Seas out of Jacksonville in March.

How is the rocking coming out of Jacksonville in early spring? We're on the Elation and some I'm my group are concerned about the ship bouncing in colder waters. I'm an old Navy boy so it will not bother me.

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How is anyone going to know how the seas will be in March.:o:o:o

How is anyone going to know how the seas will be in March.:o:o:o

Well, I am supposing the OP is running under the assumption that there is usually a seasonal variation to the frequency of rough/calm seas, and that perhaps the seas near Jacksonville (and the Bahamas, I presume) might be better or worse in March. The OP didn't mention March, just "early Spring", but like you I will assume March for now. Plus, that's when I sail on Liberty out of Canaveral (technically I'll be sailing in "late-Winter"), so this was an interesting exercise...

OP, I found this site:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41112

It has historical data you can mine, which links to here:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_history.php?station=41112

I downloaded the text files for March, Aug, and Sept 2017 as a "sample".

Wave heights in March maximum was 2.6 meters. Wave height in Aug maximum was 2.87m, and for Sept 2017 (Irma) was 6.39. Averages were 1.04, 0.81. 1.24m, respectively.

That is just a quick data mining of a particular source of data (a single buoy). But the point being, the east coast of Florida is not really well known for good surfing waves, because the ocean doesn't get as rough as other places unless there is a storm.

So: if storm happens, you may find rough seas. If not, probably calm seas. March is not well known for storms off the coast of Florida - it is the heart of our dry season.

I would have to say wet?

:-)

You should be just fine in March.

The only time hubby and I encountered incredibly rough seas when we sailed out of Jax was decades ago on the (long retired) little Carnival Celebration in early November. A cold front happened to cross our path on the return, creating 12’ swells the final day at sea.

Sick bags were taped everywhere for people to grab. I tried sitting on the Lido and looking out the windows on the other side of the ship, but the horizon would disappear, then rise past the top of the window. The aft kiddie pool was swirling like a washing machine, and before it was closed, the kids had a blast challenging each other to see who could stand up the longest before being knocked over and swirled around the pool’s edges.

“Do Not Disturb” signs were hung on almost every cabin door on our deck, and walking towards the elevator, you couldn’t help but hear violent retching from behind the closed doors all the way to the elevator bay. I’d lift my foot to take a step, and the floor would fall away before I could plant it again. The next step I’d take, the floor would slam into my foot before I expected it to land. It made me feel like I was walking on the moon.

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I sailed out of Jacksonville in February and it was fine.

Don't forget to have them go topside when you go under the bridge ;)

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It can happen. We sailed out of Charleston after Christmas. Coming back up the FL coast from Nassau, the cold front was coming down. We had 10-15 foot swells with 40mph head wind. It didn't make me sick. Our room was 5 rooms from the front, which I will NEVER do again though. We were laying in bed, and it felt like our body had to catch up with the bed each time the ship went down. It made for GREAT sleeping that night!

The OP mention the month of March in the thread's title.

If you are a previous "sea going Sailor" (not a desk jockey) then you should know what to expect. Typically in Florida the seas are fine late February through the spring. It can be iffy late December and January. Everyone has their own tolerance. However, I have seen people get sick walking up the brow. Wave height can not be predicted far in advance...much like asking will it rain 3 months from now? If anything, the Florida straights are often choppy. If any of your group feels woozy, head to the center of the ship lower deck. Casino is usually the place to go as it is where I described and provides a distraction. Anyone concerned should make sure they choose their cabin wisely.

Seas are forecast to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.

Hi Dad,

That was weird... anyways, we are also going out of Jax in March, the 19th. We are locals and I don't expect the seas to be rough, although you never know with the ocean. March is not usually a rainy month for us either, but it will still be a bit chilly. At least for us Floridians.

The OP mention the month of March in the thread's title.

Ah yes! When I'm reading CC, the thread title scrolls up and away pretty quickly, and it isn't part of the URL (some forums use the thread title in the URL for the thread). So I just re-read the OP, not thinking to look at the title...

Hi Dad,

That was weird... anyways, we are also going out of Jax in March, the 19th. We are locals and I don't expect the seas to be rough, although you never know with the ocean. March is not usually a rainy month for us either, but it will still be a bit chilly. At least for us Floridians.

Oh Man..... You mean to tell me when we fly into Jacksonville on the 1st of March we will look out of place with our shorts, Capris, and short sleeve shirts on :confused: LOL Heck if its 50 I wont be wearing any jacket there ;) We are actually cruising out of Port Canaveral but renting a car and driving from Jacksonville. Tickets getting into Orlando were not what I was willing to pay. Even with overnight hotel there and back (paid with points) rental, meals etc we will still be saving probably enough to pay for 1/2 of our cruise charges :)

We sailed from jacksonville early march back in 2012. Smooth seas until the last night going back in. Captain they had a storm and it was going to be rough waters. He was correct!