Out to Sea for Sept. 28/19
(c) By Jim and Barb Fox
When the “barf bags” appeared beside the
elevators, we knew we were in for a rough night at sea.
But it became unnerving when people posted
onYouTube to “pray for the people on the Carnival Sunrise” facing the wrath of
Hurricane Humberto.
We hung on as the ship bobbed from side to
side like a huge rubber ducky and plunged forward through the night like a
rollercoaster into the hollow of the waves.
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| Monster waves began to calm after the Carnival Sunrise turned back toward New York in this balcony photo. (Jim Fox photo) |
We had
watched the growing intensity of the hurricane last week while preparing to
leave for New York and a one-week sailing to Bermuda and return.
We never made it.
When we booked the cruise with 10 family
members, we were aware of the perils of “hurricane season.”
But Bermuda is off the hurricane track and where
strong storms are quite rare.
Upon boarding the ship at the Brooklyn
Cruise Terminal, we were given a note from Captain Isidoro Renda.
It was our first indication that something
had to give.
“It is now clear that we must deviate from
our scheduled itinerary in order to remain a safe distance from the storm,” he
said.
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| Cruisers on the Carnival Sunrise had plenty of views of the Statue of Liberty in New York. (Barbara Fox photos) |
Revised plans had us leaving New York,
having a “fun day at sea,” and visiting Charleston, South Carolina.
Then there was another “fun day” enroute to
Bermuda, arriving on Friday for an eight-hour visit – not three days as planned
– another day at sea and return to New York on Sunday.
We hadn’t signed up as hurricane hunters as the
surf getting more monstrous by the minute.
The hurricane ahead had churned up the ocean
and landed near Bermuda, knocking out power, cutting off bus and ferry services
and closing shops at the Royal Naval Dockyard where we were to tie up.
We plunged ahead overnight and into the next
day with the ship battling waves at 33 kilometres an hour carrying 3,000 guests
and 1,100 crew.
U-turn
time
The captain decided that was enough and that
afternoon turned us around and headed back to New York.
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| The lull before the storm as the Carnival Sunrise is docked at Charleston, South Carolina. (Barbara Fox photo) |
High sea swells of up to 18 feet (5.5
metres) and strong north-easterly winds caused the ship to “significantly
reduce our navigational cruising speed in order to operate safely,” he said.
“It is now apparent that despite our very
best efforts, we will not be able to reach Bermuda in time for our call
tomorrow,” he added.
It brought back memories of experiencing 24-foot
(7.3-metre) waves on the Norwegian Majesty in 2000 in the open waters away from
the coral-reefs that protect Bermuda from high winds and seas.
Most onboard the Sunrise took it in their
wake, with the party dancers not missing a beat.
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| Once stormy weather passed, a popular place was around the pool. (Jim Fox photo) |
The fun went on largely due to the
hard-working crew members who put up with us on-board for six days, except for
a few hours in Charleston.
Everyone left the ship smiling as Carnival
extended a surprise “gesture of goodwill” – a 100-per-cent future cruise credit—
and refunded port charges and fees.
Should
I stay or should I go?
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| In calmer times, a cruise ship is seen docked at King’s Wharf in Bermuda from the Royal Naval Dockyard fortress. (Jim Fox photo) |
You take your chances and perhaps get better
deals cruising during hurricane season – June 1 through Nov. 30.
“Statistically speaking, the chances
that your particular cruise is going to be affected by a hurricane are very
slim, but your travel plans might be changed,” said Dori Saltzman of the Cruise
Critic website.
If taking
the chance is worth it, she added: “Absolutely, but with a caveat. Hope for the
best and prepare for the worst.”
-30-
Jim and Barb Fox
can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com
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