The idea that "worse things happen at sea" is a truism and we rely on cruse lines to look after our health and safety when we're on board. FOCLs' demographic as a whole tend to be less agile and less able to cope in physically challenging situations. We are likely to potentially see some damaging winds, the possibility of some brief power interruptions, particularly in Irish sea coastal areas," Mr Morgan said. That seems to us to be a pretty fair speed for one of the Grand old Ladies of the sea these days. So things may not be as bad as some on other places would have them seem.

We’ll finish this list of quotes about rough seas with this one which offers a great mantra to live by. No matter how bad times get, we should refuse to let things get us down. The area’s unpredictability has resulted in many a merchant vessel floundering on its way from the UK to the Mediterranean or the Canaries. Square riggers had problems being unable to make way to windward after having been driven into the Bay and often ports became inaccessible because of the rapid build up of Atlantic Swell. Modern yachts, with their more efficient rigs and the help of good weather forecasting, should not have quite the same problems, but there have nevertheless been several occasions of yachts getting into difficulties with sometimes fatal consequences. Cook Strait, between North & South Islands of New Zealand The lightning phenomenon has become a part of the tales of the indigenous people of the area and a huge draw to tourists who now come on special trips to watch the natural display. The local fishermen profit from the light display as they are able to navigate at night without any problem. Port George lV, Western Australia

However, the facts are that less than seven month ago the Maritime and Coastguard Agency detained the Balmoral at North Shields after the ship failed a Port State Control (PSC) inspection.

J.K. Rowling is a British author, best known for the Harry Potter series. This quote is from the third book of the series: ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. We've seen one unverified report of a "porthole" on the main being blow in/out yesterday evening and mention of a Hele-vac from the same source. We've also seen another report praising the professionalism of the Captain and the crew. He added: "In addition to the winds, there's going to be some large waves as well, so some big stormy seas, and therefore there might well be some coastal flooding where the waves break on to promenades and on to coastal roads."The famous quote about ships being safe in a harbour means that it’s better to get out and do the things that you want to do rather than sit and do nothing. Even if you fail, at least you’ll have tried and you’ll have learned something in the process. Some cruisers who were onboard seem to have questioned why the ship sailed right into a severe storm which was forecast which was before the ship left the last port of call. Others have praised how well the Captain and crew handled the Balmoral in such a challenging situation. We've seen one report that passengers' injuries ranged from sprains to broken bones. One guest, who sustained significant injuries... reportedly transported to the hospital upon arrival in Dover. Today the Balmoral had planned to be in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria but currently the ship is still on the quay at Getxo and is reporting 6.5 m/s winds from the West and rough seas. HMS Endymion rounding the Horn – Drawing by Herbert Roxby, Wikimedia Commons) Irminger Sea, between southern Greenland & Iceland

Many of us are going through difficult times right now and this list of quotes about the sea is intended to encourage and inspire you. According to Windfinder, the winds on the North coast of Spain are forecast to significantly subdue in the early hours of Sunday. Offshore speeds of about 25 - 30 knots seem to be more likely by midday on Sunday... but still these winds will be from the West. Yes, I realised you were going with an on line system, which often does not change straight away. From what people were told on the ship, it seems there have been a number of different plans, which had been informed to passengers, as I had mentioned. The Captain certainly seems to be good at giving them information at least, it is always extremely annoying to be kept in the dark in rough seas. The phrase ‘terrible loyalty’ seems a bit odd, because ‘terrible’ usually means something bad. However, in this context, it means something more like ‘inescapable’. Because life is rough and we’re all in it together, we have no option but to co-operate and show each other kindness.

The main thing is that the ship, the passengers and the staff are safe... and for that we are grateful. Lewis Carroll is the pen-name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson, the English writer best known for the Alice in Wonderland books. We hope that FOCLs are looking after the Balmoral passengers very well and that they're able to make the best of things.