Star Gazing

[ptk55369]

I just got back from a 7 day Eastern last month and was fairly well disappointed to note a serious lack of stars to view. Having never cruised before I was expecting to see a TON more stars than normal and was surprised that what I saw was considerably less than what I see in rural MN.

It seemed relatively clear most nights and I figured out in the ocean we'd be far enough away from any cities that it would blow my mind. Instead I was kind of let down.

This is perhaps the only mildly negative thing about our cruise that fell short of expectations. The rest was FANTASTIC.

Any ideas why that was. Is it the lights from the ship? A normal thing? Any budding astronomers or regular star gazers out there who have experienced something different or the same?

 

[nacho1337]

unfortunately the ship do the same thing as city do. The light pollution off the ship prevent you from see the stars.

 

[GenieDana]

The ship can create as much vicinity light pollution as a city. Also, the ship has no influence on the atmospheric conditions, like haze, fog, etc.

On a specific astronomy cruise friends have taken on HAL, they shut down all the legal exterior lights on the ship, and went to station keeping for star gazing.

 

[MN Mickey]

Did you try the back of Deck 7? Not sure if there is less light coming off back there or not.

They sometimes take the kids club out there at night for some program (not star related). It seems pretty dark at least on the deck.

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

I had that reaction on my first cruise too. We had been to Grand Canyon years back and it was the most amazing sky i've ever seen. I expected to see the same sky on a cruise, I guess there is too much light from the ship. Very disappointed- but the rest was great!

 

[tvguy]

We did an Eastern and spent a lot of time star gazing. We must have had better conditons, because the stars were awesome, almost like a movie special effect.

 

[mmouse37]

We have been on many cruises and it can be hit or miss...sometimes I am awed at the stars out at night and other times there is not much to see due to haze....on our last cruise I would go out late at night on our verandah and star gaze but the wind would blow the smoke from the funnel right across my field of vision!!!

Back of Deck 7 is usually closed from 11:00 pm till 7:00 am.

MJ

 

[jilljill]

We have been on many cruises and it can be hit or miss...sometimes I am awed at the stars out at night and other times there is not much to see due to haze....on our last cruise I would go out late at night on our verandah and star gaze but the wind would blow the smoke from the funnel right across my field of vision!!!

Back of Deck 7 is usually closed from 11:00 pm till 7:00 am.

MJ

Have they changed this back to closing at 11pm? My last couple of cruises it was closed from 7pm-7am?

 

[ptk55369]

It was 11pm on the Magic at the end of February. I know that because I thought it would be a great place to try but I went there around midnight and it was closed off with a sign that said 11pm.

 

[lborne]

Mostly the lights from the ship are to blame. We were on a cruise in the middle of the Pacific and the night sky was amazing. Then they turned off all lights except navigation lights and it was beyond amazing.

 

[ScouterJT]

Back in 1986 (I think ...) I took a southern Caribbean cruise. One night the Captain turned off all the lights so we could get a good view of Halley's Comet ...

 

[carmie3377]

Hoping for DH's sake that star gazing will be possible during our PC cruise. He's really looking forward to it and giving the kids astronomy lessons at sea!

 

[jefe317]

I'm going on a Western Caribbean cruise later this year and I hope I can see/photograph something - I'll try the back of the ship!

 

[dcassetta]

I'm going on a Western Caribbean cruise later this year and I hope I can see/photograph something - I'll try the back of the ship!

You have found an older thread, and unfortunately the aft deck area on deck seven no longer exists due the ship being refitted.

 

[Sepo]

I kind of enjoyed reading this old thread.

 

[MomOTwins]

On the Dream, in the outdoor seating of the Meridian bar on deck 12 aft, the stars were incredible!

 

[argomANIA]

We saw a lot of stars and even some shooting stars on a few of our cruises. Guess it just depends on the conditions and other ships in the area emitting light and fumes

 

[dcassetta]

On the Dream, in the outdoor seating of the Meridian bar on deck 12 aft, the stars were incredible!

I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience. I haven't been lucky with Meridian, but will try again someday.

 

[g_ppetto]

Any star gazing location recommendations for the Fantasy?
That said, usually if there is a celestial event and I am in the area, you will not be able to see it.
Sorry... Yes, it's my fault.

 

[ludari]

While my Magic WBTA cruise in 2016 they actually had a star gazing event which consisted of turning off the lights on the forward deck.