What I Did on My 12-Day Transatlantic Cruise on the Norwegian Star

My husband and I went on a 12-day Transatlantic cruise from Copenhagen, Denmark to Miami, Florida. It was our first transatlantic cruise, which means that most of the time during our cruise consisted of “sea days” where we were on the ship and out at sea. We were aboard the Norwegian Star, a cruise ship that can hold 2,348 passengers. There was one stop at San Miguel Island, using the cruise port of Ponta Delgada, in the Azores. That means that for eleven days, we were on the ship and had a fabulous time enjoying each other’s company, eating, relaxing and being entertained by various musicians, comedians, and cruise ship staff.

Many people have asked me if we would be bored just being on a ship out to sea for that many days. Here is a list I have compiled about all of the things I did while at sea:

1) Read the following six books: Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo, I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron, The Present, This Time Together by Carol Burnett, I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher and Come Home to Comfort by Sharon Hoffman.

2) Saw a four-man quartet from Spain/Uruguay using an amazing repertoire of songs.

3) Spent 11 hours, one each day after working out, in the ship spa which included a lap pool, hot tub, bubble massager, sauna, steam room and relaxing loungers which overlooked the back of the ship.

4) Walked 15 miles around the Promenade deck and on the outside jogging track.

5) Went swimming in the indoor lap pool nine times.

6) Saw two song and dance show put on by the ship’s singers and dancers.

7) Wrote three articles for online publication on HubPages.

8) Wrote 22 articles for publication on Bubblews.

9) Was hypnotized for weight loss.

10) Attended a session by the ship photographer on how to take better photographs.

11) Ate fabulous food in a variety of restaurants.

12) Watched three movies: Eat, Pray, Love, The Sixth Sense, A Beautiful Mind.

13) Saw a killer whale spouting and swimming off the side of the ship.

14) Attended two cruise parties for Latitudes members who are previous cruisers. The party included free drinks, appetizers, and dancing.

15) Attended a seminar on the artist Thomas Kinkade.

16) Visited the port of Porta Delgada, the Azores, which is an island belonging to Portugal.

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17) Attended a wine and cheese tasting of Portuguese cheese and wines.

18) Attended two sessions on Upcoming Norwegian Cruise Lines cruises.

19) Attended a show by an amazing violinist Beverly Davidson.

20) Saw a beautiful rainbow as we were leaving the Azores.

21) Attended a production of the Second City Players.

22) Attended a performance by 2 Russian acrobats.

23) Attended a classical piano music concert while enjoying a glass of wine together.

24) Went to an onboard pub where we were treated to a one-man concert of tunes originally by the Eagles.

25) Attended a variety show which included acts by a magician, a juggler, and a comedian.

26) Attended a seminar on what it’s like to be a crew member on a cruise ship.

27) Saw six rainbows.

28) Took exactly 150 pictures of the cruise ship as well as the one port stop in the Azores, and last but certainly not least…

29) Fell in love with my husband all over again!

I love to cruise and this was our first transatlantic cruise. I thought it was going to be wonderful, and for the most part, it was but there were a few days that I was a bit bored. Although the library was full of books, I read the six I was interested in. And although NCL cruise lines does provide activities for their passengers, I wasn't always in the mood to play trivia games or watch fruit carving. For the most part, this cruise was wonderful but if we do a transatlantic cruise in the future, I will bring a few extra things to do.

The Norwegian Star

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© 2013 Karen Hellier

Comments

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on January 06, 2014:

BristolBoy,

I know a lot of people that feel that way. If you go on a cruise with a lot of port stops, you'd probably be happier. On some cruises you can have a stop every day. That way youa re only "stuck on a boat" at night for dinner and sleeping!

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on January 06, 2014:

BlossomSB,

I agree about cruises. My favorite way to travel.

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on January 06, 2014:

Mike Robbers,

Yes, we certainly did and we even booked another transatlantic cruise for this Spring!

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on January 06, 2014:

ExpectGreatThings,

I won't write a hub about it but I did write an article about it on Bubblews. You should check Bubblews out...it's great fun!

BristolBoy from Bristol on January 05, 2014:

Sounds like an interesting journey, I'm not sure if I could stay sane being stuck on a Boat all day but it probably a good way of travelling for those with more time on their hands or who don't like flying!

Bronwen Scott-Branagan from Victoria, Australia on October 22, 2013:

I'm glad that you had such a wonderful time. You certainly did a lot of different things in just the 12 days. Thank you for telling us about it. I haven't been on that cruise, but on others and think they're really the way to go.

Mike Robbers from London on October 22, 2013:

You certainly did a lot of stuff and It seems that you had a really great time! Thanks for sharing this very interesting cruise adventure.

ExpectGreatThings from Illinois on October 21, 2013:

I hope you write a hub about the hypnosis :). And it seems that everyone these days is talking about bubblews; I guess I need to figure out what that is. It sounds like you had a very memorable trip!

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on October 21, 2013:

epbooks,

Thanks, it was a wonderful experience.

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on October 21, 2013:

srsddn,

Thanks for your comment and the flashback reference. It must have been fun being on the ship with students your own age.

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on October 21, 2013:

Kathryn Stratford,

I think after this experience I would have liked just one of 2 more stops but we love the relaxation of the sea days. We lead hectic lives so being able to relax, and for me, not have phone or internet, is so relaxing!

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on October 21, 2013:

wetnosedogs,

It was really cool to see the whale. I only could see the top part of his back repeatedly when he would swim down and then come back up for air, but I saw him spout a bunch of times and that was pretty cool. As far as the hypnotizing, I'm not sure. I have high hopes. I did gain 4 pounds on the cruise but lost it all in the first 5 days I was back. So...maybe! Ask me again in a few months! LOL!

Karen Hellier (author) from Georgia on October 21, 2013:

BNadyn,

Well, I am pretty sure you will have a wonderful time. Enjoy it, take lots of pictures, and I will enjoy reading YOUR hub about it when you get back!!!

Bernadyn from Jacksonville, Florida on October 21, 2013:

Enjoyed reading this, sounds like a wonderful vacation to me! I wish I could do this in the near future but I probably have to wait a few years when kids are older. I love seeing the list of activities you did, very helpful and informative. I plan on going on a short cruise next month which will be my first one. Thanks for sharing your experience!

wetnosedogs from Alabama on October 21, 2013:

This is a wonderful read.

It would have been so neat to see the whale swim by the ship.

Do you think the hypnotizing is going to work? I hear it does.

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on October 21, 2013:

I have never done a transatlantic cruise, but the days at sea during the 7 day cruise I went on were fun. I prefer having destinations along the way, but being at sea is definitely fun!

Thanks for sharing your many activities with us. It's encouraging that there's so many things to do.

I'm so glad you had such a great trip, and that it was good for your married life :)

Have a great week!

~ Kathryn

Sukhdev Shukla from Dehra Dun, India on October 20, 2013:

karenhellier, There is a flashback, when I did it from England to Norway. We were a group of students and that is how it was quite enjoyable. Your list is quite impressive. It seems you were well organised for the trip. Thanks for sharing it. Interesting and voted up.

Elizabeth Parker from Las Vegas, NV on October 20, 2013:

That sounds like a fantastic time. I'm so glad that you enjoyed yourself!