How do you plan for a transatlantic cruise?

[SelectSys]

Just booked my first transatlantic cruise for this coming April. I have taken a variety of cruises in the past and I am wondering how, if at all, do you plan for this cruise versus a "normal cruise" where only a couple of days will pass between ports. My first thoughts are having more to read.

 

Also, how does the atmosphere on board change? More relaxed? Less formal?

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[taglovestocruise]

Just got off the Allure of the Seas TA, had 11 sea days with the last eight all in a row. The only differences seems to be that it is a slower pace, a older crowd, and a lot less kids. We now cruise mostly for the sea days so no problem with boredom. This was our 3rd TA and we pack less clothes each time, I don't think we took any more then for a 7 day, All three TAs have had great weather, just a fyi, if you are on the port side of the ship you will never see the sun. Also on a TA they always seem to run out of fruit, tomato juice and butter.. don't know how they keep the salads fresh but they do.. happy cruising

[SPacificbound]

It looks like you have 7 sea days up front and then several ports the rest of the way.

 

The first day or two decompress, get familiar with the ship, check out the Compass each night for the next day's offerings...or just laze around, read and nap, check out the shows and bars. After that you will have your rhythm.

 

I love sea days! :)

[crystalspin]

Load up your Kindle, take knitting or other pastime, and have a wind-proof outer layer.

 

Be active with your Roll Call; attend M&G.

[pris993]

We don't plan a lot differently, have done a few TAs. With sea days get into a routine, i.e., get up around same time, have breakfast in the cabin, walk main deck if possible, take in a talk, movie, shop on board... whatever, take a nap late afternoon, have a cocktail while getting ready to go to dinner, dinner and a show. Very relaxing day...

[Keith1010]

We don't plan too much differently.

 

We just make the ship the destination since we will spend more time on the ship than during a port intensive cruise.

 

Keith

[navybankerteacher]

Just got off the Allure of the Seas TA, had 11 sea days with the last eight all in a row. The only differences seems to be that it is a slower pace, a older crowd, and a lot less kids. We now cruise mostly for the sea days so no problem with boredom. This was our 3rd TA and we pack less clothes each time, I don't think we took any more then for a 7 day, All three TAs have had great weather, just a fyi, if you are on the port side of the ship you will never see the sun. Also on a TA they always seem to run out of fruit, tomato juice and butter.. don't know how they keep the salads fresh but they do.. happy cruising

 

We've done six T/A's, two on Cunard, two on HAL, and one each on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. We've never run short on fruit, etc. Of course, the port side will not give you sun on an eastbound, but is exactly what you want westbound. You will want to plan on using laundromat or ship's laundry - unless you travel heavy. Generally the atmosphere is what you would expect on any sailing of the particular line - no more or less formal than on a shorter itinerary.

 

We prefer westbound T/A's because you get the flight over with first, you generally have better weather in the fall in Europe than in the spring, you have warmer seas on the crossing, and you have a number of 25 hour days, as opposed to 23 hour days eastbound due to time zone changes.

[Markanddonna]

I don't often participate in roll calls for 7 days or less, but your cruise critic friends become much more important on a TA. So, get on the roll call and participate in the activities. I find that I exercise more as I get into the sea days routine.

 

The TA groups often do some wonderful excursions together and they are often superior to those offered by the ship. We like to stay at the "CC popular hotels".

 

I am in the minority with eastbound or westbound. I find that losing the 5 hours on the eastbound is insignificant when compared to the 384-460 hours we are on the ship. I prefer getting over my jetlag while onboard during those two weeks prior to setting foot in Europe.

Also, it depends when you go each season. A later fall sailing often has gloomy and some rainy days versus early in the fall, just as an arrival in Europe in May can be like heaven!

 

The crowd on most TA's leans to a 55-75 years old crowd but they are often physically active. The few wheelchair people on our last TA were younger people which broke that stereotype!

 

One thing I expect to NOT see on a TA are those fake comfort/emotional support dogs. I doubt our European friends allow that sort of thing, but I could be very wrong! BTW- I am totally in support of trained therapy dogs. I googled to see how easy it was to get certification on the "honor system" and buy the vest and registration for your doggie.

Edited December 9, 2015 by Markanddonna

[SelectSys]

Thanks to all that have replied. I think I am going to bring fewer things and just depend on the ship's laundry. Also, I may just break down and buy and finally buy an e-reader.

 

...just a fyi, if you are on the port side of the ship you will never see the sun... happy cruising

 

Is that because the sun is always to the south side of the ship? If you do see the sun, is it too hot? I would think the "sunny side" is better. Comments?

[taglovestocruise]

Thanks to all that have replied. I think I am going to bring fewer things and just depend on the ship's laundry. Also, I may just break down and buy and finally buy an e-reader.

 

Is that because the sun is always to the south side of the ship? If you do see the sun, is it too hot? I would think the "sunny side" is better. Comments?

 

Exactly, sunny on the portside traveling west, and sunny on the starboard side going east. Yes it can get hot when there is no cloud cover, the window area heats up because the sun seems to always be just below the shade provided by the balcony's above. We always find plenty of time to enjoy the balcony and the sun, enjoy your TA. RCCL always has a laundry special around the last days of the first week, ask your room steward..

[shipgeeks]

Our observation is that evenings are more formal than on other (ie, Caribbean) cruises. Few if any Hawaiian-type shirts, more women in dresses or nice pants outfits every evening.

Creative combinations and light fabrics can keep the packing weight down, if that's important. DH kids me about how many shoes and dresses I pack, but my suitcase has never gone over 32 pounds, so no problem at the airport.

[NMLady]

Just booked my first transatlantic cruise for this coming April. I have taken a variety of cruises in the past and I am wondering how, if at all, do you plan for this cruise versus a "normal cruise" where only a couple of days will pass between ports. My first thoughts are having more to read.

 

Also, how does the atmosphere on board change? More relaxed? Less formal?

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

We've been on half-a-dozen transatlantic cruises and my planning isn't any different than any other cruise, just a couple more mix n match outfits, for a total of ten, using ship's laundry weekly.

 

On every cruise I take OTC meds and a couple paperbacks. Every ship has a library so it's always possible to checkout books to read if you don't have a kindle.

 

There are LOTS of shipboard activities from which to choose.

 

Plenty of time to use the gym, spa, or walk the promenade.

 

The casino is open all day as well as evening and night.

 

Since we are rarely in our cabin, and have an inside one, I don't worry about port or starboard.

I spend the day in some public area, either a quiet one alone reading, or a more public one with others.

Edited December 9, 2015 by NMLady

[crystalspin]

Also, I may just break down and buy and finally buy an e-reader.

 

My mom is a great reader and goes through several paperbacks in a week. She always said, "Don't buy me one of those electronic things!" Well, when we took her on a two-week cruise around Cape Horn, I told her I had a Kindle to loan her... she pouted, but I told her she was welcome to take paper books, BUT she would have to give up clothes or something else, to get the books in the same suitcase+tote.

 

I let that sink in. She came back in a couple of days and said -- "how hard is it to get books onto that thing?" I was able to buy and load four books she hadn't been able to find in second-hand stores. That made her happy!

 

Suffice to say, my 'loaner' Kindle is now her "Book". As in "I need more books on my Book!"

 

Of the several current models, I recommend the Paperwhite with non-backlit screen. "Blue light" from backlit screens can upset your sleep-cycle if read at bedtime... our Kindles are all K2's, from before any Kindles had backlit screens.

[Capt_BJ]

I was e-reader phobic as well ... very happy to just go to the library .... and a rapid reader who can consume a book in a day .....

 

then dw convinced me to do a month long EU vacation which included a river cruise and QM2 TA west back to the states. At this time dd bought me a Kindle.

 

Not only was it PERFECT for the trip - otherwize I'd have needed another bag just for books - it is now my primary reading device. With Amazon Prime and Kindle unlimited I can get all sorts of 'classics' for no charge. And if I run out of books, all I need is a free wifi site and a few minutes . . . .

 

If mine broke, I'd replace it right away .....

 

NOTE .... YOU CAN also load a Kindle reader to an iPAD. DW does that and I'm impressed with the screen quality, but if I lost or broke my basic Kindle, I'd be less upset.

 

**************

and you ain't SEEN a ship library until you see QM2

**************

 

how's THIS for a thread hiJack?

Edited December 9, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[melissagrf]

Nope. I was on a TA, and an American on our cruise tried to bring her "support dog", in a baby stroller, into the Duomo in Florence. I was embarrassed and it wasn't even my dog. No dogs in churches, lady!

[calliopecruiser]

I too don't like e-readers, but my fall-back is audiobooks. I sit and watch the ocean go buy while I listen to a good book.

[SelectSys]

Thanks for all your help. I think I will try and get a starboard cabin. I have never had a problem with the room being hot - even in the Caribbean - with the sun out.

[flamomo]

I've done 3 westbound T/As and loved them.

I am booked on and eastbound one in April on Princess, and am dreading the 6 time changes going east. (The changes on a westbound give you an extra hour of sleep each time, and that's very nice.) I am not looking forward to losing an hour of rest each time it changes going the other way. My internal clock s going to be soooo messed up!!

[GUT2407]

Same as any other cruise.

[jamessemaj]

I have done 4 TA, 3 to Europe and 1 to USA. Just a few thoughts...I was not prepared for the cool weather and would suggest a light cover. I bought a jacket on the ship which I still use. The time change to the east is like 7 time changes. It will affect you. But TAs are my favorite cruise. I would do 2 every year, spring and fall, if not for the horror of the air travel.

[TheOldBear]

I have done 4 TA, 3 to Europe and 1 to USA. Just a few thoughts...I was not prepared for the cool weather and would suggest a light cover. I bought a jacket on the ship which I still use. The time change to the east is like 7 time changes. It will affect you. But TAs are my favorite cruise. I would do 2 every year, spring and fall, if not for the horror of the air travel.

 

That's why we are looking into a summer round trip TA - no flying [only an hour's drive to Brooklyn] and port visits in Halifax and Southampton.

[SelectSys]

I've done 3 westbound T/As and loved them.

I am booked on and eastbound one in April on Princess, and am dreading the 6 time changes going east. (The changes on a westbound give you an extra hour of sleep each time, and that's very nice.) I am not looking forward to losing an hour of rest each time it changes going the other way. My internal clock s going to be soooo messed up!!

 

I am thinking it will be OK as the change is fairly gradual. I like that my cruise has 3 days in the Canary Islands to acclimate more before heading to Italy.