How to make the upcoming vacation unforgettable? It is important for someone to stay in a comfortable hotel, enjoying bars and palm trees, swimming pools, sun loungers and spa treatments. And someone will prefer an active pastime and go to places where there are extreme entertainment, tennis courts, good gyms and treadmills.
Any wishes of a person going on vacation can be met on a transatlantic sea cruise. It remains only to choose the appropriate route and liner.
Visit to the New World
Traveling across the Atlantic is the most legendary cruise destination that has ever existed on our planet. At the stage of increasing its popularity, it was practically the only opportunity that allowed those who wanted to get from Europe to America, that is, from the Old to the New World.
As the emergence and development of air links, the sea road through the Atlantic Ocean began to be perceived as nothing more than a journey with a decorative orientation. The time has come, and several dozen sea carriers left their activities, which every year became less and less popular. Only a few of them remained, engaged in cruise shipments.
Modern offers
To date, only the largest companies offer vacationers to take part in a transatlantic cruise. These are such as Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean. Among all the available offers, the transatlantic cruise can be accessed in more than a dozen varieties. This is a trip for the whole family, for senior citizens, luxury, in the form of extreme relaxation, etc.
How to choose a company offering transatlantic cruises? Reviews of people who have already been on such a trip and have gained a lot of useful information from their experience, are advised to stay at the company that is closest to the place of residence of the future tourist. Such a solution will allow avoiding long trips to the port, which sometimes will require several more transfers.
Choosing a specific cruise company is not so important. Unlike hotels offering their services in different countries, all of them provide a high level of accommodation, food and service. In comparison with ground it can be attributed to 4-5-star. So there are no bad companies in this business. Vacationers, especially if they embark on their first cruise, the main thing is to choose for themselves a route that would be interesting to them and suit for their cost.
Prices
What is the cost of a transatlantic trip? It is different. The fact is that companies organizing such vacations have a large fleet. In this regard, a liner going to a specific transatlantic cruise is sometimes a little more chic or a little easier. May have small differences and services provided on board. In accordance with this, cruise ratings are different for the company itself. But, as a rule, the cost of travel does not exceed the price of a ticket for air travel. Such, for example, is the cost of transatlantic cruises to New York from the port of Southampton. But, giving the same money as for the plane, the tourist goes not just on the road. He will have an extraordinary journey, which will certainly give vivid emotions and unforgettable impressions.
Departure point
Judging by the reviews, the transatlantic cruises, which are by far the most popular among tourists, begin their journey from the ports of Europe and North America.
Transatlantic cruises to the United States depart from ports such as Fort Lauderdale, New York, and Miami. From Europe they will start from Barcelona, Rotterdam, Lisbon, London, Rome, Southampton and St. Petersburg.
It is not difficult to choose a transatlantic cruise for yourself and lovers of exotic. One of the unusual routes, for example, is the one that leaves from Rio (Brazil) and runs to Cape Town (South Africa).
Time to travel
When is the best time to embark on a transatlantic cruise? The season for such trips is autumn and spring. The peak period occurs in mid-April and mid-September. This is a hot time on demand among those who plan to spend their free time on a cruise, and, accordingly, at prices.
The schedule of travel on a liner in the Pacific Ocean can be different. Only one cruise takes place regularly. It is offered by Cunard, providing the historic ship Queen Mary 2. This is a transatlantic cruise from Europe to the USA along the Southampton-New York route.
Features of sea travel
What makes transatlantic cruises so special? Their main feature is the small number of excursions conducted in the coastal zone. Travelers spend most of the time on board the ship, enjoying excellent service and sea views.
Tourists who prefer excursions to passive rest are advised to choose the port of Barcelona or Rome for transatlantic cruises from Europe. And you can pick up a journey that ends in these cities. Choosing such a cruise will allow you to visit at least 3-4 European countries.
Some companies regulate only start and finish ports. The route of the cruises on the Atlantic Ocean themselves may not be specified at all. The fact is that such trips are often part of a trip around the world. It is a small number of stops during a long trip (up to 14 days) that allows companies to reduce its cost.
Sightseeing Cruises
Some transatlantic trips are similar to those organized along the shores of Europe. In this case, tourists can choose for themselves one of two options for routes. The first of them runs along the northern seas. It can begin, for example, in the Baltic, in the Netherlands or in the UK. Further, such a route will pass through the Norwegian fjords, head to Iceland and Svalbard, and finish at the port of New York.
The second of the possible options for a cruise trip is proposed to start in one of the ports of the Atlantic coast or the Mediterranean. Such routes lie past the northern territories of Africa, covering the Canary Islands, and then, constantly being in the equatorial zone, continue their direction to the Caribbean Islands or to California.
Such a transatlantic trip on a liner turns out to be very original and spectacular. At the same time, a large number of sea crossings allows the tourist to alternate the days of a relaxing holiday on a luxury ship with active excursions to port cities. In the event that at the end point of the route there is an opportunity to linger longer on the shore, here you can enjoy not only a magnificent beach vacation, but also become a member of one of the excursion programs in the most interesting places in North America.
Sometimes, in order to bring variety to transatlantic cruises, companies include calls to the ports of some islands in their routes. Travelers are given the opportunity to visit Portuguese Madeira or the Azores.
Cruises without calls to ports
True connoisseurs of comfort, privacy and the sea can also choose the best travel option for themselves. Cruises, the routes of which do not call at ports along the way from the point of departure to the final point, will allow you to remain alone with yourself. Those tourists who prefer to choose such a trip are recommended to pay special attention to the cruise ship, company and the style of the upcoming adventure.
Routes that do not include port calls are offered only by the largest companies. One of them is Cunard. This company organizes luxury trips and is known as the designer and owner of the Titanic. Such trips are preferred by most tourists from Russia, leaving, as a rule, only rave reviews about their vacation. The only nuance that should be considered when buying tickets is the scrupulous observance by the company of old traditions. Today, Cunard remains the only company in the world that has maintained the service classes on which the type of cabin, the level of nutrition, and the ability to move around the decks of the ship depend.
A more comfortable alternative is Sea Dream Yacht Club, Silver Sea and Crystal Cruises. In such trips on small, but at the same time chic vessels, vacationers are provided with a luxury service.
Cruises from St. Petersburg
Russian tourists can go on a transatlantic journey from the port of the Northern capital. Here they are waiting for the latest and incredibly elegant liner, called Princess Cruises. He was launched in 2014.
The transatlantic cruise from St. Petersburg on this comfortable ship will leave a lasting impression. Indeed, on board the ship, every vacationer will be able to find an amazing balance between stylish sophistication and endless entertainment. The interiors of the vessel are made in warm colors with the presence of a large amount of marble and wood. All rooms have a fairly high level of comfort. There is a huge atrium on the liner. It occupies three decks at the same time and is surrounded by a whole network of elegant spiral staircases. In the evening, music lovers gather here.
During a transatlantic cruise from St. Petersburg, travelers can enjoy the view of the sea. To do this, just go to one of several observation platforms located on the liner. The most popular of these is SeaWalk. This is a glass gallery, which is located on the upper deck of the ship. From here you can admire amazing in its beauty sea views. There are review galleries on both sides of the liner.
In addition to a large number of traditional restaurants, cafes and bistros, there are alternative ones on the ship. So, true tea lovers can visit the Tea Tower. This is a tea club where you can try different varieties of this drink, as well as create a mixture of them if you wish. An ice cream parlor also works here. It offers sweet pancakes, fruit smoothies, crispy waffles, original ice cream and much more. Ocean Terrace's small, cozy bar offers guests a variety of rolls, sashimi and sushi. There is also a grill restaurant on the liner. It serves unique dishes such as chili beef, sweet pork ribs and more.
A wide variety of entertainment awaits travelers on the ship. Every evening, vacationers can become spectators of large-scale theatrical productions, namely cabaret shows, opera potpourri in pop processing and modern musicals. Here you can hear solo instrumental and vocal performances.
Tourists can become a participant in one of the many recreational activities throughout the day. The liner hosts sporting events and numerous contests, discussions on historical events and health, as well as lectures, from which you can learn more about the places that are supposed to be visited as part of the route.
Travelers can watch concerts and various films on the big screen located by the pool. The cinema under the stars introduces them to the latest cinema. It is a huge screen, which you can watch from comfortable sun loungers, covered with a warm blanket in cool weather.
However, the most spectacular event that can be observed on a ship embarking on a transatlantic cruise from St. Petersburg is the show of dancing fountains. It is carried out at night, right in the open.
On board the liner, any traveler can find for himself almost everything that will allow him to feel comfortable and enjoy his vacation. This includes a large boutiques area, a spa, a library with a wide selection of films and books, a fitness center where, in addition to individual trainings, you can sign up for a group lesson, as well as aerobics courses, jogging tracks, tennis tables, volleyball and basketball courts , and, of course, a golf course.
Thus, on this, one of the most modern liners on our planet, guests are offered the latest achievements and innovative options of the cruise industry. Those who wish to travel from St. Petersburg are offered a route that runs through Northern Europe, as well as through the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Cabin Choice
Transatlantic cruise liners are usually very large. They accommodate from 10 to 16 floors (decks). There are cabins for passengers who come in various categories. Which one is the best option for the traveler, he should be determined in advance.
When booking a cruise, it is also important to pay attention to the location of the cabin. It is advisable that it is located near the elevator. This will allow you not to spend a lot of time crossing the corridors.
When choosing a cabin, you should pay attention to its category:
- Inner. In this cabin there is no window, and therefore, a beautiful view of the sea, fresh air and sunlight. Its plus is the most affordable price.
- With a window. Such cabins go, as a rule, on pleasure decks. That is why, outside the windows, which, incidentally, do not open, are constantly resting.
- With a balcony. These are the most popular cabins, the area of which reaches 20 square meters, which is much larger than in the options described above.
- Suites. This is the largest in size and chic type of cabins. They are intended for lovers of comfort. However, it should be borne in mind that the prices for suites are the highest.