Pros & Cons of a Transatlantic

[riddle]

For background, I have about 25 cruises under my belt, most to the Caribbean as 7 days was always my work limit.

 

I just retired and am considering a Transatlantic for the first time (Bliss?).

 

I know the obvious things (mostly sailing, few ports, etc.) but what are folks' experience as to whether or not they would take one of these cruises.

 

I have never been to Europe and would probably be travelling solo.

[SuiteCruiser]

For background, I have about 25 cruises under my belt, most to the Caribbean as 7 days was always my work limit.

 

I just retired and am considering a Transatlantic for the first time (Bliss?).

 

I know the obvious things (mostly sailing, few ports, etc.) but what are folks' experience as to whether or not they would take one of these cruises.

 

I have never been to Europe and would probably be travelling solo.

 

My first transatlantic was on Epic and I was traveling alone. I met a few people through the roll call, but ended up meeting so many life long friends on that trip.

 

I don't think Bliss will be your first TA, since she's heading to China, but the Jade and Epic are coming back in October.

 

I love the TAs for the relaxing, unwinding and just do whatever you want. Normally even if full, there are so many solo cabins that the ship feels much less crowded. You can do more on a whim than you can on other cruises. If you have a few cruddy days weather-wise, it doesn't ruin your entire trip.

 

If you choose an east to west itinerary, you will get 6 25 hour days on your cruise as almost every second night you turn your clock back. I LOVE that :)

 

I can't think of a single negative, I love sea days and could do 20 at a time and not get the slightest bit tired of it.

Edited January 13, 2016 by SuiteCruiser

[hmorrow]

Our most favorite cruise of all.(and we have over 60) And yes, do east to west, so you gain an hour, instead of losing one on the nights they change the clocks.

So relaxing. I doubt you'll be sorry!

Helaine

[IrieBajan54]

I was in a Studio on the Epic TA last year. I like that there was no concern about excursions because there were so many consecutive sea days. Basically it was less hectic and quite leisurely. Having people to dine with nightly was great due to the the meetups in the Studio Lounge.

 

However, as another poster mentioned, I don't think Bliss will be doing a TA.

Edited January 13, 2016 by IrieBajan54

[DMH15]

I loved my TA on the Jewel. I was with a group of 8 fam and friends. We played great games of trivia. There was an awesome lecturer, Dr. Sidney and it was very enriching. I miss that element of cruising. It was just a slow and calm time crossing, no land for 6 nights. Then we were rested and ready for Funchal, Rome, Naples and Amalfi, Crete and Athens where we stayed a couple of days.

 

For us the only downside is my mom got sick midway through the second week and missed ports.

 

Mom and I both love spa time, relaxing, reading and lots of naps. So yeah, we loved it.

[zdcatc12]

For background, I have about 25 cruises under my belt, most to the Caribbean as 7 days was always my work limit.

 

I just retired and am considering a Transatlantic for the first time (Bliss?).

 

I know the obvious things (mostly sailing, few ports, etc.) but what are folks' experience as to whether or not they would take one of these cruises.

 

We took our first one in October. I'm retired, but was only 49. The biggest shock to me was the average age of the passengers was 62 and if I had to guess, I would say it was higher. I saw maybe 100 people younger than me and about 10 kids. I think it will be 10 or so years before another one. The kicker was when they had prunes on a cracker at the buffet, then I knew I was to young for that.

 

I loved the cruise, but just think I will be a bit older on my next one.

[xriva]

My wife and I have done three Transatlantics, one eastbound (Norwegian Breakaway's inaugural crossing) and two westbound (Norwegian Epic, both times.) She was initially concerned she would be bored, but we both discovered there's only a couple of Mudslides between bored and relaxed.

 

It is one cruise where you will have days of nothing planned - which I love. After a week of being in the Spinnaker Lounge before 8am for excursions on Caribbean cruises, sleeping in every day is really nice.

 

Even westbound, you get used to losing the hour, and it's certainly preferable to losing them all at once on a flight!

 

It will skew towards older people - I'm 55 and the average age this year was 58, so I told my wife I had to watch out for Cougars :) I almost expected to get carded at the bar. However, being the youngest is not a bad thing when compared to a Christmas cruise with over three thousand people, a third of which are children.

 

There is always something to do, but if you have a book you've been meaning to read (or write), a Transatlantic is a great way to spend ten days or so.

[NMLady]

For background, I have about 25 cruises under my belt, most to the Caribbean as 7 days was always my work limit.

 

I just retired and am considering a Transatlantic for the first time (Bliss?).

 

I know the obvious things (mostly sailing, few ports, etc.) but what are folks' experience as to whether or not they would take one of these cruises.

 

I have never been to Europe and would probably be travelling solo.

 

Transatlantic crossings are our favorite because we love sea days. We have been on seven so far, two on Celebrity, three on on NCL and two on Oceania. We are booked on NCL Jade for a west to east (TX to Spain) in April and will do the Jade's return (Spain to FL) in October.

 

For us there are no negatives, only positives. We love not having any schedule, simply choosing to join or not join the many choices of activities offered each day. Each night, or the next morning, we read the ship's newsletter and choose activities we might, or might not, do. Hubby always joins Trivia, I might do other activities but mostly read. We both do some gambling, sometimes taking part in various casino tournaments. You can always find him at Texas Hold Em.

 

There are enough activities offered that I'd think no one would get bored, and yet there are people who hate having so many sea days in a row with no ports to explore. I hope this will not be true for you.

 

Since you've never been to Europe before I hope you'll spend time experiencing some of it. Happy travels!

[Markanddonna]

Don't be too concerned about a debarkation port that you might not be crazy about. There are lots of very inexpensive one way flights to get you around Europe. If you end up in Barcelona, for example, just fly or take a train to the city you have always wanted to visit.

[cruisejunkie76]

I personally get sea sick pretty easyly :( so the transatlantic is not for me. To many seadays and the risk of bad weather is to high. :(

However if you are not affected by that I would do it.

When you are travelling Solo, book the Epic in a Studio.

I did 3 Cruises in a Studio already and you can have the time of your life.

 

If you book, one recommodation, book the Spa-access in advance in case you do have bad weather.

[4774Papa]

We have done two TAs, one in each direction. Both were B2B with a European cruise. Doing the TA after the busy European cruise was nice, as well as not having to fly home.

 

Tas don't have many ports, which is a disadvantage, but you have lots of time to go to the fitness center and work off the calories. Also, lots of time for your roll call activities like cabin crawl, gift exchange, murder mystery and slot pull.

 

On our last TA, I read four books and enjoyed our balcony, once we hit the Azores, when the temp was nice.

 

An advantage is that TAs are relative cheap.

[Minoushka]

I have done a few Transats and have enjoyed themall .Because you are not rushed to get youract together to visit it is a far more leisure cruise .Ideally you would go onaship that hasa lot to offer .I like getting up unrushed for the day ...leisure breakfadt outdoors if nice .I enjoy borrowing books from the library andenjoying them around the pool,in the back of the ship or on my balcony ....weather permitting

Nothing is rushed so very enjoyable

You have time to go to presentations lectures,art auctions and join games like Trivia .

I love transats ...they are a true vacation with sleep ins or naps .

Enjoy yours

If youneed to be on thegoall thetime ...you maynotenjoy the quiet

[LrgPizza]

We just did our first TA on the Escape, and it was easily my favorite cruise. We tend to prefer land trips for visiting tourist destinations, so when we cruise, we do it for the ships. Transatlantics are perfect for this, because all you have is ship time. We loved not having to adhere to a schedule, and having plenty of times to enjoy things over and over again. The demographic is definitely older with just a handful of kids on the entire ship. I feel like the crew and passengers get to know each other better than on typical cruises, too.

[riddle]

Great information. Thanks everyone. I do love sea days and on port days we either stay on the ship or take short excursions. I love to read and am contemplating doing some writing of my own.

 

Thanks for the east/west info. Never thought about that. Thanks for the Bliss info also. I so love the Epic that I will probably look at her.

 

My only concern is spending "too much time" in the casino. Wait is there such a thing?

[SuiteCruiser]

We took our first one in October. I'm retired, but was only 49. The biggest shock to me was the average age of the passengers was 62 and if I had to guess, I would say it was higher. I saw maybe 100 people younger than me and about 10 kids. I think it will be 10 or so years before another one. The kicker was when they had prunes on a cracker at the buffet, then I knew I was to young for that.

 

I loved the cruise, but just think I will be a bit older on my next one.

 

I think it depends on the ship. I'm your age and have done 4 now. 2012 Epic, 2013 Star, 2014 Epic and 2015 Escape. The Mega ships have a lot more younger cruisers than the smaller ships. I now am friends with a group of about 40 people who do these yearly, all around my age and next year we're all doing the Epic in October.

[riddle]

After I saw your reply I looked at the Epic and it probably looks like the one for me. Not too long but not too short. I am in my early 60's but don't feel it (at least not everyday). I do love the Epic though, especially their spa.

 

I usually cruise comped by CAS. Since I have only had a comped 7 day cruises how do they handle longer ones? Will them comp any of it?

[Minoushka]

Call them ..join the roll call

Iam planning loads ofactivities ....it shouldbe a fun cruise ...you gainan hour every second day...very rela xing

Plus I like Epic ...one of my very favorites ....

[jlajr]

I agree with what others have written, as I too enjoy sea days and don't plan my cruises according to specific ports of call nor for that matter size/age/fancy amenities of the ship. Hell, I missed the Blue Man Group when I did an eastbound TA on the Epic in 2012.

 

Ah, that brings up something you might want to keep in mind. I didn't realize until the fourth day of the cruise that the Blue Man Group only performed on the first three days. It wasn't that important to me to attend, but if it was important, I should have looked more closely at the schedule online before I boarded or soon after.

 

I'm trying to think of any cons of a TA, but can't. :)

 

Have a great time!

[jertom]

We agree that there are all pros and NO cons to a transatlantic ! Wish there were more of them so we would never have to fly...

[chloemonkey]

I also have been considering a TA....but how is this for paranoia? I wonder about the possibility of getting sick while at sea? I mean REALLY sick......how would they handle that? And how far are you truly from land or an island?

 

I do not get seasick and am a healthy 59 year old....now sure why this thought occurred to me....but it did! So now I am asking you experts out there about the medical needs situation - should it arise.

[SuiteCruiser]

I also have been considering a TA....but how is this for paranoia? I wonder about the possibility of getting sick while at sea? I mean REALLY sick......how would they handle that? And how far are you truly from land or an island?

 

I do not get seasick and am a healthy 59 year old....now sure why this thought occurred to me....but it did! So now I am asking you experts out there about the medical needs situation - should it arise.

 

In 2014 on Epic and on 2015 on Escape we had medevacs not too far into the cruise. On Escape we diverted back towards the mainland of Spain and the Epic 2014 one we cut back towards the Azores and met up with the helicopter.

 

They have a full infirmary, doctors and nursing staff, I wouldn't worry about that too much. Make sure you have insurance if you're concerned because MedEvac's cost a LOT of money as do stays in the infirmary on a ship.

[keeponcruising]

I love TA's. I have been on 6 all west to east. One thing about that route is the loss of time versus gaining the other way. One of my Eurodam cruises the captain changed the time at 2 PM to 3 PM 6 times during the cruise. That seemed to be easier than in the middle of the night changes.

 

I don't have any TA's booked now, but can't wait to take another. I find it the most relaxing cruise of all. There is something about the middle of the Atlantic that is so peaceful. I have so many pictures of a completely flat ocean. Very surreal.

[keeponcruising]

I love TA's. I have been on 6 all west to east. One thing about that route is the loss of time versus gaining the other way. One of my Eurodam cruises the captain changed the time at 2 PM to 3 PM 6 times during the cruise. That seemed to be easier than in the middle of the night changes.

 

I don't have any TA's booked now, but can't wait to take another. I find it the most relaxing cruise of all. There is something about the middle of the Atlantic that is so peaceful. I have so many pictures of a completely flat ocean. Very surreal.

 

Actually my signature picture was taken from an AFT balcony on a Jewel TA. You can see the calm ocean in the background. I find the seas calm on the west to east TA until you get to the Azores, then it can get rough from there. So usually the first 7 days are calm.

[kpms]

My wife and I have done three Transatlantics, one eastbound (Norwegian Breakaway's inaugural crossing) and two westbound (Norwegian Epic, both times.) She was initially concerned she would be bored, but we both discovered there's only a couple of Mudslides between bored and relaxed.

 

It is one cruise where you will have days of nothing planned - which I love. After a week of being in the Spinnaker Lounge before 8am for excursions on Caribbean cruises, sleeping in every day is really nice.

 

Even westbound, you get used to losing the hour, and it's certainly preferable to losing them all at once on a flight!

 

It will skew towards older people - I'm 55 and the average age this year was 58, so I told my wife I had to watch out for Cougars :) I almost expected to get carded at the bar. However, being the youngest is not a bad thing when compared to a Christmas cruise with over three thousand people, a third of which are children.

 

There is always something to do, but if you have a book you've been meaning to read (or write), a Transatlantic is a great way to spend ten days or so.

 

 

The Breakaway was our First TA and NCL Cruise. Loved it! We are booked on the Epic in Apr 2017 from Florida to Barcelona :)

[cruise47]

We are in our sixty's and we loved our two (2) TA cruises. The sea days gave us times to catch up on some sleep and reading.