Questions about winter cruise from NYC to Carribean

[WantVacation]

If you've taken a cruise from New York City to the Carribean,

I'd like your feedback...

 

I'm thinking of taking a January cruise from NYC to the Carribean, but I'm concerned about whether the waves/weather gets rough in the Atlantic Ocean during that time of the year. However, I get motion sickness if it's too rocky, so I wanted to find out how steady are the ships through winter atlantic waters.

 

What has your experience been? (with regards to the waves or the cruise in general)

 

Thanks!

[CTBob]

We sailed on the Norwegian Dawn last year and left NY on Dec 7th. The first two days were very rough, but the rest of the trip was extremely calm including the return to NY. I think it's just the luck of the draw. At least you know you won't be in a hurricane. And it didn't bother us, we are booked on the Noordam out of NY on Dec 1st this year.

 

Bob

[hammybee]

I think those prone to motion illness need to plan to be medicated if they cruise, anywhere/ anytime. One cruise may be fine and the next is rough. This particualr intinerary is more likely to hit some rough spots either coming or returning, than say a sail from FLL. If you can take precautions, you might even get into the rougher ride. Many of us like the motion.

[jrzebird]

We sailed the Noordam from NYC last January 6th and are scheduled for the same cruise this year. It was 73 the day we left NYC and never got cold until the day before we got home. The sea was moderately rough a few days, but nothing that Bonine and wrist bands didn't stop. I do know that a few folks found it rough, as they are prone to sea sickness, but the wrist bands helped a lot. I also know that a couple cruises after ours were very rough. But, as Bob said, it's the luck of the draw, and rough seas can happen any time of the year. And, the Noordam rode the water beautifully, but you still knew you were on a ship!

[mamaofami]

We sailed out of NY last February and will repeat this February. It was a little rough the first day and I wore the wrist bands and took bonnine and was fine. However, our cruise wasn't considered one of the rough ones, so, really, it is the luck of the draw. You have to expect some rough water in and out of NY and if you don't get it, that's great. For me, it beats the hassle of flying to Fla.

[innlady1]

We, too, sailed out of NYC on the Noordam last February 7. We will repeat the same cruise this year. As Carol said, we had relatively calm seas...first day out and last night in (but we were asleep by then!)...they rolled a bit.

 

I have to admit, I enjoy that motion...the ships can handle it.

 

Neither of us is prone to sea sickness, but I brought along bonine and ginger...just in case. Someone on our roll call mentioned ginger and I bought it at a health food store. Since then, we've taken it for upset stomachs at home and it works wonders!

[innlady1]

I meant to add, the cold is more of a nuisance than rough seas. When we left NYC, it was 18 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! :eek:

[tomc]

I grew up on the water. Family motto: It's not rough until the engine bolts tear loose.

[WeLoveCruising]

I like to feel the ship move a bit. I was only seasick on our very first cruise, but after that havent had any problems.

 

In regards to the NYC sailings, most times we've had some type of moderate seas around the Cape Hatteras area. However, the roughest seas I've ever experienced were around Spain in what they call Mistral.

 

Below is a link to a site that shows current sea wave heights.

 

 

http://www.oceanweather.com/data/

[tomc]

I think it depends a lot on where the seas are coming from, in relation to the ship. We were coming back from the Caribbean one cruise, around the Hatteras area, and the seas were around 27 feet; the Noordam was taking it in stride and not really rolling much at all. On another thread, someone said they were on a similar cruise and mentioned the direction of the seas (different from ours, I think) and the ship was all over the place.

 

BTW: On the way down, we were in a gale, about 270 miles off the Cape, when a crew member burst his appendix. We headed in 70 miles, as a USCG helicopter headed out on a 200-mile trip. For us, a dramatic at-sea rescue; for the CG, another day at the office.

[mickey52]

We sailed on NCL Spirit out of NYC in Jan 2006. Yes, it was chilly and the waves were a little choppy sailing South. Upon our return North, we hit a noreaster as we entered the North Atlantic. The captain said we were experiencing hurricane force winds-the ship was rockin' and rollin', AND the waves did break out windows on deck 5 of the ship. Some were feeling the pain, others continued on. We spent the evening in the casino and held on. News crews were waiting on the dock when we returned and there were a few small pieces in the paper. Otherwise, another fabulous day at sea.

We are booked on HAL for another 11 day out of NYC this coming January, 2008. Can't wait!

I am sure it all depends on the weather on a particular day, you never know what to expect. That's the adventure!