Dress for the deck, not the departure lounge

A ferry crossing can feel like two different climates in the space of ten minutes. The car park at the port might be mild and still, while the open deck halfway across is a wind tunnel with a salt spray garnish. The trick is layering, so you can add or shed as the boat moves.

• Base layer: a thermal or moisture-wicking top rather than cotton, which stays damp and cold.
• Mid layer: a fleece or thin jumper that packs down small.
• Outer layer: a windproof, waterproof jacket with a hood you can tighten. A cheap poncho is no match for a Force 6.
• Legs and feet: trousers rather than a skirt or shorts, plus trainers or shoes with real grip. Decks get slippy when wet, and heels on a moving ship are a genuine hazard.
• Extras: a hat that fits snugly, gloves, and a spare pair of socks in your bag. Nothing ruins a crossing faster than wet feet.

Avoid long scarves and anything loose that can whip into your face or over the rail. If you plan to spend the crossing outside, secure your phone in a zipped pocket rather than a coat pocket — the wind has claimed thousands of them.

Build a seasickness kit before you need it

Seasickness is easier to prevent than to cure. If you know you are prone to it, start before you board rather than waiting for the first queasy wave.

• Travel sickness tablets containing hyoscine or cinnarizine. Check the label for timings — some need to be taken well before you sail, and several cause drowsiness, so no driving off the ferry afterwards.
• Acupressure wristbands, which some travellers swear by. They are cheap, drug-free and worth trying.
• Ginger in any form — biscuits, chews or a flask of ginger tea. It is a traditional remedy for good reason.
• Plain, dry food: crackers, oatcakes, dry toast. An empty stomach often feels worse than a lightly filled one.
• A small plastic bag and tissues, kept in a pocket rather than buried in a suitcase. Quiet dignity matters.

Once aboard, sit low and towards the middle of the ship, where movement is gentlest. Face forward, keep your eyes on the horizon if you can see it, and avoid reading, scrolling or watching videos. Fresh air on deck helps a surprising number of people, even in rough weather.

Pack food and drink that behave themselves

Ferry food is fine for many, but a heavy fried breakfast before a choppy crossing is a gamble. Eat something light an hour or two before you sail, and take your own supplies for the journey.

• A refillable water bottle — hydration genuinely helps, and sipping steadily is better than gulping.
• Ginger biscuits, plain crisps, bananas and boiled sweets.
• A flask of tea or squash for children. Fizzy drinks can make nausea worse.
• Chewing gum or sucky sweets for anyone whose ears pop as the pressure changes.

Go easy on alcohol, both on the crossing and the night before. It dehydrates you, magnifies motion and rarely ends well on a ship.

Keep children entertained and comfortable

Boredom plus movement equals misery, so plan for a few hours of contained activity. Pack a small bag per child, so nobody is rummaging through one shared rucksack while the deck tilts.

• Sticker books, magnetic travel games, a pack of cards and a small puzzle.
• Downloaded films or audio stories, with headphones — but note that screens can worsen queasiness in some children, so alternate with non-screen options.
• A lightweight blanket or hoodie for naps, and a spare set of clothes in case of spills or spray.
• Wet wipes, a couple of plastic bags and a small towel.

If your child does start to feel ill, take them outside or to a quieter, lower part of the ship, and keep them looking at something distant rather than at a book or tablet. Reassure them calmly — children take their cue from you.

For nervous travellers, plan the crossing in advance

If the thought of the sailing is worse than the sailing itself, a bit of forward planning takes the edge off. When you book or board, ask for a seat mid-ship on a lower deck, and sit near an exit so you can step outside quickly for air. Choose a daytime crossing if you can, and check the forecast — a shorter route on a calmer day is worth the extra drive.

Tell a crew member if you are anxious. They cross these waters daily, they are used to it, and knowing someone is keeping an eye on you is genuinely settling. Slow breathing — in for four, out for six — helps more than most people expect.

The grab bag that stays with you

Whatever else goes in the boot, keep one small rucksack with you on the passenger decks: medication, tickets and documents, a power bank and charging cable, tissues, hand sanitiser, a water bottle, snacks, a light layer and the children's entertainment. On many crossings you cannot return to your vehicle once the ship is moving, so anything you might need in the next two hours should be on your shoulder. Pack it the night before, add your seasickness kit in the morning, and you will step off feeling far better than you stepped on.