Transatlantic Crossing
Jul 18, 2019, 5:53 pm
#106
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I was booked for a Suez transit (Malta to Pot Klang, Malaysia) but the shipping line route ships direct from Savannah to Port Klang (long diversion) because fuel prices were so low in the latter half of 2015.
Really depends on how high open access points are from water level. The ones most easily hijacked are ships that sit low and go slow (such as oil tankers and bulk carriers).or cruise ships with low decks or other low entry points (such as marinas on the back of cruise ships). I noted that the stern of larger cruise ships where the sailors will throw out mooring lines- lowest open access point - are now caged in to make access there more difficult. They have to get up to main deck which is at least 30-40' above water. Large container ships are hard to hijack as the lowest entry point is still 40' above water line and can go fast too.
Quite a few luxury lines were doing this route this past spring: I counted at least 10 ships of which 2-3 were luxuries and premiums. May not be luxury but Ponant seems to do it eastbound in the summer. There's a Viking ship headed west in August this year and next, an Azamara in August, and a Silver Sea headed east next May..
Now I wanna go see what other lines offer cruises through that area, if any of the mass markets are doing it. I typically see the mass markets who do Asia repo from Japan to Alaska but this isn't something I've loo
Jul 20, 2019, 11:50 am
#107
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
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Posts: 7,430
I just booked my first TA crossing. 06/11/2020 from BCN-NYC. I am looking forward to it! Carnival Radiance (which is the old Carnival Victory after a major overhaul). Solo in a balcony cabin. In celebration of my 40th birthday (well, I will be home in time for the actual birthday.)
The ship will be miserably full, but should still be fun.
The ship will be miserably full, but should still be fun.
Jul 30, 2019, 7:23 am
#109
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,850
I'm afraid of water too. So much, that I'm afraid to even try to swim. Never learnt. But, as long as I can wear a life jacket the entire time (small boats), or have them readily available on a large ship I'm okay. But, I prefer to fly or take a bus or train
Jul 30, 2019, 7:23 am
#110
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posts: 1,863
Jul 30, 2019, 8:15 am
#111
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Janae, The good news is that as long as you refrain from entering the ship's swimming pool or bathtub, your risk of drowning on a cruise is miniscule: https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/21/e1/e43.full
Aug 3, 2019, 10:37 am
#112
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
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We did Rome to Dubai so pretty close to the same itinerary. The main hook for us were the two stops in Egypt, Alexandria to get to Cairo and Safaga to get to Luxor, and a stop in Aqaba to get to Petra. I agree with 747FC that the slow cruise through the Suez Canal was fascinating. Having been through the Panama Canal I can now say I’ve done them both.
It's through MSC, one of the lowest ranking cruise lines
.....but, I'm going for the port stops... don't much care about the reported passenger issues or rooms. But, I did book a oceanview room considering the number of days at sea. Otherwise, an interior room would have been sufficient.
Aug 3, 2019, 11:14 am
#113
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posts: 1,863
I finally decided to just book a 20 night cruise from Dubai to Venice. It goes through the Suez Canal, Muscat, Petra, Athens, Dubrovnik (2nd visit), and several other coastal cities and of course Venice(2nd visit).
It's through MSC, one of the lowest ranking cruise lines.....but, I'm going for the port stops... don't much care about the reported passenger issues or rooms. But, I did book a oceanview room considering the number of days at sea. Otherwise, an interior room would have been sufficient.
It's through MSC, one of the lowest ranking cruise lines
.....but, I'm going for the port stops... don't much care about the reported passenger issues or rooms. But, I did book a oceanview room considering the number of days at sea. Otherwise, an interior room would have been sufficient.Hopefully flying into Dubai is better than flying out. It is huge and busy. Didn’t help that our flight was a 1:30 AM departure. We’d paid for and kept our hotel room until 10:30 PM so not totally beat but not great either. I probably wouldn’t do it again unless it was another spectacular itinerary.
Last edited by Randyk47; Aug 3, 2019 at 12:25 pm
Aug 3, 2019, 11:27 am
#114
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,850
Great cruise! The port stops do make it well worth it. Mrs K has mild claustrophobia so no interior or even ocean view cabins for us. From cruise #1 20+ years ago we’ve always had a verandah. I share your concern about MSC though I’ve read they are doing better with their Caribbean cruises with staff, meals, entertainment, etc., better suited for the typical demographics of a Caribbean cruise. Still some mixed reviews but better than they were years ago. May pebble some of those improvements are spilling over to their other itineraries.
Hopefully flying into Dubai is better than flying out. It is huge and busy. Didn’t help that our flight was a 1:30 AM departure. We’d paid for and kept our hotel room until 10:30 PM so not totally beat but not great either. I probably wouldn’t do it again unless it was another spectacular itinerary.
I am definitely looking forward to this cruise. Been wanting to go back to Venice and also to visit Petra and Muscat...a three for one
Aug 3, 2019, 12:22 pm
#115
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Aug 3, 2019, 12:26 pm
#116
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posts: 1,863
Aug 3, 2019, 6:20 pm
#117
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Aug 3, 2019, 9:41 pm
#118
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Highly recommend Marhaba Fast Track for anyone flying into DBX. They greet you at the jetway, push you through private immigration line (really no line), and help navigating baggage claim and customs.
Aug 4, 2019, 8:51 am
#119
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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Aug 4, 2019, 9:49 am
#120
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In the MDR or the suite/spa/extra cost DRs (on Celebrity and also on Cunard)? Princess MDR was a big letdown 3 years ago but the cruise was short. I could even believe Celebrity MDRs were good in the past but not when more acreage and kitchen space/staff have been carved out to create special DRs and kitchens for suite and spa class pax. My experience on the Millennium puts HAL way in the front by comparison (IMHO the single-class MDR.helps keep quality up for all).
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Aug 4, 2019 at 9:54 am