??s and thoughts about Transatlantic cruising...

[amybear912]

We are considering a transatlantic cruise for 2009...

 

I realize that these types of cruises are more Sea Day intensive with fewer ports... DH loves this idea... I'm a bit hesitant... especially when I see 5 or even 6 Sea Days in a row... How do I keep myself from throwing him overboard after 3 Sea Days;)

 

So I'm interested in your TA experiences... best routes, best ships, what you do during those continuous sea days, differences in what the ship offers as far as dining, activities... tips, suggestions, recommendations... I want it all!

 

Please share your transatlantic escapades... I want the good and the bad...

[montekat]

The ships doing the northern route have more ports and fewer sea days. The TA we did in 2005 and will be doing again this Sept. is a 12 night cruise from England which goes to France, Ireland, Wales, Canada and then ends in Boston. There are only 3 consecutive sea days. The ships doing the southern route have more sea days.

[Mines]

If it helps, you can see my review of the Splendour of the Seas transatlantic here:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=36452

 

We only had three sea days in a row, but if there were six I would not have been bored at all. We loved the sea days. I brought four books and only had time to get through half of one of them.

 

You need to be careful of weather conditions. The North Atlantic is much rougher than the South. Those that go from Europe past the Canary Islands and then across to the Caribbean (or vce versa) wll normally have calmer waters than those further north. Also, as a general rule, the bigger the ship the better for stability.

 

We had beautifully calm seas throughout our journey.

 

We chose the Spendour for its itinerary, wanting to go to South America. Just for the ship, we would have preferred one of the larger vessels.

 

Look out too for some good deals, as transatlantics seldom get fully booked. There was a fantastic offer on Legend's sailing to the Caribbean from Barcelona on 1st December 2007 for less than $500 for 15 nights, with nine ports of call. Now that's value for money!!:)

[negc]

We have done three TAs and are scheduled to go on our fourth next September. All have been on the northern route and the first, on the Brilliance of the Seas, was seven days with no port calls between embarkation In Harwich, England and debarkation in Boston, MA. It was fabulous and we never had any concerns about being bored or not being able to find things to do. Because we were at sea on the first anniversary of 9/11, they even held a very moving memorial service honoring those who lost their lives in that tragedy. Our more recent TAs included port calls in LeHavre (for Paris or Normandy), Plymouth or Falmouth, England, Dublin and/or Cork, Ireland, St. John's, Newfoundland or Saint John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Last year there were two very interesting lecturers, one of whom offered a series of talks about the NASA Space Program, while the other, noted cruise ship historian and writer, John Maxtone Graham, who related fascinating history of transatlantic crossings.

On two of our three crossings we did encounter a day or two of rough seas, but the ships handled them quite well and most of us were unaffected by the movement of the ship that resulted from the high seas (60 foot swells in one instance). The seas on the other crossing were much calmer since the only tropical storm that was active at the time was well to the south of us and did not impact our cruise.

The ships that we sailed all had covered solariums so even when the air was a bit chilly (and it was never really cold) we could relax and make use of the pool in climate-controlled comfort.

A side benefit of westbound transatlantics is the extra hour that you gain on each of five of the nights you are onboard. Those of us who live near Boston have the advantage of only needing a one-way air ticket. We also take a morning flight to London to get us there in the evening in time to get to our hotel and grab a quick drink or bite to eat before going to bed, so that the next morning we arise rested and refreshed and ready to see the sights.

I definitely recommend going a few days early because there is so much to see in London or wherever you begin your journey.

Don't be intimidated by the number of sea days. There are plenty of things you can do to fill the time. The shops and the casino are open and the Cruise staff has scheduled plenty of fun and interesting activities to keep you occupied. Then again, curling up with a good book on your balcony or by the pool is a perfectly agreeable way to spend your time.:)

 

The value of both the pound and the euro is much greater than our US dollar so a cruise along with some of its excursions can be a less expensive way to visit Europe this year.

[Host Kewlguy]

We personally will not do any more North bound transatlantic's again. We did three in the past two years and the weather was horrible. The one Southern crossing we did we had beautiful weather. We'll be sticking with the Southern crossings in the future.

[negc]

We personally will not do any more North bound transatlantic's again. We did three in the past two years and the weather was horrible. The one Southern crossing we did we had beautiful weather. We'll be sticking with the Southern crossings in the future.

 

 

Chicken!:D:D:D

[mommabean]

We are considering a transatlantic cruise for 2009...

 

I realize that these types of cruises are more Sea Day intensive with fewer ports... DH loves this idea... I'm a bit hesitant... especially when I see 5 or even 6 Sea Days in a row... How do I keep myself from throwing him overboard after 3 Sea Days;)

 

So I'm interested in your TA experiences... best routes, best ships, what you do during those continuous sea days, differences in what the ship offers as far as dining, activities... tips, suggestions, recommendations... I want it all!

 

Please share your transatlantic escapades... I want the good and the bad...

 

My thoughts exactly. ;) I'm booked but still very nervous about all the sea days. I've never been bored on a ship but.........that's a lot of sea days. :eek:

 

I can't wait to read more thoughts about the southern routes with more sea days.

[madforcruising]

I´ve planned my 4th and 5th crossing for this year. I agree that a northern route can be a little more rough than a southern route, however where the fun without feeling the motion:D .

 

I love those sea days and I´m not afraid about having only sea days on the QM2 crossing with actually not a single port of call :cool: .

[powelweb]

negc-

 

Did you do any Normandy beach excursions while in LeHarve?

 

I'm on a TA on X this spring and we stop in Cherbourg, so I'm trying to see if there would be any private tours available- we're only in port for 6 hours though.

 

TIA and happy sailings,

Wendy

[dak_friendly]

I did an 11 night West-bound Transatlantic on the Brilliance in November of 2005. It was remarkably wonderful and would recommend a transatlantic to anyone that wants to reach a point of total relaxation.

 

The only minor downside involved getting Barcelona where the ship was departing. Finding a cheap flight takes patience. Sometimes a round trip is cheaper than a one-way (go figure). Also, depending on the airline, there may be luggage restrictions. I also took the opportunity to spend some days in London and Barcelona before the ship departed so that added some hotel/restaurant costs.

 

That particular cruise had two stops in Spain (Malaga and Alicante) and also stopped in Lisbon, Portugal. Each port was a great chance to walk around and enjoy the sights and feel of a historical city. Even in November, the weather was fine. Lisbon was beyond a treat, just wonderful.

 

---

 

You're on a cruise so you don't have to worry about food, making up your room, etc. It's all done. Just throw all of that out of your mind. As far as the back to back sea days though ... add to that having 25 hour days due to moving west through all the time zones. Tack on not having to worry about living by a schedule and you begin forgetting what life was like before the cruise. You just reach this state of bliss.

 

Oh yeah, that feeling usually kicks in on the second day at sea.

[Sue L]

Hi Amy,

 

 

I am on the same TA as Negc, Montekat and Madforcruising in Sept and what is nice about our itinerary is that we have 3 sea days and stop in Newfoundland and then 2 days at sea so it is broken up a bit. My Panama cruise had 2 sea days i n a row and I LOVED it so I know I will love the 3. It was so relaxing not having to get up early for a port and worrying about staying up late because of early port times.

[bilyclub]

I would do a southern crossing. The weather is better and there is plenty to do on the ship. The casino is open almost all the time. I took the E/B on Brilliance in April and even though the C/D was terrible, there was still enough to do on the sea days.

[Host Kewlguy]

Hi Amy,

 

 

I am on the same TA as Negc, Montekat and Madforcruising in Sept and what is nice about our itinerary is that we have 3 sea days and stop in Newfoundland and then 2 days at sea so it is broken up a bit. My Panama cruise had 2 sea days i n a row and I LOVED it so I know I will love the 3. It was so relaxing not having to get up early for a port and worrying about staying up late because of early port times.

 

Just be sure to bring plenty of bonine. :)

[Host Kewlguy]

I´ve planned my 4th and 5th crossing for this year. I agree that a northern route can be a little more rough than a southern route, however where the fun without feeling the motion:D .

 

I love those sea days and I´m not afraid about having only sea days on the QM2 crossing with actually not a single port of call :cool: .

 

I don't mind some motion but it would be nice to see the sun occasionally. Couldn't even wear my sunglasses. ;)

[Sue L]

Just be sure to bring plenty of bonine. :)

 

 

I love when it rocks and rolls, never been bothered and with some of the sailings I have been on I would know by now.

[Host Kewlguy]

I love when it rocks and rolls, never been bothered and with some of the sailings I have been on I would know by now.

 

I have many friends on that Jewel transatlantic. Even considered booking it. But we decided we had to cruise Alaska in September 2008 instead. :)

[Sue L]

I have many friends on that Jewel transatlantic. Even considered booking it. But we decided we had to cruise Alaska in September 2008 instead. :)

 

 

 

Did Alaska this past August, it is amazing! No picture you ever see will do it justice.

[Host Kewlguy]

Did Alaska this past August, it is amazing! No picture you ever see will do it justice.

 

That's what I've heard. Can't wait. Also congratulations on quitting smoking. I quit over 15 years ago. :)

[alexkrn46]

You think you'll be bored but there is plenty to do. We enjoyed our Navigator TA cruise, even though the weather was horrible.

[danfiveoh]

I started a thread, then found this one. Gotta start doing a better job of searching..... :)

I'm close to booking the Voyager, leaving in April from Galveston to Barcelona. Can any of you tell me what temps to expect on all those sea days?

[ziggypup]

I started a thread, then found this one. Gotta start doing a better job of searching..... :)

I'm close to booking the Voyager, leaving in April from Galveston to Barcelona. Can any of you tell me what temps to expect on all those sea days?

 

 

Looks like an interesting itinerary. I don't think I could handle the 8 of the 13 days cruising at sea. I would call that the soul searching cruise......lol.

 

If you hang out long enough, you can ride her back to Galveston on a 15 nighter back out of Barcelona on Nov 29.

 

OTJ Danfiveoh?

[danfiveoh]

Looks like an interesting itinerary. I don't think I could handle the 8 of the 13 days cruising at sea. I would call that the soul searching cruise......lol.

 

If you hang out long enough, you can ride her back to Galveston on a 15 nighter back out of Barcelona on Nov 29.

 

OTJ Danfiveoh?

 

 

Well, trying to figure out a nice trip for our 25th, but with all those sea days, I don't know if there would be a 26th... :)

and yes, 23 years OTJ

[negc]

negc-

 

Did you do any Normandy beach excursions while in LeHarve?

 

I'm on a TA on X this spring and we stop in Cherbourg, so I'm trying to see if there would be any private tours available- we're only in port for 6 hours though.

 

TIA and happy sailings,

Wendy

Last September, we hired a retired British Army colonel to take us on a tour of the beaches at Normandy. As things turned out he was incapacitated but sent two of his colleagues to drive us and aid us on our tour. It was a wonderful experience and around the same price as what was being charged for a similar tour booked through the cruiseline and it took us places where a tour bus would not have been able to access. We referred some folks who will be with us next September to the same gentleman but in their correspondence with them it appears that he has increased his rates considerably and they have chosen to look elsewhere for a suitable guide. If you want, I will try to find the contact information that we had, but based on our most recent information, I am not sure that I can any longer recommend him.:(

Not long after we did the tour the film "Saving Private Ryan" was shown on TV and it was even more moving to watch it and see it with a new perspective, having actually visited the sites of the invasion.

[ziggypup]

Well, trying to figure out a nice trip for our 25th, but with all those sea days, I don't know if there would be a 26th... :)

and yes, 23 years OTJ

 

Yeap, that's a lot of sea days amigo. I could probably deal with it if the weather top side was warm enough to relax outside. But that time of the year cruising with a sweater on is just not for me.

 

Still OTJ? I was OTJ, but now retired. 20 and out as they say. I retired at 46 and loving it.

[danfiveoh]

Yeap, that's a lot of sea days amigo. I could probably deal with it if the weather top side was warm enough to relax outside. But that time of the year cruising with a sweater on is just not for me.

 

Still OTJ? I was OTJ, but now retired. 20 and out as they say. I retired at 46 and loving it.

 

I kinda figured the weather would be cold, that is why I was looking at a more southern route. But I agree, something just aint right about wearing a sweater on a cruise.....

can't think of anything I would rather be doing right now. Out here the days of 20 and out are long gone....