Transatlantic Cruises: Award-Winning Cruises Across the Atlantic
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While not a bargain by any means, this 14-night itinerary aboard the 750-passenger, all-suite Seven Seas Splendor is all-inclusive. Business-class airfare, transfers, top-notch cuisine, unlimited beverages, gratuities, Wi-Fi and most shore excursions are all included in the fare. There are dozens of opportunities to cross the Atlantic by cruise ship, but here are some of the best itineraries available in the next two years. Which direction you book really depends on whether you're aboard for the experience or you're using the crossing as a substitute for a flight to reach the other side of the ocean. Where you embark and disembark will determine your route and the ports you potentially call on.
Transatlantic Crossing
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. Virgin Voyages' 2,770-guest Scarlet Lady has an onboard ambience that rivals a youthful beach club. Passengers and crew will keep the party going day and night this fall on a 16-night Rome to Miami transatlantic sailing. The sailing has calls on Barcelona and Malaga in Spain; Funchal on the island of Madeira; and Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. On westbound cruises, you'll have to set your clock back at night, thus gaining an extra hour of sleep on most days.
THE 25 BEST 2 Week Cruises to Transatlantic (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST 2 Week Cruises to Transatlantic (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:32:06 GMT [source]
What to pack for a transatlantic cruise
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?
Spend your days at sea reading, relaxing or just enjoying the peace and quiet. There are also classes, lessons and seminars on every subject imaginable including cooking, computers, fitness, dancing, photography, golf, art and more. 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.
Find Regal Princess Cruises to Transatlantic (with Prices) - Cruise Critic
Find Regal Princess Cruises to Transatlantic (with Prices).
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:34:13 GMT [source]
The evening lineup generally starts with a multicourse dinner (same table and same waiter nightly) followed by a Broadway-inspired show, an abridged Shakespeare play or even a magic act. The ship is also famous for its Gala Evenings, capped off with Champagne sipping and dancing to a live orchestra. March, April and November — while not ideal due to cooler temperatures that can limit on-deck and poolside enjoyment — are a good option and a terrific value.
Featured Transatlantic Cruises
You should make sure you have at least six months before your passport expires, too. Celebrations onboard Cunard are epic, including a luxurious New Year's Eve party. 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. They will also get unlimited access to the thermal suite at the Liv Nordic Spa, a main pool with a retractable roof (there's also an aft infinity pool and hot tub), and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner.
More Time on the Ship for Relaxing and Exploring
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. 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. Also known as repositioning cruises, these sailings are usually longer than a traditional crossing and often include several port calls beyond the city of embarkation and disembarkation.
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. If you’ve never been on a cruise, starting with a transatlantic cruise may be a big step. It might be better to start with a shorter cruise with more stops to get a feel for what a cruise ship is like. You’ll find repositioning cruises for areas with limited cruise seasons, such as the Mediterranean and Alaska. No matter what age you are or where in the world you’ve chosen for your adventure at sea, you’ll find a dazzling range of activities on a cruise ship, including pursuits you’d probably never even have imagined would be available.
Repositioning Cruise
A transatlantic cruise ranks high on many travelers' bucket lists, especially those who love the camaraderie and adventure of a voyage by ship. Today's roughly 4,000-nautical-mile transatlantic crossing is more akin to the pre-aviation "Grand Tour" wealthy Americans once enjoyed than the immigration journeys many of our European ancestors made from the 17th to early 20th centuries. 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 53°F(12°C), and in New York, it’s around 59°F (15°C).
Another thing to consider is that the climate from your departing destination to the final destination can change significantly, especially if it’s a repositioning cruise over the North Atlantic Ocean. This gives you time to take advantage of all the amenities your ship has to offer without having to plan time to disembark for shore excursions and explore destinations. This unique journey across the Atlantic Ocean is an unforgettable experience. Upgrade your experience with The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, gourmet dining in the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat, and access to a stylish private sundeck and elegant lounge. We’ll take care of the details, so you can enjoy your transatlantic vacation to the fullest.
Ships repositioning to or from the Baltic Sea and the British Isles generally take a northerly route. Vessels sailing from the Mediterranean cross on a more southerly route, especially if they are repositioning to or from a winter home port in Florida. Similarly, if your crossing takes you from northern Europe on a northerly route to the U.S., and you want to be among the first to spot land (perhaps Greenland or Newfoundland), book a starboard cabin.
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.
On eastbound cruises, you'll set it ahead an hour and lose an hour of leisure time or sleep. However, if you're even slightly prone to seasickness, don't throw caution to the wind. You'll be better off on a larger ship (pick a midship cabin on a lower deck); also, be sure to pack medication, patches, bands or whatever works best for you. While it might seem counterintuitive, having a window or balcony actually helps offset seasickness since it offers fresh air and a horizon view. If you're concerned, opt for an ocean-view or balcony cabin over an inside one. Captains can generally maneuver around storms — and try to do so whenever possible for the comfort of all onboard.
You can attend lectures and presentations on topics to expand your knowledge on everything from travel and history to music and architecture. Celebrity Cruises' Spain, Portugal and Bermuda transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale offers 13 nights aboard its newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. The sailing features port calls in Alicante, Spain; Gibraltar; Ponta Delgada; and King's Wharf, along with eight sea days. Eastbound cruises (from the U.S. to Europe) happen in spring, a season also often known for periods of gray skies and rain. You’ll find a wonderful choice of activities during the sea days of your transatlantic cruise. Indulge in all the different restaurants on board, which range from poolside made-to-order burgers and salads to delicious sushi, contemporary Italian, and clean cuisine in Blu.
A repositioning or transatlantic cruise is a great vacation value and a way to affordably get to one continent to another in luxurious style. The more traditional option is the scheduled transatlantic crossing, like a posh voyage on Cunard Line’s newly remastered Queen Mary 2, which sails between Southampton and New York City. This iconic ocean-spanning voyage has no ports of call and requires at least seven days in each direction. While speed was everything in the early days of cruising across the Atlantic, these days voyages are particularly appealing for those who love the freedom, relaxation and rhythm of multiple days at sea.
So, while you shouldn’t expect balmy evenings, you will likely enjoy a mild temperature during the days of your Transatlantic Crossing. It’s advisable to pack a light waterproof jacket if you’re sailing at this time of year, in case of showers. This long uninterrupted length at sea is one of the most unique features of transatlantic cruises. Most cruises have multi-city destinations and stop at a port at least every other day. With a transatlantic cruise, you only stop at ports at the beginning and the end of your trip. 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.
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