What is different on a transatlantic cruise?

[dreameral000]

I never been on a transatlantic cruise and we are considering the Adventure of the seas on October. It leaves port canaveral and arrives in Lisbon. Do the cruise lines increase the daily events/activites and offer more choices? Does rcl offer guest lectures. Not sure if  I would get bored, but consensus appears I shouldn’t. Looking for any input would be welcome. What else is different than a 7 day cruise besides the sea days.

Edited March 9 by dreameral000

[TheOldBear]

I can only offer the perspective of a Queen Mary 2 crossing - we have not tried any repositioning cruise.

A QM2 crossing [round trip] is our vacation. The onboard experience is the stereotypical 'nothing to do, and not enough time in the day to do it' - both the ship and onboard programming are designed around crossings.

Someone with repositioning experience will no doubt join the thread, but my impression is that the repositioning sailings are becoming more popular than say a decade ago, and the cruise lines have adapted by adding more onboard activities. [as opposed to a port intensive sailing where most folks are on board for the port visits]

[Globaler]

3 hours ago, TheOldBear said:

I can only offer the perspective of a Queen Mary 2 crossing - we have not tried any repositioning cruise.

A QM2 crossing [round trip] is our vacation. The onboard experience is the stereotypical 'nothing to do, and not enough time in the day to do it' - both the ship and onboard programming are designed around crossings.

Someone with repositioning experience will no doubt join the thread, but my impression is that the repositioning sailings are becoming more popular than say a decade ago, and the cruise lines have adapted by adding more onboard activities. [as opposed to a port intensive sailing where most folks are on board for the port visits]

We took our first TA last year - FLL to Barcelona. We thought we might get bored but were pleasantly surprised we were not. We are on the Princess Regal this year 4/5 to Southampton. Losing a hour here and there took a little time to get used to and in fact we are varying our dinner times accordingly (scheduling dinner times later since losing an hour can seem like dinner is at 4:00!). We really enjoyed sharing tables for dinner and were able to meet some really nice people.  The biggest adjustment was not treating it like a week cruise were you are trying to burn the candle at both ends - ie 2 weeks is a long time with the drink package!

[Ex-Airbalancer]

We usually  do Transatlantic cruise( about 12 )   , mostly on Celebrity and and 2 on RCL 

Think of them as a 7 day EU cruise with a bunch of seadays  Either at the being or end of the cruise 

we like Westbound better 

There is usually lectures on the seadays 

Join your roll call for a lot of good info 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

On 3/9/2024 at 9:42 AM, dreameral000 said:

I never been on a transatlantic cruise and we are considering the Adventure of the seas on October. It leaves port canaveral and arrives in Lisbon. Do the cruise lines increase the daily events/activites and offer more choices? Does rcl offer guest lectures. Not sure if  I would get bored, but consensus appears I shouldn’t. Looking for any input would be welcome. What else is different than a 7 day cruise besides the sea days.

The good news is that RCI Adventure Of The Seas will have an increased activity vibe.  You will have plenty of activities and entertainments to interest you.  Sea days mean you will need to enjoy the ship.  Have a plan…start your day with a brisk walk around the ship either outside or inside. Have a nice breakfast after your walk. Then go for a swim or hit the spa. Bring a good book along and find a nice spot to read for an hour or so.  Have a nice lunch.  Hit the casino, go to a lecture or watch a film on TV then take a nap.  Get ready for dinner and go have a cocktail or two before dinner.  Have a nice dinner then see a show then go dancing and a nightcap or special coffee.  Go to bed and then repeat the next day.  Whatever your preferences you will have plenty of activities to interest you.  You will also have an opportunity to get plenty of rest, good food and sea air while you unplug and unwind.  

[Mick B]

Hi,

My idea for going on a TA is to have a nice long relaxing holiday.

 

Its nice to have some sea days where you can just relax and take it easy without having to get up and get off and get back on and get ready for the evening.

 

On previous TAs there have been many outdoor events to take part in depending on the class of ship and the equipment available such as golf, belly flop, bumper cars, rock climbing and so on.

But, indoors there have been things like progressive quizzes, battle of the sex's. Also, normally plenty going on at various venues around the ship, so you can do as much as they offer, or just relax somewhere out of the way.

 

Again, its going to depend on the ports of call and how many sea days are inbetween them, the class of ship and all its trimmings, and the weather - not just the sun, but also the sea.

 

I think a good TA is a nice way to get to know the ship and your fellow passengers.

 

Also, TAs are normally done by the seasoned cruiser and very few have families on board unless the kids are too young for school as most TA are during term time.

 

I am on the Jewels' TA next month out of FLL for 15 nights to Southampton. After a stop on day 2 at Coco Cay I have 7 sea days before getting to the Canaries and then a week of travelling up the west coast of Europe into the UK.

 

Mick.

 

 

 

[Globaler]

26 minutes ago, Mick B said:

Hi,

My idea for going on a TA is to have a nice long relaxing holiday.

 

Its nice to have some sea days where you can just relax and take it easy without having to get up and get off and get back on and get ready for the evening.

 

On previous TAs there have been many outdoor events to take part in depending on the class of ship and the equipment available such as golf, belly flop, bumper cars, rock climbing and so on.

But, indoors there have been things like progressive quizzes, battle of the sex's. Also, normally plenty going on at various venues around the ship, so you can do as much as they offer, or just relax somewhere out of the way.

 

Again, its going to depend on the ports of call and how many sea days are inbetween them, the class of ship and all its trimmings, and the weather - not just the sun, but also the sea.

 

I think a good TA is a nice way to get to know the ship and your fellow passengers.

 

Also, TAs are normally done by the seasoned cruiser and very few have families on board unless the kids are too young for school as most TA are during term time.

 

I am on the Jewels' TA next month out of FLL for 15 nights to Southampton. After a stop on day 2 at Coco Cay I have 7 sea days before getting to the Canaries and then a week of travelling up the west coast of Europe into the UK.

 

Mick.

 

 

 

Enjoy. My son and future DIL will be on the cruise with you (it’s their honeymoon)!

[Mick B]

Best make sure they enter Love and marriage then, unless they can think of something better to do with their time on board!

 

Mick.

 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, Mick B said:

 

I am on the Jewels' TA next month out of FLL for 15 nights to Southampton. After a stop on day 2 at Coco Cay I have 7 sea days before getting to the Canaries and then a week of travelling up the west coast of Europe into the UK.

 

Mick.

 

 

 

Funny , this cruise is not showing up on RCL website 🤔

[Mick B]

Hi,

I know, I assume its sold out as I have printed my boarding pass and now luggage tags and other docs from royal.

 

I have also been constantly bombarded with the Royal Up where they offer me the chance to move from the nice quiet cabin I purposely booked for this TA in case of bad weather and sea conditions during the cruise to another cabin which could be in the most worst place possible during a storm and pay a few hundred dollars more for it - I don't think so.

 

I wonder if they expect people to cancel for whatever reason at the last moment to free up those Royal Up rooms?

 

Mick.

 

[Hlitner]

The OP asks a good question.  Having cruised for 50 years (all over the world on many different cruise lines and ships) we think the difference on TAs, Trans pacifics, or other cruises that have lots of consecutive sea days is simply just that..lots of consecutive sea days.  In our experience, folks either enjoy sea days or they do not!  The folks we meet that dislike sea days do not generally complain about activities or lack thereof, but simply that they prefer to be on cruises that have more ports!  

 

DW and I once teased (some other cruisers) that our perfect cruise would be a World Cruise that never stopped at a port.  Although that was an exaggeration, it did reflect our love of lazy sea days.  

 

Folks that are really into cruise ship activities will generally find plenty to do on a sea day be it a lecture, art auction, dance class, card playing, reading, etc.  Those of us who are generally not into organized activities tend to avoid them on sea days or port days.  Trivia players (a popular activity on many cruise lines) will generally find more opportunities on sea days.  

 

Some cruise lines do a much better job with lunches on sea days.  The MDR will normally be open (many ships keep that closed on a port day) and some lines even open some of their alternative restaurants for lunches on sea days.  

 

In the final analysis it may come down to the simple question, "why do you cruise?"  For some of us, it is to be on a ship!  For others it is the ports.  

 

Hank

[Jaynay]

On 3/9/2024 at 9:42 AM, dreameral000 said:

I never been on a transatlantic cruise and we are considering the Adventure of the seas on October. It leaves port canaveral and arrives in Lisbon. Do the cruise lines increase the daily events/activites and offer more choices? Does rcl offer guest lectures. Not sure if  I would get bored, but consensus appears I shouldn’t. Looking for any input would be welcome. What else is different than a 7 day cruise besides the sea days.

Thanks for asking this and to all who responded. I, too, am booked on this cruise and it will be my first TA and traveling SOLO.  I wasn't sure if RCI did guest lectures on sea days. I hope so. I do plan to start my day with a walk in the mornings, as was suggested. Is entertainment offered every night in the theater?  The Adventure is a bit older, so not as much to do on her when one thinks of the newer ships (I like both types as long as there aren't so many teenagers on board 😆). 

I am active on roll calls too, so that is helpful. To the OP join us there if you haven't already!

[KKB]

On 3/18/2024 at 12:51 PM, Jaynay said:

Thanks for asking this and to all who responded. I, too, am booked on this cruise and it will be my first TA and traveling SOLO.  I wasn't sure if RCI did guest lectures on sea days. I hope so. I do plan to start my day with a walk in the mornings, as was suggested. Is entertainment offered every night in the theater?  The Adventure is a bit older, so not as much to do on her when one thinks of the newer ships (I like both types as long as there aren't so many teenagers on board 😆). 

I am active on roll calls too, so that is helpful. To the OP join us there if you haven't already!

Jaynay, I have done a number of solo cruises the last couple years (DH is an avid golfer so if I want to cruise during golf season...well, it's solo if I can't find a friend or family member to go!)

 

There will be plenty to do on sea days, but I had many books & shows downloaded on my iPad to fill the times when nothing hit me.

 

If you like trivia, ask a team if you can join them.

If you are social, start up conversations with those around you at a show, on deck or at the bar.

There will likely be a Solo gathering (possibly daily) listed in the daily planner. I find those vary greatly--sometimes well attended...other times not at all!

DO go to the Meet & Greet for your Roll Call. Last month I met a gal & we hung out a lot over the course of the 20 days onboard. (not all sea days, lol)

[wine-wine-wine]

I have a very intense, stressful job in Silicon Valley. What I love about TA’s is the chance to unwind, simply enjoy a good book, endless glasses of wine and the incredible, ever changing view. In last year’s TA I took particular advantage of the spa which was very healing. DW and I rarely attend shows or lectures although we enjoy random music around the ship. Bottom line: we don’t need additional stimulation in our lives. 
 

Here is my review of our most recent TA. 

 

 

[spunks]

We have done 137 cruises and 27 were TransAtlantic. The trouble with finally doing a TA is that from that point on it is all we want to do. We have to carefully budget our time on the crossings because there is so much to do that some of the things you enjoy happen at the same time.

1. Everything is open. 

2. There are lectures that can be very interesting.

3. There will generally be Duplicate bridge games for those that enjoy that.

4. There will be a cruise long "progressive Trivia" in addition to regular trivia.

5.Big Bingo games every day.

6. The Casino is open everyday from 10 AM for table games and 24 hour slot machines

7.Daily Zumba

 

They even allow you to sit and do nothing if that is what you prefer.

You will have every opportunity to meet people that you may stay friends with for the rest of your life....even those that live on the other side of the pond from you.

 

To the O.P....do it! Mark Twain was very correct when he said..."20 years from now you will regret more the things that you did not do than the things you did do"

[CDNPolar]

Love what @spunks has shared as we are about to do our first TA cruise.

 

BUT, this time without excursions and wandering time in cities and towns also opens you up to spending more time eating and drinking.... we will definitely work to control this....

[Ex-Airbalancer]

54 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

Love what @spunks has shared as we are about to do our first TA cruise.

 

BUT, this time without excursions and wandering time in cities and towns also opens you up to spending more time eating and drinking.... we will definitely work to control this....

That may be true for the first couple of seadays but by the end of cruises you should be to your usual eating & drinking patterns 

 

[hallasm]

The biggest difference is more sea days and more activities on the ship. On an eastbound cruise you 'lose' five / six hours - clocks are usually set forward one hour at noon and the days get a little shorter - on westbound cruises the clocks are set back one hour at 2 am - nights with longer sleep. In both cases, you cross the Atlantic without jet lag.

[CDNPolar]

34 minutes ago, hallasm said:

The biggest difference is more sea days and more activities on the ship. On an eastbound cruise you 'lose' five / six hours - clocks are usually set forward one hour at noon and the days get a little shorter - on westbound cruises the clocks are set back one hour at 2 am - nights with longer sleep. In both cases, you cross the Atlantic without jet lag.

 

Did not think of this... but how true.

 

We will be eastbound so we will arrive home adjusted to the time.

 

I guess that our biggest challenge will be manually setting our iPhones and iWatches to the time change as at sea they will not pick up the change from any tower.  Not like we will miss the all aboard time, but we may be late for dinner!

[Ex-Airbalancer]

 

2 hours ago, hallasm said:

The biggest difference is more sea days and more activities on the ship. On an eastbound cruise you 'lose' five / six hours - clocks are usually set forward one hour at noon and the days get a little shorter - on westbound cruises the clocks are set back one hour at 2 am - nights with longer sleep. In both cases, you cross the Atlantic without jet lag.

 

Celebrity has always change their clocks at 2 am on the 5 eastbound cruise we have been

[CDNPolar]

6 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

 

 

Celebrity has always change their clocks at 2 am on the 5 eastbound cruise we have been

 

Is this a daily thing until you are approaching North America again?  One hour per day?  That would mean one hour more sleep per day which my husband will love.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

4 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Is this a daily thing until you are approaching North America again?  One hour per day?  That would mean one hour more sleep per day which my husband will love.

On our next TA Lisbon to Port Carnival it a 5 hour time difference 

Between Tenerife and Hamilton is 4 hour  and 5 seadays , so it will change almost everyday 

and than one change after Hamilton 

[hallasm]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Celebrity has always change their clocks at 2 am on the 5 eastbound cruise we have been

My TA’s so far have been Royal Caribbean.

Not yet had a Celebrity TA - but my next TA is Apex from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona in 2025.

 

Edited Saturday at 12:49 PM by hallasm

[Ex-Airbalancer]

8 minutes ago, hallasm said:

My TA’s so far have been Royal Caribbean.

Not yet had a Celebrity TA - but my next TA is Apex from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona in 2025.

 

Done 2 TA westbound TAs on RCL , they change the clocks at 2 am 

[hallasm]

2 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

RCL , they change the clocks at 2 am

For all eastbound RCL cruises I have done change was at noon.