Differences on a Trans-Atlantic?

[dakrewser]

We're doing our first T/A cruise (Ryndam on April 1) and was wondering if there's more/different things added to the daily schedule for those 7 days-in-a-row at sea...

[aliaschief]

Love your Avatar! Differences? Last May we did a TA on the MS Rotterdam and really enjoyed it.

The cruise was pretty much the same type events that we have experienced on other cruises. There may be some more special dining offerings, lunch buffets, maybe a Black & White Ball in the Crows Nest on one of the formal events.

Our first four days out of Port Everglades we had nice weather but the last four days we sailed into a weather system and experienced high winds and seas up to 30 feet high. The ship handled the rough seas really well but the indoor pool had to be shut down and the outside decks were put off limits.

We love sea days and it does not take much to entertain us. Having the friends we met from our Roll Call and Meet & Greet really enhanced the cruise.

[kazu]

We love Transatlantics:D Well, the daily activity is sort of the same as sea days. I did notice more cooking demonstrations and that type of thing. There was bingo, trivia, etc. There were also some fantastic buffets on the lido. We also had several lecturers. My first transtlantic - I said what am I going to do all day??:confused:

We loved it. The days flew by and we try to do one as often as possible.

hope you have a good time:)

[RuthC]

Two big differences I've found on trans-At's are the lecture series and the port lectures.

There have been as many as three different Explorations lecturers giving a series of lectures on varied topics as we cross The Pond.
The port lecturers, not the same people as the Explorations lecturers, give interesting talks on the ports, what to do there, how to get around---things like that. They are NOT the usual shopping talks one finds on Caribbean cruises.

[mabert]

On the Prinsendam TA, we had fabulous lectures and there was a Bridge instructor with duplicate bridge as well as beginners and intermediate classes.

I cant wait to retire and take TA twice a year. Despite the dicey weather that we had on ours.

[MadManOfBethesda]

I cant wait to retire and take TA twice a year. Despite the dicey weather that we had on ours.

Why limit yourself to only two? :D

Last year was my first full year of retirement and my wife and I took three TAs, one eastbound and two westbound. :D

[Tarpeian Rock]

On our Eurodam TA in 2010, there was a series of extra-cost wine tastings with food pairings that we enjoyed very much. There was also a limited-availability dinner featuring 5 or 6 paired wines with some fantastic food. (As you can tell, we're foodies.) There was also much peace, quiet, and relaxation.

As a side note, my wife attempted to sign up for the cooking classes and found that they had been completely filled before the ship even left Ft. Lauderdale.

Enjoy!

[kazu]

On our Eurodam TA in 2010, there was a series of extra-cost wine tastings with food pairings that we enjoyed very much. There was also a limited-availability dinner featuring 5 or 6 paired wines with some fantastic food. (As you can tell, we're foodies.) There was also much peace, quiet, and relaxation.

As a side note, my wife attempted to sign up for the cooking classes and found that they had been completely filled before the ship even left Ft. Lauderdale.

Enjoy!
a very good point for the op - if you like either cooking classes or the ship tour (both with a cost, but most think it`s worth it) sign up as soon as you can:) Fair winds and following seas. Transatlantics are an experience unto themselves:D:D

[Katie333]

I can't speak to a HAL TA so this may not be very helpful. Having done one on Princess and also a lot of 7 day itineraries on the same, I found the TA had a lot more activities and a lot more variety.

I loved my TA and can't wait to do it more often once I retire.

[dakrewser]

Thanks everybody, we'll look forward to a slightly enhanced schedule - and more time to sleep in, and close up the lounges!

[yiddishkopf]

My SO and I are also on the 4-1-TA. My favorite activities are trivia and reading -- I'm presently filling my kindle with a lot of good (hopefully) books and especially looking forward to our 8 hour tour of the Normandy beaches (private tour with a group from the roll call board.) If they have a beginners bridge group I might try it. Many years ago my late husband and I played duplicate bridge but we decided that being bridge partners was second only to wallpapering together was the shortest road to divorce!

[numbersix]

Keep in mind, though, that , on an eastbound crossing, you'll lose an hour each night, for a few nights. So--short days, but easily mitigated by an afternoon nap!

We did our first TA last May on teh Celebrity Equinox--and loved it!

Enjoy yours!

Kevin

[dakrewser]

Still beats flying, Kevin, where we've lost 9 hours on a 10 hour flight!

[kazu]

Still beats flying, Kevin, where we've lost 9 hours on a 10 hour flight!


That is one of the big pluses - in fact if you want to compare it to flying business class - a transatlantic is a cost savings;) I like to think as cruises as business class - not economy. No question, relieves the system and gives you a chance to wind down.

[gigianne]

I consider myself a newby to TAs having just completed one last November. I was not sure what we would do to occupy our time for 7 days - however what we found was quite the opposite - not enough time! We had a fabulous presence of CC members on board - 110 signed up for the M&G. Shakespeare organized a gift exchange followed by lunch in the MDR (28 participated and attended). Lots of time for reading, getting to know people and just plain relaxing. We enjoyed it so much that we are doing it again - east bound this time and hopefully with calmer waters!!

[Caribbean Chris]

Keep in mind, though, that , on an eastbound crossing, you'll lose an hour each night, for a few nights. So--short days, but easily mitigated by an afternoon nap!

Kevin

Last April 2011, we took the wonderful Ryndam TA and loved every minute of the 21 days. BUT the losing an hour was done during the DAY, not at night as we had expected, per past experience with westbound clock changes.

Usually about 2 pm, ship's clocks were reset on specified days, as announced in the daily program.

I enjoyed taking daily walks around the promenade to balance all the eating. It can be cool, windy and sometimes misty, so pack for it. Weather caused our Captain to deviate so we missed Madeira. We had spectacular Spring weather in the Portugal and Spain ports as well as Bruges. Hit some cooler, wet days in France. All good.

Take that Kindle to the Explorations Cafe, stretch out on a leather Eames chair facing the sea, and enjoy a latte for me.