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What to Do on Transatlantic

DwayneG

By DwayneG,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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DwayneG

DwayneG

Posted
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Never been on a TA, but looking at the Epic November 2020 Barcelona to Puerto Rico.  We've been on Epic before and don't have any issues with the ship...layout is okay, and bathrooms don't bother us.  But we're wondering what activities NCL provides during all those sea days.  Do they run out of shows?  Do they have daytime activities?

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FLAHAM

FLAHAM

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Each sea day, NCL provides bridge lessons and a bridge game at no cost.  If you are not currently a bridge player, this is a good way to learn the basics.  Time passes quickly and you meet other passengers.  In my experience, participation is between 50 and 75 per session.  I also recommend bringing an e-reader with several books ;loaded.

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BULLOCK

BULLOCK

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Just back from our 1st transatlantic on the Epic doing this itinerary.   Smooth sailing with great weather.   Got warmer each day.
 

Daily Trivia every morning in the Atrium,  Followed by Q and A’s on different days by the dancers from Burn the Floor and Priscilla.  Art lectures,  daily presentations at 2 pm by an Enrichment lecturer. (Various topics)

Q and A’s with the Captain, Head Engineer and Hotel Manager on another day.  Cruise next presentations. Various game shows,  movies a couple of days in the main theatre.  Listen to music midday by the pool most days.


The days flew by, there was always something to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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katyjeka

katyjeka

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4 minutes ago, BULLOCK said:

Just back from our 1st transatlantic on the Epic doing this itinerary.   Smooth sailing with great weather.   Got warmer each day.
 

Daily Trivia every morning in the Atrium,  Followed by Q and A’s on different days by the dancers from Burn the Floor and Priscilla.  Art lectures,  daily presentations at 2 pm by an Enrichment lecturer. (Various topics)

Q and A’s with the Captain, Head Engineer and Hotel Manager on another day.  Cruise next presentations. Various game shows,  movies a couple of days in the main theatre.  Listen to music midday by the pool most days.


The days flew by, there was always something to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you tell me how many kids you saw on board. Thanks

 

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All-ready2cruise Holiday Sharing Rare

All-ready2cruise

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I don't really recommend TAs for young children. I'd consider it a safer cruise if it was a repo cruise, a bit shorter and closer to medical assist. if needed.  Not trying to be a negative nellie but... 

On the 2 TAs that I've done, there were fewer than 20 kids, most, still in diapers. 

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ellenw

ellenw

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All those sea days are just wonderful. We did the Getaway this year from Copenhagen to New Orleans. The progressive trivia was very good - played each sea day. 6 on a team. You can find a team at the first session if you don't have a group. There were many different activities in the atrium during the day ranging from arts and crafts to Deal or No Deal. Make sure that you join the roll call for your cruise. On the Getaway, other cruisers had a lot of things organized - slot pull, cabin crawl, pub crawl, daily Left-Center-Right games, knitting sessions, etc. There is a lot to do, or nothing to do. 

 

You will be hooked once you do one.

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ziggyuk "Live from...." Rare

ziggyuk

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1 minute ago, TrinaLC said:


And for me, heavenly!  Catch up on all my unread novels (kindled). 

 

That's why it's great we all love different things, your heaven & my hell.

I would be stir crazy while you would enjoy the relaxation.

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cementhands

cementhands

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We just enjoyed a transatlantic on RCL visions after a land trip in Europe. Fantastic activities staff. If you’re lucky enough to have one it’s nonstop fun as we were constantly active. Heading west is best. Gaining an extra hour sleep every other day. 

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All-ready2cruise Holiday Sharing Rare

All-ready2cruise

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2 hours ago, cementhands said:

 Heading west is best. Gaining an extra hour sleep every other day. 

I've done TAs each way and do appreciate a W>E transition, it's definitely easier than doing an E>W only losing 1 hour a night instead of losing 5>6 hours while flying. TAs are my favourite cruises and just booked another.  So, I have a TA from Barcelona to NY in Dec 2020 and a NY to Amsterdam in Apr 2021. 

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newmexicoNita

newmexicoNita

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12 hours ago, Sauer-kraut said:

Progressive trivia

Lots of time just to unwind and relax

They will have added daytime things

Late night movies

etc etc.

I love trans-Atlantic crossings ..... I can really just decompress and relax

For those who love to cruise just for the relaxation and the special treatment I totally agree with you. We spent more time in the casino than we should of, but other than that we love trans Atlantic experience. You get to know more people, yes, trivia is so much fun and there is always something going on in the atrium. We were rarely bored on the two we have taken. When we couldn't find anything we wanted to do, we grabbed a book and either read on our balcony or would find a quiet place to read and have a few drinks or just take a short nap. 

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katyjeka

katyjeka

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We've cruised NCL several times and love the line. Seven day cruises are out for our family(just not enough time)so we started years ago with NCL out of New York as they always had a good option for longer cruises. We just reserved our December 2020 cruise leaving Barcelona to New York. We have four daughters, youngest is eight who travel well. I've spent the last few days researching kids on repost. cruises and decided why not? We enjoy lazy days on deck playing games and we love to reconnect our family minus all the phones, computers.... 

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arjay9

arjay9

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Sleep, read, relax, enjoy a spa pass, & did I mention sleep (gotta love those 25 hours days on the TA to North America) 🙂  

 

The first TA I did was after a month of running around Europe, so it was build into that trip as forced down time to recover 🙂 There did seem to be lots to do on the ship as other has mentioned, (painting classes, bridge & bid euchre classes, movies, wine tasting, etc.)  Plus the ship was less crowed with few children.  I'm sure you will have a wonderful time 🙂  

 

 

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amelia3171

amelia3171

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Days of having my breakfast, lunch and dinner cooked and served to me, together with time to wander inside or outside while blethering or not to folk and reading is my idea of heaven. Technology mean you can have all the books, films, telly show you don't get to watch or read or listen to in real life available to you. Real life mean that a 7-day Med cruise is all I can manage at the moment but look forward to my first TA. 

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