Planning a slower way to Europe
For my first Europe trip, the journey across the ocean is part of the vacation.
Joe and I have a transatlantic cruise booked from Miami to Rome for April 16 to May 2, 2027. We plan to fly to Miami two days before sailing, giving ourselves a little breathing room before embarkation. Rome is where this crossing ends and where the next part of our trip begins.
One appeal of a crossing is settling in once while the ship carries us onward. Fewer days spent repacking and moving bags sound good to me. That does not solve every accessibility question, though: airports, transfers, embarkation, shore days, and the arrival in Rome each need their own plan.
The practical notes in my planning folder
- Leave a buffer before the cruise, especially when a flight and ship departure are on separate bookings.
- Check walking distances and assistance arrangements at both airports and at the cruise terminals.
- Ask about the actual cabin layout, bathroom access, and any equipment needs before relying on a broad “accessible” label.
- Look at each port day on its own: transport, terrain, time on foot, and a comfortable way back to the ship.
- Keep confirmation numbers and assistance requests together so they are easy to find when plans change.
These are planning notes, not a report from a trip I have already taken. I will have more to say once we have made the crossing. For now, I am enjoying the thought of arriving in Europe with the voyage itself already behind us.