Seeking info/advice re NCL transatlantics

[Turtles06]

Hi folks -- we are veteran NCL cruisers, but haven't taken a transatlantic with NCL and are thinking about booking one. We love sea days, but with seven or so in a row, we also enjoy having some activities during the day (that aren't bingo).

 

For those who have done a crossing on NCL -- is there more going on during the day than the "bingo" type standard NCL cruise fare? (Not talking about evening entertainment.)

 

For example -- we just did an eastbound TA on the Celebrity Eclipse, and there were several interesting lecture series (including one by a photographer and one by a historian), as well as a lecture series called "Oceans Ahead," in which the ships officers talked about a fascinating range of topics, from navigation to waste disposal.

 

What could we expect during the day on an NCL transatlantic?

 

Also, anything special about doing a TA on the Epic? (I'm not sure that ship is for us, but we are keeping on open mind in our research. :))

 

This forum is a great resource; thanks in advance for any info and advice!

[Mystic cruisers]

We've done 3 T/A's, one each on NCL, Princess and Celebrity. The daytime activities on each of those cruises were pretty much the same. Fitness/yoga in the morning, pool deck games in the afternoon, trivia contests, port talks and lectures, movies, etc, in addition to the bingo and art auctions. Plus if you join your CC roll call, you'll have lots of opportunities to get together with your new friends.

 

Enjoy.

[2inTul]

We have done three transatlantic sailings on NCL and haven't noticed any activities that were much different than what you would find on a regular sea-day on a normal cruise. There may have been a few more activities but I did not notice that they were of a vastly different type just the regular activities. No lectures that I can remember.

[bluesea777]

We went on Epic Westbound TA last October and had a fab time - there was a LOT to do - and not enough time! We never attended any Bingo sessions (not interested).

 

That said, we're repeating it this October.

 

Bear in mind, the bigger the ship is, the more activities are.

 

There are cooking demos, martini/wine/whisky/beer clinics, trivias (a few times per day), behind the scene tours, to name a few.

 

Last year's Halloween was during the cruise and it will happen again this year's TA. Whole ship was decked out and the staff dressed up - and the winners went to the Casino staff!! There were Halloween parades for the pax in several different categories - excellent costumes were worn by the pax.

 

Prices are good as it's a repositioning cruise, but the air may not be - unless you have enough miles for one way air from USA to BCN (it's 20,000 miles pp on AA).

 

One more thing about this cruise is we stop in St. Thomas before Miami, meaning the ship sails in SW direction from Azores and there are warm and sunny days!

 

And one good thing about the EPIC is the variety of dining venues - it's a real holiday!

[evgal/nj]

we've done several ta, celebrity,holland america,ncl, rccl,all westbound. hal had the most activities during the day, altho not that well attended, ???

 

ncl is our fav & like bluesea777 we'll be on the epic this fall,.

we like ncl b/c of the causual attitude & dinning alternatives.

on all the ncl ta's we've done, ncl has offered 2for1 pricing @ the speciality restaurants during the crossing, it was usually for between 5 & 6 pm daily.

 

another west bound + are 25 hrs long sea days during the crossing,lol [b/c of the time changes ]

 

good luck which ever line you choose i think you'll love the westbound ta

[bluesea777]

we've done several ta, celebrity,holland america,ncl, rccl,all westbound. hal had the most activities during the day, altho not that well attended, ???

 

ncl is our fav & like bluesea777 we'll be on the epic this fall,.

we like ncl b/c of the causual attitude & dinning alternatives.

on all the ncl ta's we've done, ncl has offered 2for1 pricing @ the speciality restaurants during the crossing, it was usually for between 5 & 6 pm daily.

 

another west bound + are 25 hrs long sea days during the crossing,lol [b/c of the time changes ]

 

good luck which ever line you choose i think you'll love the westbound ta

 

Hi there!!

 

Yes! I agree on the 25 hour days - we had no less than 6 on the cruise and we had bonus 7th the night we debarked in Miami as the Daylight Savings Time ended that night!

[SuiteCruiser]

Hi there!!

 

Yes! I agree on the 25 hour days - we had no less than 6 on the cruise and we had bonus 7th the night we debarked in Miami as the Daylight Savings Time ended that night!

 

 

I'm really excited about hearing this as I too will be on the same cruise :) forgot about the time changes, that is fantastic. As well, just checked and DST ends on the day we get back again :)

[Turtles06]

another west bound + are 25 hrs long sea days during the crossing,lol [b/c of the time changes ]

 

 

Yes, the one drawback to our eastbound TA was losing an hour every other night for nearly two weeks. I definitely would like to do another TA, but it will surely be westbound... :)

 

Thanks everyone for all the info provided above.

[go fish 44]

We have done many TAs and had many different lecturers on board and the best one we ever had was on the Jewel John Maxtone Graham. So yes NCL has great lecturers. Certainly the Best Halloween Party with everyone getting in on the fun.