Transatlantic Questions

[cruisefrk]

Curious if anyone has completed the Transatlantic cruises from South Hampton to Ft Lauderdale? Curious how the seas were in Oct/Nov? Interested in reviews in general. We are thinking of taking the Jewel of the Seas or Navigator in 2007 but not sure if its too rough of seas. Are the ships typically full? Mixed age groups??? Thanks

[cruz4natic]

We just returned from a transatlantic on the Voyager. We sailed from Barcelona. We had some rough seas going from Barcelona to Lisbon, then from Lisbon to Funchal, Madeira. Not too bad. About 12-14 foot seas. It was not terrible, but some people did not feel well. After that, our 6 days at sea doing the crossing were very, very smooth. I also thought after the first 4 days we were in for a bumpy ride, but it was wonderful. This was our second transatlantic. Both left from Barcelona, both done Oct/Nov and coming across was great. Smooth seas both times and by the second day crossing it was pool weather. Was definitely a mixed age group. We are in our early 40's. Captain said youngest passenger was 2 months old and oldest passenger was 97. So very mixed. I would say 50 - 60's had the majority. Yes the ship was full. Don't think it was full when we left Barcelona but we had people join the cruise in Lisbon. Transatlantics are wonderful. The sea days are a great time to relax and do things you don't have time to do at home. We can't wait to do it again!

Good luck deciding.

[Swabb3]

I just came back from Brilliance. Yes we followed the Voyager a few days behind. Great weather except that it did seem to rain a little each sea day. Only once were the outdoor activities called off. Basically calm seas and definite pool weather the last couple days. We too had a large age range. We were about 3/4 full which is great for a repositioning cruise. Not too many people to fight for chairs on deck. In fact am looking at taking the Navigator next year.

[tomjohnsonjr]

How was the food and shows on the Brilliance crossing? Was there any late night parting or where most people in bed by midnight?

[6MonthsHere6MonthsThere]

Curious if anyone has completed the Transatlantic cruises from South Hampton to Ft Lauderdale? Curious how the seas were in Oct/Nov? Interested in reviews in general. We are thinking of taking the Jewel of the Seas or Navigator in 2007 but not sure if its too rough of seas. Are the ships typically full? Mixed age groups??? Thanks

 

Have done 14 tranatlantic crossings as we use them as our form of transport, must say in general they have been very good but unfortunately this year on the Legend Southampton to Tampa 21st Oct-4th Nov we had very unusually rough weather but still didn't put us off and are already booked for the Eastbound aboard the Navigator in April07 and the Westbound aboard the Jewel in October07. Personal preference is for the Westbound as you get the extra hour on 5 of the days and also it gets warmer the nearer you get to the Caribbean and Florida.

Hope this may be of some help.

[ILoveScotland]

I just came back from Brilliance. Yes we followed the Voyager a few days behind. Great weather except that it did seem to rain a little each sea day. Only once were the outdoor activities called off. Basically calm seas and definite pool weather the last couple days. We too had a large age range. We were about 3/4 full which is great for a repositioning cruise. Not too many people to fight for chairs on deck. In fact am looking at taking the Navigator next year.

 

I was on this cruise, too. We did have 12 ft. seas the first day out of Madeira and several people got seasick. But that was it. It was a smooth, wonderful ride. I'm ready to go again.

[ILoveScotland]

How was the food and shows on the Brilliance crossing? Was there any late night parting or where most people in bed by midnight?

 

Food was excellent. I'm not much into the shows. Ask Swabb3 "the Belle of the Brilliance" about late night. :D She's great.

[tomjohnsonjr]

I just came back from Brilliance. Yes we followed the Voyager a few days behind. Great weather except that it did seem to rain a little each sea day. Only once were the outdoor activities called off. Basically calm seas and definite pool weather the last couple days. We too had a large age range. We were about 3/4 full which is great for a repositioning cruise. Not too many people to fight for chairs on deck. In fact am looking at taking the Navigator next year.

 

 

So how were the Late nights and the shows on the crossing?

[go noles]

We are considering the Jewel east bound in April. We too have never done a trans-atlantic. What type of activities do they have on the sea days? Traditionally sea days are may favorite but stringing that many together concerns me some. Anyone gone "stir crazy"?

[truffles2]

Eastbound on Brilliance in the spring we had 6 straight sea days plus 3-4 other sea days. It was splendid!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

HI!!!

 

I just wanted to remind those of you who are interested...RCI is offering coupons on the JEWEL Repo next October 30th. from Southampton to Spain-Madeira-Tenerife-FLL. We will have more than 20-30 Cruise Critic veterans onboard so this cruise will not be boring. In the past we have had great things to do on sea days...Slot Pulls in the casino, "Cabin Crawls" with a progressive Texas Hold'em game, Pub Crawls, horse racing and lots of other group events including the Halloween Party and much more...LOL...never a dull moment on those wonderful sea days...a real good time. Check out our thread on CC-RCI "Meet and Mingle.:D

 

PUNA PUNA!!!

ROSS

[truffles2]

Thanks for the "heads-up"....looks interesting.

[jebl]

I am considering a TA cruise in 07 or 08. What do you all do about airfare? Do you book your own or through RCI? I do not have frequent flyer miles to use so that is not an option. We live in Fla. so would drive to Miami or Lauderdale for either the flight to Europe or to embark on the ship depending on which way we cruise.

 

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[truffles2]

We have never been able to even come close to the open jaw fare supplied by RCI....always have used their air.

[bbrad8]

jebl & truffles2: We were on this years Jewel TA (9/11/06) and are on the above referenced Jewel TA (10/30/07) next year that Ross has noted. Depending upon where you are flying from, you may be able to save substantually on your airfare.

 

For this years TA, we flew from Chicago O'hare to London Heathrow for $283pp inclusive of all taxes and fees!!!!!!! This was on a major carrier (Air Canada), without using any frequent flyer miles, etc. Current pricing is still very simular!!! It really depends upon which carriers are available to you. RCI wanted more than double what we as well as several others from this years TA paid. The savings includes obtaining/paying for our own transfers from Heathrow to London and then from London to the port!!!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Bruce

[CGTNORMANDIE]

HI JEBL AND TRUFFLES!!!

 

BRUCE IS RIGHT!!! You can make huge savings with proper planning and a little knowledge. Of course we will be offering "expert advice" on our JEWEL sailing...simply go to JEWEL REPO OCT 30TH...on the CC-RCI Meet and Mingle...we have many people who have done the Repo and saved BIG and they will be happy to help you.:D

 

ROSS

[truffles2]

I wish, but we live outside a major hub area and flying anywhere is major for us.

CGTNORMANDIE, we lived in Woburn for a year...many moons ago.

[bbrad8]

truffles2: Just ran a quick 'look see' thru one source from Huntsville. As we are outside of the bookable period (approx 330 days out) for next years TA, could only obtain ballpark price quotes (fly out 10/27 and arrive 10/28). The info that comes back is $353-366pp plus taxes and fees. This route takes you from Huntsville to Charlotte, to Munich and then back to Heathrow. Appears that all traffic from your area goes thru Charlotte or Atlanta.

 

Don't know what RCI wants from your area, but the above is doable. Personally wouldn't plan on flying in the day of the cruise (not that we ever do anyway)!

 

Bruce