Movement on the Gem

[Zowena]

We have sailed on breakaway twice and oasis once and was looking into the gem for a trip. My husband can feel a little sea sick just during rough waters. Can you feel the motion a lot more on the smaller ship?

Also, were the renos that were done to the entire ship or just certain locations?

Thanks

[skeeter195]

You will feel more motion on the smaller ships when there is rough water. You will actually feel more motion on the Breakaway though on the higher decks when it is really windy. The side to side motion on the taller ships is more due to the larger acting as a sail.

[$hip$hape]

We have sailed on breakaway twice and oasis once and was looking into the gem for a trip. My husband can feel a little sea sick just during rough waters. Can you feel the motion a lot more on the smaller ship?

Also, were the renos that were done to the entire ship or just certain locations?

Thanks

I assume that by renos, you were referring to renovations?

Yes, that's the big unknown.

It seems much of the ship was renovated, but cabins are still in question.

[mking8288]

Some of us are not "troubled" by "rough waters" or stormy weather at sea until wave heights are 25' to 30' or higher - depending on one's relative location on a particular ship - whether it's midship, forward or aft and whether it's higher decks or low ... hence, select & pick your stateroom locations accordingly. If seas are rough with gale force wind and 35' ft. waves - advisable to avoid sitting/spending lots of time sitting in the (NCL) buffet as that's always high "upstairs" - where you will also feel sideway or lateral motions.

 

The Gem and similar Jewel/Dawn class of ships are designed for ocean sailing, sleek & fast (can go up to 25 knots with favorable wind & current) and is about twice the size (around 90,000 tons) of the much smaller Norwegian Crown or Sea that we sailed, just 15 years ago or so (in the 35,000 to 45,000 tonnage) - compared to the mega-ships like the *Away around 150,000 tons. The experience riding out a rough crossing can varied a lot, not just based on the physical size of the ship out in the big & deep Atlantic ocean. Ships and its captain all have the latest & updated weather forecast and navigational aid to plan & plot the course specific to its next port; and, they aren't interested in steering the ship full of passengers and crew into rough currents ... and generally do their best to avoid & steer around it, and change course as necessary as mariners also communicate with each other over VHF and HF radios to share and alert others in the area, as needed.

 

As for the reducing or minimizing the unpleasant effects of motion sickness while cruising, there are a wide variety of remedies available. Since OP mentioned both the BA and the GEM, and given their varied itineraries - the Bermuda runs would most likely be a little more "challenging" with rough seas - regardless of whether it's the bigger or smaller ship - which they will generally get away from the worst of the storm in less than 24 hours, often less than 8 to 12 hours.

[Zowena]

I assume that by renos, you were referring to renovations?

Yes, that's the big unknown.

It seems much of the ship was renovated, but cabins are still in question.

 

Yes I was wondering about the cabins. Can't really seem to find anything saying that the rooms were updated, specifically the balcony rooms.

[Zowena]

Thank you for the info. Just don't want to put him on a cruise that he is going to be more likely to feel sick on.

[Zowena]

Some of us are not "troubled" by "rough waters" or stormy weather at sea until wave heights are 25' to 30' or higher - depending on one's relative location on a particular ship - whether it's midship, forward or aft and whether it's higher decks or low ... hence, select & pick your stateroom locations accordingly. If seas are rough with gale force wind and 35' ft. waves - advisable to avoid sitting/spending lots of time sitting in the (NCL) buffet as that's always high "upstairs" - where you will also feel sideway or lateral motions.

 

The Gem and similar Jewel/Dawn class of ships are designed for ocean sailing, sleek & fast (can go up to 25 knots with favorable wind & current) and is about twice the size (around 90,000 tons) of the much smaller Norwegian Crown or Sea that we sailed, just 15 years ago or so (in the 35,000 to 45,000 tonnage) - compared to the mega-ships like the *Away around 150,000 tons. The experience riding out a rough crossing can varied a lot, not just based on the physical size of the ship out in the big & deep Atlantic ocean. Ships and its captain all have the latest & updated weather forecast and navigational aid to plan & plot the course specific to its next port; and, they aren't interested in steering the ship full of passengers and crew into rough currents ... and generally do their best to avoid & steer around it, and change course as necessary as mariners also communicate with each other over VHF and HF radios to share and alert others in the area, as needed.

 

As for the reducing or minimizing the unpleasant effects of motion sickness while cruising, there are a wide variety of remedies available. Since OP mentioned both the BA and the GEM, and given their varied itineraries - the Bermuda runs would most likely be a little more "challenging" with rough seas - regardless of whether it's the bigger or smaller ship - which they will generally get away from the worst of the storm in less than 24 hours, often less than 8 to 12 hours.

 

Thank you for the info. Just don't want to put him on a cruise that he is going to be more likely to feel sick on.

[Turtles06]

Thank you for the info. Just don't want to put him on a cruise that he is going to be more likely to feel sick on.

 

There's really no way to predict what the seas and weather conditions will be like on any sailing, which is what will really be determinative. Best bet on any ship for people who are concerned about motion sickness is to book a cabin low and mid ship.

 

As for the Gem's renovations during her dry dock a year ago, we were last on her a couple of months after the dry dock. We were in a suite, and I can tell you that nothing except new carpeting was done to them. The garish bordello-like furnishings are still there, as is the crappy laminated furniture, only now it's all warn and dated. The stateroom was so desperately in need of a refresh that I posted a thread about it, at the link below. As for the non-suite cabins, we stayed in them twice PRE-dry dock, and never thought they were a big problem. It's the penthouse suites that are tacky beyond belief. I wouldn't worry too much about the regular cabins.

 

The public areas were refreshed, including the Great Outdoors, which is really looking spiffy and is one of our favorite spots on board.

 

Still and all, the Gem is an older ship, so don't expect the sparkling newness of a new build. We love the size of the Gem, love the promenade deck, have no great interest in NCL's mega ships.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2314292