- Introduction: A 14 Day Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian Escape
- Delta Air Lines Premium Select Experience (Premium Economy) – What has Changed?
- High Risk – I Flew to my 14 Day Cruise Departure City on Embarkation Day!
- Using Caesars Discount Plus Amex Offers and More to Lower the Cost of Cruising Norwegian
- Starlink Internet Performance on Norwegian Cruise Lines Escape Review
- Bidding for Haven and Suite Upgrades With Norwegian Cruise Lines is no Longer Cheap
- Family Balcony Cabin 15862 On Norwegian NCL Escape Review
- Comparing the Norwegian NCL Vibe Beach Club to Spice H20 Experience
- The Impact of Time Change on Transatlantic Cruise Crossings – The good and the bad
- What is the Weather Like on Transatlantic Cruises. Will you get Seasick?
- What to Expect from the free Main Dining on Norwegian Escape
- Comparing the old Norwegian NCL Cruise App to the New App – What has Changed
- Entertainment on the Norwegian NCL Escape – Choir of Man is a Must See
- Final Thoughts on another NCL Atlantic Crossing
I absolutely love long Atlantic crossings. I have taken tons of them over the years and even took two in just the last year. All but one of the crossings have been from Europe to the USA and as it turns out that one was one of the most interesting ever (more on that in a bit).
But that begs the question – why do I enjoy these so much? Am I a glutton for punishment and love being sea sick? Or do I just have such good “sea legs” that waves don’t bother me? Also, do I like being cold and miserable? These are all great questions, and I often get them when I mention to friends that I just took a transatlantic cruise.
But are they true? Let’s take a look.
First, there are basically two types of transatlantic crossings. Those who go to/from a northern port (think New York City, etc.) and those who go to/from a southerly port (think Miami, etc.). The northern option will be vastly different than the southern, and this matters a lot as to the question posed in this post.
I have taken a limited number of northerly crossings, and you will likely experience the following: colder weather, larger waves, and a much greater risk of getting seasick. Unless you “need” to take a northerly crossing, I would avoid them, and that includes those sailings that include Bermuda as part of the itinerary, as this also, at least to me, is a northerly crossing.
Now on to the southerly crossings. The Mediterranean, and especially past Gibraltar (going East) can have some moderate swells either in April or November / December time frame. But once past this and on the way south be ready for mostly calm seas and warm weather. Clearly, the farther south you go (think off the coast of Africa), the warmer you will get, but even those who cross after the Azores on the way to the Caribbean are just lovely.
Again, with years and years of crossings under my belt, I can not remember one single voyage that was anything but remarkably warm, calm, and just a treat to enjoy. But does the same hold true for the other way from the United States to Europe?
Basically, yes, assuming again you are beginning your trip from a southerly port. In fact, the shot above is one of the most remarkable days I have ever spent at sea. The seas were like glass and so calm (and quiet) that the only sounds you could hear were the bow of the ship slicing through the mill pond-like water. It was so calm and clear we could look down and see sailfish swimming alongside the ship-deep in the water – it was crazy cool, and this was in late April.
The really funny part of this ultra-calm day was the captain. He was Greek. This day he came on the PA and said the following (with a thick, slow, Greek accent):
This is your captain, the voice from above… these calm seas are a gift from me because I am GREEK and I speak the language of Poseidon!
It was simply hilarious and made the event even that much better. In all seriousness the captain did later say it was the calmest sea he had ever seen in the middle of the Atlantic in his 40 years at sea.
Bottom line: if you are worried about a transatlantic crossing – don’t be – as long as it is southerly. Enjoy the amazing experience and get ready to come home with an amazing tan and time to enjoy the ship and all it has to offer with so many sea days. Oh, and as a bonus, you can also expect to find some of the most reasonable prices for almost any cruise booking a crossing, so that is yet one more bonus to enjoy! – Rene
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
I began a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami in late November of 2024. I anticipated getting seasick based on research. There were three days of very rough seas. I was miserable, but the meds the ship offered were excellent along with ginger candies and ginger ale. Expect it and be prepared for it. Other than the three bad days, the rest of the trip was fantastic. I like to be at sea versus going into different ports, so it was a fit for me. My husband on the other hand, was one and done. He does not need to do that again.
My wife and I were on Adventure of the Seas out of Barcelona to Port Canaveral originally scheduled to depart on Sunday 11/24 but the ship was late out of drydock so we left Tuesday 11/26. We were disappointed as Royal had to cancel all three stops in Spain leaving all sea days with one stop in Madeira. The flip side was we kept our original flights and enjoyed additional days in Barcelona which were delightful. We always book early and we had a balcony on the back on the corner where we get the panoramic view and sun on sunny days. As far as the seas it was a matter of perspective. For our first transatlantic we were very surprised at how smooth it was. Our dinner table companions from Scotland had done several and they thought it was very rough. To each his own. However, as the previous poster, Kelly said my wife and I are also one and done. This was due to the demographic of the passengers. We are active 70+ years old but we felt like the transatlantic cruise was a dress rehearsal for an assisted living facility. Not our style. Keep up the great posts and information.
@BJ – But with older crowd the sports venues and gym are wide open so…
I go to the gym almost every morning and when done, stop in the Windjammer and get my wife her coffee. I actually lost 2 pounds on the trip!
Doesn’t losing weight and going to the gym every day on a cruise go against the code of conduct? 🙂
After 30+ cruises over 30 years, the way to not come home gaining 10 pounds is to get some gym time so I can enjoy the food and the Diamond Plus benefits! Seems like a fair trade off…..:)
I agree with you about the demographics of the passengers. I’m in my early 60s, and I was one of the youngest on board. I commented often, I felt like I was on a floating geriatric ward. My husband kept reminding me that is what is to be expected because of the length of the cruise and the expense. However, the positive was the gym was quiet, and nobody but my husband and I participated in the spin classes.