Trans-Atlantic voyage; deck question
 

Hi all,

I'm booked on a TA cruise this coming April, but I have a question regarding cabin location.
I typically select a cabin mid-ship, mid-deck in order to minimize motion. However, there's an opportunity to upgrade to a larger cabin on a higher deck (16 or 17). Does crossing the Atlantic from the US during this time of year make for a very rough and choppy voyage, or should it be smooth sailing?

I presume that being on one of the two highest decks, if the ocean is rough, one would feel more movement than that of mid-mid cabin location?

Thanks for for any insights.

Are you doing a North or South Atlantic crossing? The South Atlantic crossings I have taken have been very calm (e.g. Canary Islands to Virgin Islands). North Atlantic was not calm. North Atlantic I would recommend mid-ship. South, I don't believe it makes much of a difference.

If you are really sensitive to motion, then close to the waterline, middle of the ship (length and width) is the place to go from what I heard (makes sense). Yes, you will feel the rolls the higher up you go and the pitching too.

Ship size matters too. I was high up on a large ship (100-120' above waterline) on TPAC 10 months ago (ship was as long as RCCI's largest ships and only slightly less abeam). No stabilisers on the ship so when the roll was 15 degrees (either way from center), you'd be flying through the air some 20+' (calculated by trigonometry) which makes it difficult to sleep.

Apologies, should have included up front; Florida to Spain. Guessing that time of year could be rougher.

NCL Epic
The cruise is about two weeks with a long stretch at sea; the upgrade cabin will be about twice the size at 500 sq. ft. My gut tells me to stick with the smaller cabin in an effort to minimize pitch/roll.

Only you can answer whether to take the bigger but higher cabin or stay in the smaller but lower. How much more (factor will do, not necessarily $) are they asking for the suite? How tolerant are you of motion at sea?

I was on a crossing the other way (Portugal-(2 nts) Azores- (6 nts)-Florida - omitting the Rome-Portugal portion and I can tell you the middle of the western Med can be quite rough!) a few years ago on a much smaller ship, HAL's Prinsendam (~30K GRT vs Epic's 156K GRT) and it was rather rough (lots of pitching). One couple we got to know cruise that route quite frequently to get from the U.K. to Bermuda (flying home from Florida). The woman wasn't very good with rough seas and they had to get a downgrade from their higher deck window cabin to a lowest deck (which is difference of only 2-3 decks on that ship IIRC) one as she suffered motion sickness otherwise.

I wonder how many cruisers could have tolerated this voyage that I was on?

You are cruising the South Atlantic. In April, the sea will be a little rougher than the return in Oct, but not bad. The roughest patch will be out of Florida. You may have a queasy night after departure but than I predict pretty smooth sailing. I would definitely opt for the bigger cabin. At the very least, if you don't feel well you will have a big comfortable cabin. I have taken several T.A. cruises. Love them. My crossings were all on very small ships except for the North ATL on QEII.. Nothing better than a South Atlantic crossing.

Is it an upgrade to Haven class cabin? If you aren't susceptible to sea sickness, I'd opt for the upgrade to Haven for higher quality food, dedicated service staff, and more peaceful atmosphere. I also spend a good bit of time in my cabin on sea days so I'd appreciate the space.

If you do get motion sick easily then stick with smaller cabin with less motion.

My wife and I were on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona in April a few years ago and the crossing could not have been any calmer. Seemed we were on a small lake. If the conditions are right I would not hesitate to take the upgrade.

Thanks all, much appreciated!
Just for clarity sake, "I" would be upgrading us for an additional $3K and not a TA or NCL :D

I've found the ship you sail on to make a big difference. What ship will you be on?