BOW VS STERN

[Mtab]

I tried to get a room mid ship (and this is for a Sept 2006 sailing) on the Grand Princess but the only cabins available were towards the front and back of the ship. I even upgraded considerably but to no avail. I was told by someone I was better off in the back - less pitch. I suffer from seasickness so am concerned I made a mistake booking the bow area. Any help here?

[Mike M]

I agree that if you can't get mid-ship, your next choice is farther aft. The bow is the last choice. It will have the most movement.

You have time to make the change if you are really worried about your choice and are prone to seasickness. If you are just "toward" the front you will probably be OK.

Take care,
Mike

I just got off Carnival Victory and we were about 7 rooms back from the bow on 2 Main............we felt absolutely nothing. I agree midship is best, but when you can't get it, well you can't get it. We felt more movement aft when we were in our dining room seating. I would choose that cabin again.

[cruisecrazy2]

First cruise we ever took, we had a suite in the bow--all the way forward. It was a smaller ship and we hit rough seas. I got really, really sick. That said, your actual experience totally depends on the waves you encounter at sea--something that is totally unpredictable. I agree that the bow is the very worst place to be for movement, unless you're in the bow, high up on the ship, which is even worse. The lower decks move less. But if I had to choose between bow and aft, I'd take the aft because you're not hitting wave after wave head on, up and down, bam, bam, bam. We were bouncing so bad that first night at sea, I could barely walk in the cabin. However, on our trip home, the seas were much calmer, and we were just fine. Now I go prepared and never leave home without my patches for motion sickness. They work so well on me that it doesn't matter what kind of seas we encounter, I never get sea sick anymore.

[Gatormama]

I was on the Grand and we had a balcony cabin 6 in from the bow. I get seasick standing on the dock and it really didn't bother me. Now, however, I do take meds (bonine is my choice) Have been in front, sides, inside middle and inside front and now we are having an aft balcony cabin. Take your meds and enjoy the cruise.
Anne

[jerseygirl]

Stern!!!!! Bow cabins have more rocking. Stern may be a bit noisy when you gear up leaving port, but are stable for the ride.

[Mtab]

Thanks so much for the advice - now I just have to decide how bad I want the convenience of the laundromat near me. I can't help but wonder why all the bow cabins sold out first. thanks again

[Mike M]

Mtab:

I studied the deck plans of the Grand Princess and the closest cabins to the bow are the Plaza deck cabins. They are on a lower deck. They will be noisy but more stable. The mini-suite cabins on the upper decks will have a bit more motion but they are not directly on the bow and will not have as "much" motion.

I do stand by my original statement that stern will have less motion but in my opinion, the location of the forward cabins, especially mini-suites, is not terrible for motion sickness. I would check with your doctor before sailing about motion sickness medication. I wouldn't let it ruin your cruise.

If you are close to the laundromat you aren't too far forward.

Take care,
Mike

[buffetfan2004]

I think a laundromat should be the last reason to choose a cabin location. For one twice a week for $15 you can get as many socks,t-shirts,undergarments etc. into the plastic bag they gave you. Ours was on a Thurs or Sat for a cruise departing on a Sunday. Have laundry ready to go by 10am back by 7pm. I am telling you my dad taught me to "roll" clothes -a navy method and boy did I get the clothes in that laundry bag- (it is plastic size like in hotel room closet you often find). I am not sure how cabin steward got it all back into bag, put quite happy with service. Considering it was near last day of trip and so neatly packed-I trusted Carnival and came back with my bundle never untied. (Yep-true laundry style a bag of folded laundry, and tied closed with string.) I also heard on ship laundry can get quite busy?? Also expensive, if you do use it, bring plenty of change, ziplocs of soap and dryer sheets.

In picking a cabin--I'd like next time of course mid ship, then take into account the "casual dining- buffet location" and perhaps more near that end. Also avoid being above disco, loung,casino areas.
We had a cabin 1/3 from front and no problem with movement. I personally get motion sick just watching my son play a video game--I tried the patch--seemed to work, however Bonine actually did a better job once our seas got rougher. Our formal dining room was toward front, and our booth situated "sideways" so I never felt I was facing forward. Dinner was rougher than our cabin. So I always had a pre dinner- Bonine appetizer :-)

[showcat]

I was in the front of the ship, low deck no problems even though it stormed one night, just took an extra bonine and didn't throw up. I've never been in the back though.

[Barb Nahoumi]

We were in a forward cabin on the 4th deck of the Majesty. Hardly felt movement. However, when we were on higher decks, the movement was more pronounced.

Isn't it strange that suites are on upper decks where there's more motion?

[Jim Bragg]

Lower decks in the center are the best. then it follows that any deck in the middle and then the stern area and lastly the bow. Some people like me it just doesn't matter and we actually like rocking etc so the bow is nice but for most, it is a little too much motion when the seas are up.
Jim

I agree with the bow having the most movement. On the Elation, my older son, who is prone to sea sickness and was taking meclizine, only felt movement (and felt sick) in the front of the ship. He could hardly stay in the gift shop long enough to pick out a t-shirt! But, he was able to sit and watch the shows. Odd.........

Why do forward cabins sell out first?

[Mike M]

Becca,
Because they are usually the least expensive.

Take care,
Mike

[Mtab]

Thanks for all the advice - I did book in the bow - I couldn't get true mid-ship because the suites are there. I thought the price of a balcony was bad enough. I know it seems foolish but we are going to be gone 3 weeks and the laundromat seemed really important - I want to pack as light as possible. The last cruise they wanted $1.00 to wash a pair of socks!
Interesting tho is on the Grand Princess the farther up you go the cheaper it gets and the bow & stern are the same price but the bow sold out really fast. I suspect they must be holding rooms - it seems too early to be sold out.
I'm counting on the Med not being too rough and since it's so port intensive I know I can put my feet on land before long.
Thanks again, Marie

Thank you Mike...