we are cruising on the Island Princess on Feb 10 2007. What weather conditions should I expect sailing from L.A. to Hawaii? I need to know what to pack. Will I need a raincoat for Hilo?

You will be pretty cool for the first two days, leaving California coast. Rough waters and windy. Rain in Hilo, probably! Have fun!

Hi When you say Rough waters...what exactly does that mean. I wear the seasick bracelets on calm seas! How rough is rough in the pacific? Is it rough all the way to Hawaii?

Took this cruise, and it was rough for the first 3 days. That part of the Pacific (a day off LA) is infamous for a rough patch, so expect it. And any trans-(anything) sailing is quite possible to have a few rough areas.

That being said, it's really great fun to board in the cool weather and gradually sail to the tropics. It's peaceful, the water is deep blue, and we saw dolphins and such. And the seas usually moderate after that one spot.

And who knows, some sailings are peaceful all the way across!!!

Have a great trip

quote:

That part of the Pacific (a day off LA) is infamous for a rough patch, so expect it.

Its called the "potato patch". I used to sail out of Marina del Rey when I lived in LA. As a matter of fact, the area of the coast between LA and Santa Barbara, where it juts out, is called Point Conception. When QEII visited the West Coast a few years ago, she got off in LA, flew to Santa Barbara and met her yacht (I think it was called Britannia) there so that she wouldn't have to deal with the rough seas at Point Conception. But once you get past that it can be smooth as glass. The Spanish named that ocean, Pacific (translates into "calm" in English) for a reason.

Well it looks like I can sign off this cruise. I was prepared to book this cruise for December but I've already had my fill of rough seas when I did the SF to Mexican Riviera (10 days) back in April. Spending 3 of the 1st 4 days of the cruise with rough seas and staying inside the boat is not my idea of a fun time...guess I'll stay in the Caribean.

I'll be on the Island Princess leaving on Dec 5 & let you know how good or bad it was when I return.

We are on this same cruise leaving L.A. March 12, 2007 on the Island Princess, and I intend to post a diary when I get back. I have been watching the Island Princess on the webcam daily, and the seas look mild to me. I can't say how accurate the pics from the webcam are.

I have the same concerns, but we have decided to go ahead anyway. We are on Dolphin just back of midship on port side, so that should lessen the rocking somewhat if the seas get bad.

One more thought! There is a website which shows the forecasted wave size in the Eastern Pacific which you can check out. Go to: www.soest.hawaii.edu/buoy/ww3/hi_enp_mov

Don't look too bad to me!

The sea looks calm but the web cam doesn't show anyone on the splash pool. Strange?? - Unless there all in the Lotus pool keeping warm. Anyway, it'll feel nice to experience a little cool weather for a change. It's been hot here in SW Florida & I just finished cutting the lawn which should be OK for the next two weeks.

Hi RichC,

If I remember right, you are sailing out of L.A. December 5 which will get you back home just before Xmas. Why don't you keep a daily log of wind/sea conditions/weather etc and post a report when you get back. I am sure we would all be interested. I plan to do the same when I get back in March.

Well, i am answering your email soaking up the sun in Aruba. We made a decision to stay on land this time and avoid any problems on the "high seas". I'm still interested in this cruise so let me know how your experience goes.

We're leaving on the Island Princess tomorrow on Dec 5 th. I'll post some comments about our weather & sea conditions as we go. I checked the web cam yesterday afternoon & the sea looked calm but the strange thing is there were no people in the splash pool or sitting on any of the chairs around the splash pool. This could only make me believe that that air temperature was on the cold side & most people were in the Lotus pool. I'm looking forward to some cooler weather as we've had it on the warm side here in SW Florida & I need the change.

Hi RichC,
first, I'm very envious; I'm doing the same trip but not until April--I can hardly wait. I, too, check the web cam daily and it usually looks pretty smooth.
Just a point about the splash pool area; the Sun Class ships have a nearly identical arrangement(deck and splash pool on top of the Horizon Court, all the way foreword). I was on Sea Princess in the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera and that was the most under-utilized part of the ship, but not because of the temperature--it was the WIND! It was almost always very windy. I don't know if this is the case with Island Princess; just a thought.
Have a wonderful trip and I;ll look foreword to your comments.

I just checked the web cam again & it's 12:30 their time headed for Ensenada. It looks warm with calm seas but there's still no one in the splash pool or deck chairs. I'll check it out tomorrow & let you know why. It must be cool although it 75 degrees in LA today. Strange.

Well, RichC,
today's the day!
I'll be watching the web cam at exactly 16:00 and expect to see you by the splash pool, waving back (that's WAVING, RichC, not MOONING!).
Have a great trip, and keep us posted.

Well I found out why there were no people in the splash pool- ITS COLD. Possibly when we get closer to Hawaii it'll be better. This evening (8:30 PM our time)the Lotus pool is open & it's probably 58 degrees with a swirling wind.
Check in took us 1 1/2 hours- we arrived at 1:10 PM. There was no line at 3 PM. Either plan to arrive before 1 or after 2:30 to miss the crowds. The sea is fairly calm with only a slight rocking motion. No one mentioned the Norovirus outbreak a few weeks ago but they did have us fill out the standard form as to if we had been sick in the past few days. There's plenty of anit bacterial lotion being squirted when entering the buffet lines & re entering from the opposite direction. More tomorrow.

Hi RichC,

Thanks for the report. Were you standing by the splash pool yesterday when the ship sailed? I thought I saw a few people waving to the web cam.

We appreciate you taking the time to report. Please continue. We are on the same ship in March, and look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great cruise!

I was just up at the splash Pool (10:30 out time)& it's again to cool to even consider using. There are only 3 or 4 people in the Lotus pool & 1 or 2 in the outdoor pool. There all to cold for my taste being from Florida. Air temp is around 65 or so but sunny. The best place is on my balcony in the sun.

RichC about 320 miles from LA in the Pacific.

Hi RichC,
sorry the pools are still to cool for you; it should start warming up. Just checked the web cam and the sea looks very calm. Glad you are enjoying your balcony. I intentionally booked port side in the hope of capturing morning sun and being somewhat wind-protected; hope I was right. Also hope to enjoy long sunsets on the return trip. What's your location on the ship?
Anyway, hope you're having a great time, and keep the posts coming: I'm getting a lot of vicarious enjoyment from them!!
Happy sailing!