Transatlantic- unsure?

[Alohaaloha]

We are thinking of doing a Transatlantic next November Southampton to Miami 13 nights. This would be the first Transatlantic we've done, and I'm a little hesitant about it. First of all, the ports are great, only a couple, but places I'd like to see, but it's all those sea days- is there plenty to do? I'm guessing November in the Atlantic is not going to be great weather wise, so are there plenty of things to keep us occupied if being on the upper decks isn't an option due to poor/cold weather?

Also, the Atlantic Ocean itself- is it likely to be a rough crossing at that time of year? I'd appreciate your input those of you who have done this crossing or similar- thanks in advance.

 

 

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[sjb317]

Crossing the Atlantic can be rough any time of the year, we have done 5 fall TAs and have had very smooth sailings each time. There are usually some cooler days in the beginning of the crossing but the farther south you go, the warmer it gets. We are getting ready to cruise on Serenade the end of August and will be sailing out of Copenhagen so we'll see if our luck holds.

 

We love TAs as they tend to be very relaxing for us, especially if the port days are up front. We have never had a problem finding something to do during the sea days but we are pretty easy going people.

 

Sherri:)

[Anita Latte]

In April, I went on my first TA cruise...I say first because I would definitely do another one. It was on the Allure...so there were 10 Sea Days in a row...one port...one more Sea Day...and then we were off the ship.

 

There were many, many activities planned. The Cruise Compass was a total of 6 pages worth of information on what you could do that day. One example of an activity that I wouldn't necessarily expect to find on a non-TA sailing are the enrichment lectures. There were several on our sailing...looking at Day 4 of my compass...I see that one lecture that day was Forensic Screen Examination. Another was "Apple iCloud."

 

Another example..."Lili Ann's Knitting Class" (Maximum of 25 guests). This was daily in the Workshop. On the first day it was held, it was an intro type course. On Day 4, it was Learn to Knit & Purl.

 

There was card making, bridge playing, sports related, dance classes, trivia of all sorts, movies...there were social plans geared for certain audiences (Day 4 had an Informal Veterans Get-Together, Singles & Solo Travelers Get-Together). You could pay to participate in Workshop classes (Scrapbooking and Open Workshop), Exercise classes, Bar Activites (Learn how to make the Perfect Mojito and Caipirinha, Wine and Cheese Tasting, Flights of various sorts on special).

 

There is plenty to do on the ship.

 

What I appreciated most though was just having a lot of time on my hands. I think you have to be a person in desperate need of that...like you really need a break from your life for a while...OR you have need of time to devote to something that you need/want/haven't been able to do. For myself, I completely tore my ACL in February. I'm doing well to recover through Physical Therapy alone...and prefer to avoid surgery...so I really appreciated the down time of a SeaDay and the ability to workout in the fitness center and do my PT without having to deal with life otherwise for a while.

 

If you find yourself a bit pressed in your daily life and wanting some time...the TA SeaDays are wonderful. But even if you want TO DO SOMETHING...some people don't relax well without activity...there is still plenty to do.

 

One of the best things we did on our TA was to purchase a pass for the Thermal Suite which is in the Vitality Spa. This is a wonderfully relaxing and self-pampering thing to do. It wasn't a planned thing for us...some ladies were obviously prepared and they had creams and things to enhance the steam and sauna rooms.

 

TA SeaDays offer you many choices...you might be surprised though by how much time you can spend doing simple things when you have nothing pressing to do. You can sleep well and long. You can take your time eating and really enjoy the atmosphere/food/company. It's easy to be entertained my all the live music...people watching...etc.

 

I was able to sail with my parents...which I loved as I was so happy to be able to spend so much time with them (we don't see each other often as we live in different states). My DH and DS (who was still in school) were at home. I honestly say that I can't wait until DH has the vacation time available (and we have the funds) to do a TA again with him. The TA crossing was one of the first vacations where I can honestly say that my vacation was relaxing and I came home feeling refreshed...and not like I needed a vacation because of my exhausting vacation.

[fletch5727]

I just did my first TA this April on the Vision from Tampa to Barcelona, and loved it. I usually am not one to join in activities on sea days, but I actually found that there were enough things that interested me that there were overlapping choices. I saved all the cruise compasses, so when I get home tonight I will scan them and post them. Having only done Caribbean cruises before, I found that the sea day options on the TA were more plentiful and more diverse.

[ECCruise]

We've done 14 TAs (and have 3 booked) but it is important to remember that there is no constant. Activities vary a lot by ship. Weather can vary a lot from one week to the next (although, as another poster has mentioned, in November it will be chilly--or cold--at the beginning). Routes are sometimes diverted because of storms (we've had 4 diversions on our 7 Westbound TAs, some minor, some major).

 

The only way you will know if it is for you is to simply do it. Another's experience may not apply to you at all. If you are easily bored, though, I would not recommend a TA.

Edited May 29, 2015 by ECCruise

[heatherb1958]

And if you join your roll call for the sailing there maybe plenty of other fun stuff to do like slot pulls in the casino, cabin crawls, invitations to join others to play card games/ chess etc.

You can be as social as you want or just left to do your own thing.

For info we have done 20 TAs and have 3 future ones booked, they are addictive:D.

[george35]

We are thinking about a TA which goes to South hampton, england or from Sout h, Hampton to USA, my question is how do I get from South Hampton to the airport or from the airport to the port & what is the cost??

[C Cruise Dude]

We are thinking of doing a Transatlantic next November Southampton to Miami 13 nights. This would be the first Transatlantic we've done, and I'm a little hesitant about it. First of all, the ports are great, only a couple, but places I'd like to see, but it's all those sea days- is there plenty to do? I'm guessing November in the Atlantic is not going to be great weather wise, so are there plenty of things to keep us occupied if being on the upper decks isn't an option due to poor/cold weather?

Also, the Atlantic Ocean itself- is it likely to be a rough crossing at that time of year? I'd appreciate your input those of you who have done this crossing or similar- thanks in advance.

 

 

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The thread below might be of help. I'm looking forward to your responses.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2160227

[Alohaaloha]

We are thinking about a TA which goes to South hampton, england or from Sout h, Hampton to USA, my question is how do I get from South Hampton to the airport or from the airport to the port & what is the cost??

 

 

I'm sure RCI have a transfer service from the ship in Southampton to London Gatwick for international passengers. And vice versa from the airport to theory of Southampton.

 

 

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[Clarea]

I'm sure RCI have a transfer service from the ship in Southampton to London Gatwick for international passengers. And vice versa from the airport to theory of Southampton.

You might want to post that question in the British Isles forum:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233

[Deeliteful]

Absolutely do it! Love the Transatlantics (see my signature) and can't wait to do another. Always been lucky with weather and had smooth sailings. Sea days are fab, lots to do or not (whichever you prefer)

Enjoy!

[roysmith99]

Absolutely no hesitation in saying - go for it.......

 

.

Edited May 30, 2015 by roysmith99

[impatientlywaiting]

We did our first TA in 2014 and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Never lacked for things to do on sea days. Also repositioned from Australia to Hawaii and just booked Vancouver to Hawaii to Sydney for 2016 - lot of sea days. Can't wait! You'll love it! :D

[bethco]

We are thinking about a TA which goes to South hampton, england or from Sout h, Hampton to USA, my question is how do I get from South Hampton to the airport or from the airport to the port & what is the cost??

 

The National Express bus is a great way to go.

 

http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

 

You do not need to take the bus that goes to the port. It doesn't run daily. It is a very short cab ride from the coach station to the port. DH took this from Heathrow to meet me after I took a TA to Southampton last May. This will be much less than cruise ship transfers.

[Chelsea1]

We did our first transalantic last October on the Oasis from Southampton to Ft Lauderdale, with just one stop in Vigo - 12 nights in total on board. Oaais was travelling back to Florida after drydock in Europe.

 

Regarding the weather, it was not good until day 8. We were supposed to be taking the southerly crossing but went north - headed straight to New York - to avoid storms in the Azores, which meant calmer seas but very cool weather. We headed south close to Bermuda and finally got some sun off the Florida coats in the last few days.

 

Oasis is an amazing ship, but geared for good weather, and was not ready to host the 5000 passengers trapped inside - and the crew who found it very difficult and were also suffering from the cold weather.

 

There was not enoough to do during the day for too many people and to be honest with no ports or organised daytime activities, we were quite bored. However, found our own entertainment - eg. sat watching the aquatheatre performers practicing in the aft pool for ages - they are brilliant.

 

I expected a lot from Oasis and assumed this would be a "special" crossing, based on the hye and advertising. In fact it was a post drydock repositioning and RCI were simply not geared up for a true Transatlantic.

 

I would definitely do it again, but on a slightly smaller ship with more inside focus and entertainment geared to fewer ports.

[EGG]

We did a transatlantic on Brilliance, Tampa to Harwich, with 4 great ports. Because the weather was just too cool to sit outside, I found that the activities were all overcrowded. To see a movie you had to get to the cinema an hour early. The lecturers on that particular cruise were poor and not worth giving up my lounge chair in the Solarium. To go to the watercolor class you had to also line up an hour early. There were so many people at trivia the person running the game had trouble controlling the crowd. Even the bridge game was filled to capacity.

 

The captain did a good job of avoiding stormy weather by leaving Boston early for the first storm and going south to avoid the second storm, but he could not avoid the cold temperature. They played the outdoor movies anyway but it was just too cold.

 

If you go back and read reviews of the 2 Oasis crossings you will see that people were very happy on the way to Europe because the weather was good. On the way back the weather was bad and we saw nothing but complaints on these boards with people demanding compensation.

 

One of the issues with our cruise is it was transitioning from a 5 day cruise to a longer Baltic cruise so the theatre was being used in the afternoons for show rehearsals. I would think this would be common, since there is also often a changeover of staff at this time.

 

Would I do a transatlantic cruise again? Possibly. We happened to have 4 great ports. I love reading and my husband and I shared a lounge chair in the Solarium so that one of us could go to an activity and the other could sit and read. On the few days when the weather was warmer, it was an entirely different ship because many people were sitting outside at the pool.

 

I would think that if you like sea days and the price is right you will enjoy the cruise.

[the wandering two]

Hi all, we have done 6 transatlantics and next October booked. Transatlantics aren't for everyone if you don't like sea days then forget it but if you love the freedom of not having a port intensive holiday then go for it. Also if you travel to the USA for extended periods of time it provides the most wonderful way of getting there. Weather has been great 95% of the time. We have departed from Barcelona (19°C last Oct) most often, which cuts out the iffy UK weather.

 

Enjoy

 

Mark & Heather

[Alohaaloha]

Thank you very much so far everyone with your very honest replies, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I think from reading all your info we would enjoy a TA and of course the ports will be a bonus at the end of the sailing. Thanks again, your input has been invaluable.

[kirian]

 

One of the best things we did on our TA was to purchase a pass for the Thermal Suite which is in the Vitality Spa. This is a wonderfully relaxing and self-pampering thing to do. It wasn't a planned thing for us...some ladies were obviously prepared and they had creams and things to enhance the steam and sauna rooms.

 

 

 

Please excuse my slight hijack of this thread, but can you please tell me how much the pass was for the thermal suite (I'm assuming you did the unlimited pass and not the daily one). My mom and I love the thermal suite and will be on our first TA (15nts!) in Sept and we definitely want to do take advantage of this. Since your TA was almost as long, I am thinking the cost could be similar. I just want to have an idea ahead of time so I can budget properly.

 

Thanks!

Melissa

[Anita Latte]

Please excuse my slight hijack of this thread, but can you please tell me how much the pass was for the thermal suite (I'm assuming you did the unlimited pass and not the daily one). My mom and I love the thermal suite and will be on our first TA (15nts!) in Sept and we definitely want to do take advantage of this. Since your TA was almost as long, I am thinking the cost could be similar. I just want to have an idea ahead of time so I can budget properly.

 

Thanks!

Melissa

 

The unlimited pass was $149. The 7 day pass was $99. This was for a 12-night cruise. Remember that spa services add automatic gratuity.

 

It was completely worth it. Highly recommend and will definitely want to do this again in the future.

 

They only sell a limited number of passes. I heard both 40 and 50 total. I don't know how they sell day passes on top of that. Point being...you would want to get your pass at the earliest time possible since you know you want one.

 

We purchased our passes at a table that was set up between the two entrances to the Windjammer on Embarkation Day. The table was set up to talk about and schedule different spa services.

 

And then we used the Thermal Suite later that night on Embarkation Day.

[beachnative]

We are thinking of doing a Transatlantic next November Southampton to Miami 13 nights. This would be the first Transatlantic we've done, and I'm a little hesitant about it. First of all, the ports are great, only a couple, but places I'd like to see, but it's all those sea days- is there plenty to do? I'm guessing November in the Atlantic is not going to be great weather wise, so are there plenty of things to keep us occupied if being on the upper decks isn't an option due to poor/cold weather?

Also, the Atlantic Ocean itself- is it likely to be a rough crossing at that time of year? I'd appreciate your input those of you who have done this crossing or similar- thanks in advance.

 

We did a Transatlantic (Southampton to Ft.Lauderdale) in November 2013 on the Independence. We had 110 mile an hour winds and 40 foot seas for the first TWO DAYS. The Independence handled it without excessive movement…many became ill but we were comfortable with the conditions.

[kirian]

The unlimited pass was $149. The 7 day pass was $99. This was for a 12-night cruise. Remember that spa services add automatic gratuity.

 

It was completely worth it. Highly recommend and will definitely want to do this again in the future.

 

They only sell a limited number of passes. I heard both 40 and 50 total. I don't know how they sell day passes on top of that. Point being...you would want to get your pass at the earliest time possible since you know you want one.

 

We purchased our passes at a table that was set up between the two entrances to the Windjammer on Embarkation Day. The table was set up to talk about and schedule different spa services.

 

And then we used the Thermal Suite later that night on Embarkation Day.

 

Thank you so much! That was about what I was expecting for a cruise the length of ours. Like you, in the past we have always signed up on day 1 (except for our 2013 med cruise that was so port intensive, we knew we would never get a chance to use it). We won't have that problem on this TA (we have 7 sea days!). We definitely can't wait.... both to visit the thermal suite again AND to take our very first TA!!!!!

 

OP - I think you too will have a wonderful time on your first TA :)

 

Melissa

[Lexus1224]

I'm going on my first TA next May and am so excited for the relaxing sea days! However, I have NO idea what the Thermal Suite is. Can you please explain?

 

Thanks!

[Anita Latte]

I'm going on my first TA next May and am so excited for the relaxing sea days! However, I have NO idea what the Thermal Suite is. Can you please explain?

 

Thanks!

 

I explained the Thermal Suite in a different area for some friends...here are links to those posts...HTH!! :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46508833&postcount=3241

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46509183&postcount=3244

[Lexus1224]

Thank you! I might just have to take a tour. I've actually never done any type of steam room, meditation room, etc...