Our friends Rita and Gerhard are currently on a 24-night cruise on the Westerdam, Holland America cruise line from Seattle, Washington, stopping in Hawaii and then sailing on to Sydney, Australia. They are experiencing rough seas at this time, which brought to mind questions many potential cruisers have asked us: “What is the likelihood of experiencing rough seas resulting in seasickness and gross discomfort?”

There’s no particular number or percentage of times this may occur on a cruise when weather conditions that produce rough seas are unpredictable. After 34 cruises since 2013, we have experienced no less than five cruises that come to mind, but only one was considered terrifying by many passengers.

We were on the Norwegian Epic during an April 2013 cruise, experiencing rough seas. A major storm system in the Atlantic created turbulent conditions that affected the ship, resulting in a challenging and memorable experience for passengers. Reports from the time mentioned strong winds and large waves, which caused some disruptions to the ship’s itinerary and onboard activities. The crew had to take precautions, and stabilizers were deployed, but even with these measures, the ship’s movement was still noticeable, especially for those unaccustomed to rough seas.

The captain initially announced the waves were 30 feet (9.14 meters). He later admitted they were 50 feet (15.24 meters) with 65 MPH (104.6 km) winds. He hesitated to alarm the passengers further when many were in their cabins, lying in bed, attempting to mitigate seasickness.

Fortunately, neither of us was seasick and never spent daytime hours in our cabin. Instead, we wandered about the ship, hanging on to whatever we could grab to maintain stability. There were a handful of other passengers out and about like us. The three nights were challenging, with the loud creaking of the ceiling in our cabin, the sounds of the ship heaving in the storm, and the sliding glass shower door banging. We tried, unsuccessfully, using towels to reduce the sounds from the shower but nothing worked. We had little sleep those three nights.

Read our post about that event here.

Guests have shared mixed feelings about the experience; some found it thrilling, while others were uncomfortable with the ship’s movement. Events like this can remind us just how powerful the ocean can be and the importance of an experienced crew and a well-prepared ship in handling such conditions.

Encountering rough seas on a cruise ship can be a concern, though modern cruise ships are built to handle challenging conditions and prioritize passenger safety. Here are some risks and what you might experience if the seas get choppy:

1. Motion Sickness
   This is one of the most common discomforts of rough seas. You’ll feel movement on a cruise ship even with the most sophisticated stabilizers. The combination of large swells and ship movement can be disorienting for those prone to seasickness. Many people prepare by bringing motion sickness medication or using acupressure bands.
2. Injury from Slips and Falls
   When the ship rolls, losing your balance is likely, especially if you’re walking around. Cruise lines advise passengers to hold onto railings during rough seas, and you may see crew temporarily close areas where movement is more likely to lead to slips or falls.
3. Delayed or Altered Itinerary
   Captains usually receive early warnings of approaching rough weather, allowing them to change course to avoid the worst of it. However, this sometimes means missing ports of call or rearranging the schedule. While disappointing, these detours prioritize safety.
4. Potential Seasickness in Cabins
   While midship and lower deck cabins are generally less affected by the ship’s movement, rooms in the front and back may sway more. During rough seas, some passengers find themselves confined to their cabins to reduce symptoms.
5. Dining and Entertainment Restrictions
   Some onboard dining options or entertainment venues may close temporarily during rough conditions. Buffets and activities that require standing may not be available for safety reasons.
6. Cabin Movement and Noise
   During rough seas, you may notice creaking sounds from the ship’s structure, which can be unsettling for first-time cruisers. The cabins can sway more than usual, making it feel like sleeping on a rocking hammock.

Fortunately, cruise lines are highly prepared for unexpected weather. Their advanced monitoring systems and experienced crews work to minimize discomfort and prioritize passenger safety. If you ever encounter rough seas, you’ll likely receive updates from the captain and staff to keep you informed.

We hope this information is helpful for you and answers some of your questions.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 29, 2014:

A park at the beach on Honoapiilani Highway. For more photos, please click here.