transatlantic cruise advise

[Garyjames220]

Hey

I was just wanted a bit of info on the transatlantic cruise from Miami to Barcelona

I see the prices are not too bad as it’s 13 nights as a lot of cruises are charging just the same for 7 nights

- we are planning in doing this in may 2020. There is a good chance my partner could be pregnant then, is Zika virus in Miami or would she be safe to go

- we are just two young adults going and I see there is 7 sea days. Do u think there is enough to do or would u get bored after a while

- is there normally less kids of these cruises

- how many shows will they show if it’s 13 nights

- any other advise please do let me no

 

[dcassetta]

Hey

I was just wanted a bit of info on the transatlantic cruise from Miami to Barcelona

I see the prices are not too bad as it’s 13 nights as a lot of cruises are charging just the same for 7 nights

- we are planning in doing this in may 2020. There is a good chance my partner could be pregnant then, is Zika virus in Miami or would she be safe to go

- we are just two young adults going and I see there is 7 sea days. Do u think there is enough to do or would u get bored after a while

- is there normally less kids of these cruises

- how many shows will they show if it’s 13 nights

- any other advise please do let me no

Miami is not currently listed as an area of concern, nor is the Bahamas if the ship stops at CC. Obviously, this could change between now and 2020.

They will be lots of activities on the sea days.

Yes, less kids

You will have the three main shows, plus possible extra shows from the Disney team, guest entertainers and movies in the Walt Disney theatre.

 

[FSU Girl]

I think Disney is a great ship to do a transatlantic with. The ship is so nice you're going to have a great time. I've never done one with that many sea days before, but had looked into doing it. I had just wanted more of actual Europe so we opted to not do that, but I would definitely do one in the future.

 

[Geomom]

Look at the personal navigators from disneycruiselineblog.com:
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...c-cruise-from-miami-to-barcelona-may-13-2018/

There is something going on every night in the theater. Lots of adult entertainment and classes, etc. Different menu every night. With the price of these and all the extra entertainment, I'd love to do one someday...once my kids are out of school!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We did this eastbound TA crossing this year and are booked again in 2019. Definitely recommended. Although at the senior end of the age spectrum, DW and I also travel as a couple without children along. We find plenty to do. I do some adult beverage tastings (nominal extra charge), Anyone Can Cook demonstrations (free, adults only), trivia in O’Gill’s Pub and the Promenade Lounge, visit the Cove Cafe and adult pool area, etc. DW also does many character meet and greets. Sea days are the best! Also significantly fewer children aboard since schools are still in session most everywhere.

 

[clten]

There are a lot of activities going on that they only offer on these longer cruises and yes these cruises have a lot less kids. We've been on several where they have "Adults invade the Club" to be able to do the activities that are usually only offered to the kids. They usually bring on special entertainment so while they still only have the 3 full theater shows, they have a variety of entertainment the whole cruise - many we have enjoyed much better than the standard shows! They plan the activities knowing you'll be a "captive" audience for a couple of weeks so they get creative and the cruise staff has fun because it is a change in their routine too. I highly recommend them. We were doing them every spring for a few years and would certainly book it again if we didn't have other spring vacation plans the next couple years!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Boredom on sea days is very subjective. Yes, you can keep very busy, but on the other hand you might not like the activities offered (trivia, bingo, crafts, shows, etc - look at the navigators that were posted in that link).

 

[Garyjames220]

Thanks that’s very helpful

Would you so disney are changing a lot more for transatlantic compared to other cruises lines or is there prices not that much more

 

[lilsonicfan]

I haven't looked at the pricing for every cruise line but my guess is that the DCL transatlantic is still going to be higher than a non-DCL transatlantic - for example I found a pretty good rate on an NCL one with similar dates. But I chose to stick with DCL as it will likely be more fun for my kids.

 

[dclpluto]

Also for your airline tickets play the system it could save you a lot of $$$$. For my transatlantic cruise next year I put in dummy dates. They want something like 2500 dollars one way from philly to Dover. But if I play the system it’s only like 600 round trip. So of course I’m going to book a round trip but I only going to go on the one flight. Make sure you book the first one as the one you are going to use. I see your from Scotland so don’t know if the rates are like that from Scotland to Miami. But it might be cheaper to book a round trip. Just make sure your Scotland to Miami is the first flight. Than the Miami to Scotland you won’t use.

 

[Frances Carter]

There are a handful of airlines that do not upcharge for one way tickets....we flew TAP one way from New York to France last year before the wbta. We also priced Turkish airlines and I think Norwegian

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Also for your airline tickets play the system it could save you a lot of $$$$. For my transatlantic cruise next year I put in dummy dates. They want something like 2500 dollars one way from philly to Dover. But if I play the system it’s only like 600 round trip. So of course I’m going to book a round trip but I only going to go on the one flight. Make sure you book the first one as the one you are going to use. I see your from Scotland so don’t know if the rates are like that from Scotland to Miami. But it might be cheaper to book a round trip. Just make sure your Scotland to Miami is the first flight. Than the Miami to Scotland you won’t use.

We're looking at a N European cruise in summer '20; what do you mean by 'play the system'? We're a family of 5 and the airline cost is ...significant.

 

[dcassetta]

We're looking at a N European cruise in summer '20; what do you mean by 'play the system'? We're a family of 5 and the airline cost is ...significant.

One-way tickets may be more expensive than round-trip tickets. As an example - the cruise ends in Barcelona and a one-way ticket from Barcelona to New York City is $1000. But, a round-trip ticket is only $500. The catch is you need to book the round-trip starting in Barcelona. You take that flight from Barcelona to NYC and then just skip the "return".

 

[dclpluto]

We're looking at a N European cruise in summer '20; what do you mean by 'play the system'? We're a family of 5 and the airline cost is ...significant.

North European cruise you need a round trip anyway. For a transatlantic cruise you only need a one way. But a one way is a lot more than a round trip. So you book a round trip but only take the one flight.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

There are a handful of airlines that do not upcharge for one way tickets....we flew TAP one way from New York to France last year before the wbta. We also priced Turkish airlines and I think Norwegian

Also Aer Lingus has offered good fares on one-way tickets. We’ve flown them 3 times, twice Chicago to Barcelona for WBTAs and most recently Barcelona to Chicago after the EBTA in May.

 

[Girl of the South]

You have to be careful not to "play the system" too often though. Airlines do keep track of that practice which is hypothetically illegal. Don't do it on an airline where you have Frequent Flyer miles as you may lose them all. You do it at your own risk.

"Unfortunately, the airlines are onto travelers who participate in what they call “throwaway ticketing” (although we prefer the more appropriate term, “turning the tables”): booking a roundtrip flight and only using one of your tickets in order to save money over a more expensive one-way flight. Most airlines have a restrictive clause in their terms and conditions that bans throwaway ticketing. For example, Delta’s website says the airline prohibits “Throw-away ticketing — use of discounted roundtrip excursion fares for one-way travel.” As punishment, the airline threatens to confiscate unused flight coupons, refuse boarding or even charge the passenger for the more expensive one-way flight.


Although throwaway ticketing is taboo according to airline executives, many travelers risk getting caught and do it anyway. Your airline might never notice. Travel agents tend to stay away from the practice because airlines may threaten to refuse tickets to agents who help travelers book throwaway tickets. Bottom line: Engage in throwaway ticketing at your own risk."

As far as keeping busy on a TransAtlantic cruise - i read 4 long books and very much enjoyed the Cooking Classes. But it was not warm on the pool deck so not many people hung out there. Pools were mostly empty. Cove Cafe was packed. Lots of blankets being used. And at the Buffet it was a bit chilly for eating outside. Also found the 'fast' food - burgers, hot dogs - were lukewarm and not very appetizing. Could be that there simply weren't many people eating them so the food sat longer than normal. It was cheaper per night than a 4 night cruise.

 

[cruiser21]

We just did this cruise. There were less young kids, but lots of teens. I was surprised by the number of teens. It was probably the most crowded I've ever seen the Edge and Vibe on an off season cruise.

 

[cruiser21]

You have to be careful not to "play the system" too often though. Airlines do keep track of that practice which is hypothetically illegal. Don't do it on an airline where you have Frequent Flyer miles as you may lose them all. You do it at your own risk.

"Unfortunately, the airlines are onto travelers who participate in what they call “throwaway ticketing” (although we prefer the more appropriate term, “turning the tables”): booking a roundtrip flight and only using one of your tickets in order to save money over a more expensive one-way flight. Most airlines have a restrictive clause in their terms and conditions that bans throwaway ticketing. For example, Delta’s website says the airline prohibits “Throw-away ticketing — use of discounted roundtrip excursion fares for one-way travel.” As punishment, the airline threatens to confiscate unused flight coupons, refuse boarding or even charge the passenger for the more expensive one-way flight.


Although throwaway ticketing is taboo according to airline executives, many travelers risk getting caught and do it anyway. Your airline might never notice. Travel agents tend to stay away from the practice because airlines may threaten to refuse tickets to agents who help travelers book throwaway tickets. Bottom line: Engage in throwaway ticketing at your own risk."

As far as keeping busy on a TransAtlantic cruise - i read 4 long books and very much enjoyed the Cooking Classes. But it was not warm on the pool deck so not many people hung out there. Pools were mostly empty. Cove Cafe was packed. Lots of blankets being used. And at the Buffet it was a bit chilly for eating outside. Also found the 'fast' food - burgers, hot dogs - were lukewarm and not very appetizing. Could be that there simply weren't many people eating them so the food sat longer than normal. It was cheaper per night than a 4 night cruise.

I'm just wondering how an airline can punish someone or charge them after the fact. The only way I can see this occurring is if you used points or were part of their frequent flyer program. I probably wouldn't do this on a carrier I was a frequent flyer on, but if it was a foreign or domestic carrier that I don't usually fly on I do it.

 

[gilsan]

Also for your airline tickets play the system it could save you a lot of $$$$. For my transatlantic cruise next year I put in dummy dates. They want something like 2500 dollars one way from philly to Dover. But if I play the system it’s only like 600 round trip. So of course I’m going to book a round trip but I only going to go on the one flight. Make sure you book the first one as the one you are going to use. I see your from Scotland so don’t know if the rates are like that from Scotland to Miami. But it might be cheaper to book a round trip. Just make sure your Scotland to Miami is the first flight. Than the Miami to Scotland you won’t use.

You can find very reasonable one-way transatlantic flights if you use a discount airline like Iceland air, Norwegian air, Condor air, Westjet. We have never paid more than $400 for a one-way flight. Make sure you are checking flight with Hopper or google flights they will give you more options, and check smaller airports like Gatwick vs Heathrow.

I had a quick look and Philadelphia to London in September you can get a one-way flight with Iceland Air for $316/person

 

[dclpluto]

You can find very reasonable one-way transatlantic flights if you use a discount airline like Iceland air, Norwegian air, Condor air, Westjet. We have never paid more than $400 for a one-way flight. Make sure you are checking flight with Hopper or google flights they will give you more options, and check smaller airports like Gatwick vs Heathrow.

I had a quick look and Philadelphia to London in September you can get a one-way flight with Iceland Air for $316/person

Thanks I just checked it out. Looks really great.