what is wave height to be considered "rough seas?"

[mbisson]

[Cool-this is my first triple post. The system has a bug!

 

-Monte

[mbisson]

3 times

[above sea level cruiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GROOVERS

what the captain said was 14 to 16 seas, it put the wife and brother-n-law in the bed!:rolleyes:

 

 

 

You sound so casual... :rolleyes: Most people would be filing for divorce!!! :D

__________________

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Now THAT is Hysterical! Thanks, I needed a good laugh!:D

[electricron]

THe Nimitz, in terms of gross tonnage, is actually closer to the NCL Jewel or Dawn at around 95,000 tons displacement (the figure varies a little depending on the source and load). Wikipedia has it at 101-104,000 tons http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Nimitz

Having been on both, the Dawn gives a better ride than the Nimitz in similar sea state in my opinion...of course that can also be because I notice the horizon pitching a lot more when standing on that huge flight deck.

All in all I will take an aft suite on the Dawn over an officer's stateroom in the Nimitz!

 

You're confusing gross tons with displacement tons. The NCL's Star class ships are rated at 92,000 gross tons. The RCI 220,000 gross tons Genesis class are ever so slightly larger than the USN's Nimitz class, which displaces 101-105,000 tons. If a 220,000 gross tons is barely larger than the Nimitz class, how can a ship at 92,000 gross tons even come close, when it less than half as large?

 

Here's the deminisons of the RCI's Genesis class, NCL's Star class, and the US Navy's Nimitz class.

 

Royal Caribbean's Genesis Class

Length=1,181 feet

Beam=154 feet

Draft=30 feet

Propulsion Power=4x16,000 kW=64,000 kW=48,000hp* (about a quarter of the Nimitz class)

 

Norwegain Star class

Length=965 feet

Beam=106 feet

Draft=26 feet

Propulsion Power=2x20,000kW=40,000kW=53,000hp* (about two tenths of the Nimitz class)

 

US Navy's Nimitz class

Length= 1,092 feet

Beam= 134 feet

Draft= 39 feet

Propulsion Power=4x70,000hp=280,000hp

 

(*Note: 1hp=.74608 kW or 1 kw=1.34033)

 

Here's Wikipaedia's article on gross tons and displacement tons:

Gross Tonnage refers to the volume of all ship's enclosed spaces (from keel to funnel) measured to the outside of the hull framing. It is always larger than gross register tonnage, though by how much depends on the vessel design. . It was a measurement of the enclosed spaces within a ship expressed in "tons" – a unit which was actually equivalent to 100 cubic feet.

 

Displacement is the actual total weight of the vessel. It is often expressed in long tons or in metric tons, and is calculated simply by multiplying the volume of the hull below the waterline (ie. the volume of water it is displacing) by the density of the water.

 

While both terms use tons as a description, they aren't the same.

[goat 65]

What is the Atlantic usually like in Mid December? I am planning a cruise on the Dawn from NYC to the Gulf. Should I expect to rock and roll?

 

Happy sailing,

Goat 65

[electricron]

What is the Atlantic usually like in Mid December? I am planning a cruise on the Dawn from NYC to the Gulf. Should I expect to rock and roll?

 

Happy sailing,

Goat 65

That depends upon the wind. The seas could be as smooth as glass, or very rough, just like any other time of year. But weather fronts move quicker during the winter, so you'll likely see every weather/sea condition over a week or two.

[cruisingbug]

We've sailed 3x from the Northeast (NY and Boston), and both trips to Bermuda we had rough seas (once due to skirting a hurricane). This last trip, coming home last weekend, we had up to 25 foot waves. We were in the far forward cabin on deck 5 and the waves were hitting the portholes (and possibly above us). Outside decks were closed and they finally drained the pool after enough idiots had gone in. It was gut-wrenching all day and night - for the first time in 6 cruises I was sick. At dinner, we had to grab our silverware as it slid across the table. I've never heard a ship groan and creak so much - I couldn't sleep at all that night. Our baby, on the other hand, slept great! :)

 

I'm still a little rocky and dizzy 3 days later. Sailing the Inside Passage last year, though, was nice and smooth! No after-effects there.

[honestguy]

I've never been sea sick, and don't get sea sick, but on one of the cruises out of hawaii, we were doing the napali coast sail by. Well it was February, and the seas were rough. With ship moving at a slow speed the rocking was pretty intense. I was on the 13th deck. When the ship went down into the trough all I could see was ocean, and when she rose out all I could see was blue sky. It was pretty cool, but after a few hours I was ready for it to be over. I was never sure of the wave height, but a few weeks later I talked to a local from Kauai and he claimed the waves were 30ft plus. Good times.

[Dolphins]

On our recent Spirit cruise, we observed contrasting sailing conditions not related to the winds. On one day, the seas were relatively calm, no whitecaps or high winds and yet the ship was pitching to such an extent, probably due to swells, that they had to close the pool because the water was surging so much fore and aft in the pool. The next day, the wind was up, the sea appeared rough with many white caps but the ship was sailing smoothly with no excessive motion and the pool was open with little wave action?

[Surfgirl]

I always am amused at what people consider "rough seas." One of my hobbies is crewing on tall ships. We routinely go out in force 8 and 9 storms on 60 foot schooners. There are no stabilizers. Not only to you roll from side to side, you are going up and down. Infact, that's the adventure and fun we seek.

 

There's no time to get sea sick. This is a working ship, and all hands are needed to pull lines, helm, set and furl sails, etc.

 

We often have to tie ourselves in to our bunks at night (they're stacked three high).. and if you're on the third bunk, you have to time your descent from bed with the rock and roll of the ship. During one storm, I swear I should have earned frequent flier miles because, I was being tossed up in the air in bed every few seconds. My lee cloth kept me from falling out of my rack.

 

Eating is interesting too.. you wait until the ship pitches one way in order to get the soup from your spoon into your mouth, rather than on your neighbor sitting across from you.

 

We also have to clip in when we're on deck on watch during these storms so we're not thrown overboard. And, don't forget that when these storms begin, we have to climb the ratlines 80 feet or more while the ship is pitching all over the place.

 

You want to see what rough seas really feel like? C'mon out on a working tall ship (not a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise-- but an actual working square sailed ship or a schooner).

 

I love sailing in rough weather! It's fun, exciting and challenging. I guess it's "whatever floats yer boat!" :D

[anchorsaweigh]

I am such a whimp and very sensitive to motion. I always wear my SeaBands and ready to take dramamine for reinforcement. I don't mind a gentle rock but after reading some of the experiences - oh my goodness.

 

So, can anyone chime in and tell what you experienced if you've cruised this time of year, (Mid February).

 

Thanks,

Tami

[shoreless]

I always am amused at what people consider "rough seas." One of my hobbies is crewing on tall ships. We routinely go out in force 8 and 9 storms on 60 foot schooners. There are no stabilizers. Not only to you roll from side to side, you are going up and down. Infact, that's the adventure and fun we seek.

 

There's no time to get sea sick. This is a working ship, and all hands are needed to pull lines, helm, set and furl sails, etc.

 

We often have to tie ourselves in to our bunks at night (they're stacked three high).. and if you're on the third bunk, you have to time your descent from bed with the rock and roll of the ship. During one storm, I swear I should have earned frequent flier miles because, I was being tossed up in the air in bed every few seconds. My lee cloth kept me from falling out of my rack.

 

Eating is interesting too.. you wait until the ship pitches one way in order to get the soup from your spoon into your mouth, rather than on your neighbor sitting across from you.

 

We also have to clip in when we're on deck on watch during these storms so we're not thrown overboard. And, don't forget that when these storms begin, we have to climb the ratlines 80 feet or more while the ship is pitching all over the place.

 

You want to see what rough seas really feel like? C'mon out on a working tall ship (not a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise-- but an actual working square sailed ship or a schooner).

 

I love sailing in rough weather! It's fun, exciting and challenging. I guess it's "whatever floats yer boat!" :D

 

I think you're just lucky. :) Lots of people who routinely spend time on boats in rough conditions (fishermen, round-the-world sailors, or whatever) are susceptible to seasickness, and take a few days to get acclimated whenever they get back on a boat. Also, if you're young, be aware that many people, especially women, who have never been seasick in their lives, will suddenly become susceptible sometime around middle-age, and cease to be amused at the idea.:D

[Surfgirl]

I think you're just lucky. :) Lots of people who routinely spend time on boats in rough conditions (fishermen, round-the-world sailors, or whatever) are susceptible to seasickness, and take a few days to get acclimated whenever they get back on a boat. Also, if you're young, be aware that many people, especially women, who have never been seasick in their lives, will suddenly become susceptible sometime around middle-age, and cease to be amused at the idea.:D

 

Oh, I know... I've heard that old saying, "There are those sailors who get seasick.. and those who will!" :D I'm very lucky in that I've never been seasick....yet.

 

Some advice from the tall ship world-- Bonine can be your best friend. You only need to take it once a day.. but it does make you drousy... so it's best taken before bed. You have to take it ahead of time, not in the throws of seasickness. So if you tend to get green around the gills on the sea, a good idea is to start taking it the night BEFORE your sailing.

 

Also-- ginger will calm a rocky tummy. Ginger ale is good IF it's the REAL thing. The ginger ale you get in the supermarket is only ginger flavored, and won't work. You can get the real thing at Whole Foods. Candied ginger is good to have on hand as well.

[samtig]

....and, if you are seasick, 20 ft. waves can feel like 60!!

[mbisson]

I've seen some people who "never" get seasick, suddenly get it, and I've also seen people who have been on loads of ships (and a load is a lot of ships :) ) suddenly become seasick (even in calm seas).

 

Took my BIL on a cruise a few years ago. He won't go near fishing boats because of bad experiences in the past and was really concerned about cruising. He was just fine and has cruised since with no problems. So I guess there are no guarantees.

 

-Monte

[alwaysoverpack]

Thanks, Electricron. What's the highest waves you guys have cruised through? Our highest was 28 ft. on Sun cruise last Dec. I got a little seasick on that one. Before that the record was 22 ft.

Mine was 20 ft, NCL spirit 10/28/06, winds 70 knots. Gift shop lost alot of inventory (Lladro) I knida thought it was interesting. Not scared or sick.

[samtig]

Mine was 20 ft, NCL spirit 10/28/06, winds 70 knots. Gift shop lost alot of inventory (Lladro) I knida thought it was interesting. Not scared or sick.

 

Only got really seasick once. Sometimes get dizzy though. Do enjoy the waves if it's not too bad. Like your name. We still laugh at how much I brought on that first cruise! Many, many pairs of shoes, lots of clothes we never wore. Pack less & less each cruise!

[Ronni G]

Mine was 20 ft, NCL spirit 10/28/06, winds 70 knots. Gift shop lost alot of inventory (Lladro) I knida thought it was interesting. Not scared or sick.

 

Only my second cruise - my husband was sick and I was SCARED. Thank goodness, for my seabands; they really do work! Thought the captain could have given some words of encouragement and let us know what was going on.... And, they could have let passengers know that motion sickness pills were being given out in the reception area.

 

Anyway, the cruise was great. Happy with it all - food, service, entertainment, cabin. Just glad I lived to tell my friends what a great time we had.

[Pjotr_Engineer]

My biggest wave was in 1991 on a container vessel just off the coast of New Zealand. The wind was Beaufort 11-12 straight at the bow and wave heights reached about 18 meters (about 59 feet). This lasted about 48 hours, very tiring!

 

My biggest wave on a cruise ship was on 1993 on the ss Rotterdam, on our way to Acapulco, roughly 12 meters (39 feet).

 

From experience I can say a cargo ship is much better prepared then a cruise ship as the damage on the Rotterdam was substantial (shops, kitchen, casino etc.) whereas on the cargo ship the damage was zero (other than lost time).

[salty dingo]

Welcome, Engineer!

 

It's interesting to see such an informative first post. I assume you are familiar with the board's search feature, since the previous post in this thread occurred over a year ago!

 

Are you an engineer on a freighter, by chance?

[ATLJFL]

The roughest seas I have ever cruised were a year ago on Costa Magica from FLL to Bermuda. Skies were clear but wind gusts got up to 105 (not sure if that was knots or mph but it was pretty rough). I did not get sick because I take dramamine throughout all my cruises, but when the elevator cables were banging and candlesticks were swaying, things got a little unsettling. I remember the captain saying the seas were 20 feet but things would be calmer with only 18 foot swells "tomorrow." He got a few groans from that comment. But the cruise was otherwise very nice and Bermuda was so worth it. I would do it again, high seas and all.

[Pjotr_Engineer]

Welcome, Engineer!

 

It's interesting to see such an informative first post. I assume you are familiar with the board's search feature, since the previous post in this thread occurred over a year ago!

 

Are you an engineer on a freighter, by chance?

 

 

I used to be an engineer and deck officer on container ships in the 90's. Later I worked 7 years as an engineer on cruise ships (HAL).

[sun~]

Our first cruise was on the Norway in '97, when we left Miami it was a bit rocky. By the evening there were 20' - 25' waves. The ship was really rocking and rolling at that point. There were people seriously green around the gills that night. The funniest thing was that the captain made annoucement saying that "ladies must not wear high heels, please put on 'sensible' shoes"! Hardly anyone could stand, thank goodness for handrails. I just took off my spiked heels and walked barefoot. I love roller coasters so I thought it was great!

 

The next day, the captain made another annoucement, he said that if we had been on a different type of ship, like a much newer cruise ship, it would have been a much rougher ride. I will let those knowledgable about ships tell us why the old Norway was a smoother ride.

 

:)

[antsnanny]

We were in over 40 feet on the Dawn when Hurricane Ivan made a loop around when everyone thought she was gone. The waves were hitting us on deck 7. It wasn't that bad. I too think the Dawn did very well.

[Cubechick]

We sailed through the "Tax-Day Nor'easter" this April on the NCL Spirit. Read our experience here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=28232

 

Despite what we read on the monitor the next day (of 60 knot winds and 20-30' seas), we heard subsequently to the publishing of this review that the captain reported that we had actually sailed thru 40' foot seas and 100mph winds that night. :eek: