What Is a Transatlantic Cruise?
A transatlantic cruise crosses the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe, with most sailings during repositioning seasons in spring and fall. Cunard's Queen Mary 2 offers regular year-round crossings. Voyages range from 7 to 174 nights, emphasizing onboard enrichment, fine dining, and relaxation across multiple consecutive sea days.
Transatlantic Cruise Quick Facts
| Best Time to Cruise | March-April and October-November have the most sailings (54-105/month). Repositioning peaks in spring (to Europe) and fall (to the Caribbean). |
| Duration Range | 7 to 174 nights. Cunard crossings ~7 nights. Repositioning voyages 14-21+ nights. |
| Starting Price | From $570/person. Repositioning season (Oct-Nov) from $570-$793. |
| Departure Cities | New York/Brooklyn, Fort Lauderdale, Miami (westbound). Southampton, Barcelona, Amsterdam (eastbound). |
| Cruise Lines | Cunard (since 1847), Holland America (140+ years), plus most major lines during repositioning |
| Key Feature | Extended sea days with onboard enrichment: dining, classes in art/tech/language/fitness, curated entertainment. Some are hosted by chefs, authors, or entertainers. |
What Does a Transatlantic Cruise Cost?
| Season | Months | From Price (per person) | Sailings/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repositioning (Best Value) | March-April, October-November | From $570 | ~43-105 sailings/month |
| Summer | May-September | From $570 | ~8-17 sailings/month |
| Winter | December-February | From $899 | ~10-22 sailings/month |
When do you want to cruise?
| Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | 3 cruises | $979 |
| Jul 2026 | 13 cruises | $799 |
| Aug 2026 | 15 cruises | $691 |
| Sep 2026 | 17 cruises | $1,249 |
| Oct 2026 | 77 cruises | $584 |
| Nov 2026 | 105 cruises | $570 |
| Dec 2026 | 22 cruises | $899 |
| Jan 2027 | 8 cruises | $889 |
| Feb 2027 | 11 cruises | $2,091 |
| Mar 2027 | 90 cruises | $928 |
| Apr 2027 | 99 cruises | $706 |
| May 2027 | 13 cruises | $933 |
| Jun 2027 | 10 cruises | $1,209 |
| Jul 2027 | 8 cruises | $1,169 |
| Aug 2027 | 26 cruises | $1,339 |
| Sep 2027 | 13 cruises | $1,459 |
| Oct 2027 | 55 cruises | $700 |
| Nov 2027 | 72 cruises | $793 |
| Dec 2027 | 22 cruises | $999 |
| Jan 2028 | 5 cruises | $1,039 |
| Feb 2028 | 16 cruises | $739 |
| Mar 2028 | 46 cruises | $1,225 |
| Apr 2028 | 25 cruises | $1,111 |
| May 2028 | 7 cruises | $1,409 |
| Jun 2028 | 11 cruises | $1,539 |
| Jul 2028 | 6 cruises | $1,629 |
| Aug 2028 | 15 cruises | $1,539 |
| Sep 2028 | 15 cruises | $1,539 |
| Oct 2028 | 15 cruises | $1,314 |
| Nov 2028 | 17 cruises | $1,525 |
| Dec 2028 | 4 cruises | $1,269 |
| Jan 2029 | 1 cruise | $1,414 |
| Mar 2029 | 6 cruises | $8,099 |
Transatlantic Cruise Highlights
These itineraries make few if any ports of call, so voyages center on onboard entertainment. Dancing, dining and lounging poolside are tried and true staples of ship life; enrichment classes in art, tech, language and fitness are growing in popularity too. Sometimes, a Transatlantic cruise is hosted by a well-known chef, author or entertainer. Enjoy curated onboard entertainment featuring comedians, singers, musicians, magicians and more, and of course, take time to relax and pamper yourself fin the onboard spa. When ships do stop, it is often at islands off the coast of Europe or Northern Africa, where you can relax on the beaches, hike up to beautiful summits or wander through charming seaside villages.
Popular Transatlantic Cruise Ports
On a Transatlantic cruise, it really is about the journey, not the destination. The sailing itself is the main draw, and few ports of call are visited. However, here are a few places ships sometimes stop at:
- Canary Islands: A Spanish territory located off the coast of Morocco, the Canary Islands are a natural wonder, complete with stunning volcanoes, black- and white-sand beaches, and intriguing rock formations. Some Transatlantic cruises stop in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where visitors can whale watch and stroll through the islands' historic cities.
- Azores: This remote Portuguese region is located in the mid-Atlantic, and is home to lush vegetation, quaint fishing villages and dramatic views. Some ships stop to refuel in the Azores, giving passengers time to enjoy the magnificent islands.
- London: While not technically a port of call, many travelers choose to extend their trip with a visit to London following disembarkation in Southampton. Many cruise lines offer land tour packages to make the trip a seamless extension of a Transatlantic adventure.
When is the Best Time to Go on a Transatlantic Cruise?
Transatlantic cruises sail most often at the turn of seasons, when cruise ships reposition. Leave from the Caribbean in April and May, or from Europe in September or October. Some traditional cruise lines do still make frequent sailings between New York City and Southampton, England throughout the year.
What Cruise Lines Offer Transatlantic Cruises?
Once a main method of transportation across the pond, Transatlantic cruises now mostly sail around repositioning times. Many major lines transitioning between Europe and the Caribbean offer Transatlantic itineraries, including:
- Cunard Line: Possibly the most historic of any sailing today, Cunard has been crossing the Atlantic since 1847, and one of its ships, Queen Mary 2, still makes the journey several times each year. During the journey, travelers can watch live planetarium shows, relax at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub or treat themselves to Champagne afternoon tea.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Voted Best Onboard Entertainment, Best Specialty Restaurants and Best Casinos, Norwegian Cruise Line ships are a great place to be when crossing the Atlantic. Norwegian's Transatlantic itineraries include ports of call in the Caribbean, Spain, and Ireland.
- Holland America Line: Another legacy line, Holland America has been sailing between Europe and North America for more than 140 years. These Transatlantic itineraries include stops in placed like the Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Madeira, and Holland's private island, Half Moon Cay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are most transatlantic cruises in spring and fall?
Most are repositioning voyages as ships move between the Caribbean and European seasons. Cunard is the exception with year-round crossings.
Are there port stops on a transatlantic cruise?
Direct crossings typically have no stops and several consecutive sea days. Repositioning voyages may include the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Bermuda, or Faroe/Shetland Islands.
What is there to do with so many sea days?
Onboard enrichment: dining, classes in art, technology, language, and fitness, entertainment with comedians, musicians, and magicians, and spa time. Some sailings are hosted by a well-known chef, author, or entertainer.
How long is a Cunard transatlantic crossing?
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 makes regular crossings between New York and Southampton. Cunard has been operating this route since 1847.
Is a transatlantic cruise good value?
Repositioning cruises include 7-21+ nights of accommodation, all meals, and entertainment starting from $570/person. For flexible travelers, this often compares favorably to flight-plus-hotel for one-way Europe travel.
Explore More Transatlantic Cruise Options
- Transatlantic Cruises Calendar
- Cruises from New York
- Europe Cruises (post-arrival extension)
- Caribbean Cruises (pre-departure options)