Tell me about your Transatlantic or longer than 8 day cruise

[lagienomai]

So my husband and I started cruising in 2015. Wish we would have started earlier however we have mostly taken one family cruise a year but have since started taking a solo one together without the kids as well. Most we have ever cruised was 8 day which we love. Our 20th anniversary is next year and decided to do something more so booked the transatlantic on the Legend. So wanting some experiences on what you love about extended cruises. We love sea days, just hope 6 in a row doesn't make me hate them lol.

[Essiesmom]

I have done four TA voyages, the longest 16 days.  I love sea days.  Two cruises on Celebrity, one HAL, one Carnival.  We are booked on a Cunard TA in June, but I suspect it is not going to happen...One of the things I like most on sea days is enrichment lecturers.  But this is one thing not offered on Carnival.  We were booked on this years Legend TA because of the ports, but it has been cancelled.  EM

[xDisconnections]

Transatlantics are nice — we have done one in each direction. Keep in mind, it won’t be your average Carnival cruise and the onboard demographic will be much different. I’m not sure I would do another TA on Carnival but we really enjoyed our crossing on the Regal Princess and were disappointed to cancel our Allure TA later this year. If you don’t like sea days or have trouble entertaining yourself, you won’t like a crossing.

[lagienomai]

I think I will enjoy it. I am not one to fight the masses to sit by the pool. I love trivia which my husband says it's all I do on board lol. We booked the Vista suite for the massive balcony due to so many sea days. I know for the most part there won't be much to see but its our 20th and might as well go all out. Do they tend to have the same amount of activities as normal sea days or more since there are so many back to back. Also not that its a big deal to me but do they have more than 2 elegant nights?

[xDisconnections]

6 minutes ago, lagienomai said:

I think I will enjoy it. I am not one to fight the masses to sit by the pool. I love trivia which my husband says it's all I do on board lol. We booked the Vista suite for the massive balcony due to so many sea days. I know for the most part there won't be much to see but its our 20th and might as well go all out. Do they tend to have the same amount of activities as normal sea days or more since there are so many back to back. Also not that its a big deal to me but do they have more than 2 elegant nights?

Don’t count on many outside by the pool. Transatlantic cruises are usually operated when weather is colder. The weather will cause more people to be indoors and might make it harder to find seats at some events or other areas may appear to be more crowded.

 

Activities... on Carnival, our experience was about the same or slightly less. They need to spread them out so there is enough variety to last through the cruise. Figure there will be a lot of fly on entertainers as well instead of production shows. Figure that you’ll connect pretty closely with the social hosts/cruise director’s staff or whatever they are called on Carnival.

 

Food... menus won’t be entirely repeated but you may have some options repeat. The ship may also run out of some perishables as well. There was someone scheduled to be on the Magic TA who referred to everyone banana hoarders but he ended up not sailing. Food quality will be better if you’re sailing USA to Europe. If sailing from Europe to USA, food tastes may be slightly different.

 

Sometimes the ocean swells can be a little intense if you’re not used to it. To me, they were nothing compared to what we experienced in the Drake Passage sailing to Antarctica but for someone who sticks to only Caribbean cruises, it could be rough on a bad week if there’s a system moving through. Most of the time though, it’s not too bad.

[leen50]

We have done 5 TA's. East & West bound, Spring & Fall. 2 NCL, 2 RCI & 1 Carnival Horizon. Always had great seas, & since I love Trivia, there was plenty to do. 

BTW, there is a separate board dedicated to TA's/TP's/ & repos. It's under "special interest Cruising".

Have Fun

[lagienomai]

1 hour ago, leen50 said:

We have done 5 TA's. East & West bound, Spring & Fall. 2 NCL, 2 RCI & 1 Carnival Horizon. Always had great seas, & since I love Trivia, there was plenty to do. 

BTW, there is a separate board dedicated to TA's/TP's/ & repos. It's under "special interest Cruising".

Have Fun

Thank will have to go take a look. I have a full year and a half to plan. Thank goodness we have 3 cruises scheduled before then. Provided we get to sail. Our May cruise we rescheduled for Jan. 

[cellfree]

When did our first TA two years ago and loved it. We too were concerned about multiple days at sea but at the end of the day we would say to ourselves “where did the time go.” Most of the sea days we spent in gym clothes which was relaxing. Also East to West is favored by us as you gain hours during the TA as opposed to losing hours several nights in a row. We were booked on the 2020 October Legend TA Barcelona to Tampa which sadly was cancelled. All this to say - am now looking at a 2021 TA to book. 

[poz222]

I’ve taken 2 transatlantic and 1 Hawaii to Ensenada and for what it’s worth, unfortunately I was a bit bored. First off as others have mentioned, the demographic was much older and frankly a bit boring. Generally I love sea days but after the 4th day I was ready for something different. Plus it as cold and not great weather. Too cold for the dive in movies and since most people were in bed by like 10 PM it was a bit ho-hum I was with people I knew so not a problem. I do like relaxing but perhaps not THAT much relaxing. The Hawaii crowd was much more lively but I was definitely ready to get off when we arrived. But I realize it is an ideal cruise for some people somthere is definitely a cruise for everyone! 

[LPut714]

Sorry just realized transatlantic

Edited April 20, 2020 by LPut714
not trans atlantic

[Budget Queen]

I've done over a dozen ta's.    They can be massive give aways-  which is a necessity for me to book them.   I am bored silly as I like ports,    But,  it's a good option for me, to catch up with friends,   since  it's usually a group I know on board.    Cheap is the main reason,  probably,  for me.  🙂     

[Trueblueky]

2 hours ago, poz222 said:

I’ve taken 2 transatlantic and 1 Hawaii to Ensenada and for what it’s worth, unfortunately I was a bit bored. First off as others have mentioned, the demographic was much older and frankly a bit boring. Generally I love sea days but after the 4th day I was ready for something different. Plus it as cold and not great weather. Too cold for the dive in movies and since most people were in bed by like 10 PM it was a bit ho-hum I was with people I knew so not a problem. I do like relaxing but perhaps not THAT much relaxing. The Hawaii crowd was much more lively but I was definitely ready to get off when we arrived. But I realize it is an ideal cruise for some people somthere is definitely a cruise for everyone! 

weather cold on Hawaii trip?  That's on our bucket list.  Probably DR from California.  San Diego, SF, LA each seem to have a couple.

[Lady Hudson]

Try a Cunard transatlantic.  The closest you can get to old time cruising today,  IMHO.  A few summers back I spent 52 consecutive days on QM2.  I loved every minute of it.  Katherine

[poz222]

No the Transatlantic ones were cold (Both were shoulder seasons spring and fall repositioning). The pacific Hawaii one was mostly warm, but still a bit cooler than I expected, (I am guessing because the air off the cooler waters were a factor). You could hang out on deck but the pool water was like ICE brrrrrr

[Hunter69]

OK; First up. Never dona a TA, but have done a number of TP... 

Have done 18 plus 8 day cruises, as most cruises from Australia are 8 days or longer... Several up to 19 days straight.

First up; The Carnival Legend. Spirit class ship, MOST room passenger to space on the Carnival cruise line Ship. It never seem's to crowded. Everything is on deck's 2, 3 & 9. So easy to move around on... Also

Yes she is getting old.

The only other thing I can say is be ready for the Decor... I Love "The Urn's"

Lot's of activities, Trivia, dance lesson's, cultural presentations of course some great music & entertainment...

Oh of course the demographics of the cruisers are around 60... Not a lot of Kids...

Enjoy my old lady Legend, I have been on her 10 times. Enjoy your Trans atlantic....

 

[lagienomai]

42 minutes ago, Hunter69 said:

OK; First up. Never dona a TA, but have done a number of TP... 

Have done 18 plus 8 day cruises, as most cruises from Australia are 8 days or longer... Several up to 19 days straight.

First up; The Carnival Legend. Spirit class ship, MOST room passenger to space on the Carnival cruise line Ship. It never seem's to crowded. Everything is on deck's 2, 3 & 9. So easy to move around on... Also

Yes she is getting old.

The only other thing I can say is be ready for the Decor... I Love "The Urn's"

Lot's of activities, Trivia, dance lesson's, cultural presentations of course some great music & entertainment...

Oh of course the demographics of the cruisers are around 60... Not a lot of Kids...

Enjoy my old lady Legend, I have been on her 10 times. Enjoy your Trans atlantic....

 

We have been on the Miracle and loved it, tacky decor and all. What I did see about Legend is they have Bonsai sushi and not just the little sushi stand on Miracle. We don't tend to eat at the pay specialty restaurants except the steakhouse at least once every cruise for those ships that have it but since it is such a long cruise I am going to finally eat at Bonsai. I have said that for several years now and have yet to eat there.

[xDisconnections]

1 hour ago, Lady Hudson said:

Try a Cunard transatlantic.  The closest you can get to old time cruising today,  IMHO.  A few summers back I spent 52 consecutive days on QM2.  I loved every minute of it.  Katherine

From what I’ve heard, a Cunard TA would probably have me give up cruising forever. As much of a lodging snob as I am, that is not a sailing I want to book.

[sanmarcosman]

4 hours ago, Lady Hudson said:

Try a Cunard transatlantic.  The closest you can get to old time cruising today,  IMHO. 

That would be old time "crossing" and not cruising, correct?  😉 

[Lady Hudson]

4 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

From what I’ve heard, a Cunard TA would probably have me give up cruising forever. As much of a lodging snob as I am, that is not a sailing I want to book.

Lodging snob?  Not sure I understand.  The cabins on QM2, my only experience, are very nice.  I have sailed inside, outside, and balcony.  The TAs are very active with several lectures per day, planetarium, shows, trivia, cards (bridge), a real teak promenade deck, pools (indoor and outdoor), gym, etc.  Yes, there are suites that have their own dining room but that affects a very small percentage of passengers.  The food in the MDR, again IMHO, is very good.

 

 I guess I may be prejudiced as a pro Cunarder.  I have sailed on QM2 over 300 days and have  22 crossings under my belt.  My favorite cruise line.  😁. Katherine

[Lady Hudson]

1 hour ago, sanmarcosman said:

That would be old time "crossing" and not cruising, correct?  😉 

I have done both — crossings and short 5 day cruises during the 4th of July celebrations.  Also cruises in Europe, particularly Norway.  I don’t need the water slides, the rock climbing walls, etc.  Just relaxation for me!  

[so,ton saint]

7 minutes ago, Lady Hudson said:

Lodging snob?  Not sure I understand.  The cabins on QM2, my only experience, are very nice.  I have sailed inside, outside, and balcony.  The TAs are very active with several lectures per day, planetarium, shows, trivia, cards (bridge), a real teak promenade deck, pools (indoor and outdoor), gym, etc.  Yes, there are suites that have their own dining room but that affects a very small percentage of passengers.  The food in the MDR, again IMHO, is very good.

 

 I guess I may be prejudiced as a pro Cunarder.  I have sailed on QM2 over 300 days and have  22 crossings under my belt.  My favorite cruise line.  😁. Katherine

 

Hi Katherine Cunard the best after leaving school in the very early sixties worked on the old girl RMS Queen mary for three years nothing worst leaving New york mid winter straight into a force 8 but the old girls could take it.

Howard

[xDisconnections]

18 minutes ago, Lady Hudson said:

Lodging snob?  Not sure I understand.  The cabins on QM2, my only experience, are very nice.  I have sailed inside, outside, and balcony.  The TAs are very active with several lectures per day, planetarium, shows, trivia, cards (bridge), a real teak promenade deck, pools (indoor and outdoor), gym, etc.  Yes, there are suites that have their own dining room but that affects a very small percentage of passengers.  The food in the MDR, again IMHO, is very good.

 

 I guess I may be prejudiced as a pro Cunarder.  I have sailed on QM2 over 300 days and have  22 crossings under my belt.  My favorite cruise line.  😁. Katherine

Simply put, it is not the cruise experience I am looking for.

[jean87510]

I have done 4 TA all with RCCL. one from San Juan to rome, 1 from rome to san juan. 2 from Barcelona to Florida. I chose them for the price and ports. The sea days were at least 6 in a row. Once it was 9 days as we missed cococay. My husband and I dont do shows, casinos, pool deck. He does work on sea days. I watch Netflix, go to gym, nap, read. We dont get drink package. I really like TAs because I get to relax and do what I like which is being a sloth on sea days. Any TA with the Canaries is golden. I love all the Spain ports. When we are at the ports, we usually rent a car or take public transportation to see a couple of sites. When we go on the Caribbean cruises, it's so port intensive sometimes, you need another vacation. I like them though and the TAs.

[evandbob]

We did a spring TA last year from Florida to Barcelona, 15 days total.  We enjoyed the R&R the initial sea days afforded, but we were very much surprised at the toll on us from the daily time changes, losing an hour on consecutive days.  After losing 6 hours we really felt "cruise lagged".

 

If we ever do another TA, it will be WB, to gain an hour, which our internal time clocks handle better.  BTW, we were scheduled for a 9 day Norway fjords on the Legend from Dover in June, but sorry to say it was cancelled.

[leen50]

16 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

I've done over a dozen ta's.    They can be massive give aways-  which is a necessity for me to book them.   I am bored silly as I like ports,    But,  it's a good option for me, to catch up with friends,   since  it's usually a group I know on board.    Cheap is the main reason,  probably,  for me.  🙂     

Hi B.Q. pretty sure that we were on the NCL Star TA Miami to Barcelona-April 2018. After that, many of us took the Carnival Horizon back to NY from Barcelona.

-arleen