London to Baja California ~ across America

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Just firming up plans for the missing 10 days now but nothing is set as yet. You are the third or fourth person to mention BC on this thread, it must have a lot going for it.
I don't know what your plans are as regards local transportation, but on our trip to Victoria in 2016 Hertz Rent-a-car took excellent care of us. They met us with our car at the stop where the bus from Vancouver dropped us off downtown, and when we returned the car they gave us a complimentary lift down to the dock to catch the high-speed Clipper ferry to Seattle. (Yes, we did give the driver a gratuity.)

An auto is helpful if you want to stay at a place such as the Fairholme Manor (which is a mile or so from the center of town) and explore more of the island; if you prefer to rely solely on public transportation you may want a place closer to downtown such as the famous Fairmont Empress.

Edit To Add: If you want to stay on the mainland for some or all of your Canadian stay, Vancouver has an excellent public transportation system in its Skytrain rail system and SeaBus ferries.
 
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We'll do our best to give a flavour of the crossing, but funny thing is we've never wished to cruise and now it's happened. May for you too one day? As for clothes photos, is it ok while the clothes are laid out on the bed?
I would love to see the clothes being worn, but I understand that sometimes you want to do it a different way. Laid out ready for the evening sounds charming as well. And I would not guess that internet access was available on board at any price!

I seriously doubt that I will ever go cruising (my list of things to do is much more active, and my budget barely stretches to land-cruising on Amtrak), but you are right, you never know what the next years or decades might bring.
 
transatlantic crossing and vacation cruising are not exactly the same , I'm not sure I'd do a week on the N Atlantic in the winter. Vacation cruising can be one of the better values in vacation travel today, depending on time of year and where you live....Where I live, I don't have to travel to get on a ship, and on certain weeks, I can get 7 days for $500-600 It would be very hard to match that any other way....
 
Just did a repositioning cruise from New York to New Orleans aboard the Norwegian Breakaway...booked it "last minute", and got aboard the 15 night cruise for less than $700....

Came home on the Crescent.   

I did a proper crossing aboard the QE2, in January of 2008, her last winter crossing (joined the "Winter Crossing Club"), from Soton to New York prior to her retirement.

On the first and last night, dress code was "informal" (a business suit), but the five nights in between were all "black tie"  :eek:

Things are a lot less formal aboard the QM2, nowadays.... ;)
 
transatlantic crossing and vacation cruising are not exactly the same , I'm not sure I'd do a week on the N Atlantic in the winter. Vacation cruising can be one of the better values in vacation travel today, depending on time of year and where you live....Where I live, I don't have to travel to get on a ship, and on certain weeks, I can get 7 days for $500-600 It would be very hard to match that any other way....
Can't argue with that.

We're looking for a 'rest' as so much going on this year and next and we're tired, so maybe having 7 days with not much we have to do will be just right.

Just did a repositioning cruise from New York to New Orleans aboard the Norwegian Breakaway...booked it "last minute", and got aboard the 15 night cruise for less than $700....

Came home on the Crescent.   

I did a proper crossing aboard the QE2, in January of 2008, her last winter crossing (joined the "Winter Crossing Club"), from Soton to New York prior to her retirement.

On the first and last night, dress code was "informal" (a business suit), but the five nights in between were all "black tie"  :eek:

Things are a lot less formal aboard the QM2, nowadays.... ;)
Bloody hell, could end eating in the café every day with our limited wardrobes!

As you both mention the upfront value is amazing, are the mandatory add-ons equally value for money though?
 
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I don't completely get why cruises are so appealing, and why they are worth that much money. It takes around four days and costs thousands of dollars to cruise from New York to Europe. By contrast, I can fly from New York to, say, Amsterdam, for $170 each way, in about 7 hours. I would just rather save the money and get all that extra time at my destination.
 
It is more like a week to do a transatlantic crossing, which is very different than a cruise. Cruises are moving resorts that call on places people would like to visit, not a means of transport from point to point.  There are very few transatlantic cruises, most involving re positioning.  I can do a crossing on the Queen certain times of the year for under $1000, and the lowest level of accommodation is nicer than a sleeper bedroom. Food is certainly superior.  In June, I could have gone to Denver for my trip to USA Hockey in Colorado Springs in 4 hours for $200 each way  but I enjoy the train ride, so in June I took LSL and CZ out. and CZ and CL/NER home... time and price are not the only factors, if they were, this board would have a lot less stories to discuss..... 
 
We are very lucky in NYC that we have a very wide choice of destinations and trip lengths, as well lots of choices in terms of style and luxury level. I'm thinking about a Bahamas trip in January that would run me $100 a night. That's probably less than one way in a roomette to visit my sister in Phoenix (option 2). Between Brooklyn, Manhattan and NJ, we see a full range of ships at many price points. If I had to travel to travel, I'm not sure I would enjoy it quite as much, although a few years back, a friend of mine was offered such a bargain out of Boston that it was worth the NER trip and cab ride......
 
Ive always felt it wasn’t worth the money for a cruise since I’m light eater. I figure most of the cost is for all that food.
 
It depends, some of them have lots going on. Swimming pool, hot tub, movies, entertainment, activities, casino (not for me), and a chance to go somewhere I might not otherwise go to....but like anything else, it is not for everyone......
 
I don't completely get why cruises are so appealing, and why they are worth that much money. It takes around four days and costs thousands of dollars to cruise from New York to Europe. By contrast, I can fly from New York to, say, Amsterdam, for $170 each way, in about 7 hours. I would just rather save the money and get all that extra time at my destination.
It's all about the experience. What would you say to someone who said this?

I don't completely get why trains are so appealing, and why they are worth that much money. It takes around four days and costs thousands of dollars to go from New York to California. By contrast, I can fly from New York to, say, Lost Angeles, for $170 each way, in about 7 hours. I would just rather save the money and get all that extra time at my destination.
 
We are very lucky in NYC that we have a very wide choice of destinations and trip lengths, as well lots of choices in terms of style and luxury level. I'm thinking about a Bahamas trip in January that would run me $100 a night. That's probably less than one way in a roomette to visit my sister in Phoenix (option 2). Between Brooklyn, Manhattan and NJ, we see a full range of ships at many price points. If I had to travel to travel, I'm not sure I would enjoy it quite as much, although a few years back, a friend of mine was offered such a bargain out of Boston that it was worth the NER trip and cab ride......
How does one go about finding good deals on cruising? Is there a way to get listings of numerous choices in one place, or is it necessary to check out all the individual cruise ship companies? 
 
There are a number of cruise ship "consolidators" that specialize in exactly what you are talking about, including services that also do other travel stuff like AAA. There are also companies that let you put in some filters like departure point....and some others that specialize in last minute deals...Orbitz would be a well known example.  Some companies also have e-mail service based on your info....So as an example, I can put in departure: NYC (all 3- Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bayonne), month of trip, length, etc.....and work off a list of different choices....everything varies greatly by week, the same trip can vary by a few hundred dollars per person between 2 back to back trips, if one is a holiday when it is easier to travel or kids are off from school.
 
I don't completely get why cruises are so appealing, and why they are worth that much money. It takes around four days and costs thousands of dollars to cruise from New York to Europe. By contrast, I can fly from New York to, say, Amsterdam, for $170 each way, in about 7 hours. I would just rather save the money and get all that extra time at my destination.
If I could give an opinion without ever having been on a cruise or a crossing then it would be it is often the journey that gives more than the destination.

Planes are efficient and well priced compared to most forms of land or sea transport, which is fine for a business situation. A vacation surely has a different purpose. To slow you down, take time to look, listen and learn a little of the world we live in and the people that live in it. 

By using planes we are all caught up in the fraught security checks at every point, the sense of urgency and lack of time for people to stop and pause, having the most cramped travel conditions, poor food.

Hardly a relaxing way to start a vacation although I do appreciate there are instances where the entire vacation is based miles away and getting there fast is important if you have limited time, then maybe a plane is the best way.

This journey will be the first time of many visits to the US that we wont have arrived by plane, but of course we are flying back to London as it's the most convenient for that part of the journey.

Like others and over many years we would have missed a lifetime of meeting special people, seeing special places and missed special experiences if we had flown to all our destinations. Some of our most memorable experiences have been on long distance and local buses alongside LD trains, motorhome travel and hopefully a ship too.

I've tried to think of any memorable meetings on a plane over decades of flying, only come up with one. A British Parliamentarian's  wife (yes in economy), who kept apologising for the fact her husband had voted for Brexit. Lovely lady who spent time trying to explain even though we told her it wasn't necessary but we learnt a little about the why.

A wordy answer, sorry, but the simple answer is it's the joy of travel.
 
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If I could give an opinion without ever having been on a cruise or a crossing then it would be it is often the journey that gives more than the destination.
Planes are efficient and well priced compared to most forms of land or sea transport, which is fine for a business situation. A vacation surely has a different purpose. To slow you down, take time to look, listen and learn a little of the world we live in and the people that live in it. 
By using planes we are all caught up in the fraught security checks at every point, the sense of urgency and lack of time for people to stop and pause, having the most cramped travel conditions, poor food.
Hardly a relaxing way to start a vacation although I do appreciate there are instances where the entire vacation is based miles away and getting there fast is important if you have limited time, then maybe a plane is the best way.
This journey will be the first time of many visits to the US that we wont have arrived by plane, but of course we are flying back to London as it's the most convenient for that part of the journey.
Like others and over many years we would have missed a lifetime of meeting special people, seeing special places and missed special experiences if we had flown to all our destinations. Some of our most memorable experiences have been on long distance and local buses alongside LD trains, motorhome travel and hopefully a ship too.
I've tried to think of any memorable meetings on a plane over decades of flying, only come up with one. A British Parliamentarian's  wife (yes in economy), who kept apologising for the fact her husband had voted for Brexit. Lovely lady who spent time trying to explain even though we told her it wasn't necessary but we learnt a little about the why.
A wordy answer, sorry, but the simple answer is it's the joy of travel.
Much like taking the train where the journey is part of the vacation and not just a way to get to the destination!
 
As others have said, a transatlantic crossing by ship is more a "voyage" than a cruise, no matter what level of luxury one attains.

Cruising seems to be a good option for folk who want to see a bit of the world, but don't feel that sure about it... The cruise ship is just a floating hotel, it stops somewhere interesting, you go and have a look around, probably on an escorted tour, then back to the ship for dinner and a sleep. Possibly an attractive safer option for lone females and older folk? The food and razzamatazz of cruising is to distract you from the fact it is just a floating hotel... :D

Ed.
 
I don't completely get why cruises are so appealing, and why they are worth that much money. It takes around four days and costs thousands of dollars to cruise from New York to Europe. By contrast, I can fly from New York to, say, Amsterdam, for $170 each way, in about 7 hours. I would just rather save the money and get all that extra time at my destination.
It's all about the experience. What would you say to someone who said this?

I don't completely get why trains are so appealing, and why they are worth that much money. It takes around four days and costs thousands of dollars to go from New York to California. By contrast, I can fly from New York to, say, Lost Angeles, for $170 each way, in about 7 hours. I would just rather save the money and get all that extra time at my destination.
Well played, my friend! Touché. :)
 
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I love the topic, and ships in general, but I think we are straying a bit far from the original path of trying to help someone with their trip to the US. Should we consider moving any further discussion on this to the non-rail area? Lots of interesting thoughts and different viewpoints, but maybe not for this thread....Certainly not my call, but if the mods think so, they'd have a valid point...
 
I love the topic, and ships in general, but I think we are straying a bit far from the original path of trying to help someone with their trip to the US. Should we consider moving any further discussion on this to the non-rail area? Lots of interesting thoughts and different viewpoints, but maybe not for this thread....Certainly not my call, but if the mods think so, they'd have a valid point...
For our part we don't have a problem, but if others think a new thread for cruising is a better place we'll go with the consensus. 
 
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I don't speak for the mod team, but I personally would prefer taking the general cruising good/bad/indifferent posts to Non-Rail. But I vote that anything related to your specific planned trip would be best kept here.
 
I don't speak for the mod team, but I personally would prefer taking the general cruising good/bad/indifferent posts to Non-Rail. But I vote that anything related to your specific planned trip would be best kept here.
I just started a cruising thread there, if any one is interested....
 
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