11 of the best transatlantic cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing

Times

4 days ago

There's a real thrill about travelling from one continent to another by sea; a true sense of the vastness of the Atlantic. You'll have days to commune with the ocean, to take the sea air on deck, and to enjoy the rhythm of shipboard life.
The only scheduled transatlantic service is operated by Cunard on its flagship, Queen Mary 2. Pack your ballgown for this one and take a step back into the Golden Age of cruising. But there are plenty of less formal options, complete with all-inclusive drinks, West End quality entertainment, or an adults-only party vibe. Here are 11 of the best to help you choose.
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Best for foodiesDuring long days at sea, it's more important than ever that a cruise line's food is top-notch. Oceania's cuisine is overseen by two Master Chefs of France, and esteemed executive culinary adviser Jacques Pépin. Better still, every restaurant on board — apart from specific wine-paired dinners — is included in your cruise fare. Oceania's newest ships also have a dedicated culinary centre for cooking classes, while gourmet shore excursions include exclusive market tours and visits to renowned restaurants. Best for all-inclusive A transatlantic voyage is often a once-in-a-lifetime treat, so you may as well do it in style. Regent Seven Seas Cruises sail from ports including Miami and New York to Lisbon, Barcelona and Athens. You'll be in no hurry to disembark once you get accustomed to the lavish, all-inclusive lifestyle on board, which encompasses unlimited drinks, a stocked minibar, wi-fi, valet laundry, 24-hour room service and gourmet meals in any speciality restaurant.Best for shore daysExtend your transatlantic crossing by squeezing in some shore days. Royal Caribbean's itineraries factor in at least three or four stops on its 14-night voyages, including the Mediterranean city of Malaga, with its old town and city beach, and sun-soaked Alicante for tapas bars and a clifftop mediaeval fortress. On board, expect action-packed days with activities including surf-simulators, zip lines, escape rooms and some of the biggest waterslides at sea.Best for lazy days at seaWindstar's six ships carry between 148 and 342 guests and their small size makes crossing the Atlantic a gloriously unhurried affair — even a direct voyage from Bridgetown in Barbados to Lisbon takes two weeks without any additional stops. Ships include sister yachts Wind Star and Wind Spirit, both four-masted, sail-assisted ships that bring a touch of old-fashioned romance to the high seas. There are no casinos or waterslides on board but days pass in a relaxed blur of cooking demonstrations, live music, navigation lessons and lectures from guest speakers.Best for traditionReturn to the golden age of cruising on a memorable journey with Cunard. Itineraries sail in both directions from New York to either Southampton or Hamburg, on board the distinctive Queen Mary 2, with round-trips available for anyone keen to avoid flying. Voyages include live music performances, black-tie gala evenings, a twice-daily turndown service, use of a library and planetarium, big-name keynote speakers and Cunard's traditional afternoon tea, where white-gloved waiters serve scones and sandwiches to the sounds of a pianist or harpist.
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Best for longer voyages Tick far-flung destinations including the Antarctic and Rio de Janeiro off your travel wish-list without setting foot on a plane by joining one of Fred Olsen's extended transatlantic crossings from Southampton. Most last a month or more with plenty of shore days included and are loosely based around themes, from island-hopping in the Caribbean to seeing Canada in autumn. Spend sea days enjoying the purpose-built art studio, the spa and a daily activity programme with non-stop entertainment provided by dance teachers, a resident band and an in-house theatre company.
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Best for activities on boardThere's plenty on offer to fill long days at sea on a Princess cruise. Alongside the pools, basketball court, mini golf and shuffleboard, guests can expect art history lectures, gaming tournaments in the casino, wine tastings, dance classes. Depending on your ship, there's a huge range of entertainment on offer, from movies and musicals to magicians, comedians and acrobats. Best for value Tui's cruise arm Marella doesn't offer regular transatlantic sailings but you can still bag one of its great value repositioning cruises, often between Jamaica or Barbados and Mallorca or Malaga. All-inclusive fares mean you won't need to worry about bills on board either, as regional UK flights, transfers to the ship, gratuities, selected drinks including certain cocktails and several dining options are all covered. Be aware that although most Marella ships usually welcome children, its repositioning itineraries are for adults only.Best for included flightsOne-way transatlantic cruises can seem like a great deal until you factor in the cost of a flight home. Luckily P&O cruises include flights from the UK to departure points including Barbados and Antigua, and they'll even throw in transfers from the airport to the ship. Or you can opt for a round-trip cruise from Southampton to the Caribbean, of which there are several a year. Once on board, you can put away your wallet as entertainment, mini golf, fitness classes, gratuities, kids' clubs and dining in a range of restaurants are all covered, while drinks packages can be added on for an extra cost if required.Best for an adults-only cruiseExpect a two-week party at sea on board a Virgin Voyages repositioning cruise across the Atlantic. Adults-only ships sail both ways from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) to Miami calling at ports including subtropical Funchal in Madeira and cosmopolitan Casablanca in Morocco with its thriving food scene and surf-friendly beaches. On board, the emphasis is firmly on fun, with a tattoo parlour, record shop, hammocks on balconies, ship-wide bar crawls, group HIIT classes and an app to order champagne at any time. Best for stops at big-name portsIf you don't fancy sailing without seeing destinations along the way, a transatlantic voyage with Norwegian Cruise Line is a good compromise. Its Atlantic crossings are around two weeks long but include a handful of shore days to add variety. Popular stops include Lisbon, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, where optional shore excursions include a food tour or cooking class.
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