jpkriseddie

I found that because the groups of children are small they are more tight knit. I would guess there were around 40 in total on the Epic

 

 

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Perfect! Some people had experience on TA with no children at all on board or only loke 5-6 of them so i was kind of worry...but hey even if they are only 2 they will have all this babysitters for them:)

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We have been on 2 transatlantics once on the Epic and once on the Liberty of the Seas' date=' both times our children were with us although they were older than 5 at the time. My daughter was in Entourage and our son in Splash the kids clubs are open every day and both our children loved the cruises no less than any other. Our Epic transatlantic was over Halloween and the kids club took them trick or treating and they had a fancy dress party. If your son is okay in childcare and enjoys having you to himself he will love it[/quote']

Hi, thank you soooo much for the info. Yes he loves the splash academy and being on the ship so i also think he will have fun

 

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We are on our first TA the end of this month on the Epic. Large Balcony, just wondering what we should pack? Any tips or ideas are great. Hubby and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary, decided to do this instead of a party. He loves the cigar lounges, I just enjoy being waited on! Can't wait!

Hi:) it would be great if you can tell me how many children did you see in board while on the cruise after you come back :) Epic is wonderful ship! I hope you will enjoy it

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I called NCL this morning. They said yes there are very few children on the TA cruises but even for 1 child the Splash Academy will be open every single day for entertaining.so in the worst case my son will have few entertainers for him self...hahaha. i think he will love the extra attention they will provide for only few children

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Checked Disney they have 11 nights from Barcelona starting 16.SEP 2017 but a balcony cabin is already by over 4000 euro thi is getting very expensive adding flights to BCN and then return from the US to Germany plus drink package we will be by easy 5000 euro....wowwww

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To the original poster - As you have a young son, have you considered a TA on Disney? Previously we've sailed a TA on HAL and decided to give Disney a try last month on Disney Magic's 11-night Barcelona to NYC cruise. We're in our 60's and didn't have any children with us and we were amazed at the amount of activities for both adults and children that were available everyday.

 

We were on a 14-day NCL Alaska cruise (out and back from Vancouver) and decided to book Disney at the last minute (about 3 weeks before the cruise was leaving) as the price was reasonable. The ship was only about 2/3 full - 1800 passengers including 180 children. It looks like the kids were having a great time as the various kids clubs were open with 50 counselors and only 180 kids. There were all types of opportunities for passengers to take pictures with a wide range of Disney and other characters like Spiderman. Disney really knows how to put on big production shows and they were all well done - great costumes and staging. In addition there is a large movie theater showing multiple Disney films each day, in room TV with lots of Disney channels for the kids and multiple movie channels for the adults, and deck parties like Frozen at sea and Pirates night with fireworks. Disney even has lifeguards at all the pools and slides. The itinerary was good as well - leave Barcelona then 3 days at sea, a port day in the Azores, 3 days at sea then 2 port days in Nova Scotia, and finally 1 sea day before arrival in NYC. Disney was more expensive than a TA with NCL, but for a child and even adults who are mildly fans of Disney films and characters, it was a memorable and fun experience.

I actually never thought about a Disney TA cruise but I will check the prices and dates they have as well.good idea.thanks

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I LOVE transatlantics. I've done one every year for the past 4 years and am on the Epic end of this month for my 5th. I love the relaxation of so many sea days and I've met so many wonderful people over the years and the same people keep coming back for the TAs year after year.

 

There are fewer kids, but that kids club will still be open and the kids that are there would be getting more one on one attention.

Will.be great to hear from you how many kids were on the ship this year once you return:)

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I have done one TA, and don't think I would do it again, although maybe if I were retired I would consider it.

 

Hubb and I took the inaugural voyage of the RCCL Quantum from London to NY. Great price. Ship was very nice with lots to do, although there were a number of first-run glitches (which I anticipated and did not ruin my trip). We had very rough weather for about 2 1/2 days of the 8 day journey.

 

We met some very nice people, and on a TA you really do begin to see familiar faces since all the time is spent on board. I can't say we were "bored", as I'm always happy reading a book, making a donation to the slots, or soaking in a hot tub. Hey, it's better than work! But, by the time the trip was over, we were glad to be off the ship. It's just a lot of time in a closed environment with a fairly set routine.

 

RE: your son, at 5, he's probably still really into mommy and daddy - I doubt he would get bored because he will enjoy being with you!

 

Some people love TA's... I guess I just wasn't one of them. YMMV!

Hi, yes he always enjoyed spending time with children and love the splash academy but also at his age he love just spending time with us and being around us. So I think he will be ok. Just have to check if the splash academy will be open on all days

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We've done 2 TA's and are going on another in a couple weeks. Our first TA was on Oceania's Riviera (Inaugural Crossing) and we thoroughly enjoyed it. However, we had one of only 2 very coveted wrap around penthouse rooms on deck 7. We loved sitting in our loungers watching the wake with little wind while reading. Having that room for 14 days was bliss. The crew threw a carnival/fair on one of the sea days in the middle of the cruise - all sorts of games and things to win. Very fun! The ship was new and beautiful. For us the ship was the destination. Lots of relaxation. We didn't see any children. In fact, we (okay, I) forgot our boarding passes and when we went to check in they thought we were crew and told us the wrong way to board. We were the youngest people (30s) on that cruise.

 

Our second TA was on Pacific Princess. We hated it. The ship was too small and we got seriously board (okay dangerously board). We gambled and gambled and gambled every night at the tables and slots - sometimes during the afternoons too. We played every game of Bingo to be had. Believe it or not we actually came home with winnings. My DH got seriously sea sick one day (this ship was like a bath toy in the middle of the Atlantic). I got so bored while he was sick that I found the stabilizers in the the water (I could see them from the promenade deck) and proceeded to show crew members that hadn't seen it before. There were a few kids on our cruise that I believe were home-schooled.

 

That all being said, we are going on the Epic in a couple weeks and consider the ship the destination! There is so much to do on this ship. We bought the spa passes and we plan to dress for Halloween. I would definitely call NCL and find out if their kids program is open for the TA you are considering. I'd even ask them if they could tell you how many kids are on the TA coming up this Oct to gauge for next year (not sure if they will tell you though).

Yes i was thinking also about the same.know few people working at the HQ here in Germany so i will see if they can tell me estimated number of children. And also age ( don't want to be the younges on the ship with only old people. ..) haha. We loved Epic

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Epic November 2016 13-day TA balcony guarantee from Barcelona: $999/passenger.

 

Epic November 2017 13-day TA balcony guarantee from Barcelona: $849/passenger.

Hey is this price with drink packages and tip already? I have it on the german marker right now balcony cabin for all 3 of us with the drinks and tip for total of 3000 euro.

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Well yeah that's why i said wait and book in the last minute will be definitely the option for me even if i lose on the points. As far as our son i can say he is pretty cool with everything. For his age 4 years old now he has been to 10 different countries as of now and has over 30 flights behind him as well. He enjoys being in ships just walk around with us, going to the pool and spend most of his time at the children area.sonif they have it fully functioning even if there are only few children on board I think he will be happy....will have to think and make a decision but still have a long time to do so. It would be great if i meet some people here with kids that already been ot TA...lol

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Hey guys, thank you so much for the ifo! As far as Barcelona we been there many times. Currently living in Germany and have the opportunity to go all over Europe for short flights. I love the Epic ship we used it last year for 10 day cruise and loved it. But the idea that there are no children at all on TA is not good:( i will try to call NCL and see if the kids area ( splash academy ) is even open of there are only few children and also will ask them their opinion...if we book yes i will definitely try to book cheaper short before tge cruise starts but will hat to lose the 13 extra points for the latitude programm they give you if you book 9 months in advance ...but yes i see TA are way cheaper in the last minute

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Yes we have done the traditional cruises also going on one in few weeks as well but just want to try TA as well and i know if we do not make it happen next year then oir son will start school and due to different in the school breaks we won't be able to do it at all:))....i think me and my husband will.enjoy just wondering about our son....:(

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Hey, thanks for the info:) so you were on the Escape only 2 days after i was on it last year:) i had 2 nights from Hamburg back to Hamburg before they officially opened it for the 1st cruise for customers :) 10 kids is not alot at all but i hope they will still entertain them good at the kids area... and yes the reason we want to do this cruise because we just want to relax and i think this will be the best way to do so

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Hello everyone, we are thinking about booking our 1st Transatlantic cruise for Nov 2017 from Barcelona with the Epic but not sure if TA will be for us. Does anyon have experience ? Do they have enough entertainment in board while on sea days and do they have enough kinds on TA cruises? Our son will be 5 so i want to make sure he will be not bored for this long 14 days. Any help and advice is appreciated :)

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We will be also on the ship 30.OCT. ...can not wait it will be our first time on this ship and NYC

They didn't say and i didn't ask because i did not know you have to pay tolls...lol. do you always have to tip? Just wondering because here in Germany i don't and in the states we never used a taxi usually always have a rental car.

Yup they said 55 dollars this is not bad after a long overseas flight

How much will be a taxi from Newark airport to the hotel?

How much will be taxi from Newark airport to the hotel?

Yes i will change the flight to Newark but then keep the return from JFK. Thanks for the info:)

I am still very flexible to change the airport because i work in a business connected with travelling and can change my reservation at any time. I was thinking if i fly into Newark it will be easier to get to Super 8 in North Bergen than from JFK to this hotel. We will have total of 2 full days so visit 9/11 memorial, empire state building, maybe Central park or Governar Island and just explore Time square. The typical tourist ideas even if this sounds stupid for the locals.. :))) then inwas thinking if we use the free shuttle on 30th to the city from there we can just catch a taxi to the cruise terminal.....

Yes the dates are correct. We do not expect anything fancy from super 8 but price is great and it looks like with the shuttle they offer to the city will be easy moving around. We will have 3 suitcases for me , husband and son. He is 4 but does not need a stroller. Even after 10 hours flight he always have beed good and not tired . As far as the airport i am flexible thinking maybe to fly to Newark and then return from JFK. Maybe it will be easier and cheaper for transfer from Newark to the airport i saw some online price for 59 dollars and think this is not bad at all. There is also super 8 in long Island but with no shuttle to Manhattan

Hey guys:) so I guess i have some bad luck with my hotel reservations...lol. the roxi hotel room i booked got cancelled by the provider because they have bankruptcy :)))) so started looking again and found a good hotel with breakfast Super 8 north bergen NJ it is just straight shot to Manhattan and they offer shuttle service all day long to the city for only 3 dollars p.person. and they have good military prices. Is this a good deal? But is there a shuttle from JFK? Couldn't find any info

Yeah it is absolutely unbelievable price. I have the hotel voucher ( reservation ) stating names of my family members plus 3 overnights and the total price. So i guess in Germany sometimes you can find good deals...lol

Yeah i am on the roll call for the cruise but as for now it is not too much action going on for this cruise hope it will get better as the time get closer:)