Transatlantic 2018 questions?

**catlady** · 2 Sep 17, 10:03 AM

Hi,

My dd and I are thinking of doing the transatlantic dover to NY next September as a special mum / daughter holiday before she goes to university

I have quotes from dcl and Dreams unlimited and they are within �30 of each other, but DU has $200 on board credit? Not sure who to book with? Do you have the same terms and conditions with both? Any advice on what to do?

Can I book our excursions etc. myself if we book with a TA?

Can we change our stateroom or category with either after we have paid our deposit? There seems like there is very little availability which I am surprised at as it's nearly $1,000 more than this years cruise which seems to have a better itinerary?

Are there more rooms available then what you can see?

Dh keeps saying that it will be really rough seas going over the Atlantic ! But he doesn't like cruises so I am hoping he's exaggerating

Sorry for the ramble but any advice would be most appreciated as I am dithering over booking!

gismo1554 · 2 Sep 17, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by catlady

Hi,

My dd and I are thinking of doing the transatlantic dover to NY next September as a special mum / daughter holiday before she goes to university

I have quotes from dcl and Dreams unlimited and they are within �30 of each other, but DU has $200 on board credit? Not sure who to book with? Do you have the same terms and conditions with both? Any advice on what to do?

The difference really comes down to whether you want to take a risk on the exchange rate or not. I booked my last with a ta (not dreams) and did loose about �50 I think but get $200 obc so break even. It just weighing up the risks. Terms are the same with both. Any changes would have to go through a TA with the one and u could do ur self with the other.

Can I book our excursions etc. myself if we book with a TA?

Yes. My ta asked if I wanted any help so offered but I did myself. I can't remember dreams offering when I used them (only used once as found a bit impersonable) but they might have too. I booked everything myself though.

Can we change our stateroom or category with either after we have paid our deposit? There seems like there is very little availability which I am surprised at as it's nearly $1,000 more than this years cruise which seems to have a better itinerary?

Are there more rooms available then what you can see?

Will depend on availability. Cruises sell out quickly. I booked 2017 when first released and it was sold out by September 2016 but at paid in full more rooms came available again (May) and now sold out again. The website won't be completely up to date as Dcl seems to quite often have others available if you ring. Not sure there's a huge difference though. Cruise has been on sale since May so it will be quite full. When other itineraries come out there will definitely be movement if bookings so things will change.

Dh keeps saying that it will be really rough seas going over the Atlantic ! But he doesn't like cruises so I am hoping he's exaggerating

Sorry for the ramble but any advice would be most appreciated as I am dithering over booking!

I haven't done a northern route yet (leave in two weeks). I would say if there is any chance ur doing it book now. The deposit is refundable up til around March next year I think it is but then you've locked in the price. I've done Barcelona to Caribbean area and waters were like soup but I know to New York it's going to be rougher just not sure how much. I don't like too much motion so we shall see

**catlady** · 2 Sep 17, 07:28 PM

Thank you so much gismo for your reply it was really helpful

. I agree Dreams seems very impersonal? Do you mind me asking who you use? I imagine they will all be a similar price? The on board credit would be useful for any excursions etc. But as you say I'm gambling on the exchange rate staying similar

I really hope you have a calm crossing in a couple of weeks

, I would have loved this years itinerary. You'll have to let me how

gismo1554 · 3 Sep 17, 04:03 PM

Apologies if I'm not allowed to post but I think it's ok because you've asked. I always use Jessica Hayes at Pixie Vacations. The price is always identified and obc is about the same.

Thanks! I'm hoping it will be smooth but will let you know when I'm back

**Bats** · 4 Sep 17, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by gismo1554

Apologies if I'm not allowed to post but I think it's ok because you've asked. I always use Jessica Hayes at Pixie Vacations. The price is always identified and obc is about the same.

Thanks! I'm hoping it will be smooth but will let you know when I'm back

You're good, she asked!

Another one to ask is Travel on a Dream (ToaD) who a lot of regular DCL cruisers here use.
Personally, I also found DU to be 'too big and impersonal' but ToaD definitely are not and I'm sure Sarah's suggestion will be good too.

Just don't book with a UK travel agent or you won't be able to make the changes you mention without being hit with admin charges etc. If you don't want to risk the exchange rate, book direct with DCL.

Joa

**catlady** · 4 Sep 17, 09:24 AM

Thank you both for the suggestions, I'll contact them for quotes too!

Am I right in thinking if by any miracle

the cruise went down in price this would be applied to my booking with a US TA? Is that true with DCL too?

Also are the transatlantic crossings usually full? And is it mainly Brits and Europeans on board or Americans?

Sorry for all the questions

Just_Pete · 4 Sep 17, 10:42 AM

Following this, as still toying with the 2018 WBTA also!

**Bats** · 4 Sep 17, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by catlady

Thank you both for the suggestions, I'll contact them for quotes too!

Am I right in thinking if by any miracle

the cruise went down in price this would be applied to my booking with a US TA? Is that true with DCL too?

Also are the transatlantic crossings usually full? And is it mainly Brits and Europeans on board or Americans?

Sorry for all the questions

They normally sail 'full' but that's not full as in - no spare room to move. Generally on the tranny's, it's less families with children and more adults so you have a 4 person room with just 2 people in it.
There are many less children, I think we had just over 300 last year when you'd normally be looking at 1000?

For the booking, it's up to you to check the prices, but they don't often go down ... I'm on cruise 20 and I've seen it once on one of my cruises. US TAs will check, but they have lots of other customers, so it's not going to be every day - I just look myself but, yes, they will apply the reduction. For booking direct, I'm not sure to be honest, sorry!

As for who's onboard, it's a lot of US guests and lots of Brits! Not many Spanish in my experience but some Europeans of course.

Hope that helps
Joa

**catlady** · 4 Sep 17, 01:08 PM

Thanks so much Bats that's really helpful. We've decided definitely to book, we are very excited to be getting away just the 2 of us

. I thought there would be less children as it just seems more of an adult cruise somehow

apart from the fact it's term time too

. I have sailed on the Magic full in the summer so I guess it will feel less full than that!

For dinner would they be likely to put us with a couple or with a family? Dd will be 18? Really can't decide on 1st or 2nd sitting

Thanks again

gismo1554 · 5 Sep 17, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Bats

You're good, she asked!

Joa you know me I always get paranoid over here lol

Originally Posted by catlady

Am I right in thinking if by any miracle

the cruise went down in price this would be applied to my booking with a US TA? Is that true with DCL too?

This is true but it very rarely will. To be fair DCL will automatically adjust for changes in port fees but for any other reduction (such as if a special offer came out) you would have to ring to sort. This will also depend on your paid in full date and your penalty date as usually they are sneaky and wait until after this to actually do any offers.

Also are the transatlantic crossings usually full? And is it mainly Brits and Europeans on board or Americans?

As Joa said room wise they are usually full but a lot less people as you have a lot more single and couples compared to families. You find there's a good mix of nationalities too onboard.

Originally Posted by catlady

For dinner would they be likely to put us with a couple or with a family? Dd will be 18? Really can't decide on 1st or 2nd sitting

Thanks again

They do attempt to match up families together. For example my family (me at 27, my sister at 31 and then our parents) were matched with a family with 2 boys as 24 and 26 so we were similar ages. That said sometimes it doesn't work so well but I believe they do try to match you.

I like second seating over first as 5pm seems very early to have to be ready for dinner in terms of formal night.