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Transatlantic Cruises
Take a journey back in time to the golden age of sea travel with a once-in-a-lifetime (or twice if you make it a round-trip ticket!) transatlantic cruise. The Atlantic crossing is a true classic, giving you the chance to enjoy the ship’s atmosphere with long days and action-packed nights at sea. There are a couple of types of transatlantic cruises, including the traditional journey between Southampton and New York City. You can also opt to tack on additional fun-filled ports at either end, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean!
Transatlantic
Lisbon, Portugal - Transatlantic
Miami, USA - Transatlantic
Fort Lauderdale, USA - Transatlantic
Hamburg, Germany - Transatlantic
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Transatlantic
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Transatlantic
Bridgetown, Barbados - Transatlantic
Zeebrugge, Belgium - Transatlantic
New York, America - Transatlantic
Southampton, UK - Transatlantic
TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE PORTS
Lisbon
Lisbon’s unmistakable with its pastel buildings winding their way up the city’s misty, romantic hillside. Enjoy the views from the top and visit landmarks like Sao Jorge Castle and the Belem Tower. Check out artworks from classic to modern at the Gulbenkian cultural outpost - a lively nightlife and art scene freshen up this coastal city. And golden Atlantic beaches like Cascais and Estoril are a stone’s throw away.
Miami
Pastel coloured art deco buildings, pulsing South Beach nightclubs, and tropical gardens give Miami life beyond its famous white sandy beaches. This American city is positioned at the south-eastern tip of Florida, with a lively, multicultural flavour. Soak in the year-round sun in Bayfront Park, take a hike in Oleta River State Park, and relax on the beach before exploring shopping hotspots like Coconut Grove.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous oceanside Strip promenade draws a spirited group of revellers drawn to its al fresco eateries, bars, and upscale boutiques. Its Port Everglades is one of the world’s busiest for cruise ships, but this city offers plenty of reasons to stay in town for awhile including its canals, beaches, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Las Olas shopping boulevard and International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Hamburg
Water, water, everywhere! The Elbe River connects Hamburg to the North Sea, and this picturesque port city is also criss-crossed by a charming network of canals. Head to Inner Alster lake to take a scenic boat ride or view the historic architecture and culture of the waterfront Speicherstadt district. Music buffs will want to explore Hamburg’s Beatles connections and strikingly modern Elbphilharmonie concert hall.
Buenos Aires
From street tango performances to ornate architecture, Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city with a true zest for life. It’s famous for monuments like the Casa Rosada presidential palace, mausoleums in Recoleta Cemetery, and the charming alleyways of colourful La Boca. Dine on top-notch beef in a parilla steakhouse, attend a milonga to perfect your tango steps, and soak in the city’s glamorous fashion and nightlife.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro boasts many of Brazil’s most instantly recognisable sights including the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue at the top of Mount Corcovado. Take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to survey this seaside city in all its glory, from the golden sands of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches to its colourful architecture. Rio hosts a legendary Carnaval festival, with vibrant costumes and epic samba dancing.
Bridgetown
Sunny, mellow Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados, filled with colonial era architecture and laid-back beaches. Head to Carlisle Bay to go diving around shipwreck sites, or top up your tan on Browne’s Beach. The downtown area includes National Heroes Square and stately Parliament buildings. Nearby historic museums like the NIdhe Israel Synagogue and George Washington House give insight into the city’s past.
Zeebrugge
Soak in the centuries of maritime heritage in Zeebrugge, a Belgian port linked to the charming city of Bruges by way of the Baudouin Canal. You can learn more about its history and fishing traditions in the Seafront museum, housed in the old fish market with fun and interactive displays. For Freedom Museum is a must-visit for WWII buffs with its intriguing exhibits, or you can commune with sea life at the aquarium.
New York
You can’t help but fall in love with the fast-paced glamour as soon as you set foot in the Big Apple. New York is a world-class destination with the Statue of Liberty standing watch over its iconic skyline. Enjoy a Broadway show, dine on deli sandwiches, and shop ‘til you drop on Fifth Avenue. View classic art at the Met or modern art at the MOMA, and take the ferry to Brooklyn to soak in the latest urban buzz.
Southampton
This famous port city has been the departure point for many transatlantic crossings, the most famous of which was the Titanic. Visit the SeaCity Museum to explore an interactive model of this ill-fated ship, or take in the impressive modern art collection at the nearby Southampton City Art Gallery. For a glimpse into yesterday’s Southampton, visit Tudor House and Garden with its 12th-century homes and gardens
What You Need To Know About Transatlantic
When is the best time to take a transatlantic cruise?
For a cruise of this epic nature, you’ll want to think about weather conditions before embarking on your epic voyage across the Atlantic! You’ll find some great deals in the spring and autumn months, when ships are regularly moved across the ocean to their seasonal ports, a process called repositioning. The summer is ideal with its sunny days at sea and calmer waters, although you can expect to pay a bit more at this time of year. And if you’re ready to face the prospect of colder weather, there’s a lovely and festive vibe to Christmas cruising as well.
What are the can’t-miss highlights of a transatlantic cruise?
The cruise highlights will depend on the type of itinerary you’ve chosen. If you’re travelling on a pure Southampton to New York City ticket, there won’t be any stops in between the two ports so your highlights will be the ship’s amenities at sea before you reach the bright lights of the Big Apple! Many transatlantic crossings make additional stops, with top choices including the subtropical beauty of the Azores, the mountain landscapes of Madeira, and the lava sands and high-end resorts of Tenerife. Some itineraries also pack in a stop at Gibraltar with its famous rock, Barbary apes and English pubs.
What are the visa requirements?
When cruising to the United States on a British passport, you’ll need to get a few arrangements in order. Many UK citizens can take advantage of the Visa Waiver Programme, which gives you access for 90 days. You’ll need to use the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to apply, and have one of the newer ePassports to qualify. In the off-chance you’re not eligible for this programme, you’ll need to pop down to the US Embassy or Consulate to make a tourism visa application. Do this well ahead of your cruise, particularly during peak travel times!
Which transatlantic regional dishes should you try?
Transatlantic cruise ships excel in providing a wide variety of food so you’ll never get bored or have to eat the same meal twice. When you enter New York, you’ll want to experience the city’s famous culinary culture from crispy slices of wood-fired pizza to thick, chewy bagels with lox and cream cheese. At the Southampton end, you can enjoy freshly caught fish and pub favourites along with produce from the Isle of Wight. Don’t miss out on the transatlantic favourite of a proper afternoon tea service, complete with sandwiches, scones and plenty of sweet treats!
TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE EXPERTS
Dawn Gardener
New York City - America
"I love New York and was very excited to see some of this amazing city before heading to JFK for my flight home. Cunard offer a range of transfers and some include a pre city tour before the airport"
Sally Walker
New York
"Cape Liberty and Brooklyn are slightly out from Manhattan but still have the same great experience with views of the Statue of Liberty!"
Berni Corner
New York
"I strongly recommend explore New York by foot and by Subway, you’ll meet some great characters & everyone on there is so friendly."
Tamir Noam
New York
"If you are sailing to New York it’s the most amazing scenery as the ship approaches Manhattan and everyone on board rushes outside to take shots of the skyline views!"
TRANSATLANTIC REVIEWS
Royal Princess Cruise Sept 2018 - So'ton To N York.
TRANSATLANTIC
Nicholson, Southampton on 10th Nov 2018
What a fantastic cruise and cruise ship! An unusual itinerary with lots of interesting ports of call.
Best Way To Travel.
TRANSATLANTIC
Vanichi, Weymouth dorset on 21st Oct 2018
As You step onboard , champagne in hand , cases in room you sale away from the shore edge as your holiday begins.
TRANSATLANTIC - DID YOU KNOW?
- You’ll be able to choose between easterly and westerly crossings, and can make your journey a round-trip ticket or fly from one end to the other. Transatlantic cruises cover many different itineraries apart from the main crossing, with some veering north to the Baltic and others heading south towards the Mediterranean.
- The quickest crossing option is also the most classic! Sailing from Southampton to New York only takes one week on Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2.
- Cruising out into the middle of the ocean gives you the chance to see exciting wildlife you wouldn’t spot closer to shore, including mass migrations of seabirds, flying fish, whales and pods of dolphins. Listen up for announcements from the bridge so you know where to look!
- Gibraltar is a common stop on transatlantic cruises if you’re heading into the Mediterranean, with the Straits of Gibraltar marking the transition from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Don’t miss the unique nature reserve at the top of its soaring limestone peak, which features its famous ape colony.
- Southampton was one of the points of departure for the Mayflower, one of the first ships to famously make the transatlantic crossing back in 1620.
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