Comments on: Transatlantic cruises for backpackers: a way to see more and pay less

By: Slow Boat To London » Grounded Traveler

Slow Boat To London » Grounded Traveler — Sun, 23 May 2010 13:05:07 +0000

[...] Med and Caribbean. This can be a cheaper option, although maybe without the class. See the post at Vagabondquest for more on that [...]

By: Madeira, a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean | Vagabond Quest

Madeira, a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean | Vagabond Quest — Tue, 11 May 2010 01:38:57 +0000

[...] after one week floating in the Atlantic Ocean without seeing any land. Yes, it was during the Atlantic Ocean crossing like the Titanic. We only had several hours there due to the embarkation schedule, but we managed [...]

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:06:36 +0000

That’s excellent, I have always wanted to cross the Atlantic on an ocean liner. I’ve heard it’s a bit more refined experience than a typical cruise. The only trouble is affording it – maybe one day…

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:53:19 +0000

Thanks Joel. I’ve been looking at some options leaving Europe this fall, originally thinking we’d head back to Canada. But I’m seeing some great prices (approx $500) and interesting itineraries for sailings from Portugal or Spain to Brazil. So if I can get the timing right, we may be heading to South America in November.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:24:30 +0000

Thanks Grace.

The destination is typically a major European port. They are repositioning the ship to its new summer home, which would usually be a major city. Some of the more common destinations are Barcelona, Rome, or Venice. The ship will usually dock for a day in some of the ports along the way depending on the itinerary. There are lots of options so you can check them out and find one that visits places you like.

It’s one-way so once you’re in Europe you need to arrange a flight home, or you could stay until the Fall and then take another cruise back to North America. Or, you could do like we did, and just keep on heading east!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:23:11 +0000

I’ve not done the cheap way, but I have crossed the Atlantic 3 times using Cunard. Once on the QE2 and twice on the QM2. Really some of the most interesting weeks of my life. The first trip I took, even as a masters student, I was the least educated person at my table of 8. I met people I would never ever have met in normal life, but the isolation of a boat helps make friends. It was wonderful.

Given a choice on a trip, I will always pick a boat or ship.

By: grace b

grace b — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:47:27 +0000

I would LOVE to do this as I have a friend who absolutely adores cruises and has been begging me to go on one with her. Question though: Is your destination somewhere outside of Europe or do these cruise ships actually dock in ports in Europe? Thanks for telling me about this, I will definitely look into it! Also, Nancy, one of my cousins did probably the more recent incarnation of what you wrote about (which sounds great!) called Semester at Sea. She loved it.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:39:52 +0000

Great post – I’ve been on a couple of cruises and thought about trying something similar.

I like the idea of booking one for the return to the U.S. as a way to unwind from all the sensory overload of travel.
Joel´s last blog ..Confessions of a Cultural Idiot – Pt 4: Talk

By: Dina

Dina — Mon, 03 May 2010 04:03:50 +0000

Hi Suzy, yes, it makes a great journey between Europe and America. It’s just your schedule has to be flexible enough so you can fit it to the repositioning months!
Actually now and then other cruises are offered for a low price too. Ryan and I like to take advantage of these cheap ones. Once we even made it cheaper by stuff 4 people in one room! (the 3rd and 4th person are cheaper, so it’s cheaper overall. The cabin room was turned into a hostel room!)

By: Suzy

Suzy — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:39:23 +0000

I had no idea cruises were so cheap! Thanks for all the information. I like the idea of coming back on a cruise, giving you time to relax, journal, etc. I’ll have to consider this next time I go across the pond.
Suzy´s last blog ..My Case For A Three Month Vacation