Anyone have some fantastic Hurricane stories?

[suse]

Have you been on a cruise during a hurricane? Care to share your experiences? We were on the Boston to Bermuda run during Hurricane Bonnie and it was very exciting. Not, however, for most on board. Just wondering, as Hurricane Bill swirls around.

[kakalina]

We were on a RT Hawaii cruise when the ship ran into a hurrincane. I can't remember the name of it. It was GREAT, amazing. They closed off all the outside decks. A really bad wave hit and all the liquor and all the crystal on display fell of and shattered. One lady was hit on the head with a bottle of liquor.
We were on the Dolphin deck and had an OV room. At one point our window went under the water. It was fabulous we just loved the motion and bouncing back and forth.

It calmed down for a bit and they cleaned up the stores and put some tape in front of the merchandise and danged if it didn't happen again a short time later. All the stuff off the shelves and shattered merchandise everywhere.

I felt badly for those who got sea sick and for the staff and crew trying to get some work done. As for us, we roamed the ship during the whole storm and enjoyed it most thoroughly.

[Druke I]

Way back in Nov 86, on the little Golden Odyssey (a 10,000 tonner), we were trying to outrun the back end of a typhoon in the China Sea, between Hong Kong and Manila.

We had green water over the bridge, screws out of the water, and the inclinometer was pegged several times. It was a pretty rough 24 hrs.

It looked very much like the typhoon scene in the movie "The Caine Mutiny".

In those same waters, although closer to Okinawa, the US Navy lost three destroyers to capsizing in the closing days of WW2. Halsey almost lost command of his fleet for that incident.

[GmaPajama]

I hope to NEVER have a story to share on this thread.

[alwayshappytocruise]

Believe me, there is nothing fantastic about being in a hurricane...........been there, done that x 3 in 2004. Had lots of damage to our home, many buildings destroyed in our community.

[Texas Tillie]

I hope to NEVER have a story to share on this thread.

Amen, sister!!!:D Just reflecting on my experience at home last Sept. with Ike. Electricity out about 12:20 AM. The worst part was about 90 minutes around 4 AM on when the wind was soo strong that it sounded like the wail of the Banshees. Daylight couldn't come fast enough. Can't imagine also having waves crashing against the window.:eek:

[heathriel]

My *first ever* cruise turned out to be during the Perfect Storm storm. We were on the southern end of it (not in the north, where the famous fishermen died.)

For the storm itself, the boat was rocking around crazily, and I was glad that I had a balcony, because my sister spent most of her time in the bathroom, so I had to take up the balcony. They ran out of dramamine quickly.

Not only were all of our ports flooded out, so that we couldn't make *any* of them, but the US Coast Guard requested our ship's services in searching for survivors. It was a full ship, so they kept making announcements for families who'd had multiple cabins to double up so they could make room for the new people we were pulling aboard.

I was 16, so I thought it was AWESOME to see a catamaran upside down in the water, and people standing on top of it. I remember there was a woman arguing that she wouldn't get on the boat without her dog, so they pulled her up in the sling, holding a poodle or some such thing.

I also got some really cool footage of a helicopter hovering above the ship, in the pouring rain, airlifting someone who was too injured to stay aboard.

They asked for any extra clothes people had to spare, and there was a real air of "We survived this!" about the ship.

I didn't realize it at the time, but they gave everyone credit toward a future cruise to make up for it (because the credit went to my father, naturally). Every cruise since then, I've kind of missed the camaraderie that formed with the passengers.

To this day I prefer the at sea days than port days. I don't mind repo cruises. Sometimes, in port, I don't even get off the ship.

[RedmondCruiser]

We did a B to B on the Masdam and we were chased back into FLL by hurricane Noel. On the next sailing there was no way to avoid the storm so we sailed through the side of it. It was great, 20 ft + swells and the wind and rain blew sideways. Went to the Crows Nest - ordered Bloody Marys and got a ring side seat. It was interesting. The only down side was that you can't go out on deck and we missed St Maarten due to the ship moving slow. Remember that Hurricane Noel was a catagory 1 storm - though large it was not as destructive as many other hurricanes.

HAL puts out the bags and oddly enough it looked like everyone showed up for lunch and dinner.

[suse]

To correct, I meant ship stories. Certainly not the devastation that some, unfortunately, have experienced on land. Those have been terrible blows.

[mamaofami]

I hope to NEVER have a story to share on this thread.

I'm with you on that.

[Sirdar]

On our second cruise to Bermuda some years back (aboard the old Pacific Princess) we encountered the outer edges of a hurricane our first night out of New York. This was an older and relatively small ship (about 20,000 tons) and we bounced around quite a bit. Our cabin was on the lowest passenger deck and the swells washed regularly over our portholes.

The dining rooms were not that full and the crew was busy cleaning up after the many seasick passengers who could not make it to their cabins or the nearest public WC.

The highlight was the show that night which featured a rather funny and acerbic comedian, Joe somebody. Only abot 50 people showed up (the showroom was quite small anyway) and one by one began to leave as seasickness overtook them. He keyed his entire performance off remarks made to them which was quite hilarious to the few of us who remained.

[yotefan37]

I hope to NEVER have a story to share on this thread.
Especially not from our upcoming trip! :)

[Kween Karen]

Wow.....scary and exciting and oh my........I don't want to have any stories of my own to share. Here's hoping for VERY smooth sailing n the South Pacific in 36 days!!! I have been keeping my eye on the storms......shoo....go away!

[wowzo]

I hope the Maasdam doesn't have it too rough. They are on the Voyage of the Vikings and in Iceland now. The 25th is when they are supposed to dock in Boston.

Might get a touch of 'Bill' on the way to the port !!

Keeping my fingers crossed for them,

MaryAnn

[tomc]

OT to being on a ship, but when I was 10 and my brother was 14, we were living on this island off the coast of CT and a hurricane blew through it -- the eye. My parents said, "Why don't you kids go down to the beach and see what it's like?" So we stayed there a good 20 minutes in the calm middle of this monster until we saw the other wall heading right toward us, then we took off for home, a block away. Quite an experience for a couple of kids.

[jtl513]

I hope the Maasdam doesn't have it too rough. They are on the Voyage of the Vikings and in Iceland now. The 25th is when they are supposed to dock in Boston.

Might get a touch of 'Bill' on the way to the port !!

Keeping my fingers crossed for them,

MaryAnnNo, they don't get back until the 29th. On Mon the 24th they should be between Greenland and Newfoundland, and Newfoundland on the 25th and 26th. Eurodam will experience more of Bill, as it is scheduled to be in Nova Scotia on Mon and Tues, same as the storm. Maybe they'll divert south.

I wonder if there be any meetings of Friends of Bill (the storm) on the ships on Mon or Tues!! :D

CLICK HERE (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT03/refresh/AL0309W5_NL_sm2+gif/144417W5_NL_sm.gif) for predicted storm track

[tomc]

Friends of Ralph will meet in the men's and ladies' rooms during the storm.

[alwayshappytocruise]

Friends of Ralph will meet in the men's and ladies' rooms during the storm.

Took me a minute but I finally got it.......now that is funny stuff!!

[taxmantoo]

... It was GREAT, amazing. They closed off all the outside decks. A really bad wave hit and all the liquor and all the crystal on display fell of and shattered. One lady was hit on the head with a bottle of liquor....

It calmed down for a bit and they cleaned up the stores and put some tape in front of the merchandise and danged if it didn't happen again a short time later. All the stuff off the shelves and shattered merchandise everywhere.

Bet it was not that GREAT for that lady! Care to reword that?

[JoKen1]

On my first "real" cruise (I had only been on a three day before) we got caught in a hurricane. The ship was really rocking and rolling. I don't remember any one getting hurt (thank God) but we did miss all but two of our stops.

People were upset about that but I think they should have been happy the captain did all he could to protect us. I would rather have been safe then stop.

We were going to the Caribbean. The one stop we did make all the excursions were cancelled. Again, people were upset. I just felt bad for the people who lived there. They had just lost their homes and jobs and then people get off a cruise ship and complain they couldn't go on an excursion. It was so sad.

Some people can be super self centered and that really upset me.

Then we were able to stop at Key West which did not get hit and it was lovely. I've always wanted to go back since then.

I'm going on a New England to Canada cruise that leaves from NY on the 27th and I'm praying we don't get that hurricane going on now. I'm hoping it will be gone by then.

Joanne

[Route6A]

In the fall of 2008, we took a repositioning cruise from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale on the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas. We knew a bad nor'easter (storm) was coming, but assumed that Royal Caribbean would not sail right into it. Wrong. That was our last cruise on that line. It was so rough that we could barely stay in bed, and our closet doors would not stay shut. The bridge was on "Code 5" or whatever the alert is named when the captain is present at all times. The captain was up all night on the bridge. What annoyed me was the fact that weather alerts were out, and Royal Caribbean chose to sail anyway. A friend of my husband's, who is a seasoned cruiser, said, "I don't scare easily, but I was scared last night." Ditto. We could easily have remained in Boston overnight and sailed a day or two later, missing a port or two..and been safe.

[Boytjie]

It was so rough that we could barely stay in bed, and our closet doors would not stay shut.


Another reason to bring duct tape! :D

[heathriel]

If a named storm will directly affect your sailing, you can actually call the cruise line directly and ask them to reschedule your cruise (even without travel insurance.)

This will not cover any other things booked, like airfare, hotel, etc, nor will it help you with Vacation days at work, but you can indeed get them to switch you to another sailing.

Airlines do this too. They only *publicize* when it's a really big'un, but they do it. They'd rather you reschedule than be one of the problem passengers.

[luvtwotrvl]

I hope to NEVER have a story to share on this thread.


You are exactly RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! I would not enjoy it at all even with medicine in me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[catl331]

Wow AlwaysHappytoCruise! I didn't realize that S.B. had so much destruction in 2004. So much for the Florida Today newspaper.

[Cruisin'Lady]

In 84 my hubby and I were on our honeymoon on the Princess Cunard (small ship), northbound in the Mexican Riviara. The last 2 Cruise night/day we were trying to outrun a hurricane and were not doing very well at it. The ship was certainly tossed around that night and hubby and I were in a front bow cabin. As we layed there that night we felt like we were on a roller coaster. Up 12 feet down 24 feet...up 24 feet down 12 feet....at times it felt like a free fall...before being hit in the back by the bed! Loads of fun! Oh to be young again and enjoy roller coasters.

Then on our second cruise on the Maasdam in Nov. 2008...we actually skirted hurricane Paloma...just had a night or so of rough seas. The captain had altered coarse just a tad east but we didn't miss any ports or time.

Donna you came close to having a story though!!

[IRL_Joanie]

If a named storm will directly affect your sailing, you can actually call the cruise line directly and ask them to reschedule your cruise (even without travel insurance.)

This will not cover any other things booked, like airfare, hotel, etc, nor will it help you with Vacation days at work, but you can indeed get them to switch you to another sailing.

Airlines do this too. They only *publicize* when it's a really big'un, but they do it. They'd rather you reschedule than be one of the problem passengers.


Thank you Heathriel!!!! THIS is good to know about!! Hopefully though, we will never have to reschedule, but if we do, I know to call now!!

[sail7seas]

If a named storm will directly affect your sailing, you can actually call the cruise line directly and ask them to reschedule your cruise (even without travel insurance.)

This will not cover any other things booked, like airfare, hotel, etc, nor will it help you with Vacation days at work, but you can indeed get them to switch you to another sailing.

Airlines do this too. They only *publicize* when it's a really big'un, but they do it. They'd rather you reschedule than be one of the problem passengers.

I'd love to be able to read this somewhere. Do you have a link where it is published? This is the first I've ever heard it and think it very interesting.

Thanks.
I'm feeling a little anxious about Eurodam and Maasdam. It makes me nervous to think both those ships are potentially in the path. Maasdam has left Iceland and is en route to Boston.

Latest update I heard re: Hurricane Bill is she could be aimed at Nova Scotia. That worries me for all those folks there as well as the ships.

[May4]

In a somewhat loosely related story, a few years ago while sailing on the Veendam, I met a couple from south Florida. Their home had sustained considerable damage during hurricane Andrew(?). They quickly made arrangements to have repairs/rebuilding done, then booked passage aboard one of the HAL ships for the next 45 days or so. I don't remember which ship they'd booked, but I did get the impression that they were able to monitor the progress of the repairs whenever the ship returned to Ft. Lauderdale. I'm certain having met them that money was no problem and that they were accustomed to the finer things in life.

[COLLEYBERRY]

I'd love to be able to read this somewhere. Do you have a link where it is published? This is the first I've ever heard it and think it very interesting.

Thanks.
I'm feeling a little anxious about Eurodam and Maasdam. It makes me nervous to think both those ships are potentially in the path. Maasdam has left Iceland and is en route to Boston.

Latest update I heard re: Hurricane Bill is she could be aimed at Nova Scotia. That weorries me for all those folks there as well as the ships.




Me too ,Sail.
Sapper 1 is aboard the Eurodam ,she was so excited about this cruise . I sure hope Bill does nothing to spoil the fun.
Fingers crossed and prayers being said for our Hal friends and the vessels.dealing with this storm
Our captain kept us well out of Hurricane Hannah's path last September
We missed the port at Charlottetown but that was just fine by me.

[yellowbird23]

Friends of Ralph will meet in the men's and ladies' rooms during the storm.
I love your sense of humor! That's hilarious!

[yellowbird23]

I read on Weather Underground that Bill's waves where "he" is at right now have reached 95 feet! I can't imagine being any kind of ship near that hurricane right now. I'm sure they are scattering out of it's path, but I was in one tropical disturbance on a smallish ship and never want to do that again. I was with three friends, all in the same cabin. I had the top bunk and could actually see my feet without sitting up. We were on the 6th deck and the waves were seen from the window as well. Not a good cruise.

[heathriel]

I'd love to be able to read this somewhere. Do you have a link where it is published? This is the first I've ever heard it and think it very interesting.



They don't have any official written policies until a storm or event is named, and then it is event specific what they put out (most recent was the swine flu press release info.)

It's always been the same policy though - if there is something that will potentially materially change the course of your trip, you have right of refusal. Without trip insurance, you're not entitled to a refund, but you can receive a credit toward other goods.

I generally use this a lot in the winter, to reschedule myself on better flights when I have to fly east. Like, I'll book the cheapest flight, even if it is a connection through Chicago in January, and then when the inevitable snowstorm is announced, I'll call up the airline and graciously offer my seat on the connector up so that I can get a nonstop.

Like I said though - without insurance, you're not entitled to a refund, nor will they give you a cabin on another ship at the same price you paid for this one - they'll give you a straight credit of what you paid toward something else. Any other bookings you made (airfare, hotel, transfers, etc) will be lost.

[Route6A]

Another reason to bring duct tape! :D
You are right! We finally put chairs in front of the closet doors...heavy upholstered chairs. I'll certainly never forget that cruise! One of the Lido windows was broken, and a beam in one of the bars cracked. The question and answer session with the crew toward the end of the trip was interesting. That's where we learned the captain had been on the bridge all night.

[momatibm]

In 2008 we were sailing back to NYC on the Noordam -- in January -- in the middle of the night the ship was 'bouncing around' I looked out the veranda and expected to see an iceburg -- the sea was so rough - it was in January. Great ride....

[SDHALFAN]

Wow.....scary and exciting and oh my........I don't want to have any stories of my own to share. Here's hoping for VERY smooth sailing n the South Pacific in 36 days!!! I have been keeping my eye on the storms......shoo....go away!


Just be prepared for a possible rough ride when we cross the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand - it's known for having quite a temper at times.

However, it won't be nearly as bad as The Great Australian Bight was last year when we left Freemantle/Perth (and the calm Indian Ocean), headed for Melbourne, and sailed into The Bight. That was a night to remember. I remember lying in bed and wondering if I should offer up my last prayer for forgiveness or wait just a little longer - then I decided that the Captain must have been through this several times and knew what he was doing:D. I talked to several of the crew members the next day and they were so miserable, poor souls - they had been seasick all night.

Valerie:)

[Ron Don]

I think it was 2004, we got caught by Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico while we were trying to out run it. About 1/2 of the ship were either Friends of Ralph or drove a Buick in their own cabins. We had 35-45 ft. seas for a little over a day until we cleared the storm. WHEW!! The remainder of the trip was calm although we did miss Key West and Cozumel.

[SDHALFAN]

I hope the Maasdam doesn't have it too rough. They are on the Voyage of the Vikings and in Iceland now. The 25th is when they are supposed to dock in Boston.

Might get a touch of 'Bill' on the way to the port !!

Keeping my fingers crossed for them,

MaryAnn


Hi MaryAnn:

You aren't going to be on the Australia/New Zealand cruise this year! I will miss you. I remember so well how you handled beautifully our Meet & Greets and what fun I had talking with you whenever I ran into you around the ship.

I have a great photograph of you at Dianna's Halloween Party that I downloaded from Barbara and Orlin's blog.

Valerie:)

[wowzo]

Thanks, Valerie,so nice to hear from you. We are in the process of planning 2010 cruises, Princess World Cruise, Eurodam & Queen Mary2. You can find me on those roll calls.

Loved the Asia/Australia cruise last year and all the great CCers, I'll be wishing I didn't sign up for this years, too.

Have a great time and a big Hello to all last year's gang.

All the best, MaryAnn

PS - OMG, a picture of me in that costume - EEK !! LOL

[suse]

Well, there were 40 foot seas, according to Captain's staff. So. I didn't get sick though most did. I ended up drinking beer with an iron worker from South Boston on the only open deck. My life partner was very sick. I came to see him to mop up sometimes (kidding), but it was quite a ride.
Guy in the dining room the next morn, there were six of us, asked for a bowl of ginger ale for breakfast.
Kind of like riding an elevator.:)

[baggal]

We were on the Zuiderdam in mid-December 2007 in the Carribbean and encountered a "rogue" tropical storm. It was already past hurricane season, so no one was expecting this kind of storm (global warming?). The captain said the nearby ports were closed so we "skirted" around the storm for 36 hours, missing two stops on the itinerary. Doors to the outside decks were locked and we were told not to go out on the cabin's balconies. What I remember most was the constant banging (lifeboats against the ships? doors in other cabins?) that made it impossible to sleep. Wind speed was high and the seas had 25 ft. swells. To many, including myself, the experience was terrifying.

We spent four full days at sea, two of those in tropical storm conditions. Unfortunately, once the storm passed, many pax refused to let themselves have a good time. They remained angry throughout the remainder of the cruise which made it difficult for the rest of us to enjoy what was left of our Carribbean vacation.

Regarding "Bill," I am sure that HAL is monitoring the weather in the North Atlantic and will do everything possible to insure that the ships in the area are safe. I can't imagine them doing anything else.

[IRL_Joanie]

About 1/2 of the ship were either Friends of Ralph or drove a Buick in their own cabins.



Drove a Buick in their own cabins? OK new one to me. Can you explain this one??

[RuthC]

On my first trans-At, in '01, we passed the remnants of two different hurricanes. Since we were quite north by Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland, the storms had lost most of their punch. And since we were going in opposite directions we passed each other fairly quickly. It was rough, but it's the north Atlantic---you have to expect rough there.

I wasn't on the Rotterdam when it met Hurricane Karl in '04. That was a beaut! Does anyone else remember the pictures of the destruction on board? The tables in the Casino were toppled over, as was the piano in the Explorers Lounge! The shops were a mess.
There was a period when the Rotterdam was dead in the water. Talk about dangerous. :eek: Had the ship been smacked broadside when it couldn't take evasive measures, it could have been tragic.

[Kween Karen]

Yikes.....this thread is making me nervous.
I know I know.....STOP READING!! ;)

[DizzyDallasDi]

We were on a RT Hawaii cruise when the ship ran into a hurrincane. I can't remember the name of it. It was GREAT, amazing. They closed off all the outside decks. A really bad wave hit and all the liquor and all the crystal on display fell of and shattered. One lady was hit on the head with a bottle of liquor.
We were on the Dolphin deck and had an OV room. At one point our window went under the water. It was fabulous we just loved the motion and bouncing back and forth.

It calmed down for a bit and they cleaned up the stores and put some tape in front of the merchandise and danged if it didn't happen again a short time later. All the stuff off the shelves and shattered merchandise everywhere.

I felt badly for those who got sea sick and for the staff and crew trying to get some work done. As for us, we roamed the ship during the whole storm and enjoyed it most thoroughly.

I would have been doing the same thing...wandering around and enjoying the rocking and rolling and tossing and turning while watching the raw nature of a storm swirling around me. I've lived in tornado alley almost my life and love a good ol' storm. On my first cruise in 1983 (out of San Juan), we hit some really rough seas and I seriously thought I was going to be thrown out of bed onto the floor. I loved it, though others weren't so happy.

Wishing calm seas to those who savor them...

Diane

[alcpa1]

Two weeks after 9/11 we were scheduled to sail on the Empress of the Seas from New York to Bermuda. Due to the horrors in NYC and the ports being utilized for emergency marine vessels the embarkation was moved to Philly. That was headache #1 since we had five cabins with friends flying in from everywhere. Three couples had no choice other than to fly into New York and somehow manage to get to the Navy Yard in Philly, no thanks to RCI.
We sailed through the tail end of a hurricane. I expected a horrible night once we hit the Atlantic and indeed it was rought but I sat up all night, mostly on the balcony, waiting for the worst. I thought it was great. I can't say the other nine were quite as happy! Then we lost an engine and hobbled (I know that's not a nautical term) into Hamilton 36 hours late. We departed early because the repairs were not complete and sailed on perfectly calm seas into the first high waves of another hurricane.
Upon our return to NYC we immediately went to check on our youngest at NYU. We had been in his apartment about an hour when it was announced that the US had attacked Iraq and we were in a code red transportation quagmire. We cut short our visit and headed to LGA and stood in the security line for three hours only to find that all food and drinks were under lockdown and there was nothing to be had.
The cruise was memorable to say the least.
I wish the people near Bill's fury well. I have been in more than ten hurricanes throughout my long life and to those in harm's way stay safe.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Two weeks after 9/11 we were scheduled to sail on the Empress of the Seas from New York to Bermuda. Due to the horrors in NYC and the ports being utilized for emergency marine vessels the embarkation was moved to Philly. That was headache #1 since we had five cabins with friends flying in from everywhere. Three couples had no choice other than to fly into New York and somehow manage to get to the Navy Yard in Philly, no thanks to RCI.
We sailed through the tail end of a hurricane. I expected a horrible night once we hit the Atlantic and indeed it was rought but I sat up all night, mostly on the balcony, waiting for the worst. I thought it was great. I can't say the other nine were quite as happy! Then we lost an engine and hobbled (I know that's not a nautical term) into Hamilton 36 hours late. We departed early because the repairs were not complete and sailed on perfectly calm seas into the first high waves of another hurricane.
Upon our return to NYC we immediately went to check on our youngest at NYU. We had been in his apartment about an hour when it was announced that the US had attacked Iraq and we were in a code red transportation quagmire. We cut short our visit and headed to LGA and stood in the security line for three hours only to find that all food and drinks were under lockdown and there was nothing to be had.
The cruise was memorable to say the least.
I wish the people near Bill's fury well. I have been in more than ten hurricanes throughout my long life and to those in harm's way stay safe.

Life is a great adventure, isn't it? So many stories, so many ordeals. I truly believe that if we didn't encounter major bumps and bruises along the way, we wouldn't comprehend the fun we've actually had. It gives us great stories to tell and memories that we can (hopefully :)) laugh about later. I hope this is how you now relate to the craziness of your trip and can look back on it as a once in a lifetime experience.

Diane

[Soundsgreat6]

Ruth mentioned the North Atlantic, Well I was 11 years old when we came to Canada from GB. We were on the old Empress of England, a Canadian Pacific Cruise Vessel that brought many wide eyed Immigrants from the Old World to the New World. Well we sailed through one of the worst Atlantic Storms of that Season. I remember wanting to go out on deck to take Pictures, of the waves. Headed for the stern of the boat. The deck plans where old style with each deck set back from the deck below. You could not get out on the three lower decks at all has they were closed off. So there I am all 4 foot 6 inches or there about's, standing at the rail taking pictures of the biggest waves I'v ever seen.
At least 40 foot high. The poor old boat would go slowly up the face of the wave hit the top and down the other side at a fantastic rate. When she hit the trough at the bottom the hole in the bottom deck where the anchor chains went through would send a big geyser up in the air above where we where standing about 30 ft in the air. It was fantastic. I wish I still had the photos even in B/W they where still pretty good. All take with an old Kodak Box Camera.

The only reason I got away with doing this at 11 years old, my Mom and Sister where so sick they couldn't care less where I was.:)

Ever since then I've loved to be on the Ocean, plus I have only been seasick once. I was only 5 or so and was on a ferry to the Isle of Man. That's always a rough bit of water.:eek:

Sailed on quite a few different size vessels, including 19' sail boat, now that can be rough even in moderate seas.:D

Like most on this thread I wish all the best for those that might be sailing in rough seas.

[pjs9876]

We were on a different line when 2 hurricanes were stirring up the tropics. For the most part we stayed on "the other side of the island" and the seas were not too bad. We never felt sick but the crew had to tie little sea sick bags to all the railings about 10 feet apart because many folks were ill. The dining rooms were not very full.

My friend sailed on cargo ships and said they only consider it rough if they have to put 3 wet tablecloths on the tables and nestle the plate in a depression to keep it on the table! :eek:

[mamaofami]

Does anyone have any current info on the whereabouts of the Maasdam and the Eurodam? Is there an up to date tracking map that would tell us where they are?

[tomc]

IRL Joanie -- Drove a Buick in their own cabins? OK new one to me. Can you explain this one?? I means they were holding on to the toilet rims with both hands while throwing up.

[jtl513]

Does anyone have any current info on the whereabouts of the Maasdam and the Eurodam? Is there an up to date tracking map that would tell us where they are?There is this site (click here (http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/cruiseships.phtml)) that is good for the Eurodam, but unfortunately the reporting of postion is voluntary, and the Maasdam hasn't reported since the 15th. (BTW that site also shows the position of Bill.) You can click on the Eurodam name to zoom in.

cruisett.com says that the Maasdam is supposed to be at sea between Iceland and Greenland ... probably about 1/3 of the way ...

[mamaofami]

Thanks for that link, John. I can always count on you.

[mamaofami]

Post #108 from the Live from the Eurodam thread explains that the ship is steering on a different course to stay out of Bill's way.

[wowzo]

That positioning map is a couple of days behind. The Maasdam has been in Iceland for 2 days. Don't know how far southeast the Eurodam has moved.

Bill would have moved, also.

MaryAnn

[jtl513]

That positioning map is a couple of days behind. The Maasdam has been in Iceland for 2 days. Don't know how far southeast the Eurodam has moved.

Bill would have moved, also.

MaryAnnYou obviously did not look at the table below the chart. The Eurodam reported today at 0900 UTC, roughly 10.5 hours ago. She is now most likely about 210 nm from where she is shown.

The Maasdam should have left Iceland last night.

[alwayshappytocruise]

Wow AlwaysHappytoCruise! I didn't realize that S.B. had so much destruction in 2004. So much for the Florida Today newspaper.

Oh yep...we lost the Ramada Inn, a total loss and was finally pulled down. We lost our bowling alley, a floral shop, a gas station all within a few blocks of here.....a house down the beach from ours had it's pool foundation crack which caused the house next door to collapse! Our entire upstairs was unusable for almost a year due to roof damage and insurance hassles. Florida Today....what a joke, I call it the Florida Yesterday......useless rag!!
Lynda

[u4ea]

This site is even better than John's;)
http://marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100
I know you can track the Prinsindam, not sure about other Dam ships.

It looks like Bill is going to be troublesome for some ships.
Mark...

[wowzo]

Nope, I obviously did not look at the chart under the map. That did not make the map look any more accurate.

Only someone used to such a chart could figure it out, but thanks for linking it.

MaryAnn

[arzz]

Prinsendam Grand South America/Antarctica 2007 --

Bottom line: 2 days of 45 foot seas (with 70-80 knot winds) punctuated with a couple of very large waves ... we had the cruise of a lifetime, the ship's crew were incredible and we have stories to tell for years to come

If you are interested -- the storm stuff starts at posts #44

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=480550&page=3

[jtl513]

This site is even better than John's;)
http://marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100
Why do think that is "even better"? I like that one for ports ... like watching ships arriving or departing Port Everglades ... but it seems to show nothing very far out to sea. I can't find the Eurodam or Maasdam, even knowing about where they should be. :(

[IRL_Joanie]

Thankfully, we have not experienced anything rougher than an ordinary English Channel crossing from Ostende Belgium to Dover, UK.

But I remember watching avideo a week or so ago of a cruise ship hitting some really rough waters (40 ft high seas etc. (Here is a link to the YouTube video of Explorer of The Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deX7R9RbmX0&feature=fvw), I am unsure of the year) There is a post on one of the CC boards from someone who was on this ship at the time. I just cannot find it now that I want it.

I did a search and found this from 2005 (NOT the same ship as in the You Tube Video above!!!):

Cruise Ship Damaged, Flooded by 70-Foot Wave During Storm

New York Daily News
Monday, April 18, 2005; Page A18




NEW YORK, April 17 -- Passengers on an ill-fated cruise ship slammed by a 70-foot wave awoke with water rushing into their cabins, furniture crashing and glass shattering. They said the luxury liner's pianist rode out the storm by playing the theme to "Titanic."

"The sea was scary," said Ellen Tesauro, 47, of Wayne, N.J. "I thought, 'When this ship goes down, how can I save myself so I can go back to my kids?' " As the battered Norwegian Dawn began to steam home to New York in calmer waters Sunday, the Coast Guard began investigating whether the ship's captain sent a distress call during the rollicking storm.

At least four passengers were injured and 62 cabins were flooded when the huge wave crashed aboard.

The first sign of danger for the 1,000-foot-long ship came soon after its departure from New York last Sunday when shaken travelers saw the powerful storm coming on CNN -- and realized they would be helpless in its path.

But the sand and sun in Port Canaveral near Orlando, Miami and a small Caribbean island over the next three days calmed the fears of the 2,200 passengers -- until the seas turned rough and the sky threatened Friday as the ship steamed to New York.

"We had no idea we'd have almost 48 hours of 40-foot swells," said Kathleen Riccardi, 31, of Brooklyn. "I called my mother from the boat and told her I loved her because I wasn't sure I'd ever see her again."

The storm hit Friday night, as tiles exploded out of the ceiling and vases and glasses shattered, sending terrified passengers scurrying for cover as the liner rocked from side to side.

"We felt the whole front of the ship come up and it must have left the water because it slammed and hit the water," said Bill Tesauro, 56, Ellen's husband.

As the crew announced that drinks would be free until the Dawn cleared the storm, seasick passengers lurched through the halls vainly trying to find stable ground.

Some travelers -- who had paid $800 to $26,000 for the week-long cruise -- sought refuge in the casino only to be met with an overturned blackjack table, flying poker chips and soaked playing cards.

Dawn Lepore, 47, spent a sleepless night in her cabin listening to the wind howl; at 6 a.m., she felt the roar of the rogue 70-foot wave that smashed windows as high as the ship's 10th floor.

"The glass was flying all over, what wasn't nailed down was on the ground," said Lepore, of Carteret, N.J. Her aunt Diane Nowicki, 69, of Somerville, N.C., awoke to see her slippers floating by in shin-high water.

The wounded ship abandoned its journey to New York -- it had been scheduled to arrive Sunday -- and instead retired to the port of Charleston, S.C.

According to the Norwegian Cruise Lines, Niklas Peterstam, the longtime captain of the ship, had signaled to the Coast Guard that the ship had come under duress. But the Coast Guard said it has no record of a distress call.

After undergoing repairs and a Coast Guard inspection, the ship left Charleston on Sunday and was due to arrive in New York on Monday.

[IRL_Joanie]

IRL Joanie -- I means they were holding on to the toilet rims with both hands while throwing up.


Thanks for the explanation TomC!!! Could not, for the life of me figure that one out:p

[CruisinManiac]

When we were near hurricane Wilma while on the Coral Princess. The seas were rough, but not too bad. We missed going to Grand cayman and Cozumel because of the damaged piers. That was fine, also because we had visited those ports many times.

We heard on the news that the FFL and Miami piers and airports were damaged, but the pursers desk would not tell us anything that was going on.

We got all of our information from the Princess web site, and we found on that the ship would be out to sea for two extra days because of this damage. The ship even took everyone's luggage like we were going to disembark as normal. DH and I kept ours because we didn't want to be without our things for two days. By that time, we had already told many passengers, so they could be prepared and also make alternative flight arrangements.

Princess Coral staff didn't release the information to passengers until the next day! Many passengers were angry when they found out that we would at sea for two extra days. We thought it great! :D One guy even yelled that he was getting off the ship one way or another, Said he would charter a helicopter to come get him. Very comical to hear the passengers getting mad at the poor pursuers. The luggage was redistributed on the first extra day...what a mess!

The area - a few miles from the port, looked like a parking lot for ships. they were going round and round in a circle because there was no other place to be. The scene was surreal. :eek:

[bobincm]

My first cruise took place on the Noordam in October, 1986. We sailed from Acapulco to Los Angeles. Hurricane Roslyn approached as we left Mazatlan. We sailed out to sea to avoid the hurricane but the seas were still rough. Some the swells were 40 feet high and the ship would rise and drop as it went through the swells. Lucky for my wife and I, we were on the main deck which was at water level. We felt less of this motion. They had to close our porthole since our cabin was underwater most of the night. I have pictures looking out the port hole before it was closed. It was like being in a submarine. Very few people were at dinner that night. Sickness bags were placed all over the ship. We missed Cabo because of the hurricane. I fell in love with cruising after this first cruise since I truly enjoyed the experience. My wife and I are scheduled to go on the Eurodam for our 25th cruise this November.

Bob:)

[richard1s]

My wife and I sailed in the Gulf of Mexico out of Galveston during Lilly in 2002; very exciting. However nothing compares to the May 2008 cruise to Bermuda out of NYC. The winds were 50 to 70 MPH there and back with waves up to 42’; it was great. When the 6th floor window is totally submerged and the wake is 11 floors high, you know that is serious motion.

[jtl513]

Oh yep...we lost the Ramada Inn, a total loss and was finally pulled down. We lost our bowling alley, a floral shop, a gas station all within a few blocks of here.....a house down the beach from ours had it's pool foundation crack which caused the house next door to collapse!You forgot the Dairy Queen! :) Actually the Ramada could have been repaired, but it just wasn't economical to do so. And a large part of the damage that made the bowling alley not worth repairing was done by juveniles that broke in and trashed things the storm hadn't touched.

Compared to the damage done by Katrina in Gulfport MS and and by Andrew in Homestead FL, we on the Space Coast have had it extremely easy for the 30 years that we have been here! :)

[mamaofami]

We've heard live from the Eurodam and know where she's riding out the hurricane. Has anyone heard from or know where the Maasdam is?

[jtl513]

We've heard live from the Eurodam and know where she's riding out the hurricane. Has anyone heard from or know where the Maasdam is?Well, she's supposed to be in Greenland today, and I doubt that BILL has affected her, since Bill isn't even in Newfoundland yet. The latest track for the storm has it going east from Newfoundland, so the Maasdam should just skirt the northern edge, if anything.

[mamaofami]

Thanks, John.

[innlady1]

I hope to NEVER have a story to share on this thread.

I'm with you on that, Donna. The 20' seas on one of our Noordam cruises out of NYC were all the "excitement" I need! I'd prefer not to even have to go through that again!:eek:

We've been through many hurricanes here on the East Coast, bad enough being on land! "No thanks" to being on a ship during a hurricane!

[RuthC]

We've heard live from the Eurodam and know where she's riding out the hurricane. Has anyone heard from or know where the Maasdam is?
I would expect that by the time the Maasdam comes near Bill, it will just be a bad storm to pass.

[jimbo23]

If you check capt alberts blog on the web you will see that the tail end has cancelled two ports on their current voyage at Guernsey and Western Ireland.

both ports would have been tender I believe and would not have been possible.

Jim

[Harry1954]

On our seventh cruise, we were leaving Rhodes Greece 17 October 2006 with the sky ugly, waves lapping the beaches, and rain pelting the decks. The evening was pleasant inside the ship and DW and I hit the hay around ten thirty.
During the night, I recall waking up periodically thinking it was a dream as I was riding a bucking bronco or something. I had to place a couple of pillows next to me to avoid being thrown out of bed - and then back to sleep.
The next morning was sunny and bright. During breakfast my wife informed me she had been up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night terrified as there was a horrible storm outside and the ship was going up, down, and sideways. She was in fear of the ship capsizing. I told her she should have woke me up so we could at least share the situation together.
The captain came on the intercom for the morning update a bit later apologizing for the heaving seas and rocky ride. He informed us that the reason for the turbulence was that we had gone through a force twelve storm. I looked that up on my handy-dandy Beaufort Wind Scale and it said Hurricane - one word only! Now I realized why DW as so upset - and as I should have been if sleep had not protected me from the fear I would have felt.

Harry
PS: An excerpt from a weather blog of the time describes a bit of this storm:
Wild Weather Strikes Greece

Wednesday October 18, 2006
While October in Greece usually offers pleasant temperatures and clear days, this week has been a wild one for Greece. Strong storms have swept away cars, damaged buildings, and may have caused the deaths of two British tourists on the storm-wracked island of Rhodes. Several islands, including Crete, are under a state of emergency as the bad weather threatens to continue for several more days.