QueenofKrakatoa Posted February 5, 2016 #1 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Hey folks! Last year my family and I did Alaska for the first time and loved it. This year my husband and I are thinking of doing the Brilliance on Oct 17th. We've never done a TA before; what are they like? I know there's not as many ports, obviously, but I'm sure there's other things going on to make up for that. I'm just curious to see what kind of experiences you've all had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjnj40 Posted February 5, 2016 #2 Share Posted February 5, 2016 keep in mind that leaving the USA is cheaper then returning. I check their prices all the way to final total. It on my bucket list to do out one day. From what i heard there possible of seasick because you need to travel at the right time of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenofKrakatoa Posted February 5, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted February 5, 2016 That's a really good thing to know, about the prices that is. I'm not horribly worried about sea sickness because neither myself or my husband get motion sickness. I always pack some queasy drops and Dramamine just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjnj40 Posted February 5, 2016 #4 Share Posted February 5, 2016 When you come back it the port charges that is high. Even plane is expensive coming back. I can never figure out why it cheap leaving but cost us more to get back even if we lived in this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumbaamd Posted February 5, 2016 #5 Share Posted February 5, 2016 If you are flying over to Europe, find a 5, 6 or 7+ day cruise there (Med, Baltic,etc.) that easily connects to "OR" continues on as a TA. We did a Voyager 8 day Med Cruise from Venice to Barcelona. While you are in Europe make it worthwhile and spend some time there. Our continuing TA from Barcelona on Voyager was a 12 day TA to NOLA via Canary Islands and a stop in Nassau. Prepare for lots of sea days. Check all this out carefully and have a great time! Rick and Deirdra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 5, 2016 #6 Share Posted February 5, 2016 If you are flying over to Europe, find a 5, 6 or 7+ day cruise there (Med, Baltic,etc.) that easily connects to "OR" continues on as a TA. We did a Voyager 8 day Med Cruise from Venice to Barcelona. While you are in Europe make it worthwhile and spend some time there. Our continuing TA from Barcelona on Voyager was a 12 day TA to NOLA via Canary Islands and a stop in Nassau. Prepare for lots of sea days. Check all this out carefully and have a great time!Rick and Deirdra Was that the Voyager TA in Oct 2011? We were on that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenofKrakatoa Posted February 5, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'd love to do a back to back like that, but I'm not going to get more time off work than I'm getting. But that'd be amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 5, 2016 #8 Share Posted February 5, 2016 When you come back it the port charges that is high. Even plane is expensive coming back. I can never figure out why it cheap leaving but cost us more to get back even if we lived in this country. I'm not sure that is at all accurate. Laura is coming back from Rome this October and at one time insides were $499 for 14 days. Hard to get cheaper than that. Also the airfare from Orlando to Rome is $470 one way. Once again pretty cheap. I believe it all depends on when you book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenofKrakatoa Posted February 5, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'm getting a quote from my travel agent for $1400 for us both, which is a REALLY good price, but the airfare is really expensive. I'm still shopping around for air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Hill Cruisers Posted February 5, 2016 #10 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Because we're retired, we have the time for trans-Atlantic cruises. We often use a trans-Atlantic as a way to go to or come back from Europe. After all, an interior cabin on a trans-Atlantic beats first-class air any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 5, 2016 #11 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'm getting a quote from my travel agent for $1400 for us both, which is a REALLY good price, but the airfare is really expensive. I'm still shopping around for air. Be sure to look at Royal's Air2Sea: http://www.choiceair.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjnj40 Posted February 5, 2016 #12 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'm not sure that is at all accurate. Laura is coming back from Rome this October and at one time insides were $499 for 14 days. Hard to get cheaper than that. Also the airfare from Orlando to Rome is $470 one way. Once again pretty cheap. I believe it all depends on when you book. thank forgot to read the small print. i thought the total was for one person not two oopps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenofKrakatoa Posted February 5, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Yeah Air 2 Sea is pricing out a bit better than going through the airlines themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bosjoe Posted February 5, 2016 #14 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'm getting a quote from my travel agent for $1400 for us both, which is a REALLY good price, but the airfare is really expensive. I'm still shopping around for air. Trying booking one way from the states to Brilliance. Then do a separate airfare back home from the states, this is usually the cheapest way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bosjoe Posted February 5, 2016 #15 Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) Trying booking one way from the states to Brilliance. Then do a separate airfare back home from the states, this is usually the cheapest way. Sea- Barcelona Oct 15 starting at $557 Choiceair Tampa to SEA Oct 31 Starting at $167 with a Non Stop on Alaska at $210 (hipmunk.com) Edited February 5, 2016 by Bosjoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mek Posted February 5, 2016 #16 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Just my 2 cents worth, but I've been on Brilliance in the Med and have done an E bound TA on Liberty OTS and there isn't any way I would want to have that many days at sea on Brilliance - just not enough to do for me. It would have to be on a Voyager class or larger, unless you're really into just chilling out for many days in a row. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Hill Cruisers Posted February 5, 2016 #17 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Just my 2 cents worth, but I've been on Brilliance in the Med and have done an E bound TA on Liberty OTS and there isn't any way I would want to have that many days at sea on Brilliance - just not enough to do for me. It would have to be on a Voyager class or larger, unless you're really into just chilling out for many days in a row. I just love the sea days. Can't get enough of them. Reading my Kindle on the promenade deck and falling asleep with my mouth agape. And there's the tutti salads for lunch in the MDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 5, 2016 #18 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Keep a close eye on the Cruise Compass. We have found activities on transatlantics that we don't often find on shorter cruises, such as progressive trivia, enrichment lectures, dancing with the stripes, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumbaamd Posted February 5, 2016 #19 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Was that the Voyager TA in Oct 2011? We were on that too. Yes! How did we miss each other? Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 5, 2016 #20 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Yes! How did we miss each other?Rick I don't know. We were in Viking Crown almost every evening. That cruise had the best Dancing with the Stripes.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mygo1999 Posted February 5, 2016 #21 Share Posted February 5, 2016 keep in mind that leaving the USA is cheaper then returning. I check their prices all the way to final total. It on my bucket list to do out one day. From what i heard there possible of seasick because you need to travel at the right time of the year. We are doing a TA from Barbados to Southampton in March, when doing any TA there is always the possibility of rough weather. There is an advantage of travelling East to West, that is East coast USA is five hours behind UK and six behind Europe so going East to West you get an extra hour for five/six days of the cruise......However going West to East you lose a hour for five or six days, but they are sea days so you don't have to get up early. Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 5, 2016 #22 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Keep a close eye on the Cruise Compass. We have found activities on transatlantics that we don't often find on shorter cruises, such as progressive trivia, enrichment lectures, dancing with the stripes, etc. Oasis did progressive trivia on our April voyage. We won :D Indy did it as well on a 6 day. Won that as well ;) I think the key is to get a diverse group and don't miss a round. Celebrity did one that was both trivia, scavenger hunt (think Quest) and physical activities. That was over 15 days, had to mix it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 5, 2016 #23 Share Posted February 5, 2016 We are doing a TA from Barbados to Southampton in March, when doing any TA there is always the possibility of rough weather. There is an advantage of travelling East to West, that is East coast USA is five hours behind UK and six behind Europe so going East to West you get an extra hour for five/six days of the cruise......However going West to East you lose a hour for five or six days, but they are sea days so you don't have to get up early. Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk For those leaving from the states a benefit is arriving in Europe with no jet lag. I think that makes up for losing a few hours. Plus the weather is nicer in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 5, 2016 #24 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Oasis did progressive trivia on our April voyage. We won :D Indy did it as well on a 6 day. Won that as well ;) I think the key is to get a diverse group and don't miss a round. Celebrity did one that was both trivia, scavenger hunt (think Quest) and physical activities. That was over 15 days, had to mix it up. I think we need you two on our transatlantic trivia team.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mygo1999 Posted February 5, 2016 #25 Share Posted February 5, 2016 For those leaving from the states a benefit is arriving in Europe with no jet lag. I think that makes up for losing a few hours. Plus the weather is nicer in my opinion. I must admit that was something I hadn't thought about but that might be because I'm lucky in that it doesn't affect me much. The last couple of years in March we have had good weather I hope it's the same this year. Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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