Hello,

I'm hoping one of you experts can help a first-time cruiser. We're about to book a mini-suite on the Diamond Princess for an Alaskan cruise. They have 2 rooms left -- one in the front and one in the back with both on the same deck. I'm a bit nervous about seasickness. Which would you suggest? There's nothing left mid-ship.

Thanks,
J

According to the physics laws, fore and aft cabins on the same deck are rocking the same. Mid ship is less. But it is only theoretically. On a ship of this size you would barely notice the difference. My wife usually takes Dramamine with her which she brings back intact. Just do the same and have fun.

Hey J. Call the doctor and get scopalamine. Dramamine (even the non-drowsy kind) turned me into a complete zombie on the last cruise. I spent a whole day from 11-4 sleeping! I usually don't feel the motion, but at times there have been large storm fronts or once they pulled the stabilizers to save fuel (pill day) Now, I go prepared just in case. I also get sick driving through redwood country in California!

Neither are good choices IMO. It's best to be mid-ship and on a low deck if you're prone to sea sickness. Given the choice, I'd opt for the front though and make sure you're waitlisted for better options. You will feel more vibrations in the back of the ship.

Tough choice. We sailed the Diamond Alaska 2 summers ago. This past year we chose HAL and like you, had a choice of the front or the back of the boat. You could definitely feel the movement, and we opted for the front vs. the back. Because of the location it was extremely windy and we did not get to enjoy the balcony much. We did sail in the very back of the ship on the Grand Princess (same size) and it wasn't as bad wind wise, I would choose the back vs. the front. There was a terrible seasick day on our Grand sailing, so bad that FIL had to visit the ship's doctor for medication.

Alaska on the Diamond can be smooth as glass but waters can also be very turbulent. One thing to consider, because of the Diamond's size it is harder to navigate the glacier viewing at Tracy Arm. When we sailed HAL the ship was a bit smaller so we were able to sail directly to the front of the glacier, not all of the Diamond's sailings can do this.

Finally, if you do choose the Diamond and are stuck with a front or rear room call your ta immediately when final payment is due as there will be some cancellations, and hopefully then you will be able to nab a better room