Transatlantic crossing

[AtMaui]

A friend and I are considering doing the TA on 3/22/10 on the Mariner. For those of you who have done this, what is the weather like? Can you be out on deck? I realize it's the southern Atlantic and not the northern Atlantic, but how rough are the seas?

[dougburns]

Should be fine. End of March is a bit early, but if there isn't a major frontal system trailing across the Atlantic at the time it should be OK. We've done several on Mariner, Voyager and Diamond. Spring is much better than Fall. Temps will generally be in the low to mid 70s.

[BGSS]

If you are taking a TA to Europe, you will be in the North Atlantic since you are north of the equator.

[San Jose King]

We did the most recent Atlantic crossing on the Voyager arriving in Ft. Lauderdale on 12/2/2008. It was the 4th time we had made that trip. Crossings are great if you like those sea days. The ship always has a large group of lecturers so that is always a plus. The thing about the weather is that it is changeable and very quickly. The seas were fairly calm and we had rain showers almost every day. There were times when you could sit around the pool and enjoy the sun and at mid day have lunch in the open pool area. Some brave folks did venture into the pool. Next year we will try a crossing of the Pacific on the Navigator.

[Hambagahle]

We were on the May 1 sailing this year on the Navigator, Ft Lauderdale to Monte Carlo. This crossing, like the Mariner march one in 2010, takes a southerly route across the North Atlantic. In fact from Bermuda to Funchal you are practically always on the same latitude. Our experience was wonderful. Very calm seas and sun - temperatures 24-28C.

This was May. In November '06 we crossed on the Voyager from Rome to Ft L. Seas not so calm as this May, but not nearly as rough as rounding Cape Horn. All that said it really depends on the weather patterns on the day - seas can vary from rough to smooth. Temperatures for a late March crossing are obviously not going to be as high as those we experienced in May. I would look at both the Bermuda and Funchal climate statistics and then assume that you will get about the same for March as they give. As to seas - take seasickness pills and sea bands with you and hopefully you won't have to use them!!

[JoAnne B]

March is a bit earlier than usual, and from experience of many spring crossings, I would expect it to be a bit chilly with a higher likelihood of hitting some rain and wind. Probably not much laying out in the sun by the pool. It's so much nicer when the crossing is later, but for whatever reason, March it is!