Jayestravellingadventures

One of the main questions I get asked is if I feel any movement onboard a cruise ship.

Not many people know that when in a car I often get car sick. So to go on cruises you’d expect me to be sick for the duration onboard. I have learnt different techniques which helps me to not feel sick, some are sitting on newspaper in the car (yes it really works) and taking Kwells which are a brand of motion sickness tablets.

Will I feel her move?

Most of the time no. there has been occasions when I have been at dinner, a show, or just socialising, where I’ve not noticed we are moving until I look out to sea.

I do think people assume being on a cruise ship is just like being on a ferry or a really small boat. Cruise ships are HUGE! You might not understand the size unless you are standing next to one in port.

Believe it or not, cruise ships are designed to tackle sailing through rough seas. They have stabilizers on each side of the ships hull which helps balance the ship and stops them from rolling.

Which ships have more motion?

Smaller, older ships are more likely going to move more in rough seas, compared the larger more commercialised ships.

Ships that hold around six thousand passengers are stable, with top tear technology such as stabilisers as well as, modern design. They are the best for tackling rough seas.

I have travelled in all types of weather for over 20 years now, and recently on the Britannia (P&O) we had to skip a port due to bad weather and dock in an alternative port. I didn’t feel the movement at all, and I didn’t take any of my travel sickness tablets.

However, there has been a couple times I have been sea sick. This was due to storms or myself not taking my travel sickness tablets at the right time etc. So for only three cruises out of over twenty years on cruising, I would say its rare that I would suffer from sea sickness.

Will I notice any movement?

When its a calm sea day you have options to play games such as shuffle board, pool, darts and much more.

You will have the opportunity to watch some amazing shows onboard, which are hardly ever cancelled due to bad weather. When I have spoken to a few performers regarding performing in bad weather, they have explained that some dances/numbers are changed depending on the sturdiness of the ship. They are also shown how to stand on the stage without falling over.

Drinks wont spill or fly off the table and unless you have a drinks package then you wont we staggering around.

I do love looking at the lights in the theatre above the stage as, they do swing slightly and it helps me gauge how bad the weather is. In your cabin you might hear your coat hangers rattle but that is only slightly, if you space your clothes out, you wont have that problem.

How will I sleep?

When laying in bed you can sometimes feel the movement, however the ships do go faster at night to get to the next port. I personally find I sleep better as, the slight movement rocks me to sleep.

Cabins aren’t different whether they are inside or balconies, the only upside is with a balcony you can get fresh air or you can see the waves. It isn’t your traditional rock or roll movement you might think, its more of a slight incline with a subtle vibration. You can feel it more when pulling into port.

Where can I feel the least movement?

If this is something you are really worried about, then my advice would be to book a cabin which is low down and as close to the centre as possible. for example on the Arvia (P&O), you would want to choose Deck 4 and Cabin 444. Being centre and low down doesn’t stop you from booking a Balcony, Sea View or Inside cabin.

When the weather seems slightly rough, the first thing I do is go to the café in the atrium which is in the centre of the ship Deck 5. Looking out the window you can see the waves but, there was hardly any movement.

Always try to book holidays out of the winter season as the weather can be rough. If I go on a winter cruise, I always book a fly cruise instead of one from Southampton.

I never let bad weather or rough seas affect my cruising experience or put me off completely. Would you never go on a plane if you experienced turbulence once?