Photos of very heavy weather for QE2 & QV on their Transatlantic crossing - Page 3

joe joe mcd · 01-14-2008, 05:54 PM

Whoops, I left out a good portion of what I meant to say! While on the gem, which was absolutely spotless, you could hear her creaking and groaning, but if you stood at one end of a hallway, you could look straight down the hallway, and actually see the ship flexing. I was able to stand in the middle holding a railing, and I could line up all the exit signs that are on the ceiling, and thats when I noticed just how much flexing really does go on. I enjoy the rough weather, so it was a great time, looking at the pictures of the tandem crossing, I really wish I was there.

**middy** · 01-14-2008, 05:56 PM

Like the piccies Joe. Snowmen on a ship.

How did Gem handle the rough seas?

**middy** · 01-14-2008, 06:28 PM

Posted at same time

joe joe mcd · 01-14-2008, 08:42 PM

well there was a time when it was very rough, and i there was a readout where you could tell the ships speed and course and so fourth and we were doing 22 knots, later on they slowed us down to about 4 knots and it was rocky, but it wasn't unpleasant. I think if they had to maintain any decent speed then the vast majority of passengers would have found it unpleasant.

**Norman** · 01-15-2008, 04:20 AM

I have crossed the Atlantic three times with the forth crossing next month. Twice on MSC Lirica and once on the Gem. Both ships handled the rough seas brilliantly, with the smaller Lirica being the most stable, just in front of the Gem.

Lirica one day they forgot to empty the pool. Even though the ship seemed stable, a tidal wave was sweeping the pool. It was fantastic being able to sit undercover at the stern and marvel at the rough seas.

The most important feature of rough seas is how my pint reacts; both ships passed the test, with just a slight ripple on the head.

Most discomfort on both ships was walking, slight staggers.

Towards the end of the Gem crossing, the staff on NCL always comes onto the stage at the end of the show as on all NCL cruises.. They were having a job to stand still, yet earlier entertainers had put on a first class show, even dancers.

I have experienced rough seas on the Atlantic, Med, Caribbean and North Sea. MSC and NCL were fantastic; Arcadia on rough seas (North Sea) was terrible.

The Gem crossing the Captain informed us he had the choice of three routes, and even though we were heading towards wintry shores were able to sit outside till we were 48 hours from our destination and the weather really changed,. He must have chosen the correct route as we arrived one hour early.

As people have hinted on this forum, your comfort comes in the design of the ship.

Norman

**Ally** · 01-15-2008, 04:56 AM

One ship that is dreadful in heavy seas is Braemar. She has a movement all her own. However when she is lengthened this spring, she will also have her draft increased, which is at the moment her downfall...her bottom is too flat. She will have more of a 'V' bottom when she has been rebuilt and that will improve her swell handling no end. Her crew have a name for her movements 'The Braemar Shuffle'...she pitches and rolls all over the place and she is the only ship I have ever felt ill aboard.

However she has only 'got' me twice in 3 voyages...and that was where the North Sea meets the English Channel and in a forward cabin and again during unusually bad swells tween Jamaica and Cuba (she had alot of problems with a headwind that forced an extra refueling stop in Freeport).

She is a lovely ship, but once she gets her bottom sorted out, she will be a superb little ship

NCCruzer · 01-15-2008, 07:13 AM

Here's a photo of the Three Queens in NY harbor a few nights ago. Good to see they are all there safe and sound.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...g?t=1200395423

**Ally** · 01-15-2008, 07:14 AM

Nice photo, Beth, thanks for posting

**middy** · 01-15-2008, 07:16 AM

Nice piccie Beth

Russell Benton · 01-16-2008, 05:08 PM

These are great pics. Suspect you won't be seeing them in a Cunard Brochure,however!

Surprised about the comment about passengers being more tolerant of roll than pitch. I certainly get pretty nervous when they roll, but not at all bothered at pitch.

Russell