zebra

Thanks for posting Jan. Well you have confirmed my feelings about NCL with these 2 posts. Plastic cups for cocktails? Jogging track through the "workings" of the ship? And I haven't even seen or know what the weird cabin setup is. I guess NCL will stay off our cruising list. Enjoy the rest of your cruise .......

Well this should attract more young people for sure. I am interested in Jaime Oliver's rustic Italian restaurant on the Mariner ..... I really like him and his cooking shows, so would like to try that restaurant for sure.

I've often wondered how long it would take Branson to jump into this mode of transport. Well there you go ..... not long to wait now.

I would be interested in checking out the prices too for both the Singapore and the Panama Canal out of Tampa .... hmmmm interesting!

Andi, Just like back home, some years spring or fall is warmer and sometimes not. Ships in the Radiance class all have a covered Solarium which is also a very popular hangout. Also on all the sea days they have a really busy activity calendar so trust me you won't be bored. The other wonderful thing about Transatlantics, because you can't get off the ship for at least 7 days before 1st port of call you get to know others and make some wonderful, lasting friendships. We've just done this last TA with a couple that we met on a previous TA and have become close friends ...... we even took them to South Africa with us. Give it a try, I guarantee you'll be hooked ..........

I was wondering how many others on this board love Transatlantics as much as we do, and why. We love the value for money on these wonderful long cruises. Also the fact that we really feel like we have had a vacation!!! How about you??

Jan, Sky Princess sounds wonderful BUT we are thinking of going to South Africa in the Fall. Haven't made any decisions as yet. Also wanted to say that we are so spoiled with Transatlantics now - same price as a 7 day European cruise and you get 14/15 days ..... if we have to purchase airfare to or from Europe we might as well enjoy twice the time over there. The Royal class is wonderful, we have done the Royal Princess twice and she is definitely my favorite ship at this time ...... although Royal Caribbean still remains our favorite cruise line.

Hey Jan (and everyone) thanks for inviting me over here. Wow I don't envy you this job trying to get everyone "on the same page" about likes of itineraries and ships ? Well here's my 2 cents worth. I would prefer the end of April or beginning of May. As I finish the tax season on April 15th my brain is fried by then and we typically cruise soon after for therapy ? Also we typically avoid school vacation/spring break times at all costs ..... so cruising over the summer would not be on our radar. Transatlantics are our favorite!!

Who else is going to join us on this great Transatlantic cruise out of Tampa???? We have also decided to stay on for the B2B of the Baltics and Russia!! WooHoo!!!

I would go for the longer cruise and to see new ports. Also (although we are not avid Carnival fans) we have been on the Legend out of Tampa and didn't like the ship at all. So for us the Liberty would win hands down!

K & R trust me we sit in the same predicament - we've cruised on almost everything out of Tampa which is so, so handy. 7 miles from our house and family or friends drop us off, no parking issues! BUT we decided to venture out because this ship is so wonderful …… gosh I am so glad we did as NONE of the local ships come even close to the beauty etc etc of this ship.

Definitely!! The Royal is on her way to the Baltic and then coming back to NY for some Fall trips of New England/Canada and then repositions back to Florida for 10 days cruises. The Regal will replace the Royal in Fort Lauderdale doing the alternating 7 day Eastern/Western itineraries. I have to reiterate - the food was AMAZING!!

Shari - she is brand new - 8 months old. Her sister the Regal Princess will be coming out in the Fall too … so we will have both to choose from - Yay!!!!

Yes Shari the shower heads come off.

If anyone has any questions, I would be more than happy to try and answer them for you!!

"Wow, Wow, Wow!" Click here to view the cruise review

It was announced today that Tampa will receive the first AIDA ship (out of Germany) in 2014. They have their own brewery onboard and serve beers on tap. As well as the "usual" shows, they will also have Disney style rides.... those that you sit in a theater and the chair moves according to what is being shown on the screen. It looks very interesting - I am sure we are going to hear much more in the days to come.

Great, honest review Jan - so glad you had a great time with your daughter. We haven't sailed the Brilliance but had sailed on the Radiance and Jewel her sister ships. We LOVE them. I agree with you that RCL need to jack up their food offerings .......

Gosh I was so surprised to see Indian food among the "fast food" choices. Tandoori chicken is cooked in a Tandoori oven and is healthy eating at it's best. No fried food here ........ Of all those other fast food options, I sooo love Princesses Pizza - they are delicious!!!! HAL's Taco Bar was amazing too.

Thanks for the great review - yes one observation we have of the Carnival cruises that we have done is that the pools are much smaller than other cruise lines. I guess they need more real estate for slides etc. I wish all the cruise lines would clamp down on chair hogs .... it's become an awful problem. Glad you enjoyed your cruise though .....

So glad you have joined us!!!!

So glad you have joined us!!!!

So glad you have joined us!!!!

So glad you have joined us!!!!