Is it really the ocean or just me?

[Nadersmom]

We are thinking of planning a cruise for late summer 2016 and I was hoping someone could answer something for me.

 

We've cruised 3 times now. Without getting into too much detail.....,

we cruised in 2012 and 2013 out of New Orleans on the Elation. So both times we were in the gulf and cruised to Progreso and Cozumel.

 

In 2014 we broke out of the norm and flew to Orlando and went on the Liberty to Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. HMC was by far the most beautiful place I have ever set my two pale feet. I loved it.

 

On all 3 cruises I've taken Bonine starting a day before we fly out as I've always been prone to motion sickness. I assumed it helped on the first two cruises as I felt no nausea at all with the exception on one day where the water was really rocky. I took some ginger capsules and was fine.

 

Then, when we went on the Liberty, things were different. The day we left and day 2 were fine. days 3 thru 5 I was almost constantly nauseous. In the gulf, I could feel the boat sway slowly from side, but it didn't bother me. On the Liberty it was much more pronounced, even during beautiful weather and I could feel the boat rocking forward and back (or at least it FELT that way). I had to hold only to machines in the casino. I assumed we had some rough waters, though it didn't seem to bothering most other people. When I asked my room steward about it, he said that yes it was a little rocky but nothing out of the norm for out there.

 

So my assumption is that the gulf is calmer than out in the open towards the Bahamas (with the absence of any storms that is). Is this correct? Am I to be confined to the "baby pool" area of the ocean? Is there a distinct difference in feel between the gulf and outside of the gulf? or was it just me? Am I simply an ocean wimp?

:(

[cruiser fanatic]

I just did that itinerary on the Valor and did not feel anything. I have heard MANY complaints about the motion on the Liberty. It might be the ship and not the ocean. I also agree that HMC is BEAUTIFUL! :)

Edited May 11, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[jimbo5544]

We are thinking of planning a cruise for late summer 2016 and I was hoping someone could answer something for me.

 

We've cruised 3 times now. Without getting into too much detail.....,

we cruised in 2012 and 2013 out of New Orleans on the Elation. So both times we were in the gulf and cruised to Progreso and Cozumel.

 

In 2014 we broke out of the norm and flew to Orlando and went on the Liberty to Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. HMC was by far the most beautiful place I have ever set my two pale feet. I loved it.

 

On all 3 cruises I've taken Bonine starting a day before we fly out as I've always been prone to motion sickness. I assumed it helped on the first two cruises as I felt no nausea at all with the exception on one day where the water was really rocky. I took some ginger capsules and was fine.

 

Then, when we went on the Liberty, things were different. The day we left and day 2 were fine. days 3 thru 5 I was almost constantly nauseous. In the gulf, I could feel the boat sway slowly from side, but it didn't bother me. On the Liberty it was much more pronounced, even during beautiful weather and I could feel the boat rocking forward and back (or at least it FELT that way). I had to hold only to machines in the casino. I assumed we had some rough waters, though it didn't seem to bothering most other people. When I asked my room steward about it, he said that yes it was a little rocky but nothing out of the norm for out there.

 

So my assumption is that the gulf is calmer than out in the open towards the Bahamas (with the absence of any storms that is). Is this correct? Am I to be confined to the "baby pool" area of the ocean? Is there a distinct difference in feel between the gulf and outside of the gulf? or was it just me? Am I simply an ocean wimp?

:(

 

I can understand the frustration on sea sickness. I have only experienced it once (on the Liberty - but I don't think that was the cause). Our experieince has been that the gulf can be calmer than eastern cruises, but not excessively so. A larger factor is the time of year that you cruise. We ahve found winter cruises to be somewhat rougher than summer cruises. Totally agree about HMC by the way.

[Warm Breezes]

We are thinking of planning a cruise for late summer 2016 and I was hoping someone could answer something for me.

 

We've cruised 3 times now. Without getting into too much detail.....,

we cruised in 2012 and 2013 out of New Orleans on the Elation. So both times we were in the gulf and cruised to Progreso and Cozumel.

 

In 2014 we broke out of the norm and flew to Orlando and went on the Liberty to Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. HMC was by far the most beautiful place I have ever set my two pale feet. I loved it.

 

On all 3 cruises I've taken Bonine starting a day before we fly out as I've always been prone to motion sickness. I assumed it helped on the first two cruises as I felt no nausea at all with the exception on one day where the water was really rocky. I took some ginger capsules and was fine.

 

Then, when we went on the Liberty, things were different. The day we left and day 2 were fine. days 3 thru 5 I was almost constantly nauseous. In the gulf, I could feel the boat sway slowly from side, but it didn't bother me. On the Liberty it was much more pronounced, even during beautiful weather and I could feel the boat rocking forward and back (or at least it FELT that way). I had to hold only to machines in the casino. I assumed we had some rough waters, though it didn't seem to bothering most other people. When I asked my room steward about it, he said that yes it was a little rocky but nothing out of the norm for out there.

 

So my assumption is that the gulf is calmer than out in the open towards the Bahamas (with the absence of any storms that is). Is this correct? Am I to be confined to the "baby pool" area of the ocean? Is there a distinct difference in feel between the gulf and outside of the gulf? or was it just me? Am I simply an ocean wimp?

:(

 

The rockiest ship I have been on was our last NCL Jewel cruise out of New Orleans going to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Belize. It was so bad the one night it felt like we were on a roller coast when we were lying in bed...its a good thing we like roller coasters :D. Our last cruise on the Carnival Splendor going to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, and San Juan was as smooth as could be. My guess it all depends on the weather and currents that week.

[Bobblefrog]

Could be the ship type, too - great question. We've only cruised from Charleston on Fantasy - my problem is the first day out and back going down the coast. Fortunately the meclazine (generic bonanine) seems to work for me. We're cruising gulf next December on the Valor and would love to know the answer to your question!

[Nadersmom]

I can understand the frustration on sea sickness. I have only experienced it once (on the Liberty - but I don't think that was the cause). Our experieince has been that the gulf can be calmer than eastern cruises, but not excessively so. A larger factor is the time of year that you cruise. We ahve found winter cruises to be somewhat rougher than summer cruises. Totally agree about HMC by the way.

 

Thanks. Our first trip in the gulf had that one day, and you could really feel it rocking. Funny thing is, even though you could see the waves splashing up against our Riviera deck OV windows, it still didn't bother me near as much as those three days on the Liberty where the water and waves didn't LOOK bad, it just felt that way in the ship. Weird right? I would think that the Liberty being so much larger than the Elation would have helped the rocking situation, but I could be totally wrong there.

 

Our first cruise and then the cruise last year were both in the beginning of November. Our second cruise, the calmest one, was in September. So maybe yes, maybe part of it was the time of year as well.

 

Motion sickness aside, I LOVED the Liberty itself. Great room steward. The Alchemy bar and it's staff were wonderful (during the times I wasn't too nauseous to visit ;) ) But we also loved the Elation.

[Nadersmom]

I just did that itinerary on the Valor and did not feel anything. I have heard MANY complaints about the motion on the Liberty. It might be the ship and not the ocean. I also agree that HMC is BEAUTIFUL! :)

 

I keep thinking maybe I'm just not cut out for the "big waters" LOL but I'm hoping people will convince me otherwise. While I would hate to spend money on a cruise I couldn't enjoy due to feeling sick, I would also hate to miss out on experiencing the travel and different ships that I really want to experience.

[Illyria]

I keep thinking maybe I'm just not cut out for the "big waters" LOL but I'm hoping people will convince me otherwise. While I would hate to spend money on a cruise I couldn't enjoy due to feeling sick, I would also hate to miss out on experiencing the travel and different ships that I really want to experience.

It could have been the ship, but it also matters where your stateroom is located (lower decks mid-ship is presumably the "safest" location to feel the least motion).

 

Plus, if you choose to do a different cruise line, you could try RCCL's megaships (Oasis-class), you might not feel any motion at all...when I was on Allure, I couldn't tell I was on a ship.

[bruadhin]

Thanks. Our first trip in the gulf had that one day, and you could really feel it rocking. Funny thing is, even though you could see the waves splashing up against our Riviera deck OV windows, it still didn't bother me near as much as those three days on the Liberty where the water and waves didn't LOOK bad, it just felt that way in the ship. Weird right? I would think that the Liberty being so much larger than the Elation would have helped the rocking situation, but I could be totally wrong there.

 

Our first cruise and then the cruise last year were both in the beginning of November. Our second cruise, the calmest one, was in September. So maybe yes, maybe part of it was the time of year as well.

 

Motion sickness aside, I LOVED the Liberty itself. Great room steward. The Alchemy bar and it's staff were wonderful (during the times I wasn't too nauseous to visit ;) ) But we also loved the Elation.

 

Bigger ships have bigger sail areas. Was the ship headed into the waves and wind, perpendicular or were they from behind? How it strikes the ship will affect the movement. Also, if the Captain had the stabilizers deployed makes a difference too.

 

Of course, you may just be more susceptible to motion sickness, some people just are.

[Nadersmom]

Bigger ships have bigger sail areas. Was the ship headed into the waves and wind, perpendicular or were they from behind? How it strikes the ship will affect the movement. Also, if the Captain had the stabilizers deployed makes a difference too.

 

Of course, you may just be more susceptible to motion sickness, some people just are.

 

I'm definitely more susceptible. Maybe my easy time on the Elation lured me into a false sense of security :o

 

I hadn't thought about how we were traveling. That makes sense. Particularly considering how it didn't necessarily feel like it rocked "more", it was that it was rocking side to side and FRONT to BACK. That's what was killing me I think. We WERE on the LIDO on the Liberty as opposed to the Riviera or the Main deck on previous cruises. But it was all over the ship that I was feeling a reaction, not just the stateroom, though I defiantly felt in while laying in bed :(

[Zeta3]

When going down the coast and heading into the Bahamas you get to the point where the colder Atlantic and the warmer Caribbean Sea meet and there can be some air turbulence as well as choppy waters. Depending on time of year and water temps it can be tougher than at other times.

[Dayenu]

Did you have the same cabin types (inside, window, balcony) and the same location (same deck; middle or front or back) - how you spent the night can make difference.

[minnesotamamafish]

You might ask your doctor about a seasickness prevention patch. I would hate for a 'fear' of seasickness to limit your cruising options. Hoping for a good solution for you...:)

[cb at sea]

While the placement of your cabin might help you when sleeping, during the daytime, you're generally NOT in your cabin....so for about 3/4 of the day, your cabin location has NOTHING to do with the motion....

[CruisingSince2012]

When I was on the Carnival Sensation, Mom asked a crew member in the dining room if it was normal ship motion. The lady told her it wasn't. We were fine but table mates got sick. Our oceanview cabin was on Main Deck but we felt it there so when the ocean is rough, I don't think cabin location makes a difference.

[Nadersmom]

When going down the coast and heading into the Bahamas you get to the point where the colder Atlantic and the warmer Caribbean Sea meet and there can be some air turbulence as well as choppy waters. Depending on time of year and water temps it can be tougher than at other times.

 

Thanks. I know that it was pretty cold for Florida when we left port. I remember being fine until the evening of day 3 when we left Nassau. It was always in the evening hours so I'm sure we were moving along a faster pace than during the day, if that had anything to do with it.

 

So many factors appear to play into this. I will go back down the lower decks next time for sure, if only to help me when I go to bed at night. I will remain hopeful that what the steward said was "pretty normal for them", was indeed a bit more choppy than what cruising newbies like me are used to. Again, from what I could see, most everyone else I was watching (I'm a big "people watcher" :o ) was doing OK. Most likely they were all much more experienced at cruising than and and I'm sure a majority of it was me and my wonky equilibrium.

 

Our next cruise will most likely be in the gulf again due to travel-to-the-port constraints. I was OK the first two times in the gulf. Maybe I'll just have to get my veteran sea legs in the kiddie pool before venturing out to the deep end again. ;)

[zqvol]

We are thinking of planning a cruise for late summer 2016 and I was hoping someone could answer something for me.

 

We've cruised 3 times now. Without getting into too much detail.....,

we cruised in 2012 and 2013 out of New Orleans on the Elation. So both times we were in the gulf and cruised to Progreso and Cozumel.

 

In 2014 we broke out of the norm and flew to Orlando and went on the Liberty to Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. HMC was by far the most beautiful place I have ever set my two pale feet. I loved it.

 

On all 3 cruises I've taken Bonine starting a day before we fly out as I've always been prone to motion sickness. I assumed it helped on the first two cruises as I felt no nausea at all with the exception on one day where the water was really rocky. I took some ginger capsules and was fine.

 

Then, when we went on the Liberty, things were different. The day we left and day 2 were fine. days 3 thru 5 I was almost constantly nauseous. In the gulf, I could feel the boat sway slowly from side, but it didn't bother me. On the Liberty it was much more pronounced, even during beautiful weather and I could feel the boat rocking forward and back (or at least it FELT that way). I had to hold only to machines in the casino. I assumed we had some rough waters, though it didn't seem to bothering most other people. When I asked my room steward about it, he said that yes it was a little rocky but nothing out of the norm for out there.

 

So my assumption is that the gulf is calmer than out in the open towards the Bahamas (with the absence of any storms that is). Is this correct? Am I to be confined to the "baby pool" area of the ocean? Is there a distinct difference in feel between the gulf and outside of the gulf? or was it just me? Am I simply an ocean wimp?

:(

 

Those Bahamas cruises spend a lot of time around the Gulf Stream. It tends to be a rather bouncy part of the ocean. The Gulf tends to be less bouncy, but then so is the rest of the Atlantic and all of the Caribbean.

[freestyling]

My DW is very prone to sea sickness. After our first Caribbean cruise using Bonine the sea bands you use on your wrists she finally started using prescription Transderm Scop Sea Patches. That was 21 cruises ago and we just return from a S.America cruise. she has no problems anymore. Suggest if you love cruising to give it a try. cost is about $8 a patch and they last for 72 hrs.

[vestamark]

DW and I took a Bermuda cruise from NYC several years back which was very rocky. First morning we saw several passengers throw up including my wife. I quickly became tired of falling into walls and tables but there wasn't much we could do about it. We eventually got used to it but I'm not sure the ride back was much better. We just knew what to expect. Or two other western Caribbean cruises were MUCH calmer.

In fact there was one day on our way to Cozumel where the depth was 10,000 feet and the water was so calm you could have water skied behind a pleasure boat. It was remarkable and beautiful.

[Aquahound]

Is this correct? Am I to be confined to the "baby pool" area of the ocean? Is there a distinct difference in feel between the gulf and outside of the gulf? or was it just me? Am I simply an ocean wimp?

:(

 

First, you are not a wimp. I've seen the toughest of men, some of our nation's greatest heros, get sea sick.

 

Second, some of this could very well be you. Having served at a sea for a long time, I firmly believe there is a large mental aspect to seasickness. In other words if you think about it, it's almost certain to happen. The trick is figuring a way to stop thinking about it. That's the hardest part.

 

Good luck. :)

[Nadersmom]

Those Bahamas cruises spend a lot of time around the Gulf Stream. It tends to be a rather bouncy part of the ocean. The Gulf tends to be less bouncy, but then so is the rest of the Atlantic and all of the Caribbean.

 

Ahhh....you give me hope! So maybe I just need to stay away from the Bahamas for now.

 

So I should look into what other options I have out of the gulf and Florida that aren't in the area of the Bahamas. Jamaica maybe?

[geoherb]

It's hard to predict months in advance whether you'll encounter rough seas or not. We sailed in the Caribbean last August while a hurricane was a few hundred miles away. The captain had to change our itinerary, skipping out on the private island in the Bahamas. Our other stops were San Juan, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. It was one of the smoothest cruises I've ever been on.

[Nadersmom]

First, you are not a wimp. I've seen the toughest of men, some of our nation's greatest heros, get sea sick.

 

Second, some of this could very well be you. Having served at a sea for a long time, I firmly believe there is a large mental aspect to seasickness. In other words if you think about it, it's almost certain to happen. The trick is figuring a way to stop thinking about it. That's the hardest part.

 

Good luck. :)

 

Thanks so much! I agree, I think, especially after seeing so few other people affected, that it was mainly me. Tried distracting myself many times, even tried to think of it as a nice lulling motion. But I apparently stink at distracting myself. LOL It's quite possible that I'll simply get better and better at it the more we cruise (she says in a hopeful voice). I WILL continue to try. I live in the Midwest where the water is brown in color. After seeing that beautiful blue water, and that beautiful vastness and wonder of the ocean, I couldn't possibly NOT go again :)

[Nadersmom]

DW and I took a Bermuda cruise from NYC several years back which was very rocky. First morning we saw several passengers throw up including my wife. I quickly became tired of falling into walls and tables but there wasn't much we could do about it. We eventually got used to it but I'm not sure the ride back was much better. We just knew what to expect. Or two other western Caribbean cruises were MUCH calmer.

In fact there was one day on our way to Cozumel where the depth was 10,000 feet and the water was so calm you could have water skied behind a pleasure boat. It was remarkable and beautiful.

 

I actually had thought about the patch. But I kept reading comments about people saying it could make your vision kind of go silly/fuzzy.

 

I know that this sounds silly, but I didn't want to deal with that kind of possible side effect. I suffer from migraines and get various auras with them. My main aura is fuzzy vision or loss of sight completely in one eye for a period of time before my migraine. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to tell if it was the patch, or a precursor to an impending migraine. Anyone who has migraines knows that with the high cost of migraine medication, you don't want to use one unless you know for certain you will need it. And they also know that if you wait too long into the migraine to take the medication, it doesn't work as well. I know that sounds silly. :o but there it is.

 

I agree completely about the calm water close to Cozumel. I remember looking out and being amazed at how flat the water appeared compared to what I had expected to see.

[vestamark]

I don't blame you at all. My wife gets migraines on occasion and she says the same thing about recognizing and treating them as early as possible.