Experienced Transatlantic Cruisers

[Kleasie]

Hi

 

Currently researching my next cruise to book and tossing up between an Asia and Transatlantic cruise. Would love to hear from experienced cruisers!

 

For those of you who have done transatlantic, what are the best and worst things about the cruise? What do you think the best itinerary is?

 

I'm in my early 30's and my husband in his 40's. I've heard that the longer the cruise the older the crowd tends to be. Do you still get a good mix of age ranges on the longer cruises?

 

One of the things that really appeals to me about transatlantic is it's so cheap especially compared with the transpacific cruises that leave from Sydney (I'm in Australia so they are a lot closer).

 

Hoping the collective wisdom of cruisecritic members can help steer me in the right direction - there is just so much to choose from!

 

One last question - I'm booked on the solistice in March and wondering if there is any real benefit booking on board or do you just wait until a great promotion comes up?

[sailnjmom49]

Hi

 

 

As a rule the age on Transatlantic is older than a normal cruise because the time of this cruises. However, first these cruises are price very lower because of the time of year. Personally my husband and I are in our early 60s, we love these cruises. Our fall cruise will be our fourth TA. Love the sea days, especially since Celebrity brings on four speakers who talk in the late morning and early afternoon. Also the CD has some of the normal evening shows in the afternoon or on the pool deck. If you are thinking of doing a TA like any other cruise waiting till the last minute could results in a very low price but you will not get the cabin you want. Also I suggest you take a TA that goes from Europe to Florida because each day you have an additional hour of sleep.

The fall crossing from Europe to Florida are warm once you pass Portugal.

If you are thinking of taking a TA north to New York be prepared for very rough seas. We once take a TA from Rome to New Jersey, 30 foot seas. Not an issue for us but half the ship have quite bad sea sickness.

sailnjmom49

[CathyCruises]

Hi

 

Currently researching my next cruise to book and tossing up between an Asia and Transatlantic cruise. Would love to hear from experienced cruisers!

 

For those of you who have done transatlantic, what are the best and worst things about the cruise? What do you think the best itinerary is?

 

I'm in my early 30's and my husband in his 40's. I've heard that the longer the cruise the older the crowd tends to be. Do you still get a good mix of age ranges on the longer cruises?

 

One of the things that really appeals to me about transatlantic is it's so cheap especially compared with the transpacific cruises that leave from Sydney (I'm in Australia so they are a lot closer).

 

Hoping the collective wisdom of cruisecritic members can help steer me in the right direction - there is just so much to choose from!

 

One last question - I'm booked on the solistice in March and wondering if there is any real benefit booking on board or do you just wait until a great promotion comes up?

The spring TAs are past final payment date now and are very cheap. 14 nights on silhouette for $749 today with the senior rate. But I'm afraid your savings would be eaten up by airfare from Oz. Just for fun I checked, Sydney to Fort Lauderdale, then amsterdam back to sydney on choice air, and it was over $2000. For comparison, our airfare from San francisco to FLL was $154, and our return air from Europe will be in the $550 range.

 

As far as booking goes, the fares have come way down since final payment date has passed. A few weeks ago the cheapest balcony was $1799, so if you can wait to book you can find great deals.

Edited February 15, 2015 by CathyCruises

[Kleasie]

Thanks for the responses so far.

 

I agree airfare is expensive from Australia to everywhere, this is something we have just learned to live with being so isolated from where most of the good cruises leave from. I'm envious of a $154 airfare to get to a cruise! It's going to cost us approx. $600 for return flights from Brisbane to Sydney for our march cruise and it's only an hour and a half flight :)

 

There are so many places I would love to cruise but the TA appeals because to me it's all about the cruise and not so much the destinations. We loved our sea days on Equinox - easily our most relaxing holiday ever.

 

After hearing the responses so far, and info on a thread I started about the royal suites in M class ships, I'm tending to lean towards the TA in a royal as a bit of a splurge because the S class ships seem a lot more spacious and luxurious.

 

I'm becoming a bit cruising obsessed :D

[knittinggirl]

Our TA had five ports of call; it was 16 days with seven sea days in a row. We had time changes several days in a row. We got the cruise the first day it appeared, and it jumped $600 the very next day! But the really interesting thing was when we booked it, the JS (Royal Caribbean) was only $20 higher than the balcony! So, be sure to check all the categories!

 

The other tip was packing clothes. We thought it would get colder a lot faster than it did. We only brought one set of warm weather clothes, and it stayed warm for at least three or four days.

Edited February 15, 2015 by knittinggirl

[teecee60]

Celebrity Constellation has a 13 night transatlantic leaving Fort Lauderdale on 9 April, followed by a 12 night Med cruise, round trip Rome on 22 April. Ports are Madeira, Gibraltar, Alicante, Rome, Athens, an overnight in Canakkale Turkey, an overnight in Istanbul, Santorini, Naples and Rome.

 

The price for BOTH is only $1436pp with $625 OBC. (with shareholder credit) Choice Air from SYD-MIA and FCO-SYD is $1887pp.

 

Not bad for 25 nights on Celebrity WITH roundtrip airfare from Australia. ;)

 

Some people swear by booking future cruises on board, I think it does nothing but guarantee that you will overpay.

 

If you are looking for relaxation, TAs can NOT be beat! They swap entertainers in Madeira so there is always something new.

Edited February 15, 2015 by teecee60

[CathyCruises]

Thanks for the responses so far.

 

I agree airfare is expensive from Australia to everywhere, this is something we have just learned to live with being so isolated from where most of the good cruises leave from. I'm envious of a $154 airfare to get to a cruise! It's going to cost us approx. $600 for return flights from Brisbane to Sydney for our march cruise and it's only an hour and a half flight :)

 

There are so many places I would love to cruise but the TA appeals because to me it's all about the cruise and not so much the destinations. We loved our sea days on Equinox - easily our most relaxing holiday ever.

 

After hearing the responses so far, and info on a thread I started about the royal suites in M class ships, I'm tending to lean towards the TA in a royal as a bit of a splurge because the S class ships seem a lot more spacious and luxurious.

 

I'm becoming a bit cruising obsessed :D

I hear you--my daughter lives in Surfers and its a fortune to get her home for Christmas each year! We are very lucky to be able to fly on Virgin out of San francisco, they have great deals. $154 for nonstop coast to coast is unreal. That's over 3000 miles.

 

There are great new suite benefits on celebrity, not sure if you've been following the threads. They take effect on about April 15 this year, so you should be able to take advantage whenever you cruise. This will be our 4th spring crossing, we're addicted. Then we try to have an extended vacation in Europe after we disembark.

 

On our cruise, suite guarantees (Silhouette) are $2700! Probably a sky suite, but still super nice. . .

[cruise kitty]

TA's are wonderful for getting a little bit of Europe mixed in with a lot of relaxation, yes, it's an older crowd (but honestly not any older than any off season Europe itinerary)

 

One thing to keep in mind is that Celebrity TA's, especially the one's out of Rome in the Fall, tend to turn into a giant cruise critic group cruise, which may be good, bad, or have no bearing on your enjoyment. It's something to keep in mind, it's the equivalent of sailing with a large group on board with all that entails.

 

You can't beat the prices & the relaxation, I can't think of a better value in you're looking for a vacation type cruise.

[Kleasie]

I've noticed the TA sailings don't seem to have the 123 offers attached. Is that the norm?

 

What do you think is a good 'deal' promotion wise if you were booking a TA?

[CathyCruises]

I've noticed the TA sailings don't seem to have the 123 offers attached. Is that the norm?

 

What do you think is a good 'deal' promotion wise if you were booking a TA?

 

Yes, it's normal not to have the 123 packages. I think anything under $1000 for a balcony is a great deal.

[Jim_Iain]

I've noticed the TA sailings don't seem to have the 123 offers attached. Is that the norm?

 

What do you think is a good 'deal' promotion wise if you were booking a TA?

 

Unfortunately that is the norm. I have not seen the 123 offer on a TA. Maybe they are afraid the cruisers would drink the ship dry.

[Wj420]

We too, love a trans. Completely agree with others regarding time change and southern route to florida, from Europe. Best way to travel, if a choice. Not everyone is as affected by the time changes.

 

I've never seen the 123. The drink packages on a trans aren't usally offered due to length of trio and number of sea days!

 

We prefer the s class for a trans. We prefer the larger ships woth more to do.

 

Enjoy!

[Nebr.cruiser]

We've done three TA's, all in April because fall doesn't work out for us for various reasons, though I'd love the 25 hour days and warmer weather sailing home.

 

We have gone on NCL, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. All were great. We love all the sea days and the great prices. We've never paid more than $1000 pp for a balcony, and two of the cruises were much less. Celebrity was the highest, but still less than $1000. 123 go isn't offered because the cost is so low to start with.

 

The crowd is older (we're late 60's) as in any longer cruise, but there are always some younger folks on board and a few (very few) kids. There seem to be more activities and more varied shows and lectures.

 

Itinerary depends on just what you want to see. The ports around the Mediterranean will be warmer, England, France and beyond cooler, of course, depending on the time of year.

[LabGuy64]

With all the new perks at RS level if you have a good TA that can get you lot's of OBC you reaqlly don't need programs like 123 go.....I booked a PH and got $1935.00 in refundable OBC so with the new perk package I am MUCH better off then having 123go

 

 

I've noticed the TA sailings don't seem to have the 123 offers attached. Is that the norm?

 

What do you think is a good 'deal' promotion wise if you were booking a TA?

Edited February 15, 2015 by LabGuy64

[Kleasie]

With all the new perks at RS level if you have a good TA that can get you lot's of OBC you reaqlly don't need programs like 123 go.....I booked a PH and got $1935.00 in refundable OBC so with the new perk package I am MUCH better off then having 123go

 

In the past I have always booked vacations direct. I love to research and control things myself and have always sort of had the opinion why have someone else do something I can do myself.

 

I did once enquire about booking a cruise with a TA and they weren't able to offer me a cheaper price or any extra deals/incentives. The other negative for me was that when I book myself you can cancel within the timeframes without penalty but the TA booking fee isn't refundable. Ultimately I ended up not going with the TA.

 

Did I just choose a dud TA? I'm in Australia and am thinking of booking the transatlantic while on Solstice in March. Do you think it's worth shopping around for a TA to transfer the booking to when I get back to land?

 

With benefits like what you described I feel like a bit of a dill for not using a TA myself:)

[varoo]

In the past I have always booked vacations direct. I love to research and control things myself and have always sort of had the opinion why have someone else do something I can do myself.

 

I did once enquire about booking a cruise with a TA and they weren't able to offer me a cheaper price or any extra deals/incentives. The other negative for me was that when I book myself you can cancel within the timeframes without penalty but the TA booking fee isn't refundable. Ultimately I ended up not going with the TA.

 

Did I just choose a dud TA? I'm in Australia and am thinking of booking the transatlantic while on Solstice in March. Do you think it's worth shopping around for a TA to transfer the booking to when I get back to land?

 

With benefits like what you described I feel like a bit of a dill for not using a TA myself:)

You have nothing to lose except a little of your time by checking around to see what various TAs will offer you.

 

Some of the major, reputable US travel agents that offer very attractive perks take customers from other countries.

 

But notice that the previous poster who got the very large onboard credit booked a penthouse suite.

 

In general, we find it most advantageous to use a TA when booking a suite or higher category non-suite cabin or multiple cabins because the more commission the TA is making, the more flexibility they have to rebate part of their commission to you.

 

When we book only one cabin on a last minute closeout special at rock bottom price, that is when we find it hardly worthwhile to bother with a TA at all because the amount they can offer is usually so small. But still, it pays to check.

 

Even at a rock bottom price, we figure it can be worth transferring the booking to a TA if we can at least get prepaid gratuities out of it.

Sometimes they can even offer you a lower price by including you in a group.

 

But always be sure to find out all the TAs terms up front, such as whether or not they charge a fee for processing a change or cancellation, and if there is another agent who will take your call if you should need to call during a time when your regular agent is not available.

 

Edited February 15, 2015 by varoo

[Rob the Cruiser]

It comes down to whether you like sea days or not. DW and I love sea days. Some people we have talked to think consecutive sea days are dreadful. As far as age is concerned, there will be few children on board. We are in our late fifties and didn't notice that the passengers were any older than on our Hawaii or Caribbean cruises.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I've noticed the TA sailings don't seem to have the 123 offers attached. Is that the norm?

 

What do you think is a good 'deal' promotion wise if you were booking a TA?

 

The first year of the 123 go promo they offered the it on TAs, after my 2 crossings they stopped it , wonder why ;)

[Ex-Airbalancer]

. I think anything under $1000 for a balcony is a great deal.

Wow, $1000 , that much :eek:

Is that in USD or CAD ? :confused:

[gordylad]

We just did our first TA last year in October. Really enjoyed the mix of long sea days and ports and for us the attraction of a one way flight back from the USA was a bonus as it allowed us to spend some time there before we flew back. It also gives you the flexibility of spending some time in the departure city if you like.

 

Whether there is a mix of old or younger people it doesn't really bother us we go to enjoy the cruise, take in a show, play the casino and because we can book in the UK we got the free drinks package and have got it again for this year.

[LuAnn]

You might consider a T/P...we have done 3...one from Alaska to Beijing and 2 to Sydney, one left from Long Beach and 1 from San Francisco. If you have not visited the western US states you might fly to CA and then tour around and then board the ship to go home. You'll get Hawaii (several ports) and then South Pacific ports..these were all in the fall.I would guess you might some from OZ to USA in the spring? We love T/As as well...I think..all total we have done about 11, combining both T/As and T/Ps...LOVE those sea days!! I agree re the hour time change ...it is far easier coming from Europe west bound re that hourly time change!!! LuAnn

[4774Papa]

We have done two TAs. One east bound where the B2B was a British Isles cruise, the second was a North Sea, North Atlantic, British Isles then a TA westbound.

 

I think the east bound where the main cruise is after the TA was better, but both were good.

 

It was just that the 28 days ending with many sea days was a bit long. Still, we enjoyed both, but more the main event after the TA.

[LabGuy64]

I think these cruises have been traditionally lower in price because the company was forced to move the ships ..so the cost was already figured into operating expenses....and...at least in the past, there were fewer ports visited....of course the less pleasent weather at the time of most TA's also figure into the equation

 

 

Hi

 

 

As a rule the age on Transatlantic is older than a normal cruise because the time of this cruises. However, first these cruises are price very lower because of the time of year. Personally my husband and I are in our early 60s, we love these cruises. Our fall cruise will be our fourth TA. Love the sea days, especially since Celebrity brings on four speakers who talk in the late morning and early afternoon. Also the CD has some of the normal evening shows in the afternoon or on the pool deck. If you are thinking of doing a TA like any other cruise waiting till the last minute could results in a very low price but you will not get the cabin you want. Also I suggest you take a TA that goes from Europe to Florida because each day you have an additional hour of sleep.

The fall crossing from Europe to Florida are warm once you pass Portugal.

If you are thinking of taking a TA north to New York be prepared for very rough seas. We once take a TA from Rome to New Jersey, 30 foot seas. Not an issue for us but half the ship have quite bad sea sickness.

sailnjmom49