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Easy News August 28th, 2007 09:48 PM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
I have always wanted to do a Trans Atlantic crossing.
I know the two times of the year are usually in April and October when the
ships are either going to Europe or coming back for repositioning. I
realize we will have to fly one way and take a cruise the other way.

I was thinking that it would be the best thing to fly over and then take the
ship back. That way we would be able to bring back gifts without worrying
about the weight. and lost baggage. That would be in October.

I have been looking at the different cruise lines and the ports in Europe
where they go and where one needs to fly too to catch the ships and NCL
seems to have the best schedule of ports for us. They would be leaving
from Barcelona and arriving in Fort Lauderdale.

My questions are these;
Would October be a good time to do the Trans Atlantic crossing, weather
wise, or would April be safer?

Has anyone done the crossing and if so, would you comment about it?

Are there any specials one can find for the crossings like you find for the
Eastern and Western Caribbean?

Other than Carnival, would there be any cruise lines cheaper than NCL?
Carnival doesn't have enough stops to make it worth while, for me.

Any other information will certainly be appreciated.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Sandy



Ian August 28th, 2007 10:45 PM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
wrote:

I have always wanted to do a Trans Atlantic crossing.
I know the two times of the year are usually in April and October when the
ships are either going to Europe or coming back for repositioning. I
realize we will have to fly one way and take a cruise the other way.

I was thinking that it would be the best thing to fly over and then take the
ship back. That way we would be able to bring back gifts without worrying
about the weight. and lost baggage. That would be in October.

I have been looking at the different cruise lines and the ports in Europe
where they go and where one needs to fly too to catch the ships and NCL
seems to have the best schedule of ports for us. They would be leaving
from Barcelona and arriving in Fort Lauderdale.

My questions are these;
Would October be a good time to do the Trans Atlantic crossing, weather
wise, or would April be safer?

Has anyone done the crossing and if so, would you comment about it?

Any other information will certainly be appreciated.

Sandy


My one trip on a liner so far was across the Atlantic, so for what it's
worth:
It was two years ago, in September on the QMII. Left NY
on the evening of the 3rd if I remember aright, took about four days,
and arrived at Southampton. Spent 2 weeks in Britain, then flew back
from Glasgow airport to Southampton for the return trip to NY.
Thoroughly enjoyed both trips: great food, excellent service from all,
nice cabin or stateroom as they call it, with a balcony to get the fresh
air along with my nicotine-filled smoke !
I found seven bars and decided the Churchill was the one that best suited
me.
Weather: there was a short period in mid-Atlantic of what I'd call heavy
seas, but the ship has some kind of advanced stabilizer mechanism that
damps down the rocking and rolling considerably. I'd recommend that liner for
anyone wanting to try a transatlantic crossing.
--
Ian
Official licensed Town Drunk, Ft Worth, TX, USA

Kurt Ullman August 28th, 2007 11:17 PM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
In article , (Ian)
wrote:

wrote:

I have always wanted to do a Trans Atlantic crossing.
I know the two times of the year are usually in April and October when the
ships are either going to Europe or coming back for repositioning. I
realize we will have to fly one way and take a cruise the other way.


About my only cruising regret is that I never got to take one of
the Queens from NY to Europe and then take the Concord back. My travel
club offered that about once a year. Shoulda done it.

Joseph Coulter[_3_] August 28th, 2007 11:19 PM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
Kurt Ullman wrote in
:

In article , (Ian)
wrote:

wrote:

I have always wanted to do a Trans Atlantic crossing.
I know the two times of the year are usually in April and October
when the ships are either going to Europe or coming back for
repositioning. I realize we will have to fly one way and take a
cruise the other way.


About my only cruising regret is that I never got to take one of
the Queens from NY to Europe and then take the Concord back. My travel
club offered that about once a year. Shoulda done it.


You are in a big club there. Woulda shoulda, but then I ask coulda?

--
Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

877 832 2021
904 631 8863 cell



Kurt Ullman August 28th, 2007 11:57 PM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
In article 36,
Joseph Coulter wrote:

About my only cruising regret is that I never got to take one of
the Queens from NY to Europe and then take the Concord back. My travel
club offered that about once a year. Shoulda done it.


You are in a big club there. Woulda shoulda, but then I ask coulda?


Of course if this is my worst regret, then I am definitely still WAY
ahead of the game.

[email protected] August 29th, 2007 12:36 AM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
On Aug 28, 4:48 pm, "Easy News" wrote:
I have always wanted to do a Trans Atlantic crossing.
I know the two times of the year are usually in April and October when the
ships are either going to Europe or coming back for repositioning. I
realize we will have to fly one way and take a cruise the other way.

I was thinking that it would be the best thing to fly over and then take the
ship back. That way we would be able to bring back gifts without worrying
about the weight. and lost baggage. That would be in October.

I have been looking at the different cruise lines and the ports in Europe
where they go and where one needs to fly too to catch the ships and NCL
seems to have the best schedule of ports for us. They would be leaving
from Barcelona and arriving in Fort Lauderdale.

My questions are these;
Would October be a good time to do the Trans Atlantic crossing, weather
wise, or would April be safer?

Has anyone done the crossing and if so, would you comment about it?

Are there any specials one can find for the crossings like you find for the
Eastern and Western Caribbean?

Other than Carnival, would there be any cruise lines cheaper than NCL?
Carnival doesn't have enough stops to make it worth while, for me.

Any other information will certainly be appreciated.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Sandy


We haven't actually done a TA, but are considering it for Fall 2009.
What we're considering is booking Oceania, as it includes free
airfare. Since most of our time would be spent on the ship as opposed
to stopping frequently at port, we don't mind spending a bit more for
Oceania since we'd be interested in the ship vs. the itinerary for
that kind of a sailing. I know there is a group going on Oceania next
November TA; you might see if you can get in on that one. Cal Ford
has that group going, I believe. He posts here frequently; he's with
Lido Cruises.


Paul Johnson August 29th, 2007 02:18 AM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 

"Easy News" wrote in message
. ..
I have always wanted to do a Trans Atlantic crossing.
I know the two times of the year are usually in April and October when the
ships are either going to Europe or coming back for repositioning. I
realize we will have to fly one way and take a cruise the other way.
I was thinking that it would be the best thing to fly over and then take
the ship back. That way we would be able to bring back gifts without
worrying about the weight. and lost baggage. That would be in October.
I have been looking at the different cruise lines and the ports in Europe
where they go and where one needs to fly too to catch the ships and NCL
seems to have the best schedule of ports for us. They would be leaving
from Barcelona and arriving in Fort Lauderdale.
My questions are these;
Would October be a good time to do the Trans Atlantic crossing, weather
wise, or would April be safer?
Has anyone done the crossing and if so, would you comment about it?
Are there any specials one can find for the crossings like you find for
the Eastern and Western Caribbean?
Other than Carnival, would there be any cruise lines cheaper than NCL?
Carnival doesn't have enough stops to make it worth while, for me.
Any other information will certainly be appreciated.
Thanks for any and all replies.

October is a bit close to the end of hurricane season. Oceania brings the
Regatta back to Miami and the Insignia back to South America in late
November. We took the Insignia from Lisbon to Barbados in '04 and truly
loved it. This trip consisted of one sea day, stop at Funchal, Madeira, six
sea days, stop at St. Lucia, next day disembark at Barbados, fly to Miami,
overnight there (at Oceania expense) then on to Dulles. Our balcony cabin
was in the neighborhood of $1600 each including air from Washington Dulles
to Lisbon and from Barbados to Dulles (via Miami). Oceania has gathered a
following since so the prices aren't quite as favorable, but we just today
booked the Insignia from Barcelona to Rio De Janeiro (one sea day from
Barcelona, stop at Gibraltar, three sea days, stop at Porto Grande, Cape
Verde Islands, three sea days, stop at Recife, Brazil, one sea day, stop at
Salvador, Brazil, one sea day, arrive Rio mid-day and overnight on the ship
then disembark to fly back to Washington Dulles). Our fare this time for
the veranda cabin with all the taxes and add-ons is right at $3500 each,
again air included. Last time we paid for an ocean view cabin and were
upgraded at no expense to an A-level veranda. This time we sprung for a
B-level with the guarantee that if available, we would be upgraded.
You might look in to the Regatta sailing this fall. It leaves Barcelona on
November 13, has two sea days then stops at Ponta Delgada, Azores, four sea
days, then a stop in Bermuda, two more sea days and arrive in Miami. See:
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_Main...1-8fcb3e37185d
Oceania ships are smaller, but VERY comfortable with excellent food (open
dining and two upscale restaurants at no extra charge), great library, very
strict non-smoking rules, great service, country club casual dress (no
formal).
The Trans-Atlantics are SO relaxing and pleasant. We can hardly wait.
Paul Johnson



Paul Johnson August 29th, 2007 02:24 AM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
I meant to add to my previous post that flying overnight to catch your ship
in Europe is tough with jet lag, but coming back the time zones change
gradually and you arrive home very refreshed. A night or two in the hotel
at the departure port is great if you can swing it.
Paul Johnson



Surfer E2468 August 29th, 2007 02:46 AM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 
We did a transatlantic on the GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS,we went in late
sept.from southhampton to boston,weather was a little rough for a couple
days,but other wise a great experience,would love to do another one in
the near future,but do another route.
surfer e2468


cruise lover



Tom K August 29th, 2007 12:59 PM

Trans Atlantic Crossing
 

wrote in message
ups.com...

We haven't actually done a TA, but are considering it for Fall 2009.
What we're considering is booking Oceania, as it includes free
airfare. Since most of our time would be spent on the ship as opposed
to stopping frequently at port, we don't mind spending a bit more for
Oceania since we'd be interested in the ship vs. the itinerary for
that kind of a sailing. I know there is a group going on Oceania next
November TA; you might see if you can get in on that one. Cal Ford
has that group going, I believe. He posts here frequently; he's with
Lido Cruises.


That's a TINY ship to be doing a trans Atlantic on... I actually had doubts
about doing a Bermuda sailing during the fall on the Journey (another former
Ren sister ship) because of her tiny size. I sailed through a Nor'easter on
the tiny Zenith last year... it wasn't pretty. On the Explorer this past
spring, we sailed through the remnants of a tropical storm, with waves
higher than my second deck window... and until I opened the window I didn't
even know we were in rough seas.

I think I'd want a huge ship to do a crossing. Either a Voyager class or
the QM2. Both from a stability stand point and having tons of stuff to do
for 5-6 days.

--Tom




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