Rough Weather Leaving Port Canaveral Question

J

jaybouch

Member
Original Poster
OK, so my wife and I took a "test" cruise without the kids to see if we would be interested in taking them back next year.

Leaving port was rough for us, and apparently everyone around us during dinner. While watching the show that night, we could see the curtains swaying 5-6 ft. We were popping Dramamine like crazy and determined that we were not taking another cruise. We didn't get sick, it was just uncomfortable, though watching people bounce off the was almost as entertaining as the Golden Mickey's.

The next morning the captain apologized for the rough trip stating we had 7 foot swells and 30 mph cross winds, and looking at the GPS map, you could tell he went way off course to try and avoid the weather.

The next night was beautiful, and we were convinced we were booking another trip. Then after spending the day on Castaway Cay, we booked a placeholder trip.

The final night, after having a night cap with Swastappa(sp?) and Clifton, our friendly bartenders, we went to bed and about 1am I noticed it getting rough again. At about 3am, I fell out of bed :)

I went stumbling across the room and out on to the veranda and saw much larger waves than 7 footers. I couldn't get back to sleep, and by now my wife was awake so we popped some more Dramamine and eventually fell back asleep.

So my question is, is it always this rough entering and leaving Port Canaveral, or was this just a coincidence?
 
ncstate7991

ncstate7991

Member
Let me first say, I am not a nautical expert. However, I have taken multiple sailings out of FL and several out of PC. When leaving PC and going SE you are fighting the Gulf Stream currents for several hours. Additionally from November to April (and even October & May) the winds can become rather gusty in front of or behind a cold front. When leaving PC if the captain was fighting the Gulf Stream and 25+mph cross wind there was not much he could do.

I would love to see the map of what path he took or if you can describe it that would be neat too. My guess is he tried to get out of the Gulf Stream as quickly as possible because the wind was probably similar between PC and Nassau (assumed Nassau even though you did not specify). Also, if you were going to Nassau for your first port of call from PC, you have to cover a fair amount of distance that first night. If the Captain could have simply crossed the Gulf Stream (instead of fighting against it) at a slower pace and made his way to Nassau the ride would have been smoother, but usually they have to take a very spefic route due to the distance and making port in time. Conversely, when leaving Miami or Ft Lauderdale you cross the Gulf Stream rather quickly because you go due East. Miami and Ft Lauderdale are also much closer to Nassau and the captain can go at a slower speed and easily make Nassau the next morning.

Below is a link to a website that I found with a great image showing ports in FL, the location of the Bahamas and where the Gulf Stream flows.
locations.html


When we last cruised in December 2012 on the Dream, I knew the boat was moving pretty well the first evening, but I didn't know how much until I picked up my daughter in the kids club. It was deteremined she was in the bathroom. There is a cast member at the door to the bathroom at all times, but they leave the door open. None of the children had locked the stall doors and they were all opening and closing on their own with the motion of the ship. I asked the cast memeber if the doors always do that. She said only the first night when leaving PC or during modest seas.

To answer you question, I don't know if it is "always rough" when leaving and entering PC. However, my experience has been due to its location, where you are going to/from, and the Gulf Stream, you are more likely to have slightly rougher seas out of PC than some other ports.
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Ncstate is correct, it's crossing the Gulf Stream. It's generally the roughest part of the cruise. Sometimes it's barely noticeable, others it can be fairly rough. The good news is, it's over quick! We had a rough first night on our first cruise and I was very worried we'd made a horrible mistake! Then the rest of the cruise was smooth as silk. :)
 
disneyfan1995

disneyfan1995

Well-Known Member
On both of my cruises from Port Canaveral the waters were not rough at all. I think it might have just been a coincidence. Sure, parts of the cruise might be a little bit more rough than others but I don't think it happens all the time.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
We've sailed out of PC 3x (once in mid-May, twice in September) and I've never noted any real rough seas coming or going. I'd love to sail in those conditions, tho! Usually it's the first & last night we've felt the motion the most like a gentle rolling which we enjoy. It also seems the faster the ship is sailing the more we can feel it.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Some friends of ours just got back on the Magic here in Galveston on Friday. All weekend the Missus was miserable with vertigo and fatigue. I've heard of that before but never knew anyone who actually suffered that way post cruise. They loved the cruise but she's not so sure she wants to chance that again. My suggestion is to get the patch, start it a day before sailing, and continue if for a few days after.
 
jaklgreen

jaklgreen

Well-Known Member
I have never experienced seas that rough coming out of PC, but have sailed some rough seas mid cruise. I can tell you that the more you cruise the easier it gets. It is like your body gets used to it. The first couple of cruised I took, I felt queasy and I could not look out at the water while moving. Now I have no issues at all, I can sit and watch the waves and even if we hit a few (the ones you can feel) it does not bother me at all.
 
Tonka's Skipper

Tonka's Skipper

Well-Known Member
The time of heavy seas/swells outside of PC is indeed due to the northerly set Gulf stream Current and winds/weather conditions at the time.

With winds out of the north, they buck the northerly GTC making for swells, sometimes high and steep. The general storms in the area can effect the seas as well. There really is no way to get across the Florida straits without crossing the GSC. The only way to avoid it is to take a western cruise.

In general though, these weather/sea conditions do not often effect the vessels ride.

So enjoy your next cruise!:)


AKK
 
J

jaybouch

Member
Original Poster
ncstate7991 said:
It appears the link didn't show sorry. Here it is http://www.beachbeans.com/showtime/locations.html
Click to expand...

At some point after leaving we headed almost due east and were heading almost due south as we passed Grand Bahama. I just remember waking up in the morning and looking at the map and seeing this right angle on the route.

It was raining when we left port, and was supposed to rain the whole trip but we got really lucky and ended up with nice weather during the days. On the way back, we were told it has been raining in port and at Orlando for 3 straight days, so we probably cut through that weather on the way back in.

I was just curious as to how much of the rough seas was weather related, and how much was normal.
 
Tonka's Skipper

Tonka's Skipper

Well-Known Member
If there is no winds or storms, you will not know your passing though the GSC

FYI the GSC flows northerly and moves a little to the east and west off PC, but it is only about 20 miles wide, with the stronger currents toward the middle
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
My first cruise was as smooth as glass leaving PC My second was a little rough but not too bad. You would occasionally do that "drunk stagger" walking down the hall. @Disneyfalcon hooked me up with some Dramamine on that first night and I was as right as rain.
 

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