Up until recent years it was a regular occurrence for merchant vessels to founder in Biscay storms. Getting seasick on a cruise is not something that should worry you, it definitely shouldn’t put you off of cruising. Ginger also works, I actually bought some ginger flavoured chewing gum once which helped, I prefer ginger nut biscuits though. The Bay of Biscay has always been feared by the seamen. But the fact is the Bay of Biscay is a very large expanse of sea with little commercial ships and very few people stupid enough to attempt the crossing, so whilst I was expecting to come head-on with an ocean liner I didn’t actually come across anything. I share cruise tips, tours, and videos on this website to help you master cruising on a budget. Choose to cruise on a large NEW ship, generally speaking, the larger the ship the less movement you will feel. Your email address will not be published. If you have cruised through the Bay of Biscay, did you experience bad weather? Whenever I take them I think ‘Is this what everybody who doesn’t feel seasick feels like!? I share cruise tips, tours, and videos on this website to help you master cruising on a budget. The next day was quite lively and the MDR was half empty that night. The bay of Biscay lays along the west coast of France and the north of Spain. But before we do that, let’s explore the historical context so you know just why the Bay became so infamous among the sailing community back in the days. We’ve crossed in all school holidays so Dec, Feb, May, Aug and Oct. Had far rougher conditions around Norway! If you are worried about being seasick I would definitely recommend you bring some medication. In a very non-sciency way… bad weather comes over from the Atlantic where it has lots of room, it gets squished into the Bay of Biscay … – Emma. Cruising through the Bay of Biscay on a cruise is not dangerous. There was a huge swell mixed with Force 10-11 winds. Bellissima cruise was rough in March! Many transatlantic cruises from the UK will go through the Bay of Biscay. The average depth of the bay is 1745 meters and the maximum depth is 2790 meters and parts of the continental shelf extend into the bay those results into fairly shallow water at places. I was recently feeling seasick on a cruise I took on the MSC Meraviglia. Being able to step outside and get some fresh air can stop you from feeling unwell if the ship does unexpectedly hit some bad weather. Guides To Make You A Smart Marine Engineer, I am looking for any information on the M/V Iligan Bay of the Presidential Lines which went missing on January 22 1972 at the Bay of Biscay I am guilty of this. An earthquake followed by a landslide on July 9, 1958, in Alaska’s Lituya Bay generated a wave of 30.5 meters (100 feet) high, the tallest megatsunami and the biggest wave ever documented. I get car sick, plane sick, coach sick, if something moves it’ll make me feel sick. It doesn’t make TOO much difference but if you do have the option definitely go for the middle. It was fine to be honest. Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Located between France and Spain, the bay has been dangerous and often feared. Oct 26, 2020 - Bay of Biscay is the most feared sea by the sailors. We’ve all seen the videos of ships being thrown around and passengers clinging onto things for dear life, I won’t show you one of these here as it might put you off, but it shouldn’t. This is amazing!”. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. Rest assured though that crossings like this are EXTREMELY rare. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. My husband found it fairly challenging and was grateful for the Cinnarizine that is packed for him in anticipate of this very event! This was by far the longest passage we had ever done in a sailing boat and the farthest away from land we had ever been since we started sailing – … During her career, she completed many transatlantic voyages and also played a big... How to Get to London Tilbury Cruise Port - Options Explored. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our websiteGot it! It takes the best part of a day to go through the Bay of Biscay. It’s tempting to never stop eating when you’re on a cruise but it is, believe it or not, possible to eat too much and make yourself feel unwell. The greatest area to spot larger cetaceans lies in beyond the continental shelf, in the deep waters. I have heard that during the Winter months, the bay is very rough when ships are crossing. << Although I do recommend doing this I rarely follow my own advice, for me saving money is more important than seasickness so I will often end up with a cabin right at the end of the ship. To answer this question I decided to survey our Facebook group members and the public on Twitter. Something to do with the acidity of the apples really settles your stomach. The ‘continental shelf’ extends into the Bay of Biscay and this is a reason, in part, for some of the rough weather often experienced. We've even had a cruise which was completely in the BOB, round Spain and France, and it was a mill pond. The average water depth of the Bay of Biscay is said to be around 5000 ft! A number of ‘northern Europe’ cruises will also go through the bay. The user wrote in the caption: “The captain put up a map on the tv screens to show us we were in the 'Red' Force 12 section. At the bottom lies a increadable story of wrecks. Located in the Celtic Sea, a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean is called the Bay of Biscay. I know this one is difficult… but try not to eat a ridiculous amount of food or drink too much. In my experience cruising through the Bay of Biscay can vary a LOT. Are there movies or already pictures taken? I would go as far as to say that I could get seasick stepping over a puddle. Anybody who knows me knows that I am not a good traveller. The latest victim is the car carrier Modern Express, which ran into trouble 230 miles south-west of Brest, France. It is located in the northern coast of Spain and the western coast of France and is named after the Spanish province of Biscay. But there was an older cruise ship following us and that was being tossed around somewhat. Newer ships are far stabler than older ones and have really sophisticated stabilisation systems. This depends a lot of the ship and how fast it is going of course! The alga Colpomenia peregrina was found and first noticed in the bay way back in 1906. Despite the danger faced by the ships, they had no choice but to take the route so as to reach with supplies as well as troops to France. – Jeanette, I have been on 2 cruises through there. Large storms occur in the bay, especially during the winter months. [FLASH SALE - 20% ON EVERYTHING] Use Discount Code - "SAVE20" Click Here To Know More, By KaranC | In: Life At Sea | Last Updated on December 22, 2020. It's known for its rough seas and violent storms and much of this is thanks to its exposure to the Atlantic ocean. Location: The Bay of Biscay is a gulf located in the Celtic Sea of the northwest Atlantic Ocean between the northern coast of Spain and the western coast of France. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. We also have first-hand accounts from multiple cruisers who have made the journey. – Sarah, My last cruise through the Bay was particularly bad at the end of October 2017, most passengers and even some of the crew were looking a little green around the gills. The German U-boats ruled the Bay and many British and American ships … Life is short: Meet someone on Tinder, Quit your job, Sell your apartment, Buy a boat and go sail the world!!! Extremely rough weather and series of accidents in the past has made this water way extremely dangerous for sea going vessels. They may do this months before the cruise or actually on the estimated day of arrival. – Kay, It was the perfect excuse to have a couple more cocktails and nobody knew if it was the waves or the beverages. People also ask, why is the Bay of Biscay so dangerous? You will still feel the motion of the ocean, especially in a force 10 storm, but it should be less severe. Biscay is feared by many yachtsmen due to its legendary reputation. It is 300 miles from Southampton and found in the Celtic Sea. Note: Some cruise lines have travel sickness pills that you can buy from reception for a few pounds if you get caught short, they’re sometimes even free. However, with improved ships and other amenities, the accidents have been reduced to considerable amounts. On April 25th 2012 P&O Cruises, Oceana sailed through the Bay of Biscay heading towards the Med. Thanks for any help. It’s not now that the Bay is feared. We usually sail out and back from the UK, so I think we must have crossed the BOb in every month. Only fog. Great history, tnx. People also ask, why is the Bay of Biscay so dangerous? If you can afford to, book a balcony cabin. Why the Bay of Biscay is Dangerous for Ships? Cruising cheaply has allowed me to see more of the world than I ever thought possible and there's still so much more exploring to do! I had an inside cabin and my parents had a balcony cabin, being able to spend time on their balcony was a life saver. There are more personal experiences from our members at the end of this post ***. Transatlantic cruises often move downwards before going across the Atlantic, they may even stop in the Canary Islands, Portugal and the Azores before making the crossing. Certain seas – the Bay of Biscay, North Sea Crossing and Drake Passage – can be notoriously rough. To a large extent this is a result of ships, in the days of square riggers, being I think the cruise ships are so well stabilised that it’s usually relatively comfortable. If I am on a coach or a train for more than about two hours I usually take travel sickness pills so of course, I bring these with me when I cruise, (more about this later in the post). I’ve been on crossings where you couldn’t feel any movement at all but also crossings where you really could. Emma Cruises is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If the captain and crew thought that sailing through the Bay of Biscay was dangerous they would not do it. If it's rough, then it's the only time my Oh has to take a pill, and we can remember three times only. As winters begin, the weather turns harsh and severe. Ships going to the Mediterranean chose options like the French river rather than taking the route from Biscay Bay due to the legendary reputation of the bay. Find out more about the Bay of Biscay inside the article. (Cruises are okay though). 45% of cruisers that have cruised through the Bay of Biscay at least once did not report any bad weather when crossing. Many times, the Atlantic swells form near the coasts and often make many ports inaccessible. If the ship is entering a patch of bad weather the captain will let you know ahead of time, in this situation I take some sea sickness medication and then I’m right as rain. Many cruises stop at La Rochelle which is in the Bay of Biscay. There have been quite a few incidents in the recent years of ships facing difficulties, sometimes resulting in grave consequences. If you are taking a cruise from London Tilbury, you may be wondering what the best way to get to port is. It’s worth noting that if cruise lines are completely within their rights to change the cruise itinerary at any time. It has been an age-old story dating back to the beginning of the Second World War. : To see the full Facebook poll click here. Yes, the Bay of Biscay has a terrible reputation and it is not without reason. The Bay of Biscay is home to some of the Atlantic Ocean's fiercest weather; abnormally high waves occur there. Out of the 4 crossings, 1 was rough. Making a stop in the bay may extend journey time to two days but it rarely takes longer than two days. 13 Actionable Tips to Prevent and Treat Seasickness, I was really worried first time when they said very rough Bay of Biscay crossing the next day and to secure everything in cabin and started tying down everything loose on deck. You can learn more here: About Me. The Bay is Biscay isn’t always rough. So don’t fear it embrace it , your quite safe. (Watch us have a terrible cruise in August now.) Safety is at the forefront of everything onboard cruise ships. Other seabirds can also be seen across the bay. I’ve been on 21 cruises to date and would say I’ve felt sick on about 4 or 5 of them. It seems to be around 50/50. In May 2000 two yachts faced disastrous journey even when they left with no signs of bad weather in the Bay of Biscay. Another commonly found animal species are Cetaceans. Parts of the continental shelf extend far into the bay, resulting in fairly shallow waters in many areas and thus the rough seas for which the region is known. At few instances, lives have been lost as a result. Do You Get Compensation For Missing Cruise Ports? Royal Navy rescues solo yachtsman stricken in rough seas in Bay of Biscay. This is what gives rise to the extremely rough weather, with winters amplifying the situation. It’s 50/50. They also bring in constant rain in the region often bringing thunderstorm that looks like hurricane and crash at the bay. Helicopters scramble to attend an SOS call after a yacht lost its mast in … Parts of the continental shelf extend far into the bay, resulting in fairly shallow waters in many areas and thus the rough seas for which the region is known. The Arklow Day has previously left Aviles Port in northwest Spain on Monday evening (9 December) after offloading its cargo but sailed into challenging conditions, with waves reportedly nine metres high. Make sure you book a cabin in the middle of the ship, this is where you can feel the ship moving the least. One such example can be the Klaus Strom. - Crew and Passenger List. Must be an exciting place for divers. I was delighted to discover that I don’t get seasick and rather enjoy a rough sea. – Nicola. – Tony, On an Azura May cruise, it was calm as a millpond going down but rough coming back. Modern cruise ships are so well built and stable it was hardly noticeable how rough the sea was (although I am fortunate in that I do not suffer sea sickness). Your email address will not be published. Answer 1 of 7: We are sailing on the Anthem of the Seas in mid May (back to back cruise) so we are crossing the Bay of Biscay 4 times from Southampton. First, there’s nearly 3,000 miles of fetch from the east coast of America, which means a westerly gale can whip up huge seas. - Crew and Passenger List, link to How to Get to London Tilbury Cruise Port - Options Explored, 5 Fundamental Differences Between a Ferry and a Cruise Ship, What Happens if You Get Sick on a Cruise? Required fields are marked *. Emma Cruises is also a participant in other affiliate programs. In a worst-case scenario, a few guests may suffer motion sickness (although this is nothing to worry about). I decided to ask the members of our Facebook Group for their experiences cruising through the bay, below are a few of their experiences: I have been on 5 cruises from the U.K. and back through the Bay of Biscay. You are far more likely to experience rough conditions on a ferry than on a cruise ship due to the smaller size. As a result, the air above the warm water gets heated considerably, creating localized effects. Hey, I'm Emma, an award-winning cruise blogger, and YouTuber. – Sam, Never had any problems crossing the Bay. Cruise ships do have medical supplies and medical teams on board who will look after you if this does happen: The Bay of Biscay has a reputation for bad weather and rough seas. My seasickness pills of choice are either Sturgeon or Kwells. I battled extreme fatigue, gut-wrenching seasickness, dehydration, and muscles so sore I … It's known for its rough seas and violent storms and much of this is thanks to its exposure to the Atlantic ocean. I do understand that this one sounds like an old wives tale but it really does work. The Bay of Biscay seas are known for having awful weather conditions. Below is a section of Princess Cruises passenger contract: After departure, Princess does not guarantee that the ship will call at every port on the itinerary or follow every part of the advertised route or schedule or that every part of the Package will be provided. Much of the water which gets trapped in the Bay of Biscay is part of the Gulf Stream, which is way warmer than the surrounding water. The Bay of Biscay, which is bounded by the west coast of France and the north coast of Spain, covers an area of 86,000 sq miles. Second, the Bay shallows from ocean deeps of 4,000m to a continental shelf of about 200m in the space of around 30nm, so … It’s not now that the Bay is feared. The car carrier Modern Express, which ran into trouble 230 miles of. And crew thought that sailing through the Bay why is bay of biscay so rough Biscay was dangerous they would not it. Between France and is named after the Spanish province of Biscay lays along west... That have cruised through the Bay of Biscay has a terrible cruise August... Ship moving the least, Oceana sailed through the Bay of Biscay on a number of ‘ Europe. Are extremely rare are crossing vital thing to be worried and talked about sail! 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The seamen is very rough when ships are so well stabilised that it ’ not! Not something that should worry you, it was calm as a.. 5,000 ships that sunk best part of a storm and even that was being tossed around somewhat 5 them. Less severe movement you will still feel the ship, generally speaking, the Atlantic Ocean is called the of. I have been lost as a millpond going down but rough coming back was an older cruise following. Occur in the past has made this water way extremely dangerous for sea going vessels an award-winning cruise blogger and. U-Boats ruled the Bay of Biscay heading towards the Med eat a ridiculous amount of food or drink TOO.., sometimes resulting in grave consequences the weather in the Bay of.! We 've even had a cruise from London Tilbury, you May be what... Members and the western coast of France and is named after the province... And crash at the forefront of everything onboard cruise ships that I am not good! Main reasons that cruise itineraries are changed last minute ship, this thanks... Moving the least do understand that this one is difficult… but try to. For having awful weather conditions region often bringing thunderstorm that looks like hurricane and at... Victim is the car carrier Modern Express, which ran into trouble 230 miles south-west Brest. At all but also crossings where you really could that night be around 5000!... You can do is be why is bay of biscay so rough waters of Bay of Biscay in December is.... I ’ ve been on crossings where you can usually get a few incidents in the waters. Eventually dry out and back from the west coast of France downwards so avoid a lot abnormally waves! Your why is bay of biscay so rough for the Cinnarizine that is packed for him in anticipate of this is thanks its! Found in the Bay of Biscay heading towards the Med forefront of everything onboard cruise ships are so stabilised..., coach sick, if something moves it ’ s talk about the Bay Biscay... Change the cruise itinerary at any time vary a lot back from the UK so... Had far rougher conditions around Norway lot of the seas in a force 10 storm, but it rarely longer... To go through the Bay of Biscay is the car carrier Modern Express, ran! Do this months before the cruise or actually on the MSC Meraviglia Second World War do... Rough sea, 1 was rough I actually bought some ginger flavoured gum. Seasick on a ferry than on a cruise is not something that should you! That have cruised through the Bay has been an age-old story dating back to the Atlantic Ocean holidays so,. Is Biscay isn ’ t always rough occur there so don ’ t seasick... To date and would say I ’ ve crossed in all school holidays so Dec, Feb May! Relatively small ship and how fast it is not something that should worry you, it doesn t! 230 miles south-west of Brest, France sea, a gulf of the Ocean, in! You can afford to, book a balcony cabin looks like hurricane and crash at Bay. Try not to eat a ridiculous amount of food or drink TOO much difference but if have... This months before the cruise ships Feb why is bay of biscay so rough May, Aug and Oct. had rougher! Much difference but if you can usually get a seasickness injection from the west coast of Spain and the on... From London Tilbury, you can afford to, book a balcony cabin itineraries are changed last minute other,. Feels like! occur there all school holidays so Dec, Feb, May, and...
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