Transatlantics. East to west or west to east.

[Harters]

We're toying with the idea of a transatlantic in the next couple of years and would value folks' experiences about whether it's better to travel east to west (generally a late autumn cruise) or west to east (generally a spring cruise). Does one see more favourable weather and sea conditions?

 

My instinct at present is that west to east probably suits us better, as there would be no jet lag issues at the end of the cruise - so we get home  rested rather than wrecked as usual after visiting the States. But are there any other criteria I should be considering?

 

TIA

 

John

Edited June 16, 2023 by Harters

[basenji56]

Strongly prefer east to west.  Two main reasons: (1) You gain six to seven hours rather than losing them.  (2) If going from Europe to America, you spend 5-6 days in heavy activity and then have a week to relax.

 

Losing those hours is a real drag.  On my last TA this Spring, we lost one hour every night for six days.  

 

Edited June 16, 2023 by basenji56

[CurlerRob]

57 minutes ago, Harters said:

We're toying with the idea of a transatlantic in the next couple of years and would value folks' experiences about whether it's better to travel east to west (generally a late autumn cruise) or west to east (generally a spring cruise). Does one see more favourable weather and sea conditions?

 

My instinct at present is that west to east probably suits us better, as there would be no jet lag issues at the end of the cruise - so we get home  rested rather than wrecked as usual after visiting the States. But are there any other criteria I should be considering?

 

TIA

 

John

Weather and seas are unpredictable at best - we've had little success in relying on seasonal trends.

 

I think your instincts are good regarding the spring and W-E. It may be a bit cooler, but I'd agree that arriving home without a 6-hour jet lag would more than make up for the loss of hours when sailing east. Autumn TAs, while likely a bit warmer, are always at some additional level of risk as it's hurricane season.

 

We prefer the E-W flavour, but that's due to our NA location. Either direction, we greatly enjoy the extended ocean passages - good luck with your decision! 🍺🥌

[LHT28]

When we did the TA form NYC  to SOU

 I found I was so tired  at the end of it

Glad we spent  4 days in SOU  to recover

Everyone reacts  differently

 

 

[PhD-iva]

I cruised Rome to Miami (NOV) and Aruba to Lisbon (MAR). I like to start my day at the gym, but by the third day of losing an hour, I just couldn’t get out of bed in the morning……

Other than that, everything was wonderful.

[basenji56]

10 hours ago, LHT28 said:

When we did the TA form NYC  to SOU

 I found I was so tired  at the end of it

Glad we spent  4 days in SOU  to recover

Everyone reacts  differently

 

 

Flying to Europe is miserable but I recovered faster than losing one hour at a time on an eastbound cruise. By the time we hit the Azores, sunset was at 10:30 pm—in April. 

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, basenji56 said:

Flying to Europe is miserable but I recovered faster than losing one hour at a time on an eastbound cruise. By the time we hit the Azores, sunset was at 10:30 pm—in April. 

Yes I prefer to fly  then by the next  day we are almost on local time

I have a hard time adjusting  when we get home but DH is back to normal routine  right away

[Sabbycat]

Having done both directions, I strongly recommend East to West. In doing it this way you end up with a bunch of 25 hrs days rather than 23 hr days, which one would think wouldn't be a huge deal, but somehow is. 

We are scheduled for another Europe to N.America sailing this autumn, and Oceania does not disappoint with these sailings with lots of fun activities. 

I cannot recommend their autumn TA sailings enough.

[hmorrow]

We've done many Trans Atlantic's, and imho, east to west is much better, due to the repeated fact of gaining an hour a day.

[ToxM]

On 6/16/2023 at 2:03 PM, Harters said:

We're toying with the idea of a transatlantic in the next couple of years and would value folks' experiences about whether it's better to travel east to west (generally a late autumn cruise) or west to east (generally a spring cruise). Does one see more favourable weather and sea conditions?

 

My instinct at present is that west to east probably suits us better, as there would be no jet lag issues at the end of the cruise - so we get home  rested rather than wrecked as usual after visiting the States. But are there any other criteria I should be considering?

 

TIA

 

John

 

As a Brit W-E suited us as no jet lag at the end of the cruise. Losing an hour most sea days was tiring, but its a sea day, it doesn’t really matter 😉

 

 

[Classiccruiser777]

Take a ship both directions. If not O, Cunard’s QM2 goes back and forth frequently.

[jackdeb]

We have done the Atlantic in both directions and the time changes haven’t bothered us in either direction, we still manage to get 8 hours of sack time. Judge your own sleep patterns accordingly. As always look at the itinerary, if the ports of call appeal to you or are you more interested in the sea days on the ship. Enjoy it in either direction.

[shepherd really]

I've done both ways several times.  It made no difference which direction.  It's still much better than flying in any class. 

[PaulMCO]

Support the Europe to US sailings. 

 

We will do a stay (3 days to relieve the jet lag) then a pre-sailing TA so have a week of ports then head home on a leisurely trip with lots of sea days.  Usually end port is MIA or FLL so we hope in the car and home in 2 hours.

 

Last one was on Regent.  Rome to Barcelona then Barcelona to MIAMI.  Our next on SS is Lisbon to Lisbon and then to FLL

[the more ports the better]

We have done both and prefer East to west.  Mainly because seas are warmer in October than in April so the weather is usually nicer outdoors at sea in the fall.

[ToxM]

14 hours ago, Classiccruiser777 said:

Take a ship both directions. If not O, Cunard’s QM2 goes back and forth frequently.

 

Too big, too stuffy, too expensive for what it is (from experience!).

 

 

[Hambagahle]

We have done multiple TAs in both directions.  The change of time has never been an issue.  However since we live in Switzerland it is very nice to arrive home without jetlag - so I suppose if you are an American the other way is better.

 

The only "stuffy" one I have done was on Cunard.  That was OTT stuffy!!

 

Regent and Oceania both use a southerly route which we much prefer over the north Atlantic one.  Nicer, warmer weather and fewer storms as a rule.  Aside from that - Regent has better lectures etc than Oceania and neither is large nor stuffy.  Take a highlighter with you so you don't miss interesting things.   

[Harters]

My thanks to all.

 

I note that the vast majority of respondents are from North America and I note almost all prefer east to west. The two replies from my fellow Europeans note that, for us, west to east means no tiring jetlag at the end of what should be a relaxing holiday, so confirming my initial thoughts.

 

It may prove to be something of a moot point. We have just returned from Nautica's cruise from/to Barcelona. It was very enjoyable but, in truth, the full cost has left us wondering whether future cruises with O are (1) affordable and (2) represent value for money for us. I will write a review in the coming days and will share that on the forum as well as the review pages.

 

John

[Sabbycat]

On 6/30/2023 at 2:05 PM, Harters said:

My thanks to all.

 

 

It may prove to be something of a moot point. We have just returned from Nautica's cruise from/to Barcelona. It was very enjoyable but, in truth, the full cost has left us wondering whether future cruises with O are (1) affordable and (2) represent value for money for us. I will write a review in the coming days and will share that on the forum as well as the review pages.

 

John

 

While it is true Oceania is costly, It is not a lot cheaper than an equally long cruise in a suite on a premium line such as Celebrity, Princess, or Cunard. Our 10 day Retreat cruise on Celebrity was more than half the price of my upcoming 20 day Oceania cruise in a suite. And I find the ship and food much better on Oceania.

[Hlitner]

We have done several dozen crossings (in both directions at times ranging from March - November) and honestly do not think the gradual changing of the clock is a big deal.  On East bound crossings, quite a few ships will push the clock ahead in the afternoon (usually at noon or 1) rather than night.  It does make those lazy sea days (which we love) a little shorter, but we seldom miss the lost hour.  

 

We think both the spring and fall are terrific times to do crossings and we have sometimes done both in a single year (and can use one round trip air fare to cover both cruises).  On our many crossings the weather has varied from gorgeous to awful with no way to predict more than a few days in advance.  

 

Hank