[westcoast]

Has anyone out there done this and could share their experience?
Seems like a lot of days at sea and wondering if that could be
a problem with not enough to do. Would leave in April 14 days.

[TheVillageChicken]

I have a friend that does it all the time out of Tampa. One thing he has learned is to book on the ship's first cruise after repositioning since about the only thing you see on the way over is The Azores or Iceland.

[vinricci]

If you cruise after a ship reposition, then you are not doing a transatlantic. We did one last May from Ft Lauderdale to Barcelona. At first we were apprehensive about being in the middle of the vast ocean, but as it turned out the seas were calm. Make sure you select a larger ship. Not only will you feel less movement, but there's more to do on board. We sailed on the Celebrity Solstice. 122,000 tons and 2,800 passengers. It had 3 swimming pools, 10 have ho t tubs, fitness center, casino, movies etc. We had an excellent travel agent who took care of all the details and questions. PM me if you want more details. And bon voyage.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by westcoast

Has anyone out there done this and could share their experience? Seems like a lot of days at sea and wondering if that could be
a problem with not enough to do.

Mrs Fox and I have done the transatlantics each way for the past three years (with Holland America Line) and enjoyed every one.

Most have a few ports of call in Spain, but the only one in the Atlantic is Canaries, Azores or Madeira.

However, ship usually organizes lecture series on board and if you just like to relax and read several books then it is a cheap way to travel. With so many ships crossing you can afford to wait until the last few weeks to book (unless you desperately want to go on a specific ship).

[TheVillageChicken]

Originally Posted by vinricci

If you cruise after a ship reposition, then you are not doing a transatlantic. We did one last May from Ft Lauderdale to Barcelona. At first we were apprehensive about being in the middle of the vast ocean, but as it turned out the seas were calm. Make sure you select a larger ship. Not only will you feel less movement, but there's more to do on board. We sailed on the Celebrity Solstice. 122,000 tons and 2,800 passengers. It had 3 swimming pools, 10 have ho t tubs, fitness center, casino, movies etc. We had an excellent travel agent who took care of all the details and questions. PM me if you want more details. And bon voyage.

My friend does the Transatlantic and the first cruise after that.

[JoMar]

I have take then QM2 on a transatlantic but the ship is designed for those cruises. I have considered re positioning Cruises and have heard they don't have the activities BUT the cost is hard to pass up. Even on the QM2 by the end of day 5 my wife was ready to scream. That cruise was direct, no ports of call but a wonderful ship and I was never bored.

[Madelaine Amee]

Have not done repositioning, but have done transatlantic crossing on the Princess Royal and it was excellent.

However, your main request refers to the number of days at sea. In our case it was seven (7) and for me it was too long, I got bored even though the weather was excellent. On the other hand my other half loved every moment of it, so it's really to each his own I guess. I would definitely go again, but this time I would make sure I had a tablet with games and the ability to down load books.

The crossing was truly amazing from the fact that we were at sea for seven days and never saw another ship, never saw a plane, nothing - and it really brought home to me how vast the Atlantic ocean is.

I should add that we stopped in Madeira which was absolutely wonderful. Well worth a visit.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by westcoast

Has anyone out there done this and could share their experience?

I should add that, in the many weeks we have spent crossing the southern North Atlantic, we have experienced just three slightly rough days.

However, since most crossings are in March/April and October/November, the air can be cool so sitting out on deck watching the waves go by is not always viable.

[Avista]

We've cruised Southhampton to NY on the QM2. Last year sailed Tampa to Norwich, England on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas. We loved the ship days, Had many lectures which we enjoy.

[TrudyM]

What ship is taking 14 days to cross the Atlantic?

[westcoast]

Thank you all, this is helpful

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

What ship is taking 14 days to cross the Atlantic?

Most of them take 14-15 days, on the southern route from Florida.

New York to Southampton is a lot shorter, so takes less than a week (plus the Queens go faster than cruise ships).

[PennBF]

We have taken a number of Transatlantics, close to 15. Some things to consider are. Fisrt put together a list of all the things to cover. Our list is about 60-70 line items. We like to read so we load up our Kindles with books before we leave. Plan and anticipate a relaxing time. It is fun in the evenings to listen to the music in the Centrums and go to the Entertainment. One way they make money is through drinking both liquor and soda. We buy one of their soda plans but don't drink liquor, etc. We have only had two conditions going over. One was rough seas but that is not too bad. We were in a gale and the ship rocked but it was not terrible. We did have a problem of a broken stablizer which made us sit in the bay of of a Country for 2 days but again it was not that bad. Most of ours were 6 days at sea before a port of call. The real advise is to put together a list of needs, a few are to make sure your credit card companies are advised you will be out of the country, make a copy of your passport and leave at home, glasses,go to the local Barnes and Noble and read up on countries and specifically the cities you will visit. Books overseas will probably be in local language? Take a belt wallet from AAA store for protection from pickpockets. The ship will leave without you if you are late getting back. Make sure you return on time. Be careful if you use local tourist
providers on the pier. We had problems using them once and almost missed the ships departure from the port. This is only a very partial list of needs. We maintain one and print it out before we go and check items off as we pack them or take care of ones before we leave. Good luck. It is great and have fun.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

What ship is taking 14 days to cross the Atlantic?

Last year it was the Brilliance of the Seas. Left out of Tampa. Port stops were Ireland, (Wonderful, Wonderful Day ) France (Went to Normandy Beaches), Belgium, England and before we crossed had a wonderful day in Boston. This was a fantastic 14 days and I would do again!

[PennBF]

I agree, the Brilliance is one of our favorite ships and the other ships that
Royal has in this class. We like the layout, the open buffet that you can sit
out at breakfast, and lunch. It's important the ship layout is good. We just
came back from a short cruise on the Enhancement and it was terrible both
from a layout, (e.g. the buffet dining area was an awful layout, everybody
pushing to get to food line, etc.) we would never take that class again.