It Was a Rough Crossing
@BelleStarr (61102)
United States
June 19, 2016 2:11pm CST
We left the port of Boston for Bermuda at 4 p.m. last Saturday. Tropical storm Colin was there before us. The crossing to Bermuda was very rough. We always take Bonine even before we get on the ship so we had no issue with seasickness but the same can not be said for many other passengers.
There were a lot of people sick and near the elevators they had barf bags like they have in airplane pockets. It did mean that there was not much of a crowd in the dining room for a couple of days.
We have crossed to Bermuda in much rougher seas than this but never in a ship this small. The Veendam is small by today's standards of megaships with only about 1600 passengers.
33 people like this
32 responses
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
The wonderful thing about a cruise is that it is relaxing no matter what. I enjoyed a hot stone massage and a membership in their thermal spa where I could relax in the mineral hot tub. I had a very easy crossing except that the pitching makes me sleepy!! lol
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
@jaboUK The Bonine that we take is such a simple thing to do that I wonder why more people don't just take it?
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
@BelleStarr I'm lucky in that I don't get seasick. I remember one time my sister came with us - it was a first cruise for her, and we had a really rough time in the Bay of Biscay. Both my sister and my husband were ill and I wrapped them up in blankets on sun loungers on deck and spent the whole of our first day looking after them.
I felt so bad because I'd persuaded my sister to try cruising. However, they were fine after that first day and we had a fabulous cruise. My sister has gone on several more since then, so it didn't put her off.
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
Oh yes, we went to the Botanical Garden in Hamilton and then took the Ferry out to Naval Dockyard. It was fun.
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
20 Jun 16
@BelleStarr oh@good.so it was not a total waste for you
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Jun 16
I have never suffered from seasickness so far, but it could happen.
I remember a bad crossing of the channel one year. They strapped all the luggage in and rerouted the vessel. I quite happily bought a drink and a pasty and sat on the deck watching the angry sea, but when I went to the toilet I needed wellingtons because of all the passengers that had been sick.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Jun 16
@BelleStarr I would never consider taking any form of medication unless it was actually required.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 Jun 16
@Asylum The problem is once the seasickness starts it is too late to start medication so I wuld rather not take a chance. It has no noticeable side effects.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
I am not sure if I would suffer or not but why take a chance? it is much easier to prevent it rather than try to cure it after it starts.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
The weather in Bermuda was sunny and warm. We even enjoyed the rough seas, we went and had a massage and enjoyed indoor activities like the evening show, which did have to be modified because of the pitching.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
19 Jun 16
oh my! so glad that y'all were able to take that 'fore ya boarded'n hopefully more'n hand. the thought've bein' with 'bout 1600 folks anywhere'd keep me'n my room, lol. hope the rest'f yer cruise goes smoothly. big hugs!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
Actually the only time there were lots of people is in the casual restaurant buffet, I spend one evening in the thermal spa all alone, it was lovely and at other times it was just my friend and I. I don't like crowds much either.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
20 Jun 16
@BelleStarr a thermal spa?? dang, 'n ya didn't e'en invite lil ol' me! lol. i'm glad'ja got that 'lone time. jest the thought though'f bein' with so many folks makes waves'f nausea sweep 'cross my body.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 Jun 16
@crazyhorseladycx This is what it looks like, the beds are heated!!
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
20 Jun 16
Oh dear- that could be rough- I've been on plenty rocky ships and know what you are talking about. I'll have to remember that Bonine as I have never heard of it. Let us know how you get on and hope the stormy oceans subside.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 Jun 16
The seas were much calmer on the way back. Next time you are in the states you can find Bonine over the counter at any pharmacy or Target.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Jun 16
@MarymargII I had no side affects except maybe a little sleepiness . Our cruise was 7 days so we have been home almost a week. It goes so fast.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
21 Jun 16
@BelleStarr i will write it down and look for it- any side effects? Is it like Gravol? So how is the rest of your holiday going?
1 person likes this
But that picture is so beautiful . I suppose that's one of the eating place in that ship. 
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
@BelleStarr Do you know their specialty there ? Did you have it ? I suppose it's free for the whole duration of the cruise .
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Jun 16
It is the Rotterdam Dining Room the formal dining area.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD They do different dishes every day but the last day of the cruise in the casual restaurant they did dishes from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. They have delicious cold soups and some vegetarian dishes I had a wonderful salmon one evening.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
25 Jun 16
sounds quite a rough voyage - hope future journeys are more pleasant
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
25 Jun 16
@BelleStarr the start of the cruise I went on was like that but two days in and it stopped being a living Hell
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
26 Jun 16
@arthurchappell Yes the seas were calm on the way home.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Since wee usually cruise at least part of the way on the Atlantic Ocean there is usually a certain amount of rough seas.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
20 Jun 16
@BelleStarr Glad to know you were not one of those who got sick.Any special dishes served in the ship that you liked?
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
25 Jun 16
@BelleStarr I have never come across that combination.Happy that you enjoyed that.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 Jun 16
I loved a dessert of balsamic strawberries and cream, it was divine!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 Jun 16
That is why we take Bonine, I am not taking any chances and I have never gotten seasick on 7 cruises.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
•
21 Jun 16
@BelleStarr I would be awful in that situation as I get travel sickness alot.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
21 Jun 16
@BelleStarr Bonine never helped me. I tried it. Thank goodness for the patch. Thank you for the birthday wishes. 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Jun 16
It seems like so few compared too every other ship we have been on but I guess compared to boats like the Mayflower it is small.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Jun 16
@just4him I actually like the smallness, much more intimate. Got to know some of the crew and other passengers.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jun 16
@BelleStarr I'm sure you still had a good time despite the rough weather and the smallness of the vessel.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
25 Jun 16
I get seasick! I have had wonderful weather for all of my cruises fortunately. But I well remember a day trip to Catalina Island. I was in the line waiting to board when I suddenly remembered cruising around San Francisco bay on my uncles cabin cruiser sick as a dog when I was a child. Yes, the captain walked by me a half hour into the trip and stopped and said I was as green as grass. I was told to go to the top deck, outdoors to the front and face forward. He told me to buy Dramamine and take it a half hour before the return trip (2 hour trip) which did the trick. I never travel without it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Bonine is the same but it makes you less drowsey which is why we use it
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 Jun 16
I think the Irish Sea is notoriously rough I don't envy that crossing.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
20 Jun 16
@BelleStarr Gladfully, it happened only once when we kept on travelling there. It was Christmas time and the ferry was shaking that I thought it was my end.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
24 Jun 16
The problem is you need to take it before a problem starts, once you get sick it won't help.
1 person likes this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
20 Jun 16
@BelleStarr I would have been sicker than a dog had I been there. Hope you had a great time anyway.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 Jun 16
I did and actually the fact that it was less crowded was a blessing in disguise.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
20 Jun 16
OH lovely I hope you had a lovely time there. I am somewhat hooked on cruising now. Glad you did not feel sick!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Jun 16
I am really quite hooked on them myselves it was all I could so to keep from booking my next one while on the cruise.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Jun 16
Well, hopefully you are having a fantastic time. I didn't realize you'd been on the sea before this. Has it always been on cruise ships? Some of my family have done cruises, but not me as yet and maybe I never will. I have been to Maui, but we went by plane. It wasn't rough but it sure was long especially for my brother-in-law who is about 6.4 inches.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
25 Jun 16
I did have a fantastic time, I enjoy cruising it is relaxing and all your amenities are right there for you. Plus you get to visit interesting places without flying which is absolutely no fun these days.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Jun 16
lol Well I do get around but I have been pretty sedimentary since we got back from Florida in early April.
@chewwy429 (101)
• Miri, Malaysia
21 Jun 16
we're having bad weather here too, hope the weather gets better soon
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
25 Jun 16
You realize that this was a storm that was out to sea over the Atlantic Ocean not on the land right? Yes it passed.
