Teros

I have been in rough water in a cruise ship with stabilizers. I found them bizarre. The shudder as they engage was more unpleasant than rolling. I too was a tin can sailor in the North Atlantic, on ships capable of rolling 45 degrees to the side, and coming back up. These cruise ships look so damned top heavy, I am amazed they stay upright.

If the stabilizers failed in heavy seas, I would not give them ten minutes.

have any of you ever been aboard in a serious storm?

Thank you for your responses, I have a clearer picture now. It appears that the 'amenities' are the draw. I note that none of the pro mega ship comments reference ports of call. For my wife and myself, a ship is a way to move from port to port, are not at all interested in the 'amenities" aside from a comfortable room, and good food. A small ship cruise like the Lindblad cruises, the smaller the better, although out of our price range is what we like. Visiting small ports in out of the way places appeals to us. Will the pro megaships people comment on port visits, the impact of putting 4-5,000 people ashore in ports, what the disembarking and embarking looks like and the logistics of onshore excursions?

Can you provide more detail, what is it about these 5,000 passenger ships that appeal to you? I agree with the others, 1,500 would be my max, I find the concept of these giant ships appalling, and would like to know why anyone is attracted to them.

What is the appeal to anyone of the new huge Cruise Ships?