Crossing the 3,000 miles of the Atlantic via cruise ship is an adventure, when you can be removed -- almost suspended -- from time and all cares and reminders of daily life. Instead of a hurried “airport to airport” trip, free time can be spent enjoying all the onboard amenities.  You can spend glorious days of leisure, schedule-free doing whatever you like to do, or you can do nothing at all. It is truly a time where you can rest and indulge yourself completely. Perhaps just visit the spa and high-tech fitness center or simply catch up on your reading and the latest movies.
Transatlantic cruises once were the heart of daily commerce across the Atlantic, but today they are seasonal luxurious treats. Most of the major cruise lines offer these Transatlantic sailings when their ships to repositioning LINK TO REPOSITIONING PAGE cruises occur with the migrations of cruise fleets from the Caribbean to Europe and the Mediterranean in the spring and the return voyages in the fall.
These Transatlantic sailings between America and Europe are as short as six days, such as Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 and can also be as long as two weeks or more. In this fast-paced world, they can offer the chance to totally indulge yourself during leisurely days at sea. In comparison to regular cruises, filled with days at ports, a Transatlantic crossing offers the rare experience where the journey (cruise) is the main attraction.
Eastbound crossings frequently depart from New York, Boston, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and a few Caribbean ports. Westbound ships often sail from Southampton, England; Barcelona, Spain; and other major European port cities. In each case, ships may take a longer, slower southern route past the Canary Islands, or the shorter and quicker northern course. Some of these crossings include port calls, such as the Canary Islands on the southern crossings. Iceland may be another on the northern route.
One of the most famous ships doing the Transatlantic is Cunard Line’s magnificent ocean liner Queen Mary 2, which has crossings between New York and Southampton, England from April to November. You can listen to the melodic strains of a harp while “taking tea,” enjoy a day at the spa and dine on top-rate cuisine, including the famous Todd English restaurant.
For those who do want some port call visits, they are available as well and our cruise specialists can find the perfect one for you. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines has a Transatlantic sailing which includes a few days at King’s Wharf, Bermuda, so you have the best of both worlds. The cruise begins in Civitavecchia (Rome) and features four beautiful Spanish ports before sailing to Bermuda. Then on to the greatest city in the world -- New York.
Another diverse Transatlantic cruise is offered by upscale Crystal Cruises. This sailing departs from Dover, England to Boston, Massachusetts, calling on Lerwick, UK; Reykjavik, Iceland; Nuuk, Greenland and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
For yet another Transatlantic itinerary, Holland America Line has crossings that have been combined with innovative Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries to some of the world’s most beautiful ports. There is also a selection of overnight stays in 13 ports from Reykjavik to Lisbon and Edinburgh to Istanbul, and maiden ports in Malta, Iceland, Georgia and Italy.
These are just a sampling of the wonderful choices you have in Transatlantic sailings. Our cruise specialists can help you select the one that is best for you.