How Bad Could 5 Days on a TA Be?

We're considering doing a transatlantic in Oct. It goes from Copenhagen to NY. I know that no one can predict the weather or the sea, but what have you experienced on a crossing? We've never done one and my dh isn't sold on going. So, your replies could either talk me out of it or talk him into it.

I can't wait to read your responses and experiences!

I would expect it to be rather cold. Both Copenhagen and New York is cities located north. The wind factor needs to be added onboard the ship.

What ship? If it's rough can you cope or are you prone to seasickness? Could you handle not being able to get out on deck for the length of the crossing - would be extremely unlucky if this happened - but if it did.... Is there enough going on in the ship to keep you occupied?

DH and I have done a fair number of tas mainly in December/January and we've had rough and smooth crossings but we don't care - we're on board what's not to love :D Our very first crossing was actually in November and as I recall midAtlantic we were able to sit out on deck, albeit wearing a heavy sweater!!!

You know your DH better than we do, but I would go for it. It's fun.

We love transatlantics, but they’re not for everyone. If you love sea days, you’re all set, but if you are really all about the ports or the beach days, you’re probably going to be unhappy. The weather can be great, or it can be rough. As babs says, you might not be able to go out on the open deck for several days. We’ve had bad weather for a few days on some crossings, but others have been smooth as glass.

Some ships work better for crossings, too. If the weather is keeping everyone inside, you notice how well the public space is arranged. As an example, the Celebrity M class ships, although smaller, seem to have more space for people to do activities indoors, or sit and read. The S class ships can seem really crowded when everyone is inside.

I have been on five TAs and TPs with up to 8 continuous sea days in a row. I've never been bored. I could list a hundred activities, but we are all different.

The most rocking and rolling I have experienced were right off the coast of Oregon (my one and only case of severe sea sickness) and in the western Mediterranean.

Most people love transoceanic sailings.

In my 40 years at sea, we have completed 1 World Cruise and crossed the Pacific and Atlantic many times. However, it isn't for everybody. You need to be honest with yourselves about what you want from a cruise - do you want the intensity of 5 or 6 ports in a week, or are you happy to get into a sea-day routine of relaxing or even attending activities.

If the high port intensity is your preference, World Cruises and trans-ocean sailing aren't for you.

However, nothing beats being out on the open decks with the salt air blowing all around. If the weather isn't the best, most pax will be inside, so best to check the pax/space ratio (divide GT by max pax), which provides a measure of potential congestion.

We love transatlantics, but they’re not for everyone. If you love sea days, you’re all set, but if you are really all about the ports or the beach days, you’re probably going to be unhappy.

I would be counted in the latter - although I have completed several TAs, I really don't enjoy them. After 3 days at sea, I am practically climbing the walls although my cruise companion loves the TAs.

That said, our TA sailings have occurred during the months of May, October & November. I only recall a few days where the seas were particularly rough (Bay of Biscay - passengers were looking a tad green). Outside decks were windy and cool/cold.

In my 40 years at sea, we have completed 1 World Cruise and crossed the Pacific and Atlantic many times. However, it isn't for everybody. You need to be honest with yourselves about what you want from a cruise - do you want the intensity of 5 or 6 ports in a week, or are you happy to get into a sea-day routine of relaxing or even attending activities.

 

If the high port intensity is your preference, World Cruises and trans-ocean sailing aren't for you.

 

However, nothing beats being out on the open decks with the salt air blowing all around. If the weather isn't the best, most pax will be inside, so best to check the pax/space ratio (divide GT by max pax), which provides a measure of potential congestion.

This is my goal and dream retirement cruise. We did a Hawaiian cruise, 5 days out and 5 days back. So, 5 days in a row is the longest at sea, which I LOVED. What is the longest days in a row you have done and did it ever become tedious to you?

We've done three TA's, all in April. We love all the sea days and just get more and more relaxed. All of ours have been from Florida to Europe. The first day or two were nice, it does get cooler as you go north. Ending in Europe has always been fairly nice, from cool (60ish) in northern ports to downright hot in the Med.

We did not have really rough seas on any of the crossings, but at times some movement, especially swells. It was not enough to make us sea-sick or uncomfortable, but of course every crossing can be different--there is no predicting weather. There were a few days when you really didn't want to be outside much because of wind and temperatures.

A northern crossing will probably be much cooler in the fall.

We did a 17-day transatlantic in April 2008 NY to Rome on the Holland America Line's Noordam and it was spectacular.

The transatlantic portion consisted of 5 straight sea days. We really enjoyed this time to relax, read, enjoy the ship and rest up prior to the 8 port stops the Noordam made in Europe.

Transatlantics are enormously enjoyable because you get a nice mix of down time on board with usually four or five or more port stops along the way. I highly recommend you booking your transatlantic.

Is your TA the NCL Breakaway, which is doing a 14-night Copenhagen to NY in October?

Jonathan

I’d love to take one someday!

We did our first [and second] transatlantic crossings last year as a round trip cruise [only two port days, in Southampton & Le Havre]. We liked it so much, that our next cruise will also be a TA round trip.

As far as weather goes, on the westbound leg QM2 was sailing through a tropical storm remnant, with force 11 winds. Despite this there were folks in the deck 8 pool and hot tubs, and even walking the promenade. [all the deck 7 promenade access doors were roped off, the 'observation deck' below the bridge was closed, the 'lookout' on top of the superstructure was closed]

We did a 17-day transatlantic in April 2008 NY to Rome on the Holland America Line's Noordam and it was spectacular.

 

The transatlantic portion consisted of 5 straight sea days. We really enjoyed this time to relax, read, enjoy the ship and rest up prior to the 8 port stops the Noordam made in Europe.

 

Transatlantics are enormously enjoyable because you get a nice mix of down time on board with usually four or five or more port stops along the way. I highly recommend you booking your transatlantic.

 

Is your TA the NCL Breakaway, which is doing a 14-night Copenhagen to NY in October?

 

Jonathan

Yes, it's The Breakaway . I think that last yr the itinerary had a couple Caribbean Ports on the end. This yr it's 5 straight days at sea and docking in Ny.

We did a transpacific, I think you'd call it, from Hawaii to Ensenada on the Celebrity Infinity back in about 2002. I think there was about 5 days at sea, but the captain had to speed things up because of a sick passenger. I think we made it in 4 days and weren't allowed to disembark until the original day. There were times that we had to hold onto the rails when walking and drawers and doors slamming, but that's about as bad as it got.

Yes, it's The Breakaway . I think that last yr the itinerary had a couple Caribbean Ports on the end. This yr it's 5 straight days at sea and docking in Ny.

 

We did a transpacific, I think you'd call it, from Hawaii to Ensenada on the Celebrity Infinity back in about 2002. I think there was about 5 days at sea, but the captain had to speed things up because of a sick passenger. I think we made it in 4 days and weren't allowed to disembark until the original day. There were times that we had to hold onto the rails when walking and drawers and doors slamming, but that's about as bad as it got.

Also features 5-days across but, itinerary has some great ports.

Jonathan

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I am thinking of doing a ta with princess emerald.... I saw that it held 3000 passengers. Someone told me the ta never are completely booked. I can't imagine 3000 people looking for something to do at sea. Am I worrying too much? Leave in May from Ft Lauder. I love the sea days but I wonder what they will do with all those people,also, I know the casino will not be "paying" why should it, we are captive!!! any help?

am I nuts? to worry am I right that the casino will be dead?

The Atlantic keeps its summer warmth through October - and will be a lot warmer than in May. If you book a balcony, get on the port side - much sunnier and warmer.

We’ve done twice in October on QM2 to New York and one from Hatwich to Miami - had a bit of rough weather a day or two, but nothing bad,

A quick YouTube search for Transatlantic cruises can turn up some pretty nasty weather. It CAN be pretty darn bad, or it can be like a mill pond.

I am thinking of doing a ta with princess emerald.... I saw that it held 3000 passengers. Someone told me the ta never are completely booked. I can't imagine 3000 people looking for something to do at sea. Am I worrying too much? Leave in May from Ft Lauder. I love the sea days but I wonder what they will do with all those people,also, I know the casino will not be "paying" why should it, we are captive!!! any help?

 

am I nuts? to worry am I right that the casino will be dead?

We do our TAs on a sister ship, P&O's Ventura- exactly the same build and number of passengers as yours. The only times we see crowds of people are when the theatre ends, and people rush to get to the other theatre bar entertainment at the other end of the ship, and on the first couple of days when people haven't got into the swing of things, so might crowd into the buffet for breakfast at the same time and then they discover that the MDR also serves breakfast, or the coffee bar...or they can stay in bed until noon...

Other than that, these ships are so large that the crowds disappear into the many decks and indoor spaces.

We find that there's so much to do that we haven't time for lunch, so just have afternoon tea instead... there's lectures, games, choir, classes, cards, quizzes...and plenty of time to sit around and chat. The casino was partly open in the day time, but didn't really liven up until the evening, but there were afternoon classes in various games such as poker and blackjack... other card games such as whist, bridge, took place in the games room near the theatre.

Our longest stretch was from La Coruna to Barbados- 10 days- and we enjoyed every second.

This is my goal and dream retirement cruise. We did a Hawaiian cruise, 5 days out and 5 days back. So, 5 days in a row is the longest at sea, which I LOVED. What is the longest days in a row you have done and did it ever become tedious to you?

Back in my deep sea working days were were routinely at sea for 30 days on cargo ships. Working on or cruising as a pax on cruise ships, the longest sea days were 10 in a row.

Never find sea days tedious, as it permits a relaxing routine.

We've done three TA's, all in April. We love all the sea days and just get more and more relaxed. All of ours have been from Florida to Europe. The first day or two were nice, it does get cooler as you go north. Ending in Europe has always been fairly nice, from cool (60ish) in northern ports to downright hot in the Med.

 

We did not have really rough seas on any of the crossings, but at times some movement, especially swells. It was not enough to make us sea-sick or uncomfortable, but of course every crossing can be different--there is no predicting weather. There were a few days when you really didn't want to be outside much because of wind and temperatures.

 

A northern crossing will probably be much cooler in the fall.

Westbound crossings of the Atlantic normally head further South than the Eastbound ones, to avoid the Gulf Stream currents.

I am thinking of doing a ta with princess emerald.... I saw that it held 3000 passengers. Someone told me the ta never are completely booked. I can't imagine 3000 people looking for something to do at sea. Am I worrying too much? Leave in May from Ft Lauder. I love the sea days but I wonder what they will do with all those people,also, I know the casino will not be "paying" why should it, we are captive!!! any help?

 

am I nuts? to worry am I right that the casino will be dead?

We completed the Eastbound on Emerald in April 2014. On departure she was completely full, as Princess offered rock bottom prices just prior to departure. We find the Super Grand Class overly busy, as they added an extra deck of cabins (500 pax) to the original Grand Class.

Always had lots to do. BTW can't comment on Casino, never use them.

5 sea days is no big deal. The Regal Princess, a really beautiful ship also does a 14-day transatlantic from Copenhagen to NY with 6 port stops in Norway, Scotland, Ireland and Halifax, NS, departing Sept. 8.

 

Also features 5-days across but, itinerary has some great ports.

 

Jonathan

 

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I was looking at The Regal for the Sept transatlantic. There was really a good rate for it and I loved the ports and Princess more then NCL. I, also, get better perks on Princess with being platinum. The timing just wasn't working!

I was looking at The Regal for the Sept transatlantic. There was really a good rate for it and I loved the ports and Princess more then NCL. I, also, get better perks on Princess with being platinum. The timing just wasn't working!

That's too bad. The Regal's itinerary is a bit more appealing than Breakaway's. Plus Regal is a gorgeous ship, we've sailed her twice and she's one of our favorites.

Hope you book your Transatlantic and have a great voyage.

Jonathan

Having criss-crossed the Atlantic well over 100 times in an aircraft I aspire to a transatlantic just for the experience. I wouldn't consider it a "cruise" but a "voyage" where the objective is to travel not engage in the usual trappings of a mass market cruise. And if the weather got a little rough all the better.

Having criss-crossed the Atlantic well over 100 times in an aircraft I aspire to a transatlantic just for the experience. I wouldn't consider it a "cruise" but a "voyage" where the objective is to travel not engage in the usual trappings of a mass market cruise. And if the weather got a little rough all the better.

Voyage, yes