Bay Of Biscay Crossing In September

[Eaglestrike]

Hi friends,

 

My wife and I are taking an 11 day cruise and there is a stretch of 3 days at sea from Hamburg to Lisbon. I have never cruised this particular area before and I hear about the Bay of Biscay's tricky weather. 

 

Our cruise only passes however does not enter the Bay. Is the Atlantic just outside of the Bay rougher than normal or simply subject to the usual "who knows what the weather will be" rules LOL?.

 

FYI we took a fantastic 17 day Trans Atlantic cruise this past November/December from Marseille to the Caribbean and the weather was gorgeous for our 6 day stretch at sea. In fact when we rolled into Barbados I was very unhappy to see land again because we were having such a nice time!. 

 

Thanks again friends and Happy Sailing!.

[Hlitner]

My goodness, what a shock.  Ships sail upon the sea and sea conditions (anywhere) can vary from glassy to very nasty (more than 40 foot).  That is just the way it is and folks that are going to ruminate about possible sea conditions might be better off staying at a land resort.  We have crossed the Bay of Biscay dozens of times and have never encountered seas more than 20 feet.  Most of the time it has been 12 foot or less!  For folks who have only cruised on massive ships in relatively calm seas, 12 foot seas can seem quite uncomfortable.  For those of us who are good sailors, it is usually around 18-20 feet when things become somewhat uncomfortable (because it can be difficult just walking).  

 

We recently saw a post from someone who was very unhappy (and complained) because they encountered 8-foot seas (in the Caribbean).  It gave DW and me a big laugh (we were recently on a HAL cruise that crossed from Yokohama to Kodiak Island where the seas were never below 15 foot and often topped 20.  And that lasted for nearly 6 days!  Few on that ship complained as it was a group of good (and well informed) sailors.

 

Hank

[Eaglestrike]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

My goodness, what a shock.  Ships sail upon the sea and sea conditions (anywhere) can vary from glassy to very nasty (more than 40 foot).  That is just the way it is and folks that are going to ruminate about possible sea conditions might be better off staying at a land resort.  We have crossed the Bay of Biscay dozens of times and have never encountered seas more than 20 feet.  Most of the time it has been 12 foot or less!  For folks who have only cruised on massive ships in relatively calm seas, 12 foot seas can seem quite uncomfortable.  For those of us who are good sailors, it is usually around 18-20 feet when things become somewhat uncomfortable (because it can be difficult just walking).  

 

We recently saw a post from someone who was very unhappy (and complained) because they encountered 8-foot seas (in the Caribbean).  It gave DW and me a big laugh (we were recently on a HAL cruise that crossed from Yokohama to Kodiak Island where the seas were never below 15 foot and often topped 20.  And that lasted for nearly 6 days!  Few on that ship complained as it was a group of good (and well informed) sailors.

 

Hank

I am familiar with the fact that no one knows what the great Atlantic may or may not do on any given day. 

I am however unfamiliar with the Bay of Biscay and as noted we will not be sailing in it however passing it on the way to Lisbon from Hamburg. 

 

Many professional Mariners on this board that have a wealth of knowledge about these things. I guess what I meant to say is if you are not in the Bay and simply in the Atlantic passing from one stretch to the other does the Bay affect that stretch or it does not since you are not in the Bay of Biscay.  

 

Always good to learn and have knowledge about various seas and locations. We have taken around 20 cruises so we are experienced but always interested to learn. 

 

I am however grateful that the Police Dept. hired me 2 seconds before the Navy/Marines. I would not have done well on a ship permanently bouncing around at sea LOL

 

Happy Sailing!

[Hlitner]

The Captain on our recent cruise (Seabourn Quest) did speak to the Bay of Bengal issue (when we crossed that body).  He said that much of the roughness in the Bay is caused by a confluence of currents magnified by the relatively shallow depth.  Over the decades we have passed by, and crossed, that area man times and have either been very lucky, or perhaps the legend is over dramatized. He also mentioned that, traditionally, the worst seas are during the winter months when severe storms/depressions really kick up the sea.  Since we have never crossed the Bay in the winter months, we will take his word for it 🙂

 

Hank

[Eaglestrike]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

The Captain on our recent cruise (Seabourn Quest) did speak to the Bay of Bengal issue (when we crossed that body).  He said that much of the roughness in the Bay is caused by a confluence of currents magnified by the relatively shallow depth.  Over the decades we have passed by, and crossed, that area man times and have either been very lucky, or perhaps the legend is over dramatized. He also mentioned that, traditionally, the worst seas are during the winter months when severe storms/depressions really kick up the sea.  Since we have never crossed the Bay in the winter months, we will take his word for it 🙂

 

Hank

I think you hit the nail on the head with this one Hank. Maybe the legend is overdramatized as you mention. Makes sense what the Captain said about the shallow depth and currents all coming together.

I will find out very soon LOL. 

 

Thanks Hank and Happy Sailing!.

[basenji56]

The Bay of Biscay had some of the roughest seas I have ever encountered during a westbound TA several years ago. 
 

My sailing may have been an anomaly, I don’t know. 

[Hlitner]

38 minutes ago, Eaglestrike said:

I think you hit the nail on the head with this one Hank. Maybe the legend is overdramatized as you mention. Makes sense what the Captain said about the shallow depth and currents all coming together.

I will find out very soon LOL. 

 

Thanks Hank and Happy Sailing!.

We wish you a wonderful voyage and smooth seas 🙂

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Will there be rough seas in the Bay of Biscay in September?  Your guess is as good as mine.  The BoB can be treacherous at that time of year.  The good news is it only lasts about 12 hours.  

[Heidi13]

On a voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon, upon cleaning the Western Approaches at Ushant, the ship will alter to a SW'ly course, crossing what is considered as the Bay of Biscay. All ships on this route steer basically the same courses.

 

As Hank mentioned it could be smooth sailing, but unlikely, or it could have moderate to heavy seas. What you experience will depend on the weather systems in the Atlantic, such as the tail end of a TRS or early season frontal depression.

 

BTW - the Western Approaches can also be rough, depending on the Atlantic weather situation.

[Eaglestrike]

19 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

On a voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon, upon cleaning the Western Approaches at Ushant, the ship will alter to a SW'ly course, crossing what is considered as the Bay of Biscay. All ships on this route steer basically the same courses.

 

As Hank mentioned it could be smooth sailing, but unlikely, or it could have moderate to heavy seas. What you experience will depend on the weather systems in the Atlantic, such as the tail end of a TRS or early season frontal depression.

 

BTW - the Western Approaches can also be rough, depending on the Atlantic weather situation.

Thank you kindly Heidi 13!. 

 

This was interesting and really helpful in understanding what people talk about with regard to the Bay of Biscay. 

Next time I will be more careful when booking a cruise and learn all this BEFORE booking. I am concerned now LOL because I can take 1 bad day but if it is for 3 full days I will be toast by the time we pull into Lisbon LOL. 

 

I will start praying to the weather Gods right now and not stop until we hit Lisbon a week from Saturday. I hope for at least 2 good days out of 3 days at this point. 

 

Thanks again Heidi 13 and Happy Sailing!.

[Eaglestrike]

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

On a voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon, upon cleaning the Western Approaches at Ushant, the ship will alter to a SW'ly course, crossing what is considered as the Bay of Biscay. All ships on this route steer basically the same courses.

 

As Hank mentioned it could be smooth sailing, but unlikely, or it could have moderate to heavy seas. What you experience will depend on the weather systems in the Atlantic, such as the tail end of a TRS or early season frontal depression.

 

BTW - the Western Approaches can also be rough, depending on the Atlantic weather situation.

FYI I  enjoyed looking at your travel blog!!. Very nice and informative and very fun to read. Very impressive indeed that you were a Captain and thus your excellent knowledge of the seas (although I wish you would have given me better news LOL-I'm terrified now) 

 

Thanks again Andy I look forward to reading more of your excellent blog!!.

 

Best regards and Happy Sailing friend!