Why is my cruise ship shaking so much?

This movement is largely due to the friction of the water upon the sides of the ship. The layers of water in immediate contact with the hull tend to cling to it, and are dragged along with increasing velocity, until at the stern of a long ship they are traveling approximately at the same speed as the vessel.



Excessive shaking or vibration on a cruise ship is usually caused by cavitation, propeller pitch, or engine maneuvers. When a ship is traveling at high speeds or making up for lost time, the rapid rotation of the massive propellers can create air bubbles (cavitation) that "implode" against the hull, causing a rhythmic shuddering, especially in the aft (rear) sections of the ship. Another common cause is the use of bow and stern thrusters during docking or undocking; these small, powerful propellers create significant sideways turbulence that can be felt throughout the vessel. On older ships, vibration can also stem from "mechanical unbalance" in the engine mounts. In 2026, many modern ships use "Azipod" propulsion which is much smoother, but if you feel a sudden, intense shaking, it is often just the ship "braking" or "backing up" using its engines to adjust its position in the water or to maintain safety in a crowded port.

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Waves and wind push against a ship, causing the vessel to rock. This is caused by waves moving in the same direction as the vessel. Pitch: This is the movement of a ship going up and down.

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If you know the rocking of the waves might upset your stomach, plan ahead by packing some medication for seasickness. Antiemetic drugs, or medicine that keeps one from feeling nauseous, are readily available over the counter in drug stores nationwide.

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“Ships at sea do feel earthquakes, and if you're directly above an earthquake, they make a lot of noise,” Heaton said. “It's been reported that sailors think they've run aground and usually try to figure out what it is that they've struck, but it's really an earthquake,” Heaton added.

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The only way that a cruise ship would be able to be flipped over is if it took the wave hit perpendicular on the port or starboard side, along the beam. Most of the time, ships will aim to hit a wave bow-first.

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Once back on shore, most people “get their land legs back” within two days. People with MdDS still feel like they're rocking and swaying, even though they're no longer on a ship. Less common MdDS triggers include: Flying in a plane.

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In 2023, a decade-high number of cruise ships have reported an unwelcome passenger on board: norovirus. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years.

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The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

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Generally, modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers and advanced technologies to minimize rocking and improve passenger comfort. In most cases, passengers may feel gentle swaying or motion, especially during rough seas, but it is typically not severe enough to cause discomfort for the majority of travelers.

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When the stabilizers aren't needed, they are retracted into the vessel's side. Older and smaller ships are less likely to have this technology and are much more apt to feel the motion of the ocean. A mega-ship, such as Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, might just be the best cruise ship to avoid seasickness.

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How Common is it to Get Sick on a Cruise? 15% of people have reported feeling seasick while onboard. In our experience we can add an other 10% of passengers that will suffer from other illness, such as colds, flu and hangovers.

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The disorder is called mal de debarquement syndrome. “It is a phenomenon that isn't fully understood,” says audiologist Julie Honaker, PhD CCC-A, Director of Cleveland Clinic's Vestibular and Balance Disorders Laboratories. “We think it may have to do with the brain rather than the inner ears.”

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Caribbean Seasons
Rain is more frequent in the wet season, but the temperatures are warmer. Wet season and dry season are both good times to cruise the Caribbean. The worst time for a Caribbean cruise weather-wise is August to September, as it is peak hurricane season.

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If a storm is threatening the area a ship was scheduled to sail to, cruise lines will reroute the ships if the forecast is severe enough. While cruise ships can typically outrun most storms, passengers may still experience rough seas as their ship skirts the edges of a weather system.

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In a dire scenario, a cruise ship could sink in a hurricane. But before you cancel all your future cruise plans, know this: it's highly unlikely. Cruise ships are built like fortresses. They boast stability, seaworthiness, and a bucket-load of safety features to help them ride out even the angriest storms.

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The average speed of a modern cruise ship is roughly 20 knots (23 miles per hour), with maximum speeds reaching about 30 knots (34.5 miles per hour). How fast a ship is able to sail depends on several factors, including the power of its engines, the weather and the conditions at sea.

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