NEW CRUISE SHIP CURES SEASICKNESS

It has been dubbed the ship that will change the tides. At 1,100 feet long, a sparkling new cruise liner named ‘Still Wandering’ boasts a feat of engineering once thought impossible.

It is the ship that will eliminate seasickness.

If you’re prone to this condition you’re not alone. Some of the hardiest seafarers throughout history have suffered its ill effects. Namely, Captain Columbus, Admiral Nelson and Lawrence of Arabia. And each suffered that same woozy feeling as you do when you set sail.

Sea sickness, a variation on motion sickness, is a common disturbance of the inner ear. This is the area of the body that affects your sense of balance and equilibrium. Motion sickness happens when your brain receives conflicting messages about motion and your body's position in space.

So how does it work aboard ‘Still Wandering?’ It’s largely thanks to an inbuilt feature named Static Adaptability System (SAS). Much like a gimbaled compass, SAS ensures the ship will not rock, even in the roughest of seas. SAS actually levitates the ship on a cushion of air. Cutting edge sensors detect oceanic flow patterns, allowing the system to anticipate wave movement. The network of sensors communicates with an air compressor, which, within a half second of being alerted, forces air between the ship and the sea.

SAS is the brainchild of GRM, a German engineering firm who are thrilled that their invention will change the lives of holidaymakers worldwide.

Jane Hutchins, a Melbourne mother of ten-year-old twins, will be one of many lining up for a ticket. ‘My husband and I met on a cruise. It is by far the most romantic way to travel. But when Sam and Ella came along, things changed. Even the smallest wave sends them both to the bathroom. All these years we have missed out on waking up to a sunrise in a new country. We can’t wait to be ‘Still Wandering!’’

Ryan Posa from Cruise Sale Finder, one of Australasia’s leading cruise booking agencies, is equally excited: ‘This sort of technology really floats my boat. Wave goodbye to chewing gum, wearing wrist bands and undergoing expensive acupuncture!’

‘Still Wandering is currently being tested on select journeys, but could be adapted for regular journeys by April 1st, 2017.