A transatlantic cruise ranks excessive on many vacationers’ bucket lists, particularly those that love the camaraderie and journey of a voyage by ship. Right now’s roughly 4,000-nautical-mile transatlantic crossing is extra akin to the pre-aviation “Grand Tour” rich People as soon as loved than the immigration journeys a lot of our European ancestors made out of the seventeenth to early twentieth centuries.
Leisurely and splendid, a one-way crusing gives wonderful eating, wellness-oriented pampering, enlightening lectures, glamorous nightlife and loads of time to calm down. Transatlantic cruises are additionally an answer for vacationers preferring to not fly and a tempting choice for cruise lovers searching for an extended itinerary at an inexpensive worth.
Is a transatlantic cruise proper for everybody? Not essentially, particularly for anybody vulnerable to average to extreme sea illness. Nevertheless, for many who love sea days — and lots of cruisers do — a crossing can supply an uninterrupted “floating resort” expertise; plus, it offers the added bonus of delivering you to Europe or returning you residence with out a cramped transatlantic flight.
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Here is all the pieces it’s good to find out about cruising the Atlantic — plus a collection of the very best transatlantic cruises you’ll be able to e book in 2024 and 2025.
Which cruise traces supply transatlantic crossings?
Whereas Cunard Line is most well-known for its weekly crossings between Southampton, England, and New York Metropolis — which sail from April to December on its ocean liner Queen Mary 2 — just about each main cruise line gives transatlantic crossings.
These usually happen within the spring (late March to early Could) and fall (September to November). Within the spring, ships are repositioned from the Caribbean to Europe, and within the fall, vessels sail from Europe to the U.S. to start Canada-New England and Caribbean itineraries.
Often known as repositioning cruises, these sailings are often longer than a conventional crossing and infrequently embody a number of port calls past the town of embarkation and disembarkation.
Even higher, cruise fares for these itineraries are usually one-third to one-half the worth of a cruise of the identical size that visits a brand new port every day. This makes them an important deal for vacationers seeking to settle into shipboard life quite than simply sightsee.
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All these transatlantic/repositioning itineraries are supplied by Azamara, Carnival, Movie star, Disney, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Seabourn, Sea Dream Yacht Membership, Silversea, Star Clippers, Windstar, Viking and Virgin.
When is the very best time of yr for transatlantic cruises?
The greatest time to take a transatlantic cruise depends upon what you are searching for: nice climate, easy seas, the very best worth or particular ports of name.
Usually talking, Could, June and July are really useful for hotter climate and gentler seas — earlier than the Atlantic hurricane season peaks in August, September and October — though storms can come up any time of the yr.
March, April and November — whereas not splendid on account of cooler temperatures that may restrict on-deck and poolside enjoyment — are choice and a terrific worth. That is very true if the ship’s route is a southerly one between Florida and the Mediterranean quite than between northern Europe and New York.
As famous above, the very best costs are usually in spring and fall for repositioning cruises. These itineraries may additionally go to a number of interesting ports within the Mediterranean or Caribbean in addition to name on the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Iceland or Bermuda within the Atlantic.
Associated: Why I used to be mistaken about transatlantic cruises
How lengthy does the crossing take?
It varies. The traditional nonstop transatlantic itinerary aboard Queen Mary 2 is a seven-night voyage between New York and Southampton (and vice versa). Alternatively, transatlantic repositioning cruises usually vary in size from 11 to 21 nights, with a median of 14 nights (seven or eight of them usually sea days).
Will the seas be tough?
It is as much as Mom Nature. At instances, the Atlantic could be easy crusing, even in spring and fall. But unpredictable wind and water present patterns can create tough seas seemingly out of nowhere any time of yr.
Captains can usually maneuver round storms — and check out to take action each time attainable for the consolation of all onboard. Moreover, fashionable cruise ships are geared up with stabilizers that scale back a ship’s rolling movement on account of wind or waves.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re even barely vulnerable to seasickness, do not throw warning to the wind. You will be higher off on a bigger ship (decide a midship cabin on a decrease deck); additionally, be sure you pack treatment, patches, bands or no matter works greatest for you. Whereas it might sound counterintuitive, having a window or balcony really helps offset seasickness because it gives contemporary air and a horizon view. In the event you’re involved, go for an ocean-view or balcony cabin over an inside one.
Which facet of the ship is greatest for a transatlantic crossing?
It truthfully does not make a lot distinction whether or not you e book a cabin on the port (left) or starboard (proper) facet of the ship since most daytime views shall be of the ocean. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re departing from a Mediterranean port, say Rome or Barcelona, for a southerly crossing, e book a starboard cabin; this would possibly supply a view of the Rock of Gibraltar in case your ship transits between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic throughout daytime. For a U.S.-to-Europe eastward crossing, you’d need the other — a port-side cabin.
Equally, in case your crossing takes you from northern Europe on a northerly path to the U.S., and also you need to be among the many first to identify land (maybe Greenland or Newfoundland), e book a starboard cabin. If you’re cruising into New York Harbor simply earlier than daybreak and need to see the Statue of Liberty out of your cabin, e book on the port facet.
Extra essential for an Atlantic crossing location-wise is your cabin’s deck quantity and whether or not the cabin is located ahead, midship or aft. Usually, the ship’s motion by means of tough seas will really feel much less extreme in case your cabin is midship and on one of many decrease or center decks versus the top-most decks.
Associated: The 5 most fascinating cabin places on any cruise ship
Which ports do transatlantic cruises go to?
The place you embark and disembark will decide your route and the ports you probably name on. Ships repositioning to or from the Baltic Sea and the British Isles usually take a northerly route. Vessels crusing from the Mediterranean cross on a extra southerly route, particularly if they’re repositioning to or from a winter residence port in Florida.
On a northerly crossing, you’ll be able to anticipate to embark in a port resembling Copenhagen; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Southampton or New York. Relying on the size of the cruise, anticipate to name on ports in Eire (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 within the Mediterranean and Miami or Fort Lauderdale, typical ports of name embody Madeira; Grand Canary or Tenerife within the Canary Islands; Ponta Delgada within the Azores; and one or two islands within the Caribbean, resembling St. Maarten or Puerto Rico.
Is it higher to e book an eastbound or westbound cruise?
Which course you e book actually depends upon whether or not you are aboard for the expertise otherwise you’re utilizing the crossing as an alternative choice to a flight to achieve the opposite facet of the ocean. Under are a couple of components to remember.
Apart from Queen Mary 2 crossings, westbound transatlantic repositioning cruises (from Europe to the U.S.) happen within the fall in the course of the Atlantic hurricane season; some are additionally scheduled for mid-to-late November when storm formation has usually diminished. Eastbound cruises (from the U.S. to Europe) occur in spring, a season additionally typically identified for durations of grey skies and rain.
When contemplating westbound versus eastbound crossings, issue within the time change. Whereas a transatlantic cruise is a terrific approach to keep away from the jet lag attributable to flying throughout a number of time zones in a single day, you can be topic to virtually every day reminders to reset your clock.
On westbound cruises, you may should set your clock again at evening, thus gaining an additional hour of sleep on most days. On eastbound cruises, you may set it forward an hour and lose an hour of leisure time or sleep.
One other issue to remember is that except you propose to return residence on one other transatlantic cruise, you may additionally must e book a one-way flight. Earlier than committing to a selected eastbound or westbound itinerary, all the time test your flight choices. One-way tickets are generally dearer than round-trip fares.
Greatest transatlantic cruises for 2024 and 2025
There are dozens of alternatives to cross the Atlantic by cruise ship, however listed below are a few of the greatest itineraries accessible within the subsequent two years.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2
- Transatlantic crossings: Could to December 2024 and 2025
There’s nothing fairly prefer it. Cunard‘s weekly transatlantic crossing between New York and Southampton aboard the two,691-guest Queen Mary 2 celebrates the grand age of ocean liners with a stage of pomp and ceremony that appeals to Cunard loyalists, bucket-listers and memory-making {couples} or households celebrating a milestone anniversary or birthday.
These eight-night eastbound and six-night westbound voyages are all in regards to the sea. There are interludes of culinary enjoyment and night leisure designed for vacationers who recognize formality and glamour.
A typical day would possibly embody time within the library perusing the most important e book assortment at sea, getting an illuminating astronomy lesson within the onboard planetarium and having fun with conventional afternoon tea.
The night lineup usually begins with a multicourse dinner (identical desk and identical waiter nightly) adopted by a Broadway-inspired present, an abridged Shakespeare play or perhaps a magic act. The ship can also be well-known for its Gala Evenings, capped off with Champagne sipping and dancing to a reside orchestra. Sure, pack these ballgowns and tuxes.
Cruise fares begin at $1,129 per individual for an inside cabin and $1,619 per individual for a balcony room.
Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Woman
- 16-night Rome to Miami: Nov. 28-Dec. 14, 2024
- 15-night Miami to Casablanca and Barcelona cruises: Could 3-18, 2025
Virgin Voyages‘ 2,770-guest Scarlet Woman has an onboard atmosphere that rivals a youthful seaside membership. Passengers and crew will hold the occasion going day and evening this fall on a 16-night Rome to Miami transatlantic crusing. The crusing has calls on Barcelona and Malaga in Spain; Funchal on the island of Madeira; and Santa Cruz de Tenerife within the Canary Islands.
Or, occasion in reverse on the ship’s 15-night Miami to Casablanca and Barcelona crossing in Could 2025. It stops in Grand Canary and Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Casablanca, Morocco; and Barcelona.
The ship’s 20 glorious eating venues, cutting-edge leisure (campy and a bit naughty — assume Drag Queen Bingo), spectacular lineup of wellness courses (from yoga at dawn to On-the-Upswing Bungee aerobics) and enjoyable actions (’90s Boy Band Dance Class, anybody?) present loads of methods to go the time.
Cruise fares begin at $4,384 per cabin (or lower than $2,200 per individual) for the Rome-to-Miami crusing and $3,706 per cabin (or lower than $1,900 per individual) for the Miami-to-Barcelona crusing.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream
- 13-night eastbound transatlantic cruise: Could 5-18, 2024
- 13-night westbound transatlantic cruise: Oct. 20-Nov. 2, 2024
Sure Disney followers — particularly childless grownup {couples} and empty nesters — love the model’s storytelling and Imagineering however desire to not share a two-week cruise with tons of of youngsters and youths. These 13-night eastbound and westbound crossings from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona and from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale aboard 2,500-passenger Disney Dream supply an answer to that dilemma.
Every of those transatlantic cruises happens when virtually everybody ages 5 to 18 continues to be at school. Sure, some children will probably be on board, however actually not in overwhelming numbers.
These crossings characteristic 9 to 11 sea days throughout which Disney Cruise Line gives all types of immersive leisure, glorious onboard eating and a southerly route in spring which means loads of pool time. On prime of that, every crusing contains a mixture of culturally wealthy ports.
On the eastbound crossing, they’re Ponta Delgada; Lisbon; and Cadiz, Cartagena and Barcelona, Spain. On the westbound crossing, the ports are Ponta Delgada and the brand new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level.
Eastbound fares for balcony cabins begin at $4,516 for 2 adults (or about $2,258 per individual). Westbound fares are a bit pricier, beginning at $5,517 for an inside cabin ($2,708 per individual).
Associated: 5 explanation why Disney cruises aren’t only for children
Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam
- 28-night Adriatic Dream and Passage to America: Nov. 2-30, 2024
For a shoulder-season meander by means of the Adriatic and Mediterranean adopted by a transatlantic crossing, Holland America‘s 28-night Adriatic Dream and Passage to America visits 14 ports in seven international locations. This makes it a real hybrid of an ocean crossing and a conventional cruise.
The crusing, aboard the three,665-passenger Nieuw Statendam, departs from Athens and visits ports in Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Albania, Spain and Portugal earlier than arriving in Fort Lauderdale. Of the 12 sea days, two embody scenic cruising.
The voyage takes place in November, so anticipate temperatures to be on the cooler facet in most ports and in the course of the crossing. It is a good factor, then, that Nieuw Statendam has an indoor pool with a retractable roof. Holland America passengers, largely older retirees, may also go the time eating at every of the ten onboard eating places and revel in leisure that features reside bands on the B.B. King’s Blues Membership and Rolling Stone Rock Room.
At $2,499 per individual for an inside cabin and $3,749 per individual for a balcony cabin, fares are an important deal for a four-week crusing.
Movie star Cruises’ Movie star Ascent and Movie star Apex
- 13-night Spain, Portugal and Bermuda transatlantic: Oct. 26-Nov. 8, 2024
- 13-night Bermuda and Portugal transatlantic: March 8-21, 2025
Movie star Cruises‘ Spain, Portugal and Bermuda transatlantic crusing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale gives 13 nights aboard its latest ship, Movie star Ascent. The crusing options port calls in Alicante, Spain; Gibraltar; Ponta Delgada; and King’s Wharf, together with eight sea days.
Accommodating 3,260 passengers, Movie star Ascent is a megaship designed with adults in thoughts. On board, you may discover a number of scorching tubs however no waterslides, modern decor, 32 subtle meals and beverage venues (together with Voyages, Daniel Boulud’s restaurant at sea, bookable at additional value), an indoor solarium pool, a glittering Grand Plaza housing the road’s signature Martini Bar, and nightly leisure starting from high-tech theater productions to multisensory occasions in Eden.
Inside cabin fares begin at $1,353 per individual and balcony cabin fares at $2,399 per individual.
In the event you desire to cross the Atlantic in spring 2025, take sister Edge Class ship Movie star Apex, which carries 2,910 passengers. It can 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 begin from $799 per individual and balcony rooms from $1,272 per individual.
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 crusing from Fort Lauderdale to Rome will meander by means of the Caribbean to the French-Dutch island of St. Martin/St. Maarten. They’ll spend six days crossing the Atlantic and name on Madeira after which in a single day in Barcelona. Then, they may go to the French ports of Sete and Marseille, adopted by Monte Carlo, Monaco, and one other in a single day in Livorno, Italy (gateway to Florence).
The 930-passenger Viking Mars is an adults-only ship that includes a modern Scandinavian design. Friends can take pleasure in elevated (and complimentary) eating in eight venues, in addition to every day actions that embody lectures by visitor audio system and resident historians. (Viking payments itself as “the pondering individual’s cruise.”)
They will even get limitless entry to the thermal suite on the Liv Nordic Spa, a most important pool with a retractable roof (there’s additionally an aft infinity pool and scorching tub), and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner.
Higher nonetheless, the transatlantic cruise fare is about one-third lower than a typical three-week Viking itinerary, with balcony cabins beginning at $7,198 per individual.
Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess
- 27-night Moroccan and Iberian Grand Journey: March 9-April 5, 2025
To snag a superb deal on an virtually month-long journey, try the 27-night Morocco and Iberian Grand Journey. It sails from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton aboard the three,660-passenger Sky Princess. Princess Cruises friends will take pleasure in a southerly spring crossing that culminates with visits to 10 ports in 4 international locations (Portugal, Morocco, Spain and England) — together with Madeira, three Canary Islands and Casablanca.
Sky Princess, which debuted in 2019, is a Royal Class ship that includes three swimming pools, a glittering Italian-style Piazza (residence to Alfredo’s Pizzeria — a few of the greatest pizza at sea), 4 specialty eating venues (at an additional value), poolside Films Underneath the Stars and unique manufacturing exhibits within the Princess Theater.
Inside cabins begin at $2,847 per individual and balcony cabins at $4,747 per individual.
Associated: The 5 greatest locations you’ll be able to go to on a Princess Cruises ship
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor
- 14-night Cape City to Rio de Janeiro: Jan. 5-19, 2025
If crossing the southern Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America on a small luxurious cruise ship is in your bucket checklist, contemplate Regent Seven Seas Cruises‘ early 2025 Cape City to Rio de Janeiro crusing.
Whereas not a cut price by any means, this 14-night itinerary aboard the 750-passenger, all-suite Seven Seas Splendor is all-inclusive. Enterprise-class airfare, transfers, top-notch delicacies, limitless drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and most shore excursions are all included within the fare.
Begin by taking within the scenic great thing about Namibia, with a port name in Luderitz, identified for its colourful colonial structure. One other name is Walvis Bay, the place the ship will in a single day. Right here, you may get an opportunity to expertise the nation’s dramatic sand dunes and resident flamingos. Then, as you cross the Atlantic, you may go to the distant island of St. Helena, the place Napoleon died in exile, earlier than persevering with on to an in a single day keep in Rio de Janeiro forward of disembarkation.
All-inclusive fares begin at $12,949 per individual for a set 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 within the shoulder season earlier than crossing the Atlantic to New York on a November 2024 Norwegian Cruise Line cruise. The Transatlantic (Italy, France and Spain) crusing 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 will spend six days at sea.
The three,099-passenger Norwegian Prima, which debuted in 2022, options 14 eating places (six included and eight specialty choices for an added price) and 19 bars and lounges. It additionally sports activities a three-level go-kart racetrack and virtual-reality gaming. Leisure choices embody “Summer season: The Donna Summer season Musical,” stand-up comedy at The Improv at Sea and a rock cowl band in Syd Norman’s Pour Home.
Inside cabins begin at $1,499 per individual and balcony cabins at $2,199 per individual.
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray
- 25-night Rome to Fort Lauderdale: Nov. 7-Dec. 2, 2025
Plan forward to attain a set on the 25-night Rome to Fort Lauderdale transatlantic crossing in late 2025 aboard Silversea Cruises‘ latest all-suite luxurious ship, Silver Ray, debuting in summer season 2024.
Not solely is the worth all-inclusive, however the 728-passenger ship will go to 11 ports in 5 international locations. You will expertise Livorno; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille; Valencia, Barcelona (in a single day), Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Cadiz, Spain; and Lisbon and Madeira. Then, you may cross the Atlantic and spend an in a single day in Hamilton, Bermuda earlier than disembarking in Fort Lauderdale.
Silver Ray is Silversea’s second Nova Class ship. It options spacious suites and alluring exterior and inside areas excellent for late-season Mediterranean cruising and a cool-weather transatlantic crossing. Its culinary-focused S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Style) program tempts tastebuds with region- and port-inspired menus, cooking courses and cocktails.
All-inclusive, door-to-door fares — which embody economy-class flights, transfers, complimentary drinks and connoisseur eating, butler service, gratuities and choose shore excursions — begin at $13,100 per individual for Traditional Veranda Suite.
Backside line
Regardless of your purpose for contemplating a transatlantic cruise, you are assured to expertise the key magic of sea days, with ample time to calm down and unwind. With no land in sight for roughly every week, you’ll be able to benefit from the ship’s facilities with out feeling rushed.
Make new buddies over espresso or a sport of bridge, watch motion pictures in your cabin, be taught extra in regards to the world throughout lectures by onboard consultants, or deal with your self to rejuvenating massages and facials within the spa.
Even higher, per-night charges are usually decrease on crossings than on round-trip, port-intensive cruises. So, you’ll be able to take pleasure in an extended crusing at a fraction of the same old value. Regardless of which transatlantic cruise you deem greatest to your journey fashion and pursuits, it is going to absolutely be a memorable bucket-list journey.
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