Sorry for the Rookie Questions

[cruiseracer]

A Transatlantic/Repositioning cruise is a bucket list item for us and we're getting close to pulling the trigger. Please indulge us as we mull this over. 

 

• We will begin or end in Florida. Any real advantage either way?
• If we begin in FL - is there an opportunity to donate clothes & other non-essentials after debarkation? (Similar to a 'Good Will'... It seems to be a win-win. We could donate most of our clothes and other non-essentials with the hopes of helping some in need and would also lighten the load for the return flight...)
• Does the casino stay open during most evenings? If yes; is it similar to a week-long cruise, more laid back or somewhere in between? Are there opportunities for booking daily poker games or tournaments?
• I've read about the lectures, trivia and other daily activities. Are the sports-venues busy? Nothing crazy, perhaps friendly volleyball, basketball, putt-putt, etc. 
• MDR time opinions...
• Is laundry service generally included?
• We will purchase travel insurance. It looks like most lines offer 2 plans - a general and a high-end. Is the highest plan recommended or will the general plan be sufficient?

 

I'm sure we'll have more questions. Thanks in advance...

 

[Heidi13]

43 minutes ago, cruiseracer said:

A Transatlantic/Repositioning cruise is a bucket list item for us and we're getting close to pulling the trigger. Please indulge us as we mull this over. 

 

• We will begin or end in Florida. Any real advantage either way?
• If we begin in FL - is there an opportunity to donate clothes & other non-essentials after debarkation? (Similar to a 'Good Will'... It seems to be a win-win. We could donate most of our clothes and other non-essentials with the hopes of helping some in need and would also lighten the load for the return flight...)
• Does the casino stay open during most evenings? If yes; is it similar to a week-long cruise, more laid back or somewhere in between? Are there opportunities for booking daily poker games or tournaments?
• I've read about the lectures, trivia and other daily activities. Are the sports-venues busy? Nothing crazy, perhaps friendly volleyball, basketball, putt-putt, etc. 
• MDR time opinions...
• Is laundry service generally included?
• We will purchase travel insurance. It looks like most lines offer 2 plans - a general and a high-end. Is the highest plan recommended or will the general plan be sufficient?

 

I'm sure we'll have more questions. Thanks in advance...

 

 

Embarking in Florida and steaming Eastbound you will experience 5 - 23 hr days, but disembarking in Florida you will experience 5 - 25 hr days.

 

Other questions probably best asked on the Board for the cruise line you are considering.

[TheOldBear]

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

A Transatlantic/Repositioning cruise is a bucket list item for us and we're getting close to pulling the trigger. Please indulge us as we mull this over. 

 

• We will begin or end in Florida. Any real advantage either way?

Westbound give you back the hours 'lost' on the eastbound leg.

 

We are local to the Brooklyn Cruise terminal , so our transatlantics have been round trip crossings on the QM2 [no airplanes at all].

Most QM2 transatlantic crossings terminate in Brooklyn, but with the COVID revised schedule, there are a few that sail from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale [M209C, March 2022]

Cunard sails the QM2 on a fairly regular transatlantic schedule - other ships tend to do one crossing to prepare for the next season of short cruses.

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

• If we begin in FL - is there an opportunity to donate clothes & other non-essentials after debarkation? (Similar to a 'Good Will'... It seems to be a win-win. We could donate most of our clothes and other non-essentials with the hopes of helping some in need and would also lighten the load for the return flight...)

You may want to check the usual suspects [Google Maps] for suggestions.

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

• Does the casino stay open during most evenings? If yes; is it similar to a week-long cruise, more laid back or somewhere in between? Are there opportunities for booking daily poker games or tournaments?

This will vary with the line/ship - on QM2 the casino was open until 'late' every night.

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

• I've read about the lectures, trivia and other daily activities. Are the sports-venues busy? Nothing crazy, perhaps friendly volleyball, basketball, putt-putt, etc. 

It varies with the facilities available on the ship [and the weather for outside courts]. 

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

• MDR time opinions...

Some ships will have 'anytime' dining, some will have fixed seating for a 'main dining room' - others will have other options. Lots of extra cost dining choices seem to be a feature on the larger mass market ships.

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

• Is laundry service generally included?

Again, it depends on the cruise line - some will have a self service laundry, some will have cleaning service  - sometimes discounted as a suite perk or loyalty perk.

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

• We will purchase travel insurance. It looks like most lines offer 2 plans - a general and a high-end. Is the highest plan recommended or will the general plan be sufficient?

The insurance available via the cruise line may not be your best value. Take a look over in the Cruise/Travel Insurance forum - there is a Q&A session still in progress that is a hold over from this summer.

1 hour ago, cruiseracer said:

 

I'm sure we'll have more questions. Thanks in advance...

 

 

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, cruiseracer said:

'm sure we'll have more questions. Thanks in advance...

 

TheOldBear has provided you with excellent answers to your questions.

 

2 hours ago, cruiseracer said:

If we begin in FL - is there an opportunity to donate clothes & other non-essentials after debarkation? (Similar to a 'Good Will'... It seems to be a win-win. We could donate most of our clothes and other non-essentials with the hopes of helping some in need and would also lighten the load for the return flight...)

 

I have never heard of such an option being available, but it would be a worthwhile effort on your part to check that out in whatever your disembarkation may be. 

 

2 hours ago, cruiseracer said:

Are the sports-venues busy? Nothing crazy, perhaps friendly volleyball, basketball, putt-putt, etc. 

 

It does depend on the cruise.  And, the weather.  It's pretty uncomfortable being on a sports deck when the wind is blowing, etc.  Pickleball is a currently popular sport.  Some cruisers enjoy that sport.  Shuffleboard is also still available on most ships.  

Edited October 4, 2021 by rkacruiser

[cruiseracer]

Thanks for the input!

[BAYA]

I have sailed East to West twice, once ending in Boston beginning in Lisbon, the other sailing from England to Boston. Both were wonderful itineraries because after crossing the Atlantic we went to Newfoundland and worked our way south stopping in various ports in Canada, Bar Harbor, Portland, and finishing in Boston. Next year we have a Rome to Fort Lauderdale booked. Fewer ports, more days at sea. I will be interested to find out how much I enjoy so many sea days. The most consecutive sea days I've had before was 4 days. On Odyssey next year it will be 6 consecutive days.

Enjoy the planning!

 

[TeaBag]

No need to be sorry for asking questions.  That's what CC is for.  Which ship are you looking at?  Some don't have casinos, some have DIY laundry.  We have found that generally the southern route is the smoothest, ie Florida to Lisbon/Rome etc.  We have done 2 involving the northern route, Miami to Hamburg and Southampton to Boston.  Both were a bit rough but this does not bother us.  On the one to Boston, they had to tie the furniture down on our balconies and we were advised not to go out there.  A good cruise to book an inside or O/V!!

 

We love the westbound because of the 25 hour days.  We book portside because it is sunnier.  Of course that means starboard sailing eastbound.  Also love the relaxed days with nowhere to be at any time.  Love the trivia, lectures, cooking demos etc.  I'm sure you will enjoy whatever you book.

Edited October 6, 2021 by TeaBag