Our transatlantic cruise was the trip of a lifetime. I did not expect to enjoy every minute so much because I had anticipated a tedious, boring voyage. So happy to be proved wrong!
If there is a lecturer on board advising what to see and do in each port and giving information about the science of the sea - GO! Professor Chuck was absolutely fascinating on our cruise. We learned about the depths of the sea and the fun of the shore. Great combination. Skip the lecture on where to shop - you will be guided to very expensive shopping. Just enjoy your time on shore and buy where the locals shop.
Some tips for the cruise:
The perfect room. Mid-ship and high so we barely felt the rocking of the boat. Far enough down the corridor to eliminate a lot of walk-past traffic but close enough to elevators and stairs to get everywhere quickly.