Tell me about sailing from NYC in the winter

We're thinking of a winter cruise from NY to avoid flying. Tell me what sailing from NY in the winter is like please! I live in Staten Island, so, I know it will be cold. What I am seeking is information like how rough of a ride it is down; when can you actually start to go outside and enjoy being outside; and, another strange question, how do they handle the lifeboat drill in the winter, do you still go outside or is it held someplace else? We'd be sailing on NCL Dawn if we decide to book.

Thanks.

Nick

We sailed on the DAWN the last 2 Decembers and the only place that seemed a lil shaky seawise were when we went passed cape hatteras off of the NC coast.

There were times n the DAWN that were rougher than others but all in all a pretty good ride.

The first sea day out and the last sea day back are 'inside" days IMO. too cold for the pool until you get more south. A nice liesurely day to explore and find everything

Lifeboat drills were outside at the assigned stations when we were still at the pier in NYC .

Even with the first and last sea days being too cold to really take advantage of the pool, I did use the hottub on the last day back <g>.

Personally I'd take a NYC departure over flying out to another port when possible..the savings on airfare alone sometimes make the cost of the cruise 1/2 of what I appear to be spending. Not to mention giving the airlines a shot at losing my bags, cancelling flights of bumping me off, or arriving late enough for me to miss my cruise (if booked by yourself).

You'll Love the DAWN!!

We have sailed twice on the Dawn, both times in November. On both trips we did not run into any real rough weather. I feel its just the luck of the draw. I have read more reviews of people hitting rough seas in the spring and summer months...go figure.

I also agree the fist day and last day at sea are a bit chilly to use the pool, but there are some die hards who do....lol.

Linda

Last February, we sailed on the Spirit doing 10 nights. I was expecting rough seas for the 1st and last days - didn't happen. All went very smoothly and the cruise wonderful.

I have cruised out of NYC the last 3 Feb. and will again in 2007. I will trade one cool day hanging around inside a beautiful ship for the hell that is flying in winter.

You can't believe what a better start to a vacation it is to drive 45 minutes to the pier, board your ship and start your vacation compared to driving the day before 45 minutes to the airport (2 hours early), hoping you plane will fly, draging your bags to a hotel, and finally if everything works out starting your vacation 24 hours later.

Don't even think about flying the day of your cruise:eek: Last Feb 12th, 24 inches of show, all I keep saying as I drove to the pier at 30 mph " thank god I am not trying to fly to Miami to catch the ship."

Lifeboat drill - most are indoors - all the forward cabins meet in the Stardust Theater. If you are outside it is held at 3:30 normally and you are still dressed in your winter clothes from the trip to the ship.

The funny thing the roughest seas I had in 3 winters was like day 5 and the run to Barbados. I would say this picture represents an average day 1. Many trips much smother some a bit rogher. This past Feb coming back the seas were so calm and gulf stream was pushing we were doing 27 knots off NC.

The net a cold day at sea is far better then the best day in an airport.

I have sailed President's Week.

It's cold on the pool deck, but the seas were smooth.

We had four perfect days in port.

I never had to worry whether there would be a blizzard the day I had to fly to Florida to catch (and therefore miss) my ship.

If it doesn't snow, you kick yourself for a second for being cautious. But, that's 20/20 hindsight.

Shoreguy caught his ship this year because he didn't fly even though he drove in a blizzard.

I agree with all previous posters...can't beat cruising out of NYC in the winter. It sure beats flying! The first sea day is not perfect outdoor weather, but there is plenty to do inside.

That being said, it is even better when cruising out of NYC in warm weather!

I cruised in February on the Dawn and the seas were calm. I guess you have to take your chances.

Don

Three of my five Dawn cruises from NYC. two eleven days, one ten. I agree with above posters. What a pleasure getting off the ship at 10:30 and being home at 11:30. Great cruise, great crew, great ship. If its too cold first day stay inside get to know the Dawn and make friends. :p :rolleyes:

The first day at sea, you are usually tired from the rushing to get ready and we enjoy a leasurely day. Unpacking, organizing the clothes, napping and hitting the casino. By late in the day, you can feel the difference starting and on the return, we are able to pack up and not rush getting organized. We are looking at March 07 for the Southern route.

I loveeee cruising out of NY!! I recommend the Dawn over the Spirit if it fits your schedule. So much better then flying IMO!!! :D

NY in the winter sure beats flying!!! By the time you factor in airfare and a night in a hotel (to avoid missing the ship) it works out about the same. The only downside I can see is, you can't do it in a Monday to friday work week off.

All that said, the seas off Cape Hatteras can get rough . . . take bonine (or your favorite med) before you are sick.

We've cruised out of NY in December and October, and had fairly smooth sailing both times. We did drive in and out in blizzards in December 2003. Much prefer that over flying though. We've never needed anything for seasickness, and we were all the way forward. I hope you have a great cruise, but you won't need your bathing suit the first day unless you go into the hot tub.

Jackie

We're thinking of a winter cruise from NY to avoid flying. Tell me what sailing from NY in the winter is like please! I live in Staten Island, so, I know it will be cold. What I am seeking is information like how rough of a ride it is down; when can you actually start to go outside and enjoy being outside; and, another strange question, how do they handle the lifeboat drill in the winter, do you still go outside or is it held someplace else? We'd be sailing on NCL Dawn if we decide to book.

 

SINCE MY FIRST POST GOT DELITED I WILL TRY AGAINE:cool:

you can go outside on second day of your cruise,way too cold on first day.

Our ride in Dec,was very rough first and last day ,we did not get sick(thanks for bonnine)but we will fly to any place next time.Cruise after ours was even wors ,they loose windos on 5th floor,so we been lucky:rolleyes:

good luck with your cruise weather ,but no more cruises from NY for us:(

........ You can't believe what a better start to a vacation it is to drive 45 minutes to the pier, board your ship and start your vacation compared to driving the day before 45 minutes to the airport (2 hours early), hoping you plane will fly, draging your bags to a hotel, and finally if everything works out starting your vacation 24 hours later. ....

I'm right there with you Shoreguy! Sailed out of Miami on my first cruise. Got to the port in time and all; it ran smooth. But then nothing compares to our next two cruises. Our 2nd cruise was out of Philly, that was only a 30 min drive. At that time, Philly was new to cruising so there were long lines at departure and parking wasn't too great. I'm sure they've got their act together by now. And, then my 3rd was out of NYC on the Dawn. A 1 hr, 15 min drive, parked my car in the parking garage and climbed on board. Keep in mind, my 1st cruise was in July, 2nd in October and 3rd in June. Of course, I didn't have snowy weather but I didn't run into a hurricane either. So good luck has gone my way so far and hopefully holds true when hopefully I ruise again in June 2007!!!!! If you're into cruising can't beat it living on the coast. Many ports to choose from!!!! :)

I'm right there with you Shoreguy! Sailed out of Miami on my first cruise. Got to the port in time and all; it ran smooth. But then nothing compares to our next two cruises. Our 2nd cruise was out of Philly, that was only a 30 min drive. At that time, Philly was new to cruising so there were long lines at departure and parking wasn't too great. I'm sure they've got their act together by now. And, then my 3rd was out of NYC on the Dawn. A 1 hr, 15 min drive, parked my car in the parking garage and climbed on board. Keep in mind, my 1st cruise was in July, 2nd in October and 3rd in June. Of course, I didn't have snowy weather but I didn't run into a hurricane either. So good luck has gone my way so far and hopefully holds true when hopefully I ruise again in June 2007!!!!! If you're into cruising can't beat it living on the coast. Many ports to choose from!!!! :)

BTW.......ships have been cruising out of Philly for a very, very long time;)

BTW.......ships have been cruising out of Philly for a very, very long time;)

True, but this is only the second year from the "cruise ship terminal" at the old Navy Yard - pretty much to Bermuda and the associated repos. Early this cruise season it was disorganized but it seems to be improving.

Before that it was very infrequent - either from Penn's Landing or just a temporary arrangement at one of the other piers.

Definitey do it. Now when we went last Jan it was in the UPPER 60's! The first sea day was in the 70's. What winter? Global warming? Haha you should've heard what people were talking about. Funny how it works as on Feb 12 there was a blizzard with wind chills in the single digits and the ship stayed anchored all night in the Hudson. BRRRR! Is that the only time the Winter Weather Guarantee was activated?

I will be doing another either in Jan or Feb. Haven't decided yet. I WANT to see snow and rough weather at least ONE DAY but it usually doesn't work out that way. All our cruises have CALM seas and nice weather. I'm complaining but in a good way after all look at the alternative. :rolleyes: The Atlantic can be rough at any time. We're also on the Dawn from Nov 05 through the 19th. Speaking of Gulf Stream currents, we set a speed record of 28.8 knots in January. This was Speed Over Ground (SOG) as reported by the GPS obviously. Nice push. The peak speed we saw in June on the leg from Nassau to NYC was 27.0 knots. This was verified with a PPS (Precision Positioning System) with an accuracy of +/- 0.25% and calibrated in April, 2006 according to NIST standards. Gee I need to book an inside and leave all the high tech stuff at the lab. :rolleyes:

We live five minutes from the new CRUISE MARYLAND terminal. There's only one ship (Grandeur) that uses this terminal. We need more ships. The 3 hour drive to NYC is OK but a five minute cab ride to the pier would be super great. WE NEED MORE SHIPS IN MARYLAND!

Definitey do it. Now when we went last Jan it was in the UPPER 60's! The first sea day was in the 70's. What winter? Global warming? Haha you should've heard what people were talking about. Funny how it works as on Feb 12 there was a blizzard with wind chills in the single digits and the ship stayed anchored all night in the Hudson. BRRRR! Is that the only time the Winter Weather Guarantee was activated?

 

But we had a great time anchored in the harbor waiting for fuel, a great view of the Statue of Liberty in the am, and a very smooth trip the next day. The party was on once we got to the ship.

We used to live in NY/NJ. I have never departed NYC in the winter but the idea that your balcony might have snow on it and 36 hours later you will be relaxing on it, in the hot sun, sounds intriguing.

In terms of rough seas, it's always the luck of the draw, no matter where you are.

We used to live in NY/NJ. I have never departed NYC in the winter but the idea that your balcony might have snow on it and 36 hours later you will be relaxing on it, in the hot sun, sounds intriguing.

 

In terms of rough seas, it's always the luck of the draw, no matter where you are.

Been there done that :)

Been there done that :)

I know what you mean.....

Sorry to go off topic but it seems the Dawn skipped Great stirrup Cay maybe because of weather I guess. I wanted to know if anyone knww how do they determine which way the front of the ship pulls into port. Last week we were on the Dawn and the front of the ship was pointed towards the sea, today it is pointed towards Nassau.

Thanks

Speaking of GSC, we had thieves drop down on our balcony and started looting our breakfast. I caught them on camera and THEY knew they were busted! The look is priceless! :D:D

Sorry to go off topic but it seems the Dawn skipped Great stirrup Cay maybe because of weather I guess. I wanted to know if anyone knww how do they determine which way the front of the ship pulls into port. Last week we were on the Dawn and the front of the ship was pointed towards the sea, today it is pointed towards Nassau.

 

Thanks

Who knows but it looked like the Dawn was at GSC yesterday. The crew pool was packed.

Speaking of GSC, we had thieves drop down on our balcony and started looting our breakfast. I caught them on camera and THEY knew they were busted! The look is priceless! :D:D

 

Great shot of those two little guys. :D