Transatlantic Weather November 2005

[sheribrian]

Hi

 

We are debating between the November 2005 Transatlantic from Lisbon to Miami and the Jan 3/06 10 day Caribbean. Never been on Oceania nor on a transatlantic. We love sea days.

 

Have been on X, Princess, RCCL, and NCL with X being our runaway favourite so far.

 

So, any experience with Transatlantic weather in November, coming west?

 

And on Oceania transatlantics, what types of activities are available for the crossing?

 

Thanks

 

Sheri and Brian

[Druke I]

We made a Nov 95 crossing on Maasdam, Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale via the Azores.

 

Very smooth to the Azores, then we hit an Atlantic storm, which was fairly rough. Ship took on water through the hawsepipe (anchor chainway), and some 6 or 8 cabins forward on Main Deck flooded, to a depth of about 6 inches. Our cabin was one of those flooded.

 

Luckily, there were empty cabins available, and we were moved quite efficiently.

 

We have made several trans-Atlantics, at various times of the year, and I think sea state and weather is a crap-shoot. You never know what you might get.

 

Perhaps our roughest Westbound was Aug 02, on Golden Princess, when we hit two Atlantic storms. Several windows along Prom deck shattered, as the ship was fighting for headway. Bowslap spray was raining down on our balcony on C Deck (deck 10). Several passengers took spills, and there was at least one broken arm. Storms put us 6 hrs late into NYC.

[sheribrian]

We made a Nov 95 crossing on Maasdam, Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale via the Azores.

 

Very smooth to the Azores, then we hit an Atlantic storm, which was fairly rough. Ship took on water through the hawsepipe (anchor chainway), and some 6 or 8 cabins forward on Main Deck flooded, to a depth of about 6 inches. Our cabin was one of those flooded.

 

Luckily, there were empty cabins available, and we were moved quite efficiently.

 

We have made several trans-Atlantics, at various times of the year, and I think sea state and weather is a crap-shoot. You never know what you might get.

 

Perhaps our roughest Westbound was Aug 02, on Golden Princess, when we hit two Atlantic storms. Several windows along Prom deck shattered, as the ship was fighting for headway. Bowslap spray was raining down on our balcony on C Deck (deck 10). Several passengers took spills, and there was at least one broken arm. Storms put us 6 hrs late into NYC.

 

 

Any good weather experiences?

[Druke I]

Good weather experiences? Yes, of course.

 

Mar 98, Royal Princess, Buenos Aires Argentina to Recife Brazil, across South Atlantic to Dakar Senegal, and then up to to the Med at Barcelona Spain. The weather was with us, and the seas were smooth.

 

Aug 98, Royal Princess, Southampton to NYC via Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland. Foggy, but smooth, until last section between Newfoundland and NYC, where it got a little bumpy. Royal Princess has a much finer/liner like hull than either Maasdam or Golden Princess, and takes to bumpy water well.

 

We have had several trans-Pacifics as well, and most have been smooth.

 

Took little Pacific Princess (new), Tahiti to Sydney, Nov 03, and she rode the ocean well also. Even the Tasman Sea was calm when we crossed. She is a sister to the Oceania ships.

 

Again, sea state is a crap-shoot, and can change from one moment to the next.

[chanterd]

We crossed the Atlantic last November on the Millennium Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale via St. Thomas VI. Smooth as glass all the way, couldn't believe how calm it was, not even ocean swells! BTW what was also surprising was how warm it was, sea temperature was in the high 70's which made for very pleasant air temps night and day. Of course if we had run into a storm which is always possible would have been a different story.

[HowardB]

I guess by now you can figure out that the weather, as far as storms/rough seas is variable (though the temps. should be pleasant). It really is luck of the draw.

 

I can help with your other question - what activities will there be in November - since I was on the t/a crossing from Barbados to Barcelona in March (and will also be on the Lisbon to Miami trip in November.

 

The were quite a few daytime activities scheduled each of the sea days, with many of them repeated each day. Activities held just about every day included: competitions for shuffle board, ping pong, golf putting;

classes for computers, arts and crafts, bridge, aerobics and other exercizes. Also, there was a daily trivia contest where passengers were split into teams - this was the most popular daytime activity, with about 80 participants daily.

 

Activities scheduled less often included:

A guest speaker (former diplomat) three or four times

A cooking demo - once

An ice sculpting demo - once

Art auctions (a few times)

Bingo - maybe half of the days

 

In the evening the was a string quartet, a 12 piece band (who sometimes would play by the pool during the day), and a one main show each evening.

 

Let me know if you have any other specific quesitons. The trip was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend it.