Transatlantic Sailing to Caribbean - hit or give it a miss?

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Hi

considering a transatlantic sailing from Southampton to the Caribbean but I am unsure as to what to expect - has anyone done this and would you do it again?

 

I am worried about rough sea's/hurricanes and what to do for 7 days on-board?????

 

thanks in advance for any views,advice or tips. :) :cool:

[CruiserBruce]

People make that, and similar trips quite regularly. If you don't go the cruise, many others will, I am sure.

 

Seas can be rough any time, anywhere, regardless of hurricanes, and are not predictable. While hurricanes are generally a limited time occurrence, if you choose to cruise in the hurricane areas during hurricane season, there is that possibility. As a result, cruise fares can be lower, and this attracts a lot of budget motivated people.

 

That is simply the facts. Only you can make the decision.

Edited October 10, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[Hlitner]

If you are going to "worry" (your word) about sea conditions and what to do....then perhaps you should consider a different holiday. Most of us who love sea days (we have taken cruises with over 20 sea days) never "worry" about sea days...and in fact, actually book cruises with many sea days because we love those lazy days. As to sea conditions, any time you board a ship you run the risk of rough seas. If that thought "worries" you then perhaps you are not well suited for cruise ships.

 

Hank

[Shmoo here]

Hi

considering a transatlantic sailing from Southampton to the Caribbean but I am unsure as to what to expect - has anyone done this and would you do it again?

 

I am worried about rough sea's/hurricanes and what to do for 7 days on-board?????

 

thanks in advance for any views,advice or tips. :) :cool:

 

We did a westbound TA from Barcelona to Port Canaveral with 3 stops in the Caribbean area at the end. This was at the end of Sept, beginning of Oct. Had absolutely beautiful weather, seas like glass. However, that's not necessarily standard.

 

Would do it again in a heartbeat.

[jocap]

We cruised from Southampton to the Caribbean and back again this Jan/Feb, and found ample things to do. For a start, we were on a ship with an indoor pool (Ventura), so there was swimming from day one; there were two lectures on most days on various subjects- not selling things, but proper, informed speakers; a film every afternoon, and all the usual dance classes, quizzes, sports, cards etc. There were extra competitions such as building a boat which would sail across a pool; passengers were invited to give talks, and there were arts and crafts, a choir and other activities. It was so busy that most of the time we missed lunch and went to afternoon tea instead!

One competition was for the winner to put the last paint on the ship's new logo on the funnels!

Weather wise: the Atlantic can throw anything at you, but we had calm most of the time, until nearing the UK again.

Many of us are repeating the same cruise next Jan, but we don't expect to be quite as lucky weather wise... but who can tell? :rolleyes:

[taglovestocruise]

Hi

considering a transatlantic sailing from Southampton to the Caribbean but I am unsure as to what to expect - has anyone done this and would you do it again?

 

I am worried about rough sea's/hurricanes and what to do for 7 days on-board?????

 

thanks in advance for any views,advice or tips. :) :cool:

 

We have this same cruise booked for Oct. 2017. We will have 8 sea days and then 5 port stops and then on to FL. The whole point of the cruise is the sea days not the ports. Our last TA was on Allure out of Barcelona and as we left the Med. we headed into the storm centered in Southern England and the Sea of Biscay. Two days of 20-25 foot seas made for a bumpy ride, if your worried about storms and very rough seas then a TA might not be for you. As far as expected weather, there should be 3 cold days leaving Southampton, shorts and polo's for a week and then very warm to hot in the Caribbean. As far as doing it again, we will book the same TA for 2018 as soon as it is released. If your thinking of the 2017 cruise don't wait to book as it looks like this one for 2017 is nearly sold out, at least for balcony's.. happy cruising

[NMLady]

Hi

considering a transatlantic sailing from Southampton to the Caribbean but I am unsure as to what to expect - has anyone done this and would you do it again?

 

I am worried about rough sea's/hurricanes and what to do for 7 days on-board?????

 

thanks in advance for any views,advice or tips. :) :cool:

 

Haven't done a ta from Southampton but did one from Dover to Caribbean.

Don't worry about hurricanes since captain will keep an eye on weather and change course if necessary.

 

Most ships have lots of optional activities to choose from that you can take part in for free if you choose, more activities than you can do.

 

We definitely would do it again. We are about to take our 7th transatlantic at the end of this month, this one from Barcelona to FL by way of Bermuda. Really looking forward to it.

Edited October 11, 2016 by NMLady

[Nebr.cruiser]

We've done 3 Transatlantics the other way and loved all of them. I'd love to do one in the fall but it doesn't work out well with our business..

 

We wondered about all the sea days as well, but learned to love them so much we now look for cruises with lots of sea days. All the ships we were on seemed to have more activities than usual (we mostly just lazed around thought) and for some reason better entertainment.

 

Weather just can't be predicted, of course, but our three TA's had mostly very good weather and seas. There were a few days with some swells, but nothing bad. Since it was spring we went from hot to cooler, but not really cold.

[Wembley Fraggle]

Our first "real" cruise was a TA from Southampton to Miami with stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau... which we loved so much that we are going on a similar TA again this year (and it's fully booked and only had insides available for the last few months, I didn't even see a real price drop this time around).

 

There was plenty to do on sea days and weather was brilliant as soon as we had past the Azores. But yes, seas can be rough, we did come prepared and we would have lived, had the weather been horrible. We did it for the peace and quiet of the sea days, to disconnect. Lots of reading, catching up on sleep, watching the seas go by and then a week of snorkeling, swimming, beaches. Loved it.

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Haven't done a ta from Southampton but did one from Dover to Caribbean.

Don't worry about hurricanes since captain will keep an eye on weather and change course if necessary.

 

Most ships have lots of optional activities to choose from that you can take part in for free if you choose, more activities than you can do.

 

We definitely would do it again. We are about to take our 7th transatlantic at the end of this month, this one from Barcelona to FL by way of Bermuda. Really looking forward to it.

 

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

:)

[Carpe Diem Lady]

We've done 3 Transatlantics the other way and loved all of them. I'd love to do one in the fall but it doesn't work out well with our business..

 

We wondered about all the sea days as well, but learned to love them so much we now look for cruises with lots of sea days. All the ships we were on seemed to have more activities than usual (we mostly just lazed around thought) and for some reason better entertainment.

 

Weather just can't be predicted, of course, but our three TA's had mostly very good weather and seas. There were a few days with some swells, but nothing bad. Since it was spring we went from hot to cooler, but not really cold.

 

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

:)

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Our first "real" cruise was a TA from Southampton to Miami with stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau... which we loved so much that we are going on a similar TA again this year (and it's fully booked and only had insides available for the last few months, I didn't even see a real price drop this time around).

 

There was plenty to do on sea days and weather was brilliant as soon as we had past the Azores. But yes, seas can be rough, we did come prepared and we would have lived, had the weather been horrible. We did it for the peace and quiet of the sea days, to disconnect. Lots of reading, catching up on sleep, watching the seas go by and then a week of snorkeling, swimming, beaches. Loved it.

 

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

:)

[Sequim88]

We love TAs but have only done them in Spring. Even then we've had a day or two of high winds and medium waves - nothing too exciting :eek: but definitely ship motion. On Mariner of the Seas in their inside "mall" I saw a group of people side by side walking towards us when the ship tilted to one side. Every one of them took a side step together - looked like line dancing. :D

 

One thing about Fall would be warmer water (hence hurricane support) and at sea air temperature follows the water temp pretty closely. Once south of the Grand Banks the Gulf Stream should make things a lot more pleasant than spring temps would be.

 

In the event of hurricanes most of the route would be outside their normal areas until actually in the Caribbean. Should be at least re-routable around any bad weather.

[Carpe Diem Lady]

We love TAs but have only done them in Spring. Even then we've had a day or two of high winds and medium waves - nothing too exciting :eek: but definitely ship motion. On Mariner of the Seas in their inside "mall" I saw a group of people side by side walking towards us when the ship tilted to one side. Every one of them took a side step together - looked like line dancing. :D

 

One thing about Fall would be warmer water (hence hurricane support) and at sea air temperature follows the water temp pretty closely. Once south of the Grand Banks the Gulf Stream should make things a lot more pleasant than spring temps would be.

 

In the event of hurricanes most of the route would be outside their normal areas until actually in the Caribbean. Should be at least re-routable around any bad weather.

 

 

 

Hi

Thank you very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.:)

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Hi

Thank you all very much for the helpful comments and for taking the trouble to reply.

 

:)

[ger_77]

Two years ago we did our first T-A from Barcelona; I wasn't sure how DH was going to manage during the 7 sea days. I need not have worried - there were so many activities and lectures that after day 2, he had to pace himself or he would fall into bed exhausted at night. Our weather was lovely (we sailed in October) - one day of rain, the rest of the time the ocean was calm to very mild wave action, certainly nothing for me to be concerned about (I tend to motion sickness very easily). We are just a little over 3 weeks from our next T-A and are both looking forward to it - in fact, it was DH who suggested we take another one because he enjoyed the first so much.

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

[Carpe Diem Lady]

Two years ago we did our first T-A from Barcelona; I wasn't sure how DH was going to manage during the 7 sea days. I need not have worried - there were so many activities and lectures that after day 2, he had to pace himself or he would fall into bed exhausted at night. Our weather was lovely (we sailed in October) - one day of rain, the rest of the time the ocean was calm to very mild wave action, certainly nothing for me to be concerned about (I tend to motion sickness very easily). We are just a little over 3 weeks from our next T-A and are both looking forward to it - in fact, it was DH who suggested we take another one because he enjoyed the first so much.

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

 

 

 

Hi

thanks very much for the helpful info, appreciate you taking the time to reply. :)