what's a transatlantic cruise like

Should You Take a Transatlantic Cruise?

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Transatlantic cruises rank among the most iconic types of travel. They generally fall into two categories. The first type is a regularly scheduled transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 , the only cruise ship that routinely sails back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean between New York City and London (Southampton). These cruises run between late April and early January and take about six or seven days in each direction because the ship does not have any ports of call. The Queen Mary 2 crosses the Atlantic about 50 times a year on this week-long route.

The second type of transatlantic crossing is a repositioning cruise for ships that sail in the Caribbean, Central America, or South America in the winter and in Europe for the rest of the year. Most transatlantic repositioning cruises sail in the spring and fall months, but travelers can find one or more ships crossing the Atlantic every month of the year. These crossings are usually longer than a week since they include a few ports of call in the Caribbean or the Atlantic Ocean.

Both types of transatlantic crossings are different than a cruise where the ship is docked at a new port of call each day. Travelers planning a transatlantic cruise vacation need to think about the pros and cons of what it's like to be out of sight of land for days at a time.

Pro: Bargain Prices

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Cruise lines follow the sun, moving most of their ships to another part of the world to help guests enjoy the best weather and most daylight on their vacation. Because these repositioning cruises are often longer (10 or more days) and include only a few ports of call, the cruise lines usually reduce the price per day to attract more travelers. The ships have a "captive audience" on sea days, and onboard guests tend to spend more money on drinks, gambling, and in the retail boutique shops. So, cruise lines need to have the ships full when making the crossing.

When planning a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic, be sure to check out the cruise right before or after your transatlantic crossing. The cruise lines often discount these cruises for those willing to book back-to-back.

Pro: No Flying

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A long flight across the Atlantic is stressful, tiring, and often not a good beginning or ending to your vacation. A transatlantic cruise at the beginning of your vacation can get you into a relaxed mood, and one at the end of your vacation can help ease you back to the normal work life. North Americans with more vacation time can cross the Atlantic at the beginning of their vacation, travel around Europe via land or on another cruise, and then take a second transatlantic cruise back home. They only have to drive or fly to the embarkation port.

Pro: No Jet Lag

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One of the factors every traveler loves about a transatlantic cruise is the lack of jet lag when arriving at their destination. Since continental Europe is about six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in North America (depending on the time of year), ships traveling westbound lose an hour almost every day. Those traveling eastbound gain an hour, making some cruise days 25 hours long! Although losing or gaining an hour each day can be a little disconcerting, it's far better than the jet lag you can get from flying across the Atlantic.

Pro: Learn Something New

Cruise ships on transatlantic crossings offer many educational, entertaining, and fun activities on the many sea days. For example, guests can take classes in computing, photography, cooking, bridge, fitness, or ballroom dancing. Or, they can attend lectures on a variety of topics that expand their knowledge on history, travel, health, music, or art. Smaller ships and more luxury brands tend to feature more guest lecturers and educational opportunities than larger ships do. 

Pro: Relax and Unwind

When arriving home from vacation, many travelers often complain that they "need a vacation from their vacation!" Although many are surprised at how quickly the sea days fly by on a transatlantic cruise, no one is forcing guests to do anything other than whatever they want to do. Some guests bring along an e-reader full of novels, while others catch up on movies, try their luck in the casino, or spend time unwinding in the spa or fitness center. On a transatlantic cruise, someone else is cooking and cleaning up after you. Guests can sleep in as long as they wish or go to bed right after dinner. It's their choice.

Con: No (or Few) Ports of Call

The traditional transatlantic crossing of the Queen Mary 2 does not feature any ports of call, leaving New York and arriving in Southampton seven days later (or vice versa). 

Most transatlantic repositioning cruises taking the southern route between the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas make stopovers at ports of call in the Caribbean, the Cape Verde Islands, and the Canary Islands. Ships crossing the northern route might stopover in Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Bermuda, Newfoundland, or Atlantic Canada.

While you won't have as many ports of call as on a seven-day Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise, some of the ports are unique and can only be seen on an extended voyage like a transatlantic crossing.

Con: Weather and Rough Seas

Weather can be a major concern for some travelers planning a transatlantic cruise. On traditional cruises, ships are sailing most nights and in a different port each day. They often are not far from land, so even though the weather can be rough, it doesn't last long.

Crossing the Atlantic can be different since the ship might not see land for several days. 

The good news is that modern cruise ships have amazing stabilizers, so most guests won't feel the wave action. Those who are prone to seasickness should have a variety of remedies to prevent or treat this malady. 

It's no guarantee, but transatlantic cruises in the summer months usually have the best weather, although hurricanes and tropical storms can affect ships sailing either the southern route or northern route.

Believe it or not, there are cruise travelers who love stormy weather and rough seas. A transatlantic crossing in the winter months of November through March is ideal for these die-hard travelers. They can get a good price and might even "enjoy" a storm!

Con: Passengers Tend to Be Older

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A general rule for cruises is the longer the cruise, the older the passengers. This is not surprising, because senior travelers have more time off and more disposable income. Although many younger travelers enjoy socializing with seniors, most transatlantic crossings are not "party" cruises. The bars and discos probably won't be packed after midnight like on shorter voyages where travelers are trying to cram as much as possible into their vacation time.

Con: Too Much Free Time

Although most travelers can get into the rhythm and routine of a transatlantic cruise, some people feel almost claustrophobic when surrounded by water 24 hours a day for several days. This feeling is rare, but a transatlantic cruise might not be for everyone. If you can't wait to get off the ship each day when on a traditional cruise moving from port to port, you might not embrace several consecutive days at sea. If you are a self-starter who appreciates free time alone or doesn't require constant entertainment, you probably will come home planning your next transatlantic voyage. 

Is a Transatlantic Cruise For You?

If you consider these pros and cons and your own personality type, you can decide if a transatlantic cruise is the right vacation for you. Since this type of cruise is often a good bargain, offering no-jet-lag travel and the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate, a crossing might be a perfect cruise vacation for you.

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Wild Junket

What’s a TransAtlantic Cruise Really Like?

Last Updated on August 12, 2018

Are you wondering what’s a transatlantic cruise like? I’ve just returned from a transatlantic cruise with my kid and I’m sharing my experience and some tips here on transatlantic repositioning cruises.

Table of Contents

My Experience on a Transatlantic Cruise

What’s a transatlantic cruise, where does a transatlantic cruise go, why travel on a transatlantic cruise, how much does a transatlantic cruise cost, what are the extra charges, what to do on a transatlantic cruise, what kind of people do you find on a transatlantic cruise, is a transatlantic cruise suitable for kids, how’s the food on the transatlantic cruise, how’s the service on the transatlantic cruise, do people get sick on the transatlantic cruise, would you recommend a transatlantic cruise, do your research, bring entertainment, pack carefully, know the dress code, pack seasickness medication, set your time.

Before my recent transatlantic journey with my 3-year-old daughter, I was honestly worried that I wouldn’t enjoy the trip.   I knew my daughter would love the transatlantic cruise — with all the kid-friendly amenities — but I didn’t know if I would enjoy cruise travel. I have mix feelings towards cruise travel, having been on a Mediterranean cruise which I didn’t like, and expedition cruises to Antarctica , the Arctic and Alaska which I absolutely loved.

As it turned out, the transatlantic experience was pretty disappointing. I’d perhaps romanticised the whole idea of crossing the Atlantic Ocean — it was nothing as dreamy or adventurous as I’d imagined. My transatlantic cruise with Costa Cruises was similar to those typical holiday cruises, where all people did was sunbath, eat, drink, dance, sleep and repeat. While we did enjoy our stops in the Caribbean, we found the transatlantic voyage itself (crossing the ocean for six days straight with no land in sight) rather boring and meaningless.

Read on to learn more about our transatlantic cruise experience and why it didn’t turn out to be how I’d imagined it to be.

As its name implies, a transatlantic cruise is a cruise that crosses the Atlantic Ocean, either from Europe to the Americas or in the other direction. Many cruise companies do such journeys at the start and end of each season. I traveled with Costa Cruises, an Italian cruise line that usually travels from Europe to the Caribbean in November and returns to Europe around May or June.

On these transatlantic journeys, most of the time is spent at sea, with no land in sight. Our cruise took six days to cross the Atlantic. Six full days with no stops and nowhere else to go can be hard. It felt like being in prison, except that the prison was luxurious and fed us well. There were pools, jacuzzis, activities and kids’ facilities, but things got old pretty fast.

As transatlantic journeys are longer and more expensive than standard cruise trips, there are usually less people on the cruise during these voyages. Our vessel, Costa Pacifica, has the capacity to take 3,078 passengers and 1,078 crew, but it was only half full during our transatlantic voyage. I already felt suffocated with so many people around all the time and so little personal service — I cannot imagine how it would be at its maximum capacity.

Some cruise voyages add on stops at the start or/and end of the trip so you get to visit some islands and do a bit of traveling. Our 14-day cruise started in Guadeloupe and took us to three different Caribbean islands (St Lucia, St Vincent and Barbados) at the start of the voyage and three different parts of Spain (Tenerife, Malaga and Barcelona) at the end. We had fun at all our stop and definitely enjoyed every single port we stopped at.

St Lucia was my favorite stop as we got to see the rainforests, hills and volcanoes of the island. It was very diverse and surprising, definitely nothing I’d expected. Barbados was quite disappointing as I didn’t imagine it would be so developed, with so many fancy mansions (including Rihanna’s) and condominiums. On Tenerife, I was thrilled to be able to go all the way up to the peak of El Teide (at 3,700m) on cable car with Kaleya. It felt like an adventure, climbing up all that altitude in such a short time, especially with a small kid like her but we both loved it! 

I booked the transatlantic cruise for a few reasons. Firstly I found a ridiculously cheap deal: the 14-day cruise only cost me 250 euros (US$305) per person, for an oceanfront room and all meals included.

I’ve traveled quite extensively in the Caribbean and I know going from one island to another can be expensive (only via flights or luxury yachts) so this would be a good way to see four on one trip. With just one day on each island, we would be barely scratching the surface, but we could get a taste and return for longer trips in future.

I also wanted to do a mother-daughter trip with Kaleya somewhere warm, and a cruise seemed like an easy and comfortable way to let her have fun and give myself some downtime. We really needed some sun and warmth after spending the past few months in cold Amsterdam and taking winter trips to Slovakia and Ukraine.

Plus, a transatlantic voyage sounded like an epic journey and a rite of passage for any traveler. Crossing the Atlantic on cruise would give us the chance to relive history and experience the passage that migrants took in the 19th and 20th centuries on steamships. 

I met plenty of people on the cruise who were avid cruisers who have cruised around the world. A Tranatlantic journey was the goal for most of those who love cruising. As one of them shared with me, “They say that you haven’t really cruised until you’ve crossed the Atlantic on a cruise.”

Our 2-week cruise trip cost me only 250 euros (US$305)  per person including taxes. I was lucky enough to nab a promo fare via fly4free.com , most people paid 3-5 times of what we did.

Compulsory service charge, which had to be paid at the end of the cruise, was 10 euros (US$12) /person/day. Kids don’t have to pay. In total, it added up to 140 euros (US$170).

All meals were covered, including the excellent breakfast buffets, lunches and gourmet style dinners in their fancy restaurant, water during meals, and juice at breakfast.

Most of the cruise facilities are free for everyone to access — including the slide, jacuzzi, swimming pools (one is for adults only), gym, kids club, and nightly entertainment. Spa, yoga sessions, laundry, ice cream and some sweet snacks come with an extra charge.

That’s the thing: even though I paid so little for our cruise fare, I soon realized that there were lots of extra charges once on board. 

Firstly, all drinks (except water and coffee/tea) come with a charge. The prices are pretty ok for wine and beer (around 5 or US$7) but cocktails are expensive, at 16 euros or US$18 each.

Most people get drink packages (there were four, offering different privileges). I got the Brindiamos package, which cost 338 euros (US$413) and included free flow of wine, juices and beer at meals, non-alcoholic mocktails and certain long drinks.

Internet is not too expensive and works even in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. A social media package costs 5 euros (US$7) per day for unlimited usage (which was pretty worthwhile) and a 500mb internet pack costs 47 euros (US$57). The social media package allowed me to upload photos and videos onto Facebook and Instagram, and make video calls on Whatsapp.

Besides these, the cruise also has two other restaurants where passengers can dine at for extra charges. There’s a staff who goes around during breakfast time to invite people to dine there. There are also cruise photographers who go around taking photos of passengers during dinner. I don’t like the fact that there’s a lot of upselling on the cruise — they’re constantly trying to sell souvenirs, photos, bathrobes, and lots of other stuff.

This totally depends on the cruise line. Our vessel, Costa Pacifica , has quite a lot of amenities: three swimming pools, jacuzzi hot tubs, a big slide, library, plenty of bars, four restaurants, gym, running track, disco club, even a casino and spa. A few of these facilities were only opened for a few hours a day and the pools were either closed or too cold to be used when we were crossing the Atlantic.

For kids, Costa Pacifica has a small playground with a kids’ wading pool, as well as a Peppa Pig themed playroom and a kids club for those aged 3-11. The kids club is opened from 9am to 12 midnight (for real!), with child minders to look after the kids. Some of the staff at the kids club were great, but a few of them looked like they’d rather be somewhere else. I wasn’t happy with their attitude, and stopped leaving Kaleya there after realizing that she was often left to her own defences there.

At the start of the voyage, we enjoyed ourselves at every destination, going out to explore and seeing different things each day. We mostly spent the whole day outside (usually our landings were from 8am to 5pm) and returned to the cruise only in the evenings. But the main challenge came when we were crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Before the trip, I didn’t think it would be a problem but we got bored on day one at sea. Due to the strong winds, the slide and most of the pools were closed. It was still sunny the whole time, so most people sunbathed on the upper deck but I couldn’t do that all day long even if Kaleya wasn’t around.

The cruise organised daily activities, but none of them were my cup of tea. Zumba classes, cooking demonstrations, darts, line dancing, bingo and silly games. Most of the activities catered to older folks, who were the majority anyway. We did enjoy the nightly entertainment in the theatre. They had professional performers and each night was a different show. They ranged from acrobatic shows to pop music displays and singing performances.

I had first learned about transatlantic cruises from friends who recommended them as an interesting and affordable way to get from one continent to another without flying. Most of them were traveling for a few months and found the transatlantic cruises to be a relaxing and unique way to end their journey. I was thus expecting to meet other like-minded travelers like myself, who have chosen an unconventional life. 

But I found that most of the people on our cruise were retirees from France, Italy and other parts of Europe. Many of them didn’t speak any other language besides their own. The majority of the people were above 60 years old. Most people were nice, saying hi and smiling every now and then, but there wer e a few rude and impolite people around.   I saw one older passenger shouting at the top of his voice at the pool attendant and making a scene just because the attendant asked him to get one at the reception.

On the tours we went to (which I regretted signing up for), many of them were pushing and shoving to get onto the bus as if they were afraid to be left stranded on a foreign land. One time, I was carrying Kaleya in my arms and an older man jostled his way past us so hard and hurt Kaleya. That was really shocking behavior.

Most passengers seemed to be ok with having children around, but a few were intolerant and grumpy with kids. I was hissed at by a passenger once because Kaleya was walking slowly and we were in his way. Another French lady shouted at Kaleya and said she shouldn’t be climbing on the theatre seats. There wasn’t any show going on, and I’d brought her to a quiet corner of the theatre so we weren’t disturbing anyone. Kaleya was just being a kid and I didn’t think she was out of line here. 

That said, I did meet a few lovely people onboard who were great. There was a young Brazilian couple with a toddler, who love travel as much as I do; a Dutch couple who shared a few cocktails with me; three Danish families who were spending six weeks in the Americas traveling; and a friendly couple from Martinique who sat next to us every night at dinner.

It was definitely very easy to travel with Kaleya on a cruise. Being on a floating hotel for two weeks meant that we ate and slept at the same place and had a routine. She slept extremely well (perhaps lulled to sleep by the hypnotic movement of the ship) and ate very healthy and balanced meals. I definitely see the draw of cruise travel for families with kids.

In general, young kids like Kaleya flourish with routines. Cruises definitely make it easy for them to have a routine, plus there are lots of kids-oriented facilities on board. We’ve traveled lots with Kaleya — She’s been to almost 30 at the age of 3 — and can say that cruising has been the easiest travel experience I’ve had with her to date. Even though I was traveling solo with Kaleya, I didn’t find it challenging at all.

On our cruise, there were only a handful of families with children. I would estimate a total of 20 kids. Only a few of them were around Kaleya’s age and none of them spoke English or Spanish. Although she didn’t have any problems playing with kids whom she couldn’t communicate with, the parents weren’t quite as friendly mainly because of the language barrier. I did end up becoming good friends with the Brazilian couple and their adorable son, Daniel, also loved hanging out with Kaleya.

Food on our cruise was probably my favorite part of the journey. The cruise line is Italian, and you can always trust the Italians to have the best food. The buffet breakfast was outstanding, with a huge spread of pastries, American breakfast and fresh fruit and yogurt. The breakfast spread was opened till late, and snacks too were available throughout the day.

Lunch was available at both the buffet diner and the restaurant. The buffet was surprisingly excellent: it was different everyday and the quality of the food was very high. They ranged from handmade mozzarella to fresh pasta, grilled steak, lamb fillet, fried fish, squid, steamed mussels, seafood rice, and lots of cakes and fruit. The menu at the restaurant changes everyday too and serves mostly Italian dishes.

I looked forward to dinner at Restaurant New York New York every night. Each meal was divine, and absolutely surprising and impressive. The restaurant was run very well, and our food was always delivered fresh and piping hot. We usually had three courses, with an appetiser like squid salad or Italian parma ham to start off, then a main course like lamb shank, grilled shrimp or beef steak, followed by dessert.

Everyone was assigned a table and a restaurant and each night we would sit at the same table for dinner. Our waiter, Florante from the Philippines, was brilliant. He got to know our preferences pretty well and he always made sure to have a dish of olives for Kaleya before we even got there.

The crew on Costa Pacifica were great — they did their job well and made our journey a very comfortable one. I really liked our cabin stewart Hoirul and restaurant waiter Florante, who often went above and beyond to make our experience positive. They were also really friendly to Kaleya and it made her feel special, and that meant the world to me.

I did notice that some bar staff didn’t look too excited about their jobs though. It was understandable, considering their long hours and being away from family for so long. The crew usually worked eight months straight, with no rest day or break in between. They also worked really long hours, with very little sleep. I don’t understand how that is legal since most European countries have labor laws enforced to protect employees.

The staff on the cruise is from around the world, though the majority of them are Asians (mainly from the Philippines, India and Indonesia). I’ve seen the same in all the other cruises I’ve been on, including the expedition cruises. To me, it shows third-world exploitation at its worst. While some of the staff told me that they are well paid, I don’t think they are offered fair conditions and working hours. I’m happy that cruises provide so much employment and many of these people are grateful to have jobs that allow them to support families back at home — but they should be treated with respect, and given reasonable working hours and breaks.

The sea condition was generally very calm. We didn’t have big waves at all, throughout the whole journey. The first few days of cruising in the Caribbean was absolutely smooth; We only noticed a bit of rolling when the cruise started crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

I got a bit dizzy on our first day at sea, but I got used to it by day two. Kaleya kept saying she felt perfectly fine, but she refused to eat and do anything basically on day one so I think she was affected too. She was absolutely fine from day two onwards as well. We brought Diamox (seasickness pills) but the cruise provided them for free at the reception.

Whenever we felt the ship’s motion, we would lie in bed and feel better immediately. In fact, the motion was very relaxing and often rocked us to sleep. Our cabin was on the first floor of the ship and we still didn’t feel much rolling. We had great views of the ocean and waves right outside our window.

This experience has shown me that cruise travel is not my cup of tea. I’ll still definitely go on expedition cruises in future as those are educational and filled with adventure, but I don’t think I’ll go on another transatlantic cruise on the same route or with the same company again.

While translantic cruises aren’t for me, that doesn’t mean that it’s not suitable for you. If you’re looking for a completely relaxing experience, then this might be what you’re looking for. Transatlantic cruises with kids are also easy and comfortable, so families who are looking to truly unwind and spend quality time together might like them as well.

I do believe that a transatlantic cruise can be suitable for certain types of people:

• Those traveling for an extended period of time (months or years) and looking for a cheap way to get from the Americas to Europe or vice versa
• Those who absolutely hate flying and have a lot of time on their hand
• Big fans of cruises who enjoy the idea of being pampered and not doing much besides lounging around by the pool

Another thing to note that experiences depend largely on the cruise line and the itinerary. A few bloggers have written about their positive experiences on transatlantic cruises, such as Steve and Amie who cruised on the Queen Mary 2 and World Travel Family who traveled on the Norwegian Epic. Both really enjoyed their transatlantic journeys and one of them have even gone on a second transatlantic cruise after that first experience.

Transatlantic Cruise Tips

My top advice would be to do your research before booking, and read reviews from people who have traveled on the cruise line and even better still, on the same route as the one you’re interested in. Check out cruisecritic.com  to read reviews of the vessel from people who have traveled on it before.

On transatlantic repositioning cruises, you’ll be spending at least six days at sea. Certain cruise lines will add some additional activities to occupy passengers on all those consecutive sea days, but you’ll still find yourself with lots of free time on board. Bring lots of reading materials and toys for your kids. You might want to load up your iPad or Kindle, or pack books you can leave behind once you’ve finished them.

Depending on your itinerary, the weather can be unpredictable. Our Atlantic crossing was in April, so the weather was mild and relatively warm. Even though it was warm sunbathing weather in both the Caribbean and Spain during our visit, it got rather windy and cold when we were in the upper decks during the crossing. If you’re traveling from the UK to New York, or in cooler months, remember to layer up. We also needed our jackets and trekking shoes on the top of Mount Teide on Tenerife.

Most transatlantic cruises have gala evenings (usually at the start and end of the crossing) where guests are expected to dress in formal wear — tux for men and evening gowns for women. I didn’t bother bringing an evening gown, but I did carry a few short dresses. You can’t pop out to a shop if you’ve forgotten to pack a nice dress, though the ship shops will stock formalwear.

Seas can be rough; remember to pack Dramamine. I only used it once, on day one of the crossing. Most ships only offer them at the reception.

This depends on which way you’re traveling on your transatlantic cruise. If you cruise westward like we did, you’ll wind up with a handful of 25-hour days. Going east? You get cheated of an hour, with some 23-hour days. In either case, you get to avoid jet lag on any Atlantic crossing.

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 140 countries across 7 continents. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Read more about her here and get more life updates from her on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Very interesting. We are a family of 7. 5 kids. I would love a cruise from the US NC to Europe to visit my mom but also to have an unforgetable vacation with my kids and husband. Would you recommend it ? How much time would I have in Germany before returning back to the US ?

hi Virginia, good to hear from you! Well it depends on the ages of your kids and whether you like cruises in general. Have you and your kids traveled on a cruise before? Kids in generally really like cruises, as they usually have kids’ clubs, games and entertainment for them. My 3-year-old daughter loved it. You can absolutely plan the trip yourself and book extra days in Germany before returning to the US. I booked my flights such that I had extra days in Guadeloupe before the cruise. And whether I would recommend it – read the blog post and you’ll know! :)

Omg, you really missed out on the transatlantic cruise experience, we have taken the QM2 about 7-8 times. Love it, my kids love it! My kids have met friends again from previous voyages and they love the time on the ship! We go to the pool, tea time, planetarium, gym, spa etc…we try not to spend crazy amount of money on extra. Food is great, entertainment pretty decent, great people! Great way to go to or back Europe without jet lag, and be pampered before crazy packed “vacation” with European family starts!

hi Catherine, thanks for the comment! Perhaps I should try the QueenMary2 next time! I’m not a cruise fan though – and this trip just made me certain that I don’t really like cruise travel. It’s not the type of travel I enjoy.

You obviously took the wrong cruise and did not research Costa as they tend to be more European than other cruises. I have been on about 10 transatlantic cruise and have found them to be cheaper and they usually have great speakers and things to do

SISSY Pierce

Our family of six, 2 grandparents, our daughter, her husband and 2 kids, girl 8 years and boy 12, cruised from ny city to Southhampton in April of 2018. Norwegian Breakaway, 12 days. Loved it. Going on a similar one in May this year.

Clarence Lundy

Getting ready to take a 25 day transatlantic cruise from Florida to Mediterranean with Holland America. We are both in our 60s and have cruised before. This will be our first transatlantic cruise. I hope we’ll enjoy it.

We have done a transatlantic cruise from Southampton to New York. We loved it!!! We stopped every few days (Scotland, Iceland, New Foundland, Portland and New York). No long stretch without a port and wonderful ports of call. Highly recommend choosing an itinerary you would enjoy. We enjoyed relaxing days at sea, great food and lots of choices for entertainment. We sailed NCL 2017 and loved our trip and look forward to booking our next trip.

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Best transatlantic cruises for 2024 and 2025, plus tips and what to expect

A transatlantic cruise ranks high on many travelers' bucket lists, especially those who love the camaraderie and adventure of a voyage by ship. Today's roughly 4,000-nautical-mile transatlantic crossing is more akin to the pre-aviation "Grand Tour" wealthy Americans once enjoyed than the immigration journeys many of our European ancestors made from the 17th to early 20th centuries.

Leisurely and luxurious, a one-way sailing offers fine dining, wellness-oriented pampering, enlightening lectures, glamorous nightlife and plenty of time to relax. Transatlantic cruises are also a solution for travelers who prefer not to fly and a tempting option for cruise lovers seeking a longer itinerary at an affordable price.

Is a transatlantic cruise right for everyone? Not necessarily, especially for anyone prone to moderate to severe sea sickness. However, for those who love sea days — and many cruisers do — a crossing can offer an uninterrupted "floating resort" experience; plus, it provides the added bonus of delivering you to Europe or returning you home without a cramped transatlantic flight.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

Here's everything you need to know about cruising the Atlantic — plus a selection of the best transatlantic cruises you can book in 2024 and 2025.

Which cruise lines offer transatlantic crossings?

While Cunard Line is most famous for its weekly crossings between Southampton, England, and New York City — which sail from April to December on its ocean liner Queen Mary 2 — pretty much every major cruise line offers transatlantic crossings.

These generally occur in the spring (late March to early May) and fall (September to November). In the spring, ships are repositioned from the Caribbean to Europe, and in the fall, vessels sail from Europe to the U.S. to begin Canada-New England and Caribbean itineraries.

Also known as repositioning cruises , these sailings are usually longer than a traditional crossing and often include several port calls beyond the city of embarkation and disembarkation.

Even better, cruise fares for these itineraries are typically one-third to one-half the price of a cruise of the same length that visits a new port daily. This makes them a great deal for travelers looking to settle into shipboard life rather than just sightsee.

These types of transatlantic/repositioning itineraries are offered by Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Seabourn, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Silversea, Star Clippers, Windstar, Viking and Virgin.

When is the best time of year for transatlantic cruises?

The best time to take a transatlantic cruise depends on what you're looking for: great weather, smooth seas, the best price or specific ports of call.

Generally speaking, May, June and July are recommended for warmer weather and gentler seas — before the Atlantic hurricane season peaks in August, September and October — although storms can arise any time of the year.

March, April and November — while not ideal due to cooler temperatures that can limit on-deck and poolside enjoyment — are a good option and a terrific value. This is especially true if the ship's route is a southerly one between Florida and the Mediterranean rather than between northern Europe and New York.

As noted above, the best prices are generally in spring and fall for repositioning cruises. These itineraries may also visit several appealing ports in the Mediterranean or Caribbean as well as call on the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Iceland or Bermuda in the Atlantic.

Related: Why I was wrong about transatlantic cruises

How long does the crossing take?

It varies. The classic nonstop transatlantic itinerary aboard Queen Mary 2 is a seven-night voyage between New York and Southampton (and vice versa). On the other hand, transatlantic repositioning cruises generally range in length from 11 to 21 nights, with an average of 14 nights (seven or eight of them typically sea days).

Will the seas be rough?

It's up to Mother Nature. At times, the Atlantic can be smooth sailing, even in spring and fall. Yet unpredictable wind and water current patterns can create rough seas seemingly out of nowhere any time of year.

Captains can generally maneuver around storms — and try to do so whenever possible for the comfort of all onboard. Additionally, modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers that reduce a ship's rolling motion due to wind or waves.

However, if you're even slightly prone to seasickness, don't throw caution to the wind. You'll be better off on a larger ship (pick a midship cabin on a lower deck); also, be sure to pack medication, patches, bands or whatever works best for you. While it might seem counterintuitive, having a window or balcony actually helps offset seasickness since it offers fresh air and a horizon view. If you're concerned, opt for an ocean-view or balcony cabin over an inside one.

Which side of the ship is best for a transatlantic crossing?

It honestly doesn't make much difference whether you book a cabin on the port (left) or starboard (right) side of the ship since most daytime views will be of the ocean. However, if you're departing from a Mediterranean port, say Rome or Barcelona, for a southerly crossing, book a starboard cabin; this might offer a view of the Rock of Gibraltar if your ship transits between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic during daylight hours. For a U.S.-to-Europe eastward crossing, you'd want the opposite — a port-side cabin.

Similarly, if your crossing takes you from northern Europe on a northerly route to the U.S., and you want to be among the first to spot land (perhaps Greenland or Newfoundland), book a starboard cabin. If you are cruising into New York Harbor just before dawn and want to see the Statue of Liberty from your cabin, book on the port side.

More important for an Atlantic crossing location-wise is your cabin's deck number and whether the cabin is situated forward, midship or aft. Generally, the ship's movement through rough seas will feel less severe if your cabin is midship and on one of the lower or middle decks versus the top-most decks.

Related: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship

Which ports do transatlantic cruises visit?

Where you embark and disembark will determine your route and the ports you potentially call on. Ships repositioning to or from the Baltic Sea and the British Isles generally take a northerly route. Vessels sailing from the Mediterranean cross on a more southerly route, especially if they are repositioning to or from a winter home port in Florida.

On a northerly crossing, you can expect to embark in a port such as Copenhagen; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Southampton or New York. Depending on the length of the cruise, expect to call on ports in Ireland (Dublin or Cork), Iceland (Reykjavik), Greenland (Qaqortoq or Nuuk), Atlantic Canada (St. John's in Newfoundland, or Sydney or Halifax in Nova Scotia) and Bermuda (King's Wharf).

On a southerly crossing between Barcelona or Rome in the Mediterranean and Miami or Fort Lauderdale, typical ports of call include Madeira; Grand Canary or Tenerife in the Canary Islands; Ponta Delgada in the Azores; and one or two islands in the Caribbean, such as St. Maarten or Puerto Rico.

Is it better to book an eastbound or westbound cruise?

Which direction you book really depends on whether you're aboard for the experience or you're using the crossing as a substitute for a flight to reach the other side of the ocean. Below are a few factors to keep in mind.

Aside from Queen Mary 2 crossings, westbound transatlantic repositioning cruises (from Europe to the U.S.) take place in the fall during the Atlantic hurricane season; some are also scheduled for mid-to-late November when storm formation has generally diminished. Eastbound cruises (from the U.S. to Europe) happen in spring, a season also often known for periods of gray skies and rain.

When considering westbound versus eastbound crossings, factor in the time change. While a transatlantic cruise is a terrific way to avoid the jet lag caused by flying across multiple time zones in a single day, you will be subject to almost daily reminders to reset your clock.

On westbound cruises, you'll have to set your clock back at night, thus gaining an extra hour of sleep on most days. On eastbound cruises, you'll set it ahead an hour and lose an hour of leisure time or sleep.

Another factor to keep in mind is that unless you plan to return home on another transatlantic cruise, you'll also need to book a one-way flight. Before committing to a specific eastbound or westbound itinerary, always check your flight options. One-way tickets are sometimes more expensive than round-trip fares.

Best transatlantic cruises for 2024 and 2025

There are dozens of opportunities to cross the Atlantic by cruise ship, but here are some of the best itineraries available in the next two years.

Cunard's Queen Mary 2

• Transatlantic crossings: May to December 2024 and 2025

There's nothing quite like it. Cunard 's weekly transatlantic crossing between New York and Southampton aboard the 2,691-guest Queen Mary 2 celebrates the grand age of ocean liners with a level of pomp and ceremony that appeals to Cunard loyalists, bucket-listers and memory-making couples or families celebrating a milestone anniversary or birthday.

These eight-night eastbound and six-night westbound voyages are all about the sea. There are interludes of culinary enjoyment and evening entertainment designed for travelers who appreciate formality and glamour.

A typical day might include time in the library perusing the largest book collection at sea, getting an illuminating astronomy lesson in the onboard planetarium and enjoying traditional afternoon tea.

The evening lineup generally starts with a multicourse dinner (same table and same waiter nightly) followed by a Broadway-inspired show, an abridged Shakespeare play or even a magic act. The ship is also famous for its Gala Evenings, capped off with Champagne sipping and dancing to a live orchestra. Yes, pack those ballgowns and tuxes.

Cruise fares start at $1,129 per person for an inside cabin and $1,619 per person for a balcony room.

Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady

• 16-night Rome to Miami: Nov. 28-Dec. 14, 2024
• 15-night Miami to Casablanca and Barcelona cruises: May 3-18, 2025

Virgin Voyages ' 2,770-guest Scarlet Lady has an onboard ambience that rivals a youthful beach club. Passengers and crew will keep the party going day and night this fall on a 16-night Rome to Miami transatlantic sailing. The sailing has calls on Barcelona and Malaga in Spain; Funchal on the island of Madeira; and Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Or, party in reverse on the ship's 15-night Miami to Casablanca and Barcelona crossing in May 2025. It stops in Grand Canary and Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Casablanca, Morocco; and Barcelona.

The ship's 20 excellent dining venues, cutting-edge entertainment (campy and a bit naughty — think Drag Queen Bingo), impressive lineup of wellness classes (from yoga at sunrise to On-the-Upswing Bungee aerobics) and fun activities ('90s Boy Band Dance Class, anyone?) provide plenty of ways to pass the time.

Cruise fares start at $4,384 per cabin (or less than $2,200 per person) for the Rome-to-Miami sailing and $3,706 per cabin (or less than $1,900 per person) for the Miami-to-Barcelona sailing.

Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream

• 13-night eastbound transatlantic cruise: May 5-18, 2024
• 13-night westbound transatlantic cruise: Oct. 20-Nov. 2, 2024

Certain Disney fans — namely childless adult couples and empty nesters — love the brand's storytelling and Imagineering but prefer not to share a two-week cruise with hundreds of kids and teens. These 13-night eastbound and westbound crossings from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona and from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale aboard 2,500-passenger Disney Dream offer a solution to that dilemma.

Each of these transatlantic cruises occurs when almost everyone ages 5 to 18 is still in school. Yes, some kids will likely be on board, but certainly not in overwhelming numbers.

These crossings feature nine to 11 sea days during which Disney Cruise Line offers all kinds of immersive entertainment, excellent onboard dining and a southerly route in spring that means plenty of pool time. On top of that, each sailing includes a mix of culturally rich ports.

On the eastbound crossing, they are Ponta Delgada; Lisbon; and Cadiz, Cartagena and Barcelona, Spain. On the westbound crossing, the ports are Ponta Delgada and the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Eastbound fares for balcony cabins start at $4,516 for two adults (or about $2,258 per person). Westbound fares are a bit pricier, starting at $5,517 for an inside cabin ($2,708 per person).

Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids

Holland America's Nieuw Statendam

• 28-night Adriatic Dream and Passage to America: Nov. 2-30, 2024

For a shoulder-season meander through the Adriatic and Mediterranean followed by a transatlantic crossing, Holland America 's 28-night Adriatic Dream and Passage to America visits 14 ports in seven countries. This makes it a true hybrid of an ocean crossing and a traditional cruise.

The sailing, aboard the 3,665-passenger Nieuw Statendam, departs from Athens and visits ports in Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Albania, Spain and Portugal before arriving in Fort Lauderdale. Of the 12 sea days, two include scenic cruising.

The voyage takes place in November, so expect temperatures to be on the cooler side in most ports and during the crossing. It's a good thing, then, that Nieuw Statendam has an indoor pool with a retractable roof. Holland America passengers, mostly older retirees, can also pass the time dining at each of the 10 onboard restaurants and enjoy entertainment that includes live bands at the B.B. King's Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.

At $2,499 per person for an inside cabin and $3,749 per person for a balcony cabin, fares are a great deal for a four-week sailing.

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Apex

• 13-night Spain, Portugal and Bermuda transatlantic: Oct. 26-Nov. 8, 2024
• 13-night Bermuda and Portugal transatlantic: March 8-21, 2025

Celebrity Cruises ' Spain, Portugal and Bermuda transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale offers 13 nights aboard its newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. The sailing features port calls in Alicante, Spain; Gibraltar; Ponta Delgada; and King's Wharf, along with eight sea days.

Accommodating 3,260 passengers, Celebrity Ascent is a megaship designed with adults in mind. On board, you'll find multiple hot tubs but no waterslides, contemporary decor, 32 sophisticated food and beverage venues (including Voyages, Daniel Boulud's restaurant at sea, bookable at extra cost), an indoor solarium pool, a glittering Grand Plaza housing the line's signature Martini Bar, and nightly entertainment ranging from high-tech theater productions to multisensory events in Eden.

Inside cabin fares start at $1,353 per person and balcony cabin fares at $2,399 per person.

If you prefer to cross the Atlantic in spring 2025, take sister Edge Class ship Celebrity Apex , which carries 2,910 passengers. It will sail a 13-night Bermuda and Portugal transatlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona with port calls at Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard; Ponta Delgada; and Valencia.

Inside cabins for that cruise start from $799 per person and balcony rooms from $1,272 per person.

Viking's Viking Mars

• 20-night Atlantic and Mediterranean Horizons: March 27-April 16, 2025

Passengers aboard Viking Mars for its 20-night Atlantic and Mediterranean Horizons sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Rome will meander through the Caribbean to the French-Dutch island of St. Martin/St. Maarten. They will spend six days crossing the Atlantic and call on Madeira and then overnight in Barcelona. Then, they will visit the French ports of Sete and Marseille, followed by Monte Carlo, Monaco, and another overnight in Livorno, Italy (gateway to Florence).

The 930-passenger Viking Mars is an adults-only ship featuring a sleek Scandinavian design. Guests can enjoy elevated (and complimentary) dining in eight venues, as well as daily activities that include lectures by guest speakers and resident historians. ( Viking bills itself as "the thinking person's cruise.")

They will also get unlimited access to the thermal suite at the Liv Nordic Spa, a main pool with a retractable roof (there's also an aft infinity pool and hot tub), and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner.

Better still, the transatlantic cruise fare is about one-third less than a typical three-week Viking itinerary, with balcony cabins starting at $7,198 per person.

Princess Cruises' Sky Princess

• 27-night Moroccan and Iberian Grand Adventure: March 9-April 5, 2025

To snag an excellent deal on an almost month-long journey, check out the 27-night Morocco and Iberian Grand Adventure . It sails from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton aboard the 3,660-passenger Sky Princess. Princess Cruises guests will enjoy a southerly spring crossing that culminates with visits to 10 ports in four countries (Portugal, Morocco, Spain and England) — including Madeira, three Canary Islands and Casablanca.

Sky Princess , which debuted in 2019, is a Royal Class ship featuring three pools, a glittering Italian-style Piazza (home to Alfredo's Pizzeria — some of the best pizza at sea), four specialty dining venues (at an extra cost), poolside Movies Under the Stars and original production shows in the Princess Theater.

Inside cabins start at $2,847 per person and balcony cabins at $4,747 per person.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess Cruises ship

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Splendor

• 14-night Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: Jan. 5-19, 2025

If crossing the southern Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America on a small luxury cruise ship is on your bucket list, consider Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' early 2025 Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro sailing.

While not a bargain by any means, this 14-night itinerary aboard the 750-passenger, all-suite Seven Seas Splendor is all-inclusive. Business-class airfare, transfers, top-notch cuisine, unlimited beverages, gratuities, Wi-Fi and most shore excursions are all included in the fare.

Start by taking in the scenic beauty of Namibia, with a port call in Luderitz, known for its colorful colonial architecture. Another call is Walvis Bay, where the ship will overnight. Here, you'll get a chance to experience the country's dramatic sand dunes and resident flamingos. Then, as you cross the Atlantic, you'll visit the remote island of St. Helena, where Napoleon died in exile, before continuing on to an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro ahead of disembarkation.

All-inclusive fares start at $12,949 per person for a suite with a balcony.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Prima

• 16-night Transatlantic (Italy, France and Spain): Nov. 7-23, 2024

Board in Rome and tour the Mediterranean in the shoulder season before crossing the Atlantic to New York on a November 2024 Norwegian Cruise Line cruise. The Transatlantic (Italy, France and Spain) sailing aboard Norwegian Prima visits Livorno (for Pisa and Florence); Cannes, France; Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Malaga and Cadiz, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Ponta Delgada. You'll spend six days at sea.

The 3,099-passenger Norwegian Prima , which debuted in 2022, features 14 restaurants (six included and eight specialty options for an added fee) and 19 bars and lounges. It also sports a three-level go-kart racetrack and virtual-reality gaming. Entertainment options include "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," stand-up comedy at The Improv at Sea and a rock cover band in Syd Norman's Pour House.

Inside cabins start at $1,499 per person and balcony cabins at $2,199 per person.

Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray

• 25-night Rome to Fort Lauderdale: Nov. 7-Dec. 2, 2025

Plan ahead to score a suite on the 25-night Rome to Fort Lauderdale transatlantic crossing in late 2025 aboard Silversea Cruises ' newest all-suite luxury ship, Silver Ray, debuting in summer 2024.

Not only is the price all-inclusive, but the 728-passenger ship will visit 11 ports in five countries. You'll experience Livorno; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille; Valencia, Barcelona (overnight), Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Cadiz, Spain; and Lisbon and Madeira. Then, you'll cross the Atlantic and spend an overnight in Hamilton, Bermuda before disembarking in Fort Lauderdale.

Silver Ray is Silversea's second Nova Class ship. It features spacious suites and inviting exterior and interior spaces perfect for late-season Mediterranean cruising and a cool-weather transatlantic crossing. Its culinary-focused S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program tempts tastebuds with region- and port-inspired menus, cooking classes and cocktails.

All-inclusive, door-to-door fares — which include economy-class flights, transfers, complimentary beverages and gourmet dining, butler service, gratuities and select shore excursions — start at $13,100 per person for Classic Veranda Suite.

Bottom line

No matter your reason for considering a transatlantic cruise, you're guaranteed to experience the secret magic of sea days, with ample time to relax and unwind. With no land in sight for roughly a week, you can enjoy the ship's amenities without feeling rushed.

Make new friends over coffee or a game of bridge, watch movies in your cabin, learn more about the world during lectures by onboard experts, or treat yourself to rejuvenating massages and facials in the spa.

Even better, per-night rates are typically lower on crossings than on round-trip, port-intensive cruises. So, you can enjoy a longer sailing at a fraction of the usual cost. No matter which transatlantic cruise you deem best for your travel style and interests, it will surely be a memorable bucket-list trip.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

What to Know About a Transatlantic Cruise

A transatlantic cruise is an experience on many travelers’ bucket-lists. This elegant option crosses between two continents and is a relaxing, refined throwback to the golden age of cruising when hopping on a ship was the only option - and considered the classiest way - to get from Europe to the Americas or vice versa.

While times have changed from when long ocean journeys were for necessity only, here's what you need to know about today's transatlantic cruise options including who they're right for, which lines do it best and why we think you'll enjoy this epic journey.

Who Transatlantic Cruises Are Right For

Linking the new world with the old and focusing more on the ship's accommodations, amenities and onboard activities then on a destination, a transatlantic cruise is a popular choice for those looking for a laid back yet luxurious step back in time.

While speed was everything in the early days of cruising across the Atlantic, these days voyages are particularly appealing for those who love the freedom, relaxation and rhythm of multiple days at sea. With very limited ports-of-call and plenty of time to unwind, the ship becomes the focus.

Transatlantic Cruising Options

Repositioning cruise.

One great option is to take a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic Ocean. Though some ships spend the entire year in the same region, many ships move seasonally throughout the year (from Europe to the Caribbean, or from Asia to Australia or to Alaska, for example.)

Rather than have empty ships crossing the world, many cruise lines sell these one-way sailings - typically at a discount - called repositioning (or repo) cruises. These itineraries are usually 12 to 16 days, and may include a few popular ports like Puerto Rico or, Portugal, or the Caribbean and the Canary Islands.

Transatlantic Crossing

The more traditional option is the scheduled transatlantic crossing, like a posh voyage on Cunard Line’s newly remastered Queen Mary 2 , which sails between Southampton and New York City. This iconic ocean-spanning voyage has no ports of call and requires at least seven days in each direction.

In fact, the word 'posh' is said to be derived from the journey by ship to India, when savvy, experienced passengers knew to choose cabins that faced away from the southern sun to avoid baking in the heat. Of course, that was before air conditioning—these days a sunny veranda is a big plus.

Cruise Lines for Atlantic Crossings

In addition to Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 , most cruise lines that move their ships between Europe and the Caribbean offer transatlantic crossings in some fashion.

Cunard has a rich history of transatlantic crossings and is widely considered the gold-standard for this epic cruise. Sailing with Cunard means you'll be experiencing your own piece of history on a voyage that’s departed for over 180 years.

Other luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas , Viking , Windstar and a variety of premium cruise options also offer their version of the transatlantic cruise. Speak to a CruiseInsider expert for the various transatlantic cruise options or more information on this unique voyage.

Insider Tip: The best time for a transatlantic cruise is between April and December. Early and later crossings can mean unpredictable weather, and you’ll want to consider that spring and fall can be foggy. For southern repositioning itineraries, keep in mind that June to November is hurricane season, making April/May the better time to go.

No Uncomfortable Flights or Jet Lag

While you might have to catch a flight to the embarkation port, you won’t have to worry about being stuffed into the crowded cabin on a plane for a long flight. No flight changes or cancellations to worry about. No jet-lag from drastic time changes.

Why suffer in a seat where you can barely move your legs while enduring that long flight across the Atlantic leaving you feeling stressed and exhausted by the time you arrive? Your leisurely transatlantic cruise will allow you to refresh, recharge and reenergize yourself - a true vacation versus a typical trip.

A Transatlantic Cruise is a Bargain

As repositioning and transatlantic cruises tend to be longer and have a select number of ports, prices on these voyages are often reduced to entice more travelers. Also, fewer people are able to take the time-off necessary to cross the Atlantic.

With a limited number potential cruisers, if you don't care about the destinations or the longer duration, you’re likely to get a great bargain for this kind of sailing. A repositioning or transatlantic cruise is a great vacation value and a way to affordably get to one continent to another in luxurious style.

Insider Tip: Our Insider's can check the cruise leaving just before or after your transatlantic crossing or repositioning trip, as there are often discounts for booking back-to-back voyages or celebratory/seasonal cruises.

More Time on the Ship for Relaxing and Exploring

With more consecutive sea days, you’ll be spending a lot more time on the ship. It’s the perfect time to relax, unwind and forget about your cares. Instead of long days in port or spending days jam-packed with onboard activities that leave you worn out at the end of the trip, you won’t feel like you need a vacation from your vacation.

Insider Tip: Packing for a cruise that crosses the Atlantic means bringing clothing for both warm and cool weather, as it can be unpredictable, and wardrobe for any occasion. Cunard includes several formal nights, so know the dress code before you go, as you won’t be able to go shopping in any port.

On a transatlantic cruise, you’ll have the time to sleep in as long as you want to, catch up on reading, learn a new skill, catch up on a craft and get pampered in the spa. With more time on the ship, you can do lots of exploring while onboard, meaning no missing out on any of the ships’ included amenities like their wellness options, shops, activities and restaurants.

Learning Something New

As there are more days at sea to fill with things to do, ships that make transatlantic crossings tend to offer a variety of fun educational and enrichment opportunities that you wouldn’t have on your standard cruise. You can attend lectures and presentations on topics to expand your knowledge on everything from travel and history to music and architecture.

Insider Tip: The Queen Mary 2 boasts a long and impressive list of activities with options like fencing, watercolor painting and flower arranging as well as offering its “Insights Lectures” series and shows by the Royal Astronomical Society and Julliard School of Jazz.

Along with special guests and occasional celebrities onboard, you can eat at world-class restaurants, attend incredible gala events, enjoy nightly theatrical performances, participate in ballroom dancing, test your luck at the casino and more. There are also classes, lessons and seminars on every subject imaginable including cooking, computers, fitness, dancing, photography, golf, art and more.

The Tranquility At Sea

For longer cruises like a transatlantic sailing, there are usually few children so you won’t have to worry about noise or other interruptions that can disturb the peace and tranquil atmosphere.

You can enjoy the freedom that comes with having nowhere to be but on board; the blissful realization that your time is yours alone. Aboard a transatlantic cruise, there are more days at sea to truly relax, and more possibilities than you'll have time to discover - which is the very point!

Insider Tip: Did you know that your dog is also invited on Cunard's famed transatlantic cruise? With details to pamper every pooch, Queen Mary 2's unique kennels even include a convenient lamp post from Liverpool and fire hydrant from New York.

Start planning your transatlantic or repositioning cruise today with CruiseInsider! Connect with our expert travel advisors at 1 (877) 734-68508 to learn more.

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What’s a Transatlantic Cruise Like?

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Transatlantic cruise reviews, crossing the Atlantic on a cruise ship, what’s it like? And tips for transatlantic cruise crossings.

Nerves got to me in Southampton in February before our journey across the Atlantic to New York. I had no idea what lay ahead on our voyage and weather conditions concerned me. Want to know the good news? 

We loved our Atlantic crossing on Norwegian Getaway. So much so that we booked a return Atlantic crossing on Norwegian Epic for later in the year.

Read on to see how our maiden cruise, NCL Getaway’s maiden voyage, her repositioning cruise, went.

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about crossing the Atlantic on a cruise ship and transatlantic repositioning cruises.

What’s a transatlantic cruise like? Let’s get that on the travel blog. Watch our short video, below, to see what a transatlantic cruise can be like.

Are you wondering what it’s like to cross the Atlantic on a cruise ship?

Maybe you’re a first-time cruiser, as we were on our first transatlantic cruise crossing.

Are you a wannabe cruise traveller or a flashpacker looking for the most affordable way to cross the Atlantic?

We were budget travellers when we slotted our first transatlantic cruise into our round the world travel itinerary.

I wouldn’t even call us a flashpacking family because this cruise was so cheap.

Discover how cruising can fit into a round-the-world trip or gap year with ease and affordability.

Everything about cruising will be new on your first transatlantic crossing, the experience of being on these huge ships, the ocean herself and the thought of 10 or so days at sea.

Transatlantic Cruise Review

We’ve arrived in New York after our 10-day Trans-Atlantic Cruise on Norwegian Getaway and we’re still buzzing with excitement and swaying like drunken sailors.

We didn’t sink. That’s a relief.

It was strange at first, getting used to cruise-world. I think I actually experienced culture shock for the first time.

That’s not something that’s ever happened to me during my lifetime of travelling adventures.

The cruise was something so totally different to our normal lives and experiences that it just weirded us out for a short while.

But we got into it quickly and we had lots of fun.

We’re really, really glad we took this opportunity to cross the Atlantic the slow way when we did.

A Maiden Voyage Repositioning Cruise From Southampton to NYC

It’s pretty special being on the maiden voyage of a brand new ship.

We guinea pigs enjoyed the luxury of the ship being 2/3 empty.

We saw no queues, no waiting and no crowds.

Since taking a full ship on a second transatlantic cruise, we can compare and know how lucky this was.

The crew was fabulous and would do anything and everything they could to make everyone’s cruise experience the very best it could be.

There was actually more crew on board than customers on our Atlantic crossing on Getaway.

I think there were more entertainers than customers, there was a different show in the theatre every night. That won’t continue, shows will be repeated on future cruises and customers will have to book seats.

We could just turn up at the theatre and bag front row seats.

She is a magnificent ship, beautifully equipped, particularly the outdoor ropes and climbing set up. That was superb.

CruiseDirect: Best Price Guarantee, Low Price Assurance, No Booking Fees & Weekly Cruise Deals. Book Now!

What’s It Like On a Cruise Ship in The Atlantic?

No internet was top of the list of weird experiences. Satellite internet was available but at $15/hour. I stayed offline.

I think it’s easier for me to go cold turkey than to ration myself.

They teased me for the first day with free access to Facebook and Twitter, but after our first night at sea, that vanished.

I’ve not even tried to write many posts offline, we’ve been too busy.

That’s not like me at all, a day never goes by without me working.

But we really were rushing around from one activity to the next and falling into our beds exhausted, I didn’t miss my computer. You’d be amazed by the number of things to do on a cruise ship .

Entertainment and Activities on a Transatlantic Cruise

The activities and entertainment on Getaway were great and extremely diverse.

There was a full schedule every day, but none of them were the sort of things we’d normally take part in at home, or on our usual travels.

We’ve watched dance, magic, hypnosis and music shows, joined in silly competitions, done crosswords and Sudoku puzzles, won quizzes, tried our hands at cake decorating, been to a hypnosis seminar, eaten foods that we normally wouldn’t eat and played a lot of ping-pong, and that’s just for starters.

It was a little tricky to get our cruise heads on at first.

We looked at the entertainments programme on the first day and just thought it wasn’t for us, but once we started having a go at everything we had a really good laugh.

It was fun!

Chef developed a new interest in the highly competitive world of blongo ball, you’ll have to take a cruise to find out what that is.

We’ve done some stuff that is more normal to us, swam in pools, wallowed in hot tubs, whizzed down water slides, climbed on an outdoor climbing wall and had a go at a terrifying outdoor ropes course.

Normal, other than they were 15 floors up on a constantly moving monster platform in some pretty wet and windy conditions.

That was scary and weird, although the boys showed no fear, as usual.

It’s a very long drop to a very big ocean from the top of that rope swing.

You could even walk the plank in very calm conditions.

We were busy most of the time and it took its toll, we were worn out and slept longer than usual despite the 25 hour days as we cruised through the time zones.

The evening shows started at 8 pm. We’re normally in bed around then, but in cruise ship world that’s the start of the evening.

It was weird, but it made a nice change.

Being around people who freely and openly discussed their millionaire status, loudly, was interesting and weird.

They were in the minority, most customers were as un-cashed-up as us.

It’s really not particularly expensive to cross the Atlantic this way, but you do need time and that’s a luxury few of us have.

 If you keep an eye on regularly updated sites such as this one, you’ll see special offers you may otherwise miss.

CruiseDirect: Special Offers & Top 10 Weekly Cruise Deals .

There is a Trans Atlantic cruise on there for under $600 at the moment, our favourite, Norwegian Getaway is on sale in the Caribbean too. We know NCL have a Transatlantic Crossing for this year. Take a look. (this section is not current)

Hanging out with a professional world-class magician and his family was weird but super cool.

Alain Nu, The Man Who Knows , was a superstar on stage and off.

The boys and his family had a ball together.

Sailing through the Sargasso Sea was amazing and weird.

I never thought I’d be able to say I’ve been there.

Yes, we saw sargassum weed ! (I get excited about some really strange things!)

Freaky weird was the art photo on our deck. We’re 99% sure it’s Mirissa, Sri Lanka, our last slice of paradise .

We were in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on a floating holiday camp. That, in itself, was totally weird!

The Transatlantic Cruise Route

The route we took from Southampton to New York wasn’t what you might expect.

We went a long way south, past the Azores and on southwest almost to Bermuda, taking a sharp right up towards New York.

The course changed a few times, at one point we were heading south of Florida. The captain’s announcements told us that this was a ploy to catch good weather, he was expecting blue skies and sunshine down south, but we hit a patch of rain and fog.

Changing course seems to be big deal in the transatlantic cruising industry.

Is a Transatlantic Cruise Rough? Weather and Conditions

The seas were mostly fairly calm.

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean we only had 1.5 m waves.

We had a bumpy couple of days just after we left the English Channel, then north of Bermuda and approaching New York waves got up to 5m and the ship was rocking a bit.

When the ship was really rolling the swimming pools and slides closed but they were open for most of the crossing.

They were heated enough to be comfortable.

I didn’t expect to be using the water park at all on a trans-Atlantic cruise, in January, so that was a really nice surprise.

It’s pretty amazing to be in a pool that sloshes about violently with the movement of the ship, you can almost swim on the spot. The children loved the moving pools.

Rain closed the climbing wall and ropes course now and then, but we had plenty of chances to use all the outdoor facilities during dry periods.

All equipment on the cruise ship was pretty outstanding, brand new equipment and the staff were great with all of us.

Another surprise was how focused the Norwegian team were on avoiding outbreaks of illness, the smiling, gorgeous “washy washy” crew reminded us to use hand sanitiser before entering the dining rooms.

The kids loved them.

Seasickness Crossing the Atlantic, in Winter?

There was no seasickness at all on this transatlantic cruise. Which was great because I was worried about that.

I stopped worrying about sinking Titanic-style pretty quickly, too.

When we were lying in our bunks we seemed to be totally immune to seasickness. The only time the ship’s motion started to feel a little odd was when we were getting dressed or moving around in our cabin, maybe trying to balance to put socks on, that sort of thing.

Other than that we were all totally fine with the ship’s motion, it was relaxing really. Gently rocking us to sleep.

What Are Cabins Like on a Transatlantic Crossing?

Our cabin was on floor 11 high up at the back of the ship, interior, with no windows and it was fine. On our second transatlantic crossing we took an outside cabin or stateroom.

Either is fine. We really didn’t care about not having a window or balcony because we spent no time in our room.

From our interior stateroom we could hear the purring sound of the engines, but nothing that would disturb anyone.

Soundproofing of the cabins was excellent, I never heard any outside noise other than the engine purr and a few loud slaps and bangs as the ship hit bigger waves (I think that’s what they were, I’m not sure.)

Did We Have to Dress for Dinner on This Repositioning Cruise?

I was wondering if we’d have to wear formal clothes on this transatlantic cruise. We didn’t.

There was no requirement for formal wear at all.

We only have our backpacks, and most of our clothes are worn out after almost 8 months of travelling but we did treat ourselves to new (charity shop!) jeans and tidy shoes before we left the UK.

There were two evenings designated as “Dress up or Not.” A few people pulled out their best bib and tucker but we were perfectly comfortable in our jeans.

I had a dress and some borrowed shoes with me and never wore them.

Most people on this ship wore casuals. We saw a lot of tracksuits and extremely dressed-down outfits.

Were There Families and Kids On-Board?

There were a handful of families with children around my boys’ ages and younger on this Atlantic crossing.

One pre-departure worry for me was around safety. Would a cruise ship be safe for kids?

I’m pleased to report that I had no safety concerns at all.

So long as you’re keeping a watchful eye on your kids, particularly around pools and on deck, it was good.

We heard there were 30 kids in total. Families were in the minority, most of the passengers were older people with a smattering of singles.

We were told that in future, on Miami based cruises in holiday time, this ship would have more like 2,000 under 18s on board.

That would be a totally different experience for everyone.

The boys made friends and had loads of fun, with us, and without. 

They met some lovely people from all sorts of backgrounds.

Most passengers seemed to enjoy having children around, but a very few were intolerant or grumpy with kids. That’s their problem.

We’ve seen far more of this bad attitude on other cruise lines and would avoid those cruise companies in future. The crew was fantastic with the younger passengers, particularly the chefs and front of house staff in the main buffet restaurant.

I got the impression that a lot of them were missing their own families back in their home countries. The crew came from over 60 countries and it was beautiful.

Most of the school-aged children on our cruise were homeschooled, it was great to meet others like us leading non-conventional lives, living differently , and to the max.

A Transatlantic Cruise With Kids

This totally depends on the cruise line (some aren’t so great) but on this Norwegian cruise ship there was so much to do that my boys now want to live on a cuise ship!

On this cruise there were endless, fun, adventurous activities for the whole family, multiple swimming pools and a kids’ club that ran from around 9am to 1am (crazy right?).

The boys weren’t very keen on kids’ club at first, they couldn’t pick what they wanted to do there.

Parents couldn’t enter to supervise or make sure the kids were happy which was a huge red flag for us.

We prefer to do things as a family, so we were occasional kids’ club users although D (9) and Boo (7) did get really into the club by the end of the 10 day crossing as they developed confidence and trust in the youth crew.

By day 10 we were struggling to get them out of there.

We would drop them off and ring the club often to see if they were happy and wanted to stay in the club or come and try some activity with us, which worked well.

The boys made friends with another little girl, also not a huge kids’ club fan, and they played together between activities.

If the weather was good all the time Getaway would be kid paradise, they’d be in the pools and using the sports facilities all day, but bad weather drove us indoors sometimes.

There wasn’t an indoor play area, which was a bit of an oversight. We all hung out and played in the quiet end of the buffet restaurant when we didn’t have any activities lined up.

The children loved the nightly shows in the theatre. They could also join in with the indoor games, throwing bean bags, ring toss, that sort of thing.

They enjoyed the daily trivia quizzes. We won two, go the homeschoolers!

There were daily family craft classes and demonstrations and talks on all sorts of weird and wonderful topics.

The kids’ club had a very limited choice of computer games and they were only available for an hour twice a day.

That was a major disappointment for the boys, they were looking forward to Skylanders after 7 months of travel and of course, an hour isn’t even close to long enough to get into a game.

Mario was the only game on offer at first.

Once we told the manager how much it meant to the boys, he set up Skylanders for them.

Despite our teething problems with the kids club, we were very happy with how things eventually worked out.

The manager handled our issues extremely well and with grace.

With my homeschooling head on for a moment, the cruise was an absolutely stellar learning experience. An incredible amount of learning happened for all of us in those 10 days.

I’ll get another post out about it on Homeschool Group Hug .

One mind-blowing example. I bet my boys are the only kids in Australia to have seen the short film collaboration between Dali and Disney and some of the original 1940s storyboards.

They had a screening as part of the onboard art programme, just totally wow!

(But I’ve just discovered it’s on YouTube, the auctioneer made it sound like a never-before-seen short film, sneaky!)

What Was The Food Like on The Transatlantic Cruise Crossing?

There was so much food on Getaway!

You could eat right round the clock if that’s your thing.

We ate in the free buffet restaurant for most meals and there was a huge choice to suit us all, from fairly healthy to diet destroying and the sea views from deck 15 were pretty incredible.

The food was good, but not spectacular, mass catering and buffet dining always rule out top-end food. Chef (my husband, he’s Exec Chef at a 5-star resort back home) says they hit their market well.

I really think it would be hard to put on a better buffet, based on my experience over the years of Chef’s widowhood.

The cakes were fantastic and I think just about everything was made onboard and not bought in.

We tried seated complimentary dining twice when there was entertainment on in that dining room.

The food was similar to that on the buffet really, nothing special, but the dancing was great.

We paid extra for the premium dinner and magic show one evening, at $25 each (no reduction for children) it was a pretty expensive night out for us.

The magic show and The Illusionarium were spectacular, the food less so.

There was nothing wrong with it at all, it just wasn’t what we wanted to eat.

The set meal was steak with mashed potato and courgettes, we had no choice.

We would have preferred the show without the meal and would happily have still paid the $25. I guess they really go to town with the food in the pay-to-eat restaurants.

Chef and I aren’t too bothered about paying extra for fine dining, we do it often enough back home as part of his work, so we didn’t.

I took away the impression that food on cruise ships is OK, it’s just mass catering, not restaurant quality but some diners were very excited over the availability of steak or lobster.

It was there, but it wasn’t done particularly well.

My favourite part of the buffet was the wine dispenser machine. It’s not free, (prices are good, as are the wines) or it would be dangerous!

How Much Does a Transatlantic Cruise Cost?

Our tickets on this transatlantic cruise were $700 each including taxes. There are additional charges on top of this ticket price.

Compulsory tipping charges came in at $12/person/day. Children pay too, so in total $480.

The ticket price included all complimentary dining, tea, coffee, and juice at breakfast and a fruity drinks machine at dinner and lunch.

Room service before midnight was also complimentary.

We paid for alcoholic drinks, the prices were good $7-8 for a glass of wine, about the same for a cocktail.

They added a 15% gratuity to drinks prices, even when you bought them from the machine.

We thought that was a bit odd when we’d already paid for tips upfront.

Some of the staff were so lovely that I found myself giving them a tip on top of the 2 sets of tips that we had already paid.

Entertainment & Shows on a Cruise Ship – Costs

The ropes course, climbing wall, mini-golf and water park were free.

Illusionarium, $25 each. Premium seats were $35 each. We think the kids got a better view from the cheap seats at the back, they could stand up, they wouldn’t have been able to do that in the premium seats.

We took part in a Margherita tasting event, it was $15 each and loads of fun. I’m now an expert on Margheritas.

You could spend a lot of money on board if you used the pay-to-dine restaurants and the spa.

There were a few shows and tastings that had a fee, too.

We didn’t feel we were missing out on anything by not spending more and we were very happy with what we got for our money.

We were disappointed that we didn’t get to see the ice bar, the kids were really looking forward to that.

There was an entry fee of $20 US each, kids too. That gave the grown-ups 2 cocktails. I’m not sure what the kids got for their $20.

I’m not usually a cocktail drinker and $80 is a lot to us, so we had to skip it. New York is still frozen solid anyway.

Update: We visited the ice bar on Norwegian Epic on our return transatlantic cruise and loved it!

We thought the laundry service was a bargain at $25 to fill a laundry bag, less than we were paying to take our clothes to the launderette back in the UK.

That special offer appeared towards the end of the cruise, to get items washed individually was more pricey, $6 for jeans, $2 for socks.

Would We Recommend a Transatlantic Cruise?

We had a great time on Norwegian Getaway. Even with all the research we did it wasn’t exactly what we expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

We’d jump at the chance to do it again and we did.

Our review of this first transatlantic crossing is entirely positive.

We never expected to see a different show every night and to enjoy them as much as we did.

The magic show in the Illusionarium was sensational, they had some top innovators from the world of magic on board.

The Burn the Floor dance show and The Beatles tribute, From The Cavern to The Rooftops were fantastic too.

We saw this Transatlantic Cruise Crossing as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience something completely different, it certainly was that.

We are considering booking another Atlantic Crossing, in reverse, on Norwegian Epic in a few months’ time. If we can find a great deal, we’d love to travel this way back to Europe.

UPDATE: We have booked a return 11-day cruise Trans Atlantic cruise at under $30/person/day

Is a Transatlantic Cruise Crossing Boring?

I wasn’t bored on Getaway at all, I could happily have stayed on board for a couple more weeks and it was sad to leave our floating home as she carried on down to Miami, her new base.

I’ll miss her.

So what’s a Trans Atlantic cruise like? For us it was awesome!

I can’t possibly fit everything we experienced on Norwegian Getaway into one post, but I’ve done my best. Sorry, it’s so long.

If you actually read it all I’ll be surprised, maybe stick something in a comment to tell me you did. Would you?

We have more content relating to cruising, take a look at our comparison on crossing the Atlantic in an outside v inside cabin, here.

If you have any questions I’ll get back to you, either here or on our Facebook Page , either is good. Thanks for reading!

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Alyson Long

Uk cheap family accommodation, ripley’s believe it or not new york – what did we think, 51 thoughts on “what’s a transatlantic cruise like”.

I read it all – very enlightening, thanks! I’m sailing on the Joy from Miami to Southampton. In Jan/24 and wondered about looks, etc. I hope I’ll get to use them… at least once, just to say I did! 😊

Thanks! So glad to be helpful (and read!) What are looks? Is this Norwegian Joy? If it’s a new ship relocating maybe we should be on it!

Wow! Great article… The transatlantic cruise that you have planned will help you change your life for the better.

Thank you for ur detailed review, I did read all of it 🙂 listen wanted to know if the weather was good enough to have kids in the pool? Or should we get full swimsuits instead of just shorts?

And u mentioned the water was some what warm?

We are booked for April 27 -May 9th from New York to london on the getaway. Really excited 🙂

We did use the pool. And the slides. From memory it wasn’t too cold but the swaying of the ship when the seas got rough did close the slides and pool from time to time. Not sure what you mean about the swimwear.

Thanks Alyson 🙂

Read every last word! I’m planning to jump-start our year+ RTW trip in April with a TA cruise. It will be just me and my 10 year old daughter out in the world, hoping to hit all 7 continents by cruising to Antarctica if we can squeeze it into our budget (which will be a challenge) and our calendar. I’ve been devouring your blogs over the last three days and loved this one.

Thanks Shari! 10 is a great age to do this, I think possibly the best age. Have fun, check the ship suits you, not all cruise lines have the same facilities or same relaxed style as Norwegian. I’m having to upgrade my wardrome substantially for our cruise with MSC in February.

Gosh, you have so many comments! I have never been tempted to go on a cruise, but I loved looking at your pictures!

I so liked your post. Good descriptions. Wonderful pics. Adorable children. Awesomeness in your entire post. 🙂

Great review and pics! I was on the Getaway in March and loved it. It’s a beautiful ship and the crew was fantastic!

I’m curious as to the activities available during the day? Were there many offered? Did you happen to keep the dailies?

Hi Jenny, I may have one somewhere from Getaway, I know I’ve got a few from Epic in my bag. What did you want to Know? I’m pretty sure I have photos of Getaway ones too.

SOOOO glad you enjoyed it! We did it on the other side of the ocean (Trans-Pacific) and it was a heavenly 18 day cruise hitting up some islands. Maybe you should try that route on the way back?!! 😉 Okay…it’s not exactly going back to Europe…but a pit stop in Oz wouldn’t hurt you, right?!

Wow – I would love to go on a cruise someday. I keep wondering about kids activities, and glad to see there are a lot of things for kids to do (and eat! lol!).

Fantastic post Alyson and I too read right to the very end LOL! You guys had a great time. I only wish we had that much time and that hubby wasn’t so sea sick…. At those prices, we might just experiment!!

So fun!! I really want to do a cruise soon… the options sound endless.. but I really don’t know if I could survive w/out the net for that long!!

Waiting everyday to see if there is a note in my email that your posted new post. we were missing you guys. was reading all till the end. seem so great we want to find the nearest cruise for us to go.. missing you all-good to have you back. Addicted follower..waiting to see your freezing adventure in NY

Thank you Iris, that’s very kind. I missed my online support network too. Thank YOU for following!

I read and loved the post. Thanks for sharing. We are going to be on a 19 day repositioning cruise from S. Africa to Europe in April as part of our RTW trip. (Was cheaper than flying!) Excited to see what all is has to offer. Will miss internet but I know we will be busy with all the other activities. Cheers!

That sounds awesome! What an amazing route, enjoy your cruise!

Great post Alyson, after 4 cruises – South Pacific, Bahamas, Caribbean & Mediterranean this looks like it could be a winner for our next one. Thanks for the write up!

This looks ace! We’ve been considering a trans-Atlantic cruise for some time now. Getting on that maiden voyage was a bit of a bonus! Are those prices in USD or DUD (Down Under Dollars)? Thanks for the write-up and welcome to America!

Mostly USD. Although the initial $700 may have been AUD, I can’t remember. There isn’t a huge difference, when we booked the rate was almost 1:1 although the AUD has since dropped a bit.

They have 2 more new ships and maiden voyages coming up next year, keep an eye out doofus!

A cruise has never really appealed to me but this actually sounds like fun! Great value too although I was a bit shocked to hear about the compulsory tipping. That picture of Boo in his best clothes is classic! Looking forward to hearing about what you get up to in America.

Same here Amy, never, ever fancied it. It’s hat my mum and dad do. But it was great, loved it. Such a surprise and almost cheaper than flying if you have time to spare.

Bloody Brilliant. I read every last speck also. How fun. I think I’ll retire on a boat. So happy for you all that there was no sea sickness and that you all enjoyed the experience so much. I would love to read a blog post from the boys sharing their thoughts on it all. Didn’t one of your boys have a page to visit? Enjoy New York. Love us xox

Yes, my boys would post about it if they didn’t think blogging was the worst torture ever inflicted on boy-kind. But they LOVED it!!!!

Been hanging our for this post, and I did read right to the very end. How fabulous!! Thank you for all the detail and the lovely pics. My homeschooled daughter (9) and I are looking at cruising in the very near future, so thanks for all the info and tips. Would love to see some commentary from Chef about the food onboard and the food in New York. A question: how do/will you manage the tipping in the US when you are travelling on an extreme budget? What is the best approach? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hi Thursday! Love you, you’re great. Anyway…our budget is blown totally, we’re spending a fortune. $50/day was for Asia only, we were never under any illusions that we could pull that off in Europe or the US. Tonight we are eating bananas and muffins that levitated all the way to our 19th floor room from breakfast along with deli shop hummus. Washed down with Pinot Grigio. We’re cheap, but not THAT cheap! We’re going to run out of money later this year because of our switch to the Western Hemisphere ( to see my elderly Mum and then, just because!) . But what the heck, we’re having so much fun!!!!

Oh , yes, tipping, be Australian, nobody expects Australians to tip, do they? ( we do sometimes)

Hilarious!! Great advice. Thank you!

Like you normally, I more a backpacker kind of person so I was looking forward to read your article about that cruise. Kind of surprise that it can fit you and your family. And really surprise by the price! It’s a good deal! Thanks for the links…

That $350 was on Norwegian’s website, it was there for a few days, we decided to book and then it was gone. We’re working on it now. Relocation cruises can be great value. Bubulle is such a great name, love it!

yes I read the whole thing LOL. We are about to go on our third cruise (our girls second) in June this year. Can’t wait!!

Loved reading all about your cruise adventure! As you know, we love cruising – we weren’t sure we would either, but if you get into it, there is something for everyone. Interesting you have to pay for non-buffet. Very glad you didn’t get sick (sea or otherwise).

My kids enjoyed an emptier kids club too – 2000 kids would be overwhelming for them. And I had to have a word with them to allow Video Boy play his choice of games too – it’s his holiday too!

PS: my kids have seen that Disney short film too when we went to see Fantasia at the Sydney Opera House! But we would be in the minority of cool kids 🙂

You didn’t have to pay for all non buffet restaurants Ingrid, there were 3 seated complimentary ones. The buffet just suited us better, more choice and endless top ups for my slightly tubby ( now) husband.

Wow, it sounds like such an interesting experience. I don’t think you could get my husband on one for all the money in the world, he’s not the biggest fan of boats!

I’ve read all the way to the end too, and loved it as usual. Looking forward to reading about New York. What’s happened to the Chef’s posts I always enjoyed reading from both points of view? Carry on enjoying your trip and inspiring the rest of us.

Chef is a complete slacker Vickie, but I’ll pass on your sentiments. Thank you for reading and commenting.

What a lovely relaxed way to travel to New York, I like it! I didn’t know you could anymore!

You so can Kate, the Queen Mary still does the Trans Atlantic too.

This was a repositioning cruise, they were moving Getaway from the European ship yards to Miami, her future home, you have to watch out for repositioning cruises and catch them when you can, beginning and end of seasons usually. They’re pretty good value for those of us with time on our hands.

I definitely want to try one too 🙂 however I’m curious if you will feel the same about a cruise on an older ship. Oh do they charge for medical services on board? I’ve been toying with the idea of working as a ship doctor. If you go again – chat to one on my behalf would you 😉 I enjoyed reading allllllllll of it! Your husband is crazy with those height stunts lol ! Love your little hero 😉

They do charge, I know that much. That would be a great opportunity for you! Ray could come too, families do travel with crew sometimes. Yes, my husband has always been crazy, he’s Australian, he can’t help it.

Cute pics!!

7lbs?!??? In 10 days he put on 7lbs WITH exercise??? Shazam — that’s a surprise. Lol. It sounds like you guys had a blast. I’ve always wanted to do a Trans-Atlantic — returning to the Med. If you’ve seen them previously for $350, I’m definitely going to check it out. I’ve never seen them that low. Glad all that worry about seasickness was for naught. Glad you’re back on solid ground. I missed your posts. 🙂

Yes Suzi, and he’s a bit tubby. If you look at the photos from the end of Sri Lanka, he was 69Kg, now he’s 76Kg. I’ve put on a fair bit too, we need to get back into the budget travel rather than the all inclusive, that shifts it fast!

Wow! Great catch-up! And so nice to have the ship so empty! Glad you all had a fantastic time! Enjoy New York – our kids loved sony technology lab – and it’s free!

Thank you Anita, we’re checking that out now, the forecast is minus 11 tomorrow, so we need something indoors!

Now that you have made the US … we would like to extend the offer of accommodations if you are passing through Baltimore, MD. Baltimore is about 4 hrs south of NYC and on the I-95 corridor, if you are traveling to Washington DC. We are a family of 3 with a 7 yr old daughter. We own our own company that allows us to travel quite a bit more than most Americans but only for 4-6 weeks at a time and mostly domestic for now. We do plan 1 yr “off” in 2017. The StudyLadder has been wonderful in relaxing my mind about April’s road education. So, Thank You SO much for that!! If you would like to get in contact you have my email. If you want to “check us” out I hope that we can connect. Marisa

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Home » Cruise Tips » A Complete Guide to Taking a Transatlantic Cruise

A Complete Guide to Taking a Transatlantic Cruise

We help you decide if taking a transatlantic cruise is right for you with our complete guide including typical routes, prices, and more.

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A brief history of transatlantic cruising.

The first ship credited with making a transatlantic voyage with passengers was a far cry from modern cruise ships. Some consider the Great Western to be the first passenger ship to cross the Atlantic in 1838. Made of wood and using paddlewheels and sails, it took 15 days to make the crossing. This ship, carrying fewer than 200 passengers, would fit into today’s small ship category.

When ships used steel, it was possible to make larger and faster ships. During much of the 20 th century, ships played an important role in the immigration of many from Europe to North America. Cruising then was a form of transportation rather than the vacation that we now associate with cruising and cruise ships.

With the advent of transatlantic flights, the use of ships for transportation diminished. The cruise industry moved to a leisure product, rather than a transportation product.

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What is a Transatlantic Cruise?

For the purposes of this article, we will consider a transatlantic cruise as any that travels between Europe and North or South America. Obviously, the cruise ship will sail across the Atlantic Ocean. However, there are several variations on such cruises.

How long are Transatlantic Cruises?

The most basic and shortest of transatlantic cruises are those that simply leave from one port and cross the Atlantic to another port. These usually don’t take a long time and there are no port calls along the way. These may be out and back cruises and are ideal for those who have time and don’t want to fly.

The best known provider of this type of crossing is Cunard Line on Queen Mary 2 . Their purpose-built ships sail across the Atlantic between NYC and Southampton. Crossings take a week. The ships themselves are destinations with plenty of entertainment options. The Queen Mary 2 even takes pets across the ocean.

Repositioning cruises occur when cruise seasons change. Ships in the Caribbean move to Europe for the summer season. When winter approaches Europe, ships return to warmer climates. This type of cruise might have a few ports of call along the way. Popular ports on these cruises include the Canary Islands or the Azores. Expect a cruise length of at least 14 days.

Some ships that cross the Atlantic offer very interesting itineraries and take over three weeks to sail between the European and American continents. Many ports may be included in such itineraries.

Which cruise lines offer Transatlantic Cruises?

While Cunard is synonymous with transatlantic cruises between Southampton and New York City, most of the cruise lines move their ships around.

Many of the popular cruise lines seasonally sail the transatlantic route between The Americas. Watch for Caribbean based ships to start traveling to Europe in April and May. October and November are the most common months for ships to sail back to the Americas.

However, there can be some transatlantic cruises that occur on either side of the typical months.

One time when ships may do a transatlantic, outside of the traditional repositioning times, is when a new ship is launched. For example, the new Sun Princess will sail from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale in September.

How much does a Transatlantic Cruise cost?

When comparing the cost of transatlantic cruises, the two biggest determinants of the final price will be the length of the cruise and the cruise cabin category.

For the most part, the cruise fare will be less expensive for inside and ocean view cabins when compared to other staterooms, like a balcony or suite accommodations. Likewise, the overall costs tends to be less expensive for shorter itineraries.

Although, the per day costs are actually cheaper on longer transatlantic cruises.

For instance, Cunard is famous for its classic 7-night transatlantic crossings . These iconic sailings from New York to Southampton, England start as low as $749 – $900 pp for an inside cabin, to about $1,000 – $2,000+ for a balcony cabin.

Regardless of the time of year, Cunard cruises heading eastbound are routinely cheaper than those starting in England. This might partially be due to the time zone changes. Westbound cruises tend to be a few hundred dollars more per passenger for similar accommodations.

On the other hand, Royal Caribbean offers select transatlantic cruises across several ships. For the most part, these cruises are 13 to 15 days in length sailing between FL or NJ to various ports in Europe.

Starting prices for inside cabins on these Royal Caribbean trips range from around $600 to $1,000 pp. Although, balcony cabins on these sailings range from about $1,000 to $2,500+.  

Holland America Line has a variety of transatlantic crossings ranging from 14-16 nights. These cruises mainly depart from FL and head to Spain, England, and Italy. The starting price for these cruises is usually under $1,000 a person. For cruisers wanting to stay in Neptune suites, prices can be as low as $2,000 a person to over $4,000 a person for similar itineraries.

EXCLUSIVE RATES WHEN YOU BOOK A TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE NOW!

Planning Your Transatlantic Cruise

There are several factors involved in planning your transatlantic cruise:

• Budget – Transatlantic cruises are often gentle on the pocket book. Those with few port visits eliminate port charges, which results in overall savings.
• Origin – Do you prefer to sail in one direction? Think of the jet lag you avoid if heading toward Europe. You are ready to go from day one. Returning from Europe you gradually adjust to gaining time. Flights are another consideration. Is it less expensive to fly in one direction and sail in the other? Do you have time to return on another transatlantic in lieu of flying home? Do you want to extend your stay at either the start or end of your trip?
• Ship – Do you have a favorite cruise line or ship that will make you feel at home for multiple sea days? Have you considered trying a different ship in your favorite fleet? Maybe this would be the time to try a different cruise line altogether.
• Stateroom – Do you have a favorite type of cabin? Will you feel comfortable in that cabin if you spend lots of time there? Or, are you happy to use it just as a sleeping space and take advantage of the public areas of the ship? With lower prices, a transatlantic cruise might offer you the opportunity to move to a higher category of cabin.
• Itinerary – Be sure to check if there are any ports of call on the itinerary. Choice of itinerary is purely a personal preference. Before you make your selection, you might want to see what kind of activities happen on the ship during a transatlantic cruise.
• Intentions – Do you have personal plans for your transatlantic cruise? Maybe you want to catch up on reading, sleep or relaxation. Maybe listening to the waves or watching the wake appeals to you. On a transatlantic cruise, you can do it all or do nothing!
• Pets – Cunard offers kennels on Queen Mary 2 . These popular pet accommodations book quickly, so be sure to book far in advance.
• Health – With many days at sea and land not easily accessible, it’s prudent to consider your health needs. Onboard medical facilities are basic, so be sure that you are aware of the potential difficulties of experiencing a serious medical event. If you are prone to seasickness , be sure to take precautions and as with other medical conditions, get the advice of your medical professional prior to booking a transatlantic cruise.
• Age Restrictions – Read the fine print for minimum age restrictions on certain transatlantic cruises.

What’s the best time of year for a Transatlantic Cruise?

When determining the best time of year for a Transatlantic Cruise, you will need to take the weather conditions into consideration.

According to Cunard, Atlantic storms occur more frequently between early June and late November. The seas between December and May are calmer. However, keep in mind that weather is often not predictable.

What should you pack for a Transatlantic Cruise?

If this is your first time taking a Transatlantic Cruise, you are probably wondering what you should pack. Especially if you are on a longer transatlantic cruise, you should consider what you will need during your extended time away from home.

Without many ports of call, it won’t be necessary to pack the hiking boots unless you are extending your trip. To reduce your luggage, make your outfits do double duty with accessories or simple changes. Don’t forget that ships offer laundry services. A few even have self-serve laundries.

Cunard has teas and ballroom dancing and some people go all out with their dancing attire. But at the end of the day, do what makes you comfortable.

Also, don’t forget your bathing suit. During your many days at sea, you will probably want to make use of the pools or your cruise ship’s spa.

What to Do While Cruising the Atlantic

With so many sea days on a transatlantic sailing, the daily newsletter will be your best option for planning your days. Be sure to bring a highlighter and remember that many of the schedules detach from the larger newsletter. Check the app as well to plan your itinerary.

Some common activities include:

•  Trivia
•  Pickleball
•  Wine, beer, and cocktail courses
•  Arts and crafts
•  Lectures and enrichment opportunities
•  Learning new skills like dancing, photography, etc.
•  Reading
•  Ship tours
•  Gym workouts
• Spa treatments and thermal suites

As you can see, many opportunities abound. Of course, there are self-directed activities as well. Think about what you would like to do during your downtime and pack accordingly. People knit, crochet, play bridge, etc. There really is no limit to what you can do.

Maybe your goal is to walk 10k steps per day. A ship with a full promenade is ideal for such activities.

What are the advantages of a Transatlantic Cruise?

There are so many advantages to taking a transatlantic cruise. Pricing is usually less than a typical week-long cruise. Reduced single supplements, air promotions, and other money-saving offerings may be on offer.

Additionally, on a cruise with few ports, there won’t be the urge to get off in every port and do as much as possible. On the other hand, with all of the daily offerings on the ship, not wanting to miss an activity could present a similar dilemma.

Is a Transatlantic Cruise for you?

While there are definite advantages to a transatlantic cruise, be sure to thoroughly consider some of the differences from this type of cruise and a traditional week-long cruise.

If you are new to cruising and there are many sea days, be aware that some people feel a need to set foot on land. Those who love long days at sea and the ability to relax and enjoy the cruise might find a transatlantic cruise an ideal itinerary.

BOOK NOW: Savings on Transatlantic Cruises!

Final Thoughts on Taking a Transatlantic Cruise

My first transatlantic started in Copenhagen and ended in NYC. With many days of ports, I enjoyed places that I consider exotic, like Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and Atlantic Canada. The transatlantic cruise was like several cruises in one with a very reasonable cost.

I went back for more and enjoyed another northern route transatlantic as well as a southern route.

Next up is a reverse transatlantic crossing on the Rotterdam , celebrating the 150 th anniversary of Holland America’s crossing the Atlantic. With many sea days and just a few ports, but a duration of 16 days, it will be another new adventure. Stay tuned as I will be providing a review of this upcoming trip soon.

Have you taken a transatlantic cruise? Do you enjoy spending several days at sea during these crossings? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences.

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Don’t Fly to Europe – 10 Best Tips For Your First Transatlantic Cruise

By: Sherry Laskin · Published on May 25, 2020

“It’s not really the middle of nowhere.”  That’s what I find myself saying whenever someone declares, “I’d never go on a transatlantic cruise.”

A transatlantic crossing is an entirely different cruise.

I have to admit, while not exactly in the middle of nowhere, on a transatlantic cruise there’s not much activity except for an occasional whale or dolphin sighting. You can feel like you are out there all alone. Kind of a personal litmus test for latent agoraphobia.

Remember that old expression, “the shoemaker’s children go barefoot”? Whenever I prepare for a transatlantic crossing, I still remind myself of what I’ll expect during the crossing experience. After 22 transatlantic crossings (it’s always an even number if you never fly), I’ve learned to love the endless expansive of sea and sky. 

10 cruise tips and advice for a transatlantic cruise

1. know before you go – prepare.

With a minimum of seven or more consecutive sea days , even the most entertaining of the mega ships will have a lull in the activities that most interests you. Some ships still have some sort of library.

For the best book selection, get there when the library first opens. By the second or third day, the choice for best sellers has dwindled. Note that Queen Mary 2 has a library on all ships. Chances are you can find a book or two that for the cruise.

Not a reader? Bring your home craft project providing it fits into your checked luggage. You’ll find knitting, needle-point, and scrapbook meetings each day in some public space.

Wine tasting events have expanded into single-malt scotch, craft beer and tequila tastings, too. There is a fee but what else do you have to do?

2. Stop to smell the roses

If you find yourself on the verge of activity-overload, scout out a quiet spot to watch the sea. I usually search for both an indoor viewing area as well as an outdoor, wind-blocked vantage point. Sunny days with millpond seas do exist on the Atlantic Ocean.

On foggy or rough seas days, curl up in a comfy chair near a picture window. Yes, you will want to look out and see what’s going on. Mid-ship on a low deck and you’ll hardly feel those famous December thirty-foot seas and gale force winds!

3. Keep moving

There are some ships that you can almost walk your way across the Atlantic. On Queen Mary’s wraparound outdoor walking track/promenade, a mere three times around is 1.1 miles. Other ships, you can walk in circles ten or eleven times to finish one mile.

If a good fitness center is important, head on over to the cruise line’s website for photos of their workout facility. Almost every cruise line plying the Atlantic offers aerobics, yoga, pilates in addition to spinning and a fitness center.

4. The legendary weight gain

With at least a week of sea days, one of the biggest concerns is weight gain. I’ve come to realize over time that it isn’t the actual over-eating that is the cause but the amount of salt in the food that is the culprit. Also, I hear a lot of people complaining about swollen feet and ankles. Again, it’s the overload of sodium in the food.

Solution? Tell your dining room waiter that you would like to be on a sodium-free diet for the cruise.

Here’s how it works:  every night at the end of your dinner, the waiter (or head waiter) will present to you the menu for the next evening. You choose your entire dinner and the order is brought to the kitchen where there are other special diets orders (gluten-free, allergy requests etc.).

By eliminating the “built-in” salt, you will avoid retaining water and thus not blow up like a puffer fish. But be forewarned:  if you order salt-free, your dinner will be salt-free. This means that the gorgeous bowl of steamy French onion soup will arrive sans toasted French bread and cheese. You can always do a modified salt-free when something sounds too good to pass up.

5. A transatlantic cruise is a great time to do nothing

This isn’t a “If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium” experience. Transatlantic cruises are generally not “port intensive.” But if there is a port you would like to visit, chances are you can find a cruise that stops there en route to where you will disembark.

So, with careful planning and a lot of vacation days, you can choose an itinerary which visits four and five ports along the way. Some cruise lines include a couple of Caribbean ports, too.

6. Hop on the bus, Gus

The luxe bus across the ocean, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the ONLY cruise line offering regularly scheduled non-stop transatlantic crossings nearly year round. The Queen Mary 2 is also the ONLY purpose-built true ocean liner, not cruise ship, in service today. She’s built for transatlantic voyages in the North Atlantic and sails them beautifully.

7. Make the transatlantic cruise into a back-to-back voyage

Once you’ve decided on which transatlantic voyage to take, book yourself into back-to-back cruises so that you stay onboard for either the first cruise once you arrive in Europe or the last cruise before the westbound crossing. You not only feel “special” in saying that you are “continuing on…”, but you get to spend time in many wonderful ports throughout Europe.

8. Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?

One of the best advantages of a transatlantic crossing is the elimination of jet lag. Yes, you arrive at your destination either in Europe or the U.S. without needing two or three days to catch up to the local time zone.

Which direction is better? Personally, l prefer a westbound crossing because it results in 25-hour days. Here’s how it works.

You are booked on a crossing with seven sea days before you get to New York. Starting on the first or second night after departure from Europe, clocks are set back one hour at bedtime or even at noon. It’s the captain’s choice. My last Cunard and Holland America crossings, we set our clocks back at 1pm every day. It was weird at first, but then we all liked it. You continue to do this for maybe two consecutive days, take a break to adjust and set the clocks back again until you reach your debarkation port. I find that I wake up a bit earlier than usual towards the end of the voyage, but I’m well-rested and ready to go.

Eastbound with shorter, 23-hour days, you might find yourself at the buffet at 2am because your body is telling you it’s only 9PM! If you are sensitive to time changes, be sure to check that the ship you are on will have a 24 hour food option, even if it’s only room service. Otherwise, you might find yourself, like I have many times, 2AM at the 24 hour coffee and tea location, getting a flavored tea to bring back to my room to have with cookies that I saved from lunch.

9. Helloooo…is anyone out there? You’re not really alone at sea.

For a little peace of mind along your journey, remember that your ship travels in shipping lanes. You are never too far from another ship, even though it may not be visible.

There is a portion on the north Atlantic where you may find yourself in “no-man’s-land” for a day or so depending upon the route that your captain decides to follow. Be prepared for a brief blip in satellite communications which affects the internet and television. It rarely happens but it’s always possible. 

On my recent Cunard voyage, we never lost a second of communication via wifi or TV. Ships’ satellite technology (meaning the company that they contract with for access) vastly improves every year.

10. Round-tripping

Finally, if you have the time, why not do like I do and make the transatlantic crossing in both directions? This does take a bit of skillful planning and occasional maneuvering but it is quite frankly, the best way to visit Europe. Here’s an idea:

Book a cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona. Stay on the same ship for a Mediterranean cruise, round-trip from Barcelona. Afterwards, spend a couple of days in Barcelona. Catch the luxury overnight train from Barcelona to Paris and maybe spend a night or two in the City of Light.

In the morning at 9:00AM, take a taxi to the Gare du Nord to board the Eurostar to London. Two and one-half hours later, with twenty-one minutes of that spent zooming under the English Channel, you arrive rested and relaxed at St. Pancras train station in London. Walk a few yards from your train to the departure hall, find the Cunard representative and board their motor coach to Southampton. In another two hours you’ll board the Queen Mary 2 for your voyage home. Easy-peasy.

Bonus recommendation

Once you’ve experienced the exhilaration and excitement of crossing an ocean, you will be hooked. For the most memorable experience, sail into New York City.

Cruise ships arrive into New York harbor at dawn, pass under the colorfully lit Verrazano Bridge and quietly sail past the illuminated Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Nearly everyone, passengers and crew, is on deck at 5:00am to view this amazing sight. Some cruise lines set up a special coffee and danish pastries buffet for the occasion. As we sailed past the Statue of Liberty, I’ve seen grown men cry and overheard people speaking English with foreign accents in hushed voices. Others blankly stare at Ellis Island. It’s a very moving experience.

The next time you plan a European holiday, factor in a transatlantic crossing, either a 7- to 9-night voyage on the Queen Mary 2 or a repositioning two-week adventure to or from America. Whether eastbound or west, it’s an amazing experience that you’ll remember forever.

Read next:  How to go by train from Amsterdam to Southampton for Queen Mary 2

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About Sherry Laskin

I'm the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world without flying. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath...stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.

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December 19, 2022 at 2:35 pm

Hi Ashley. Thank you for reading my article and asking your question. Because your ship will be on a south-southwesterly course, I’d venture a guess that port side, the left side, might have a little more sun in the morning. The sun will be a little lower in the sky by then too. If you’re lucky, the weather might hold out for your crossing and not have to divert to avoid any hurricanes.

It’s strange to imagine, but because of the curvature of the earth and its rotation, your ship won’t follow a straight line from Southampton to Barbados like you’d imagine on a map. Nevertheless, if I was hoping for more sun, I’d pick the port side of the ship, though the sun will be more directly overhead than beaming straight into one side or the other. But again, that will depend on the actual route. Either side would be nice…it sounds like a very interesting crossing. Happy sails and thank you again for writing.

December 19, 2022 at 9:29 am

Hello, I am planning my first Trans-Atlantic crossing from Southampton – Barbados in Oct 2024. I am open minded about what the weather may be lie but I have heard the there might be a better side cabin to choose to get the most of sunshine on the balcony. can anyone help?

May 17, 2022 at 9:03 am

Hi Aaron, Thank you for reading my article! Westbound transatlantic crossings in March are usually non-existent. The only westbound transatlantic that I found was April 23, 2023 aboard Queen Mary 2. If you can remain in Europe til then, great! There are a few odd sailings from very remote locations heading to the US, but they are all aboard Queen Mary 2 on the same voyage to NYC. As the April 23, 2023 is the tail-end of the ship’s world cruise, and if this is a possibility for you, then I would suggest looking into a reservation. Otherwise, as you mentioned, there are no other cruise lines crossing from Europe to the US in March.

Sorry I can’t offer more suggestions but maybe you can stay in Europe and catch the April Queen Mary 2.

Thanks again for reading my article and taking the time for your comment.

May 12, 2022 at 3:19 pm

Great article! Starting research as we’ll be relocating from Europe back to the US in March. Having trouble finding westbound journeys in March, are those just “not a thing”? I know many cruise lines reposition their ships to Europe in the spring, so they travel east bound, but would still hope to find some type of ship we can relax on as we journey back.

October 14, 2019 at 1:04 am

Hi Mary Ann,

Thank you for reading the article and taking the time to write! I really appreciate it. I have to be honest and say that on my first transatlantic, I was a little nervous. But after the second day, it was wonderful. Just being out there, feeling like a “real” mariner of long ago, was such a neat experience. Celebrity Edge will have tons of things to do to keep busy, plus a couple of ports along the way. If you’re really lucky, Capt. Kate McCue will still be on Edge, so to speak! What I would recommend is downloading movies or tv shows to whatever device you bring along. For me, that really comes in handy. Going eastbound, you have 23-hour days, too, so less time to be bored! Also, I would suggest requesting the largest possible table in the dining room but I think that’s one of my suggestions in the article! I’ve completed 22 transatlantic crossings and hope to go again in 2020. I miss it. Thank you again! Sherry

October 13, 2019 at 6:36 pm

I’m considering a TA cruise in Oct from Rome to Ft Lauderdale. I do love cruising but have never been at sea for so many days. Thinking of Celebrity Edge. Can you give me some positive words of wisdom to help. Thanks

June 10, 2019 at 2:51 pm

Hi Kathy, Wow…what a nice dilemma. If your cruise is for August, keep in mind that summer storms can influence the weather in the North Atlantic. A Canada/New England cruise to Halifax can be really nice in the late summer. If it were me, I’d probably take the transatlantic in August and save a Canada/New England cruise for late September in hopes of a fall foliage experience. Either choice, have a wonderful cruise. Sherry

June 4, 2019 at 12:57 pm

Hi Sjherry we are looking at a transatlantic crossing in August or Halifax trip in July of 2020 do you recommend one over the other? thank you Kathy

May 4, 2019 at 12:19 am

Hi Suzanne, I’m so sorry for my late reply. I’ve been traveling and fell behind in answering comments. By this time you’re outward bound and I hope you have the best clothes for the weather. It’s so unpredictable it’s tough to be perfectly packed. Have a wonderful cruise! Sherry

April 20, 2019 at 12:42 pm

I’m cruising Norwegian end of April To Portugal and Spain Wonder about weather What to expect and what to pack

October 14, 2018 at 6:49 pm

Hi Susan, Yay that you’re heading out on a transatlantic crossing! For November, my best advice would be to expect the unexpected. For your morning walks I’d pack a hat, gloves and a scarf. One side of the ship may be windless but when you walk to the other side, it can be blustery. I’d guess that temps might be in the 40s-50s in the morning…but you never know. Whatever the weather, you’re in for a wonderful time. I’m guessing that you’re on Queen Mary 2 since you’re going eastbound. That ship is incredible for crossings, no matter what the weather. Have a wonderful time! Thank you for your question. Sherry

October 14, 2018 at 3:04 pm

My husband and I will be going from NY to South Hampton in mid November. What should be expect for temperatures on the deck of the ship? We like to walk in the morning.

October 13, 2018 at 11:26 am

Hi Barbara,

I apologize for my late reply…you’ve already completed your transatlantic voyage. I hope it was a smooth crossing. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner but I’ll bet that you both enjoyed the week, especially the sailaway from NYC (if it wasn’t raining.). If you have a chance, please let me know your thoughts on your first transatlantic crossing and QM2. Thank you.

August 13, 2018 at 12:55 pm

Hello Sherry, I figured I’d ask you a few questions since you’ve done these cruises many times. My husband and I are taking our first transatlantic this September on the QM 2 from NY to GB. We are up on deck 12, forward on starboard side. Wondering whether we will feel the rough seas should we encounter them? I’m also thinking we may get wind blasted out on our balcony, not that there aren’t many other protected places to sit and view the sea, including inside the room! We are excited and looking forward to the whole experience. Any other tips you can share are welcome to assist in our planning and enjoyment. Many Thanks

June 4, 2018 at 3:18 pm

Hi Kathryn, In my opinion, there is no better ship on which to cross the Atlantic than Queen Mary 2. It is built for the North Atlantic and is an amazing ship. Good question about calm seas. You never know. I’ve crossed the Atlantic and it was like a millpond the entire way. Other times, in November and December, we had 30′ seas and hurricane force winds, not to mention a few blizzards. While storms can appear anytime of the year, generally speaking May, June and July tend to have calmer seas…but again you never know. Yes, chances are you will pay double. Even the studio/solo staterooms seem priced higher than a good sale on an inside double-occupancy. It’s all a price game. Just keep watching. Thank you for your question and if you try a transatlantic, congratulations! Sherry

May 29, 2018 at 11:22 am

Never been on a TA cruise…thinking about calm seas, which is the best month to travel in. I will also be traveling single, how are prices, do you pay double as on other cruises, or is there Cruise lines with a better singles policy. I will have a t least a window or balcony cabin, not somewhere low down int he ship. Are the Cunardships the best for tTA cruises.

September 27, 2017 at 11:27 am

Hi Susan, Good question! I’d expect that your ship will follow the southern route for the crossing…probably picking up the Gulf Stream as you continue southbound. Barcelona should be fairly temperate at that time (mid-60s) and of course the Caribbean will be hot. On deck and especially at night I’d suggest something warm…like a thin puffy jacket with a light scarf to tuck in and a hat. Days could also be cooler (50s and 60s), especially if you encounter any fog. The Air Con on the ship could also be cranked up too far so I’d suggest a wrap or cardigan for the dining room, just in case. All in all, November crossings (not the North Atlantic which would be very chilly by then) the temps should be pleasant. But you never know. I’d rather be prepared to stay warm than have to buy an expensive logo jacket onboard! And who knows…the way our weather has been, it could end up being in the 70s and 80s! Have a wonderful crossing! Sherry

September 27, 2017 at 11:18 am

What is the average temperatures in November for a transatlantic cruise? We are leaving from Barcelona to the Caribbean. Thanks

July 6, 2016 at 1:12 pm

Thanks, Kelly. Have a terrific cruise! Enjoy the “remastered” QM2.

July 6, 2016 at 12:50 pm

Awesome -thanks so much. I certainly feel better about my cabin choice after reading your comments. I got my recommendation from a great travel agent but always willing to hear more opinions! I have traveled mostly on Disney Cruise Line (which I love) -this is going to be a whole new experience and I love reading about your travels sans air flights! Thanks

June 29, 2016 at 2:49 pm

Hi Kelly, Thank you so much! Lucky you to come back to USA on the QM2. There’s not too much more exciting than daybreak and to see the Statue of Liberty and the Verranzano Bridge still aglow. Yes, I have stayed in every category of stateroom aboard the QM2, except the Grills! My favorite for any transatlantic crossing season except maybe mid-summer would be the sheltered balcony. It’s larger than the standard balcony and it is protected from the wind (except Force 11 can be tough to open the door if you’re on the windward side!). I’ve completed 16 transatlantic crossings, most of which have been in September. Weather of course is unpredictable, but at least it will be a lot warmer than my 2015 Dec. crossing. Good for you to take a port side on the westbound – the natural daylight is great and if it’s nice enough outside, you can sit out and relax and not get battered by the breeze. And being on deck 5 is good too. If you and your group like to walk, it’s easy to get up to King’s Court on Deck 7. On the morning that you arrive in NYC, be sure to be out on deck at 5:30am (ugh!) because it’s an amazing sight. The ship will have continental breakfast ready early so that you can take your tea or coffee outside with you. ALSO…being on the port side coming in to NY harbor, the Statue of Liberty will be on YOUR side of the ship. But at least take a peek at the early-morning crowd on deck…it’s really a moving experience. I’m so jealous! Thank you for reading my newsletter, have a wonderful cruise and Happy Travels! Sherry

June 29, 2016 at 2:33 pm

Hi Sherry, First of all, I love your newsletter! We are taking the QM2 in September, west to NYC. I saw in the article that you have taken 10 transatlantic on the QM2-soon to be 11. I also know that I read a review you wrote on taking an inside stateroom at one time. Have you stayed in different staterooms? We have a sheltered balcony on deck 5, port side, aft. Was wondering if you had any experience with this type of cabin? My advice has been to be on the port side for more sun on a western transatlantic and we have 3 adults- so we had some limitations on staterooms. Overall though, I am really excited to see the newly refurbished ship and to stay in this stateroom! Any tips on possible September weather? thanks!!

June 5, 2016 at 6:25 pm

Hi Rose! Your ship will be taking the southerly route out of Lisbon, maybe stopping in the Canaries or Azores? It’s so hard to guess on fall weather in the Atlantic. Of course the Captain can steer away or around any tropical events. Generally speaking, since you will closely follow the Gulf Stream, it could be a very smooth crossing. Have a wonderful voyage! Sherry

June 5, 2016 at 5:50 pm

Looking at an transatlantic cruise in Sept from Lisbon, Portugal to Panama Panama and stopping in St. Maarten. What should I expect the transatlantic weather will be like?

March 1, 2016 at 10:20 am

You’re welcome! Thanks for reading it.

February 23, 2016 at 6:25 am

Thanks for the article ! Nice!

October 17, 2015 at 12:54 pm

Hi Catherine,

Thank you for your question. As you’ll most likely be taking the southern route following the Gulf Stream, you may have fairly warm weather maybe in the 60s or so. As it’s always quite windy on deck, you should pack a windbreaker or warm jacket that you can layer underneath so you can be comfortable walking outside in the fresh air. Most likely the outdoor pools will be filled…but a tad too cold to use. But you never know! Have a wonderful crossing.

October 1, 2015 at 2:12 pm

Hello, I booked a transantlantic cruise from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale at the end of October. Could you give me some advice about the kind of clothes we should bring? Is the crossing of the Atlantic ocean usually cold? Thank you for your help!

September 8, 2014 at 9:43 am

It’s nice to just have the time and space to work on a handicraft and not worry about doorbells and phones ringing! Thanks for reading and leaving comment.

August 31, 2014 at 11:30 am

You’re so right about the wisdom (and peacefulness) of taking along one’s latest craft project. On our last cruise we brought my latest rug hooking project and spent many happy hours watching the ocean outside our cabin window as I worked on the rug.

April 12, 2013 at 11:05 pm

Hi Richard,

Absolutely it is fun to travel solo and meet so many interesting people. Have a wonderful cruise to Lisbon. Try to go to a Fado performance in the Alfama district if you haven’t been yet.

Thanks for your comment.

April 11, 2013 at 3:06 pm

Tomorrow, 4-12-13, I fly from my home to San Juan PR. Spending one night and most of the day in San Juan, I then board the RCCL Brilliance of the Seas for my 5th Transatlantic Crossing! We have port days in St. Maarten and Tenerife, Canary Islands before disembarking in Lisbon, Portugal! My other 4 TA’s were twice eastbound onboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, including her final Transatlantic Crossing in 2008, a westbound crossing on the QM2, and lastly in 2011 westbound onboard the Celebrity Solstice, from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale. I love the peacefulness of a TA Crossing and would do one anytime.

Just for the record, I have done all 5 of my TA Crossings as a single traveler. I know many people say they would never travel alone like that, but I have always met great people onboard the ship and have always had a fantastic time!

March 19, 2013 at 10:39 pm

Thanks for finding this article! No…it’s really not much different than any other cruise. Sometimes the North Atlantic is like a millpond and other times, well, we’ve had 30′ seas. Once on the Constellation, the letters of the ship’s name were nearly washed off the bow. The southern route in winter is usually a bit more calm in the winter months…but you never know!

March 19, 2013 at 6:38 am

A transatlantic is on my list of cruises to do. Thanks for sharing! Are the seas more turbulent or really no different than other cruises?

March 7, 2013 at 10:25 am

You were lucky to have a few tropical ports to visit along the way; I’ve only done the roundtrip LA non-stop to Hawaii. Definitely, you should try to schedule a Queen Mary 2 at some point. And you’re right…there never seems to be enough time to do all the things that are offered!

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Best Transatlantic Cruise Tips for the Boomer Traveler

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Are you looking for Transatlanic cruise tips from a boomer travel writer who’s been there and done that? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve traveled on 5 of them!

What is the best Transatlantic cruise and will we like it? At My Itchy Travel Feet, readers ask us that question a lot. 

Since Alan and I have cruised on five Atlantic crossings—Regent (Voyager and Navigator), Silversea ( Silver Sprit and Silver Wind) and Seabourn ( Sojourn )—our answer is a resounding YES!

In fact, we’ve gathered our experiences to create the best transatlantic cruise tips for you. Like you, through the years, we’ve had many questions about transatlantic cruises. Sorting through ours, and anticipating yours, here are 10 questions to ask before booking a Transatlantic Cruise.

Table of Contents

What IS a Transatlantic Cruise?

Basically, a Transatlantic cruise is a repositioning cruise that crosses the Atlantic Ocean. They most often occur in the fall and spring, when cruise lines are relocating ships from one region of the world to another.

In the fall, cruise lines send their ships from Europe, usually the Mediterranean (but not always), to the Caribbean or eastern United States . Spring crossings reverse the process with ships sailing from the eastern U.S. or Caribbean to Europe.

Which are the best transatlantic cruise ships?

Step onboard Seabourn, Silversea, or Regent for an all-inclusive, luxurious journey across the Atlantic. If you’ve ever wondered about cruising on a luxury ship , this can be a more affordable way to find out if luxury cruising is for you.

Well-heeled travelers will find luxury transatlantic cruises usually offered at discounted prices. However this is not always the case. Cruise lines are currently seeing high numbers of bookings in 2023 (and predicted to be the same in 2024 and 2025 due to pent up demand).

If you are looking for value combined with small ship experiences, consider Viking, Azmara, or Oceania.

You’ll find plenty of  large cruise ships with transatlantic cruise routes, too. If your idea of cruise travel is a big ship with plenty of things to do and prices offering an economy of scale (as in budget-friendly), consider: Princess , Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity , MSC or Royal Caribbean.

Even Disney offers an Atlantic cruise, although I’m not sure that children would enjoy six days at sea. But, then again, it’s Disney and the company is a master at entertainment.

However, I’d recommend skipping a multigenerational Atlantic crossing. There are many other cruise locations such as Alaska that would be more enjoyable for a multigenerational cruise with the kids. And Alaska cruise excursions , especially, are filled with fun things to do.

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In today’s travel climate, trip insurance is a must. Compare policies and rates at InsureMyTrip .

What time of year is best for an Atlantic Crossing?

Travelers on a fall transatlantic cruise enjoy an extra hour of sleep almost every night as the ship travels east to west. Yay! More time to enjoy long dinners, great entertainment, and a few nights of late dancing.

Of course the reverse is true for spring Atlantic crossings where an hour is lost each day.

Alan and I definitely prefer fall for those extra hours of sleep. And the long voyage is a good way to relax after a couple of weeks exploring Europe , which we prefer to do in the fall.

Which route should I choose for crossing the Atlantic?

You’ll discover more variation in Atlantic cruise routes than you would expect. Consecutive sea days vary between 6 to 8 days (sometimes less on the northern route) and usually includes several ports of call either at the end or beginning of the cruise. Expect the entire itinerary to last between 14 to 21 days.

North Atlantic crossing

These cruise itineraries usually travel from the United Kingdom to New York City. Or there are cruises that sail between Iceland and the U.S., with off-the-beaten-path ports in Canada .

In both cases, you’ll experience fewer sea days and the possibility of stormier seas in the North Atlantic. If you like lots of sea days, or if you really need sunshine by the ship’s pool, a north Atlantic voyage may not be the cruise itinerary for you.

The Cunard ship Queen Mary 2 offers regular service between New York City and Southhampton. More of a voyage than a cruise, there are no ports and dress tends to be formal. But it’s an economical way to avoid costly international flights between Europe and North America .

Middle Atlantic itinerary

The most typical Atlantic crossing routes are ones that sail between the Mediterranean and Florida (Ft. Lauderdale or Miami), or the Caribbean. Four of our five Atlantic crossings have been on a route from Rome , Nice, or Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale.

Even on fall crossings, we’ve found the weather to be mild enough to enjoy the outside decks. Most fall itineraries travel late enough in the season that hurricanes aren’t an issue. And the only truly stormy crossing we’ve experienced was in the spring from Ft. Lauderdale to Monaco.

South ern Atlantic cruise crossing

Sailing from Africa to South America is not a typical route but some cruise lines do offer it on occasion. We cruised from Cape Town, South Africa, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after a South African safari . Ports included Namibia and St. Helena .

Of course this itinerary requires two long international flights to and from the United States. But it’s a fun way to travel between the continents of Africa and South America . And the weather tends to be warm and sunny.

MedjetAssist Members who are hospitalized 150 miles from home receive medical transport to a home-country hospital of choice. Memberships from $99 .

How much does a transatlantic cruise cost?

Traditionally, cruising on a transatlantic crossing offers special pricing, sometimes as low as 50% off or as a 2-for-1 fare. Since you’re saving money, this may be the perfect time to move up to that luxury cruise line that you’ve had your eye on. And it’s also a good opportunity to experience a series of days at sea, especially if you are considering longer cruises in the future.

Beware of cruise lines selling Atlantic cruise fares that seem too good to be true. They probably are.

Many mainline cruise companies offer inexpensive cabin fares. After factoring in the cost for all the extras like alcoholic beverages, water, special dining surcharges or tips, and you may be paying much more than intended.

You can also use Atlantic crossing cruises as transportation to or from Europe, reducing the number of international flights needed for the trip. I don’t know about you, but Alan and I are always happy to avoid international flights whenever possible.

We also like the idea of adding a land trip to the beginning of the journey. Keep reading to discover our thoughts on that.

Should I add a land excursion to a Transatlantic cruise?

I highly recommend adding a land excursion to a Transatlantic cruise itinerary. This is one reason that Alan and I prefer fall crossings. We enjoy exploring Europe by land then hopping on a ship to cross the Atlantic.

Twice, we’ve toured Italy with Claudio Fontana of A La Carte Italy Tours. After roadtripping around northern Italy or southern Italy , Claudio drove us to Civitavecchia, where we boarded a cruise ship. And our cruise luggage traveled along with us!

After enjoying several more Mediterranean cruise excursions , it was time to rest and relax on the long ride home across the Atlantic. We can’t think of a better travel combination.

One spring, we tried another version to a crossing by adding a cruise segment to the Ft. Lauderdale to Monaco itinerary. The seven additional days, Monaco to Rome, introduced us to ports in Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily—the cruise excursion to Selinunte was amazing—before ending at Civitavecchia.

How early should I book a Transatlantic cruise to Europe (or back to the USA)?

If you’re picky about cabin location, book your Atlantic crossing cruise sooner rather than later. But if location on the ship doesn’t matter to you, this is one time when waiting closer to sailing will work—and possibly save you money on a cruise deal .

On many of the other cruises that Alan and I take, the ship is booked up fairly early. But that’s not the case for most Transatlantic cruises. And you might find last-minute savings.

Just remember to check flight availability before committing to the cruise. Kayak is a good place to start your research .

Are you planning a cruise? Use our Luxury Cruise Travel Planner to begin your research.

And don’t forget to purchase travel insurance when making the final payment. We prefer policies that cover pre-existing conditions for the transatlantic traveler and immediate family members. This is especially important if you have elderly parents. InsureMyTrip is a good website to compare insurance quotes .

We also don’t leave home before making sure that our medical evacuation membership with Medjet Assist is up-to-date. It saved us thousands of dollars during my medical emergency in Switzerland .

Of course these days, it’s imperative to educate yourself about cruise cancellation policies as well as medical requirements for boarding. Since these vary and seem to change with the wind, consult your cruise line or travel advisor for the most up-to-date information. Ask to see policies in writing and keep them with your records, just in case.

Will I be bored on ocean crossing cruises?

Many boomer travelers are afraid they’ll be bored on an itinerary with lots of sea days. That hasn’t been our experience. In fact, there’s almost too much to do with lectures, fitness or language classes, dance lessons, cooking demonstrations , socializing with other guests, and nightly entertainment.

Alan and I especially enjoy the opportunity to step away from the Internet (although it’s available) to slow down and relax. We also find the atmosphere on a crossing more conducive to meeting new people. Without as many busy port days, there’s time for long dinner conversations or staying up late after the show for dancing.

Will I get seasick on a cruise across the Atlantic?

You might. I sometimes do if the seas are rough. It helps to have a strategy:

• Choose a larger ship. Our spring crossing on Silver Wind was especially rough. And I should have known better than to choose such a small ship to cross the Atlantic. I do not have too much of a problem with slightly larger ships—350 passengers and above.
• Choose a midship cabin on a lower deck for the most stability. Our Medallion Suite on Silver Wind (fabulous, by the way) was up high and toward the front. Not good for such stormy seas, so I found a midship seating area on a lower deck for reading or working on the computer.
• Have a plan of action. I wear sea bands when I first board the ship, until my body has adjusted to the movement. I put them on again if seas become rough. If I’m still having issues, I rely on ginger capsules, gingerale or candied ginger from the ship’s restaurant to settle my stomach. I might also move up to a more advanced motion sickness band . If those strategies don’t work, I take meclizine that I purchase from the pharmacist before leaving home—but ask your doctor, first.
• Some cruisers have success wearing seasickness patches but I don’t care for the side effects that they give me.
• And if all else fails, visit the ship’s doctor for even stronger medication (although this might be a charge to your shipboard account).

Do I need to pack formal clothes for Transatlantic ship travel?

My answer: that depends. First, the cruise line that you choose may or may not have formal nights.

Second, even if there are formal nights, getting dressed up is easy to avoid by choosing alternate restaurants on nights when the dress code is formal. But you’ll be missing a lot of fun.

Alan and I enjoy dressing for formal night. In fact, it’s one of the reasons that we enjoy luxury cruises. At home, we wear sweatshirts, t-shirts and jeans most of the time.

Dressing up provides a change of pace. And it’s easy to do without over packing. How many formal nights will there be? That depends on the cruise ship but generally speaking expect 3 to 4 formal nights on an 18-night itinerary.

My best cruise fashion tip: Don’t let formal night scare you off. Follow my tips for what to wear on a luxury cruise .

Glitzy separates for women make it simple to mix and match outfits. Or go all outfit with a new formal wear outfit .

Men have it easy. Bring a tuxedo or suit with a tie and you’re set no matter how many formal nights are on your Atlantic itinerary.

And if you’re the carryon only type of flyer, ship your luggage to the cruise . This works especially well if you’re planning a land adventure beforehand. And, as we age, it’s also less wear and tear on the body, especially if you tend to check luggage that weighs 50 lbs or more.

Best Transatlantic cruise tips for planning your trip

That Atlantic crossing deal you just found is only as good as the entire cost of the voyage. What do I mean? The trip will usually involves a one-way international air ticket and those can be pricey, especially if you travel business class. Here’s how we do it:

• Start with a search to determine the airline, schedule and itinerary that’s best for us.
• Check to see if using airline miles is a workable option. It rarely is for us.
• Determine if we will save money by booking the international portion of the ticket to or from a major city near our home rather than from the small airport where we live.
• Ask our travel advisor to price out the itinerary that we’ve chosen with what the cruise line is offering for air so that we can compare prices.
• Budget the cost of traveling to and from the airport. Will we be using the long-term parking lot, renting a car or hiring a car and driver during any portion of the journey?
• Factor in the cost of hotels on the front or back end of the trip. These days, with the unreliability of air travel, it’s especially important to arrive at your embarkation location a day or two ahead so that you don’t miss the ship. Start your hotel search here .

Did I answer all your questions about a Transatlantic voyage? It’s truly a travel experience that is more about the journey rather than the destination. I hope you’ll give it a try!

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What You Need To Know About Transatlantic Cruises

by The Cruise Web Team March 29, 2022

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In the early days of cruising, transatlantic cruises were the most exciting way to cross the Atlantic Ocean and are still a bucket-list itinerary for many seasoned cruisers and a great way to dip your toes in the waters of cruising if you’re a first-timer! For over a hundred years, cruise lines have been taking passengers across The Pond, but you still might have some questions so keep reading as we cover a couple of the most important things to know about a transatlantic cruise.

Where Do Transatlantic Cruises Go?

It may seem like an obvious answer, but transatlantic cruises have a variety of options when it comes to destinations. One thing they all have in common is crossing the Atlantic Ocean! The shortest length transatlantic cruise is normally 7 days, but there are also options for longer transatlantic cruises.

• 7 Day Transatlantic Cruises
• Long Transatlantic Cruises

If you’re heading East, chances are you’ll leave from somewhere in the United States, most famously New York City , but the options are endless. Some transatlantic itineraries begin in a Floridian port like Fort Lauderdale or Miami and enjoy a few days in the Caribbean before trekking across the ocean.

A Westbound transatlantic cruise has just as many options of departure ports, including Southampton (London) , Barcelona , Venice and more! Many of these itineraries that sail West across the Atlantic feature exciting visits to The Azores or the Canary Islands .

The most popular itinerary for a transatlantic cruise is the classic route from New York to London, or the other way around.

The most important thing to remember about where a transatlantic cruise goes is that you will definitely cross the Atlantic Ocean and make memories that last a lifetime.

What Is There To Do On A Transatlantic Cruise?

As mentioned before, some transatlantic cruises include stops in exciting, tropical destinations, so you’ll enjoy fun in the sun shoreside and whatever excursions your heart desires. But what if the transatlantic cruise I choose has no ports? Well, you’re in luck!

Transatlantic cruises with no ports in between embarkation and the end of your journey allow you the chance to enjoy the activities and amenities of the ship you’re sailing on. Remember when we said transatlantic cruises have been sailing for over 100 years? Cruise lines have stepped up the level of service, accommodations, and activities onboard to make each ship a destination in itself.

For a more laid-back journey, cruise lines like Cunard offer a classic cruising experience, complete with luxurious accommodations and public spaces, rivaling the best hotels on land and cuisine to match.

If you want a more exciting transatlantic cruise, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean offer high flying onboard thrills like waterslides, ropes courses and more, for the whole family!

No matter what cruise line or itinerary you choose for your transatlantic cruise, there will be plenty to do onboard from taking Broadway-style shows, enjoying 5-star meals or curling up with a good book, you’ll return home knowing why the transatlantic cruise has been a favorite for generations of cruisers.

And, of course, transatlantic cruises are a cost-effective option to enjoy a week-long vacation with your entire family or as a romantic getaway! Typically, due to the limited number of stops in port, transatlantic cruises allow guest to save on port charges and fees, and cruise lines offer favorable rates for those looking to enjoy a journey considered by many to be the very first type of itinerary in modern cruising. For more information about the best deals on transatlantic cruises , visit us online at www.cruiseweb.com or call our cruising experts at 1-800-377-9383!

-The Cruise Web Team

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6 top transatlantic cruises for 2024.

Journey across the Atlantic while enjoying all the amenities at sea.

The Top Transatlantic Cruises

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Sailing from New York to England on Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 is just one of many transatlantic offerings in 2024.

Transatlantic cruises are unique when you compare them to traditional cruises most people book for family trips and romantic getaways. These voyages tend to be longer in general, and they have more built-in days at sea and offer a lot more time on board as a result. Repositioning cruises that include a transatlantic crossing tend to attract more retirees and travelers who just want to relax and enjoy their ships' amenities, especially since fewer days in port means fewer excursions and more time doing nothing at all.

That said, the fact that transatlantic cruises can last as few as seven nights means they may fit in your plans more easily than you may think. There are also some benefits to transatlantic crossings that may not be obvious, including lower nightly rates, more onboard credit, and more time to kick back and relax at a floating luxury resort in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you're curious which transatlantic cruises are best for 2024, here are six top picks with different cruise lengths, itineraries and unique destinations to explore.

Explore cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Cunard Line

Date: Departs May 5, 2024

Departure port: Brooklyn, New York

Starting price: $2,449 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 7 to 18 nights

In May of 2024, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 vessel will offer three different transatlantic crossings of various lengths. Choose from a seven-night sailing from Brooklyn, New York , to Southampton, England; a nine-night sailing to Hamburg, Germany ; and an 18-night round-trip sailing that departs from Brooklyn and crosses the Atlantic twice on the way back to its starting point. This unique combination of itineraries lets you cross the sea and tailor your trip to how long you want to be away from home.

The 18-night itinerary is especially interesting, since it lets you depart from the United States and arrive back in Brooklyn in the end with stops in both England and Germany, as well as plenty of sea days in between. Luxury cruise line Cunard is known for its elegant design, lush amenities and upscale feel, and the Queen Mary 2 is one of the line's most luxurious ships. Highlights on this exclusive vessel include the Royal Court Theatre, a casino, gala evenings, an onboard spa and a vast library. The Queen Mary 2 holds up to 2,691 guests with 1,173 crew to cater to your every need.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Date: Departs March 24, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Starting price: $5,949 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 21 nights

Seabourn is offering a 21-night transatlantic cruise from Miami on Seabourn Quest in March 2024 that offers a diverse range of ports of call before ending its voyage in Las Palmas in Spain's Canary Islands . Departure from Miami is followed by nine days at sea. Then, you'll enjoy multiple stops in the Canary Islands – including Santa Cruz de La Palma and San Sebastián de La Gomera – as well as stops in Praia and Mindelo the Cape Verde archipelago.

This journey with Seabourn makes it possible for travelers to see some of the most beautiful and remote tropical islands in the world. The Canary Islands are known for their white sand beaches , volcanoes and lush greenery; similar landscapes can also be found in Cape Verde's coastal towns and villages. Seabourn Quest, a smaller ocean vessel, accommodates just 229 guests.

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Date: Departs Nov. 8, 2024

Departure port: Southampton, England

Starting price: $769 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 16 nights

The MSC Virtuosa from MSC Cruises is repositioning from Europe to the Caribbean in November 2024, which gives travelers the chance to enjoy a lengthy transatlantic crossing with plenty of unique ports. This sailing departs from England with eight sea days plus stops in France, the Azores of Portugal, St. Maarten , Antigua and Barbuda, and Martinique . The ship ends its journey in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

The MSC Virtuosa is a larger cruise vessel that boasts an impressive grand promenade with a LED dome ceiling, dedicated clubs for children and teens, an onboard spa, a lavish casino and the luxurious MSC Yacht Club section of the ship. This vessel holds a maximum of 6,334 passengers at once.

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Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Date: Departs July 5, 2024

Departure port: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn)

Starting price: $4,098 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 31 nights

Princess Cruises also offers its share of transatlantic sailings on various vessels. Its 31-night crossing from New York to Barcelona, Spain , on Island Princess in July 2024 is jam-packed with exciting destinations to explore. This lengthy transatlantic voyage has only 13 sea days with planned stops in Canada's Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England, Spain, Portugal and Morocco before the journey ends in Barcelona.

This intriguing sailing experience with Princess takes passengers to eight different countries in the span of a month. Island Princess is a nice ship for a long sailing because of its smaller size, with just 2,200 passengers and 900 crew. But the ship is also large enough to have a huge selection of included and specialty dining options, a Vegas-style casino, a sports court, a large central atrium for gathering, and several pools and hot tubs to enjoy.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Date: Departs April 11, 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Starting price: $760 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 12 nights

Celebrity Cruises is offering a 12-night sailing on Celebrity Equinox in April 2024 that starts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and ends in Lisbon, Portugal – making it possible for travelers to enjoy eight relaxing days at sea. What's interesting about this sailing is its stops along the way, which include the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda; Porta Delgada in Portugal's Azores archipelago; and Porto in mainland Portugal.

The Celebrity Equinox accommodates a maximum of just 2,852 passengers at once, so this Celebrity vessel is a solid choice for travelers who want just the right size ship instead of a smaller vessel or a megaship. There are also plenty of onboard features to keep you happy and entertained as you float across the Atlantic Ocean, including The Casino, The Lawn Club with outdoor games like bocce ball and croquet, The Martini Bar, the adults-only Solarium and more.

Royal Caribbean International

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Dates: Departs Oct. 24, 2024

Departure port: Barcelona, Spain

Starting price: $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 14 nights

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is hosting a transatlantic voyage in October 2024 that departs from Barcelona, Spain, and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This vessel will make stops in Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartagena and Málaga in Spain, then spend eight days at sea. After that, enjoy a day in Nassau in the Bahamas before the cruise drops passengers off in sunny Florida.

Interior staterooms on this Royal Caribbean sailing start at just $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees), which works out to around $60 per night, per person. The Oasis of the Seas megaship can hold a total of 6,771 guests and 2,109 crew, so it's an enormous vessel – to put it mildly. This size may not be ideal for travelers who want a more intimate cruising experience, but it's perfect for cruisers who want plenty of space to spread out and endless activities to take part in. Oasis of the Seas boasts 20 different restaurants and cafes, 11 bars and lounges, a variety of pools and whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, the AquaTheater diving and entertainment venue, mini-golf, a casino and plenty more.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

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Transatlantic Cruises

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There’s something timeless about a transatlantic cruise as you’re swept gently into the rhythm of the waves, sunrises and sunsets, relaxing days on deck, and elegant evenings. With time to commune with the sea and immerse yourself in the buzz of life on board, from gourmet dining to glittering entertainment, a cruise across the Atlantic is the ultimate indulgence. 

Each voyage begins and ends with thrilling experiences in port, whether you’re exploring some of Europe’s most historic cities or basking on Bermuda’s pink sand beaches.

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Experience the Deep Blue Waters of the Atlantic

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey across the Atlantic that takes you from Fort Lauderdale to the most exciting cities in Europe. Enjoy blissful days at sea before arriving at the stunning Azores, where you’ll witness jaw-dropping landscapes. Visit Medieval landmarks in Brest, admire historic lighthouses on the Isle of Portland, and fall in love with the City of Light in Paris. You’ll also discover the fairytale-like town of Bruges, and stroll through the quaint canals of Amsterdam.

Featured Transatlantic Cruises

Cruises from europe to florida.

Sail on a transatlantic voyage from Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, or Southampton to Florida. En route, you’ll stop at sub-tropical Bermuda, filled with pretty villages and palm-fringed beaches. In Ponta Delgada in the volcanic Azores, you can explore blue-green crater lakes, admire colorful Portuguese colonial architecture, and experience some of the world’s most exciting whale watching.

Cruises From Florida to Europe

Head east from Florida to the Mediterranean, with long, dreamy days at sea before arriving in charming Cartagena, dotted with awe-inspiring Roman ruins. Or follow a course to northern Europe to the stately castles and friendly pubs of Ireland, the rolling countryside of southern England, and the elegant boulevards and world-famous galleries of Paris.

Cruises to South America

Crossings between Europe and South America promise leisurely days to unwind by the pool or in The Spa, and to while away evenings indulging in award-winning dining and dazzling entertainment. In South America, you’ll trace the verdant east coast, with time in seductive Rio de Janeiro, elegant Montevideo, and sultry Buenos Aires, home of the tango, and excellent steaks.

View Popular Transatlantic Cruise Destinations

Buenos Aires

Fort Lauderdale

Ponta Delgada

Rio de Janeiro

Royal Naval Dockyard

Southampton

Find Your Perfect Transatlantic Cruise

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Transatlantic Ships

Transatlantic Shore Excursions

Why Cruise Across the Atlantic With Celebrity Cruises

Experience a transatlantic cruise vacation of a lifetime with Celebrity on one of our nine award-winning ships. You’ll enjoy wonderfully relaxing days at sea bookended by some of the world’s most exciting destinations, from the picturesque island of Bermuda to enchanting Lisbon, or fun-filled Amsterdam, where patrician buildings gaze over serene canals.

Relax into the rhythm of life at sea, enjoying the luxurious features of your Celebrity ship. Unwind at the chic Rooftop Terrace and gaze into the infinite blue of the Atlantic from the Magic Carpet® on Edge® Series ships. Sip hand-crafted cocktails in the glamorous Martini Bar. You’ll be delighted at every turn by the attentive service of our crew, and wowed by the sheer variety of things to do on board, from yoga classes to wine tasting from our acclaimed cellar.

Upgrade your experience with The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, gourmet dining in the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat, and access to a stylish private sundeck and elegant lounge. We’ll take care of the details, so you can enjoy your transatlantic vacation to the fullest.

Cross the vast expanse of the Atlantic in a journey from 11 to 16 days at a pace to suit your own style. With nine of Celebrity’s award-winning ships, including all four of the revolutionary Edge-Series making this epic voyage, and multiple departure and arrival ports to choose between, you’ll easily find the perfect transatlantic cruise.

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Top Transatlantic FAQs

What is a transatlantic cruise?

A transatlantic cruise is a voyage that takes you across the Atlantic Ocean. You can sail either eastbound, from Florida to Europe, or westbound, from Europe to Florida. The journey takes between 11 and 16 nights, with several days at sea to relax and enjoy the ship.

What’s the difference between a repositioning cruise and a transatlantic cruise?

A repositioning cruise is a seasonal voyage when a ship makes its way from one cruising area to another, for example, from the Mediterranean at the end of summer to Florida, for the winter Caribbean season. So Celebrity’s transatlantic cruises are in effect repositioning cruises – but not all repositioning cruises cross the Atlantic. Some of our repositioning cruises, for example, sail from the Caribbean to South America, or through the Panama Canal.

When’s the best time to cruise?

Transatlantic cruises with Celebrity take place as the seasons change, so you can either sail eastbound in the spring, or westbound in October and November as the European season winds down. Either is a great time to cruise and enjoy relaxing days on board as your ship sails across the Atlantic.

How long does a transatlantic cruise take?

Celebrity’s transatlantic cruises take from 11 to 16 nights. Some voyages stop at several different ports along the way, which is why they are longer. Typically, though, an 11-night voyage will spend seven days at sea, with stops in the mid-Atlantic Azores islands and Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard. These days at sea are a wonderful opportunity to commune with the ocean and enjoy the many amenities of your Celebrity ship.

Do I need a passport and/or a visa?

Yes, you do need a passport for transatlantic cruises. It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at the pier when necessary. Before your cruise, familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. You’ll find more information here . 

The vast majority of countries visited by European cruises do not require a visa. From 2024, Americans, Canadians, and British citizens will be required to register for the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to enter 30 European countries. 

This will be easy to apply for, inexpensive, and is simply a pre-authorization system similar to the ESTA that Europeans need to travel to the U.S. and Canada. Once you have the ETIAS, it will be valid for three years. You should make sure you have at least six months before your passport expires, too.

What itineraries are available?

Celebrity offers a wide choice of transatlantic itineraries. European departure ports include Barcelona, Rome (from Civitavecchia), Lisbon, and Southampton, England. These cruises sail to or from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. 

The shortest cruise is from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, an 11-night journey with stops in the volcanic Azores, Bermuda, and Nassau in The Bahamas. In the opposite direction, from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon, you’ll stop at Bermuda, the Azores, and Porto, Portugal. 

A longer, 13-night westbound crossing from Barcelona takes you to Valencia, Málaga, and Gibraltar before heading out into the ocean. If you have more time, you could choose a 16-night crossing from Rome to Tampa, which starts off with a leisurely tour of the Mediterranean, visiting Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, and Málaga, with further stops at Ponta Delgada in the Azores and Nassau.

What onboard activities and entertainment can I expect during sea days?

You’ll find a wonderful choice of activities during the sea days of your transatlantic cruise. Relax by the pool or join a workout class in the Fitness Center. Listen to live music, get competitive at a quiz, or try a wine tasting. Indulge in all the different restaurants on board, which range from poolside made-to-order burgers and salads to delicious sushi, contemporary Italian, and clean cuisine in Blu. Take in the endless ocean views from the Magic Carpet on Edge-series ships, and on Solstice-series ships, lie back on the soft grass of the Lawn Club or challenge friends to a game of croquet.

Elevate your experience at The Retreat® , which gives you suite accommodation and access to a luxurious lounge as well as the fine dining restaurant Luminae at The Retreat.

What should I pack for a transatlantic cruise?

You’ll need clothing appropriate to the season for the ports of call you’ll visit on your transatlantic cruise. For example, pack swimwear and beach outfits for Nassau and Bermuda, and comfortable day wear for sightseeing in Europe in the spring or fall, when the weather is pleasant but not overly hot. Pack walking shoes if you want to explore the Azores, which is a great place for hiking. Binoculars are a good idea for spotting marine life from the ship; the Azores in particular has abundant whales and dolphins.

Throughout the ship, casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers. In main and specialty dining, we ask guests to refrain from wearing swimsuits, see-through cover-ups or robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts, and baseball caps. 

Smart Casual attire is required for entry to main dining, specialty dining, and the theater. Smart Casual means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jeans with a stylish top or button-down. Shorts and flip-flops are not considered Smart Casual. 

Each itinerary features at least one to two “formal” nights that we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jeans, an elegant dress top, or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. 

The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. If you do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and attending the theater.

How do transatlantic cruise prices compare to traditional cruises?

Because they generally feature fewer ports of call, transatlantic cruises can be a chance to enjoy a longer cruise for a great price. This presents the perfect opportunity to upgrade your experience. Book an all Included cruise fare , which means drinks and Wi-Fi are covered. Or choose The Retreat for accommodation in a beautiful suite and access to exclusive dining and lounge spaces.

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What Is A Transatlantic Cruise?

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• TRANS ATLANTIC

Which Cruise Lines Offer Transatlantic Cruises?

Find the perfect transatlantic cruise experience, explore top cruise lines, and embark on a journey across the Atlantic like never before. Start planning your adventure now!

Book Transatlantic Cruises

Adding transatlantic destinations to your cruising list is the dream of almost every other cruising enthusiast. Visiting some of the most beautiful, culturally diverse, and fascinating places in the world through destinations such as the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Transatlantic cruises are certainly worth the hype, but exactly what do cruise lines offer such destinations to their passengers? Fear not, for this article explores the answer to this question. We've curated a list of a few of the best cruise lines that offer transatlantic destinations that you can opt for for your next cruising vacation.

Some Cruise Lines That Offer Transatlantic Cruises

A lot of cruise lines in the cruising industry offer transatlantic cruises to enthusiasts all around the world. Listed below are some of the best options that you can explore while choosing a cruise line for your next vacation.

• Princess Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Cunard Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International

Some Of The Best Transatlantic Cruises That You Can Find

There are a lot of cruise lines, as listed before, in the cruising industry that offer various transatlantic destinations to passengers. We have curated a list of certain transatlantic cruises for you below that lists out some of the best options that you can choose from when you start planning your next adventurous cruising trip.

1. Cunard's Queen Mary 2:

For weekly trips from New York and Southampton, Queen Mary 2 features enough space for 2,691 passengers. This cruising adventure lasts about eight nights eastbound and six nights westbound. It features various amenities, activities, and thrilling adventures aboard the cruise ship that can help you enjoy life at sea to its fullest. Queen Mary 2 features a lot of amazing and new features that you might not commonly find at sea. These include one of the largest libraries on a cruise, as well as a planetarium on deck through which you can enjoy looking at the night sky while learning about astronomy. You can pay approximately $1,129 per person starting price for an inside cabin, while if you wish to get a cabin with a balcony, the costs start at $1,619 per person.

2. Celebrity Cruises' Ascent and Apex

Celebrity Ascent , Celebrity’s latest addition to their fleet, has enough space for 3,260 passengers at double occupancy and takes you on a journey across Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda. It is marketed as a more adult-only experience at sea. With sophisticated and high-quality food, contemporary interior design, and various hot tubs and pools, this cruise trip is the best choice for your trip if you wish to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. In general, for inside rooms, the starting price range stands at $1,353 per person, while it costs $2,399 for cabins with balconies and a view attached.

Celebrity Apex , on the other hand, offers trips to Bermuda and Portugal during the prime spring season. It can hold 2,910 passengers and has amenities similar to those of Ascent, seeing as they are both part of the same cruise ship class. The cost for an inside cabin starts at $799 per person , and if you wish for balcony rooms, that costs around $1,272 per person.

At the latest, you can opt for any of their two transatlantic adventures: a 13-night transatlantic trip to Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda and another 13-night Bermuda and Portugal transatlantic trip.

3. Princess Cruises' Sky Princess

Sky Princess is one of those transatlantic cruises that boasts more days at sea with various port stops for the cruising journey. It features a 27-night Moroccan and Iberian grand adventure transatlantic cruising adventure at the latest that you can opt for. Boasting enough space for 3,660 passengers, Sky Princess also has a lot of interesting features to keep you entertained during your trip while taking you to various destinations. The trip takes you across different ports, namely across Portugal, Morocco, Spain, England, Madeira, three Canary Islands, and Casablanca. You can experience a diverse range of cuisines onboard and even watch movies on the poolside under the starry and clear skies while at sea.

4. Viking's Viking Mars:

At the latest, you will get one transatlantic cruise trip aboard the Viking’s fleet. Featuring a 20-night Atlantic and Mediterranean Horizons trip for enthusiasts around the world, Viking has space for around 930 passengers, and this number can easily be boarded on this ship at once. You get to go through Madeira, Barcelona, the French ports of Sete and Marseille, Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Livorno, Italy. Per person, balcony cabins cost $7,198 on Viking Mars.

Viking Mars is an adults-only cruising experience and is bound to help you sit back and relax on your vacation. Eight dining venues, Liv Nordic Spa, guest lectures, you’ll get to enjoy a lot of relaxing and thought-provoking activities onboard, as Viking labels itself as the thinking man’s ship.

5. Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Prima boasts enough space for 3,099 passengers and offers passengers a lot of amenities and diverse options to choose from. Featuring 14 different restaurants onboard, with various bars and lounges as well, Prima ensures that you can easily find something to your liking. The starting prices for inside cabins are from $1,499 per person, while balcony cabins will cost you $2,199 per person . Another noteworthy mention that can make this even more enjoyable is the three-level go-karting racetrack and virtual-reality gaming center for all passengers. You can opt for Norwegian’s 16-night transatlantic trip that takes you to Italy, France, and Spain.

Things To Keep In Mind While Traveling On A Transatlantic Cruise

There are a couple of things that you should keep in mind before you begin your journey on a transatlantic cruise. Firstly, the perfect time of the year to go on these kinds of cruises usually falls around May, June, and July . At this time of the year, the weather is usually warm, and the seas are more gentle compared to August, September, and October, which are known to be when hurricane season sets in.

March, April, and November, while not preferred by most due to the cooler temperatures resulting in fewer poolside and deck activities, are still a great choice to plan your trip around, especially if the cruise route travels from Florida to the Mediterranean. If you're looking for good offers and low prices for these cruise trips, then spring and fall are generally the best seasons, as this is the time for repositioning cruises.

Generally, these transatlantic cruises have varying durations, ranging from 7 nights to 20+ nights at a time.

Related:   What Is the Best Side of the Ship for a Transatlantic Crossing ?

Transatlantic cruises can be a great way to explore unknown destinations across the Atlantic region. You get to experience the sea properly, and the above-listed cruise lines certainly have enough activities and adventures packed onboard to keep you occupied and entertained 24/7. Use CruiseBooking.com the next time you want to book a transatlantic cruising adventure to get the best deals in the market!

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Transatlantic Crossings: Myths & Facts, Suite Natured The Joy of Cruising Podcast

• Places & Travel

This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Linzi and Mark, a couple from UK and creators of the Suite Natured  blog, YouTube channel, Instagram platform, and Facebook group. They are a CLIA Choose Cruise member 2024.  Linzi and Mark state on their website: Based in Northern England, getting to the cruise port is always an adventure, so we usually travel the day before embarkation to avoid any cruise day hiccups.  But even though we live in the rugged Yorkshire countryside, and miles from the South coast, it does not stop us loving a cruise vacation. We also enjoy planning a cruise holiday and hope you do too… because that is why we started our channel. We make videos that we would want to see ourselves, when finding out about a cruise line, and what things we can discover before we can even step foot on the ship.   I consider Cruise Bloggers, Vloggers, and Content Creators as Cruise Community Champions and have featured them throughout The Joy of Cruising Trilogy and on The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Passionate cruisers like Linzi and Markepitomize the joy of cruising; they are so passionate about cruising that they want to share it with the world! Plus, I have a special affinity with UK content creators. Such a passionate cruise community and the first person to agree to be in my first book, The Joy of Cruising http://amzn.to/2EAMddF, was a UK cruise personality.   In the February issue of UK’s Sail Away Magazine, Suite Natured authored a feature titled “Myths & Facts of Taking a Transatlantic Crossing,” and they mentioned it on their FB Gp. The timing of coming across that post couldn’t have been any better. I was in the process of creating a podcast discussing our upcoming cruise, one of which is our first transatlantic —Bucket List Cruises 2024-2025 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/14366745. I reached out to Suite Natured, and it is now my pleasure to chat with Linzi and Mark about transatlantics, and to share the story of Suite Natured with the listeners of The Joy of Cruising Podcast. It's a fun conservation and ends with a hilarious anecdote. (I told Mar and Linzi they will be sure to be included in my second annual end-of-the-year episode oh the year's "most memorable, funniest, and most embarrassing stories!" Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple ThingsGet a six week suggestion box of things to note and notice this spring.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the showUS Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html

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I steered ships like the Dali for 13 years. Entering and leaving a port is extremely challenging — here's what should have been done in Baltimore.

• Sachin Saxena is a former ship captain who spent 13 years navigating the globe on large ships. 
• He breaks down the process of entering and exiting ports in big vessels like the Dali.
• In emergencies like power failures, a ship can't just stop and there's a lot of pressure on board. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sachin Saxena, a 45-year-old former ship captain from Singapore. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I captained ships transporting liquid petroleum gas from Asia to the United States for 13 years, from 1997 to 2010. Entering or leaving a port is one of the most challenging parts of any voyage. When you enter a port, you need to consider everything from currents to shallow patches and bridges.

When I saw the news about the MV Dali hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, I wasn't worried about the crew. I knew the crew would be safe because the ship was still floating. I was more concerned about people outside the ship.

Hitting a bridge would be a navigation team's worst nightmare. If the MV Dali's power had failed after the vessel had passed the bridge, I believe nothing would have happened.

It's not unusual for a ship to hit a bridge, but there are protocols to prevent it

It's not unusual for a ship to hit a bridge, especially in the US, which has many sea bridges . Seeing the MV Dali incident, the crew couldn't do much because there was so little distance between the vessel and the bridge and it was the result of a power failure.

When I was a captain and used to pass bridges, I would stand on the top of what sailors call "monkey island," a deck in front of the navigating bridge and the uppermost accessible part of the ship, to ensure we had clearance and everything went smoothly.

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We used electronic charts to navigate in and out of ports, but I also used to double-check the calculations myself because I used to sail on ships carrying liquid petroleum gas. If my ship ran into a bridge, an entire city could be blown away, so the safety factor was very high.

The procedure when an incident like this happens

If my ship suddenly lost power, the first thing I'd do would be to drop the anchor. You don't need power to do this. However, anchors aren't always effective if the ship is moving fast. Each ship, whether a container ship, dry bulk, chemical, or LPG ship, will have an emergency generator. This will start about 45 seconds after the ship's power has failed.

This doesn't give you full steering, but it gives you emergency steering that you can use to get into clear water and anchor. It takes time to slow a ship down. If you're moving at 5 knots and put on the brake, it will slowly come down to 4.8 knots, 4.6 knots, and so on — it won't just stop. There isn't a single solution to such a situation. Each case is different.

There are several questions that an internal auditor would want the management of the ship to answer

After I stopped working as a captain, I became an internal auditor for a shipping company, where I carried out audits on the health, safety, and environment of merchant ships worldwide.

When you first hear that an incident like the Baltimore crash has occurred, there are several questions that, as an internal auditor, I'd want the management of the ship to answer. I'd want to know whether the bridge was mentioned in the passage-plan meeting — a meeting before the voyage attended by the captain and senior officers from the navigation team and engineering. You also have another meeting about the next port while at the previous port, where you'd discuss things such as currents.

I'd also want to know what triggered this power failure. Has it happened before, and how often has the ship received maintenance?

There's something called the planned maintenance system. In the same way that a car manufacturer guides you on what you need to do to the car after 50,000 miles, every piece of equipment on the ship has a guideline on how it should be maintained. So I'd want to check whether routine maintenance and long-term preventive-maintenance guidelines were followed.

How a shipping company would manage a collision

In the event of an incident, the shipping company would establish an emergency control room at the company headquarters in their own country, which would be manned 24/7. They would have everything about the ship in that room, such as drawings of the vessel. The shipping company's staff would communicate with the ship and the agent on the ground, who is nominated to speak on their behalf.

They will also take a look at the black box on the bridge , which contains the voice recordings of everything that was said on the bridge between crew members and what they said when speaking to the authorities or the engine room.

Being an outside observer of an event like this makes it easy to comment, but I do think about the captain of that ship and the pressure they must be going through.

We cannot change what happened, but thousands of vessels trading worldwide can learn from this and understand what happened to ensure that such accidents do not happen again.

Watch: The container ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge has crashed before

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• Life & Culture

What’s it like to dine on Tampa’s new riverboat cruise Craft? We took a ride.

• Helen Freund Times staff

TAMPA — We almost didn’t make the boat.

Traffic snarled through downtown Tampa and stretched onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, delaying what would have been a 45-minute drive from St. Petersburg to nearly an hour and a half in stop-and-go congestion.

We had reservations for Craft, Tampa’s brand-new riverboat dinner cruise set to depart at 7:30 p.m. — and a friendly confirmation email reminding us that our purchase was nonrefundable. We’d been encouraged to arrive 45 minutes early, when we would have presumably been able to commence a leisurely boarding, river breeze in our hair, Champagne flute in hand.

Life had other plans. At 7:25 p.m., my dinner date and I swung our car into the Garrison Street parking lot, narrowly avoiding getting struck by an oncoming streetcar.

Following a quick security wand-down (the boat adheres to U.S. Coast Guard rules) and a $30 event-fueled parking fee (Tim McGraw was playing a show at nearby Amalie Arena), crew members greeted us with a quick photograph and a glass of bubbly before sending us on our way.

“Welcome to our maiden voyage!” they exclaimed as we rushed aboard.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m., we were off, out of the Ybor Turning Basin and into the sunset.

Described as a “culinary and cocktail river journey,” Craft debuted its inaugural dinner cruise on March 15. The multimillion-dollar project is the latest endeavor from Jill and Troy Manthey, who also run several other entertainment-on-the-water concepts, including Yacht StarShip, Pirate Water Taxi and the Bay Rocket.

Designed with European riverboats in mind, the 130-foot-long vessel boasts a sleek, white silhouette with less than 11 feet of vertical clearance — meaning it can comfortably drift beneath many of Tampa’s low-lying bridges. But this ship’s real appeal lies in the coupling of an elevated culinary program, contemporary aesthetic and craft cocktails.

A trip aboard Craft includes a two-hour cruise up and down the Hillsborough River and a three-course prix-fixe meal. To start, there are lunch, brunch and dinner trips on deck, but a happy hour option may soon be in the works.

Running any kind of marine operation comes with steep operating costs — including fuel, dock rental fees and staffing — and the experience here is priced accordingly. But it still comes with a good deal of sticker shock. For two people on a Friday evening, we paid $392.59 for the boat ride and the three-course dinner — not including gratuity or drinks.

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I love a fancy boat ride as much as the next person, but the pricing gave me pause.

Would the experience be worth it?

Things were a lot smoother once we got on board.

We entered through the front of the boat, or bow, and were shown to our seats inside a narrow dining room, flanked by windows overlooking the water. Wood paneling combined with slight nautical touches lent the space a warm, industrial-chic vibe.

Servers clad in white collared shirts and gray aprons whisked back and forth between the tables, balancing martini coupes and taking orders. In an attempt to let the crew develop their sea legs, the boat wasn’t fully booked that evening, but the dining room still felt abuzz with excitement and curiosity.

Clutching our Champagne, we glided through Sparkman Channel at dusk, glitzy Harbour Island homes glowing in the evening light as a Maggie Rogers track played softly in the background. We let out a collective exhale as the chaos of the day faded away.

Over the course of the roughly two-hour cruise, the boat steered up the Hillsborough River, passing Riverwalk landmarks including the Tampa Convention Center, Armature Works and Rick’s on the River, before turning around and heading back.

Guests were encouraged to explore the boat. The Bow and Stern bar, beautifully designed and fashioned out of a vintage 1914 cruiser, provided additional seating in the rear for those looking for more of an al fresco experience.

Throughout the evening, the crew moved back and forth between the dining room, the bar and the kitchen, sometimes stepping out on the deck to alert passengers when their meals had been delivered. Guests roamed the boat taking photographs, while patrons inside chatted up their neighbors, much of the voyage illuminated by the lights of downtown Tampa.

Craft’s strongest selling point is its culinary program, and the menu here is a far cry from the goblets of white wine and dry chicken associated with most dinner cruises.

Designed by chef Allison Beasman (formerly of Edison: Food + Drink Lab), the list of contemporary New American dishes runs the gamut from a black grouper served with Little Neck clams and Pernod cream to a Wagyu coulotte with kabocha caramel and a Korean barbecue octopus. As part of the prix-fixe deal, guests are able to pick an appetizer, entree and dessert from a menu of roughly 13 different dishes.

Part of what makes the vessel stand out is the addition of an open kitchen with gas stoves, and the concept’s design allows guests to get a peek of the action if they’re on their way to the bathroom or the bar.

When it came time to order dinner, our server patiently guided us through the menu, pointing out the additional dishes we could choose if we wished to add a little something extra onto our prepaid meal. We opted for the olive oil-marinated sheep and goat’s milk cheese ($18), which was just as tasty as our server touted. It arrived in a rich red pepper-packed pisto, drizzled with a healthy glug of olive oil and served with crusty bread for dipping.

Dishes are made to order and don’t necessarily arrive at the same time as other passengers’ meals. Our appetizers showed up roughly 45 minutes into the trip, a delightful baby kale salad lightly dressed in a white balsamic vinaigrette that was toothsome with chicory and shaved carrots and plumped up with fried baby potatoes and a healthy shaving of ricotta salata. Also good was the hearty tomato bisque with roasted bone marrow and blackened cipollini onions.

For our entrees, a seared duck breast arrived fanned out over silky whipped potatoes and a creamy goat cheese fondue, framed by Brussels sprouts and fat wedges of roasted golden beets. Though the duck was cooked a little past the requested temperature, it was still delicious. A plate of sweet and sour braised short ribs packed powerhouse flavors that paired beautifully together, all served over a sweet and sticky coconut rice sidling bok choy and juicy tangerine segments.

For dessert, we paired a perfect few scoops of pistachio ice cream with a chocolate espresso dacquoise, an intensely rich and sweet layer cake featuring a tart blackberry curd and creamy dark chocolate ganache.

The fine print

The water was calm that night and the entire service appeared well-rehearsed — absent of any major hiccups and even graceful at moments. As far as I could tell, there were no seasick passengers or man-overboard scenarios, which felt like some kind of success, though I did wonder what type of balance or physical dexterity would be required to maneuver trays of wobbling martini glasses over stormier seas.

Though tiered pricing exists for Craft — for different seats, times of day or days of the week — there’s no overlooking that a trip aboard the vessel isn’t cheap.

With neither drinks nor gratuity included in the booking price, if you’re looking to enjoy the evening with a couple of libations, it’s going to cost you. The add-ons can feel excessive, from a $50 king crab leg tray to the preboarding photograph crew members try to sell you at the end of the night. A suggested gratuity is presented on your bill, based on the total sales tallied for the table that evening, including the cost of the original reservation.

Some changes are bound to be expected as the company assesses guest interest and feedback. Even after the first week, it appears some prices have been slightly adjusted. Dinner for two people seated in the dining room with window seats now comes to $369.89 after taxes and marine fees, while weekend brunches for the same seats start at $89.95 per person.

It’s hard to imagine making dining here a regular occurrence, but for a special occasion, an evening aboard Craft can be a real delight.

Next time, though, I’ll remember to leave myself plenty of time to get there.

For Craft reservations and information, go to crafttampa.com/ . The riverboat departs from the dock at 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

Helen Freund is the food and dining critic, reporting on and reviewing restaurants throughout Tampa Bay. Reach her at [email protected].

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6 Top Transatlantic Cruises for 2024

T ransatlantic cruises are unique when you compare them to traditional cruises most people book for family trips and romantic getaways. These voyages tend to be longer in general, and they have more built-in days at sea and offer a lot more time on board as a result. Repositioning cruises that include a transatlantic crossing tend to attract more retirees and travelers who just want to relax and enjoy their ships' amenities, especially since fewer days in port means fewer excursions and more time doing nothing at all.

That said, the fact that transatlantic cruises can last as few as seven nights means they may fit in your plans more easily than you may think. There are also some benefits to transatlantic crossings that may not be obvious, including lower nightly rates, more onboard credit, and more time to kick back and relax at a floating luxury resort in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you're curious which transatlantic cruises are best for 2024, here are six top picks with different cruise lengths, itineraries and unique destinations to explore.

Explore cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Cunard Line

Date: Departs May 5, 2024

Departure port: Brooklyn, New York

Starting price: $2,449 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 7 to 18 nights

In May of 2024, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 vessel will offer three different transatlantic crossings of various lengths. Choose from a seven-night sailing from Brooklyn, New York , to Southampton, England; a nine-night sailing to Hamburg, Germany ; and an 18-night round-trip sailing that departs from Brooklyn and crosses the Atlantic twice on the way back to its starting point. This unique combination of itineraries lets you cross the sea and tailor your trip to how long you want to be away from home.

The 18-night itinerary is especially interesting, since it lets you depart from the United States and arrive back in Brooklyn in the end with stops in both England and Germany, as well as plenty of sea days in between. Luxury cruise line Cunard is known for its elegant design, lush amenities and upscale feel, and the Queen Mary 2 is one of the line's most luxurious ships. Highlights on this exclusive vessel include the Royal Court Theatre, a casino, gala evenings, an onboard spa and a vast library. The Queen Mary 2 holds up to 2,691 guests with 1,173 crew to cater to your every need.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Date: Departs March 24, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Starting price: $5,949 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 21 nights

Seabourn is offering a 21-night transatlantic cruise from Miami on Seabourn Quest in March 2024 that offers a diverse range of ports of call before ending its voyage in Las Palmas in Spain's Canary Islands . Departure from Miami is followed by nine days at sea. Then, you'll enjoy multiple stops in the Canary Islands – including Santa Cruz de La Palma and San Sebastián de La Gomera – as well as stops in Praia and Mindelo the Cape Verde archipelago.

This journey with Seabourn makes it possible for travelers to see some of the most beautiful and remote tropical islands in the world. The Canary Islands are known for their white sand beaches , volcanoes and lush greenery; similar landscapes can also be found in Cape Verde's coastal towns and villages. Seabourn Quest, a smaller ocean vessel, accommodates just 229 guests.

MSC Cruises

Date: Departs Nov. 8, 2024

Departure port: Southampton, England

Starting price: $769 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 16 nights

The MSC Virtuosa from MSC Cruises is repositioning from Europe to the Caribbean in November 2024, which gives travelers the chance to enjoy a lengthy transatlantic crossing with plenty of unique ports. This sailing departs from England with eight sea days plus stops in France, the Azores of Portugal, St. Maarten , Antigua and Barbuda, and Martinique . The ship ends its journey in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

The MSC Virtuosa is a larger cruise vessel that boasts an impressive grand promenade with a LED dome ceiling, dedicated clubs for children and teens, an onboard spa, a lavish casino and the luxurious MSC Yacht Club section of the ship. This vessel holds a maximum of 6,334 passengers at once.

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Princess Cruises

Date: Departs July 5, 2024

Departure port: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn)

Starting price: $4,098 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 31 nights

Princess Cruises also offers its share of transatlantic sailings on various vessels. Its 31-night crossing from New York to Barcelona, Spain , on Island Princess in July 2024 is jam-packed with exciting destinations to explore. This lengthy transatlantic voyage has only 13 sea days with planned stops in Canada's Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England, Spain, Portugal and Morocco before the journey ends in Barcelona.

This intriguing sailing experience with Princess takes passengers to eight different countries in the span of a month. Island Princess is a nice ship for a long sailing because of its smaller size, with just 2,200 passengers and 900 crew. But the ship is also large enough to have a huge selection of included and specialty dining options, a Vegas-style casino, a sports court, a large central atrium for gathering, and several pools and hot tubs to enjoy.

Celebrity Cruises

Date: Departs April 11, 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Starting price: $760 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 12 nights

Celebrity Cruises is offering a 12-night sailing on Celebrity Equinox in April 2024 that starts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and ends in Lisbon, Portugal – making it possible for travelers to enjoy eight relaxing days at sea. What's interesting about this sailing is its stops along the way, which include the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda; Porta Delgada in Portugal's Azores archipelago; and Porto in mainland Portugal.

The Celebrity Equinox accommodates a maximum of just 2,852 passengers at once, so this Celebrity vessel is a solid choice for travelers who want just the right size ship instead of a smaller vessel or a megaship. There are also plenty of onboard features to keep you happy and entertained as you float across the Atlantic Ocean, including The Casino, The Lawn Club with outdoor games like bocce ball and croquet, The Martini Bar, the adults-only Solarium and more.

Royal Caribbean International

Dates: Departs Oct. 24, 2024

Departure port: Barcelona, Spain

Starting price: $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 14 nights

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is hosting a transatlantic voyage in October 2024 that departs from Barcelona, Spain, and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This vessel will make stops in Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartagena and Málaga in Spain, then spend eight days at sea. After that, enjoy a day in Nassau in the Bahamas before the cruise drops passengers off in sunny Florida.

Interior staterooms on this Royal Caribbean sailing start at just $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees), which works out to around $60 per night, per person. The Oasis of the Seas megaship can hold a total of 6,771 guests and 2,109 crew, so it's an enormous vessel – to put it mildly. This size may not be ideal for travelers who want a more intimate cruising experience, but it's perfect for cruisers who want plenty of space to spread out and endless activities to take part in. Oasis of the Seas boasts 20 different restaurants and cafes, 11 bars and lounges, a variety of pools and whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, the AquaTheater diving and entertainment venue, mini-golf, a casino and plenty more.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Solo Cruises (With No Supplement Fare)
• Sustainable Cruises: The Top Lines Making Progress
• Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials Chosen by Experts

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