Saturday, April 13, 2024

Cunards guide to a transatlantic cruise

what is a transatlantic cruise

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. 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. Not necessarily, especially for anyone prone to moderate to severe sea sickness.

When is the best time of year for transatlantic cruises?

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 shortest cruise is from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, an 11-night journey with stops in the volcanic Azores, Bermuda, and Nassau in The Bahamas.

Where do transatlantic cruises go?

Unwind at the chic Rooftop Terrace and gaze into the infinite blue of the Atlantic from the Magic Carpet® on Edge® Series ships. 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. 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.

Frequently asked questions about transatlantic cruises

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. 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. 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. 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.

Cruise Lines That Offer Transatlantic Cruises

For a U.S.-to-Europe eastward crossing, you'd want the opposite — a port-side cabin. 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. During a Transatlantic Crossing you’ll encounter sights you’ll never forget. 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.

More Time on the Ship for Relaxing and Exploring

I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a transatlantic cruise. Here's what it's like to spend six days at sea - Cruise Blog

I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a transatlantic cruise. Here's what it's like to spend six days at sea.

Posted: Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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. 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.

what is a transatlantic cruise

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. 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. On a northerly crossing, you can expect to embark in a port such as Copenhagen; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Southampton or New York. More important for an Atlantic crossing location-wise is your cabin's deck number and whether the cabin is situated forward, midship or aft.

Which ports do transatlantic cruises visit?

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. Because they generally feature fewer ports of call, transatlantic cruises can be a chance to enjoy a longer cruise for a great price. Or choose The Retreat for accommodation in a beautiful suite and access to exclusive dining and lounge spaces. 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. Cross the vast expanse of the Atlantic in a journey from 11 to 16 days at a pace to suit your own style.

what is a transatlantic cruise

View Popular Transatlantic Cruise Destinations

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. Yet unpredictable wind and water current patterns can create rough seas seemingly out of nowhere any time of year. 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.

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). 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.

The chance to spot all kinds of wildlife on a transatlantic cruise, including whales, dolphins, and beautiful birdlife overhead, is another advantage of choosing such a travel experience. Whales are known to live in oceans the world over, so it is possible that you could be treated to a sighting of these elusive creatures. 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.

The most well-known route is Southampton to New York or New York to Southampton. On a Transatlantic Crossing with Cunard, you’ll have seven days to explore your Cunard Queen, enjoying everything she has to offer, sailing this iconic route in ultimate comfort and style. However, for the most favorable weather conditions, a sailing between December and May is considered optimal. A repositioning cruise is an exciting journey full of relaxing days at sea and stops in exotic destinations along the way.

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. At the same time, some people feel uneasy about being at sea for such a long period without the opportunity to access land.

Before your cruise, familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Our longest cruises—those with itineraries of 15 nights and more—offer a wonderful opportunity to experience a variety of destinations in one memorable vacation. 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.

Yes, on a Transatlantic Crossing on Queen Mary 2, dogs – and cats – are welcome. There are 24 kennels on board as well as a dedicated kennel manager, whose sole job is to take care of these special guests. Dogs and cats can enjoy lots of space to play, access to an owner’s lounge, and a few additions to remind them of home. British dogs will appreciate a familiar lamppost, brought on board from Liverpool, and American dogs will love the New York City fire hydrant. While the weather on a Transatlantic Crossing can always be mixed, many prefer the months of April and May to sail. This is after the cold winter months, and before the start of the stormy seasons.

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