Must haves for transatlantic cruises?

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Lots of cruise ships are currently repositioning to Europe from the Caribbean -- and with the volcano-induced airspace shutdown still in effect in parts of the U.K., it's possible cruise passengers will get to Europe before folks with flights! It made me daydream a bit about what life would be like if we went back to the days of grand ocean crossings as the primary means of transportation between the two continents.

Alas, air travel is here to stay (at least once that ash cloud clears out). But, for those opportunities we DO have to cross the Atlantic by cruise ship, ocean liner, sailing yacht and so on, what features and amenities are must-haves for the experience? After all, these voyages involve six or more straight days at sea! Is it the pampering spa you'd need most? Variety of dining options?

Vote in the poll -- and then post below the ship on which you'd like to sail across the pond!

[paul929207]

My "other" is someone to direct the daily bridge game.

[cruisemom42]

My other: a well-stocked library.

[UtterCaro]

My other ties into the "robust enrichment program:" more offbeat lectures. The same tired subjects are covered by all the major lines, it seems.

Caro

[EGG]

I agree with all 3 above, someone to direct a daily bridge game, a good library with a swapping program and an enrichment lecturer (not a shopping lecturer).

[Krazy Kruizers]

Casted my vote(s).

Definitely need a room where some of we non-brdige players can play scrabble or other card games.

Having already crossed the pond on the QE2, I would want to do it again on the QM2.

[jocap]

Any ship will do!!!
The best I've been on for enrichment and entertainment was Thomson Celebration, but Ventura was really good; Princess had its moments; NCL -just a few. Louis was a no-no......
So I'll go for the new Thomson Dream, for a trip to Cuba, and the sail back.
Jo.

[Mary Ellen]

Why no 'none of the above'?

[May4]

I chose several from your survey list that would be terrific to have, but my must would be the ship returns to Ft. Lauderdale. Why? Because that way I would only have to fly one way. Sailing east to west gives you the benefit of getting the hard part - the TA flight over with. And one gains hours going in that direction rather than having to set the clock forward.

To state the obvious, I live in Florida and can get home easily from Port Everglades.

[lulubell]

I would love to see more Arts and Crafts lessons on the ships.My family enjoyed the Princess Coral's pottery classes during the Panama Canal crossing very much.I would love to see classes in knitting and quilt making,for example.
Cooking classes would be a great addition too,with the chefs or aides actively teaching cruiseline recipes and or foods from different countries.
Basically anything that can be taught and mostly mastered in a week of classes would qualify,so that passengers can say 'I learnt something new during my time at sea..'

[souyouki]

I chose the following (listed according to the exact order of the original option list, so there will be few numbers skipped)
1) An expansive spa and fitness center
4) A magrodome-covered pool for swimming regardless of weather
5) A robust enrichment program
6) Daily activities and shows/musical performances

I'm in a balcony cabin for my Transatlantic repo cruise next week, because I've been in inside rooms for my three previous cruises, and I wanted to check out what it'll be like. So while I'd like to vote for "A balcony cabin or, better yet, a suite!"... I won't find out until next week or so...

As for "other"... since there's an option for "daily activities and shows/musical performances", how about:
a) nightly activities which guests participate in (e.g. dancing under the stars, karaoke).. not quite sure if this has already been covered under daily activities and shows/musical performance; and
b) afternoon tea (I've always been a fan of that... mmm~)

[JanineM]

The three things I loved most about a transatlantic cruise were:

• A choice for dining. We sailed Celebrity so had the MDR, pasta/pizza buffet, casual dining and Normandie. We enjoyed all of them, and it was nice to have a choice for those days when you just felt like doing something different.
• The enrichment program. I felt really fortunate to sail on a crossing when the CD booked a water colour instructor. We had horrible weather and rough seas, but that completely took my mind off of the rocking of the ocean. It was truly the highlight of the cruise for me, and I wouldn't do another crossing unless there were similar activities.
• A covered pool --- I love the thallossotherapy pools on X's M-class ships. Since this is something I can't indulge in at home, I really enjoy it on the ship. I have a great gym here at home, I have libraries, I can go to concerts - but that pool is unique and it makes the cruise experience special for me.
• Different day and evening activities. I like to get out and do things, DH likes to read. If there are trivia games, cooking demonstrations, etc., it keeps me out of the casino!

I'd pay extra for all of the above. It just makes for a better vacation experience IMO.

[Adri204]

I would like good enrichment programs and history programs. I wonder how they get thier guest lectures. I would love to find out,

Adri

[navybankerteacher]

My only must haves are a ship and a positive attitude.

Then there are several preferences:

A good library, a good mix of passengers, a large table in a good dining room shared with interesting people, some variety of entertaiment, and perhaps a little run of luck in the cafeteria.

[jocap]

Originally Posted by Adri204

I would like good enrichment programs and history programs. I wonder how they get thier guest lectures. I would love to find out,

Adri

Two I've spoken with have agents, because they're on the circuit for after dinner speaking, etc.
The other has a passion for everything Egyptian, and gives talks around her area. She could only think that someone from the shipping line had heard her, or a guest, and booked her.
Jo.

[twopats]

The cruise must have a duplicate bridge teacher to give a lesson in the morning and organize the afternoon bridge play. Some ships, I have heard, are cutting back on bridge teachers which means that ship will not have our business. Trish

[Dezi]

Large wood dance floors, to dance my way across the sea!!! Yea!!

[Go-Bucks!]

As someone who does not like to fly (especially long flights), I'm planning to use ships to travel the world once I'm retired and have the time. I would like to combine ship travel with land vacations.

My next cruise will be my first TA. I'm very excited to only have to fly to London, then cruise home. Because the cruise will be going far north in Sept., I'm hoping that there's a dome over one of the pools so we can enjoy that. Princess usually has many daily activities and I've never been bored. We do have a balcony to relax on too. And this TA makes stops in 6 ports, not just going across the ocean.

[navybankerteacher]

Originally Posted by beachyfe

As someone who does not like to fly (especially long flights), I'm planning to use ships to travel the world once I'm retired and have the time. I would like to combine ship travel with land vacations.

My next cruise will be my first TA. I'm very excited to only have to fly to London, then cruise home. Because the cruise will be going far north in Sept., I'm hoping that there's a dome over one of the pools so we can enjoy that. Princess usually has many daily activities and I've never been bored. We do have a balcony to relax on too. And this TA makes stops in 6 ports, not just going across the ocean.

I hope you are on the port side - for a westbound North Atlantic in September, it's a plus to have the sun on your balcony.