Transatlantic cruises - what did you love and hate?

[kaseyC]

I remember the reports coming in from those on the EBTA that year -- it was horrid. I remember they had 35 foot swells and shows were cancelled and people were sick. As a result, I was in panic mode that our sailing would be the same (it was our first one of that length across open ocean) and I feared it would be tough. We were so lucky for sure. There were days when I looked out the windows on Deck 3 and thought the ship wasn't moving at all it was so smooth!

I felt the same and was very hesitant to book but the price was way too good to pass up. Our crossing was awesome, we had gorgeous weather and seas like glass.

 

[darnheather]

EBTA is on my list for 2019 as a graduation gift to my daughter. I'm hoping the 23 hour days won't be too bad because I have terrible trouble with jet lag, but I like to go to bed early. I figure this way I'll be on the right time for the sightseeing we plan to do in England and then can sleep for a week once home.

 

[KalamityJane]

<3 this thread! We are on the EBTA this year I'm hoping because it is a southerly route that it will be calmer!

 

[bobbiwoz]

<3 this thread! We are on the EBTA this year I'm hoping because it is a southerly route that it will be calmer!

I hope so too! Looking forward to seeing the Azores.

 

[MUN]

I must admit, when I joined this board I was confused by some of the acronyms. I'm kind of up to speed now, but will confess that my first guess one what EBPC was I had it as a Pacific Cruise

Easy done!

I agree with you on the acronyms. I hate trying to remember MLAs!

MUN

 

[kaseyC]

EBTA is on my list for 2019 as a graduation gift to my daughter. I'm hoping the 23 hour days won't be too bad because I have terrible trouble with jet lag, but I like to go to bed early. I figure this way I'll be on the right time for the sightseeing we plan to do in England and then can sleep for a week once home.

The 23 hr days aren't too bad. At least they weren't for us. I really liked arriving in Europe already adjusted to the time. When we fly, I always have to plan an active day to keep everyone up so our bodies adjust.

Our 2014 EBTA was a graduation gift for my oldest DD. The cruise literally set sail the day after graduation. The only cruise I've had to fly in the morning of because she graduated the night before. I did everything I could to minimize the chance of delays...first flight out, non-stop flight andDCL transfers. My daughter had a blast on the cruise, there were a lot of kids in the 18-20 club and they had a fantastic host.

 

[MrsSmalls]

Our transatlantic in 2007 was one of our favorite cruises. It was tied to a 10-day Med, so we were on the Magic for 24 days.

This is my dream vacation!!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We are thinking about the Transatlantic in 2018. Probably Western bound since it comes back to NY. I think we'd have plenty to do for the 6 days at sea and the kids would love seeing Europe. And I'd love just having to unpack and pack for 5 people once!

We've been on one Disney cruise and it was on the Magic, which we loved.

Is there definite information that the 2018 WBTA will go to NY? The recent destinations have been NY in 2017, NY in 2016, Miami in 2015, and San Juan in 2014.

 

[MrsSmalls]

It's not confirmed that it will be NY again. I'm hoping. Originally I was looking at the wrong year. Yup, newbie right here =>

 

[RedSox68]

Is there definite information that the 2018 WBTA will go to NY? The recent destinations have been NY in 2017, NY in 2016, Miami in 2015, and San Juan in 2014.

Unlike other cruise lines, Disney never releases anything about the next set of itineraries until the week they open for ressies. So you really can't even plan ahead or compare -- which may be their point

 

[MrsSmalls]

So when about will they release the 2018 WBTA? TIA

 

[RedSox68]

So when about will they release the 2018 WBTA? TIA

Rumor (or past history) says sometime in May.

 

[ali_in_al]

Great question, Mrs. Smalls! And love reading all the replies - such good info to tuck away for possible future use!

 

[clten]

We were very fortunate with our seas in 2007. So smooth. We were a bit worried because the 2007 EBTA had a very rough crossing. @RedSox68 do remember the pictures folks were posting. The 2007 WBTA is still one of my all time favorite cruises. It was a last minute decision for us. It wasn't selling well so Disney offered these 999.00 pp Cat. 12 GTY. I took my oldest DD who was in 6th grade. Less than 2k for a 14 night Disney cruise and we ended up with a Cat. 9 on Deck 2. Those were the days.

I remember those pictures! There were a few of the water in the pool (well, formerly in the pool) that stick with me even today. We were supposed to be on that crossing but had to change to the WB that year (so we must have sailed together!). We are a little odd in that we LOVE really rocky seas and we were so hopeful since that spring sailing had such a rocky cruise that we would too since the weather was supposed to be rougher in late summer. As said, our crossing that year was like glass - the whole way. But it was still one of the best cruises. We had so many activities, I had to keep a list of where I wanted to be and when and I am sooooo not a planner! And just looked it up -- that sailing was so empty that it was the one and only time in 42 cruises DCL gave us a free upgrade (from Cat 9 on Deck 2 to a verandah on deck 5).

 

[MrsSmalls]

that sailing was so empty that it was the one and only time in 42 cruises DCL gave us a free upgrade (from Cat 9 on Deck 2 to a verandah on deck 5).

Wow! that's a great surprise.

 

[RedSox68]

I remember those pictures! There were a few of the water in the pool (well, formerly in the pool) that stick with me even today. We were supposed to be on that crossing but had to change to the WB that year (so we must have sailed together!). We are a little odd in that we LOVE really rocky seas and we were so hopeful since that spring sailing had such a rocky cruise that we would too since the weather was supposed to be rougher in late summer. As said, our crossing that year was like glass - the whole way. But it was still one of the best cruises. We had so many activities, I had to keep a list of where I wanted to be and when and I am sooooo not a planner! And just looked it up -- that sailing was so empty that it was the one and only time in 42 cruises DCL gave us a free upgrade (from Cat 9 on Deck 2 to a verandah on deck 5).

That is an awesome break. I wonder if many cancelled because of what they read about the EBTA crossing and how bad it was.

 

[darnheather]

The 23 hr days aren't too bad. At least they weren't for us. I really liked arriving in Europe already adjusted too the time. When we fly, I always have to plan an active day to keep everyone up so our bodies adjust.

Our 2014 EBTA was a graduation gift for my oldest DD. The cruise literally set sail the day after graduation. The only cruise I've had to fly in the morning of because she graduated the night before. I did everything I could to minimize the chance of delays...first flight out, non-stop flight andDCL transfers. My daughter had a blast on the cruise, there were a lot of kids in the 18-20 club and they had a fantastic host.

Oddly enough I've never vacationed in a country with a vastly different time zone only moved there. (Well I did visit the US for six weeks twice when I was living abroad). I have to have at least a week to adjust and am miserable the entire time. Even if I do everything recommended it's still a really bad thing for me.

 

[dclpluto]

Transatlantic is a nice cruise. Good price. Not too short not too long of a cruise.

Downside cost of plane tickets.

 

[kaseyC]

I remember those pictures! There were a few of the water in the pool (well, formerly in the pool) that stick with me even today. We were supposed to be on that crossing but had to change to the WB that year (so we must have sailed together!). We are a little odd in that we LOVE really rocky seas and we were so hopeful since that spring sailing had such a rocky cruise that we would too since the weather was supposed to be rougher in late summer. As said, our crossing that year was like glass - the whole way. But it was still one of the best cruises. We had so many activities, I had to keep a list of where I wanted to be and when and I am sooooo not a planner! And just looked it up -- that sailing was so empty that it was the one and only time in 42 cruises DCL gave us a free upgrade (from Cat 9 on Deck 2 to a verandah on deck 5).

Those were the pictures that stuck in my mind too. The pools almost empty of water. There were some really great upgrades. That was our first TA crossing and I've been hooked ever since. Unfortunately, with girls school schedules we can't make the timing work any longer.

 

[ShakeyShakey]

We are lined up for the EBTA and Northern Europe Baltic cruise (back to back) this May...we've done a couple of Panama Crossings and can't wait for 22 days aboard the Disneyland Magic...for those future cruisers planning for the one-way flight, I booked through an online search engine and was able to get a one-way flight from Copenhagen to Toronto for $700 Cdn (about $530 US)...I found out that the booking service actually booked a 'return' flight for a few weeks later and will 'cancel' the return booking and pocket the difference...During my research both Icelandic Air and Norwegian Air had some pretty competitive one-way flights Copenhagen to many Eastern US airports...