How to make the most of a Transatlantic Cruise?

[GRBlizz]

Since we're coming close to Transatlantic season, would some of you who are experienced with this kind of cruise share tips on how to get the most out of them? We have just booked our first TA (Sillouette, October 20 out of Southampton.) 

 

What do you like best about TAs? What advice do you have for an experienced cruiser couple taking their first TA?

[RedneckBob]

7 minutes ago, GRBlizz said:

Since we're coming close to Transatlantic season, would some of you who are experienced with this kind of cruise share tips on how to get the most out of them? We have just booked our first TA (Sillouette, October 20 out of Southampton.) 

 

What do you like best about TAs? What advice do you have for an experienced cruiser couple taking their first TA?

Try to travel with friends or find friends on TA. We always do and play cards and games on the sea days. Otherwise you can only look at the sea so much before it gets boring 😳

[jelayne]

1. Think about what you enjoy doing on sea days on a cruise

2. Thinks about what you wished you had time to do

Now you have a plan.

[CruiserByHeart]

We truly enjoyed our transatlantic on the Celebrity Eclipse a few (is it really almost five 🤔) years ago. As many other cruisers we love sea days and having no less than six of them in a row way a genuine test.

 

What did we do? We enjoyed sleeping in and watching the sea go by and attend the diverse shows, talks and concerts. And before we knew it we had settled in a calm routine. Like many we did walked laps around the pool and lounged with a good e-book in the Martini Bar.

 

As the first week came to an end and we had enjoyed both Boston and New York we loved how the weather improved as the ship made way towards Bermuda. Again with more sea days, but as the weather improved too our routine shifted more outside.

 

All in all in off our best cruisers 👍

[Denny01]

We’ve done 3 TA’s and another this Oct. What do I suggest on how to enjoy one:

1. Join the Roll Call. Most RC’s for standard itineraries are sharing general info and setting up private tours. On a TA, they set up much more social events such as game, craft, book group get togethers, and other things. On our TA, we are setting up a chocolate tasting and wine sip social

2. Consider fleeting up (Navy term!) to a Suite of some type. Never done it till this upcoming. So many at sea that would like to try it….first time for any cruise.

3. Plan on attending the Beyond the Podium talks usually every at sea day in the mornings, 10 or 11am….not too early! Great interest. Had the US ambassador to Russia; writers/producers/actors talk on Broadway and Hollywood Inside stuff; nature and science stuff. 

4. Just a great time! We’ve done cruises that had little interest in the port (Nassau….) and focused on enjoying the ship experience, but a TA is Perfect for this.

Edit:

5. Oh and the Biggest: with an Eastbound TA that (usually) doesnt have a port until it crosses the Atlantic, Get To The Port Early! And not “early in the morning” but at least the day prior if not a 2nd day prior and enjoy the area a bit…..if you missed departure, You miss the cruise. Not options.

 

Enjoy!

 

den

 

Edited August 3, 2022 by Denny01

[Arizona Sunshine]

Great advice so far. I would add:

 

Make the most of the port days before the sea days. You want to be exhausted and looking forward to a rest.

Make a routine --- go to the lectures and shows even if the subject or style isn't your usual interest. I took a nap every afternoon, an indulgence I never undertake at home.

Bring books --- not just new ones, but also a few of your favourites just in case the new ones aren't to your liking.

 

I notice the TA you're on will make a stop in Bermuda. Mine (on HAL in 2019) didn't stop there and I wish we had. We sailed from Cadiz to Ft. Lauderdale for ten days (with only a stop in the Azores) and I wouldn't do it again. 

 

AS

[Jim_Iain]

We have done quite a number of TA's and love them.

 

I think that it's important to think about what you like to do and whether you enjoy structured events or just enjoy kicking back and not having to have a schedule and enjoy uninterrupted relaxation.

 

The dynamics of TA can be very different than a port intensive Mediterranean where you are in a port every morning and scrambling to get to your tour and run ragged all day.

 

We enjoy doing things that we don't get to do in the busy world we live in.   That may be sleeping in,  spending uninterrupted together time to catch up with each other and do as much or as little of the planned activities as we choose.  We generally enjoy not attending many activities.

 

It you enjoy a more structured environment the ship has 3-4 things going in every 50 minute slot and many use highlighter pens to make sure they don't miss their favorites.  They usually have 2 beyond the Podium speakers that give entertaining lectures on various subjects.   They are usually a hit.

 

Check out on the App for some of the activities on any of the existing cruises at sea but first unfiltered recommend activities to all activities. 

 

The first time Iain dragged me on a Cruise ship I thought I would go star raving mad being trapped on a ship that long and bored to death.  I found I was the most relaxed vacation I had ever done and was hooked for life.

 

I am an avid walker and do the same on ships.   I use to read 4-5 books a cruise but got hooked on Audio Books and listen to them at leas 3 hours a day while working out and walking.  

 

Most people become addicted to TA's after their first. 

 

[Denny01]

I forgot another Most Important!

 

Use the Do Not Disturb when sleeping in. The steward will identify your morning ‘habits’ on when you usually leave, but good to have no interruptions when sleeping in…..and dont forget this is a great chance to try SR breakfasts especially if you have a balcony!

 

den

[Aunt Tina]

I love TA's. 

Before you go, think about activities you like.  Organize a group to meet on sea days for needlework or games.  It is so interesting to see what people are creating and you can learn from them too.  If you are going on a private tour with a group - organize a lunch with them before the tour to meet each other.  Organize a cabin crawl to see other's rooms - interesting to see all the different accommodations.  Organize a slot pull.  

 

If you like trivia there are lots of games each sea day.

 

Many people who take TA's are well travelled and have organized these activities before.  If you are not an organizer - offer to help if someone else does it.  

 

Many roll call groups meet at the sunset bars every night at 5 or 6.

 

We have really enjoyed the speakers on so many different topics.

 

And - you have all day on board every sea day to enjoy the free desserts at the coffee bar!

[TomBeckCruise]

They are not for everyone.  If you don't care for day after day at sea ----. That might have something  to do with the somewhat low price.

Your cruise has a desirable route with interesting ports and only 5 consecutive sea days. Our only Transatlantic had 7 consecutive sea days, and that was too many for us.

Others love them. To each their own.

[Denny01]

I’ve booked a Summit cruise from the Caribbean that goes up to Cape Liberty NJ and has 4 consecutive at sea days….and it visit the ABC islands Ive never tried. So for me this is a mini-TA! And will take full advantage of at seas. 

 

Nothing I enjoy more than standing and looking at that sharp, clear sea horizon……..and I’ll get my fill of that! 

 

den

[GRBlizz]

1 hour ago, Denny01 said:

2. Consider fleeting up (Navy term!) to a Suite of some type. Never done it till this upcoming. So many at sea that would like to try it….first time for any cruise.

We did that too! Price was so low, we felt it was a great chance to try the new Retreat offerings. Normally book veranda or AQ. Last suite was on the Century (!) in 2008. 

[tweetylori]

Enjoy every minute because it'll go by way faster than you think!  We did a fourteen-night one from Rome to Ft Lauderdale on the Silhouette a few years ago and all our port stops were in the first week.  Then we had 7 blissful days at sea where all we had to do was decide what speaker we wanted to hear, where we wanted to dine next, which game in the casino to play,  etc.  We took full advantage of everything the ship had to offer and were never bored.  I brought several books and didn't even finish one because just gazing at the ocean was something I sure couldn't do at home.  It was so cool a lot of the nights to have them tell us to set our clocks back an hour...yay we gained more time on this beautiful ship!  I can honestly say I have never been so relaxed and rested in my life as I was when we got home.

My biggest tip is to make sure your cabin mate is a perfect travel companion, cause it might be too long if you don't travel well together.   We are fortunate to be perfect travel partners. We did most things together, but would sometimes go to different lectures or classes.  We both loved it!

[Mark_K]

Be prepared to have your sleep schedule disrupted. Depending on direction, you’re going to have either several 23 hour days or several 25 hour days.  Personally, I prefer the eastbound trips.  The short days can be a pain but you avoid the overnight transatlantic flight.

[jwlane]

4 hours ago, GRBlizz said:

What advice do you have for an experienced cruiser couple taking their first TA?

Be sure and attend the Starboard Speakers presentation by my friend Larry Hess!

[canderson]

10 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Be sure and attend the Starboard Speakers presentation by my friend Larry Hess!

Career opportunities or product promotion?

[jwlane]

28 minutes ago, canderson said:

Career opportunities or product promotion?

Neither!  Starboard Speakers is the exclusive booking agent for the onboard speaker series on Celebrity.

Edited August 3, 2022 by jwlane

[canderson]

2 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Neither!  Starboard Speakers is the exclusive booking agent for the onboard speaker series on Celebrity.

Ah!  I thought perhaps it was someone from Starboard speaking about their organization.  Now noting the capital 'S' on the Speakers.  Starboard Speakers, not Starboard speakers.

 

Sounds like they've branched out a bit from 'luxury retail', if it's the same outfit.

[Orator]

Don’t try to do it all. There are lots activities on a TA to choose and some of them might be at the same time. As others have said do things that interesting to you. I enjoy the speakers, so that’s a priority for me. I have done more than 20 TA’s and they are wonderful.

[Denny01]

44 minutes ago, Orator said:

Don’t try to do it all……..

Exactly. I’ll look at the Daily the night prior, now go through the App!, and pick out all kinds of fun things……then sleep late and miss the early ones. Meet a nice couple and talk with them through the later day things, then just sit and relax and miss the rest……Oh well, they all sounds soooo interesting, but not enough to get me motivated! 

 

OK, I do shoot for the Behind the Podium talks……shoot for but have missed the target a few times!

 

den

[sbcs5390]

Has anyone been on one from Rio? I'm very interested in the one Infinity is doing. Was thinking the weather might be better? (sunny, warm?)

[Jim_Iain]

10 hours ago, Denny01 said:

I forgot another Most Important!

 

Use the Do Not Disturb when sleeping in. The steward will identify your morning ‘habits’ on when you usually leave, but good to have no interruptions when sleeping in…..and dont forget this is a great chance to try SR breakfasts especially if you have a balcony!

 

den

Iain and I are very regimented, too many years together.   Regardless of whether we eat in our room or go out for breakfast we let our State Room Attendant know that we will be leaving every day at 9:15 and will be gone until 1:30 and often take a nap (oh.. .those naps are so nice).    Iain always leaves for a smoke at 7:15 PM and I leave by 7:30 to meet him for pre-dinner drinks.    Our attendant loves it and plans his schedule around it. 

 

I kid him and say a sniper could pick us off because we are so regular on our schedule.

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, canderson said:

Career opportunities or product promotion?

Definitely neither.  

 

One of my favorites was a husband and wife who did daily lectures on the Golden Age of Cruising.   In addition to the lecture and Clips they would do skits to go along with the lecture.   I'm sure he is no longer on the lecture circuit.

 

On our last TA they had a Marine Biologist who talked about everything sea life.  One days lecture was - The Birds and Bees and how they do it.  It of course packed the house.

 

For those that aren't comfortable in close contact with others they also rebroadcast the Beyond the Podium lectures on the ships channel a couple times during the day. 

[cangelmd]

I’ve only been on one TA, doing my second this fall, but based on a mistake we made - don’t overdo sightseeing before the cruise. We spent 3 days in London going full out, made a lifetime of memories saw Duchess Kate, attended a Requiem Mass at Westminster Abbey for All Souls Day in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, saw Hamilton, ate some killer Indian food- you get the idea.

My feet were so swollen I could barely get my shoes on and walk on the first morning after embarkation.

Also, especially a point since you are leaving from Southampton, some of the roughest seas you may encounter will be at the mouth of the English Channel, and your sea legs will be the least developed. We just did another cruise in May that went through the mouth of the English Channel and rougher seas must be fairly common. I recommend using your seasickness remedy of choice for the first 24 hours and see how you do. And I am not at all prone to seasickness 

[the penguins]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Definitely neither.  

 

One of my favorites was a husband and wife who did daily lectures on the Golden Age of Cruising.   In addition to the lecture and Clips they would do skits to go along with the lecture.   I'm sure he is no longer on the lecture circuit.

 

On our last TA they had a Marine Biologist who talked about everything sea life.  One days lecture was - The Birds and Bees and how they do it.  It of course packed the house.

 

For those that aren't comfortable in close contact with others they also rebroadcast the Beyond the Podium lectures on the ships channel a couple times during the day. 

I believe the cruise lecturer may have been John Maxtone- Graham sadly now deceased. You can still get copies of his books online the best known being The Only Way to Cross but another is Liners to the Sun - probably the best all round speaker we have ever heard.

There are also usually extra shows in the theatre ( afternoon my matinees) the guest performers often give presentations on other aspects of their lives/careers, pre Covid Officers joined in a lot of events ( for example putting up quiz and sports teams).