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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 |
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Trans Atlantic Crossing
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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 |
#5
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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