The day our cruise departed Ft. Lauderdale the weather report was for coastal waves to be 10 to 15 feet high.  I suppose that means that the sea conditions further out included high winds and swells.

Instead of our ship heading southeast in a straight line towards Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, the captain announced that the ship would proceed due south and sail along the eastern coast of Cuba.  For the better part of a full day we did this.  Once the ship was near the southern tip of Cuba she made a left turn and headed east on course for Grand Turk with arrival due this morning.

Shortly after retiring for the evening last night I was awakened by the rather extreme rolling of the ship.  Some of my friends whom had cruised to Alaska this past July or September with me might have thought that on several days we had a fair amount of ‘ocean motion’ on those sailings but that did not even come close to last nights action.

I am not affected very much by the roll of a ship and even with last nights conditions did not feel any ill effects other than not being able to fall back asleep.  The side to side rolling was strong enough that it made you feel like you had to put your legs in a position to brace yourself to prevent rolling off the bed.  I am sure that I would not have rolled off the bed but the feeling certainly was there. 

There were long periods of time where I was conscious of not being able to fall asleep, then dozing half asleep, quickly followed by the realization the ship was still rockin’ and rollin’.  This made for one long restless night and I am certain that by this afternoon I will need a nap.

I don’t know if rougher sea conditions exist in the proximity of Turks & Caicos because the islands are located on the edge of the continental shelf where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.  If that is the case then we may be in store for more of this ‘ocean motion’ the next three or four nights as well.  All the island stops on this itinerary, San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas are all on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea.

A little Rock n’ Roll never hurt anyone as long as it’s not too loud.  Stay tuned.

Until tomorrow,
Bon Voyage