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Old August 29th, 2007, 02:18 AM posted to rec.travel.cruises
Paul Johnson
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Posts: 21
Default 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