Monday, April 1, 2024

Cruise Critic Members Share 6 Tips on Planning a Transatlantic Cruise

how long is a transatlantic cruise

By considering all of these factors, you can find the perfect transatlantic cruise for your needs. Each route offers its own unique experiences, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you. On this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the factors that affect the length of a transatlantic cruise, and we’ll provide some tips for choosing the right cruise for your needs. 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. However, there can be some transatlantic cruises that occur on either side of the typical months. If the price is right for your budget, by all means get a cabin with a balcony.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Splendor

“If you’re traveling with a dog and prefer not to fly with them, another perk specific to Cunard transatlantic sailings is that they have incredible onboard kennels,” she said. Holland America Line is celebrating its 150th Anniversary on April 18, and to mark this milestone, the cruise line will sail two commemorative transatlantic crossings on Oct. 15 and April 4. MaryBeth Kardos of Seattle said she prefers the transatlantic sailings because it’s less hassle and she enjoys the downtime. When sailing on a transatlantic crossing the luxury of time is the greatest vacation perk. We’ve spoken to travelers who share why they choose transatlantic sailings and why you should too. Transatlantic cruising is a vacation option that can offer value as well as several back-to-back days to unwind at sea while enjoying world-class service and enriching activities.

Best Time for Transatlantic Cruises

During these months, you’re likely to experience mild to warm temperatures and calmer seas. For those in search of personal growth and cultural enrichment, many cruises include educational programs like language classes, art workshops, and trivia games to keep your mind engaged. You can indulge in fine dining and entertainment options, such as live shows, music, comedy, and lectures. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Gala Evenings are a regular feature of sailing with Cunard and a magical way to round off an evening on board. Feel your inhibitions dissolve and be captivated by the wondrous sense of occasion as you join your fellow guests on the largest dance floor at sea.

From NY to the UK by water: 5 things to know aboard the Queen Mary 2 - USA TODAY

From NY to the UK by water: 5 things to know aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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For example, a trip that's 12 nights long might stop at just one port of call (perhaps Portugal's island of Madeira) before winding up in Barcelona. There might be seven straight days at sea upon leaving Miami, with two more between Madeira and Barcelona. The difference in how long a transatlantic cruise takes depends on the ports that are included. The fastest ones go direct from Southampton to New York with no stops, while others may call at ports further south on the US coastline, or they may travel to/from ports further east in Europe.

My Celebrity BEYOND transatlantic cruise continues - Washington Blade

My Celebrity BEYOND transatlantic cruise continues.

Posted: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A cruising expert’s recommendation

October and November are the most common months for ships to sail back to the Americas. 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.

What is Included in a Transatlantic Cruise?

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. The length of a transatlantic cruise depends on the itinerary, but most cruises take between 7 and 14 days. During your many days at sea, you will probably want to make use of the pools or your cruise ship’s spa. 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). The Atlantic sea can be rough and although ship captains have some options to maneuver around storms and choppy waters, even experienced cruisers with the strongest of stomachs should be prepared just in case. Ships will likely have Dramamine and other seasick remedies to offer you, but you may have to buy it by the pill and you may not feel like leaving  your cabin to get it if you’re feeling woozy.

One thing you won’t need to worry about is jet lag, which is a major benefit of cruise travel over flying. I suffer so badly from jetlag, especially when traveling West to East, so I’m really looking forward to traveling to and from the States by Ship rather than Air. These longer voyages also provide ample opportunities to relax and unwind, with spa and leisure facilities like pools, jacuzzis, saunas, and massages.

how long is a transatlantic cruise

The most popular transatlantic cruise route is from New York City to London. 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. 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.

The Tranquility At Sea

how long is a transatlantic cruise

Those who are prone to seasickness should have a variety of remedies to prevent or treat this malady. 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. One of the things that sets apart a transatlantic cruise from other cruise itineraries are the number of consecutive days you’ll spend at sea.

Summer is the peak season for transatlantic cruises, and prices are typically higher. Winter is the off-season, and prices are lower, but you’ll have to contend with colder weather. Unlike most multi-country cruises, which visit numerous ports of call throughout their itineraries, transatlantic sailings typically visit destinations at the beginning and end of their journeys. During the extended trip across the ocean, you’ll be able to enjoy a resort-style vacation in the open waters. That said, repositioning sailings, she explained, are traditionally priced to sell, and people do grab them up quickly. A transatlantic cruise offers an unforgettable cruising experience, with numerous relaxing sea days providing ample time to enjoy the ship’s amenities and fully disconnect from daily life.

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. When determining the best time of year for a Transatlantic Cruise, you will need to take the weather conditions into consideration. Regardless of the time of year, Cunard cruises heading eastbound are routinely cheaper than those starting in England. Westbound cruises tend to be a few hundred dollars more per passenger for similar accommodations.

That's why your faithful friend is also invited on our transatlantic cruise. Our unique kennels even include a convenient lamp post from Liverpool and fire hydrant from New York. On these Transatlantic cruises, the weather may be more temperamental, with more turbulent seas in this part of the Atlantic Ocean.

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. 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. These generally occur in the spring (late March to early May) and fall (September to November).

Although, the per day costs are actually cheaper on longer transatlantic cruises. 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. 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. A long flight across the Atlantic is stressful, tiring, and often not a good beginning or ending to your vacation.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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