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Sea route & distancefind start port: find destination port: start typing to see the suggestions Distance: nautical miles time at seaPaste link in email: © 2010-2023 Ports.com More From ForbesWorld’s last real ‘ocean liner:’ what to expect on a transatlantic cruise. - Share to Facebook
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Queen Mary 2 sails away from New York on a transoceanic crossing. All sea days? Weak Wi-Fi? Nothing to do? These are all common misconceptions of what it’s like to take a transoceanic cruise, says Jason Leppert, cruise editor for TravelAge West and the producer of the Popular Cruising YouTube channel . But, according to Leppert and many other cruise experts, these concerns are unfounded. In fact, today’s modern cruise ships are so entertaining that some people like to stay on board, even when they dock in various ports. Crossing the ocean by ship was once the only way to travel between continents. With the advent of jet travel, it became faster and easier to get around the world by air. But, there are many people that still find allure and nostalgia in a transoceanic cruise. Most cruise lines offer these, but they are typically for their own logistical needs when repositioning a ship between regions. For example, cruise lines often put big ships in the Caribbean during the winter season and in the Mediterranean for the summer. Sydney, Australia - March 12, 2015: Ferries pass the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner, docked at the ... [+] Overseas Passenger Terminal before the Sydney Harbour Bridge. When these ships cross oceans to change destinations, they continue to operate their full roster of amenities from theatrical revue shows and water parks to specialty restaurants and even occasional port calls at various islands along the way. Cunard Cruise Line, however, fills a niche offering back-to-back transoceanic cruises many months of the year. Its Queen Mary 2 is the last “ocean liner” in service, a ship that was purpose-built for long crossings, and is the only ocean liner that makes regular passages back and forth across the Atlantic. Cunard has an almost two-century maritime history and specializes in maintaining that nostalgia on each trip. Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024. Retired ocean liner RMS Queen Mary permanently moored and serving as a tourist attraction in Long ... [+] Beach Harbor. And one important point: these trips are referred to as “crossings,” not cruises. Most cruise lines often discount their repositioning cruises across the oceans since they have fewer ports of call, but Cunard specializes in these trips. Leppert says Cunard offers more seasonal transoceanic crossings than any other cruise line and guests cherish the experience, despite there not being any stops along the way. Travelers may often wonder what to expect on these sailings. Here are a few of the most common questions they ask. What are the passengers like?Passengers travel via ocean liner for a variety of reasons for self-reflection, fear of flying or ... [+] simply the appreciation of maritime history. Transoceanic crossings are an iconic trip that frequent cruisers want to tick off their bucket list . It is common to find well-traveled, older passengers that have been on most other cruises, but simply want to cross the ocean. Others travel for specific reasons that airline flights cannot accommodate. This includes passengers traveling with pets, people who are afraid of flying, passengers of size that prefer not to squeeze into an economy seat (a transoceanic cruise can be cheaper than business class) and nautical fans. Solo travelers are quite common on cruises with people looking to work remotely, meet other passengers or simply take a break from daily life at home. Others are making roundtrip journeys going from New York to Southampton and back just for the experience. Transoceanic crossings have many repeat cruisers, and Cunard has one of the largest number given its history and the only line to preserve that experience today. Mother and kids standing in Piazza del Duomo and admiring the facade of the famous Siena Cathedral. Some families even find value in cruising to Europe rather than buying multiple airline tickets because the journey becomes part of the vacation. Multi-generational trips with grandparents traveling with their children and grandchildren is another important sector for transoceanic crossings. Many of them have been sailing since they were young, says Jackie Chase, Cunard’s director of public relations, and that the grandparents enjoy sharing the experience with the next generation. The kennels aboard Cunard crossings sell out almost immediately. Queen Mary 2 has a dedicated area for pets with 24 kennels that sell out quickly far in advance, according to Cunard. Pets cannot stay in the cabin with their owners, but people can visit their pets and walk them on a deck reserved for animals. On the last day of a crossing, pet owners bring their four-legged friends (usually dogs and cats although Cunard has provisions to carry ferrets, which it says has only happened once) on a special parade on the main deck much to the delight of other passengers. Traveling with pets is big business and more comfortable for animals than being put in the cargo hold of an airplane. Pets have their own area where guests can walk them during the sailing. Another major reason people like crossing by sea is that it minimizes jet lag. Eastbound crossings from New York to England typically move the clock ahead one hour each day at Noon. On Westbound crossings, the clock is moved back one hour each day at 2am. According to Cunard, the reason for changing at night on the journey to New York is that it provides an extra hour of sleep for everyone. It is common for people to take a cruise in one direction and then fly back or even take a cruise in both directions to minimize jet lag. Onboard and educational entertainmentThe Planetarium aboard Cunard Queen Mary 2 If you think crossing the ocean by sea will be boring, that’s not the case. Unlike other cruises where the ports are the primary attraction, a transoceanic crossing is about relaxation, entertainment and even education. Cunard has daily talks about everything from true crime and astronomy to history and art. It also hosts themed cruises that attract people interested in particular topics like gastronomy, wine and art. A partnership with two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux showcased his iconic tasting menus drawing foodies on particular sailings. Guests can watch rehearsals and performances of the English National Ballet aboard a specialty ... [+] sailing. Once a year, it partners with The Greatest Generation to bring veterans aboard to lead talks and co-mingle with travelers. These are timed with the anniversary of the D-Day attacks and bring veterans, their families and history buffs to France. A full-service spa and beauty salon provide pampering, and an impressive library with a large collection of books is a popular spot. During the evening hours, live music, theater shows, comedians and other performances draw people into the large theater. Cunard has partnered with big names like The Juilliard School and the Royal Astronomical Society to provide entertainment and lectures aboard its ships. It has also featured West End performances, including most recently “Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of),” based on the novel by Jane Austen and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” Trivia, dance classes, board games, activities like archery and pickleball, workout sessions and swimming pools fill the day with gala dinners an evening favorite. Dress codes evolvingBusiness casual attire is the norm most evenings. Aboard Cunard, dressing for dinner is a tradition with tuxedos and ball gowns the norm many nights (although not required). “More and more passengers prefer casual over formal,” says Leppert. “But, for those who still enjoy dressing up, Cunard definitely has the market cornered as the only brand still dedicated to a traditional dress code.” “It’s the romance of it all for me,” adds Leppert. “The history of traveling the same route as so many immigrants and ancestors past is really something special, particularly doing so in such class and style.” People on ship in formal attire Dressing for dinner and for sailing in general is a highlight aboard Cunard. Even the staff wear impressively formal uniforms. For Queen Anne 2, Savile Row master tailor Kathryn Sargent designed outfits for the crew (from wait staff to the captain). What is it like onboard?The main dining room aboard Cunard Queen Mary 2. While Queen Mary 2 is designed like a vintage ocean liner with Art Deco accents, its interiors blend modern touches to appeal to a new generation of travelers. The ship makes the seven-day crossing about 20 times a year. Aboard Queen Mary 2, the most premium cabins are dubbed Princess Grill and Queens Grill cabins. They are inspired by the Verandah Grill restaurant on the original Queen Mary. The names refer to its upscale dining room that specialized in grilled meats and charged an extra fee for dining there. It was the exclusive dining and dancing room for first class guests of the day before being evolved to the elevated concept the line uses today. Queen Mary 2 has a variety of dining options, including special restaurants for certain cabin ... [+] categories. Cunard’s new SpaceX Starlink satellite-based Wi-Fi system is a vast improvement over what many other cruise lines offer. It is not free, but it offers robust speed that puts it on par with what travelers experience on land and is available across the fleet. The recent launch of Queen Anne, Cunard’s newest ship, carries many of the same regal design features inside, but is not an ocean liner and will not make the same number of crossings as Queen Mary 2. It is the fourth ship in the current fleet, but is actually the 249 th ship to bear the Cunard name. Queen Anne will make more traditional cruise sailings with daily ports of call in different regions from Alaska to the Mediterranean. Not much to see, but a lot to doLiverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom - June 3 2024: Liverpool celebrations at Pier Head as Cunard ... [+] names City of Liverpool the Godparent of new Queen Anne ship Not much, and that’s the beauty of it. Travelers like the seclusion and disconnect from the modern world. A highlight for many is the daily briefings from the captain about notable features of the route like seamounts and even a mention of the Titanic wreckage. Cunard’s Carpathia was the ship that rescued passengers from Titanic, which belonged to its biggest marine competitor White Star Line. In the North Atlantic, there is not much marine traffic with only the occasional cargo ship. Most cruise ships prefer to take the southerly route for a crossing because of rough seas although Queen Mary 2 is built for the North Atlantic, which means passengers do not feel much of it. Other cruise lines add a few ports to their crossings typically stopping in the Canary Islands, the Azores Islands or Bermuda. Since these cruises only take place twice a year when the ship repositions, they are usually more affordable since they have fewer ports. Cunard’s transoceanic sailings, however, sell out quickly because they appeal to a well-traveled audience that is aboard for the ship itself and the glamor of a yesteryear experience. Will there ever be another ocean liner built?Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 is pictured docked in Brooklyn, New York. The liner is the ... [+] flagship of the Cunard fleet. The architecture and design of an ocean liner is different than a traditional cruise ship. The cost of an ocean liner is not necessarily efficient for a cruise line. They tend to be smaller and built for speed and maritime efficiency whereas cruise ships are built for size and often to maximize capacity. Since design trumps maximizing profits for an ocean liner, many experts believe that another one may not be built any time soon. “The Queen Mary 2 definitely has many more years left in her, but I’m not certain if we will ever see a ship built like her, as a true ocean liner with a proper draft, ever again,” adds Leppert. “I would love to see a Queen Mary 3, but I don’t know if one would be profitable enough in a decade or so.” What is the future for transoceanic crossings?A rendering of the pool area on Cunard's new Queen Anne ship “There is a strong emphasis on North America in the coming years,” says Chase. “Starting in 2025, Queen Elizabeth will base itself in Seattle for her Alaska summer season, and will then transition to home port in Miami for her winter, Caribbean season. This is an addition to Queen Mary 2 being in NYC between April and December each year with her Transatlantic Crossing itineraries.” Moving ships between different regions of the world for seasonal sailings is standard practice, but only Cunard makes it a hallmark of the brand. Its transoceanic crossings have become a bucket-list trip for many travelers. Guests play shuffleboard on the ship's deck. Cunard also offers transoceanic crossings from New York that continue to Le Havre, France and Hamburg, Germany. The cruise line has its own loyalty program, which rewards guests in extra amenities each sailing based on the number of cruises they take. There are no complimentary voyages, however. This segment of the industry is not a growing one, says Leppert. “But, there are still plenty of people who prefer this form of travel over air, provided you have the week it takes to cross in either direction. I think the future remains with Cunard for now.” - Editorial Standards
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Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service. Best Sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailing and Liveaboard?As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Buying a boat is a tricky thing, but once you start figuring out what you’re going to use it for things begin to become more apparent. I’m assuming you’re here because you are interested in knowing how small of a sailing catamaran you can get while balancing factors such as price, length, and space. If so, you have come to the right place! The perfect sized catamaran for ocean sailing (including around the world sailing) is around 40ft; it is small enough to be sailed by one person but big enough to provide safety and speed. Of course, there are many variables to consider, and below we will discuss many of them. Before we can decide which one is perfect for our needs, we need to look at all ends of the spectrum: the smallest, biggest, cheapest, and most expensive. Table of Contents What is The Smallest Sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailing?The size of the smallest suitable catamaran that can safely, and somewhat comfortably, cross big oceans is according to consensus in the sailing community, around 30ft. It is possible with less, but a smaller boat has some real downsides, which I will discuss below . Anything smaller than 30ft is starting to become too much of a tradeoff. When it comes to dealing with huge waves and strong winds, size is an issue. Too small of a catamaran and every wave appears as a mountain. It also has a significant effect on the crew; if the boat is never at rest always pitching and yawing it really takes its toll on the team, this will sooner or later impair the crew’s ability to make the right decisions, something that is a must in a situation of crisis. One of the most significant issues with small catamarans is the low bridge deck clearance; most catamarans make some noise when sailing upwind. These loud noises are due to waves coming towards the boat only to get projected with high speed and force straight into the deck’s underside. This makes for massive noise and vibration, something that isn’t dangerous but adds to the crew’s fatigue while also making for a horrible trip. There are really only two things that you can do to prevent bridge deck slamming, either you get a big boat with a high bridge deck clearance (more on that here) or you sail downwind. Usually, fitting all the gear you need for a long trip on the boat is not an issue. But there might be a problem with balancing the ship once you have filled it with all that weight, having weight too far out on either the bow or the stern is a safety issue and can lead to unnecessary pitching and in a worst-case scenario make you dive right into a wave instead of staying on top of it. Why is a Bigger Catamaran Better For Sailing Around The World?Having a bigger boat offers a lot of advantages, some of them are; Speed is not only fun, but it is also something that adds to the safety of the trip. If you’re doing ten plus knots instead of just five, that means you will only need half of the time at sea, and if there is a storm on the way, you definitely want to get into safe harbor before it strikes. It also means that you could “outrun” or at least out-steer a storm, so speed gives possibilities and therefore, safety. Another aspect of speed is how much fun it is: “Sailing my old 35ft monohull, it was always a slug, slow and steady wins the race they say, we won nothing but boredom, and when you realize that your speed is so slow that on an average jog you would easily outrun your boat, that sucks.” Gabo But when you are starting to surf waves and semi-plane, it’s a whole different world; it’s exhilarating, and you go from thinking when is this horrible experience over to thinking, let this never end! Getting a bigger boat also means a lot more space , and that means more places to store all the fun stuff you want to bring, scuba gear, snorkels, surfing boards, and other fun stuff. Having a smaller boat might mean you won’t have space enough to fill up your dive tanks, so you miss out on many great opportunities. Another aspect of space is the problem with headroom if you are a tall person and/or you want to bring tall friends onboard then having a saloon where you don’t have to hit your head on the ceiling is a significant factor, and to be honest small catamarans usually don’t have this. This is often not a big issue for short trips, but going on a cruise for multiple days, being comfortable is a big thing. And speaking of bringing friends along, a bigger boat equals more berths , the bigger ones (40+ft) have full-sized rooms with large beds that are so comfortable that not even grandma will complain, so if you don’t want her to stay for too long, you should probably get a smaller boat. What Sized Catamaran is Too big For Ocean Sailing?A too big of a catamaran is for most sailors anything longer than 45ft, more specifically a boat which is too expensive, something you can´t handle on your own and that has more space than you need . This once a little more tricky, a general rule of thumb for many is that you should be able to sail it on your own because you might have to sooner or later. Bigger boat means sails that are harder to raise and sometimes only possible with an electric winch and having too much electrical stuff are for many a big NO GO. for me it’s not a big deal, just make sure you are able to repair it if it breaks, just like any mechanical system. A bigger boat means more sail area, which usually means more power, which means higher speeds and sometimes a bit more complicated to handle for a beginner. Make sure you try to get a boat that you are comfortable handling and know precisely how and when to reef. Since catamarans don’t heel ( more on that here ) they offer handling-feedback a little bit different, for example since they don’t have deep keels and don’t lean to their side they tend to almost “sit down “a little on their leeward side (the hull of the lee side of the boat). This sensation can be a little bit awkward at first but is something that the catamaran captain needs to get used to if he or she wants to understand how to properly reef and maintain the sails. If this is not correctly done the catamaran might be at risk of capsizing . For most people, anything over 45ft is just too much to handle short-handed. Balancing Price and comforts Size in ft | Comforts | Maintenance & repair costs | Price | Potential income | Notes | Up to 30 | Small berths, full height only in hulls. | $ | ~30 000 USD | Not many options | Low bridge deck clearance | ~30 | Full height only in hulls, | $ | ~ 60 000 USD | Maybe chartering | Not big, not small | ~40 | Full Height in saloon and hulls, large outer deck, | $$ | +150 000 USD | Chartering, AirBnB, paying crew, | Not big, not small | Above 45 | Full Height in saloon and hulls, large outer deck, | $$$$ * | +250 000 USD | Chartering, AirBnB, multiple berths, paying crew | Big boat demands an experienced captain | | | | | | | *Exponentially higher costs since the amount of stuff you have to do usually exceeds the time you will have to fix it. Let’s use bottom paint as an example, you can do it yourself trying to save some money, but since the boat is soo big, you’ll end up spending a lot of work hours painting. And every day spent hauled out is expensive (especially for such a big boat), so trying to do it yourself might even be more costly than hiring a few workers (since if you are the only one working on the ship it needs to be hauled out for a longer time). Potential Income From a Bigger BoatWhen it comes to the potential income I would argue that the bigger boat you have, the more money you can make, not only could you attract high-paying customers since now you are offering luxury yacht sailing instead of low-end stuff aimed at backpackers. This could be a massive resource of income. I tried taking people out on my boat, but since it was quite small and not even close to what someone wanted to pay a lot of money for, it didn’t really generate much money. If you find yourself staying at a marina for a longer time and having a couple of berths available, you could AirBnB those to out to people in the area . This is a great way to make some extra income, and it’s also a great way to make some friends. I would definitely recommend this! Bigger boats also mean the possibility to have a larger paying crew, instead of not being able to take a single crew person, on a 43ft you could have seven people both working and paying to stay at your boat. That’s a sweet deal and a lot of fun! Bigger Boats = Higher ExpensesSize matters; nothing is more accurate in the boating world, but when it comes to the amount of expenses and the size of your pride. Haul out and placing on stands when it’s time for your repair and maintenance should be thoroughly planned and executed. This is a good tip since you will most definitely pay by the length of your boat, and if you are sailing around in a catamaran, be ready to pay a premium, many times 25 – 50 percent more than the standard price per foot. So before you take your boat out of the water, make sure you have a solid game plan that includes a rigid timeline of when the contractors should arrive, what the different phases of your maintenance will be, and then push hard to execute according to plan. If you do it this way there is a lot of money to be saved, what you don’t want to happen is that you have four contractors ready to get to work, but you haven’t bought the paint or the gear needed for the repairs, so they are just sitting around and costing money. The Best Sized Liveaboard CatamaranMost ocean-capable catamarans are also more or less suited for living aboard. This means that the best-sized liveaboard catamaran should be around 40-45ft. When it comes to long-term living on a catamaran, some things are more important than if we only do a single crossing; a liveaboard is about enjoying your house on the water. In contrast, a catamaran made for hardcore sailing is more about speed and excitement. Liveaboard-demands usually include a lot of space to store your stuff, wide hulls with large-sized berths, and for many getting a used charter boat is the right decision. Beware when buying an old charter boat that they are usually made for coastal waters, and not all are suited for offshore multiday sailing. Living on a boat means you will spend a lot of time doing the usual stuff you would also be doing in an ordinary house, including cooking cleaning, and working. Once you understand your needs there is a better chance you can find a boat that will suit your needs in the long run. Catamarans in the “cruising” category usually have a lot of space to store gear, this means that they have wider hulls. Having wider hulls creates more drag and will hinder the boat from going as fast as a catamaran with narrow hulls ( Check out catamaran hull speed explained ). But having these hulls will greatly improve your comfort since it allows for wider berths(beds) and a boat that is easier to move around in, this might sound like a small thing and you might think that it’s not a big deal. But… After a couple of weeks sharing a few square feet, every time you bump into someone or something will be a little annoying so I cannot be frank enough when emphasizing how important internal space is when it comes to comfort but also staying good friends with your crew. If you have an online job, or maybe just a job that you can do from your computer there might also be a need to have a desk or room that is relatively separate and quiet so you can get some work done. Cruising, Liveaboard, and Ocean Crossing. Guidelines on How to Choose Your Catamaran!To summarize this article I have put together a shortlist of guidelines that you can use when scouting for a suitable catamaran. - What is the smallest I can go that still satisfies my needs? This is a great question to ask yourself because, as you have seen above, the smaller you can go, the more money you can redirect into outfitting the boat in a way that you want.
- In a situation where your the only one in “sailable” condition, will you be able to handle the vessel single-handed? Out of a safety perspective, this is very important since you might have to do a man overboard maneuver on your own. This is also a question that only you can answer. If you have a lot of experience and are a very confident sailor, maybe you’ll be okay with a 45ft, but smaller is more appropriate for most people.
- How big of a boat can you afford when including the cost of maintenance , repairs, haul out and all other stuff you have to put money into. Don’t forget BOAT really stands for Break Out Another Thousand.
- When it really comes down to it, do you want speed or space ? You can’t have both, unless your filthy rich, then you can have both 🙂
Hope you find this useful! Take care! Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran! Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Recent PostsMust-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors! Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on... 6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their "home marina" and sailing will be somewhat... - Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best of Moscow by high speed trainBy shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises Recommended PostsSure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day. Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)? My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc. Link to commentShare on other sites. If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P. Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise. We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow. I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it. countfloridaWe toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours. All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas. If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience! We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way. If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow. Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful. countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you! Emperor NortonSure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day. Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)? My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc. I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports. Countflorida, This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company. The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later). I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it. The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do? A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully. Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion. Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost. Thanks very much for the feedback. We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are. We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP. scubacruiserx2Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687 Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. 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Starlink at sea: all change for cruisers Starlink has shaken up its offering for cruising sailors with a crack down on service term violations and new data plans Starlink, Elon Musk’s low orbit satellite network which delivers low cost high speed internet via a portable dish, has shaken up its offering for cruising sailors and other broadband users at sea. Starlink has been hailed as a game-changer by many adopters. Since its launch just two and a half years ago, its coverage has expanded rapidly and many cruisers crossing the Atlantic last season reported full service mid-ocean. Even cruisers in remote Pacific regions have been reporting excellent connectivity while at sea. In March this year, four American sailors were rescued after their yacht Raindancer sank mid-Pacific in what may well be the first Starlink-enabled rescue. While the conventional rescue communication protocols worked effectively, their rescue was accelerated by the fact that several other yachts on the route were made aware of their plight from browsing Facebook while online, and a Whatsapp group was set up to help coordinate their rescue among boats with fast connectivity (see June issue of Yachting World for the full story). However, most recreational sailors have been using Starlink Roam, previously known as Starlink RV (‘recreational vehicle’) – a plan designed for those in touring vehicles, off grid cabins etc, who needed connectivity whilst stationary – and, critically, on land. The original dedicated Maritime version was designed for commerical use, with subscription initially costing around £5,000 per month. Starlink dish fitted to a bimini structure on a cruising yacht. Photo: Phil Johnson/SV Sonder Numerous Facebook groups sprang up, populated with instructions on how to ‘hack’ the standard Starlink dish to improve its connectivity on a moving yacht, though Starlink contracts always made clear that using a modified stardard dish and Roam connection whilst sailing was in breach of its warranty and terms of service. However, over the past couple of week cruisers have been receiving emails from Starlink notifying them that the company is cracking down on this usage: “Your Starlink has been used in areas that violate the terms and conditions of your service plan: your plan does not include service on the ocean. Starting as early as May 9th, 2023 you will be unable to connect to the internet on the ocean except to access your Starlink account where you can make updates to your account.” The message then went on to recommend users change their service plan to one of their new, more expensive, ‘Mobile Priority’ plans (though considerably less than the previous Maritime plan). It’s important to note that this crack down is not a change to Starlink’s usage permissions, the company is only enforcing its existing terms and conditions. The notifications prompted a flurry of discusssion on the many Starlink user groups, with some joking that it ‘felt like Y2K all over again’, and concerns that connectivity would be cut off instantly at 0000hrs on May 9 (that wasn’t the case, although some customers have received repeated emails and connectivity warnings). Starlink at seaStarlink maps service areas into 15 mile cells, shown on its service maps as blue and black hexagons, determining whether that area is ‘land’ or ‘ocean’, marked in ‘blue’ and ‘black’ respectively. If the satellite technology detects that the dish is being used in a black hexagon it will consider you to be on the ocean. There are, unsurprisingly, a few anomalies – islands and promontories etc which have not been recognised as land etc. ‘Land’ and ‘Ocean’ areas as shown around the Canary Islands on the Starlink map. Source: Starlink.com Starlink advised Roam users instead move to one of their Mobile Priority plans. However, in a pattern that will be familiar to anyone who’s followed Musk’s rapid-fire changes at Twitter, those policy options went through a series of updates and different pricing plans over the past week. One possible solution for cruising users may be to subscribe to a Priority data plan which can be ‘toggled’ on and off as they move between land and ocean areas – although some users report that even after toggling ‘off’ they were still using data from the more expensive Priority plan. Whilst many RV/Roam users have successfully used Starlink’s standard dish whilst in motion, Starlink now offers a dedicated ‘in motion’ option using a higher performance dish. The website currently shows Starlink Martime and Starlink Mobility packages from £247 per month with a hardware cost of £2410, though there are some hefty discounts currently being promoted to existing standard dish owners on new hardware costs Will a securely anchored yacht running Starlink be viewed as ‘in motion’? Photo: Phil Johnson/SV Sonder What’s not yet clear is whether the geo-locating technology considers being on anchor or in a marina as stationary or in motion. One email shared on a user group, apparently from Starlink customer service, says: “You do not need the high performance dish to use in-motion service. However, using the regular dish in-motion voids the warranty, as it wasn’t deigned or built for in motion use. In motion means moving…. A boat at anchor is considered in motion. The bobbing motion will trigger the motion sensors in the dish. “The non high perforamnce antennas may be used in motion now, and in the forseeable future. We do not anticipate removing this capability. A reminder however that they weill be out of warranty if used in motion.” However, confusing, Starlink’s own FAQ page , under “Can I use Starlink in motion?”, advises: “Flat High Performance Starlink is only available to be purchased in certain regions. If your account country is outside these regions, you can use your current Starlink hardware paired with the Mobile Priority data to access prioritized service globally on land and in the ocean while stationary.” [our underline] User groups advise contacting Starlink direct if, for example, you want to use non-priority data while in port and only occasional in-motion priority data for an ocean passage. Options and restrictions also depend on which region cruisers purchased their dish in, and which address their data plan is registered to. The other consensus among user groups seems to be that, unless you need seamless high speed connectivity because you are running a business whilst cruising or similar, not to rush to replace hardware or sign up for new data plans as they are rapidly evolving. |
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Lagoon 380. The long-time best-seller from the world leader in catamarans, with more than 1,000 produced over almost 20 years from 1999. With its characteristic vertical windows, the 380 and its ...
Here's a list of the Top 15 best Multihulls reviewed in this article: Leopard Catamarans - 41 ft 7 in - Leopard 42. Balance Yachts - 48 ft 26 in - Balance 482. Kinetic Catamarans - 54 ft 2 in - Kinetic KC54. Xquisite Yachts - 53 ft - Xquisite X5.
One of the best catamarans for ocean sailing in 2020 is The Privilege 435. This is a long-distance, light weight cruiser produced in the Gold Coast area of La Rochelle. The Privilege 435 is a heavy-displacement multihull that has been around for almost 30 years. This is a luxurious well-built yacht with a decent proportion that allows it to ...
Above: A 2022 Silent 62 triple deck catamaran yacht for sale on YachtWorld by Silent Yachts. Photo by Silent Yachts. This beautiful trans-ocean yacht is the ultimate in both luxury and design. With fully solar powered electric motors, it has an unlimited range, zero emission, and noiseless cruising. Multiple layout options offer 4-6 cabins ...
Toby Hodges takes a look at 5 launches in 2024. Explore the latest in ocean cruising catamarans for 2024 with our lineup of five exceptional boats. From the eagerly awaited Seawind 1370 to the eco ...
They're ideal for coastal cruising but can also be used for ocean crossing thanks to their stability and speed. Here are some of the best power catamarans on the market: Leopard 53. Fountaine Pajot MY6. Nautitech 47 Power. Horizon PC74. Lagoon Seventy 8. ArrowCat 420. Bali 4.1.
Photo: Leopard Catamarans. Displacement: 14.5 tons Beam: 24ft 2in Draft: 4ft 11in Features: Forward-facing cockpit, 3 or 4 cabins, 8 to 12 berths, up to 4 heads, up to 5 showers, 2 45hp engines, 780L water capacity, 700L fuel capacity. The big unique selling point of this best catamaran for sailing around the world is the forward-facing cockpit - a shaded and well-ventilated area to relax ...
Best catamaran and multihull winner 2024 - Outremer 52 My highlight test of 2023? Sailing this Outremer 52 for 200 miles over two days and nights! Quite how such a large vessel, one that is ...
Gemini 105M Courtesy of Gemini Catamarans. Pioneering catamaran sailor, builder and designer Tony Smith launched the first of his 33-foot Gemini 105M's (10.5 meters = 33′) in 1993, and soon after found a ready and willing stream of sailors enamored of the boat's compact size, affordable price tag, and such innovations as the nifty lifting rudder and transom steps.
The best catamarans for sailing around the world include: Lagoon 42. The Fountaine Pajot Ipanema 58. Manta 42. Catana 50. Dolphin 42. Gunboat 62. These cats focus on speed, safety, and comfort for longer journeys. This article will show you the seventeen best catamarans for long journeys, and why they're the best.
The Outremer 4x is a stable and comfortable high-speeding cruising catamaran that performs ocean crossings and confronts any weather with remarkable ease. Named the European Boat of the Year in 2017, this 48-foot (14.6 m) bluewater cruiser sails faster than wind speed and attains maximum cruising speeds of 20 knots.. The 4x is an upgrade of the extremely popular Outremer 45, thus retaining ...
A catamaran generally has no ballast. It primarily depends on beam and individual hull buoyancy for stability. The wider it is, the more stability‐‐however, at some point excessive beam becomes unmanageable. In addition a narrower hull is more easily depressed and prone to tripping in heavy seas.
Multihulls can be relatively quick in the right offwind conditions, but if they are heavily laden - as they will be for blue water cruising - there really is no significant speed advantage. The Gunboat 66 Phaedo 1 piles on the speed, but for blue water cruisers, comfort and stowage is more important than pace.
Of the 25 multihulls, no two had crossings that were exactly alike. Skippers ranged from first-time ocean-crossers to professional delivery captains; crew ranged from a newborn child to seasoned salts; boats ranged from a 62-foot Gunboat to a 38-foot Lagoon. But one common thread wove them all together: they had just crossed the ocean on two hulls.
The typical ocean-crossing catamaran is usually about 40 to 45 feet long. With the addition of 10 feet in length, designers can fit an enormous amount of additional accommodations in the hulls. ... Best Catamaran Size for Pacific Ocean Cruising. Catamarans are very versatile craft, but some function better in the Pacific Ocean than others. ...
In 8 years of running tourists boats in the Whitsunday Islands I was called out a few times in search & rescue missions. The 4 rescue missions were for one yacht dragged ashore, when a northerly had swung southerly in the middle of the night. The other 3 were all multihulls. 2 were in only about 30 knots of trades, & both had dug the bow in & pitch polled.
Multihulls are making their mark on tradewinds sailing. Elaine Bunting reports from the 2019 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. A catamaran on the ARC rally reefed for an approaching squall, as seen ...
View suitable yachts now. Booking Advisor. Let a travel expert suggest the ideal yachts for your trip. Verify your phone number. Your phone number is required so the owner & the captain can contact you during your trip. Add new number. Send Confirmation Code. SavedRetry. Enter the 4-digit confirmation code below:
Catamarans are ideal for crossing the Pacific. The vessels are an ideal choice for any long journey, even crossing the Pacific, thanks to their size, large living area, high stability, and high speeds. The boat's length, which should be at least 30 feet (9.1 m) long, is a significant consideration. Crossing the ocean is no easy feat, even for ...
find destination port: start typing to see the suggestions. calculate. +. Calculate sea route and distance for any 2 ports in the world.
Cunard Cruise Line, however, fills a niche offering back-to-back transoceanic cruises many months of the year. Its Queen Mary 2 is the last "ocean liner" in service, a ship that was purpose ...
Most ocean-capable catamarans are also more or less suited for living aboard.This means that the best-sized liveaboard catamaran should be around 40-45ft. When it comes to long-term living on a catamaran, some things are more important than if we only do a single crossing; a liveaboard is about enjoying your house on the water.
Sure would appreciate someone who has taken Best of Moscow by high speed train from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day. Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also wha...
Starlink has been hailed as a game-changer by many adopters. Since its launch just two and a half years ago, its coverage has expanded rapidly and many cruisers crossing the Atlantic last season ...