Dying to Hear How Bad the Majesty Trip Back Was

[shoreguy]

For those of you onboard something to add to your scrapbook. Captured this at noon Sat. This is what we saw.

[Mike_NYC]

Thanks for the bridge cam capture. Doesn't nearly show the ferocity of the conditions though.

 

I checked the cam earlier today and she was at sea. Did she make it out of Boston with passengers for the next cruise to Bermuda?

 

I sailed on the Dawn last September out of New York to Bermuda a week after the hurricaine hit the island and the sea was smooth as a plate of glass. I remember the captain commenting that it was unusually calm and we should enjoy it. Didn't think anything of it at the time.

 

What limits can these ships can take? Were we really in danger? If so, what are the things that could happen? Could the vessel actually capsize? That was my worst thought as the ship listed from port to starboard at steep angles.

 

Anyone know where I can read further for this type of information?

 

Thanks.

 

Mike

[shoreguy]

Someone posted modern ships are desighed to handle up to 100' seas. Here is what that looks like:

 

http://tv-antenna.com/heavy-seas/

[WaldosPepper]

Holy Cow! :eek: Hubby and I agree that what we went through was nothing like the photos on this site. Thanks for sharing it!!!! Simply Incredible!

[Mike_NYC]

All I can say is wow.

 

I am humbled by those pics.

 

Thanks.

 

Mike

[glrounds]

"There is nothing more calming and relaxing than the sea, and yet, nothing more totally unforgiving of even the least bit of ignorance.."

[suemac]

My husband is a former Majesty crew member and was on the crossing when the Majesty sailed back to Boston from Germany after being stretched. They sailed through a huge storm in the northern Atlantic and were faced with waves of close to 100 feet. He said the crew members were looking out the window and just praying that the ship would make it over the waves. Thankfully there were no passengers on board. He hasn't admitted it to me yet, but I know he was scared to death. Facing seas that were so rough in a ship that was just ripped in two and put back together had to be a frightening experience. But somehow that little ship managed to pull through it and arrived in Boston to start up the Bermuda season that year.

 

I was not on this cruise but I truly believe the crew did all they could to keep the passengers comfortable during last week's trip back to Boston. We have friends that work on the ship that got sick and they have never been sea sick before. It definitely took a toll on them as well. You can't fault someone for speaking their own language in an emercency situation. There are about 50 different nationalities on that ship and English doesn't come easy to all of them. Also, the Captain does not purposely put 1400 passengers in danger.

 

I feel bad for those that had such a horrible time on this cruise. The Majesty is a wonderful ship with a fantastic crew.

[basketballmom]

The captain did not know the seas were going to be that bad. All stations up here in the Northeast predicted the ocean storm would move off the coast by Saturday morning and head up to Canada. Instead, the storm center stalled off the coast and just sat there for 3 days.

 

No one has any control over the weather. Mother Nature can be very stubborn at times. The captain was going on the assumption that the storm would off in the Canadian maritime by time he came within 200 miles of Nantucket.

[WaldosPepper]

According to the Bridgecam, she's arrived at Bermuda! Unfortunately, according to the Royal Gazette, she's docking at the Royal Dockyard today, as a result of 25 Knot winds at the cut in St. Georges. The Crown is over in Hamilton for the same reason. Seems neither the Majesty, the Crown, nor St. Georges can get a break this season!

[swoosh2005]

Channel 3 here in Connecticut had an item on last nights news about the Majesty's trip and interviewed a couple who were on the cruise and had shot video-they said that they were so scared they didn't think they'd make it back and called home to say good-bye.

I think April is a much more reliable time to sail to Bermuda. We sent our parents on the Crown a few years back (1998) and they said the seas were like glass.

[Galley Girl]

Shoreguy.

I hope you stay on these boards for a long long time. Im am so impressed by your knowledge that now I look for all of your posts.

Thanks for posting all those pictures they are so amazing.

Joanne

[bpear1600]

Shoreguy, I'm not sure the NM can be considered a "modern ship". It has always had the reputation of being one of the rockiest cruise ships afloat today.

 

BTW, on one of our seven Norway cruises in the 80's, we were in 40 foot seas which caused every other ship sailing that week to head to the nearest port. There was front to back motion but it was not bothersome to but a few on board. In fact, it was fun.

 

I'm not sure these tubs that were built to float around the Caribbean have any business being in the open seas for a very long period of time but I guess it's unavoidable unless we start building them in the US.

[pathubia]

There is an article in todays Boston Herald regarding last weeks cruise. It must have been so frightening!!!

 

Patty

[MrPete]

Here's the link:

 

 

http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=51053

 

 

[pigpooh]

Well, was I surprised when I read this board today and saw that I've already posted a response...who's been using my computer???!!!

 

Anyway, I wanted to add my opinion to those of my companion.

 

We had a great time in Bermuda. It's a very unusual cruise, I think, in that it only has one port of call - it goes from Boston to Bermuda and back, with two days down, three days there, and two days back. I would recommend the route to anyone looking to experience at-sea travel for the first time. Unfortunately, you end up in St. George for three days, instead of in Hamilton or the Dockyard, although I hear the ship sometimes moves between ports (I know that the Dawn did while we were there).

 

Also, I believe the November cruises leave from South Carolina, not from Boston, so there should be calmer seas for anyone traveling later this year.

 

The trip down to Bermuda was uneventful, although a bit rocky overnight. The captain said the winds were up to 45 knots, the waves up to 20 feet, I think.

 

We left on time back to Boston on Friday. Several passengers later whined that the captain should have left earlier in order to miss the storm and/or to arrive back in Boston on time. Hey, sorry, buddy, I didn't want to leave earlier - I live in Boston so I didn't have any issues with missed flights, etc. I wanted to stick to the schedule we were promised. Arriving back in Boston later wasn't an inconvenience to me, at all.

 

So, the seas started going crazy. When I awoke Saturday morning, it was really rough outside. I was very surprised that I felt sick, but I'm pretty sure it was due to the two bottles of cheap champagne and bottle of wine we drank the night before, not the affect of the choppy waters. We made it to the restaurant in one piece, and sat down to enjoy lunch. There were very few waiters and servers, due to the fact that (I think) the rest of the crew was seasick. I did not fault them, at all. I am sure they considered canceling lunch, completely, but they probably realized there would be a mutiny if they did. Instead, they ended up breaking just about every dish. It was kind of silly. Room service was definitely the way to go. I understand why everyone was grumpy about delayed service, but I can forgive the staff. I think I would have gone into the restaurant and ordered my food there, and waited for it be brought out, and then return to my room. It would have been faster. Get off your a**es, people.

 

Well, I ended up hurling right away. I took some medications on an empty stomach, and there was quite a delay before we got any bread, so that made me sick. I felt much better after throwing up, but ended up lying (laying?) down for a second, anyway. I was so disappointed that I got sick! It was a great afternoon to be out and about! Very exciting!!! Really. I wish I could have drank the afternoon away. At no point, absolutely no point did I feel in danger, at all. I mean, worst case scenario, the ship cracks in half. That just wasn't going to happen!!!! Beyond that, all we had to worry about was sick passengers. It could have been a lot of fun, if people had been rational about things.

 

After lying (laying?) low for a bit, we ended up back at the casino. Hey, wanna make some easy cash? Go to those machines where you put in a quarter and it tries to push out some coins. The machines kept spitting out money! A lot of money. The casino staff said, "Go get it!" Fun. I made about a buck and a half.

 

So, around a quarter to ten (I dunno), this lady runs by with a life jacket on, following two crew members. She looked very distressed. I said, "Oh, that's not good," but another gambler said, "Oh, she's a mess. Last night I saw her puking her guts out, drunk, on the floor in the hall." But, then we started to see other passengers with life jackets on. I immediately felt that maybe people were being a little dramatic. Plus, I was up about a hundred on the roulette table, and wasn't going anywhere. Then the announcement came on, and we heard the "Code Rebel, Deck 5" announcement. We couldn't really make it out, nor could the casino staff. Since the staff didn't seem concerned, neither were we. But, then there about 100 passengers in life jackets. Finally, the pit boss said, "Okay, cash everyone out," which they did, although I wasn't able to turn my $100 chips into US dollars, since they had already closed the cashier (hmmm!!!).

 

So we headed out to the hallway (we were on Deck 5). I stopped to ask a crew member what we should do, and she said, "Head aft and they'll give you instructions there," which was confusing to me, as this wasn't what I believed we were supposed to do in an emergency. Plus, I was confused as to why everyone was in life jackets, seeing as I hadn't heard any kind of emergency alert. Just the "Code Rebel" announcement. So, I was both confused and nervous. I thought people were bordering on panicking (or picnicing) at this point, so I wanted to get a clear head and focus on facts and what was really going on. It didn't seem like we were in iminent danger (the band was not assembling on deck, if you know what I mean), so I decided to go up to my room (8th deck) instead of to the back of the ship (um, and if the ship was, in fact, in danger, why were were told to go to the back of the ship, instead of upstairs...wouldn't that be wiser, since THAT'S WHERE THE EXITS ARE???).

 

Well, my traveling companion was a little miffed that I booked up the stairs without him. We should have stayed together, but there were several things I wanted to do, one being getting my passport, a coat, my life jacket, water, and petroleum jelly (don't ask). I got to the room and was about to collect said items, when the stand down order came over the intercom. I went back downstairs to Passepartout and we calmed down, together. Within the hour we were back in the casino.

 

We went to bed with the expectation we would be in Boston by mid-afternoon, but upon wakening found out it would be more like midnight, Sunday. This of course was optimistic, and we later found out it would be six AM Monday before we would dock in Boston. Again, I found it kind of exciting!

 

Sunday was kind of a non-day. I was able to eat regularly, and I totally pigged out. The free wine at dinner was nice. Of course, you tell people they can get something free, and they're on it like flies, so there was a huge wait to get into the dining room (also due to the fact that the all you can eat buffet was closed, those passengers who usually skipped a sit-down dinner were waiting to eat, as well). I was happy that the crew put on a couple of extra events; the second Liars Club was great. It was nice (and appropriate) that the dancers put on an extra show, as well.

 

So, I would have to say I'm on the side of people who thought everything went great, all things considered. I never felt in any danger. I'm a stressful person, but I was okay the entire time. I felt bad for the elderly, handicapped and larger passengers who couldn't get around easily (this was about 90% of the people). The elevators were out of service so there was no way to get from one floor to another without going up and down the stairs, so they were out of luck.

 

The only issue I had, and I think legitimately, was the whole ship-in-distress thing. People said, after it was over, that there had been a seven horn alarm, meaning get your life jackets on and go to your muster station. Well, we never heard it! And the casino staff never seemed too concerned, nor did they tell us to exit. I'm skeptical that the alarm ever came on. Can anyone absolutely confirm this? Also, it was disturbing that the crew said to just go to the back of the ship, since this didn't gel with any of the instructions we were given at the start of the trip. I am all for "follow the rules and you won't get into any trouble" and that meant get your jacket on and go to your muster staion. So, I felt it was okay to ignore her order, even though that meant I was technically being "difficult".

 

The rest of the passengers were whiny cry-babies. They panicked. There is absolutely no reason that Norwegian should be responsible for what happened. It's the ocean. It's the OOOOOOOOCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN. Hello?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if cruise lines decide not to go out of Boston, Philly, or Baltimore in the fall, which is unfortunate but understandable. Why would they want to put up with this?

 

If you all want to travel safely, built for the high seas, you will have to move up in class, to the Queen Mary 2. You'll still have rocky seas, but you won't have anything to fear, certainly not your ship splitting into two and you being cast into the cold icy waters of the Atlantic, awaiting a slow and painful death.

 

Have a nice day!

[bpear1600]

pigpooh, we sailed on the NM from Charleston to Charleston last November and there was quite a bit of motion the first and last nights but nothing to be bothered about IMHO.

 

Of course, there were many who complained as there have been on every cruise we've taken.

[WaldosPepper]

Bravo, BigPooh! Your descriptions are completely accurate, and IMO Hilarious! We've been laughing ourselves silly reading your report, because it is not only true, it gives a better understanding of how silly people were acting, for the benefit of those who weren't there to see it for themselves.

 

You asked if the alarm did ring - well, yes it did, but ONLY IN CREW OCCUPIED AREAS! For instance, we were in the Seven Seas having dinner when the first announcement came over the PA. Immediately after, the alarm could be heard coming from the kitchen. The bells in the kitchen were ringing, but not those in the dining room or passageways. This alarm was only intended for the CREW! The crewmembers all left the dining room to proceed to their "emergency positions". Those staff members who do not have specified tasks in the event of an emergency remained in the dining room, and continued calmly going about their business. We continued enjoying our dessert! We only got up from the table when a lunatic entered the diningroom screaming at us to go get our lifejackets and get to our muster stations. At that point we all shook our heads and headed out into the passageway by the elevators. At that point, the Stand Down order came, and we headed to the Polo Lounge to have an after-dinner cocktail. We continued to have a fabulous time for the remainder of the trip!

 

I'm so glad you two also enjoyed the fun and adventure of it all! We thought the whole trip was great, and didn't at all mind having an extra day on board! I honestly think these people who are exaggerating the facts and in some cases fabricating stories, are simply attempting to get something out of NCL - y'know, comp tickets, cash back, whatever. :mad: Scoundrels! Like, for instance, the couple in CT who were interviewed by the Boston Papers. Did you actually read that story? Journey to hell with the devil at the wheel? People calling home to "say goodbye?" :confused: Rubbish!!!!!!!! These people absolutely crack me up.

 

Oh well, waddayagunnado?

 

We had fun! Thanks, NCL! :D

[macdays1]

Excellent review pigpooh. I knew the whole truth would eventually come out. I didn't believe, for one minute, that the Captain would put anyone in danger. Glad you had such a great time. I love the Majesty!

[johnslig]

I loved the Boston article. I laughed all afternoon. People can be sooooo over dramatic. thanks for the sane review and update.

[Mike_NYC]

I wouldn't be surprised if cruise lines decide not to go out of Boston, Philly, or Baltimore in the fall, which is unfortunate but understandable. Why would they want to put up with this?

I think the more reasonable question is why would passengers want to put up with this? It's not like we're immigrants looking for the American Dream and roughing high seas to get here. We're on vacation. If 25 foot waves are so much fun how come I don't see that advertised on the NCL website?

 

Adventure seekers such as yourself and Waldo apparently thought this situation was a barrel of monkeys.That's fine. I don't believe that most people looking for a relaxing vacation get a kick out of vomiting (as you did) and having their TV's and personal belongings being thrown all over the room. I'm 35 years old and fit and love a good time as much as anybody, and got an incredible rush watching the forecastle rip through the waves from 9 forward. I just wish I had a vid camera. Still, it's not something I'd be excited to experience again.

 

Yes the bells rang and I heard it from my stateroom. It was coming from the corridor. I was on 9 aft.The practice drill on embarkation tells you that when you hear that signal to immediately report to your station. The card on the back of the door clearly states the same thing. So Waldo is incorrect in stating that that alarm was only for the crew. Personally I wasn't too worried about the bells as my window looked right down on the promenade and I saw no activity.

 

I never blamed NCL for the rough seas and expect nothing in return, but to criticize people for being tramautized is ironic to me considering your manic glee on the other extreme. As with most stories the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

 

And hey, I have to ask...what's with the petroleum jelly?

 

Mike

 

I'd like to add that Bermuda has been the best cruise destination I have been to. I've done most of the carribean and Belize. You can't beat going to a destination and having the ship stay in port for days on end to explore the incredible secluded beaches of Bermuda and not being pestered by drug dealers and peddlers. So heck yeah I plan on going back.

[basketballmom]

To one of the previous posters who thinks NCL will not travel out of Boston in October anymore. It will never happen. They've been doing this route for quite some time now. Anyone knows the Atlantic is so unpredictable. It tends to be on the rough side more than the calm side. Ask any fisherman and they will tell you the same. I've been in May and had rough seas. I went in hurricane season and had glass seas. Friends have gone in July and had really rough seas. Read on these boards and you will see people who have posted very rough seas any time during the cruise season.

 

Also, when the Majesty sails out of Charleston, it does a western Caribbean route, not a Bermuda route.

 

Pathubia - Thanks for the article. Pretty interesting how each persons point of view is.

 

RED SOX ARE FINALLY WORLD CHAMPS! (Just had to add that today!)

[lady8_2004]

I was also on that cruise and was in the Rendezvous playing games with family memebers trying to forget about the storm. Never was I thinking something like that would happen. When we heard the crash and the poor guy w/ glass in his face and his white shirt now red just flew past us following him was the water, chairs and what ever else floated. We kinda just stood there for a sec trying to figure out what had just happened. There was so much water and if you weren't there then you have know idea. I tried to go to the other side of the Redezvous where there was more water. Ok I'm panicked now and all I could think about was my kids at home. Finally the water forced us to back up to the stairwell, where the guy bleeding every where on stairs, with only passengers at his side. Some guy even went and got paper towels for him. I'm not sure how much time has past but finally the emerg. crew came to his rescue. Along with everything else, the halls where filled with smoke, cause there was an elect. fire. Now I'm really freiking. I beleive at this time is when the sirens went off and we had to get our life jackets and get to our station. Still all I could think of is my kids. I was panicking and thinking I didn't want to get into one of those boats with the storm the way it was. The crew worked there best and people that didn't have lifejackets the crew members went to the life boats and grabbed a dozen of then and threw them in the doors. Ok felt like hours but sure it wasn't when we got to go back to our rooms. I wrote my kids my last wishes and put the letters in zip lock bag, you know just in case. All in all I'm glad everything worked out ok and I thought everybody the crew and the passengers where great and helping everyone. I dont think I'll get on another cruise after that. This was the worst thing that ever happened to me. As for some kind of refund I think something. I had to make phone calls to home to make sure my kids where all set for the following day. The calls where $6.00 a min. and yes got charged for them. I did love the cruise and the staff. P.S. I hope the "guy" is doing well and would like here from your part of veiw. Take care all!

[WaldosPepper]

You seem to be so remarkably calm, considering you were right in the middle of that incredible chaos. I must say, I'm impressed. Your description of the events and your reactions certainly gives one a very vivid picture of what was going on at that end of the ship, and what goes through one's mind those moments-that-feel-like-hours during which your mind is trying to makes sense out of chaos, and your heart is in your throat with thoughts of your children. I'm so glad you've posted here as an eye witness, and given us all such a feel for what went on at that end of the ship! We were in the Seven Seas enjoying our dessert, and the whole thing seemed sort of surreal for us, since we had no connection to the actual "event". It's nice to read such as sanely written account of the events.

 

I am a little disappointed to learn that you had to pay for calls home after the terror you've been through. Considering the circumstances, I'll bet NCL would be willing to refund you the cost of those calls, if you were to e-mail them. Perhaps you should give it a try. There are several e-mail addresses listed in another thread which you could use to contact the upper echelon at NCL. Let us know if you do contact them, and if so what response you receive.

 

I'm glad you're ok, and I hope "the guy" is doing fine now also.

[GMCOLT]

It sounds like the Majesty had a real rough time last week. Some people have posted very interesting wittness accounts. I feel for anyone who was probably very scared by the whole thing.

I find some others passing judgement on NCL, the crew and fellow posters reactions. Lets remember that all of us have a right state our thoughts etc. I would suggest people not jump to critisize each other or the cruise line.

I was on the Majesty on the August 15th cruise. The Captain related how a few years ago they were caught by a storm that blew up without warning when they were cruising back from Bermuda.

As one person said the maritime weather did not call for those conditions. Therefore this cannot be blamed on NCL. The Captain also said the Atlantic can be unpredictable. He also said the Majesty was a rugged vessel.

I have been in rough seas fishing including having a wave break over me while bringing a fish in. Not an every day experience.

I can truly understand people being terrified and upset. You pay for a cruise adventure not a ride in a storm. Sea sickness is not fun. Unfortunately these events occur beyond the cruise lines control. It sounds like the crew reacted properly or else the ship would have had more problems. I have been in emergency services for 27 years, the wait for help to arrive can seem far longer than actual passage of time. Often people do not undrstand why we do things at frie rescue emergencies.

I have spent recent years networking with crew and learning the technical aspects of vessel operations. It does make sense some people heard alarms while others did not. Emergency procedure often call for a limited response such as crew only alarms. However, on a cruise ship the crew alarms could very likely be heard by passengers who were in areas adjacent to crew working spaces. Some passenger cabin decks may also have crew cabins at one end.

It makes sense that people were told to go aft as it sounds like there was ingress of water.

Let us all hope that those involved are O.K. and the new cruisers understand this was an unusual event that is not what the cruise line had in mind either.

[lady8_2004]

Well, was I surprised when I read this board today and saw that I've already posted a response...who's been using my computer???!!!

 

Anyway, I wanted to add my opinion to those of my companion.

 

We had a great time in Bermuda. It's a very unusual cruise, I think, in that it only has one port of call - it goes from Boston to Bermuda and back, with two days down, three days there, and two days back. I would recommend the route to anyone looking to experience at-sea travel for the first time. Unfortunately, you end up in St. George for three days, instead of in Hamilton or the Dockyard, although I hear the ship sometimes moves between ports (I know that the Dawn did while we were there).

 

Also, I believe the November cruises leave from South Carolina, not from Boston, so there should be calmer seas for anyone traveling later this year.

 

The trip down to Bermuda was uneventful, although a bit rocky overnight. The captain said the winds were up to 45 knots, the waves up to 20 feet, I think.

 

We left on time back to Boston on Friday. Several passengers later whined that the captain should have left earlier in order to miss the storm and/or to arrive back in Boston on time. Hey, sorry, buddy, I didn't want to leave earlier - I live in Boston so I didn't have any issues with missed flights, etc. I wanted to stick to the schedule we were promised. Arriving back in Boston later wasn't an inconvenience to me, at all.

 

So, the seas started going crazy. When I awoke Saturday morning, it was really rough outside. I was very surprised that I felt sick, but I'm pretty sure it was due to the two bottles of cheap champagne and bottle of wine we drank the night before, not the affect of the choppy waters. We made it to the restaurant in one piece, and sat down to enjoy lunch. There were very few waiters and servers, due to the fact that (I think) the rest of the crew was seasick. I did not fault them, at all. I am sure they considered canceling lunch, completely, but they probably realized there would be a mutiny if they did. Instead, they ended up breaking just about every dish. It was kind of silly. Room service was definitely the way to go. I understand why everyone was grumpy about delayed service, but I can forgive the staff. I think I would have gone into the restaurant and ordered my food there, and waited for it be brought out, and then return to my room. It would have been faster. Get off your a**es, people.

 

Well, I ended up hurling right away. I took some medications on an empty stomach, and there was quite a delay before we got any bread, so that made me sick. I felt much better after throwing up, but ended up lying (laying?) down for a second, anyway. I was so disappointed that I got sick! It was a great afternoon to be out and about! Very exciting!!! Really. I wish I could have drank the afternoon away. At no point, absolutely no point did I feel in danger, at all. I mean, worst case scenario, the ship cracks in half. That just wasn't going to happen!!!! Beyond that, all we had to worry about was sick passengers. It could have been a lot of fun, if people had been rational about things.

 

After lying (laying?) low for a bit, we ended up back at the casino. Hey, wanna make some easy cash? Go to those machines where you put in a quarter and it tries to push out some coins. The machines kept spitting out money! A lot of money. The casino staff said, "Go get it!" Fun. I made about a buck and a half.

 

So, around a quarter to ten (I dunno), this lady runs by with a life jacket on, following two crew members. She looked very distressed. I said, "Oh, that's not good," but another gambler said, "Oh, she's a mess. Last night I saw her puking her guts out, drunk, on the floor in the hall." But, then we started to see other passengers with life jackets on. I immediately felt that maybe people were being a little dramatic. Plus, I was up about a hundred on the roulette table, and wasn't going anywhere. Then the announcement came on, and we heard the "Code Rebel, Deck 5" announcement. We couldn't really make it out, nor could the casino staff. Since the staff didn't seem concerned, neither were we. But, then there about 100 passengers in life jackets. Finally, the pit boss said, "Okay, cash everyone out," which they did, although I wasn't able to turn my $100 chips into US dollars, since they had already closed the cashier (hmmm!!!).

 

So we headed out to the hallway (we were on Deck 5). I stopped to ask a crew member what we should do, and she said, "Head aft and they'll give you instructions there," which was confusing to me, as this wasn't what I believed we were supposed to do in an emergency. Plus, I was confused as to why everyone was in life jackets, seeing as I hadn't heard any kind of emergency alert. Just the "Code Rebel" announcement. So, I was both confused and nervous. I thought people were bordering on panicking (or picnicing) at this point, so I wanted to get a clear head and focus on facts and what was really going on. It didn't seem like we were in iminent danger (the band was not assembling on deck, if you know what I mean), so I decided to go up to my room (8th deck) instead of to the back of the ship (um, and if the ship was, in fact, in danger, why were were told to go to the back of the ship, instead of upstairs...wouldn't that be wiser, since THAT'S WHERE THE EXITS ARE???).

 

Well, my traveling companion was a little miffed that I booked up the stairs without him. We should have stayed together, but there were several things I wanted to do, one being getting my passport, a coat, my life jacket, water, and petroleum jelly (don't ask). I got to the room and was about to collect said items, when the stand down order came over the intercom. I went back downstairs to Passepartout and we calmed down, together. Within the hour we were back in the casino.

 

We went to bed with the expectation we would be in Boston by mid-afternoon, but upon wakening found out it would be more like midnight, Sunday. This of course was optimistic, and we later found out it would be six AM Monday before we would dock in Boston. Again, I found it kind of exciting!

 

Sunday was kind of a non-day. I was able to eat regularly, and I totally pigged out. The free wine at dinner was nice. Of course, you tell people they can get something free, and they're on it like flies, so there was a huge wait to get into the dining room (also due to the fact that the all you can eat buffet was closed, those passengers who usually skipped a sit-down dinner were waiting to eat, as well). I was happy that the crew put on a couple of extra events; the second Liars Club was great. It was nice (and appropriate) that the dancers put on an extra show, as well.

 

So, I would have to say I'm on the side of people who thought everything went great, all things considered. I never felt in any danger. I'm a stressful person, but I was okay the entire time. I felt bad for the elderly, handicapped and larger passengers who couldn't get around easily (this was about 90% of the people). The elevators were out of service so there was no way to get from one floor to another without going up and down the stairs, so they were out of luck.

 

The only issue I had, and I think legitimately, was the whole ship-in-distress thing. People said, after it was over, that there had been a seven horn alarm, meaning get your life jackets on and go to your muster station. Well, we never heard it! And the casino staff never seemed too concerned, nor did they tell us to exit. I'm skeptical that the alarm ever came on. Can anyone absolutely confirm this? Also, it was disturbing that the crew said to just go to the back of the ship, since this didn't gel with any of the instructions we were given at the start of the trip. I am all for "follow the rules and you won't get into any trouble" and that meant get your jacket on and go to your muster staion. So, I felt it was okay to ignore her order, even though that meant I was technically being "difficult".

 

The rest of the passengers were whiny cry-babies. They panicked. There is absolutely no reason that Norwegian should be responsible for what happened. It's the ocean. It's the OOOOOOOOCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN. Hello?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if cruise lines decide not to go out of Boston, Philly, or Baltimore in the fall, which is unfortunate but understandable. Why would they want to put up with this?

 

If you all want to travel safely, built for the high seas, you will have to move up in class, to the Queen Mary 2. You'll still have rocky seas, but you won't have anything to fear, certainly not your ship splitting into two and you being cast into the cold icy waters of the Atlantic, awaiting a slow and painful death.

 

Have a nice day!

I JUST HAVE TO SAY AND CONFIRM THAT THE ALARMS DID GO OFF AND IF HAVE SEEN WHAT I SEEN THAT NIGHT YOU WOULD OF BEEN SCARED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. SEE # 47 LADY8 2004 IT SAYS WHAT I SAW AND MAYBE YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WHERE SO SCARED. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT IT WAS A LOT MORE THEN WHAT YOU THINK. THE SWELLS WHERE 35-50 FEET WITH 80-100 WINDS. YA ITS THE OCEAN, BUT IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIANCE. AND WHO KNOWS WE COULD OF ENDED UP IN THE OCEAN, WE WHERE THAT CLOSE TO GETTING ON THE LIFEBOATS AND TO BE IN LIFEBOAT WITH THE WINDS AND WAVES WE WOULD OF BEEN JUST TOSSED AROUND. THIS IS JUST MY POINT OF VIEW AND ANY ELSES THAT WAS IN THAT ROOM.