I’ve now taken two transatlantic cruises and, having experienced two very different crossings, I can honestly say they can make absolutely wonderful holidays. But I also know they’re not for everyone.
My first was a proper crossing from New York to Southampton, with seven consecutive days at sea, really rough weather and clocks going forward as we travelled east.
This time I’m onboard Regent Seven Seas Splendor, sailing from Lisbon to New York. It’s a 14-day repositioning cruise with just four sea days, probably the best itinerary I’ve seen for this type of cruise. We’ve also been incredibly lucky with largely calm seas and lots of sunshine.
Both are transatlantic cruises. They couldn’t feel more different.
Gilly Bachelor x
Count the sea days
This is the first thing I’d look at. Not just how many sea days there are, but where they fall.
Four sea days spread throughout a 14-day itinerary is very different from seven consecutive days staring at the Atlantic.
I enjoy sea days. There’s no alarm clock, no excursion to get ready for and nowhere you need to be. But even for someone who likes them, six or seven in a row is a very different proposition.
If you’ve cruised before, think about how you felt on your last sea day. Did you relish having nowhere to go, or were you itching to get off the ship by mid-afternoon? That’s a pretty good indication of whether a transatlantic will suit you.
Will I get bored?
There’s usually far more happening onboard than you might imagine.
On Regent, we’ve got lectures, crafts, dance classes and competitions such as golf putting. Many earn Regent Rewards points, and people are REALLY into collecting them. The prizes seem to be mainly Regent-branded merchandise though, so don’t expect a free cruise if you become the ship’s putting champion!
Have we joined in? Not once.
In fairness, I’ve been working far more than I intended to, so I haven’t made it to much except breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’ve been extremely committed to those.
There are plenty of other options, including the spa, gym, theatre, pool deck and the Culinary Arts Kitchen, where the hands-on cookery classes seem incredibly popular.
But I don’t think the question should be whether there are enough activities to stop you getting bored. The real question is whether you’re comfortable not doing very much.
If an afternoon reading, sitting by the pool, having a long lunch, chatting to people or simply watching the ocean sounds wonderful, you’re probably well suited to a crossing.
Choose the ship carefully, and check what’s included
On a port-intensive cruise, you might spend most of the day ashore. On a transatlantic, the ship becomes a much bigger part of the holiday.
Look at the restaurants, bars, lounges, entertainment, spa and outdoor space. Can you genuinely imagine yourself happily spending several full days there?
Also look beyond the headline fare.
We’re sailing with Regent, where almost everything is included. If we want to spend the afternoon beside the pool drinking Champagne and cocktails, we can without worrying about the bill. That’s fairly standard with luxury cruise lines, although exact inclusions vary.
On other ships, a basic fare may mean paying separately for alcohol, soft drinks, speciality coffees, Wi-Fi, gratuities and some dining. When you’re onboard all day for several consecutive days, those extras can mount up.
Transatlantic repositioning cruises can offer exceptional value, sometimes making a premium or luxury ship much more accessible. But most are one-way, so factor in flights, hotels and transfers too.
Compare the cost of the whole holiday, not just the cruise.
Would I recommend one for your first cruise?
No.
Ironically, the excellent value of repositioning cruises can make them particularly tempting to first-time cruisers. You might find 14 nights on a fabulous ship for an attractive fare and think it’s the perfect way to try cruising.
I don’t think it is.
Until you’ve cruised, you don’t know whether you enjoy sea days, how you’ll feel spending several consecutive days onboard or how you’ll react if the Atlantic gets rough.
I’d try a more conventional cruise first. If you discover that sea days are amongst your favourite days, then a transatlantic could be a great next step.
Eastbound or westbound? It matters
This is something I hadn’t really appreciated until I’d done both.
We’re travelling west towards New York, so as we cross the time zones we’re gaining hours. So far the clocks have gone back three and a half hours. It’s confusing the hell out of us because we rarely seem to know what time it is, but I’m loving it.
My previous crossing was eastbound and we were repeatedly putting the clocks forward. I found losing those hours surprisingly exhausting.
It wouldn’t determine my entire holiday, but if I had two equally appealing crossings to choose between, I’d go westbound every time.
Who are they right for?
I’d recommend considering a transatlantic if you’ve cruised before, enjoy sea days and like the idea of slowing down. They’re particularly good if you enjoy the ship as much as the destinations: good food, reading, lectures, the spa, activities, sitting by the pool when the weather allows, or simply having nowhere you need to be.
There’s also something rather special about crossing an ocean by ship. Instead of getting on a plane in Europe and appearing in America a few hours later, you’re actually making the journey. It feels like travelling rather than simply arriving.
I wouldn’t recommend one if you need to wake up somewhere different every morning, hate sea days, want guaranteed sunshine, are particularly worried about rough seas or have never cruised before.
And I definitely wouldn’t choose one simply because you’ve spotted a bargain.
Would I do another?
Absolutely, but I’d choose carefully.
My two experiences have been almost complete opposites. Seven consecutive sea days versus four spread through a 14-day itinerary. Rough seas versus largely calm and sunny weather. Eastbound and losing hours versus westbound and gaining them.
All of those things have made a difference.
So if you’re considering a transatlantic, don’t just look at the price. Look at the number and pattern of sea days, the ship, what’s included, the direction you’re travelling and whether you’ll still enjoy yourself if the Atlantic doesn’t deliver sunshine and calm seas.
For the right person, a transatlantic cruise can offer fantastic value and a wonderfully relaxing way to travel.
But not all transatlantic cruises are the same.
And the question I’d ask isn’t “Will I enjoy a transatlantic cruise?”
It’s “Is this particular transatlantic cruise right for me?”