Monday, April 1, 2024

The Best Transatlantic Cruising Planning Tips

how long is a transatlantic cruise

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. 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. The number of consecutive sea days on a repositioning transatlantic cruise can be as few as five when port calls in the Canaries, the Azores, Bermuda or Barbados are used to shorten the actual crossing.

Onboard Amenities and Activities As You Cross The Atlantic

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. But do not forget warm-weather necessities such as shorts, bathing suits, a light jacket and a hat. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week.

A cruising expert’s recommendation

Since you’ll be on the ship for so long, a transatlantic cruise is an excellent opportunity to splurge on a more luxurious cruise, such as Cunard. Cunard has many transatlantic offerings throughout the year for you to choose from, mainly between Southampton and New York. Celebrity Cruises offers several transatlantic cruises with departing locations in Bermuda or Florida and Southwestern Europe.

What to Do While Cruising the Atlantic

This is the perfect transatlantic cruise length; it gives you plenty of time to explore more exotic destinations like Ponta Delgada, Azores. Every season has its pros and cons when it comes to transatlantic cruises, however, for the most favourable weather conditions a sailing between December and May is considered optimal. Even better, per-night rates are typically lower on crossings than on round-trip, port-intensive cruises. No matter which transatlantic cruise you deem best for your travel style and interests, it will surely be a memorable bucket-list trip.

The elements of a Transatlantic Crossing

It’s not a port that would likely be included on a transatlantic sailing to or from Southampton, but for sailings to or from Rome or Barcelona, it’s often added to the itinerary. Transatlantic cruises will sail between the home ports used by the bigger cruise lines – so typically from the ports of Florida or New York on the western side, and from Southampton, Barcelona or Rome on the eastern side. And it’s when the ships are being repositioned that they offer a transatlantic cruise. But it’ll be one-way, and you’ll have to fly either to the ship for embarkation, or on your return home. On some of the larger ships in the world, this isn’t much of a problem at all – even on a transatlantic sailing, you don’t have time to experience everything that the ship has to offer.

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. 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. Cunard's Queen Mary 2 crosses the Atlantic many times per year in ocean-liner fashion. For some, the point-to-point cruise acts as an alternative to flying between North America and Europe.

Best transatlantic cruises for 2024 and 2025 - The Points Guy

Best transatlantic cruises for 2024 and 2025.

Posted: Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Then fuel up at breakfast in our Main Dining Room, where there’s everything from pancakes to poached eggs, and later book a rejuvenating massage at The Spa in the afternoon. In the evenings, guests can indulge in amazing drink, cuisine, and entertainment, comfortably knowing “home” is only a few decks away, no ride-share needed, she said. But think about whether you really need a balcony – after all, the majority of the crossing all you will see is an expanse of water. To minimize motion sickness, choose a cabin that is centrally located and on a lower deck.

how long is a transatlantic cruise

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. On standard repositioning cruises, lines might add some additional activities to occupy passengers on all of those consecutive sea days. But there is only so much trivia, Texas Hold'em, afternoon napping, wine tasting, and mini-golf one can handle.

From the sparkling sea that awaits with every sunrise to dappled skies at dusk, and everything in between. When it comes to wildlife, you could spot whales or dolphins across the horizon, or soaring sea birds up above. Just as remarkable on approach as it is to bid farewell to on an eastbound sailing. Start by taking in the scenic beauty of Namibia, with a port call in Luderitz, known for its colorful colonial architecture. 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.

Why a Transatlantic Cruise Could Be Your Next Favorite Vacation - Matador Network

Why a Transatlantic Cruise Could Be Your Next Favorite Vacation.

Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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. 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. 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.

One of the highlights of sailing on a transatlantic cruise is the opportunity to take advantage of all the venues and amenities on board during those successive days at sea. For instance, if you value luxury and traditional cruising, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is an excellent option. If exploring unique destinations is a priority, consider cruise lines with more diverse port stops. The duration of a transatlantic cruise can vary depending on several factors, such as the speed of the ship, the distance traveled, and the ports of call along the way. As you plan your transatlantic cruise, take into account the cruising speed and itinerary of different ships to determine the duration that best aligns with your preferences and schedule. It’s important to consider your preferences and priorities when selecting a ship for your transatlantic journey.

Now that we have discussed the average duration of Atlantic cruises, let’s move on to some tips for planning a transatlantic cruise. The duration of an Atlantic cruise can vary depending on the type of ship you choose. Different ships have different speeds and itineraries, which can significantly impact the overall time taken for the crossing.

Whether you're the athletic type who enjoys running or the inquisitive type who loves to delve into books, the choices to enhance your skills and passions are endless. A transatlantic cruise involves sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to North America, or vice-versa, with Southampton to New York widely considered the most famous route. 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. 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.

April is outside of the Atlantic's stormy season, so a voyage should not see significantly strong winds. The average temperature in the UK in April is around 12°C (53° F), and in New York, it’s around 15°C (59° F). So, while you shouldn’t expect balmy evenings, you will likely enjoy a mild temperature during the days of your Transatlantic Crossing.

Cruise lines typically schedule a robust line-up of speakers on crossings, featuring experts in the arts, history and world affairs. It's not uncommon to cruise with best-selling authors, former government officials, professional musicians, and award-winning actors. Cruise lines do their best to keep their passengers occupied, and on a multiday trip at sea, they outdo themselves. Most lines make sure the schedule's packed, offering everything from whiskey tastings to yoga classes -- and that's just scratching the surface. When booking a Transatlantic cruise, cabin location can be even more significant, especially whether you choose port or starboard.

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