Bad weather during cruise

[kathneric]

I'm just curious if anyone has cruised during really bad weather?? It probably sounds silly but I have such a fear of big waves and I wonder if anyone has been on a cruise that was really rocky and if so, what time of year was it and where was your cruise going?

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Yup, we have cruised during a hurricane before. I believe it was in October/November? The captain tries to sail around it, but there is so much they can do.

 

[kathneric]

YIKES, that scary!!!! So do you feel like it ruined your cruise?

 

[sunshine1259]

I was just on the Allure a couple of weeks ago and it rained for 5 1/2 of the 7 days. Did it ruin our cruise? No. It was just very wet. We stayed on the ship in Nassau, was throroughly drenched in St. Thomas, but managed to do a bit of shopping in St. Maarten before the strom broke out again.

As wet and windy as it was, we felt very little movement from the ship. In fact, my friend said that she didn't sleep as well on this trip because she didn't feel the motion of the ship. I did feel the slightest of motion. Just what you should feel on a ship that size.

I think that you should be all right.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Where we were going was actually irrelevant for our last cruise because the big storm hit PC the morning of departure. So we had to sail out in it, no choice otherwise. I think this would be the most likely scenario for your concerns, because there is enough technology on board that once you are out to sea the ship can avoid that type of thing just about all of the time. You may lose a scheduled port of call or be diverted to a different port, but you really should be able to avoid big waves and such.

All 4 ships have satellites and modern computers which give them up to the minute weather and sea condition reports. The Captain's goal is to give you as smooth sailing as possible and the ships do have modern stabilizers.

We did sail in Oct. so that puts us late hurricane season. But we love Oct. sailing and weather can happen at any time of year.

 

[dvcdisney]

This past Aug we were on a B2B Dream cruise during Hurricane Irene.

The first 3 night cruise was very rocky. We weren't able to go to CC so we ended up in Nassau twice. We didn't get off either times. Then on the second part - 4 night cruise, the waters were still a little wavy but we were able to dock at CC and spend the day there. Although, it wasn't until very late the night before that we found out that we would be able to. They weren't sure because they were some damage to the area and they had to make sure we were able to dock. My family had a great time, but I think a lot of people went back early. They were saying it was cold but we were fine. I actually thought it was hot.

So I'm a little nervous for our next cruise this August. I'm hoping it's not the "regular" heat they usually get because I'm sure I'll melt.

By the way, this was our first cruise. And you'd think this would deter us from booking again, but we have an upcoming Fantasy cruise this August and another Fantasy cruise booked in March.

 

[1153rsmith]

We cruised 2 years ago leaving on Christmas day and had really rough seas for 2-3 days. It was also bitter cold both on the ship and in Nassau. I had another friend who went early December last year and had rough seas. I now been told that December is prone to rough seas.

We sailed in August last year and had perfect weather, but the cruise following us had to change their itinerary due to the weather. You just never know.

 

[bbn1122]

This past Aug we were on a B2B Dream cruise during Hurricane Irene.

The first 3 night cruise was very rocky. We weren't able to go to CC so we ended up in Nassau twice. We didn't get off either times. Then on the second part - 4 night cruise, the waters were still a little wavy but we were able to dock at CC and spend the day there. Although, it wasn't until very late the night before that we found out that we would be able to. They weren't sure because they were some damage to the area and they had to make sure we were able to dock. My family had a great time, but I think a lot of people went back early. They were saying it was cold but we were fine. I actually thought it was hot.

So I'm a little nervous for our next cruise this August. I'm hoping it's not the "regular" heat they usually get because I'm sure I'll melt.

By the way, this was our first cruise. And you'd think this would deter us from booking again, but we have an upcoming Fantasy cruise this August and another Fantasy cruise booked in March.

We were on the 3 day part of your B2B....so for us with only 3 days it was a bit of a let down....This was our 2nd cruise with DCL the first 7 night in April on Magic, so the weather and the length were great. I vowed never again in August....and always 5 nights or better.

And yes, after Hurricane Irene the first night was very rocky, but no problem with big waves that would make you scared....good luck...

 

[outahere]

Bad weather can hit just about any time of year, so there is really no good way to plan around it. Obviously if you're cruising during hurricane season your chances of rough water would be a little higher.

We had very windy conditions and rough water on an eastern Magic cruise in April, 2004 and went through the outskirts of Hurricane Hilary (in the Pacific) on our Panama Canal crossing in August, 2005. Both times we encountered waves of 20 - 30 feet. Interestingly, the day after we went through Hilary, the water was absolutely flat. So flat that I have pictures of clouds reflected in the water, just like in a mirror.

 

[trimix]

I understand the waves got pretty big on the first Alaska cruise last year. Maybe that is part of the reason why they are starting Alaska weeks later this year.

Last year I was really impressed with the stability of the Wonder. Having grown up in southern California, I made the crossing to Catalina many times with Catalina Cruise Line. I don't think swells ever exceeded three feet, but the 127 foot long ferry would sway considerably in those swells. In comparison, the Wonder was very steady in six to eight foot swells.

The seas were three to four feet as we approached San Francisco. Stabilizers had to be retracted before the harbor pilot boarded, a few miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge. I was AMAZED at how much the ship rocked onc stabilizers were stowed! They do an incredible job of damping side-to-side rocking of the ship.

 

[trimix]

YIKES, that scary!!!! So do you feel like it ruined your cruise?

Only you can ruin your cruise. If weather forces an itinerary change, enjoy exploring a new port - it is much better than getting miserable and whining to everybody who will listen. If you miss a port, enjoy an additional sea day instead of getting miserable. If it rains on a sea day, go enjoy the pool - so many people are afraid of getting wet that you can enjoy an almost vacant pool!

Above all else, don't miss the chance to have fun making up jokes about the people who are standing in line for an hour to whine about the Captain keeping them safe.

I am very short on patience and respect for people who will not accept weather and make the best of it.

 

[dvcdisney]

We were on the 3 day part of your B2B....so for us with only 3 days it was a bit of a let down....This was our 2nd cruise with DCL the first 7 night in April on Magic, so the weather and the length were great. I vowed never again in August....and always 5 nights or better.

And yes, after Hurricane Irene the first night was very rocky, but no problem with big waves that would make you scared....good luck...

Many people were disappointed on the 3 day. It was unfortunate. We met a few people who had the 3 day as their second half of the b2b and they said the cruise before was barely rocky. It turned out the cruise after was also manageable.

As bolded above, I agree...we decided also that we will only cruise 7 nights or longer.

We will however still cruise in August because we don't have much of a choice with our vacation times - August and March.

 

[kathneric]

Thanks for all the responses!
I'm really looking forward to this trip. A friend of mine was on a cruise a few years back that was hit with one of those crazy waves, so I keep thinking about that and freaking myself out lol
Thanks again for everyone's info

 

[NC_Tink]

I've been on two cruises that had significant seas...

2005 Hurricane Wilma, we were on RCCL and we actually sailed through part of the hurricane -- 35 foot waves. We made the best of it. Unfortunately we probably got into a little more that most cruise ships will, but our ship had been tapped to go to Yucatan Peninsula to help with the relief efforts there so our Captain made the choice to get the ship back to Florida ASAP so that they could go there. Unfortunately, when we got to Florida - all the ports were closed - Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, etc due to damage to those cities from the hurricane. So, we sat off the coast of Florida for almost 2 days waiting to get clearance to dock. It was crazy and a lot of people complained. My DH and I got some fun video of the storm and some really nice photos of extremely calm seas the day after.

2010 - Magic in the Mediterranean. We were on the first DCL Med. cruise in April 2010. We were on our final day at sea and were hit by a really freak storm. I think they said we had close to hurricane force winds and I heard anywhere from 25 - 35 foot seas? The ship was actually listing on this one. Really crazy -- my boys got ill - but some Dramamine, a couple of nice cozy spots in Deck 2's portholes and some sleep and they did fine The Captain did a fantastic job trying to get us out of the storm as quickly as possible. By evening all was good and we had a really nice final night on board. Was it a bummer that it happened - sure. Did it ruin our trip? Absolutely not. If anything, it gave us some great pictures and a wild story to share.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I've been on two cruises that had significant seas...

2005 Hurricane Wilma, we were on RCCL and we actually sailed through part of the hurricane -- 35 foot waves. We made the best of it. Unfortunately we probably got into a little more that most cruise ships will, but our ship had been tapped to go to Yucatan Peninsula to help with the relief efforts there so our Captain made the choice to get the ship back to Florida ASAP so that they could go there. Unfortunately, when we got to Florida - all the ports were closed - Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, etc due to damage to those cities from the hurricane. So, we sat off the coast of Florida for almost 2 days waiting to get clearance to dock. It was crazy and a lot of people complained. My DH and I got some fun video of the storm and some really nice photos of extremely calm seas the day after.

2010 - Magic in the Mediterranean. We were on the first DCL Med. cruise in April 2010. We were on our final day at sea and were hit by a really freak storm. I think they said we had close to hurricane force winds and I heard anywhere from 25 - 35 foot seas? The ship was actually listing on this one. Really crazy -- my boys got ill - but some Dramamine, a couple of nice cozy spots in Deck 2's portholes and some sleep and they did fine The Captain did a fantastic job trying to get us out of the storm as quickly as possible. By evening all was good and we had a really nice final night on board. Was it a bummer that it happened - sure. Did it ruin our trip? Absolutely not. If anything, it gave us some great pictures and a wild story to share.

Wild pictures are always good aren't they

We sailed out of PC on Oct. 8th in a freak tropical storm. It just grew out of nowhere the day before the cruise and hit port late night Friday. We drove down from VA, and my last check of FL weather had nothing but the usual spotty rains you expect down there. Gorgeous for sailing. Instead we had drenching rain and huge winds. We headed out to sea watching from our friends' verandah and got great pics of the Harbor Pilot getting back on his boat. NO EASY FEAT that day

Now some 6 months and 800 pics later my photo book is finally done and I get to share them with family next week. Pictures like this make the trip. They really do.

 

[jlowejd5]

We were on the Dream in October of last year and we were between a hurricane and a tropical storm. Nassau day was gorgeous, but CC day was awful. We tried three or four times to dock, but no dice, because the seas were horrible. Within 20 minutes of the official "yeah, we're not doing CC" announcement, they had new Navigators out and being distributed in almost all public areas. The speed at which DCL went from "CC day" to "day at sea" was breathtaking. The captain did his best to keep us in decent water, basically wandering around in the protected shallower waters west of the islands during the day, and not venturing out into the open ocean coming up the coast of Florida until as late as possible.

 

[Floridagram]

This past Aug we were on a B2B Dream cruise during Hurricane Irene.

The first 3 night cruise was very rocky. We weren't able to go to CC so we ended up in Nassau twice. We didn't get off either times. Then on the second part - 4 night cruise, the waters were still a little wavy but we were able to dock at CC and spend the day there. Although, it wasn't until very late the night before that we found out that we would be able to. They weren't sure because they were some damage to the area and they had to make sure we were able to dock. My family had a great time, but I think a lot of people went back early. They were saying it was cold but we were fine. I actually thought it was hot.

So I'm a little nervous for our next cruise this August. I'm hoping it's not the "regular" heat they usually get because I'm sure I'll melt.



By the way, this was our first cruise. And you'd think this would deter us from booking again, but we have an upcoming Fantasy cruise this August and another Fantasy cruise booked in March.

I'm curious, on a back to back do you have to get off the ship when you are back at Port Canaveral? What do you do if you have to get off? I am sure it has been answered here but I did a search and got a "million" responses and non seemed to answer it directly.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm curious, on a back to back do you have to get off the ship when you are back at Port Canaveral? What do you do if you have to get off? I am sure it has been answered here but I did a search and got a "million" responses and non seemed to answer it directly.

Yes, you will disembark (for anywhere from 15 minutes to and 1 hour) then reboard before the "new" cruisers board.

When you disembark, you will checkin again at the terminal and receive your new KTTW cards. Once back onboard, there will be a lot of cleaning going on. It's not really like a day on a cruise with the CMs looking out for you. They've got things to do to get the ship ready for the next cruise.

There will be somewhere onboard with food (on the classic ships it's Cove Cafe). You can use the pools after they are cleaned. On the Dream/Fantasy AquaDuck doesn't open until the new cruisers are on. You have access to your room, until the new cruisers start boarding. They don't want anyone crossing the rope to the rooms until they are ready.

 

[dvcdisney]

I'm curious, on a back to back do you have to get off the ship when you are back at Port Canaveral? What do you do if you have to get off? I am sure it has been answered here but I did a search and got a "million" responses and non seemed to answer it directly.

As the pp had mentioned, yes you do disembark. If you keep the same stateroom you will be able to leave everything there. Your Stateroom Host will know. If you are changing rooms, you will leave your luggage in your room and when you go for breakfast on the last morning, your stateroom host will deliver it to your new room.

Once you disembark, you will directly through customs (no need to stop to get luggage) and you can let them know at the bottom of the escalator that you are doing a b2b and they will let you go back up the escalator and wait.

We made a mistake and left the ship early and so we waited a long time with only a few people in the terminal. Once the CMs gets the terminal ready, they will ask the b2b guests to line up at the CC check in desk and they will check you in. Then, you are suppose to go to the lounge on the side to wait. But our CM didn't tell us and people were just wandering around so we just sat out in the terminal and waited. Then all the new cruisers started coming in and we waited some more. I was told that we would be called, but we weren't. We finally asked someone and they directed us to the lounge. We walked right in at that point. We were a little upset because we were out there for over 45 mins after we were allowed to board. So we learned that lesson.

We didn't do the boarding photos again, we just walked in and they didn't "announce" us. It was more of a low key type of thing, but there were a few CMs there willing to help if you needed something. We were able to go to our stateroom and change and we went to the pool for about 2 hours before we went back and changed to eat at Cabanas. I'm not sure if the MDRs were open during this time, but we decided to go to Cabanas to try it. For both cruises, we ate at the MDR for breakfast, lunch and dinner except the day at CC (lunch at Cookies).

All in all, it was a little tiring doing a b2b. Although we had some extra time at the pool before it got crowded, I didn't like the hassle. However, if it was a b2b 7 night eastern then 7 night western - then maybe I will consider it.

 

[dreamcruiser]

The condition of the sea is and has been my biggest fear as well....for this reason I put off cruising for years. However, just one Disney cruise a few months ago has prompted me to cruise again....I just know to try as much as possible to avoid seasons of possible bad weather. (realizing of course that a storm can come up at any time of year)