Ampurp85 Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 I was wondering what is the consensus on a big ship like Odyssey/Symphany versus Brillance/Rhapsody for a Transatlantic sailing? I feel like those sailings are half in and half out, i.e., about 5 or 6 port days but also the same when it comes to sea days. So, things like shows and specialty dining become important but at the same time the ship isn't really the destination. Would you do suites or get a balcony room so you can spend more on the excursions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 11 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I was wondering what is the consensus on a big ship like Odyssey/Symphany versus Brillance/Rhapsody for a Transatlantic sailing? I feel like those sailings are half in and half out, i.e., about 5 or 6 port days but also the same when it comes to sea days. So, things like shows and specialty dining become important but at the same time the ship isn't really the destination. Would you do suites or get a balcony room so you can spend more on the excursions? Transatlantic sailings are sea day intensive. I would always go with the bigger ship for that reason. More to do. WAAAYTOOO, barbeyg and Ampurp85 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 12 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I was wondering what is the consensus on a big ship like Odyssey/Symphany versus Brillance/Rhapsody for a Transatlantic sailing? I feel like those sailings are half in and half out, i.e., about 5 or 6 port days but also the same when it comes to sea days. So, things like shows and specialty dining become important but at the same time the ship isn't really the destination. Would you do suites or get a balcony room so you can spend more on the excursions? This is my answer, no one else's LOL: In the case of cruising, I believe bigger is always better. I haven't ever done a Transatlantic sailing so I'm only assuming that the seas could become a little rough at times and I believe that the larger the ship, with anti-roll fins, the better it handles the rough seas. I also believe that the ship is MY destination. So, a suite is always my goal, finances allowing. Bottom line though - Cruising is the goal, no matter the size or room, just enjoy it. MikeK and Ampurp85 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin and Boozin Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 My thoughts are larger the better. I would also pick a suite. I think on a transatlantic having more ship space would be a must for me. barbeyg, BrianB, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted June 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 I am thinking Symphony, Anthem or Odyssey because there is more space and more to do on those sea days. It's also a boon that they will end up either in FLL or MIA, that saves on round trip airfare. KJ777, barbeyg, Cruisin and Boozin and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScooterScott22 Posted June 18, 2022 Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 We have done a TA cruise and had a trans pacific planned (cancelled by Covid). The TA was on a smaller ship and we had no issues since we went in planning on relaxing as much as possible. The TP was suppose to be on a Quantum class and we were really looking forward to all the activities she had to offer. Either one can be satisfying, but you have to pick based on you own expectations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nferr Posted June 18, 2022 Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 Did a Transatlantic in April on the NCL Epic which is a large ship. Seas were very smooth. I was solo and a balcony room was more space than I needed. It was a 15 night cruise with of course a lot of sea days. For me the larger ship was better. More dining venues, bars, shows etc. I relaxed, slept late, spent most afternoons up on the decks, evenings ate in different restaurants and enjoyed music and socialized in the lounges. Loved it. Will definitely do another soon. The ports were excellent also. Moby Dick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nursedebe Posted June 18, 2022 Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 We are going in September on Rhapsody of the Sea, which is the smaller ship. There is only one day at sea and the rest are Greek Isles. We wanted more of a location and relaxation! We are going to be busy in Greece every day so really won't be able to utilize a bigger ship I think. Only one day at sea to utilize the ship. I guess its just a preference. But I'm good with a smaller ship! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not easy being green Posted June 18, 2022 Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 We have sailed on older ships and newer ships with RC, space to us is what we enjoy so we nowadays tend to go bigger. Also on newer ships (if you have a GS or larger) the internet is included - major cost savings. Then you add the Costal Kitchen and a few of the other perks it comes down to savings overall. With the smaller/older ships you sometimes get much more personal attention and less overall people that has its advantages also. Since you were speaking about Transatlantic I would go newer/larger in a heartbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbeyg Posted June 18, 2022 Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 We plan to do a TA in 2024, for retirement celebration. Will def book a suite on Quantum class or Oasis class. With 2 weeks at sea, and many sea days, we prefer the variety those ships have to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_A Posted June 18, 2022 Report Share Posted June 18, 2022 I am doing TA Next April on Odyssey. I Think that will be perfect for a Trans Atlantic. barbeyg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveling Mike Posted June 19, 2022 Report Share Posted June 19, 2022 I am going to differ with most of the people here. A large ship has more to do but finding friends is much harder. On a small ship I meet people multiple times and we end up doing things together and stop and talk because we have seen them before. If you are there for your family only a bug ship is the way to go. If you are there to be social the small ships are the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda R Posted June 19, 2022 Report Share Posted June 19, 2022 Definitely larger ship with more to do. And you have so many sea days. I do take the smaller ships for the itinerary once in Europe. But only take larger newer ships for transatlantic every spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey V. Posted June 19, 2022 Report Share Posted June 19, 2022 We did the Anthem transatlantic last May, and in November, plan to go back to the USA on the smaller ship Vision. Our idea of a transatlantic is for transportation rather than a vacation in and of itself. We do not drink and the MDR / Windjammer is fine for food (mostly). We are not into the art shows or casinos. I like the solarium in Radiance, and will probably do so while reading. Vision had three visiting ports, and we are Floridians. So I based the decision on location and price over size of ship and "extras". However, I think you need to factor in whether the transatlantic is the vacation or if it is part of a bigger adventure. If you get a great deal on a big ship and it's where you want to go, then I would select it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cakemeister Posted June 19, 2022 Report Share Posted June 19, 2022 One thing about TAs. I recommend going east to west. Mrs. Cake has been on both, and she had a strong preference for E->W, because of the time zone changes. Ship-wise, I think they are all great. I went on Mariner from Rome to Galveston back in 2006, my favorite cruise so far. Barbeyg mentioned taking a TA in 2024 for a retirement celebration. I hope to do the same! WAAAYTOOO, barbeyg and KristiZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbeyg Posted June 19, 2022 Report Share Posted June 19, 2022 2 hours ago, Cakemeister said: One thing about TAs. I recommend going east to west. Mrs. Cake has been on both, and she had a strong preference for E->W, because of the time zone changes. We really struggled with which direction. Finally let Ken pick, since the actual trip was my idea. He finally decided to do the fall TA, and the consolation ‘prize’ to losing hours on our way back was that there would be no long flight after the trip. At least, that’s MY consolation prize. I hope you get to do the TA to celebrate your retirement too! . We start saving for ours this month. We figure it will cost us a lot of $$$ to do a Greek Isles cruise, a nice stay on land, followed by the TA. But what a trip that will be! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted June 20, 2022 Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 6 hours ago, barbeyg said: We really struggled with which direction. Finally let Ken pick, since the actual trip was my idea. He finally decided to do the fall TA, and the consolation ‘prize’ to losing hours on our way back was that there would be no long flight after the trip. At least, that’s MY consolation prize. I hope you get to do the TA to celebrate your retirement too! . We start saving for ours this month. We figure it will cost us a lot of $$$ to do a Greek Isles cruise, a nice stay on land, followed by the TA. But what a trip that will be! But, it would be a memorable trip, for sure! barbeyg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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