Transatlatic Cruising, What Should We Expect?

[disneyfan888]

Hello everyone,
The hubby and I are super excited to be going on the Eastern Transatlantic cruise next year on the Magic. We have sailed with DCL multiple times, but have never done anything longer than 7 nights, so this will be a new experience. We also have a baby who will be 2 at the time of sailing. We have already done DCL with her, but they have been short voyages. I am a bit nervous this time around since it is a longer cruise and it would be the first time traveling International with the baby. I don't know if it's just regular mom jitters or if I should really be concerned about anything.

What are some things we should prep for for those who have done the Transatlantic voyages?

Also, we have the DCL insurance, but were considering getting additional traveler's insurance that covers anything medical in the event anything were to happen, especially traveling with the baby. Any recommendations as to what companies I should research?

I have read multiple times that the longer voyages tend to get boring, although I don't see us getting bored on DCL, if you fall into this category, why did you think it was boring? We are just looking to kick back and relax so I don't think we should have any issues, but we were curious.

Any information is greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

[mandylovesdisney]

I haven't done a TA yet, but the first thing that came to mind after reading your post was... time change. I would think that would be rough on a little one and in return, you.

 

[disneyfan888]

I haven't done a TA yet, but the first thing that came to mind after reading your post was... time change. I would think that would be rough on a little one and in return, you.

Very true! I certainly need to keep that in mind. I was not even thinking about that.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello everyone,
The hubby and I are super excited to be going on the Eastern Transatlantic cruise next year on the Magic. We have sailed with DCL multiple times, but have never done anything longer than 7 nights, so this will be a new experience. We also have a baby who will be 2 at the time of sailing. We have already done DCL with her, but they have been short voyages. I am a bit nervous this time around since it is a longer cruise and it would be the first time traveling International with the baby. I don't know if it's just regular mom jitters or if I should really be concerned about anything.

What are some things we should prep for for those who have done the Transatlantic voyages?

Also, we have the DCL insurance, but were considering getting additional traveler's insurance that covers anything medical in the event anything were to happen, especially traveling with the baby. Any recommendations as to what companies I should research?

I have read multiple times that the longer voyages tend to get boring, although I don't see us getting bored on DCL, if you fall into this category, why did you think it was boring? We are just looking to kick back and relax so I don't think we should have any issues, but we were curious.

Any information is greatly appreciated. TIA.

Do you have passports for everyone? You'll need those.

Regarding travel insurance, you'll find that 3rd party insurance is often better and cheaper than using cruise line insurance. Cruise line insurance doesn't kick in until the departure date and only covers those things purchased through the cruise line. We typically book through one of the several travel insurance comparison sites (just google that). You put in the parameters of what you paid and what you want covered, and they will show you many different policies from different companies that will fit the bill. Our biggest concern for travel insurance is the medical and evacuation coverage. Many US health plans don't cover out of country, and evacuation can be really costly, if needed.

I've not found that longer voyages are boring. And that's what we primarily do.

 

[disneyfan888]

Do you have passports for everyone? You'll need those.

Regarding travel insurance, you'll find that 3rd party insurance is often better and cheaper than using cruise line insurance. Cruise line insurance doesn't kick in until the departure date and only covers those things purchased through the cruise line. We typically book through one of the several travel insurance comparison sites (just google that). You put in the parameters of what you paid and what you want covered, and they will show you many different policies from different companies that will fit the bill. Our biggest concern for travel insurance is the medical and evacuation coverage. Many US health plans don't cover out of country, and evacuation can be really costly, if needed.

I've not found that longer voyages are boring. And that's what we primarily do.

Thank you for your input. We do have passports, so that is one thing down.

Thanks again

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We do have passports,

Not to be picky, but "we" as in all of you, including the baby?

 

[disneyfan888]

Not to be picky, but "we" as in all of you, including the baby?

No worries at all. I know you are trying to help. We all have PP's. I understand that since it is an International voyage everyone needs one including the baby.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

No worries at all. I know you are trying to help. We all have PP's. I understand that since it is an International voyage everyone needs one including the baby.

Okey-dokey. I've just read of too many parents who feel "I have a passport, so my baby doesn't need one".

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Do you have passports for everyone? You'll need those.

Regarding travel insurance, you'll find that 3rd party insurance is often better and cheaper than using cruise line insurance. Cruise line insurance doesn't kick in until the departure date and only covers those things purchased through the cruise line. We typically book through one of the several travel insurance comparison sites (just google that). You put in the parameters of what you paid and what you want covered, and they will show you many different policies from different companies that will fit the bill. Our biggest concern for travel insurance is the medical and evacuation coverage. Many US health plans don't cover out of country, and evacuation can be really costly, if needed.

I've not found that longer voyages are boring. And that's what we primarily do.

Do you have any third party ones you can recommend?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do you have any third party ones you can recommend?

I just use a couple of the various travel insurance comparison sites: insure my trip and squaremouth, mostly. But there are others.

I think all the cruises we've been on, I don't think we've repeated any specific company. We just take the 20 lowest policies quoted and compare them side by side, eliminating the ones who's specific coverages are as good as others, until we have about 3 of them left and then really looking at them to see which will fit our requirements the best.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I just use a couple of the various travel insurance comparison sites: insure my trip and squaremouth, mostly. But there are others.

I think all the cruises we've been on, I don't think we've repeated any specific company. We just take the 20 lowest policies quoted and compare them side by side, eliminating the ones who's specific coverages are as good as others, until we have about 3 of them left and then really looking at them to see which will fit our requirements the best.

For the Disney one you have to pay just prior to the pay in full date, so for others, what typically is the deadline?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

For the Disney one you have to pay just prior to the pay in full date, so for others, what typically is the deadline?

You can purchase travel insurance at any time. But there are some caveats - if you want pre-existing conditions coverage (not available on DCL insurance from what I've read) you often have to purchase with a certain time frame after initial payment (14-21 days usually, varies from company to company). Also, the closer to departure date you buy, I think it costs more than if you buy it further out.

Some companies require purchase prior to paid in full date. Others you can buy after PIF. But usually costs more.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

You can purchase travel insurance at any time. But there are some caveats - if you want pre-existing conditions coverage (not available on DCL insurance from what I've read) you often have to purchase with a certain time frame after initial payment (14-21 days usually, varies from company to company). Also, the closer to departure date you buy, I think it costs more than if you buy it further out.

Some companies require purchase prior to paid in full date. Others you can buy after PIF. But usually costs more.

Good info, thanks. Do you usually buy the insurance at time of booking, or wait?

 

[GPaLarry]

Insurance is covered above. We found on our WBTA last Sept. a couple of things:
1. Time change is good going west, not so good going east (had to do it years ago on an EBPC).
2. Fewer kids on board, because they are still in school. This might be a good thing for you folks with more personal attention given the little one if you intend to use sitting services.
3. We never get bored on a DCL cruise, just like PrincessShmoo, above. There are special activities/events that are only offered on the longer (than 7 days) cruises. On the Magic we had a new adult scavenger hunt just about every day out of guest services. IE: 10 small photos on a card of pieces of artwork(uniforms, carpeting & furniture) located all over the ship that you had to find by 10 pm each day. Turn in the card with the snapshots identified and located and you might win a prize the next day. There is often something going on in the atrium that we checked out each day (diaper dash & chip it golf). Also a good time to catch up on Disney movies, which they crank out almost every week, in the theater. There are special speakers, sometimes Disney artists and cooks, who have continuing presentations. The Navigator is loaded with stuff to do, mostly inside because the weather can be iffy out. We got to do a behind the scenes tour of the stage with sets, costumes, trap doors, etc. There might also be a galley tour, not done on shorter cruises.
4. Since there are no excursions during "at sea" days, it is much more relaxed. Sleep in (in your case that might not happen, but sometimes wishes do come true), take your time eating, use the water features on top deck, weather permitting (with fewer kids). Get snacks whenever you like...and you don't have to clean up your room or fix dinner, a true bonus.

I have about talked myself into booking another TA cruise. Have an Alaska one coming up in June first. Interesting, however, that TA and Panama Canal cruises seem to change their itinerary every time. You'll have a great time!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Good info, thanks. Do you usually buy the insurance at time of booking, or wait?

I always buy right away. As we're old, I want to be sure that pre-exisiting conditions coverage is in place. Plus, we tend to buy cruises way far in advance (sometimes up to 2 years out) and you never know what may come up in that time.

 

[gotomu212]

One kind of out of the box thing to remember is enough diapers. We did a TA with one still in diapers and I momentarily panicked halfway across the ocean that we didn't have enough (it all worked out). They do have limited supplies on ship but they are crazy expensive.

We thought they were perfect cruises with little ones because the days were. Ore unstructured and we could be more laid back and adjust sleeping and eating to fit what worked.

 

[disneyfan888]

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[dclpluto]

Make sure you bring Bonine and something for your baby for motion. Eastern can be very rough seas.

Longer cruises is very nice time to relax and enjoy the ship. Usually disney brings on someone special for the longer cruises for a show in the wdt one night. One time we had Jim brickman but don't expect someone that famous. Usually someone from a Disney broadway show. One night you might have a crew talent show in the wdt. Usually a imagineer will have a presentation. One time a guy you see on espn gave a presentation. Lots of new things.

 

[disneyfan888]

Make sure you bring Bonine and something for your baby for motion. Eastern can be very rough seas.

Longer cruises is very nice time to relax and enjoy the ship. Usually disney brings on someone special for the longer cruises for a show in the wdt one night. One time we had Jim brickman but don't expect someone that famous. Usually someone from a Disney broadway show. One night you might have a crew talent show in the wdt. Usually a imagineer will have a presentation. One time a guy you see on espn gave a presentation. Lots of new things.

Thanks for the tip!

So excited for the trip

 

[scrapycruiser]

Great thread...the WBTA 2018 will be our 1st Transatlantic!