Live and limping on the Dawn

[gopher's girl]

will you ever cruise again?

[shoreguy]

Thanks everyone for the information about "rogue waves", I guess I'm feeling a bit better with more understanding and knowledge.

 

Debjo (imagining the disappointment of those 4/17 cruisers who may have not heard "word" of the DAWN's delay and showed up at the NYC pier this morning!)

 

I can't imagine travelling to NYC, pulling up to the pier, no crowd, no ship and nowhere to go :eek:

 

That will happen to many I am sure. People already on the road and a message sitting on their home answering machine.

[shoreguy]

will you ever cruise again?

 

Why not ?

[bnbcruisers]

Sam - can you post a review of cabin 9502 when you get back? I'd love to see pics, especially of the balcony. Also, can you please let me know how windy it is on the balcony? We "live" on our balcony on cruises, and if it is too windy to sit out there when the ship is underway I may rethink this cabin selection. (If you do, please be so kind as to put 9502 in the title so I'm sure to see it!)

 

 

(Hopefully it will be fixed by your sail date - which I have to believe it will be, since it is likely only furniture, no structural issues.)

 

We had cabin 9502 and are looking to get it again. the balconey is hugh! The wind is not an issue.

[aanselm]

Eileen:

 

Thanks soooo much for the first hand accounts. I am thankful that there were no serious injuries. I pray that you and all aboard arrive safely at your respective homes.

 

AA

[cod]

My husband was a merchant seaman for 11 years..eight of that was going from Genoa to NY on a ship called the Pia Costa (a fair sized cargo ship). In all those years he remembers only one rogue wave which practically submerged the ship and wiped the deck completely clean. So yes, they are very rare. He recalls lots of rough weather but bad storms were avoided when and if possible.

 

I'm glad that everyone is okay. I'm just curious as to how much warning, if any, there was. Must have been a little to get the ship headed into it which I understand is the best way to encounter it. Did they have time to check the decks for any late/early birds? Did any sort of alarm sound?

 

Of course everyone would rather this not have happened, but all on this cruise will have a story to tell in the future!!

[Baystate]

I think the QE2 did take some damage, although minor considering. I think I remember something about a window being smashed in the conn, and maybe damage to a railng.

[shoreguy]

To give you some idea of the size here is a link I posted before :eek:

 

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

 

[RSGS315]

We have similar photos, taken by the ship's photographer, taken on our ill fated cruise on the former Sky Princess in 1988. We were sailein from Duneiden, New Zealand to Hobart, when we encountered a Cyclone in the Tasman Sea. We were literally crawling at 9 knots through this ordeal for 4 1/2 days, having seas of 65 ft. This ship was only about half the size of the NCL Dawn. I can well imagine the ordeal, as we will never forget it.

We have cruised many times since, in fact, we went on the same itinerary 2 years later on the Legend of the Seas, and had wonderful weather.

Ginnie

[tigerlilycruiser12]

You just never know. The sea is unpredictably.

[JanMD]

The seas were rough on Sat. in the mid-atlanitc area. NC reported Rip tides, etc. The weather channel reported it. I guess we know that one ship got it damaged from it. It is huge Low just off the coast line.

Jan

[zschweeb]

oct of 2003 we were on the dawn and on the way back north we had rough seas 18 foot swells you could feel the front of the boat being lifted and dropping back dopwn and that was bad enuf couldnt imagine a 75 footer thank god there werent more injuries safe return to all

[newmexicoNita]

I do not know how true it is, but the reporter on the news reported that the wave was 70ft. I just can not imagine what that would be like and never want to know.

I haven't heard how high the waves were but being raised in So Cal and spending lots of time at the beach I know a little about waves: think of 70 ft, that is a bit hard to imagine. I think the damage would have been even more extensive had the waves been anywhere near that. 20 to 30ft waves are hugh even during hurricane season. NMNita

[KelleKae]

I am so glad to hear that everyone is okay on the Dawn. My folks were on the Dawn over Christmas from New York to Southern Carib. and were hit with awful storms as well. My mom said they have 40 ft waves and plates, glasses, etc were flying all over the place. Sounds like that area must be a magnetic for some really rough seas! Thanks again Eileen for posting so quickly for us the details!

[RenieRaider]

I Bet those waves SEEMED like 70 Footers!!!!!!!

 

CNN just reported a 7-Story Wave .... hitting Deck 10!!!

 

Yooza!

 

I'd STILL sail her again!

I loved the Dawn! Right TgerLily and Soreguy?

Rene

[discjoker]

I was doing a little channel surfing and came upon a story about this on the weather channel. They interviewed some of the people who were onboard and they said that there were some people walking around with T-Shirts with derogitory things about NCL written on them. Also, people were complaining and upset with the cruiseline saying that they ruined their vacation. What is with these people? Are these people really so stupid that they don't realize that NCL has no control over rogue giant waves? I would be a little upset but I wouldn't take my frustration out on the cruise line. Truly very ignorant people.

[NJcruiser21]

I was doing a little channel surfing and came upon a story about this on the weather channel. They interviewed some of the people who were onboard and they said that there were some people walking around with T-Shirts with derogitory things about NCL written on them. Also, people were complaining and upset with the cruiseline saying that they ruined their vacation. What is with these people? Are these people really so stupid that they don't realize that NCL has no control over rogue giant waves? I would be a little upset but I wouldn't take my frustration out on the cruise line. Truly very ignorant people.

 

discjoker,

 

those are the same people who get angry if, god forbid, their fruit isn't cut and shaped into a mini castle every day.

 

NCL handled this with such class and really made sure the most important part, the passengers, were okay. kudos to them!

[tigerlilycruiser12]

Rene

 

No that does not stop me as you can see by my signature. How was your cruise? hope you had a great time. It is nice to see you on the boards again.:)

 

marie

[House_Atreides]

To the crew and passengers of the Dawn; I hope you have safe, uneventful passage back to NYC, to those hurt, I'm sorry and hope you heal soon.

 

Mary

[ontheopenseas]

I Bet those waves SEEMED like 70 Footers!!!!!!!

 

CNN just reported a 7-Story Wave .... hitting Deck 10!!!

 

Yooza!

 

I'd STILL sail her again!

I loved the Dawn! Right TgerLily and Soreguy?

Rene

renieRaider-Did the 7-story wave just happen or is this in reference to the original wave? I hope for the sake of the passengers, you are referring to the original wave.

 

As previously posted, we are scheduled to depart tomorrow. I have received a very nice and informative e-mail from NCL detailing our new itinerary which will hopefully include GSC. NCL has really gone above and beyond in this matter from the bottom up and I think anyone would have trouble finding fault with them. Hopefully the 4/10 cruisers are experiencing calmer seas now and are finding ways to enjoy their extra day of vacation. I'm sure they could use some relaxation. Perhaps the goodwill gestures from NCL will ease some of the trauma they have experienced and they will still be able to carry some pleasant memories from the cruise. Needless to say, they will have quite a tale to tell. Best wishes to all of you current cruisers.

[stanford's girl]

My best wishes for all that were aboard NCL Dawn during this event.

 

I can relate - in 1996 I sailed on Celebrity cruises Bermuda with my family. A few days before sailing a hurricane was forming, then a second & finally a third. I called Celebrity many times & was assured we were ok & if necessary the ship would be diverted.

 

Sailing day comes & as the ship approaches the Verrazano Bridge I see the Song of America coming back to NYC a day early (from Bermuda) & later would find out the QE2(also headed to Bermuda) was kept in NYC harbor an extra day due to these storms.

 

We sailed Saturday - on Sunday morning the seas were rough, by lunch you had to hold onto rails & the outside decks were closed off. By dinner time (evening activities were cancelled) it was horrible. The smashing of falling china was heard throughout the dining room & I remember holding onto the table at times. Also not many people made it to dinner.

 

After dinner a rogue wave hit the ship broadside...as the wave hit, the ship listed. We were in a lounge - everything & everyone was violently tossed(if they weren't holding onto a poll) along with band equipment, large speakers furniture. Even the cocktail tables that are screwed to the deck were ripped out as people grabbed onto them. The entire contents of the bar were smashed & thrown all around. Then it got really bad when the ship righted itself & everything & everyone was tossed in the opposite direction. There were literally bodies & furniture rolling around the floor.

 

THe displays in the gift shops were smashed against walls, the casino had several machines & tables dislodged(it was used as a hospital area thereafter). People were in lifejackets all over the public areas & all the stairwells - I had to get 2 crew members to help get my family down teh stairs just to get to the cabins(which had broken glass & mirrors).

 

The crew were told to come up from the lower decks.

 

Then then the storm continued - all nite - 2 windows broke on the deck we were on(aft area) the water coming in was all the way midships where our cabins were located. The crew came in & put up the big heavey metal shield for the windows.

 

Passengers & crew were hysterical....and yet the officers were oblivious & made no announcements. There were many people with broken bones & cuts. The front of the ship was so badly battered the bow was indented(you could plainly see it with the naked eye).

 

When we sailed into Hamilton 24 hours late many people left the ship & flew home - I did not blame them.

 

So you might ask what did Celebrity do.....nothing! The officers were horrrendous in calming or keeping passengers (& crew) notified about our situation & safety. I know teh storm & our ship were written up in teh NY newspapers.

 

There were several lawsuits & Celebrity settled with a $50 cruise credit. I heard that the Captain was fired. Years later I could still see the dents in the bow. I haven't been back to Celebrity since. Believe me when you see bodies being tossed around like we did that nite you have a different perspective.

 

BTW - all was well with the QE2 & Song Of America. The only other ship to sail that saturday to Bermuda was an NCL ship that had the same experience as we did.

Had the same thing happen to us on Carnival 10 years ago during Hurricane Rosa. Missed 2 out of 3 ports and spent 5 days at sea trying to outrun it. Talk about rock and roll!!We didn't get any compensation either. I haven't sailed with Carnival since. I'll look into NCL as they seem to care about their customers. My prayers are with all who were on this "rogue wave"sailing.

[Nliedel]

I was doing a little channel surfing and came upon a story about this on the weather channel. They interviewed some of the people who were onboard and they said that there were some people walking around with T-Shirts with derogitory things about NCL written on them. Also, people were complaining and upset with the cruiseline saying that they ruined their vacation. What is with these people? Are these people really so stupid that they don't realize that NCL has no control over rogue giant waves? I would be a little upset but I wouldn't take my frustration out on the cruise line. Truly very ignorant people.

 

Ok so people on a BOAT are upset that they got wet?? REALLY?? That NCL is somehow RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER????????? I have heard it all now.. So sorry you were hit by a ROGUE wave, morons. Be grateful that someone was not killed! It could have been so very bad. I hate to judge but I can see the lawsuits now. Something for nothing. I am sure NCL will do what they can. I am disgusted.

 

I am just glad everyone is safe. It would be a NICE gesture to clean the clothes by NCL, that wree damaged and cover medical for those TRULY injured but everything else is gravy and people should accept that.

[ladypalmtree]

wow, I am a princess poster...just checked the links and saw this...God Bless all of the involved passengers and crew....

[stanford's girl]

Ok so people on a BOAT are upset that they got wet?? REALLY?? That NCL is somehow RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER????????? I have heard it all now.. So sorry you were hit by a ROGUE wave, morons. /QUOTE]

Your sympathy is overwelming.:rolleyes: Water was not the problem. It's the broken glass that was flying, along with furniture and bodies. I'm assuming that all of your cruises have been on calm waters. Mine haven't and it is VERY FRIGHTENING to be on a ship when this happens! :mad:

[discjoker]

Ok so people on a BOAT are upset that they got wet?? REALLY?? That NCL is somehow RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER????????? I have heard it all now.. So sorry you were hit by a ROGUE wave' date=' morons. /QUOTE']

 

Your sympathy is overwelming.:rolleyes: Water was not the problem. It's the broken glass that was flying, along with furniture and bodies. I'm assuming that all of your cruises have been on calm waters. Mine haven't and it is VERY FRIGHTENING to be on a ship when this happens! :mad:

 

Yes, but how is any of this NCL's fault? The point was that it was ridiculous that people were upset at NCL for this.