Transatlantic Rome to Tampa

[larry_s_taco]

We have cruised before, but never transatlantic. We are flying to Rome, and sailing back to Tampa, FL. What are the advantages/disadvantages to port side or starboard side for this type of cruise? We don't really want the sun on our balcony during the afternoon so we thought the port side would be the best. We are concerned however that it may be too cool to use the balcony without the sun in the afternoon.  What are your experiences with this type of cruise? We are sailing Oct 22. 

[navybankerteacher]

In late October the sun is getting lower and the Atlantic is starting to cool. A port side balcony will give you whatever sun there is -- and a starboard side one will likely be cooler.  (What makes you think the port side would be cooler?) 

 

Remember: the sea water temperature is likely to be in high 60's - low 70's - meaning the air you will be passing through will be comparable.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, larry_s_taco said:

We have cruised before, but never transatlantic. We are flying to Rome, and sailing back to Tampa, FL. What are the advantages/disadvantages to port side or starboard side for this type of cruise? We don't really want the sun on our balcony during the afternoon so we thought the port side would be the best. We are concerned however that it may be too cool to use the balcony without the sun in the afternoon.  What are your experiences with this type of cruise? We are sailing Oct 22. 

You’ve got it backward. Crossing westward would have the sun on the port side since the sun “crosses” the southern sky.

[larry_s_taco]

12 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

In late October the sun is getting lower and the Atlantic is starting to cool. A port side balcony will give you whatever sun there is -- and a starboard side one will likely be cooler.  (What makes you think the port side would be cooler?) 

 

Remember: the sea water temperature is likely to be in high 60's - low 70's - meaning the air you will be passing through will be comparable.

Thanks. Good info.

[larry_s_taco]

12 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

You’ve got it backward. Crossing westward would have the sun on the port side since the sun “crosses” the southern sky.

Oops. You are absolutely correct.

[wowzz]

If you opt for a starboard balcony you will constantly be in the shade, and will get very little use out of it. You might just as  well  save your money and go for an ocean view cabin.

[Clay Clayton]

On 2/28/2022 at 10:06 AM, wowzz said:

If you opt for a starboard balcony you will constantly be in the shade, and will get very little use out of it. You might just as  well  save your money and go for an ocean view cabin.

Disagree. We have done TAs both directions in Spring and in Fall and have always chosen the non sunny side.  We find that the sun is usually too hot on the southern route one takes from the Med across the Atlantic.  While sometimes we have to put on a jacket in the evening, we spend lots of time on our balcony. 

[wowzz]

6 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Disagree. We have done TAs both directions in Spring and in Fall and have always chosen the non sunny side.  We find that the sun is usually too hot on the southern route one takes from the Med across the Atlantic.  While sometimes we have to put on a jacket in the evening, we spend lots of time on our balcony. 

Understood. However,  it was December when we did our TA round trip,  so temperatures were  somewhat cooler!  

[Clay Clayton]

6 hours ago, wowzz said:

Understood. However,  it was December when we did our TA round trip,  so temperatures were  somewhat cooler!  

Our westbound was in late November and since we were fairly far south, it was always relatively warm.  Obviously weather can always vary. And if you did a roundtrip in December, I presume a portion of it was on Cunard with a Northern crossing from the UK to NY. That would definitely be cooler/colder than a crossing from Rome to Tampa. 

Edited March 6, 2022 by Clay Clayton

[wowzz]

5 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Our westbound was in late November and since we were fairly far south, it was always relatively warm.  Obviously weather can always vary. And if you did a roundtrip in December, I presume a portion of it was on Cunard with a Northern crossing from the UK to NY. That would definitely be cooler/colder than a crossing from Rome to Tampa. 

No, a round trip to the Caribbean and back from Southampton for 23 days.

[rowell]

We are thinking about TA cruise from Tampa to Rome in April or May. The plane is then to spend about another week or 2 in and around Rome. It has been suggest to fly to Rome then cruise back to Tampa. That would put us in Rome around the November, the concern is the weather at that time of the year. 

Dose anyone have any commit or experience in Rome in November.  We would fly into Rome a week or 2 before the cruise. 

thanks Pam

[Clay Clayton]

6 minutes ago, rowell said:

We are thinking about TA cruise from Tampa to Rome in April or May. The plane is then to spend about another week or 2 in and around Rome. It has been suggest to fly to Rome then cruise back to Tampa. That would put us in Rome around the November, the concern is the weather at that time of the year. 

Dose anyone have any commit or experience in Rome in November.  We would fly into Rome a week or 2 before the cruise. 

thanks Pam

We weren’t in Rome but we did spend a week in Tuscany prior to departing from Rome on a TA that got us back to Miami the last week of November. We found the weather pretty perfect for sightseeing. We only needed a light jacket at night and during the days, short sleeved shirts worked well.  I also felt like there were less tourists then than in the early spring. 
 

If you decide on the spring crossing, be sure to look at the timing of Holy Week depending on whether it’s important for you to be there or if you want to miss the large crowds. 

[basenji56]

17 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Disagree. We have done TAs both directions in Spring and in Fall and have always chosen the non sunny side.  We find that the sun is usually too hot on the southern route one takes from the Med across the Atlantic.  While sometimes we have to put on a jacket in the evening, we spend lots of time on our balcony. 

I totally agree.  I always book the north facing veranda to minimize the sun.  Still get some but not all day.  The last thing I want to do is slather myself in sunscreen to enjoy the balcony.