"Go to your room!" - how often does this happen on a cruise?

[Honolulu Blue]

On the cruise I recently disembarked from, I had an interesting and (to me) a unique experience.

 

Let me break it down for you all as well as I can.  We were on our way back to our embarkation port, a sea day.  It was afternoon.  The ride was episodically bumpy, then it took a turn for the worse.  In quick succession, the Captain, Staff Captain, and our cruise director all gave us the same message - we were sent to our cabins and told to stay there until told to come out.  In addition, the crew was also told to go back to THEIR cabins, all activities onboard were canceled, and all locations closed.  It took about 2 1/2 hours for conditions to improve enough for the Captain to release us.  Then the ship steadily started to reopen.

 

A few things I'll note here for those curious: 

• I was in my cabin at the time of these announcements, and not interested in going anywhere at that time
• It was rough in the cabin and it looked rough outside (especially during the worst of it), but I had actually felt worse at other points on this cruise
• I wasn't afraid and felt that the crew were fully in control of things
• We missed a high-status party and because of this those of us in that club got a small amount of OBC
• I wasn't hurt and didn't hear of any injuries related to this
• A substantial portion of the buffet area was closed off to passengers after our release and into the morning after - I do not know why

 

My question is how often does this happen on cruises?  I've done 27 cruises so far, including this one.  Was I overdue?  Or did I just get unlucky?

 

Thank you for any perspective on this.

[ontheweb]

20 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

On the cruise I recently disembarked from, I had an interesting and (to me) a unique experience.

 

Let me break it down for you all as well as I can.  We were on our way back to our embarkation port, a sea day.  It was afternoon.  The ride was episodically bumpy, then it took a turn for the worse.  In quick succession, the Captain, Staff Captain, and our cruise director all gave us the same message - we were sent to our cabins and told to stay there until told to come out.  In addition, the crew was also told to go back to THEIR cabins, all activities onboard were canceled, and all locations closed.  It took about 2 1/2 hours for conditions to improve enough for the Captain to release us.  Then the ship steadily started to reopen.

 

A few things I'll note here for those curious: 

• I was in my cabin at the time of these announcements, and not interested in going anywhere at that time
• It was rough in the cabin and it looked rough outside (especially during the worst of it), but I had actually felt worse at other points on this cruise
• I wasn't afraid and felt that the crew were fully in control of things
• We missed a high-status party and because of this those of us in that club got a small amount of OBC
• I wasn't hurt and didn't hear of any injuries related to this
• A substantial portion of the buffet area was closed off to passengers after our release and into the morning after - I do not know why

 

My question is how often does this happen on cruises?  I've done 27 cruises so far, including this one.  Was I overdue?  Or did I just get unlucky?

 

Thank you for any perspective on this.

I think you were just unlucky. On our second cruise, we ran into a hurricane and could not get back to Fort Lauderdale for 2 days. (We did hit all our ports.) At one point, the Captain took us closer so that passengers could get cell service to call home, their TA, and/or their airlines. Things were pretty rough, but there was never a call like you posted above.

 

They did eventually close the swimming pool. Before they did, it looked like the ocean with waves. And there was one person swimming, a person who never misses a day swimming in the summer, my DW. 🤦‍♂️😉

[cruisemom42]

Interesting story!

 

I've been cruising for almost 50 years now and I have never had this happen. Maybe just lucky??  (With one memorable exception I seem to luck out with good weather and calm seas when cruising.)

 

My parents, on the other hand, had a somewhat harrowing experience on a Holland America ship doing a fall TA from Europe to the US. The ship was skirting the edges of a late North Atlantic storm (which had originally been "Hurricane Karl"), and was experiencing waves of about 30 feet. My parents were headed for early dinner in the dining room when things suddenly got a lot worse. For some reason, the engines died.... Then the lights went out.

 

Passengers were quickly told to stay in the cabins IF they were already there. Those who were out and about the ship were told to sit down in a secure place IMMEDIATELY, on the floor if necessary. Those waiting in front of the MDR were told to sit down on the floor against the wall. (The outside decks had already been closed.)

 

My parents could hear crockery smashing in the dining room as the ship rocked and rolled. Without any forward momentum, the waves really tossed the ship around. They later heard stories of massive damages in the shops and bars, of a grand piano coming loose from its tethers and getting smashed up, etc. There were some injuries reported.

 

They were given regular updates to reassure them, but none of the passengers were quite sure what had caused the engines to cut out and whether they could be restarted. (To read more about the technical causes, see article here.). As time wore on, restaurant staff began passing out sandwiches and bottled water to everyone. 

 

Finally, about 3 hours later, the crew were able to get the engines restarted. 

 

HAL offered all passengers 50% off their cruise fare as well as opening the bar (I can't remember if it was just for one night or the rest of the cruise).

 

It didn't put my parents off -- they kept cruising for at least another 10 years after that.

 

(A somewhat more sensational report can be found here.)

[leaveitallbehind]

We have been on cruises where due to sea or weather conditions the outside decks were closed as well as certain venues.  We were on one in particular sailing from Colon, Panama to Montego, Jamaica when the Captain reported the waves at 20 ft+ and closed all outside decks and most venues and suggested that we return to our staterooms v wandering around the ship for our own comfort and safety, but I don't recall it as a demand nor did it include the crew.  However we complied as it was much safer and more comfortable there.  Oddly these conditions were not due to a storm in the area.

Edited January 28 by leaveitallbehind

[Shmoo here]

2 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

My question is how often does this happen on cruises?  I've done 27 cruises so far, including this one.  Was I overdue?  Or did I just get unlucky?

Don't know how often it happens, but it happens.  Our only experience was accompanied by the ship's horn alert at 3 am one night.  Announcement was "get dressed and wait in room for further info". I'll just add we were out at sea on a South Pacific cruise.

 

We waited about 1/2 hour before being told we could return to bed.  Also told us it was a fire incident in the engine room.

 

 

Edited January 28 by Shmoo here

[BklynBoy8]

We had an experience with the weather and conditions of the ocean on a Caribbean Cruise on the QE2.

 

It latest for about 5-6 hours and interesting to experience how all dealt with it on board.

[Honolulu Blue]

1 hour ago, leaveitallbehind said:

We have been on cruises where due to sea or weather conditions the outside decks were closed as well as certain venues.  We were on one in particular sailing from Colon, Panama to Montego, Jamaica when the Captain reported the waves at 20 ft+ and closed all outside decks and most venues and suggested that we return to our staterooms v wandering around the ship for our own comfort and safety, but I don't recall it as a demand nor did it include the crew.  However we complied as it was much safer and more comfortable there.  Oddly these conditions were not due to a storm in the area.

Thank you for your story.  Just for the record, I've been on several cruises where, at one point or another, the outside decks and/or the pool have been closed due to high winds or rough seas.

[Honolulu Blue]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Interesting story!

 

I've been cruising for almost 50 years now and I have never had this happen. Maybe just lucky??  (With one memorable exception I seem to luck out with good weather and calm seas when cruising.)

 

My parents, on the other hand, had a somewhat harrowing experience on a Holland America ship doing a fall TA from Europe to the US. The ship was skirting the edges of a late North Atlantic storm (which had originally been "Hurricane Karl"), and was experiencing waves of about 30 feet. My parents were headed for early dinner in the dining room when things suddenly got a lot worse. For some reason, the engines died.... Then the lights went out.

 

Passengers were quickly told to stay in the cabins IF they were already there. Those who were out and about the ship were told to sit down in a secure place IMMEDIATELY, on the floor if necessary. Those waiting in front of the MDR were told to sit down on the floor against the wall. (The outside decks had already been closed.)

 

My parents could hear crockery smashing in the dining room as the ship rocked and rolled. Without any forward momentum, the waves really tossed the ship around. They later heard stories of massive damages in the shops and bars, of a grand piano coming loose from its tethers and getting smashed up, etc. There were some injuries reported.

 

They were given regular updates to reassure them, but none of the passengers were quite sure what had caused the engines to cut out and whether they could be restarted. (To read more about the technical causes, see article here.). As time wore on, restaurant staff began passing out sandwiches and bottled water to everyone. 

 

Finally, about 3 hours later, the crew were able to get the engines restarted. 

 

HAL offered all passengers 50% off their cruise fare as well as opening the bar (I can't remember if it was just for one night or the rest of the cruise).

 

It didn't put my parents off -- they kept cruising for at least another 10 years after that.

 

(A somewhat more sensational report can be found here.)

Thank you!  That you find my story interesting and you've been cruising for as long you have and have never experienced this means a lot.  

 

And thank you for sharing your parents' story. My one cruise on HAL was on this ship, the Rotterdam VI, back in 2019.  There was no drama on that cruise.

[MBP&O2/O]

In the grand scheme of things 30 to 40 ft waves are OK. 

Back end of a typhoon had us rolling 30 to 40 degrees each way for two days ... had to 'heave too'  at one stage. Very soon afterwards  in the same storm,  another ship sank without trace in the same area. Massive loss of life.

 

The time to get upset is when they stop serving hot meals and you live on sandwiches  🤮 ...... usually cheese and I HATE cheese sandwiches.

[ldubs]

Sounds like the ship officers practiced good loss control.   

[Hlitner]

We have been cruising for 50 years (17 cruise lines and over 75 different ships) and literally spent years on cruise ships.  During that time we have cruised through one major hurricane (40 foot seas) and quite a few rough sea days (25 foot + seas).  We have never, ever been on any cruise where passengers were told to stay in their cabins!  Warning announcements about being careful, holding rails, etc. were the norm in bad conditions, and cancelled activities were not unusual.  

 

Hank

[Aquahound]

When I read the thread title, I thought it was for disciplinary measures.  😁

[ldubs]

5 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

When I read the thread title, I thought it was for disciplinary measures.  😁

 

Please don't give Mrs Ldubs any ideas.   

[Honolulu Blue]

12 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We have been cruising for 50 years (17 cruise lines and over 75 different ships) and literally spent years on cruise ships.  During that time we have cruised through one major hurricane (40 foot seas) and quite a few rough sea days (25 foot + seas).  We have never, ever been on any cruise where passengers were told to stay in their cabins!  Warning announcements about being careful, holding rails, etc. were the norm in bad conditions, and cancelled activities were not unusual.  

 

Hank

Dang, you too Hank?!?  Perhaps I've been underplaying how unusual my experience was.

[Aquahound]

I'm with the others though.  I've only seen outdoor decks closed but have never experienced ship-wide room confinement.  

[George C]

I have done over 70 cruises in almost 50 years and never had this happen.

[mammajamma2013]

My only experience has been on ships where decks were closed and announcements were made to hold on to rails and be careful when walking. Announcement were also made as to where barf bags were placed for our convenience. Nothing like your exprience!

[Heidi13]

As a Master, I cannot envision ordering the pax and crew to their cabins due to rough seas, regardless of how bad the seas. On modern cruise ships, many pax cabins are on the highest decks and extreme ends of the ship, where the ship's movement is the worst.

 

Any pax suffering from motion of the ocean, should lounge on a lower deck, midships and in the centre of the ship. Being confined to an upper deck cabin, either fwd or aft, is the worst option for that type of pax. In the event of pax being injured in the cabin, especially those on higher decks, or being sick and dehydrated, the Master could have liability.

 

I can see closing and securing the outer decks and making all the usual safety announcements, but ordering pax the their cabins - No.

[Kristelle]

perhaps it was nothing to do with rough seas but somebody having a psychotic episode and behaving dangerously?

so people sent to their cabins for everyone's safety?

[Honolulu Blue]

45 minutes ago, Kristelle said:

perhaps it was nothing to do with rough seas but somebody having a psychotic episode and behaving dangerously?

so people sent to their cabins for everyone's safety?

 

Weather and sea conditions were mentioned in the various announcements. Medical conditions and particular passengers were not.

 

Although... one eyewitness to this on the same cruise said they saw some passengers being difficult enough to have security called on them when the casino was closed down and they were on some slot machines.

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

As a Master, I cannot envision ordering the pax and crew to their cabins due to rough seas, regardless of how bad the seas. On modern cruise ships, many pax cabins are on the highest decks and extreme ends of the ship, where the ship's movement is the worst.

 

Any pax suffering from motion of the ocean, should lounge on a lower deck, midships and in the centre of the ship. Being confined to an upper deck cabin, either fwd or aft, is the worst option for that type of pax. In the event of pax being injured in the cabin, especially those on higher decks, or being sick and dehydrated, the Master could have liability.

 

I can see closing and securing the outer decks and making all the usual safety announcements, but ordering pax the their cabins - No.

Your response is the most interesting of all. I was looking for it. Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for the general passenger advice.

[bg2310]

Given the answers here, I suspect it was just an idea of the Captain and since he's in charge and "the law" at sea basically, the crew had to go along with it.

 

Doesn't evidently seem to be common or standard practice, but I guess the captain did not want to risk anything and believed everyone would be safer staying in their cabins.

[Heidi13]

13 minutes ago, bg2310 said:

Given the answers here, I suspect it was just an idea of the Captain and since he's in charge and "the law" at sea basically, the crew had to go along with it.

 

Doesn't evidently seem to be common or standard practice, but I guess the captain did not want to risk anything and believed everyone would be safer staying in their cabins.

 

The Master is certainly In Command of the vessel and in charge, but these days he/she is hardly "The Law". In accordance with the ISM Code, the Master must follow the Company's Safety Management System (SMS), which on a cruise ship or Ro/Pax, will most likely include guidelines for heavy weather.

 

The ISM Code Section 5.1 requires the Company to clearly define and document the Master's responsibility in implementing the safety and environmental protection policies of the SMS. Section 5.2 then requires the Company to include a clear definition of the Master's authority in the SMS.

 

Section 5.2 also states the Master has overriding authority and responsibility to ensure safety and pollution prevention. Therefore, in normal operations, the Master must follow the Company's SMS. Only in exceptional circumstances, specifically for the safety of the vessel and prevention of pollution, may the Master use professional judgement, including making decision contrary to the SMS.

 

In the situation posted by the OP, I expect the SMS includes a policy on dealing with heavy weather, so the Master must follow that policy. It would require additional issues, such as mechanical defects, with heavy weather for the Master to use the overriding authority of Section 5.2.

 

Since the introduction of the ISM Code, about 25 yrs ago, the Company SMS is now the law onboard a vessel. The SMS will normally include boilerplate text, requiring the Master to comply with all International, National, local laws, etc.

[*Miss G*]

This sounds more like a “shelter in place” for safety from an outside threat (gun threat or pirates, for example) than safety from marine conditions.

[donaldsc]

That happened to us once coming into either Seattle or San Francisco of all places.  I forget which one.  They stopped the first dinner service in the middle of dinner and cancelled the 2nd service.  They told everyone to stay in their rooms.  Around 10 PM they came around w sandwiches.  

 

DON

[CDNPolar]

Having done an Antarctic cruise with 48 hours in the Drake Passage - both ways - with 11 metre or 36 foot waves - we were free to move about the ship as we wished.  

 

Glass water carafes were removed from the dining tables as were stemmed wine glasses, and the elevators were often shut down and the stairs were the only option, but we were never restricted.