Although the Caribbean is generally known for smooth sailing, it can get choppy in areas where it meets up with the Atlantic Ocean. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Ocean Crossings Are Rougher Than More Protected Waters, The Mediterranean Sea Can Be Surprisingly Choppy Year Round, Expect Rougher Caribbean Seas in the North and East, Alaska Cruises Can Be Bumpy in the Gulf of Alaska, Bermuda and the Bahamas Are a Bit Less Sheltered Than the Caribbean, The Drake Passage on the Way to Antarctica Is Notoriously Intense, You'll Find Some Rough Waters in the South China Sea and Elsewhere, Best Months to Cruise the Mediterranean: A Year-Round Guide, 10 Things You (Probably) Don't Know About Australia Cruises. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Donostia-San Sebastian, Pasajes, Spain Biscay Basque Country. Other that didn't notice anything. Rough Waters: Not many cruise lines sail to Africa, but if your itinerary includes South African destinations, watch out! : 5 HUGE Differences Between a Ferry and a Cruise Ship (Real Examples), What Happens if You Get Sick on a Cruise? (A408) and will be going through Bay of Biscay. Powered by Invision Community. If you can afford to, book a balcony cabin. Crying with laughter at this. Read about our approach to external linking. Azura was awful in rough weather in the Med on south coast of France and Spain. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. The Truth About Cruising During a Storm (Review of 7 Days at Sea) Emma Cruises, [] To learn more about the Bay of Biscay, check out this post: Cruising Through The Bay Of Biscay: What to Expect (Real Experiences) []. I've tried other supposed sea sickness tablets and remedies but they don't work for me. Well thats how it is for me and the Mrs. As everyone says try and avoid the onboard doctor or you might choke on the bill. Take 2 as the ship departs Southampton and then one before you go to bed and one each morning for the first few days and even if it does get rough you won't feel sea sick. Where can I find wifi access in Cruise Bay Of Biscay cruise port. its our 70ths and our golden wedding whilst we are on the ship. We are hoping for calmer seas this time though. 36 Things You Are Getting Wrong About Cruising Cruise Myths Busted! The Bay of Biscay is notorious for bad weather and rough seas but how accurate is this reputation? The port is situated in the northern part of the bay, near the city of La Rochelle in France. On Adonia through there next year, see how she handles BOB. Enclosed by the Atlantic coast of France and northern coast of Spain, the bay measures less than 350 miles from headland to headland but is approximately 250 miles deep. Tony, On an Azura May cruise, it was calm as a millpond going down but rough coming back. Only on two of these journeys has the sea been rough; once in late April and again in November. This depends a lot of the ship and how fast it is going of course! I think you pay your money you take your chance! Encounter a storm in the South China Sea or other Asian waters, and you could find an unpleasant ride, not to mention some skipped ports. Have taken on board (no pun intended!!) From Bilbao: Mountains and Sea Full-Day Tour. Cruise ships typically dock in the ports of Bilbao, Santander, and Gijon in the Bay of Biscay. Had more good crossings than bad in Bay of Biscay. The Bay of Biscay is a Hotspot for Marine Life. I was delighted to discover that I dont get seasick and rather enjoy a rough sea. Call or Book online now (305) 260-6855, Everglades Adventure + Boat Tour in Miami (Combo) . The Bay of Biscay, off the west coast of France and north of Spain, and the North Sea can also be rough, but are calmer in the summertime. Have had a couple of very rough times on her between January to March and she rides the bad seas verywell (altho on any ship you normally feel the motion ofthe ocean when above a force 9). Rough Waters: While cruises to Bermuda and the Bahamas from the East Coast are usually smooth, squalls can arise on the Atlantic Ocean, particularly during hurricane season. This was a good cruise, not quite 90 min, but long enough. Cruising cheaply has allowed me to see more of the world than I ever thought possible and theres still so much more exploring to do! There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, making it a great place to spend the day. If you have cruised through the Bay of Biscay, did you experience bad weather? If you're prone to seasickness or just want to be prepared for high seas and rolling waves, we've compiled a list of some of the bodies of water known for their chop. Definitely avoid Ventura, she is awful in rough seas. The latest victim is the car carrier Modern Express, which ran into trouble 230 miles south-west of Brest, France. The picturesque shoreline makes Donostia a popular resort vacation destination. Venice has blocked cruise ships and, . Only been through Bay of Biscay once..on the Navigator of the Seas a few years ago. Look for a link at the bottom of this page or in our privacy policy where you can withdraw consent. Bay of Biscay - we crossed B of B 4x in Nov / Dec 2019 when we went to the Canaries and Atlantic Coast both on Queen Victoria, back to back. How safe is Cruise Bay Of Biscay cruise port? The Bay of Biscay can be like a pond or a force 11 at any time of year. Beautiful view. Probably crossed the Bay of Biscay a dozen times or more and only recall it being a bit rough once. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. Impacted Itineraries: One-way Alaska sailings. Few bodies of water have such a fearsome reputationor have exerted as powerful an effect in shaping the course of historyas the Bay of Biscay. Beyond Biscay is a diverse coastal cruising ground and the route to the warm waters of the Mediterranean. However, avid cruisers have experienced rough seas in the spring and summer, so be prepared for anything. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates just follow the corresponding ship-link. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. These integrated communities share common projects (tourism, freight transportation, infrastructures) based on their common Basque cultural base. Many transatlantic cruises from the UK will go through the Bay of Biscay. How to sail Biscay: 3 ways to tackle the milestone. Virtual Cruise Trip Report: Onboard a Cruise Critic Member's "Fake, Made Up and Completely Impossible" Cruise Itinerary, The World's Roughest Waters for Cruising (Photo: Chimu Adventures). However on the way back to Southampton off the coast of Portugal, before we hit the Bay, we. The terminal is also home to a number of tour operators and travel agents, making it a great place to start your cruise holiday. It offers a wide selection of chocolates, from traditional French-style truffles to modern artisanal creations. So dont fear it embrace it , your quite safe. We only use the smaller ships and they'vecoped well. You'll be OK on Azura as it is so big. I would say Aurora would be the best in rough seas, because she is built like a liner, the others are not. Did a TA on Britannia where for about a day she was constantly heeled over a few degrees. Do You Need A Passport To Cruise? Distances may not be a huge, but we are out of shelter, in deep water, and away from an easy. Later that night was hilarious trying to dance in the night club & watching people stagger sideways . At least in the summer it will be warm on deck or your balcony. Sam, Never had any problems crossing the Bay. saliecat, March 26, 2014 in P&O Cruises ( UK ). It seems to be around 50/50. Since starting cruising we have crossed it loads of times at different times of the year. Cruise ships often stop at the many ports along the bay, allowing passengers to explore the local culture and cuisine. Related: Best Months to Cruise the Mediterranean: A. Stugeron, however, has never let me down. The city is part of Eurociudad Vasca Bayonne-San Sebastian/Eurocity - a cross-border region (between Spain and France, along the Bay of Biscay's coast) that integrates 42 communities (total population around 650,000) in both countries. Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox. 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. Its 50/50. Also can I ask what the P&O ships cope in bad seas, while we are less likely to choose one of the bigger P&O ships, we are thinking we may just try one on a shortish cruise, if we can obtain a balcony at a reasonable price. I would recommend taking some antisickness tablets with you (herbal or otherwise) as well as a band as the onboard doctors are extremely expensive so would use as a last resort! Cruise Bay Of Biscay cruise port offers a variety of excursions for visitors to enjoy. Totally agree, especially about the balcony. But to be honest, by the end of March, and at the end of May, it's much more likely to be gentle seas than anything else. With its unique combination of natural beauty and cultural attractions, Cruise Bay of Biscay is a great destination for a memorable vacation. Oceania Cruises introduced its 2021 Europe & North America Collection of itineraries. We had horrendous gales 2 weeks ago in August. Credit: Tor Johnson. Rough Waters: The typhoon season in the northwest Pacific Ocean is mainly from July to November with a peak in late August/early September -- although storms can occur year-round. If stabilisers are used the ship burns more fuel but they make a big difference. The Bay of Biscay is a popular destination for cruise ships, with many of the major cruise lines offering trips to the area. Was that the 28 nights in January? I too take a sturgeon tablet before going to bed. On 23rd April 2012, Royal Caribbean cruise ship 'Independence of the Seas' encountered a severe gale in the Bay of Biscay as the ship sailed south bound for . There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, making it a great place to spend the day. And now looking at the spare bed with all the stuff I'm taking, and I haven't thought about clothes yet! We are off to Bilbao with Brittany Ferries this weekend from Portsmouth, often do that April and October and again not had a bad crossing, it's all a matter of luck so we wish you good luck! The other times we encountered about force 5 or 6 an it wasn't that bad. This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line. It was fine to be honest. Depart Bilbao and head for Vitoria-Gasteiz to explore the capital city of the Basque Country. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Weare well cruised and have the sense to realise weather conditions are what they are anywhere and anytime, but have actually done very little sailing south out of the UK and when we have it was never in the summer, so a generalidea of whether seas are genuinely calmer at that time of year in that region would be very useful to us. We did a TA to Caribbean and back on her last year and the listing on the way back was really scary. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, as well as a variety of shops and activities. Being confined to an interior cabin, or having to sit in crowded public areas, during bad weather, is my idea of hell. Take a guided walking tour through the center to see the cathedral, parliament and historical monuments of Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. Cruising through the Bay of Biscay on a cruise is not dangerous. This beach is known for its strong waves, making it a great spot for surfing and bodyboarding. Its worth noting that if cruise lines are completely within their rights to change the cruise itinerary at any time. Many transatlantic cruises from the UK will go through the Bay of Biscay. With max passenger capacity 6327 (2421 staterooms), Euribia (MSC's 22nd liner) will be officially named on June 8 in Copenhagen Denmark, and will sail an inaugural season in Northern Europe from homeport Kiel Germany. This year it was lovely last two weeks of April whereas last year early May it was dire. Its tempting to never stop eating when youre on a cruise but it is, believe it or not, possible to eat too much and make yourself feel unwell. By Once again, thank-you to you all for your response to my question. Emma Cruises Ltd is also a participant in other affiliate programs. Impacted Itineraries: China, Japan, the Philippines and Korea. Euribia also has a customized fresco painted on its exterior to promote MSC Cruises' commitment to protecting and preserving the marine environment. It is located in the northern coast of Spain and the western coast of France and is named after the Spanish province of Biscay. "There's been one or two incidents in the last 18 months with this kind of vessel, but if they're properly laden they're probably as safe as any other vessel. To answer this question I decided to survey our Facebook group members and the public on Twitter. Read about our approach to external linking. Been on Ventura when it was lumpy, they did have to shut down some lifts due to water ingress from one of the pools. 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. It takes the best part of a day to go through the Bay of Biscay. Last April we sailed on the Oceana and the movement was quite obvious. Last April we had a force 11 gale coming back and it was fine. but it's a few, and I've never experienced anything like it. She gets everywhere, evidently she is deep in my sub-conscious. So you will probably be fine. say Aurora would be the best in rough seas, because she is built like a liner, the others are not. This is amazing!. By The waters around the Cape of Good Hope, especially where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, can be pretty choppy. Will give them a try on Azura in May. It also depends where your cabin is and all I can say is thank goodness my cabin was midships on the Ventura. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the local cuisine. What is the address of Cruise Bay Of Biscay cruise port? by Jamie. Its never going to be ideal on any ship, but are these two really any worse? Bahamas Baltic Sea Hawaii Bermuda Eastern Caribbean Popular Ships Celebrity Edge Celebrity Reflection Allure of the Seas Harmony of the Seas Carnival Vista Norwegian Escape Oasis of the Seas Anthem. What are the car rental options near Cruise Bay Of Biscay cruise port. Kay, It was the perfect excuse to have a couple more cocktails and nobody knew if it was the waves or the beverages. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? My seasickness pills of choice are either Sturgeon or Kwells. Showed us some beautiful mansions. It's not usually anywhere near as bad as most people fear. I know there's no definitive answer so the question I'm asking is more to do with your own experiences, was looking at the Iberian cruises on Ventura for 2018 and would like to know if there would be any difference in the sea conditions between the cruise at the end of March and the one that leaves the last week in May, I've read in places that it can be a bit unpredictable but would be interested to know what others have encountered, having only cruised in the Caribbean I've never had no worries over what we might encounter. Make sure you book a cabin in the middle of the ship, this is where you can feel the ship moving the least. But maybe luckily only the once. and if the sickness does rear its ugly head, the old tip about green apples always works for me. Lee-on-the-Solent, England. We were caught in a very strongMistral in the Med and were coping really well until a stabiliser jammed, the ship then began to list badly, andit was the force of the waves that had caused the stabiliser problem. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. The shop is known for its unique selection of handmade jewelry, pottery, and other artisanal items. Thank-you 'Mysticalmother' for your quick responce. Flat calm. Have crossed this stretch of water both ways on almost every cruise Ive been on, never had any major issues. The Bay of Biscay is a Popular Cruise Destination. From hiking and biking to fishing and bird watching, there are plenty of ways to explore the area's natural beauty. The Bay of Biscay can be choppy If you're on a cruise itinerary leaving from Southampton that travels to France, Spain, the Canary Islands, or the Mediterranean, your ship will be passing through the Bay of Biscay. it was our first ever cruise and we went thro a force 12 storm and my did it rock and roll, but i took Sturgeon tablets two hours before we left southamton and i can honestly say i was absolutly fine and i am not a good sea traveller, ( or so i thought) it as not put us off. I also found the Britannia moves a lot more at the front . By Others obviously have, so a lot must depend on the angle of the wind to the ship and other factors? We were on Oceana which is a relatively small ship and does bob about a bit. Then if the cargo moves to one side the ship can start to list.". Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with third party vendors, or used specifically by this site or app. Unless they've cured it, Ventura lists quite alarmingly in rough seas. Weve all seen the videos of ships being thrown around and passengers clinging onto things for dear life, I wont show you one of these here as it might put you off, but it shouldnt. Bear in mind that on the larger modern ships you are unlikely to know you are moving that much anyway. We have been across the Bay of Biscay now a fair few times last time was end of March this year, I'm not a very good sea traveler but have never had any problems. We've crossed the Bay more times than I can remember and I can honestly say some of our calmest crossings have been in January or February and the two worst ones I can remember were in April and August. Once we motored the whole way. I wouldn't take likely sea conditions into consideration firstly because such conditions are not as frequent as rumour would have it and secondly because sea height and wind strengths are unreliable to predict.. The municipality's population is around 185,000 (metro 435,000). Newer ships are far stabler than older ones and have really sophisticated stabilisation systems. I would remove any loose hangers (or weighing them down with a towel) overnight as they get very noisy if it gets bumpy. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. They are top heavy and that would cause the roll. In my experience cruising through the Bay of Biscay can vary a LOT. At sea or on land (especially after a few too many the night before). Ive been on 21 cruises to date and would say Ive felt sick on about 4 or 5 of them. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Azura is so huge it takes a big sea to get a ship like that moving enough to worry anyone. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to sample the local cuisine, explore the area's history, and learn about the local customs and traditions. If they don't work I will do a Nicola Sturgeon and blame it on Westminster!! The port is also conveniently located near major cities like Bilbao and San Sebastian, making it easy to explore the region. Oceana has gone now but I had 1 of only a couple of bouts of seasickness on her. Follow my advice and you need never be concerned about sea conditions. The port is easily accessible by car, train, and air, and is a popular destination for cruise ships. I Took a Northern Lights Cruise Heres What I Packed (Clothes, Accessories & More). Ventura handled it well and the storm carried on through the night, unfortunately our cabin was at the front so we didn't get a particularly good nights sleep. If the captain and crew thought that sailing through the Bay of Biscay was dangerous they would not do it. Port Donostia-San Sebastian cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. I travelled through the Bay on Ventura in April and the sea was much rougher in the English Channel than the BOB.