Transatlantic Lisbon to Brazil November

[jkscov]

Hi, I'm considering a transatlantic crossing with Celebrity  - Portugal to Brazil, via the Canaries.

As a single traveller the holiday price is almost double to start with, so I need to be careful with my budget. I'd rather splash out on excursions in Rio and Buenos Aires. So, I can afford to either have a balcony cabin (and relax more on sea days in a more comfortable private space) OR I can opt for inside cabin and have the drinks package. Much as I'd love to I can't afford both. 

I'm familiar with the ship and both types of cabin already, but I really could do with some advice on what the weather/seas can be like on this crossing? Are the seas generally so rough and weather cold and blustery that the balcony doesn't offer much value for the 6 back to back sea days? Or can I hope for a few 'sit on the balcony with a book days' prior to arriving in Brazil?

Likewise I find when I'm travelling with friends/family I make good use of the drinks package. However, sitting alone in a bar as a lone woman can loose its magic. So when I travel alone I drink less. 

Deciding between drinks or balcony is presenting a difficult dilemma this time. And for me, its an expensive decision to get wrong. 

Any advice from fellow sailors who are familiar with this route in late November would be appreciated. I just don't want to sacrifice drinks for a balcony only to find ship is too rocky or cold to actually use it. 

Many thanks. Jo

[Arizona Wildcat]

Asking about the weather months ahead is impossible.  Do you know the Captain can change the course to avoid much rough weather.  You never know.

Drinks vs balcony is a personal choice.  Do you tend to lounge in your cabin?  Or be in the lounges?  Inside ok.  Oceanview are a good compromise.

Have done some dozen TAs and 3 cruises to Antarctica.   Some gave been smooth as glass.  On two others was rough enough that some were seasick.

[D. B.]

49 minutes ago, jkscov said:

Hi, I'm considering a transatlantic crossing with Celebrity  - Portugal to Brazil, via the Canaries.

As a single traveller the holiday price is almost double to start with, so I need to be careful with my budget. I'd rather splash out on excursions in Rio and Buenos Aires. So, I can afford to either have a balcony cabin (and relax more on sea days in a more comfortable private space) OR I can opt for inside cabin and have the drinks package. Much as I'd love to I can't afford both. 

I'm familiar with the ship and both types of cabin already, but I really could do with some advice on what the weather/seas can be like on this crossing? Are the seas generally so rough and weather cold and blustery that the balcony doesn't offer much value for the 6 back to back sea days? Or can I hope for a few 'sit on the balcony with a book days' prior to arriving in Brazil?

Likewise I find when I'm travelling with friends/family I make good use of the drinks package. However, sitting alone in a bar as a lone woman can loose its magic. So when I travel alone I drink less. 

Deciding between drinks or balcony is presenting a difficult dilemma this time. And for me, its an expensive decision to get wrong. 

Any advice from fellow sailors who are familiar with this route in late November would be appreciated. I just don't want to sacrifice drinks for a balcony only to find ship is too rocky or cold to actually use it. 

Many thanks. Jo

As you get farther South the weather will get Warmer as that will be Summer down under.

 If you can stay around in BA after the cruise and visit the Iguazu Falls either on a separate independent  excursion booking or on a Celebrity after cruise option.

 I would take the Veranda over the drinks package. 

 I will be on a Chile to BA on an Eclipse cruise in a few weeks (Solo) and staying on in BA for a few days. It seems Air tickets to or from South America are always expensive. Whatever you do Do Not use COPA airlines. 

 Have a great Cruise!

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Also remember to get your visa for Brazil!  

[Jim_Iain]

Recommend you move over to the Roll Call -   There are already a number of CC members on the roll call and concentrate on this cruise

 

 

[jkscov]

1 hour ago, D. B. said:

As you get farther South the weather will get Warmer as that will be Summer down under.

 If you can stay around in BA after the cruise and visit the Iguazu Falls either on a separate independent  excursion booking or on a Celebrity after cruise option.

 I would take the Veranda over the drinks package. 

 I will be on a Chile to BA on an Eclipse cruise in a few weeks (Solo) and staying on in BA for a few days. It seems Air tickets to or from South America are always expensive. Whatever you do Do Not use COPA airlines. 

 Have a great Cruise!

Thank you for the airline tip. I'm hoping to use my airmiles for return flight to UK. The weather update is helpfull too. Im aware of average climate/temperatures in the Mediterranean,  and can see average temperatures for the South American countries etc. It was just the 'middle 6 days' I was unsure about. My google average weather search for middle of the ocean is throwing up a blank. 

When I did the arctic I knew it would be cold and rocky for sure. 

Thanks for taking time to reply 🙂 

[Host Hattie]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Recommend you move over to the Roll Call -   There are already a number of CC members on the roll call and concentrate on this cruise

 

 

Roll calls are for those already booked, general questions about a route are fine in the main boards.

The OP can join the roll call if/when they book the cruise. 

[the penguins]

5 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

Roll calls are for those already booked, general questions about a route are fine in the main boards.

The OP can join the roll call if/when they book the cruise. 

Really. Many "join" the Roll Call before they book often using this years sailing to help plan next years or last years to help plan this years. 

[Host Hattie]

10 minutes ago, the penguins said:

Really. Many "join" the Roll Call before they book often using this years sailing to help plan next years or last years to help plan this years. 

Yes really. 

[the penguins]

1 minute ago, Host Hattie said:

Yes really. 

So are you are saying it’s against some sort of rule to use a specific Roll Call in the way I suggested?

Hope not as it’s a great source of information.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Just now, the penguins said:

So are you are saying it’s against some sort of rule to use a specific Roll Call in the way I suggested?

Hope not as it’s a great source of information.

I guess they only want you to read the posts but not ask question unless you are on the cruise 

which is silly 😉

[the penguins]

2 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I guess they only want you to read the posts but not ask question unless you are on the cruise 

which is silly 😉

totally agree - asking questions convinced me not to book what would have been our first P and O cruise.

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

Roll calls are for those already booked, general questions about a route are fine in the main boards.

The OP can join the roll call if/when they book the cruise. 

 

Appreciate the input.   I usually post on the roll call the anticipated temperatures  by Googling on each port for average temperature  - Port and Month then Average Temperature.     Sure the OP is welcome to do this on their own.

 

I've never felt restricted to joining a Celebrity Roll Call even if not booked.   I've always been welcomed by the  members.   I often find many on the roll call that can supply me with information I'm looking for.    They have also encouraged me to book a cruise.  

 

I've never seen a CC Guideline restricting roll calls to those that are booked.  If there is one I would certainly enjoy it being pointed out as I always try to follow rules. 

 

 

 

Edited March 23 by Jim_Iain

[the penguins]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Appreciate the input.   I usually post on the roll call the anticipated temperatures  by Googling on each port for average temperature  - Port and Month then Average Temperature.     Sure the OP is welcome to do this on their own.

 

I've never felt restricted to joining a Celebrity Roll Call even if not booked.   I've always been welcomed by the  members.   I often find many on the roll call that can supply me with information I'm looking for.    They have also encouraged me to book a cruise.  

 

I've never seen a CC Guideline restricting roll calls to those that are booked.  If there is one I would certainly enjoy it being pointed out as I always try to follow rules. 

 

 

 

agree with your last point 100%

[Jim_Iain]

I do respect @Host Hattie remark.   I believe her answer was in response of my request of the admin to merge the threads.   She correctly said that it was a proper question in the main Celebrity Forum .

 

I took this as a learning experience and looked up the Guidelines for Roll Call -

Roll Calls

 

Cruise Critic's ROLL CALLS are one of the most popular features within our community. In an effort to keep them fair and as safe as possible, the following is in effect:

• Roll Calls belong to everyone; there is no designated leader or owner. It doesn't matter who started the thread.
• On the other hand, if you are new to a Roll Call take the time to read the thread. Learn who is doing what, who made plans for an event, etc. before jumping in and making different plans
• If you plan an event, be sure to invite everyone!
• Please adhere to cruise line requests regarding setting up Meet & Greets on board. In other words, if they say contact us three (or two or whatever) weeks prior to sailing, don't contact them months in advance.
• ROLL CALLS are for people to get to know one another before their cruise; therefore, there will be all kinds of discussion!

 

While the major purpose of a Roll Call is to get to know other before the cruise -  I've always welcomed others not on the cruise that may have questions before booking.    I hope she will join our cruise and want her to feel welcome.

[Jim_Iain]

On 3/22/2024 at 6:20 PM, jkscov said:

Thank you for the airline tip. I'm hoping to use my airmiles for return flight to UK. The weather update is helpfull too. Im aware of average climate/temperatures in the Mediterranean,  and can see average temperatures for the South American countries etc. It was just the 'middle 6 days' I was unsure about. My google average weather search for middle of the ocean is throwing up a blank. 

When I did the arctic I knew it would be cold and rocky for sure. 

Thanks for taking time to reply 🙂 

 

I've done over a dozen TransAtlantic and of course the conditions can be unpredictable.   I don't think any of us including myself can  answer with certainty what it will be like as this is the first time Celebrity has sailed from Europe to South America.    The last two years they have cancelled the Cruise.  

 

As a general rule -   Southern Crossing are usually very calm    The weather in Lisbon will be on the cool side -   18C/11C (64/53 F)    As we head South  the average temperature in the Canaries will warm to    26/20 C  (78/68 F).   As we head south toward the equator most of the crossings I've been on have been smooth as a lake  but of course there are always possibilities of tropical Hurricanes forming.  

 

While at seat between Canaries to Rio will run 27/21 C   (70 - 80 F)   It will be coming into Springtime in the Southern Hemisphere.   

 

A really good resource is a Website called Windy.Com    You can select the thermometer and click on any point.    the orange shows the warm temperature and they don't vary much on the equatorial zone.   Brazil and Argentina can be quite hot in November / December times. 

 

 

A good

[chemmo]

On 3/22/2024 at 10:28 PM, jkscov said:

Hi, I'm considering a transatlantic crossing with Celebrity  - Portugal to Brazil, via the Canaries.

As a single traveller the holiday price is almost double to start with, so I need to be careful with my budget. I'd rather splash out on excursions in Rio and Buenos Aires. So, I can afford to either have a balcony cabin (and relax more on sea days in a more comfortable private space) OR I can opt for inside cabin and have the drinks package. Much as I'd love to I can't afford both. 

I'm familiar with the ship and both types of cabin already, but I really could do with some advice on what the weather/seas can be like on this crossing? Are the seas generally so rough and weather cold and blustery that the balcony doesn't offer much value for the 6 back to back sea days? Or can I hope for a few 'sit on the balcony with a book days' prior to arriving in Brazil?

Likewise I find when I'm travelling with friends/family I make good use of the drinks package. However, sitting alone in a bar as a lone woman can loose its magic. So when I travel alone I drink less. 

Deciding between drinks or balcony is presenting a difficult dilemma this time. And for me, its an expensive decision to get wrong. 

Any advice from fellow sailors who are familiar with this route in late November would be appreciated. I just don't want to sacrifice drinks for a balcony only to find ship is too rocky or cold to actually use it. 

Many thanks. Jo

Having looked at travelling solo this year and the cost I decided to invite family members to join me. It seemed a waste to me to pay to go solo. Just my personal reflection.

 

I guess your choice will depend on what you enjoy on a cruise. Are you someone who enjoys their own company? Spends lots of time reading, doing crosswords etc? If so then you will get your value from your balcony. Or do you enjoy socialising and enjoying the ship’s facilities?
 

Given the choice if I went solo of a balcony vs drinks package I would go for the drinks package. My reasoning is as follows:

 

I like breakfast on the balcony and sitting out in the afternoon for a while but with six sea days in a row I would want to enjoy the ship facilities. I would want to have a swim in the Solarium regardless of the weather, attend some of the lectures, cooking demonstrations, a quiz or two…As you say, if the weather isn’t good you can’t use your balcony but you can enjoy looking out from one of the lounges etc. Whilst I am not a big drinker I do enjoy the social atmosphere of the bar areas. We have made long lasting friendships over the years in bars…During the day I often get my ‘value’ from a drinks package from coffee, non alcoholic cocktails, water and tea! In the evening I do enjoy a pre dinner drink or a drink in the theatre if watching a show and a glass or two of wine with a meal. I do like ordering what I want without considering the cost…
 

I guess what I am saying (perhaps badly) is the balcony offers ‘my time’ and the drinks package offers ‘social settings’. I do understand your ‘sitting alone at a bar…’ but it doesn’t need to be so. On numerous cruises I have visited bars on my own whilst waiting for others to join me and invariably conversations develop. However, I have also joined the roll call for my cruise and do plan on joining in some organised social events, mixing with others…

 

I don’t think there is any right/wrong answer, just what you will get the most pleasure from…

 

Sincere best wishes for a wonderful cruise!