cruise ship it rock

Cruise ship used by rock band calls into port

A cruise ship that was christened by an American comedian and is used by a rock band for an annual performance has called into Portland Port.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship arrived at the port today (Tuesday, May 7) at around 1.15pm after travelling overnight from Cobh in Ireland.

This is the first visit by the ship, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, to the port and is reported to be carrying around 2,394 passengers.

The ship is to set sail from 9.30pm tonight to Le Havre, France before finishing its two week cruise in Southampton on Thursday, May 9.

She was built in 2006 and christened by American comedian and television producer, Rosie O’Donnell. The ship is also used by the rock group Kiss for their annual Kruise tours since 2012.

The evolution of heritage: A first look at Holland America's new Rotterdam cruise ship

Tradition has always been at the forefront for Holland America Line , a company with roots that reach as far back as 1873, when the then-named Nederlandsche-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (Dutch-American Steamship Company) ferried passengers back and forth between Rotterdam and New York City.

HAL's first ship was Rotterdam; since the line began operations, it has just about always had a vessel with that name in its fleet.

In November, I sailed on the line's newest ship -- the seventh to bear the name for Holland America. With its modern take on passenger cruising, it's a far cry from the original Rotterdam -- and from many other Holland America ships -- but it still finds plenty of ways to pay homage to its predecessors while innovating in ways that both retain what matters to its stalwart passenger base and make space for new generations of cruisers without being too flashy.

Here's how the newest Rotterdam handles dining, cabins, entertainment and more.

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Dining and drinks

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Holland America's cuisine is seriously underrated.

Whether you're eating in an added-fee specialty restaurant, grabbing a meal in the included main dining room or snagging a snack from the cafe, the quality and presentation of the food on HAL's ships are consistently superb. It's one of the few cruise lines that doesn't require passengers to pay extra in order to enjoy a truly delicious or fancy meal.

The complimentary two-deck dining room is open daily for breakfast, lunch (on sea days) and dinner. Apart from a few fun lighting fixtures, the space is fairly neutral and nondescript, leaving all eyes on the food itself, and it doesn't disappoint.

I thoroughly enjoyed my French onion soup, Caesar salad and salmon with capers and dill. The menu offers several more exciting selections, too, some of which incorporate port-sourced ingredients. There are also several options for vegetarians and cruisers who can't eat dairy or gluten.

Among the other complimentary dining outposts are the Lido Market buffet, which is crew-served and open for all meals with an astounding variety of options; the Grand Dutch Cafe, which offers out-of-this-world grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and pea soup, plus complimentary coffee and extra-fee alcohol and prepackaged Dutch candy and pastries; and New York Deli and Pizza, overlooking the main pool.

Unfortunately, my slice of pizza looked (and tasted) like it had been under a heat lamp for hours. (It was the only subpar dining experience I had on the entire sailing, but other passengers I spoke with said their experience was fantastic.) Room service is available 24 hours a day, and it's also free, with the exception of select items that are noted on the menu.

Pinnacle Grill, the ship's added-cost steakhouse, is a favorite of Holland America fans, and it's one of the most dress-up-worthy venues on board.

Designed for carnivores, the menu does offer a couple of vegetarian choices, but the star of the show is the meat. I drooled over the candied bacon appetizer — designed by chef David Burke and served on a clothesline -- which was so good one of my travel companions joked he'd be ordering it again for dessert.

My 7-ounce filet mignon arrived cooked to perfection, along with sauces and shareable sides like asparagus, lobster macaroni and cheese and roasted baby beets with blue cheese. Anyone looking for something more substantial will be pleased to find that a 36-ounce tomahawk steak is also available to order.

Rudi's Sel de Mer is an upscale for-fee restaurant that focuses on fish and seafood, but steak, duck and lamb also make an appearance on the menu, as well as a few vegetarian selections. You can't go wrong with the jumbo Alaskan crab legs, which come cracked and ready to eat with a side of drawn butter.

For dessert, I highly recommend Rudi's Face to Face Chocolate, which consists of fruit and chocolate arranged on a plate in one of chef Rudi Sodamin's signature Food Faces designs.

Tamarind, the added-fee Asian restaurant that shares real estate with Nami Sushi, is located at the very aft of the ship. I found it difficult to access initially, but it's a stunning, elegant space with an interesting list of dishes such as a satay sampler with Malaysian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese small bites; cashew barramundi with red Thai curry; wasabi- and soy-crusted beef tenderloin; and Mongolian barbecue lamb chops.

I absolutely loved the spicy dan dan noodles with a side of steamed jasmine rice.

Also worth noting are Canaletto, an Italian restaurant that takes up residence at the Lido Market at night and levies a supplemental charge, and the Club Orange dining room, which is free to passengers who are booked in suites. Cruisers not booked in suites are able to pay for access to Club Orange and a slew of other perks.

As with most ships, Rotterdam has a large number of bars, but a few stand out.

The most impressive is the Half Moon Bar, which is new to the fleet and features a menu that's a mix of science and history. In addition to wine and beer, this watering hole -- located where the Blend wine mixing bar is found on other Pinnacle-class vessels -- boasts seven exclusive cocktails, each with its own story and ties to Holland America's maritime history.

My favorite? The Rotterdam VII: smoked gin and maraschino. It's a smokey drink that actually appeals to those of us who prefer sweeter tipples. Plus, the presentation is one you won't want to miss. (Be ready to snap a photo or take a video.)

My second-favorite beverage outpost is the Grand Dutch Cafe for its cappuccinos and nibbles as much as its mixed drinks. The former are fabulous, but if you're looking for a sugar rush, you'll also want to try the Dutch take on an Aperol spritz -- De Kuyper Oranje Bitter mixed with Sprite. Be warned: it's over-the-top sweet, but it pairs perfectly with one of the cafe's complimentary pastries.

For those seeking some quiet time reading, playing board games, doing puzzles or simply gazing at the sea, head to the Crow's Nest. The lounge's Explorations Cafe ensures you won't have to go far to grab a cozy coffee or tea, but this location deserves a shout simply because it's the only place on board where I was able to find my favorite Dutch treat, stroopwafels.

Then there's the Sea View Bar, which offers standard poolside drinks near the adults-only Sea View Pool. The starboard (right, when facing the front of the ship) side of the area is dedicated to smokers, which is a turnoff, but otherwise, there are comfy seats, twin hot tubs and, of course, the pool itself, which is backlit by color-changing mood lighting at night and complemented by breathtaking vistas of the ship's wake by day.

Below the suite level, cabins on Rotterdam comprise the usual categories: insides, outsides and balconies all with neutral, subdued color schemes that are almost exclusively white, cream, brown and tan with light woods. The only pops of black, slate gray and light blue come from a few throw pillows, the bed runner and curtains (in oceanview and balcony cabins). The houndstooth carpet pattern also stands out.

Even the most standard staterooms are outfitted with touches many mainstream lines don't bother to incorporate, such as glass showers and shaving bars in the bathrooms; shoeshine baskets and tie racks in the closets; and USB charging ports near the beds in the main cabin, as well as DVD players to go along with the interactive televisions.There's also an impressive selection of free movie titles from which to choose.

Makeup-lovers will appreciate enhanced lighting near each cabin vanity, as well as standalone makeup mirrors, which can be found in the drawers alongside a hairdryer.

Passengers looking for more high-end digs will appreciate Rotterdam's selection of suites, which include Vista Suites (basically a slightly larger balcony cabin), Signature Suites (with a murphy bed, dual-sink vanity and full-size whirlpool bath) and Neptune Suites (large sitting area, Neptune Lounge access and a private concierge in addition to Signature Suite amenities).

All are elegantly appointed and offer a bit more space than standard cabins.

All cruisers booked in Neptune Suite accommodations have complimentary Club Orange access, entitling them to meals in the exclusive Club Orange dining room, as well as other perks like priority embarkation and disembarkation. Passengers not booked in suites are able to join Club Orange by paying for those extras.

Forty cabins across several categories, including suites, are tailored for accessibility. Of those 40, 13 are ambulatory accessible for passengers who use canes or walkers. The rest are fully accessible for cruisers with wheelchairs or scooters; they are equipped with roll-in showers and other accommodations .

Additionally, the ship provides 12 cabins for solo travelers. All are found in a cluster at the front of Deck 12 (the Main Deck) and are fairly small.

Entertainment

Entertainment on Holland America ships is generally more subdued than what you might expect when sailing with some other lines, but that doesn't mean it's boring.

New to the fleet with Rotterdam's debut is "Origin Story," a high-tech, live-hosted documentary-style show that chronicles HAL's history -- from the original Rotterdam through the pandemic-related shutdown of 2020 -- in a way that will leave you wanting to see it more than once. (Bring tissues.)

The World Stage, where "Origin Story" is shown, serves as the ship's main theater and also plays host to dance performances and doo-wop groups, among other nightly shows.

A highlight of the onboard entertainment scene is Music Walk, a promenade dotted with four performance venues that house different musical experiences and other offerings, allowing passengers to find something that caters to their specific tastes.

The Rolling Stone Rock Room features a live band that plays nightly rock tunes, while B.B. King's Blues Club puts the focus on bluesy hits and comedic acts.

Billboard Onboard, which also serves as the home base for daily trivia competitions, pits dueling pianists against one another for decade-specific tunes, Hot 100 songs and even requests.

Lincoln Center Stage spotlights instrumental performances, covering genres like classical, Latin and French. I was surprised to see that some of the nighttime venues had people dancing as late as 1 a.m.

Some of the other options for fun-seeking travelers include casino play, poolside movies, afternoon tea, pickleball, board games, basketball shooting competitions, spa seminars, dance and mixology classes and wine tastings.

Public areas

Rotterdam's public spaces are elegantly designed and feature plenty of nooks and crannies for relaxing, finding some quiet time or grabbing a drink. The ship was at less than 40% capacity when I sailed, so I can't speak to how crowded it might feel when it's full, but I had no trouble escaping for a few quiet moments now and then.

Some of the notable public areas include the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, where passengers can receive a variety of for-fee treatments like massages and manicures, have their hair done or check out the thermal suite; the fitness center (which is equipped with several cardio and weight machines, as well as free weights and studio space for added-cost yoga and spin classes); the top-deck jogging track for fresh-air laps; and the onboard shops, selling everything from HAL logo wear and duty-free items to toiletries you might have forgotten to pack.

The vessel's main pool is the Lido Pool on Deck 9. Thankfully, it lacks bright, kitschy, tropical decor that seems to be synonymous with cruise ships and, instead, boasts plenty of loungers, a retractable roof to allow swimming in any kind of weather, three hot tubs and easy access to bar service, gelato and the buffet, as well as the deli and pizzeria, which is one deck above.

The Sea View Pool, also on Deck 9, is the adults-only pool. There, the focus is on the passing scenery and the ship's wake. There are also two hot tubs, and elegant lantern lighting is reminiscent of an upscale beach club.

New additions

As the third ship in Holland America's Pinnacle Class, Rotterdam is the product of evolution. It's worlds away from some of the line's oldest vessels, yet still the same in all the ways that matter: comfort, service, food, tradition, serenity and understated elegance.

New on Rotterdam are the previously mentioned Half Moon Bar; the onboard library, which gives me serious Barnes & Noble vibes and is fully stocked with sections for travel, young adult, mystery, poetry, fiction and science fiction, among others; and the onboard art collection, comprising 2,500 intriguing and eye-catching pieces from artists around the world.

Bottom line

With Rotterdam and the other vessels in the Pinnacle Class, Holland America has managed to please its most loyal demographic while offering plenty to keep younger cruisers satisfied and entertained. Although it doesn't attract large numbers of children, it's absolutely suitable for multigenerational family trips.

Service is great across the board; cabins are well-appointed, elegant and comfortable; and the food in just about every eatery is simply excellent.

Music | This Bay Area band was ‘yacht rock’ way…

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Music | the latest | israel forces block gaza’s rafah border crossing. un says it’s running out of fuel, music | this bay area band was ‘yacht rock’ way before ‘yacht rock’ was a thing, pablo cruise brings its soft-rock hits to guild theatre.

The Menlo Park show will be a homecoming for Lerios, who now lives in Thousands Oaks but was born in San Francisco and grew up in nearby Palo Alto. It was on the Peninsula where he began playing piano and joined his first bands in junior high school.

“I never really thought I would make a career of it,” Lerios says of playing music. “But one thing led to another and I kind of never looked back.”

He’d find his first taste of real success as a member of Stoneground, a Concord-based rock act that released a number of albums on the Warner Bros. records label in the 1970s. After a few years, however, Lerios and two other Stoneground members — vocalist-guitarist David Jenkins and drummer Steve Price — would leave the fold and go on to form Pablo Cruise with the help of bassist Bud Cockrell (previously of the Bay Area act It’s a Beautiful Day).

One thing to note from that list of original band members is that none of them are, in fact, named Pablo Cruise. Neither are any other of the current or former members, for that matters. So, it’s probably a good time to pause and clear up the origin of the moniker, which Lerios says has certainly drawn plenty of questions over the years.

“The truth is that it was a nickname of a buddy of mine from Colombia, South America,” he says. “It was just a nickname I gave him — Pablo Cruise. He was a very bright guy, very charismatic. And I just called him Pablo Cruise.”

So, when it came time to name this new post-Stoneground outfit, Lerios remembered his ol’ pal’s nickname and thought it fit in with one of the trends of the era.

“It was kind of at that point where you had Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull — a lot of two names for these bands — and Pablo Cruise just had a great ring to it,” Lerios reckons.

Whatever they called themselves, these four musicians were bound to get discovered at some point — given that they were all great players and wrote memorable tunes. So, not surprisingly, it wasn’t all that long before A&M came knocking and Pablo Cruise was thrilled to sign with such a well-regarded record label.

“A&M was notable for sticking with a band,” Lerios says. “Today, labels barely sign bands. But they don’t support bands like they did a lot of back in the day. They supported tours. They supported the making of the record, the travel — all kinds of things that they don’t do anymore.”

The result was the band’s 1975 eponymous debut, which eeked its way into the Billboard 200 and began setting the foundation for the success that would later come. It didn’t produce any hit singles, but it did give listeners a wonderful 12½-minute instrumental number called “Ocean Breeze” that drew plenty of spins at album oriented radio (AOR) stations.

“If you want to check out some deep Pablo Cruise, you should listen to that — because it’s a phenomenal piece of music,” Lerios says. “And that (song) really got us going. Still, everywhere we play now, people ask to hear ‘Ocean Breeze,’ which is always nice to know that people have gone that deep into the repertoire.”

A second album, titled “Lifeline,” followed in 1976 and managed to hoist the band a bit further up the charts, but Pablo Cruise still lacked that hit to really take it to the next level.

All of that would change with the third album, 1977’s “A Place in the Sun,” although not overnight. In fact, the first single released from that album was “Atlanta June” and it didn’t live up to expectations. Oh, but the B-side was a catchy little number called “Whatcha Gonna Do?”

“(Radio stations) played ‘Atlanta June’ and it got some acclaim, but it didn’t really take off the way they’d hoped,” Lerios remembers. “So, somebody flipped it over and put on ‘Whatcha Gonna Do?’ and, all of sudden, it started to blow up.”

The song slowly climbed the charts, eventually breaking into the top 10. The group then scored a second hit with the album’s terrific title track.

“When it gets to that point, everything changes,” Lerios says. “The phones really start to ring. You are getting offers to be on TV shows. All of a sudden, it’s like you’ve arrived.”

The band quickly followed up that album with another winner, 1978’s “Worlds Away,” which produced three hits – including the slam-dunk single “Love Will Find a Way.”

Both albums, “A Place in the Sun” and “Worlds Away,” would be certified platinum.

That would be the zenith of the band’s career, although it did produce two more albums — 1979’s “Part of the Game” and 1981’s “Reflector” — which still did quite well on the charts. The same could not be said of the band’s last studio record, 1983’s “Out of Our Hands,” which failed to chart as listeners had moved on from Pablo Cruise-style soft rock to other styles of music.

“There was a certain instrumentation, a certain form of writing that was predominant back then,” Lerios says of the a.m. hits of the era. “Then, all of a sudden, like the Knack, Johnny Rotten and all these bands came in and punk rock kind of took over and just squashed soft rock.”

By the mid ‘80s, the band members parted ways.

“Success can change things and as we just evolved in our lives, Dave (Jenkins) and I weren’t hitting it anymore,” Lerios says. “We really weren’t writing a lot. And what we were writing, we didn’t really like – and nobody else seemed to like it either.

“I had other aspirations and I know Dave did. So, we split. We didn’t necessarily break up the band. We just went different directions.”

Lerios managed a really cool second act in Hollywood, scoring films and TV shows. In that realm, his credits include the 1993 Wesley Snipes action flick “Boiling Point,” the awesome 1991 horror epic “Child’s Play 3” and, most famously, “Baywatch.”

Jenkins also experienced a good deal of post-Pablo success, including spending a few years in the country group Southern Pacific and recording with Hawaiian vocalist Kapono Beamer.

About 20 years ago, Lerios and Jenkins decided to give Pablo Cruise another shot and they’ve been peddling the soft rock to eager crowds ever since. Yet, it’s not just the old-school fans who are showing up. Pablo Cruise — which now consists of Lerios, Jenkins, bassist Larry Antonino, drummer Sergio Gonzalez and percussionist Robbie Wyckoff — is also seeing a healthy contingent of younger listeners.

“One of my jokes is that ‘you are too young to be here,’” Lerios says. “Kids come up and say, ‘My parents played this music in the house all the time. I love it. Big fan.’

“You know, music — even though we try to compartmentalize it and try to give it a decade or a whatever – good music is good music.”

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A sold-out music festival aboard a Norwegian cruise ship is set to sail later this year

• Sixthman's Rock Boat music festival aboard a Norwegian cruise ship will sail in November.
• Like Sixthman's other upcoming "festivals at sea," the five-day Rock Boat XXI is sold out.
• The cruise will take passengers from Miami to the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

In the US, cruise trips and music festivals have been nowhere to be seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, one company, Sixthman, is looking to bring both back by November in the form of a rock music festival aboard a Norwegian cruise ship.

Sixthman specializes in " festivals at sea ." This includes the Rock Boat, an annual themed "floating music festival." In years past, artists like Brandi Carlile, the Plain White T's, and the Zac Brown Band have graced the cruise's stage. This year, the festival's 21st trip — which will sail with a "classic video game" theme — will include artists like Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Switchfoot, and American Authors.

Read more:  COVID-19 has created a once-in-a-lifetime crisis for Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but after surviving hijackings and shipwrecks, the industry looks unsinkable

The idea of attending a music festival aboard a crowded cruise ship may still seem difficult for some people to digest. However, not everyone's been feeling this hesitancy: the Rock Boat XXI, set for early November, is already sold out.

Cruising logistics

Prices for the November 7 to 12 cruise range between $695 to $9,451 per person depending on the room's size and the number of occupants.

Like any normal cruise, the Rock Boat will bring its passengers from Miami to locations in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Sixthman also has the benefit of being a subsidiary of Norwegian . This means the festival gets to sail on the cruise line's Norwegian Jewel ship, which is full of classic cruising amenities like a spa, swimming pools, a casino, and bars, all accessible to its festival-going passengers.

According to Diaz, Norwegian provides Sixthman with the support needed to turn a cruise ship into a music festival venue. 

"This ship will sail with maybe 2,200 or 2,300 rock boater, but there's another 1,000 Norwegian crew members that are there to serve the guests, and they embrace these concepts with us," Anthony Diaz, CEO of Sixthman, told Insider in an interview. 

Operating under Norwegian also means the five-day music festival will have to follow the cruise line's COVID-19 safety protocols . Right now, this means health screenings, improved air filtration and sanitation, and "responsible social distancing." But by November, these protocols could look different.

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"We won't jeopardize the experience," Diaz said. "We will adhere to the protocols in place when it's time to sail, and … if those inhibit the experience we feel is best for not just Rock Boaters, but all Sixthman events, then we'll make decisions based on that."

Rock Boaters are eager to cruise again

In the past few months, pent-up demand for travel has led cruise lines to see record-setting bookings days and sold-out cruises . This year's Rock Boat falls right in line with this pattern of cruising popularity: the trip officially sold out on March 3 after pre-sales launched in February 2020, and public sales began late August. 

In years past, the festival has sold out through pre-sales alone. But in 2020, the company had to face an obvious disruptor. 

"We were probably on trend to sell out just as quickly this year, so had the pandemic not happened, it probably would've been another quick sellout," Jen Wedick, creative manager of Sixthman told Insider in an interview.

Much of this popularity stems from its loyal customers, which typically range between 35 to 60 years old. About 80% of passengers on this upcoming cruise have previously attended a Rock Boat festival.

"This Rock Boat community has been together for 20 years, so they're just as interested in going to see each other," Wedick said. "When we're on land from year-to-year, they're together every weekend at shows and their little regional pockets. So the fact they haven't had that for a year, they want to all see each other as much as the event itself."

It's not just guests: artists also look forward to the cruise

The festival normally sails in January but was inevitably pushed back to November due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, when conversations around rescheduling first began, there was "zero hesitation [from artists] about postponing because they've come to appreciate the value of these types of events," Diaz said.

Like the cruise's guests, Rock Boat's artist retention rate is high. According to Wedick, this is because the festival allows artists and fans to connect with each other in a way that can't be done with "concerts at home."

"[Guests] really get immersed in the world of the artist," Diaz said. "The artist forms tighter bonds with the guests, the guests form incredibly tight bonds with each other, and then even the other artists are in bonds with the other artists," 

Sixthman's events have generally been selling "well"

Sixthman's niche of "festivals at sea" spans past the Rock Boat's rocking theme. The company's 2021 sailings currently cross a wide variety of industries, from "Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea: Triple Whammy" wrestling cruise, to the "Kiss Kruise X" featuring Kiss, to a Broadway cruise.

The obvious common denominator between all of these events is the cruising aspect. As a result, its business was obviously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately halted cruises around the world.

"In the midst of the worst part of the pandemic in May, June, and July of last year, we moved events forward, put them back on sale, let people get refunds should they choose, and then sold most of them out again," Diaz said. "Then we realized, 'okay, we have a business, it's just going to take a year off.'"

So far, this initial realization has been correct. Like the Rock Boat, bookings for the company's events are currently strong, with sailings either selling out or selling "well," Diaz said.

"We're really ready and craving to get back out there, whatever 'out there' means," Diaz said. "Our guests want to get back out together at sea on vacation."

Are you a cruise industry employee or have a cruise industry story to share? Contact this reporter at [email protected].

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Do all Cruise ships rock as bad as Elation?

By arcticcruiser , September 30, 2006 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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arcticcruiser

Sept 3 we boarded the Elation for the Eastern Carribean. The cruise was great, the service impeccable, and just overall a fantastic vacation. The only issue we had was the sea sickness, and over all rocking of the boat almost ever day of the 7 day cruise....it was really giving us both problems. On my previous Ecstacy cruise, felt no movement....this was terrible. Do they ALL rock that much??? I go deep sea fishing alot, and never get seasick. :confused:

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I generally feel little/no rocking motions during cruises

I'm sorry you had trouble with it. We had a little rocking and rolling on our cruise but nothing bad enough to make me sick.

We have taken a few eastern cruises and in my opinion...it tends to be a rougher crossing than either the western, or the southern. I've been on a few ships where things were falling off hangers, stuff on the tables crashed to the floor, drawers fell out, and my hips were bruised from running into the rails in the halls.

How bad was yours?

All ships, all layouts, all sizes are subject to the mercy of the sea. Better luck next time.

salty dingo

We were on Elation Sept. 17th. There were som big swells from Hurricane Helena during part of the cruise in the Atlantic. Some sea sickness bags were left in various places. I never felt the least bit sick,and I did not notice any other passengers looking ill, though I suppose some were.

It is just part of being at sea. Some people are more susceptible to motion sickness than others. If you got sick before, see the pharmacist before your next cruise and get some meds or a patch or wristband.

I do not think Elation is any worse of a ride than any other ship out there.

VentureMan_2000

Kev and tam.

I didn't have too bad of a time on Elation until the end of our cruise. We were in waters that Katrina was headed for, so the swells were quite substantial. The majority of our cruise was fine. I think that it is where you are in the ocean and what is going on in the water. Cruise ships today have stabalizers that help with the motion. You may just be sensitive like a lot of us, that's all.

bubbles1209

we took a 7 day on Elation also, there was very little rocking, and it didn't seem to bother us at all. Sorry to read you had a hard time.

jw4jg1mg2eg1

Our daughter-in-law got a little ill last yaer on the Elation. But, we put a patch on her & she was fine in no time. We didn't know about ginger pills then. We took the with us on the Conquest this year & everything was fine.

When we were on the Jubilee on our honeymoon, fully one third of the passengers were newlyweds... dare I say... even the stabilizers couldn't keep that ship from rock'n... :D

It isn't the size of the vessel, it is the motion of the ocean. ;)

Oh, wait, that's something else.

Like Duck says, it's all relative to your seas.

You're on a boat; you're on the ocean. If you don't expect motion, you should stay on land.

And if you're worried about the motion, prepare yourselves with ammo.

And I don't think physically the Elation would perform any differently than her other 7 sisters.

Oddly enough there has only been one time that I felt sick enough that I thought I was going to lose my lunch. We were on the Majesty for our first cruise and we were docked in port, in Miami???:rolleyes:

Once we got out to sea and that ship was pitching and rolling, throwing all over the place...I was perfectly fine. Weird

Oh yeah, Once on the Glory too and that was a much bigger ship.

2mg Valium is better than any sea sickness medication on the market. 2mg's is just enough to mellow out the old equilibrium but not enough to make you sleepy.

I hope you have smooth sailing on your next cruise, but after our fisrt experience...if the ship wasn't moving we just didn't have as much fun.

On those days, in those waters any similar ship would rock exactly the same. A smaller ship perhaps a bit more, a larger ship, perhaps a bit less. But still would be very much like the rocking you felt. The ocean condition causes the motion, not the ship. Almost all cruise ships are slab-sided, flat bottomed seagoing hotels and are similarly affected by conditions.

We were on the Elation four years ago and had one bad sea day due to a hurricane a few hundred miles away. The weather was clear but the seas were relatively high (15-17 foot swells). We were miserable that day (as were a majority of the other PAX) BUT like others have said, any ship would have bounced and bobbed that day so I certainly do not blame the Elation or the command crew.

Like the other posters said........it's not the ship....it's the motion of the ocean........

Was on the elation in April, going to the western caribean and didnt have any problems with rough seas and didnt see anyone sea sick. Weather was great though so Id agree its the ocean not the ship.

Articcruiser: sorry about seasickness. Unfortunately, what you experienced is not uncommon but there are differences in ship design that can minimize movement. Several factors influence a ship's stability. Some captains are quicker to engage the ship's stabilizers than others...use of stablizers slows the ship down and eats up more fuel. Sometimes the captain will disengage the stabliziers during the night to make up time.

I've read where some of the mega Princess ships experience a fair amount of rolling...this is likely due to their height which presents a larger target for wind. Another important factor is the shape of the hull and the ship's draft...many of the newer cruise ships are more flat bottomed which tends to give a "bouncy" ride. Ocean liners (such as QE2 and QM2) have hulls that are designed to cut through waves rather than ride on top of them, providing a smoother ride. The draft of a ship can also influence the ride...the deeper the draft, the more stable the ship. The average cruise ship has a draft of 24 feet; an ocean liner (such as QM2) has a draft of 32 or 34 feet. We were on QM2 when Ernesto was stirring things up in the Northeast. We sailed out of NYC with 50 MPH winds and 20 foot swells...she rode like she was on train tracks with no rocking and a gentle pitching motion.

Some routes are also more "rocky" than others. Sailing out of New York City heading south (especially to Bermuda) is notorious for rough seas...the Cape Hatteras area can be especially bumpy. The Caribbean can be fickle as well...we did a 10 day Caribbean in 2004 and had smooth as glass seas until we left St Thomas...DH wound up going to the ship's doctor to get "the shot". On our cruise this September, he went prepared with Bonine (which worked very well for him).

Remember though that today's ships are extremely durable and stable. The ride may not be pleasant but there's very little (if any) danger to passengers.

Twaincruisers

We just returned today from the Elation and enjoyed the slightly rougher ride caused by the waves churned up by the hurricanes...I don't like glassy seas! However, the Elation is no different for motion than any other ship. We experienced a very rough ride on the Navigator of the Seas a few years ago returning from Cozumel; the ship actually "bucked" from the wind while docked in Cozumel! As many have already noted, some people are more sensitive to the motion.

Dr. Pu (me :D ) prescribes the following remedy:

Get a margarita in a plastic cup, preferably with a lid...go get in the pool, with your margarita...floating/bobbing/being in the pool water + drinking the margarita will mitigate the movement of fluid in your inner ear (which causes your feelings of motion sickness) that is caused by the motion of the ship and you will not get sick!

Okay -- I'm not a doctor (...but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...), but this is the remedy I will try if I'm ever feeling queasy...:rolleyes:

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