The +1 and I are considering a trans-Atlantic cruise this April from Miami to Rome. We have cruised a couple of times before (to Bermuda), and while we enjoyed these cruises very much, the ship was essentially a floating hotel in Bermuda. This cruise, obviously, will be much different, with 9 days at sea (including stops in the Bahamas, Bermuda, etc.). My question is this: has anyone on this board made such a cruise, and more importantly, what can we expect? The cruise we are considering is this one. (Ignore the costs...I have found a really good deal!)

It's on a smaller ship (which we like), is very British, and appears to be tailored towards the over 50 crowd.

(paS2K, I really will be retired then!)

Your opinions, please.

 

Gene,

We are cruise neophytes. Our first cruise was a seven day from NYC to Bermuda four an a half years ago on Celebrity Cruise Lines and we loved it. Our second cruise was on Norwegian Cruise Lines out of Miami on a nine day cruise to the Southern Caribean. That was a much different experience.

Just a few of our observations:

Most younger Americans only get two weeks of vacation. Therefore the nine day cruise was mostly VERY retired senior citizens (many with walkers or wheel chairs, which made the lunch buffet lines a leasurely experience to say that least). About one third of the passengers were European (most get at least a month of vacation time by law). But many of them were traveling in groups which did not encourage a lot of interaction with them socially.

I am NOT at all familiar with this cruise line. But if it is a European based line I would bet that you can expect a much more "formal" rather than relaxed experience. You had better take a Tuxedo or at least a few suits and ties. I have talked with people that have done the crossing from New York to Hampton on the QE2 and they were surprised by how formal it was. No shorts and sandals in the restaurants. Formal dinners every night, not just for the Captain's dinner.

We are looking forward to our next cruise (whenever that may be). For what it is worth on the last night of our last cruise we got talking to a fortyish couple from our balcony stateroom while they were out on their balcony also enjoying the sunset on the way back to Miami. It was their twenty-eighth cruise (our second). As we discussed the different experience that we had had they agreed that they had NEVER been disappointed with any of their eighteen cruises on Celebrity. They keep on trying other lines but go back to Celebrity after trying the others.

My oldest Brother and his wife cruise about twice a year over the last decade or so. They will only do Celebrity or the Princess line. Just my two cents.

 

Chris and I had never been on a cruise, (although I had crossed the Atlantic twice before on the United States).

Some years ago we were at a charity gala, and on a lark we bid on a 7 day Caribbean cruise. We didn't really know what to expect, but ended up have a fantastic vacation, and meeting some fun folks that we have kept in touch with since. I even ended up paying our $700 bar tab with a lucky pull on a one-armed bandit in the ship's casino.

The passengers were varied in age, but we met an older couple who were on their 84th cruise. Even the ship's crew knew them well, it seemed. Like Matt, I have never met anyone who didn't have a great time on a cruise.

I can't really help with your questions, Gene, but I think Matt is probably right about choosing the right cruise line to fit your expectations. I think the next cruise we do will be to Alaska, and I would like sometime to do a Mediterranean cruise starting from Spain.

 

We have only been on the CAT ferry to Nova Scotia. I hope there is alot to do on the ship, because the scenery out to sea is quite boring, lots of water all the way to the curve of the earth.
Any time you spend with your loved ones is well worth it.

 

I've been on several cruises (including Quebec/Montreal via the St Lawrence Seaway, Bermuda, from San Juan through the Panama Canal to Acapulco, around the Caribbean), but never crossing the Atlantic. Six days at sea seems like a lot to me, but if there are interesting things to do and interesting people on board, it should be fine. My only worry would be rough seas, but at least you are avoiding the North Atlantic route.

 

Thanks, everyone for your comments. I did a lot of research on-line after I posted this last night, and decided that this cruise is not right for us. For one thing, it's too British (meaning formal or stuffy...thanks, Matt) and there will probably be too many 's on board, as well. Additionally, the travel agent I am working with couldn't get any deals on airfare, which was the final deciding factor.

She is now investigating a similar cruise on a Celebrity ship (we have cruised with them twice before, and they are tops as far as I am concerned) that has a similar itinerary, but ends in Barcelona.

Anyone care to join us?

 

We just got back from Bermuda. We are booked out of Charleston in December for the Caribbean for 7 days. Also booked in October 08 for Hawaii out of San Diego.

Any time other than then, we can join you. We cruised out of Barcelona last year for 12 days on the Brilliance of the Seas. a great trip. we are ready to do that one again.
I guess you have already figured out that we are retired


Sure, we have some years behind us but we are not worn out yet.

You can get some right good rates on flights here.
http://www.cheapflights.com/

 

Take a look at Norwegian CL; they do trans-Atlantic trips. We do only Princess and NCl.

 

In case anyone is interested, we pulled the trigger on this cruise. There are still openings in case anyone wants to join us!

...and, we'll be back in time for Spring Fling 2008!

 

Gene, this sounds great....if you have lots to do on the "at sea" days

I plan to save the "cruise" experiences until I'm OLD and don't have the energy to walk/ hike/ etc

If you have never been to Barcelona before, I heartily recommend that you stay there a few days.....it's a truly wonderful and interesting city. Even if you're not 'into' architecture, the Gaudi buildings are and his Parc Guell is