transatlantic questions for first timer

[macandmamie]

October,2005 we cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale on the Westerdam. Although we have cruised once or twice a year , this is our first ocean crossing. Can anyone enlighten us on what to expect? hints for a good cruise? :) how to not burn-out by day 4 etc. etc. Ill be reading everything to make a good experience.

[Allis154]

I did a QE2 transatlantic in 2003. We had a great time! It was very relaxing, but there was always things to do. Actually, looking at doing another in 2007 (so I plan faaarrr in advance!!)

[TedC]

We took the Westerdam from Barcelona to FLL last Nov. - 17 delightful days!

 

And we ran into a few people who had been on the ship from the previous 12-night cruise and some who had also been on the cruise previous to that one. No one seemed burned out.

 

We thought the time flew by all too swiftly. The captain said our crossing had to be one of the smoothest on record. Hope you also have gentle seas and sunny skies.

[RuthC]

When you take a longer cruise---especially one with lots of sea days---you quickly get in to a slower rhythm than the typical weekly cruise. You realize that you don't have to rush-rush-hurry-hurry to enjoy everything because there's always tomorrow. Or so it seems.

You tend to over-eat less because you know you'll have another opportunity to enjoy that lucious dessert.

You know that you can go the lecture today and relax on deck tomorrow.

There's time to linger with new-found friends.

Sure, in today's world it will take time to unwind a bit, but it does happen.

Enjoy your first trans-Atlantic. (This from someone who has done one west-bound, two round-trips, and has a third consecutive round-trip booked this year.)

[grannynurse]

We were together on last summer's 34 day Rotterdam transatlantic, and separately on transatlantics the summer before.

 

These cruises have a decidedly different tone. Much more laid back, not frantic at all, even when you're in the port-intensive part.

 

We certainly had more than our share of fog, as Ruth stated when i posted a picture of the Rotterdam in fog in the Faroes islands. She said "why name the port, it could have been any of them."

 

With many at-sea days clustered together, we got into a routine of later breakfasts, get to morning team trivia early enough to get a table for the group with latte in hand.

Lunch, port lecturer (not shopping), and by the way, he was great and funny.

DH often did afternoon jackpot bingo while I soaked in the whirlpool tub in our cabin, or checked out the art, or new sales, or walked through the casino to see how friends were doing.

Cocktails on the veranda with a HAL cheese tray....DH snuck in a nap or two.

We also had picnics with our friends who choose wine and local scones, baguettes, or pate, either on the Lido or some other nook or cranny.

 

predinner drinks in the ocean bar with the group, dinner, hand-dipped chocolates in the Explorer lounge, then on to the piano lounge, check out the evening's entertainment, and so it goes at sea for us.

 

You almost get the feeling that it will never end. And the we reached NewFoundland, and realized we were only 4 days from New York, what a downer!

 

You'll love your crossing. We also looked at this trip but it was 1 semester too early for my retirement.

GN