe was doomed from the start. We heard good comments about this new airline so decided to fly with them. The list of complaints could take up a gigabit so here’s just a short description of flight 340, Toronto-Dusseldorf (75% elderly passengers) on September 22 – 7 PM departure from Toronto delayed while crew work on a faulty engine (could see them through the airport windows) – Landed in Halifax (10PM)- everyone off to the airport because engine failed – after 2 hours we are told crew has expired – can’t fly. – We are told aircraft is "unsafe to fly transatlantic but could certainly take us back to Toronto". We the passengers as a whole say: "no thank you! Bring another aircraft." – We wait. Crew expired, can’t fly anymore. There’s no crew available. We, the passengers demand: "find us hotel rooms". – Every hour or so we are told: "we’re still working on accommodation" until at 4 AM we’re told there’s a conference in the city and no rooms are left. – In the morning, after a sleepless night at the airport lounge we are told they found another aircraft, can’t take us to Dusseldorf though, instead we’ll be flown to Amsterdam and bused to Dusseldorf. – Most passengers get extremely upset, as it seems we won’t reach Amsterdam till late night and demand accommodation in Amsterdam instead of a joyful though sleepless bus ride. After a vote, we all want to sleep in Amsterdam, airline promises to arrange accommodation. – All pay phones are occupied by passengers trying to get through to CAnada 3000 headquarters – everyone is put on indefinite hold – or can’t get through to anyone in charge. – We land in Amsterdam close to midnight and are told there are no rooms in the city due to a conference. Some passengers go nuts and refuse further journey: they call around and sure enough are able to book themselves rooms at various hotels. – We reach Dusseldorf airport at 3 AM: no one to meet us. We try to sleep on the benches till our car rental agency opens at 7 AM. Not possible – security wakes us every 15 minutes. – When we get back to Canada we try to contact the airline to at least get an apology for a 29-hours sleepless journey to Europe – no answers to our mail inquiries, when we call the airline and demand to speak to whomever is in charge we are being put on hold – no one comes back to answer. That’s Canada 3000, we saved 200 $ (for both us) and lost 2 nights of sleep and 2 days of precious vacation time.

Response:

Wow… sounds like a nightmare….my family was in a similar situation on another carrier…so I have lived by a rule from that moment…"you get what you pay for". You have to ask if it was worth saving the money. If you would’ve been flying a regular scheduled carrier  such as Canadian or Air Canada or Luftansa for example and not a charter flight, the changes would be that you would have been able to catch another of their flights any day that week or possibly that day. Unfortunately most charters only fly once or 2 times a week…so, if you miss your flight you miss your flight….or that’s the only plane that can take you there if there are any mechanical failures etc. That’s what happened to us in Cancun…we paid for sell off tickets from Spokane Wa. to Cancun for 18 nights….Cancun was lovely, we had a lot of fun, but when it was time to fly back…(because the tickets were airport pickup and also hand written) the wrong times were put on the ticket for the return…and when we showed up that afternoon to catch our flight…the plane had actually already left that morning….we were 5 hours late!?!? We had just spent our last pesos to the cab driver….. I contacted the charter rep….and they immediately blamed it on the travel agent, (when the tickets were actually handwritten by someone in their company and airport pickup….) when I snapped back at her and said…"I am the travel agent". You could see her starting to go pale. She didn’t know what to say after that….but I know it did cost them a alot of money for their error giving us money for dinner that night, putting us up in a hotel, flying us back from Cancun to Seattle and arranging flights for us from Seattle to Spokane Washington. It’s sounds like they were very helpful, but it was a complete nightmare when we hit Seattle…the charter rep there never showed up for 8 hours…so we had to spend another night in Seattle….and wait for her to show up in Seattle Airport the next day….I told her at that point when she actually showed up…that if what we just went through ever happed to any of my clients…I would never book them again! I had heard she ended up quitting her job after that incident….. Thank goodness we weren’t paying big bucks for that flight!!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Our flight to Europe was doomed from the start. We heard good comments about this new airline so decided to fly with them. The list of complaints could take up a gigabit so here’s just a short description of flight 340, Toronto-Dusseldorf (75% elderly passengers) on September 22 – 7 PM departure from Toronto delayed while crew work on a faulty engine (could see them through the airport windows) – Landed in Halifax (10PM)- everyone off to the airport because engine failed – after 2 hours we are told crew has expired – can’t fly. – We are told aircraft is "unsafe to fly transatlantic but could certainly take us back to Toronto". We the passengers as a whole say: "no thank you! Bring another aircraft." – We wait. Crew expired, can’t fly anymore. There’s no crew available. We, the passengers demand: "find us hotel rooms". – Every hour or so we are told: "we’re still working on accommodation" until at 4 AM we’re told there’s a conference in the city and no rooms are left. – In the morning, after a sleepless night at the airport lounge we are told they found another aircraft, can’t take us to Dusseldorf though, instead we’ll be flown to Amsterdam and bused to Dusseldorf. – Most passengers get extremely upset, as it seems we won’t reach Amsterdam till late night and demand accommodation in Amsterdam instead of a joyful though sleepless bus ride. After a vote, we all want to sleep in Amsterdam, airline promises to arrange accommodation. – All pay phones are occupied by passengers trying to get through to CAnada 3000 headquarters – everyone is put on indefinite hold – or can’t get through to anyone in charge. – We land in Amsterdam close to midnight and are told there are no rooms in the city due to a conference. Some passengers go nuts and refuse further journey: they call around and sure enough are able to book themselves rooms at various hotels. – We reach Dusseldorf airport at 3 AM: no one to meet us. We try to sleep on the benches till our car rental agency opens at 7 AM. Not possible – security wakes us every 15 minutes. – When we get back to Canada we try to contact the airline to at least get an apology for a 29-hours sleepless journey to Europe – no answers to our mail inquiries, when we call the airline and demand to speak to whomever is in charge we are being put on hold – no one comes back to answer. That’s Canada 3000, we saved 200 $ (for both us) and lost 2 nights of sleep and 2 days of precious vacation time.

Response:

Our flight to Europe was doomed from the start. We heard good comments about this new airline so decided to fly with them. The list of complaints could take up a gigabit so here’s just a short description of flight 340, Toronto-Dusseldorf (75% elderly passengers) on September 22 – 7 PM departure from Toronto delayed while crew work on a faulty engine (could see them through the airport windows) – Landed in Halifax (10PM)- everyone off to the airport because engine failed – after 2 hours we are told crew has expired – can’t fly. – We are told aircraft is "unsafe to fly transatlantic but could certainly take us back to Toronto". We the passengers as a whole say: "no thank you! Bring another aircraft." – We wait. Crew expired, can’t fly anymore. There’s no crew available. We, the passengers demand: "find us hotel rooms". – Every hour or so we are told: "we’re still working on accommodation" until at 4 AM we’re told there’s a conference in the city and no rooms are left. – In the morning, after a sleepless night at the airport lounge we are told they found another aircraft, can’t take us to Dusseldorf though, instead we’ll be flown to Amsterdam and bused to Dusseldorf. – Most passengers get extremely upset, as it seems we won’t reach Amsterdam till late night and demand accommodation in Amsterdam instead of a joyful though sleepless bus ride. After a vote, we all want to sleep in Amsterdam, airline promises to arrange accommodation. – All pay phones are occupied by passengers trying to get through to CAnada 3000 headquarters – everyone is put on indefinite hold – or can’t get through to anyone in charge. – We land in Amsterdam close to midnight and are told there are no rooms in the city due to a conference. Some passengers go nuts and refuse further journey: they call around and sure enough are able to book themselves rooms at various hotels. – We reach Dusseldorf airport at 3 AM: no one to meet us. We try to sleep on the benches till our car rental agency opens at 7 AM. Not possible – security wakes us every 15 minutes. – When we get back to Canada we try to contact the airline to at least get an apology for a 29-hours sleepless journey to Europe – no answers to our mail inquiries, when we call the airline and demand to speak to whomever is in charge we are being put on hold – no one comes back to answer. That’s Canada 3000, we saved 200 $ (for both us) and lost 2 nights of sleep and 2 days of precious vacation time.

Response: