cunard cruise southampton to new york

The Man in Seat 61

The transatlantic ferry

Cunard's queen mary 2.

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This is a guide to travel between Europe & the United States using Cunard's Queen Mary 2. 

Cunard maintain a scheduled transatlantic passenger service between Europe and the United States, usually one sailing a month in each direction between Southampton & New York from April to December taking 7 nights.

You travel aboard the greatest ocean liner in the world, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 (QM2).  It's a crossing , not a cruise , and many people use the QM2 as their preferred mode of transport between Europe & the United States.  The Queen Mary 2 is a proper ocean liner, built with the extra structural strength & power to withstand the rigours of the North Atlantic in all weathers.  The QM2 took over the transatlantic service from Cunard's 1967-built QE2 in 2004.

You can forget being bored, it's a week of relaxation, with cinema, theatre, interesting lectures, spa treatments, swimming pools, cocktail bars, restaurants, an excellent library, shops and even the world's only sea-going planetarium.  Plus the cold grey Atlantic which I never tire of watching.  You can also forget seasickness, the 150,000 ton QM2 is rock-steady in most weather amidships, you'll need to walk forward towards the bows to feel any up and down movement.  Westbound, the crossing is rounded off by an awe-inspiring early-morning arrival into New York City, in my opinion the best way to arrive in the Big Apple. 

Crossing the Atlantic by ocean liner needn't cost much more than a business-class flight, fares for two people sharing the cheapest Britannia stateroom start from £1,099 per person each way, for 7 nights accommodation, all meals & entertainment.

The Man in Seat Sixty-One says:   "From personal experience, staggering round a transatlantic liner in a dinner jacket with a martini is the normal, rational, reasonable way to cross the Atlantic.  Heading for an airport and strapping yourself to a flimsy aluminium tube is an unfortunate and eccentric aberration."

Transatlantic sailing dates

Southampton ► new york.

2024 transatlantic sailings:   28 April, 16 May, 9 June (6 night), 23 June (6 night), 21 July (6 night), 16 August, 15 September, 17 October (8 night), 13 November, 14 December.

2025 transatlantic sailings:   9 January (9 nights, Queen Anne), 8 March, 27 April (8 nights), 16 May, 6 June, 24 June, 27 August, 26 September, 24 October, 19 November, 15 December.

All crossings are now 7 nights except where shown.  The Queen Mary 2 usually sails from Southampton at 17:00, arriving in New York 7 nights later at 06:30-07:00.  The terminal she uses in Southampton varies.  In New York she arrives at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

New York ► Southampton

2024 transatlantic sailings:   3 January (8 nights), 5 May, 23 May, 15 June (8 nights), 6 July (8 nights), 27 July (8 nights), 23 August, 4 October (9 nights), 25 October, 3 December.

2025 transatlantic sailings:   3 January (8 nights), 6 April (8 nights), 5 may, 23 may, 13 June, 8 July, 8 august, 3 September, 17 October, 31 October, 8 December then 3 January 2026 (8 nights).

The QM2 usually sails from New York Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at 17:00, with check-in opening at 13:00 and closing at 15:45.  She arrives in Southampton at 06:30 seven nights later.

How to check sailing dates, times, prices & availability

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How much does it cost?

Typical Cunard one-way fares for transatlantic crossings.  Late bookings in late season can often be cheaper than this!

Inside = without window, oceanview = with porthole, see the cabin accommodation guide .  All other staterooms & suites have a balcony, except the two Q3 Royal Suites.

Britannia = allocated to the Britannia restaurant for meals.  Princess or Queen's Grill = allocated to the superior Princess or Queen's Grill restaurants for meals.

How to find cheaper tickets:   You'll often find cheaper fares if you buy your tickets from a cruise specialist such as www.cruisenation.com (UK-based) or www.cruisedirect.com (in the USA or Canada), both of which have online booking for transatlantic crossings and cruises.  Agencies like these can save perhaps £100 per person or more off the official Cunard price, and you'll also find cheaper fares if you shop for last minute deals and late-season crossings, as low as £799 or better, for example.  However, be aware that in high summer transatlantic sailings can get full many months in advance.

Round trip fares:   There are special round trip fares covering two back-to-back crossings with just 1 day in New York, but if you plan to spend more than a day at your destination you'll need to pay one-way fares each way.  In other words, for all practical purposes a round trip on the QM2 means buying two one-way tickets.

Cunard Fare & Saver fare:   The Cunard fare lets you choose a specific cabin & dinner sitting up front.  The Saver fares are several hundred pounds or dollars cheaper and guarantee a cabin in the booked grade or higher, but the cabin and dinner sitting time are allocated for you.  You can log in to Cunard's voyage personaliser at my.cunard.com/en-gb/mycruise/login a couple of weeks before departure to see what cabin & sitting you have been allocated.

Child fares:   See here .

What does the fare include?   All Queen Mary 2 transatlantic fares include your cabin accommodation, all meals & afternoon tea, on-board entertainment such as shows, lectures, films, access to the swimming pools & library, plus the tea, coffee & juices available in the Kings Court self-service.  The fare does not include alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks served in bars or at meals, Canyon Ranch Spa access & treatments, or internet access .  Also, a 'discretionary' fee of around $11-$14 per person per day will be added to your on board account each day as a gratuity for staff.

How to buy tickets

  if you live in uk & europe,   if you live in the usa or canada, how does the ticketing work , westbound transatlantic guide.

Here is a typical transatlantic timetable, port transfer, embarkation arrangements & journey information for a typical westbound transatlantic sailing on the QM2.  Although they normally follow this same pattern, always check the sailing time & check-in times for your specific date.  If you find that something has changed, please let me know .  If you're sailing eastbound, see the eastbound information .  Are  westbound or eastbound crossings better?

Take the train from London Waterloo

Fast air-conditioned trains run from London Waterloo to Southampton Central every 30 minutes taking around 1h17.  No reservation is necessary, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

London to Southampton costs £43.10 adult one-way Super Off-Peak in standard class or £86.80 one-way Off-Peak in 1st class.

These tickets have unlimited availability, you can buy them on the day, the price doesn't change.  Children under 16 half price, children under 5 free.

If you book in advance and commit to a specific train, cheaper Advance fares are available from around £10 in standard class or £16 in 1st class.  These tickets have limited availability at each price level.

Check train times & fares from London Waterloo or anywhere in Britain to Southampton at www.thetrainline.com .  Direct trains run from Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Reading, Bristol & Cardiff to Southampton, so you won't have to cross London.  See a beginner's guide to UK train travel .

For train connections from Paris or any other European city to London, see here .  I'd recommend a night in London before taking the train to Southampton on sailing day.

Transfer by taxi in Southampton

Make sure you know which of the four possible terminals the QM2 is sailing from, the QEII terminal (dock gate 4), City Cruise Terminal (dock gate 10), Mayflower Cruise Terminal (dock gate 10), or the new Ocean Terminal (dock gate 4).  Map of Southampton, showing all cruise terminals, Southampton Central Station & the historic Ocean Terminal .

A taxi from Southampton Central station takes 10 minutes and costs around £10 to the Mayflower or City cruise terminals, around £13 to the QEII terminal or Ocean Terminal.  You'll find plenty of taxis waiting at the station, the taxi rank is on the same side of the station where most trains from London arrive, so no bridges or subways to negotiate., level access from platform to booking hall to forecourt.

QM2 check-in procedures

Check-in typically opens at 13:00 and closes around 15:45.  Cunard will give you a specific check-in time on your e-ticket to stagger people arriving, but you can arrive earlier if you like, it's not a problem.

Visitors are not allowed on board, so anyone seeing you off will have to leave you at the terminal.   Cunard either send you or allow you to download labels showing your departure date & cabin number, remember to put one on each bag before arriving at the terminal.

When you get out of the taxi at the terminal drop-off point your large bags are immediately taken from you and whisked away, they will magically reappear later in your stateroom.  No bag should exceed 23Kg (50lb) but you can take as many bags as you like as long as they will all fit into your stateroom.

You then walk into the check-in hall and go to the first available check-in desk, this usually doesn't take long.  At the check-in desk, you show your e-ticket, your passport & your credit card for on-board purchases, and a webcam photo is taken of each passenger for security purposes.  You may be asked to fill out a brief health form to notify the ship of any fever you have or any diarrhoea you've had in the last 48 hours.  Each passenger is given a credit-card sized plastic card which is your embarkation card, your cabin key and your charge card for buying drinks & souvenirs on board. 

After check-in there's an airline-style X-ray & metal detector security check, then straight onto the gangway onto the QM2, entering the Grand Lobby on deck 3.  It's a painless process compared to airports.  If you feel like a late lunch, or just a tea, coffee or juice when you board, you'll find the King's Court self-service restaurant on deck 7 open for business and offering all of these.

What's an Atlantic crossing like?

The Queen Mary 2 is usually due to sail from Southampton at 17:00.  This is the most usual time, but please check for your sailing date.  Once on board and settled into your stateroom, listen for announcements about emergency drill.  This is held at 16:00 and takes about 20 minutes.  You listen for the alarm bells, fetch your lifejackets from your stateroom and go to your allocated muster station where staff will brief you on emergency procedures and you'll listen to an announcement by the captain.  When it's over, return your lifejackets to your stateroom and head up on deck for departure.

Soon after 17:00 the QM2 sails, with a band playing on her aft decks and glasses of champagne available (around $17).  She is sometimes moored facing upstream, sometimes downstream, and if she's moored facing upstream at the City or Mayflower terminals, she'll first head further upstream before turning around, somehow managing to turn her 1,130 foot length without hitting the far bank of the river or the small boats moored there.

Southampton's historic Ocean Terminal:  Cunard no longer use the traditional and historic Ocean Terminal dock, from which the original Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and even Titanic would have sailed.  Indeed, the old 1950 terminal building was demolished in 1983 and this hugely historic location now looks totally unremarkable, a freight dock with a couple of multi-storey car parks next to it for vehicle exports.  You won't know that you're looking at it unless you know where it is, so see this map .  It's just north of the QEII terminal, just south of the City & Mayflower terminals.  About the old Ocean Terminal .

The Queen Mary 2 heads downstream into the Solent, heading directly towards Cowes on the Isle of Wight before making a tight turn to port (left) in the deep water channel, passing Ryde to starboard (right) and Portsmouth to port.  The QM2 rounds the Isle of Wight using the deep water route to the east (although this looks like the long way round on a map) and heads out into the English Channel.  By breakfast next morning, you're well past Bishop Rock lighthouse and out in the Atlantic.

Seven nights at sea on the Atlantic.  Cunard slowed down their crossings from 6 nights to 7 nights from 2011 onwards, although an occasional crossing may take 6 or 8 nights.  This is two days slower than it used to be, as the weekly service operated from 1946 to 1967 by the original Queen Mary and her consort Queen Elizabeth took just 5 nights for the 3,150 nautical miles (3,625 miles). 

There may be no coastline or islands to see in mid-Atlantic (or even other ships, usually), but I never tire of gazing at the brooding waters of the North Atlantic.  It changes from day to day, sometimes smooth and glassy, sometimes choppy and sombre, sometimes sunny, sometimes foggy with the Queen Mary 2's fog horn blaring at regular intervals.

You may get rough crossings especially in October, November or December, but my summer crossings on the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2 or 70,000 ton QE2 have been rock steady all the way.  You could be in a 5 star hotel rather than on board a ship!

The QM2's clocks are put back an hour at 2am on 5 of the 7 nights because of the time difference, giving you a welcome extra hour's sleep in this direction.  You will pass within a few miles of the resting place of the Titanic (within 38 nautical miles on one of my westbound crossings) and an announcement may well be made on board.  Naturally, you'll find a whole programme of entertainment & activities on board every day, and if you really want to be bored you'll have to work hard at it.

The QM2 arrives in New York at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at 06:30.  This is the highlight!  Whether you're a natural early riser or not, make sure you're up and on deck by 04:45 on the morning of arrival in New York, as the arrival into New York by ocean liner is something you will remember all you life.  There's a forward-facing observation deck on deck 11,  immediately below the bridge, accessed from 'A' stairway.  You'll see the lights of Long Island to starboard (the right-hand side), Staten Island to port, and the Verrazano suspension bridge dead ahead at the entrance to New York harbour.  The Queen Mary 2 passes under the bridge with just a few precious feet of clearance above her funnel, and as she does so the fabulous Manhattan skyline comes into view.  The QM2 no longer uses Cunard's traditional terminal at Pier 90 on Manhattan itself, so she no longer steams right past the Statue of Liberty, but instead she turns to starboard (to the right) opposite the statue and heads into the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, berthing within sight of the famous Statue and Manhattan skyline.

QM2 disembarkation in New York

A note explaining QM2 disembarkation procedures appears outside your stateroom a day or two before arrival, and each deck is allocated a disembarkation time.  Disembarkation takes place between 08:00 & 11:00.  The upper decks with the more expensive cabins disembark first (e.g. decks 9, 10, 11, 12), other decks such as 4, 5 or 6 later.

Labels for your bags appear outside your stateroom the day before arrival.  You put a label on each of your bags and place them in the corridor outside your stateroom between 20:00 & midnight before arrival.  Your bags will disappear and will be waiting for you in the terminal hall next morning, in an area marked with the same colour as your labels.

It's then just a matter of going through the U.S. immigration check, a slowish process but no worse than any airport.  They you walk out of the terminal.

Express disembarkation:   If you want to get off sooner and are happy managing all your own bags, you can register for Express disembarkation at the purser's desk on deck 2 the day before arrival.  You are given an express disembarkation card.  Express disembarkation passengers gather in the Queens Room from 06:45 onwards with all their luggage, and at around 07:00 when the gangway opens you simply walk off the ship with your bags, straight into the terminal.  With a Deck 4 cabin we were allocated an 11:00 disembarkation time, which would have meant half a day in New York wasted, so I'd go for express disembarkation every time!

Transfer by taxi to Manhattan

The Tour Office on deck 2 offers private transfers by minivan from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to any Manhattan hotel for a ridiculous $429, or they can sell you tickets for a transfer bus for $59 per person. 

However, both options are crazy, because a normal yellow cab from the terminal taxi rank to anywhere in Manhattan costs only $40 for up to 4 people and all your bags, and you'll find plenty of taxis waiting right outside the terminal building.  Enjoy the drive across the famous Brooklyn Bridge in a New York Yellow Cab!

You'll also find plenty of black private hire vehicles outside the terminal with a fixed price of around $55 to a Manhattan hotel, also a good relaxed option.  The ride takes 20 minutes.

Alternatively, the cheapest option (just $4) is to take the frequent ferry from Brooklyn's Red Hook ferry terminal to Pier 11 on Wall Street at the southern end of Manhattan.  Red Hook ferry quay is only 100m from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and it'll take you to Manhattan in a matter of minutes, see www.ferry.nyc .  It's aimed at locals, but taking a suitcase isn't usually a problem.  See walking map cruise terminal to Red Hook ferry .

By train from New York to other U.S. cities

You can be at Penn Station by 11:30 or earlier, for onward train connections.  Washington DC is only 3 hours away by train, Boston 4 hours or less.  The Lake Shore Limited train to Chicago leaves Penn Station around 15:45 arriving in Chicago next morning, with connections for all points west including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Dallas, Seattle.  You'll also make the afternoon Crescent overnight train to Atlanta & New Orleans, or the afternoon Silver Meteor overnight to Florida.

You can book any of these trains online in advance at www.amtrak.com , collecting your ticket from the self-service machines at Penn Station.  Note that between New York & Washington or New York & Boston you'll be offered two different types of train:  The premium-fare Acela Express 150mph high-speed train with business class and first class, but no coach class, and the slower but cheaper Northeast Regional trains with coach class and business class. 

You can book Amtrak trains yourself, but if you want an agency to sort a package of train connections and hotels from New York to other US cities, call Railbookers on 0207 864 4600 (UK office) or 1-888-829-4775 (US office).  Beginner's guide to train travel in the USA .

By train from New York to Toronto, Montreal & Canada

Two daily trains link New York with Canada, the Maple Leaf to Toronto and the Adirondack to Montreal.  Both trains leave New York in the morning, so you'll need to spend the night in New York.  It's a very scenic run along the Hudson River valley, past West Point Military Academy, Storm King Mountain and Bannerman's Island.  As it's name suggests, the train to Montreal also passes through the scenic Adirondack Mountains and past Lake Champlain.  Information on trains from New York to Canada .  Change in Toronto for the famous Canadian trans-continental train 2-3 times a week to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper & Vancouver. 

You can book Amtrak & VIA Rail trains yourself, but if you want an agency to sort a package of train connections and hotels from New York to major Canadian cities, call Railbookers on 0207 864 4600 (UK office), 1-888-829-4775 (US office, toll-free) or 1-855-882-2910 (Canada, toll-free).  Beginner's guide to train travel in Canada .

Eastbound transatlantic guide

Here is a typical timetable, transfer & journey information for most eastbound trans-Atlantic crossings.  Although they usually follow this pattern, please check sailing & check-in times for your specific date when you book in case they are different.  If you find that anything has changed, do let me know .  If you plan to travel westbound, click here .  Are  westbound or eastbound crossings better?

By train from Washington DC & other US cities to New York

Amtrak trains link Washington DC & New York in less than 3 hours, Boston to New York in under 4 hours.  The daily Lake Shore Limited links Chicago & New York overnight, with connections in Chicago from LA, San Francisco, Seattle, etc.  However, the Lake Shore arrives at New York's Penn station in the early evening, too late for same-day connections with the 'Mary, so you'll need to leave Chicago two nights before the 'Mary sails and spend a night in New York before sailing day.  You can check schedules and fares and buy tickets for any of these trains online at www.amtrak.com .  Note that between New York & Washington or New York & Boston you'll be offered two different types of train:  The premium-fare Acela Express 150mph high-speed train with business class and first class, but no coach class, and the slower but cheaper Northeast Regional trains with coach class and business class.  You can book Amtrak trains yourself, but if you want an agency to sort a package of train connections and hotels from other US cities to New York for you, call Railbookers on 0207 864 4600 (UK office) or 1-888-829-4775 (US office.  Beginner's guide to train travel in the USA .

By train from Toronto, Montreal & Canada to New York

Two daily trains link Canada with New York, the Maple Leaf from Toronto and Adirondack from Montreal.  Both trains arrive in New York in the evening, so you'll need to spend a night in New York before sailing day - Check hotels in New York .  It's a very scenic run down the Hudson River valley, past West Point Military Academy, Storm King Mountain and Bannerman's Island.  As it's name suggests, the train from Montreal also passes through the scenic Adirondack Mountains and past Lake Champlain.  Information on trains between Canada & New York .  The famous Canadian trans-continental train links Vancouver & Toronto three times a week, via Jasper, Edmonton & Winnipeg.  You can book Amtrak & VIA Rail trains yourself, but if you want an agency to sort a package of train connections and hotels from a Canadian city to New York for you, call Railbookers on 0207 864 4600 (UK office) or 1-888-829-4775 (US office, toll-free) or 1-855-882-2910 (Canada, toll-free). Beginner's guide to train travel in Canada .

By taxi from Manhattan to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

A normal yellow cab from New York Penn Station or any hotel in Manhattan to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal costs around $40 for up to 4 people and all your bags.  Enjoy the drive across the famous Brooklyn Bridge in a traditional New York Yellow Cab!  The taxi ride takes 20 minutes.

Alternatively, a frequent ferry operates from Pier 11 at the end of Wall Street in Manhattan to Red Hook ferry terminal in Brooklyn, this is just 100m from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, fare $4, see www.ferry.nyc .  See walking map from Red Hook ferry terminal to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal .

QM2 check-in procedures in New York

Check-in usually opens around 13:00 and closes around 15:45.  Cunard will give you a specific check-in time on your e-ticket to try and stagger people arriving, but you can arrive earlier if you like.  Visitors are not allowed on board, so anyone seeing you off will have to leave you at the terminal then wave from the shore.

Cunard will have sent you adhesive labels showing your departure date & cabin number, remember to put one on each bag before arriving at the terminal, as when you get there your larger bags are immediately taken from you.  They will magically reappear later in your stateroom.  No one bag should exceed 23Kg (50lb) but you can take as many bags as you like as long as they will all fit into your stateroom.

You then walk into the terminal and join the short queue for a ticket check, then another short queue for the X-ray and metal detector security check, then you join a long zig-zag queue for check-in proper.

At the check-in desk, you show your e-ticket, your passport & your credit card for on-board purchases, and a webcam photo is taken of each passenger for security purposes.  You also hand in a brief health form notifying the ship of any fever you have or any diarrhoea you've had in the last 48 hours. Each passenger is given a credit-card sized plastic card which acts as your embarkation card, cabin key and charge card for buying drinks & souvenirs on board.  You then go up the gangway onto the QM2, entering the Grand Lobby on deck 3.

Apart from the time spent in the main queue (have a reading book and some refreshments to hand), it's a painless process compared to airports.  If you feel like a late lunch, or just a tea, coffee or juice when you board, you'll find the King's Court self-service restaurant on deck 7 open for business and offering all of these.

What's an eastbound Atlantic crossing like?

The ship normally sails from New York at 17:00.  This is the usual time, but please check for your specific departure date.  Once on board and settled into your stateroom, listen for announcements about emergency drill.  This is held at 16:00 and takes about 20 minutes.  You listen for the alarm bells, fetch your lifejackets from your stateroom and go to your allocated muster station where staff will brief you on emergency procedures and you'll listen to an announcement by the captain.  After this you're free to go up on deck and admire the Manhattan skyline astern and the Statue of Liberty to starboard (right-hand side).  At 17:00 she casts off, and with a band playing on her aft decks and glasses of champagne available (around $17) she heads out to sea.  Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty slowly disappear astern, and the QM2 heads toward and then underneath the huge Verrazano suspension bridge out into the Atlantic.  There is just a few precious feet of clearance above her red funnel!  An NYPD police boat follows behind (seeing you off the premises?), and a police helicopter buzzes overhead.

Seven nights at sea on the Atlantic.  Cunard slowed down their crossings to from 6 to 7 nights from 2011 onwards, although an occasional crossing still takes 6 nights.  Naturally, you'll find a whole programme of entertainment & activities on board every day, and if you really want to be bored you'll have to work hard at it!  There are no islands or coastline to see in mid-Atlantic (or even other ships, usually), but personally I never tire of gazing at the brooding waters of the North Atlantic.  It changes from day to day, sometimes smooth and glassy, sometimes choppy and sombre, sometimes foggy, sometimes sunny.  You may get rough crossings especially in October, November or December, but my own transatlantic crossings on the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2 or 70,000 ton QE2 have been rock steady all the way.  You could be in a 5 star hotel rather than on board a ship!  The QM2's clocks are put forward an hour at 2am on five of the seven eastbound nights because of the time difference, giving you an hour's less sleep in this direction - if there's one reason why a westbound crossing can be nicer than an eastbound one, this is it!  (update 2013:  Cunard has tried the crazy idea of putting the clocks forward at midday on recent crossings, much to passengers dismay, as it can be confusing and means dinner is too soon after lunch!)  You will pass within a few miles of the resting place of the Titanic and an announcement may well be made on board.  On the last evening at dinner you may catch site of the Isles of Scilly in the distance (about 35 miles west of Land's End), and later the lights of Cornwall twinkling to port.  A first view of Great Britain!  You're now past the Bishop Rock lighthouse an in the English Channel.  Incidentally, a modern transatlantic crossing is now two days slower than it used to be, as the weekly service operated by the first Queen Mary and her consort Queen Elizabeth from 1946 to 1967 took just 5 nights.

The ship arrives in Southampton at 06:30.  You'll need to be up early, at around 04:30, if you want to see the ship round the Isle of Wight and head past Portsmouth & Ryde and into Southampton Water, although this hardly lives up to the spectacular arrival in New York on a westbound transatlantic.  There's a forward-facing observation deck on deck 10, immediately below the bridge, accessed from 'A' stairway.  Otherwise, you'll find the ship docked at the Southampton Terminal when you awake, and the Kings Court & Britannia restaurants serving a welcome cooked breakfast to send you on your way.

QM2 disembarkation in Southampton

It's then just a matter of going through the UK immigration check.  They you walk out of the terminal.

Express disembarkation:   If you want to get off sooner and are happy managing all your own bags, you can register for Express disembarkation at the purser's desk on deck 2 the day before arrival.  You are given an express disembarkation card.  Express disembarkation passengers gather in the Queens Room from 06:45 onwards with all their luggage, and at around 07:00 when the gangway opens you simply walk off the ship with your bags, straight into the terminal.

Transfer by taxi to Southampton Central station

The Queen Mary 2 can use any one of four different terminals in Southampton, either the QEII terminal (dock gate 4), City Cruise Terminal (dock gate 10), Mayflower Cruise Terminal (dock gate 10), or the new Ocean Terminal (dock gate 4).  Map of Southampton, showing all cruise terminals, Southampton Central Station & the original historic Ocean Terminal .  A taxi to Southampton Central station costs around £10 from the Mayflower or City cruise terminals, or around £13 from the QEII terminal or Ocean Terminal.  You'll find plenty of taxis waiting at the terminal, although there can be a long wait as there are so many other passengers.  The taxi ride takes just 10 minutes.

Take the train to London Waterloo

Cunard no longer organise a special 'boat train' in connection with QM2 sailings.  However, fast air-conditioned trains link Southampton Central with London Waterloo every 30 minutes taking around 1h17.  No reservation is necessary or even possible for Southampton-London trains, you just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

Southampton to London costs £43.10 adult one-way Super Off-Peak in standard class or £86.80 one-way Off-Peak in 1st class.

I would not buy a cheaper advance-purchase Advance fare because this commits you to a specific train and you are not in control of exactly when you arrive and disembark.  Super Off-Peak, Off-Peak and Anytime fares can be bought on the day and used flexibly, so you can catch the next train.

You can check train times & fares from Southampton to London Waterloo or anywhere in Britain using www.thetrainline.com .  Direct trains run from Southampton to Reading, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol & Cardiff, so you won't have to cross London.  Beginner's guide to UK train travel .  Find a hotel in London .

Onward trains from London to Paris & beyond

Onwards to Paris:   Allow plenty of time for onward connections, certainly several hours, and maybe stay in London overnight.  For Paris, take a UK domestic train from Southampton central to London Waterloo (no reservation necessary, see the section above), then take a taxi or Underground across London to St Pancras Station.  Eurostar runs every hour or so from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in central Paris, journey time 2 hours 20 minutes.   For a beginner's guide to Eurostar travel, see the London to Paris by Eurostar page .  You can book tickets online in advance at www.eurostar.com , and you should indeed pre-book, as London-Paris prices start from £52 in advance but up to £200+ if you wait and buy on the day of travel.

Onwards to other countries:   See this page for information on getting from London to any country in Europe .  Having crossed the Atlantic on the luxurious Queen Mary 2, how about taking the Venice Simplon Orient Express vintage luxury train to Italy ?  This runs on most Thursdays from April to October, and takes 24 hours from London to Venice, a real treat.  You can book European trains yourself, but if you want an agency to put together a package of train connections and hotels from anywhere in Europe to Southampton for you, call Railbookers on 0207 864 4600 (UK) or 1-888-829-4775 (US office).

Which cabin to choose?

There are a bewildering range of staterooms on the Queen Mary 2 at varying prices, but they basically fall into these categories, in ascending order of cost:

Britannia Inside:   An Inside cabin means it has no window, but even though this is the cheapest option, these staterooms are spacious, beautifully designed and have all the facilities mentioned above.  They have double or twin beds for 2 people, although some rooms are fitted with an additional two drop-down upper berths making a 3 or 4-berth room.  Some cabins are wheelchair-accessible.  Allocated to the Britannia restaurant.  Typically 155 sq ft.

Britannia Atrium View:   There are a handful of standard inside cabins on decks 4, 5 & 6 which have a small window opening onto the atrium above the Grand Lobby.  They have double or twin beds for 2 people, but none of these rooms are fitted with additional berths.  Also allocated to the Britannia restaurant.  Typically 161 sq ft.

Britannia Oceanview:   These are outside cabins meaning they have a small non-opening porthole for sea views.  Some seasoned travellers will tell you that with no coastline or islands to see on a 6 day transatlantic crossing, a window is unnecessary.  However, I enjoy seeing where I am and love gazing at the vast and always-changing waters of the North Atlantic.  Paying the extra for a Standard Oceanview is well worth it, both for the views and the natural light.  These staterooms have double or twin beds for two people, but some rooms are fitted with an additional two drop-down upper berths making a 3- or 4-berth room.  Some are wheelchair-accessible.  Also allocated to the Britannia restaurant.  Typically 194 sq ft.

I've crossed with an inside cabin and with an outside cabin, and I think it's well worth the extra for a porthole.  It lets natural light into the cabin and it gives you a much greater sense of place - not to mention sunsets over the Isle of Wight and views of the Statue of Liberty as you pack up on arrival!

Britannia Balcony (Obstructed View) :  The cheapest cabin type to have its own balcony, allocated to the Britannia restaurant.  These are all on Deck 8 above the promenade deck, but with their view heavily obstructed by the ship's lifeboats.  They have a double or twin beds for 2 people, and a few cabins have a 3rd berth in the form of a pull-out sofa bed.

I'd definitely pay a little more for an sheltered balcony, without any obstruction.

Britannia Sheltered Balcony:   The next cheapest cabin type to have its own balcony, allocated to the Britannia restaurant, also with a double or twin beds for 2 people, a few cabins have a pull-out sofa bed as well.  Sheltered balcony cabins are on decks 4, 5 & 6 below the promenade deck with a small balcony cut into the hull.  Typically 269 sq ft, including balcony.

This is my own first choice (unless you can afford a megabucks suite, of course), arguably a better choice for a transatlantic crossing than a more expensive cabin with a more windswept balcony in the ship's superstructure.  See the photos below.

Britannia Balcony:   Also allocated to the Britannia restaurant, these are slightly smaller than the Sheltered Balcony rooms, but have a glass-fronted balcony higher up in the ship's superstructure, on deck 8 and above.

The open glass-fronted balcony lets even more natural light into the cabin than a sheltered balcony, but it'll be more windswept than a sheltered balcony on a transatlantic crossing!   Typically 248 sq ft, including balcony.

Britannia Club Balcony:   Similar to a Britannia Balcony, but allocated to the single-sitting 'Britannia Club' restaurant, a separate off-shoot of the main Britannia restaurant.  Typically 248 sq ft, including balcony.

Princess Balcony Suites:   Suites with balcony, all allocated to the Princess Grill restaurant.  Typically 381 sq ft, including balcony.

Queens Balcony Suites:   Various types of suite, up to and including the extravagant Grand Duplex suites, all allocated to the Queen's Grill restaurant.  All have balconies, except the two Q3 grade Royal Suites.  Size varies from 506 sq ft to 2,249 sq ft.

QM2 deck plans in PDF format

If you pay the more expensive Cunard fare so you can choose a specific cabin, here are some things to consider.

You can feel a slight up & down movement of the ship towards at the bows, but will feel hardly any movement at all amidships.  For this reason mid-ships cabins are higher-graded and cost more (Even if you pay the cheaper Saver fare, you can select a higher grade to ensure a mid-ships cabin).

Some people have reported noise from below when occupying sheltered balcony cabins on 4 deck directly above the Illuminations or Royal Court Theatre, so 5 or 6 Deck may be preferable.  However, we had 4101 & 4105 over the Chart Room bar and these were perfect.

Adjacent cabins with connecting doors are marked on the QM2 deck plan .  Choose these if four of you are going to book two cabins.  But don't choose these if you're only booking one cabin, as a wall with connecting door is never as totally soundproofed as a wall without.

Facilities in all cabins

Even the cheapest QM2 cabin (or stateroom as Cunard calls them) features comfortable beds, a private bathroom with shower, sink & toilet, a dressing table, flatscreen TV, a small coffee table & chair, 240v UK & 110v US style power sockets, pay-per-minute internet access , soap, shower gel, shampoo & conditioner, bathrobes, hairdryer, plenty of wardrobe space, room service menu and a solid electronic safe for your valuables that's large enough for a 14" laptop.  A bedtime chocolate is delivered to your stateroom when the steward turns down your bed.

Where cabins can be configured with either twin beds or a double, you can select your preference in advance using the online voyage personaliser at my.cunard.com/en-gb/mycruise/login the same online system where you download and print your luggage labels and e-ticket.  You log on with your Cunard booking reference and personal details.

Britannia sheltered balcony  See 360º image

This is cabin 4101 on 4 Deck.   The Man in Seat 61 says , "This is my own preferred cabin for a transatlantic crossing.  Even at 20 knots in mid-Atlantic the balcony remains wind-free just as the word sheltered suggests.  Some people say you won't get much use out of a balcony on the Atlantic, but I loved being able to stroll outside at any time and stand at the rail watching the Atlantic drift past.  On a sunny summer crossing off Newfoundland we did indeed sit outside, and even when inside, the French windows let in lots of natural light, making it a far nicer room than an inside or outside cabin, so upgrade if you can.  I have yet to travel with a more expensive full-balcony cabin, but I expect those are a lot more windswept!".  Click the photos for larger images.

Britannia inside & oceanview

Qm2 restaurants, which restaurant.

The fare includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea in the Queen's Room or King's Court.  It does not include drinks, other than the basic water, tea, coffee & juice available at the drink stations in the Kings Court buffet restaurant.  Bottles of wine start at around $30 and real ale lovers can choose Old Speckled Hen or Spitfire for around $6 a bottle.

Your allocated restaurant:   Each stateroom is allocated a restaurant.  Most cabins, including the Inside, Oceanview & Sheltered Balcony, are allocated to the Britannia restaurant on decks 2 & 3. The more expensive staterooms are allocated to the more intimate Princess Grill on deck 7, and the very best staterooms to the Queen's Grill , also on deck 7.  The food is excellent, and you choose from a menu of half a dozen different starters, main courses and desserts, which changes every day.

Optional dining venues:   You can also choose to eat any given meal in the informal King's Court buffet on deck 7, or pub grub in the Golden Lion pub on deck 2, instead of your allocated restaurant.  It's entirely up to you, you can decide on a day by day basis.

There is also the Veranda Restaurant aft on deck 8.  This does seafood and steaks, and is an extra-cost option - you reserve a table and pay extra to dine there instead of your allocated restaurant.

Room service:   If you'd rather eat in your cabin, every cabin has free room service from a simple menu including burgers, pasta, cheese & crackers.  You can order by phone at any time, it's all included in your fare.  However, if you order any drinks from room service, including soft drinks, these are charged at bar prices.  You can also choose to have breakfast delivered to your stateroom, except on the morning of arrival.  Just hang the breakfast order form on your cabin door before retiring.

Britannia restaurant

Most staterooms are allocated to the Britannia restaurant , a magnificent two-storey 1,300 seat restaurant spanning decks 2 & 3 and reminiscent of the grand dining saloons of the great ocean liners of the past.  There are two sittings for dinner, 6pm & 8.30pm.  If you pay the Cunard fare you can choose a sitting when you book, if you pay the cheaper Saver fare you will be allocated a sitting, perhaps the less popular 8.30pm one.  If you log onto your online voyage personaliser at my.cunard.com/en-gb/mycruise/login with your booking reference and personal details it will confirm your sitting before you travel.  Evening entertainment is arranged so that both sittings can enjoy it, although the 6pm sitting gives you the rest of the evening free, and is arguably more relaxed than the later one.  If you've young children, see the section below .  There are no specific sittings or allocated tables for lunch or breakfast, you are allocated a table when you walk in, choosing your own table for 2, table for 4 or if you prefer, seats at a shared table so you get to meet other passengers.

Princess Grill & Queen's Grill

More expensive staterooms are allocated to the Princess Grill , the most expensive suites to the Queens Grill .  Both are aft on deck 7, served by the same galley.  There are no sittings, you can dine any time you choose when the restaurant is open.  If you want a drink before dinner, the Grill Lounge is a lounge and bar exclusively for Princess & Queens Grill passengers, on 7 deck aft, directly opposite the entrance to the Queens Grill.

Kings Court

The Kings Court buffet restaurant takes up most of the centre section of deck 7, and it's open almost continuously from early until late, with only half an hour here and there were breakfast dishes are swapped for lunch or lunch for dinner.  There's a wide variety of food, all good quality, including a carvery.  The window tables with sea views cross the promenade deck are the nicest.  Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, water & juices can be had for free from the drinks stations in several locations around the Kings Court area.  Stewards will take your order for wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails or fizzy soft drinks and deliver them to your table, these drinks must be paid for, added to your on board account.

The Man in Seat 61 says , "If you fancy a first breakfast in the Britannia restaurant then a second breakfast in the Kings Court, why not?  After all, Second Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

The Verandah restaurant

The Verandah restaurant aft on deck 8 is an extra-cost option, specialising in steaks and seafood.  You can make a reservation at the Verandah restaurant whilst you are on board, or you can book a table for one or more nights at your desired time before you travel, by logging into your voyage personaliser at my.cunard.com/en-gb/mycruise/login booking the table and paying the extra.

The Man in Seat 61 says , "With our normal Britannia sitting not until 8.30pm, we booked a table at the Verandah for 6pm on our last evening before getting up early to see the arrival into New York.  I wished we'd dined there on more than just one occasion, the steaks were top class."

QM2 bars & lounges

There is no shortage of watering holes on the Queen Mary 2.  Personally, the Chart Room works for cocktails before or after dinner as it's near the social centre of the ship on deck 3, but for quiet reading, working on a laptop and generally getting away from it all, the Commodore Club with its forward view over the bows is my top choice.  Drinks are not too expensive:  A tea is $2, a glass of wine perhaps $6, a cocktail $10.  Although I'm a non-smoker 99.9% of the time, one of Havana's Montecristo number 2 cigars and a 1979 Armagnac were sound recommendations from the barman on the last night of a return crossing from New York.

Champagne bar

Sponsored by Veuve Cliquot, the Champagne Bar is on 3 Deck, on the upper level of the Grand Lobby in the centre of the ship.

Commodore Club

Located on deck 9 on 'A' stairway at the forward end of the superstructure.  It's away from the hustle and bustle, a quiet and relaxing place for a cocktail and a read or chat.  You get a great forward view over the bows, although blinds are drawn at dusk so the light does not interfere with the view from the bridge above.  This is my favourite place on QM2 - it does a great range of cocktails and other drinks, the Churchill Cigar Lounge opens off the Commodore Club, the library is one deck down also on 'A' stairway, and the open-air observation deck below the bridge is two decks up on 'A' stairway.  There's a huge illuminated model of the QM2 behind the bar.

Chart room bar

Located on deck 3 near the Britannia restaurant, this is the largest and busiest of the QM2's bars.  Click the photo for larger image.

Golden Lion Pub

Located on deck 2 near the Britannia restaurant, this is not only a good place for a pint of London Pride, you can take meals here too, with pub-style food such as fish and chips or sausages and mash.  Click the photo for larger image.

Carinthia Lounge

Located on deck 7 next to the Kings Court buffet with doors opening onto the promenade deck.  This is a good place to sit, read, and have a tea or coffee.  You may also find some complimentary snacks or soup here too, at the kitchen counter.  Click the photo for larger image.

Afternoon tea in the Queen's Room

Every day at around 3.30pm, afternoon tea is served in the Queen's Room, on 2 Deck aft.  A choice of teas comes with daintily-cut sandwiches, scones and cakes, served by stewards in white gloves.  Afternoon tea is included in the fare, but a glass of champagne is extra.

Grill Lounge

The Grill Lounge is a lounge and bar exclusively for passengers travelling in the upmarket staterooms and suites allocated to the Princess and Queen's Grill restaurants.  It's located on 7 Deck aft, directly opposite the entrance to the Queen's Grill and the ship's width away from the entrance to the Princess Grill.  It seemed to be empty most of the time even with the ship sailing full, it's main purpose seems to be drinks before dinner.

Churchill's Cigar Lounge

This is a sealed and specially-ventilated room opening off the starboard side of the Commodore Club.  Here you can order a whisky or cognac and choose from a cigar menu.  The rest of the ship's accommodation is of course non-smoking!

QM2 activities & entertainment

A daily programme for the following day is delivered to your stateroom each evening.  It shows details of the entertainment and activities on board, along with navigational & itinerary information and the opening and closing times of all restaurants, bars and other facilities.  There's an ongoing programme of shows, plays & lectures.  For example, recent crossings featured talks by John Cleese about his work on Monty Python & Fawlty Towers, excellent lectures by an expert on New York skyscrapers, an edited version of Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' and Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of being Earnest'.  The QM2 also features the world's only sea-going planetarium, called the 'Illuminations'.  And of course there are several live bands on board, with dancing every evening, sometimes themed such as the 'Black & White Ball' and 'Ascot Ball'.  If it's disco you prefer, you'll find that in the G32 nightclub.  You'll also find the Canyon Ranch spa on deck 7, offering a wide range of treatments from manicures to massages, Jacuzzis to saunas.  If you want to be bored, you'll have to really work at it.

Library & bookshop

The QM2 has an excellent library - for me, one of its best features - located on 8 deck forward on 'A' stairway directly below the Commodore Club.  You can take out books using your cabin key, or read them in the library, with comfy seats, some with a forward-facing view over the QM2's bows.  The library is open during office hours every day, outside these times the bookshelves are locked but the library itself remains accessible.  As you'd expect, the QM2's library has a particularly good section of books about ocean liners.  Next to the library is a bookshop selling travel guides, QM2 souvenirs & ocean liner/QM2 books.  Click the left-hand photo for larger image .

Swimming pools

The QM2 has several swimming pools.  The most popular (certainly on a transatlantic crossing) is the Pavilion Pool on 12 deck, with sun loungers, two hot tubs, see the photo below.  The roof can slide away when the QM2 visits warmer climates, but it remains closed on the Atlantic.  Towels are provided, there are toilets (visible below behind the two hot tubs) which you can use as changing rooms, or you can change in your cabin and use your bathrobe.  You can see the funnel from the pool through the glass roof, towering above you.  Don't jump when the ship's horns are tested at midday!  There's also a bar here, open at certain times of day.  In addition to this indoor pool there are two outdoor pools on the open decks aft (7 & 8 Deck), one of which is only shallow for kids, the other designated as adults-only.  Click the photo for larger image .

Illuminations

The QM2's Illuminations towards the forward end of Deck 2 can be used as a lecture theatre, cinema or (with an ingenious dome lowered from the ceiling) the world's only ocean-going planetarium.  You'll usually find varying recently-released films shown most evenings, and planetarium sessions at various times on most days.  There's also usually a lecture series or two during each crossing with subjects varying from New York Skyscrapers to pirates on the high seas to the design and build of the QM2.  Click the photo for larger image .

Royal Court Theatre

The QM2's Royal Court Theatre is used for various shows and performances, for example I have seen an interview with John Cleese here, and some stand-up comedy.  Click the photo for larger image .

Spa & gymnasium

The QM2's Canyon Ranch Spa is at the forward end of Deck 7, with with treatment rooms and pool, plus a small beauty salon above on Deck 8.  You can make appointments at the reception desk, treatments & massages are billed to your on-board account.  There's a free-to-use gymnasium at the forward end of Deck 7, pictured below right.

The Cunard heritage trail

The Queen Mary 2 is filled with paintings, information panels and even interactive screens telling the history of Cunard Line, its ships, and the famous people who crossed the Atlantic aboard them.

Travelling with children

You won't be the only family on the QM2, especially on a transatlantic run!  You'll find plenty of entertainment for children in the Play Zone at the aft end of 6 deck.

Arrangements for children & pregnant women on the Queen Mary 2

The play zone & child care.

The Zone is aft on deck 6, staffed by a team of friendly young British-trained nannies.  It has a toddler zone for ages 1-3, a Play Zone for ages 4-6 and The Zone with various computer games and other activities for older kids up to 17.  There's plenty to do, and activities such as treasure hunts or ship tours are organised by the Play Zone team.

Children from 2 to 7 inclusive can be left free of charge with the nannies in the Play Zone during its opening hours, 09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00, 18:00-24:00 (shorter hours apply on the first and last nights).  In other words, you can sign them into the Play Zone at 9am, pick them up at noon and take them to lunch, sign them back in at 2pm and enjoy an afternoon show, pick them up at 5pm and take them to the children's tea provided in the King's Court 'Chef's Galley' area between 16:30 & 17:30.  Then you can check them back into the Zone at 6pm until midnight, leaving you free to enjoy a formal dinner and evening entertainment while the kids play happily in the Zone and later settle down and fall asleep in front of some cartoons.  Outside the Play Zone, children 1 to 7 must always be accompanied by an adult around the ship.

Children 8 and up to 17 can also use the Zone, signing themselves in and out.  They are free to wander the ship solo.

I suggest calling Cunard to check current childcare arrangements as they tweak them from time to time, but they don't properly explain them on their website - indeed, we didn't know how extensive their childcare facilities were until we we actually on board!

Cabins & dinner sittings

If you have young children, it's worth asking for a cabin towards the stern of the ship.  We were given a stateroom at the extreme forward end of deck 6, whereas the Play Zone is at the extreme aft end of deck 6.  That meant we had to walk a sixth of a mile from cabin to Play Zone to sign the kids in, then a sixth of a mile back again to get changed.  It proved impossible sign the kids in at 6pm when the Zone opens, walk all the way back to the cabin, get changed into formal dress, then walk forward again to the Britannia restaurant for a 6pm sitting. 

From this experience on our outward crossing, we changed our sitting for the return crossing to 8.30pm.  The evening then worked better, although some after-dinner films or shows finished after midnight so could not be attended without leaving early to collect the kids.  The dinner tended to take up much of the evening.  A stateroom near the Zone, and dressing for the 6pm dinner sitting before taking the kids to the Zone, might be the ideal solution, but my wife's and my opinion is divided!

If you've small children, remember to take your folding buggy (stroller).  It's a big ship!

Other useful information

There is no baggage limit on the Queen Mary 2, either in terms of total weight or the number of bags.  You can bring what you like, as long as it all fits in your stateroom.  However, for safe lifting by staff, no one item may exceed 23Kg (50lb).  Bags are taken from you on arrival at the terminal and they reappear in your stateroom on board.  At the end of the crossing, they are transported ashore for you.  See the embarkation & disembarkation arrangements above.  If you plan to go one way by ship, the other by air, one advantage of taking the ship on the return leg is that you can take as much shopping as you like!

Cunard sometimes have to fight off a stuffy image, and it didn't help that until 2013 they had a three-tier dress code as complicated as a Virgin Trains Saver Ticket restriction.  However, they now have just two codes, formal and informal.  One of two dress codes will apply each evening after 6pm in all the main restaurants and bars, although not in the Kings Court buffet restaurant.  You'll be told which dress code applies on which night in if you log on to your voyage personaliser and it's also stated in the daily programme delivered to your stateroom.

Payment on board

Everything on board, including drinks in the bar, books from the bookshop, massages in the spa, purchases in the shops or internet access, is billed to your on board account.  You simply show your cabin card and sign for the payment.  At the end of the crossing, the total is automatically deducted from the credit card you gave them at check-in and you'll get a summary of your account delivered to your stateroom half-way across and at the end of the voyage.  Just be aware that Cunard follow the American practice of quoting you one price but charging you a slightly higher price, as all bar prices shown on the drinks menu have 15% service fee added to them automatically.  As service is then included, there is no need to add a gratuity unless the service has been particularly special. 

Internet & mobile phone access

Internet access is available for a fee throughout the QM2, both in your cabin and in all the public areas including bars but excluding the theatres & restaurants.  It generally works well with good download speeds.  You pre-pay for a bundle of minutes and this is added to your normal on-board account.

2019 prices:  $15 for 30 minutes (= $0.50 per minute), $45 for 120 minutes (= $0.38 per minute) or $80 for 240 minutes (= $0.33 per minute).

You can spend these minutes individually, so for example you can buy 120 minutes and spend them over the course of the whole voyage, logging on to download emails, logging off again to compose replies offline, then logging on again to send, and so only using a few minutes at a time.

To use your own laptop, simply click on the 'Qm2_Guest_internet' internet connection and open a web browser to see the log-in screen.  Register with your name & cabin number on this log-in page and the cost will be billed to your QM2 stateroom account.  If you don't have your own laptop, the Cunard Connexions rooms on deck 2 or the library on deck 8 have self-service internet PCs which you can use for the same rates.  You'll find power sockets for laptops (both British 3-pin and US 110v) in your cabin, and (if you hunt for them) British 3-pin sockets in certain areas of most bars including the Commodore Club on deck 9 forward and the Chart Room on deck 3.  Tip:  I found that the Commodore Lounge on 9 deck was the quietest and nicest place to work, there's a 3-pin power socket near the skirting in the 'bridge wing' far side of the lounge.  Mobile phone access is available on board throughout the crossing, although it isn't cheap, you'll need to ask your phone network for their rates.

The QM2 is entirely non-smoking apart from the open decks and the Churchill Cigar Lounge forward on deck 9 next to the Commodore Club.

As well as a hotel-style pay-per-item laundry service for laundry collected from your stateroom, you'll find a small free-of-charge self-service laundrette on cabin decks 4, 5, 6 & 8, see the photo below.  These have washers, driers, free detergent sachets, iron & ironing board.  This came in very handy on both our outward and return crossings on a 7-week trip to the States, as we arrived in the US with bags full of clean clothes and arrived back in Blighty without a huge laundry backlog.  Also useful for ironing dress shirts that have become creased in the baggage.

Taking your dog

Yes, you can take your dog across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2, but they will be kept in the ship's kennels on 12 Deck during the crossing and (except for guide dogs) are not allowed in the public areas.  Contact Cunard for details.  There's an exercise area next to the kennels.

Visiting the QM2's bridge

There are no official bridge visits, but there is a viewing room behind the bridge with two large soundproofed windows so you can see what's going on.  It's normally open 09:00-16:00 on sea days, although it's closed in bad weather.  The entrance is on the port (left-hand) side of the ship on deck 12, accessed via 'A' stairway.  No photography is allowed now - the photos below were taken in 2010 although little has changed here.

Which is better, a westbound or an eastbound transatlantic crossing ?

If you really haven't got the time or money to go both ways by sea, you might want to go one-way by sea and the other by air.  You can often find one-way QM2 fares with a 'free' air fare in the other direction.  If you're British and a shopaholic, the obvious advantage of going out westbound by air and back eastbound by sea is that you can shop in New York and bring back as much as you like, as there are no baggage limits on the Queen Mary 2.  And you'll have the leisurely voyage back home to look forward to at the end of your trip.  However, for my money (not being a great shopper), westbound is much better.  There's the growing anticipation as you near America at the end of an outward westbound crossing, there's the significant advantage of 25-hour days as the clocks are put back on 5 of the 7 nights due to the time difference, and best of all the spectacular arrival into New York harbour in the early morning, with that Manhattan skyline lit by the rising sun.  When you're enjoying your evenings on the town (or rather, the ship) until late at night, the 23-hour days on an eastbound crossing as the clocks are put forward can be a killer!  On the other hand, if I were an American heading for Europe, I might well be tempted to head out by sea eastbound, returning west by air.

Forum for cruise reviews, questions & the latest advice

A good place to find advice & reviews about the Queen Mary 2 and other ships, and to post your own questions and reviews of your trip, is the online cruise forum at www.cruise.co.uk .

About Queen Mary 2

The QM2 was built in 2003 at St Nazaire in France, by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, the same shipyard that built the famous French Line ships Ile de France , Normandie and France .  The Queen Mary 2 is no longer the biggest passenger ship in the world in terms of Gross Tonnage, as the Queen Mary 2's 148,528 tons have now been exceeded, first by Royal Caribbean's 154,000-ton Freedom of the Seas in 2006, and then by the 225,000-ton Oasis of the Seas in 2009.  However, the QM2 remains the tallest, longest and widest ship ever built, at 1,132 feet long and 148 feet wide.  For comparison, the original Queen Mary is just 81,237 tons, 1019 feet long, 118 feet wide, and the Titanic was only 46,000 tons, 883 feet long, 93 feet wide.  Queen Mary 2 uses an unconventional propulsion system:  Four large diesel engines and two gas turbines generate electricity, and this powers four electrically-powered propellers each housed in a 'pod' attached under her stern.  The rear two pods swivel to steer the ship, so the QM2 does not have a conventional rudder.  The propellers face forwards rather than backwards, and give her a top speed of around 30 knots (1 knot = 1.1 mph), although she normally crosses the Atlantic at 20 to 25 knots.  See Queen Mary 2 Wikipedia entry .

Souvenirs & books about the QM2

Buy a superb model of the Queen Mary 2:   The souvenir shop on board QM2 on deck 3 has a couple of models of the Queen Mary 2, but neither (in my opinion) are particularly well detailed, and yet they aren't cheap, either.  If you become a QM2 aficionado during your crossing (highly likely!) and want a top-quality model of the QM2 to sit on your shelves or desk, I highly recommend the 1:1250 Queen Mary 2 model at www.galerie-maritim.de .  It is hand painted in die-cast metal.  You can buy either a full hull version in a glass case, or a waterline model without a case.  The models are small enough not to take up too much room, yet are superbly detailed.  They are very expensive, but you won't be disappointed!

Books about the Queen Mary 2:

The book by John Maxtone-Graham is beautifully written and illustrated, a great souvenir, search for it at Amazon.com (USA) or Amazon.co.uk (UK).  It's also available in the bookshop on board the QM2.

But by far the best book about the design, construction and operation of the QM2 is written by its designer, Stephen Payne, "RMS Queen Mary 2 Manual: An Insight into the Design, Construction and Operation of the World's Largest Ocean Liner", buy it at www.amazon.co.uk (UK) or www.amazon.com (USA).  Highly recommended!

QM2 video guide

Alternatives to the queen mary 2, passenger-carrying freighters, hotels & accommodation, hotels in new york.

New York has hundreds of hotels, the two most famous being the New York Plaza Hotel opposite Central Park and the Waldorf-Astoria on 4th Avenue.  I've never stayed at the Plaza, but have to say I was not impressed by the rooms at the Waldorf, on either occasion I stayed there.  Here's my top tip for New York:

The Algonquin Hotel

The Algonquin is New York's oldest operating hotel, opened in 1902, and a designated New York City Historic Landmark.  Perfectly located in mid-town Manhattan, a block or two from Times Square one way and Grand Central the other, with a lovely wood-panelled lobby and even its own hotel cat, which you may find wandering the corridors or sitting on the reception desk.  To check prices & book, click here .  For the Algonquin's history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Hotel .

In Los Angeles:  Hotel Queen Mary, Long Beach

If you get as far as Los Angeles after your transatlantic crossing, it has to be the Hotel Queen Mary , doesn't it?  She makes a good base to explore the Los Angeles - Hollywood - Disneyland area.  The original Queen Mary of 1936 has been permanently moored at Long Beach in California since the late 1960s, some 25 miles from Los Angeles Union Station (about a $90 taxi ride), and it's undoubtedly the most fascinating place to stay in LA.  The hotel consists of most of the Queen Mary's original first class cabins, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars available on board, too.  Hotel guests can more or less wander the ship at will, and even sign up for ghost hunts at night on board (and yes, from my own experience there is definitely something going on aboard that beautiful but ageing ship!).  Wood panelled art deco interiors have been preserved, although a few modern items have been installed such as televisions, and (as we worked out from a historic deck plan) in some cases two of the Queen Mary's original cabins have been knocked into one hotel suite by turning one of the en suite bathrooms into a connecting corridor.  She is one of the most atmospheric places I have ever stayed.

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Silversea & Cunard No-Fly Transatlantic Voyage with New York Exploration

Cruise holiday overview.

• Ship Silver Dawn
• Duration 29 NIGHTS
• Departure 16 May 2025
• Cruise type Cruise & Touring
• Cruise code AME7779

Veranda Suite Prices from £7,999pp

Complimentary 6-night hotel stay in new york, last 20 suites available.

Embark Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 for the iconic transatlantic voyage from Southampton to New York, then cruise through Canada with Silversea on the return journey home.

Upon arrival in New York, bask in six nights of indulgence at the prestigious New York Marriott Marquis, complemented by an immersive New York City tour and an awe-inspiring Empire State Building visit.

On the return journey on Silver Dawn , delve into the rich maritime heritage of Boston, explore the captivating waterfront of Halifax, and experience the rugged beauty of Newfoundland. Discover the colourful streets of Cobh in Ireland and delve into Falmouth’s maritime heritage, bustling harbour and lively arts scene, before visiting Guernsey and the charming French port town of Saint Malo. Immerse yourself in the enchanting fusion of historical allure and modern marvels on this unforgettable transatlantic journey.

Your Imagine Holiday Includes

7 night full-board cruise on board Queen Mary 2

16 night all-inclusive cruise on board Silver Dawn

Complimentary premium shore excursions included at every port*

Pre-paid gratuities and complimentary Wi-Fi on board

In-suite butler service and fully stocked fridge for all suites

All-inclusive beverages including fine wines, beers and premium spirits

6 night four-star hotel stay in New York at the New York Marriott Marquis

New York City Tour

Empire State Building tour

Your Voyage

Your Itinerary

Today you’ll embark Cunard’s magnificent Queen Mary 2 for a luxurious cruise like no other. Savour impeccable service, world-class amenities, exquisite dining options, and a plethora of activities as Queen Mary 2 showcases unparalleled luxury.

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Queen Mary 2

Today you’ll bid farewell to Queen Mary 2 to feel the electric energy of New York City. Iconic landmarks, world-class entertainment, and a melting pot of cultures await. Let the Big Apple inspire your dreams. Unleash your potential in NYC’s vibrant embrace.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Overnight: New York Marriott Marquis

Prepare for an immersive day of sightseeing during a fully escorted New York City tour. Drive along Central Park, shop the boutiques of 5th Avenue, marvel at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and check out the historic hangouts of Greenwich Village and SoHo.

Three days in New York are yours to spend at leisure. From Times Square’s dazzling lights to the serene Central Park, explore what makes New York one of the most vibrant cities on Earth.

Today you’ll gain access to New York’s most iconic building with an Empire State Building tour. Visit the 2 nd floor exhibition, and get the ultimate panoramic view of New York’s bridges, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty.

Embark Silver Dawn for your cruise back to Southampton. Settle into your decadent surroundings, choose from a wealth of dining experiences, and get to know your personal butler who will keep your fridge stocked with your favourite drinks.

Meals Included: All-Inclusive Board Basis

Overnight: Silver Dawn

Embrace the rich history and vibrant energy of Boston, Massachusetts. With its colonial heritage, world-class institutions, and diverse culture, it’s a city that invites you to explore and discover America’s past and present.

Embrace Halifax’s vibrant spirit. From maritime history to charming waterfronts, this Nova Scotia gem invites you to indulge in delectable seafood and immerse yourself in East Coast hospitality. Unforgettable experiences await in Halifax.

Saint John’s, where history and the wild Atlantic collide. Explore vibrant streets, inhale the salty air, and be captivated by its warm-hearted inhabitants. Let this coastal gem awaken your spirit.

Cruise into the charming harbour of Cobh in County Cork, past the picturesque waterfront of vibrant coloured houses. Discover the town’s rich past at the Cobh Heritage Centre and take in the scenic beauty of St. Colman’s Cathedral.

The scenic Cornish fishing town of Falmouth captivates visitors with its maritime heritage, stunning beaches, and vibrant arts scene. Explore the historic Pendennis Castle and delve into maritime history at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

This captivating island in the English Channel enthrals with its idyllic landscapes, rich history, and charming coastal towns. Explore the cobbled streets and bustling markets of St. Peter Port and visit the historic Castle Cornet.

Behind the ancient walls of this picturesque port city in Brittany, you’ll find mesmerising medieval architecture, from ramparts to winding cobbled streets, as well as delectable seafood restaurants. Pull up a seat on the seafront and enjoy.

Your remarkable transatlantic cruise ends in Southampton, where you’ll disembark Silver Dawn to make your way home.

Silver Dawn

Large enough to offer eight restaurants – including the superb Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T) programme – yet small enough for the famed Silversea on-board ambience,  Silver Dawn,  inherits the best features of her sister ships  Silver Muse  and  Silver Moon,  but is in a class all her own. Featuring sumptuous suites, outstanding cruise destinations plus cutting-edge design and technology, the  Silver Dawn  cruise ship sets new standards of luxury. Wake up to a new dawn with Silversea.

A Silversea cruise on board  Silver Dawn  comes with all the hallmarks of nautical luxury, including spacious all-suite accommodation complete with a personalised butler service, as well as a host of sumptuous lounges and bars serving up cocktails inspired by your location.

Head to the S.A.L.T. Lab to deep-dive into local culinary techniques, savour unprecedented moments of comfort in the Otium Spa, and enjoy sumptuous fine-dining in one of the eight on board restaurants.

• Occupancy 596
• Tonnage 40,700 tons
• Length 699 ft (213.00 m)

Life on board Silver Dawn

Delicious dining, fascinating enrichment activities and an award-winning spa, Silversea ensures that your happiness is guaranteed from the very first moment you step on board.

Featuring eight dining options, including the line’s signature restaurants Spaccanapoli – reflecting Silversea’s Italian heritage, and La Dame – the epitome of French fine dining, there’s plenty to delight all palates.

• S.A.L.T Kitchen
• La Terrazza
• Silver Note
• Spaccanapoli

Bars & Lounges

• S.A.L.T. Bar
• Connoisseur’s Corner
• Panorama Lounge

Marvel at the superb exhibitions in the Arts Café or browse the luxury boutiques, enjoy a dip in the pool, relax in one of the whirlpools or take part in fitness classes.

• Otium Beauty Salon
• Pool Deck & Jacuzzi Area
• Observation Library
• Fitness Centre

entertainment

From full-scale theatre productions to feature films and dazzling cabaret performances, entertainment is traditional and elegant.

• S.A.L.T. Lab
• Venetian Lounge

Queen Mary 2

The flagship of the Cunard fleet, Queen Mary 2’s style and grace are legendary. Cunard have incorporated the very latest in modern facilities, entertainment, and enrichment opportunities into a spectacular ship whose very essence harks back to the golden age of travel.

Discover an incredible sense of freedom from the elegant space she offers, whether you’re in the mood for utter relaxation or something a little more energetic, you’ll find it in Queen Mary 2’s spellbinding array of entertainment and activity options.

Be entertained by lavish musical shows, dance in the largest ballroom at sea with a superb resident orchestra, and with four marvellous pool areas and elegant spa facilities for relaxation, teamed with an exceptional service, this wonderful ship has everything you could possibly want for the most marvellous time at sea.

• Occupancy 2691
• Tonnage 148,528 tons
• Length 1,132 ft (345.00 m)

Life on board Queen Mary 2

From exquisite fine dining and sophisticated lounges to sporting activities and shopping, spend your days at sea doing as much or as little as you like.

From classic British and French in the Britannia and Grills restaurants to the best steak onboard at The Verandah, there’s something to suit every taste.

• Britannia Restaurant
• Kings Court
• Steakhouse at The Verandah*
• The Golden Lion*
• Dinner at the Lido*
• Al Fresco Dining*
• Carinthia Lounge*
• Britannia Club Restaurant^
• Queens Grill+
• Princess Grill**

Bars & Lounges*

• Commodore Club
• Gin & Fizz
• The Golden Lion
• Queens Room

*Available at an additional cost

^Included when staying in a Britannia Club Balcony stateroom

+Included when staying in a Queens Grill Suite

** Included when staying in a Princess Grill Suite

With the largest ballroom at sea, a lavish theatre, a 3D cinema, spa treatments, RADA workshops and golf simulators, there is truly something for everyone on board.

• Open-air pool
• Fully-equipped gym
• Traditional Afternoon Tea
• Gala Evenings
• Film screenings
• Planetarium shows
• Deck and board games
• Sports facilities
• Dance classes

There’s never a dull moment with West End-style productions at the Royal Court Theatre, and a full live music programme, plus ballroom dancing in the Queens Room.

• G32 Nightclub
• Empire Casino
• Illuminations
• Royal Court Theatre

The suites on board offer one of the highest space-per-guest rations of any luxury cruise accommodation, plus cruising on an all-inclusive basis means that everything is taken care of.

Classic Veranda Suite Prices from £8,299 pp

The suite’s finest asset lies just outside, as floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private veranda. Enjoy sumptuous comfort and attention to detail – both inside and out.

• Dedicated butler
• Veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors
• Twin beds or queen-sized bed
• Down duvets
• Pillow Menu
• Marbled bathroom with vanity, separate shower and full-sized bath
• Luxury bath amenities
• Plush bathrobes & slippers
• One 40” / 102 cm flat-screen HD TV
• Unlimited Standard Wifi
• Refrigerator and bar setup stocked with your preferences
• Champagne on arrival

Superior Veranda Suite Prices from £8,799 pp

Holding an incredible location on the upper deck, you can enjoy majestic sunset views. This spectacular space covers all the features and comforts synonymous with Silversea, making it a cosy home from home.

• Queen size bed
• Pillow menu
• Marbled bathroom with double vanity, separate shower and full-sized bath
• Plush bathrobes, luxury bath amenities & slippers
• Vanity table with hair dryer
• Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
• Sitting area
• Veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass door
• One large flat screen TV

Deluxe Veranda Suite Prices from £9,299 pp

This charming and opulent suite offers a comfortable living space, close to the heart of the ship. Unwind in the sitting area or enjoy the romantic views of the setting sun from your private veranda.

Your Hotel Stay

New York Marriott Marquis (Or Similar)

Situated in the heart of Times Square, New York Marriott Marquis offers the iconic NYC experience. On the hotel’s doorstep, discover Broadway theatres and renowned landmarks like Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Head to the rooftop to discover The View Restaurant & Lounge, a revolving eatery and bar that looks out upon Manhattan. Dine on contemporary American cuisine at Broadway Lounge or tuck into a buffet breakfast at Crossroads. Contemporary rooms boast state-of-the-art TVs with Netflix connectivity, complimentary Wi-Fi and tea-and-coffee facilities.

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7 Night Transatlantic Cruise

Sail like the royalty on a Cunard ocean liner. This regal line has been sailing its famed transatlantic crossings since the 1840s.

Enjoy the excellent experience that is a vacation away from the everyday, sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at intriguing ports—try a transatlantic cruise.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into England’s culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

• Queen Mary 2 - Passenger Capacity: 2,691 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2004 Last Refurbished: 2020

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

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Ports of Call

Southampton, England , New York, New York

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• Itinerary & Pricing

7 Night Transatlantic Cruise sailing on the Queen Mary 2

Departure dates: aug 2024 - dec 2026.

From $1,339

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From $1,169

From $1,399

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From $1,449

Stateroom prices for Aug. 16, 2024

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Based on Inside cabin prices

Based on Oceanview cabin prices

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Based on Suite cabin prices

Sailing Map

*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government taxes & fees are additional. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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Classic New York 7nt Westbound Transatlantic

• Entrance Ticket To The Empire State Building Included

What's Included

• Seven nights' full-board cruise accommodation on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2 between Southampton and New York
• Three nights' four-star room-only accommodation in Manhattan
• Entrance tickets to the Empire State Building
• Overnight flight between New York and UK

Package Highlights

• Fly just once
• Seven days of uninterrupted relaxation on board ship
• Cunard's Queen Mary 2 - One of the most spacious ships afloat
• The largest ballroom at sea with themed balls
• Superlative white-gloved afternoon tea
• Manhattan sights and shopping delights

Indulge in the ultimate romantic experience of arriving in New York City aboard the world-renowned Queen Mary 2 ocean liner. Embark on a transatlantic journey that boasts the finest traditions at sea, creating an unforgettable voyage. Escape from the monotony of everyday life and allow yourself to be immersed in a world of luxury and relaxation. As you approach the city that never sleeps, the dazzling lights and endless possibilities of Manhattan are sure to excite and inspire you.

From the lush greenery of Central Park to the bustling streets of 5th Avenue, the towering Empire State Building to the vibrant energy of Times Square, the iconic Statue of Liberty to the buzzing financial hub of Wall Street, the famous department stores of Macy's and Tiffany's to the ever-present Yellow Cabs and NYPD, and of course, the enchanting world of Broadway, these elements come together in a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and experiences that will stay with you long after you depart.

Westbound to New York : Get your holiday off to an immediate start and travel to the United States in style from Southampton. For five days of any crossing - each day at sea is 25 hours long and so you will arrive refreshed in tune with local time ready to step of your ship after breakfast and enjoy a full day. That is without the jet lag - wanting to go to sleep five hours before everyone else and waking up in the early hours of the morning. Wake up early on your last morning to greet the statue of Liberty as Cunard Queen Mary 2 glides past in eases into port. Fly home overnight.

Cunard Queen Mary 2

Cunard Queen Mary 2 is a true icon of the modern age cementing her place in history alongside Cunard Ocean Liner greats of yesteryear such as QE2, Caronia, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Mauretania, Berengaria, Carpathia, Lusitania and Britannia. The iconic 151,000 tonne Cunard Queen Mary 2 is currently the only true ocean liner in the world built specifically to carry on the tradition of a Transatlantic service linking Southampton with New York. Unlike her predecessors - this head turning queen of the ocean merges the benefits of an ocean liner with those of a modern cruise ship giving one of the most stable and comfortable cruise experiences possible.

Stateroom Accommodation:

The luxuriously appointed staterooms have private en-suite facilities, air conditioning, flat-screen cable TV's with free in-room movies, vanity area, hair dryer, telephone, refrigerator with minibar and free room service.

Dining On Board:

The magnificent Britannia restaurant caters for most of the guests on-board over two sittings for dinner and has anytime dining for breakfast and lunch. The Britannia restaurant is modelled on the grand dining room of the original Queen Mary with a sweeping double staircase which ends with twin fluted Lalique light vases. The soaring vaulted stained-glass ceiling, huge tapestry, majestic columns and a space which stretches right across the whole width of the ship is most impressive. The King's Court area occupies virtually the whole of deck seven (the Promenade deck) and features a large central service area which offers virtually 24-hour dinning with extra service areas offering speciality a la carte dining options#. The Cafe Corinthia offers light snacks and options for breakfast and lunch and is a full-service coffee bar too. The Verandah restaurant offers speciality French cuisine during lunch & dinner for an extra charge; while pub style lunches in the Golden Lion Pub are free of charge.

The unique Cunard Insights programme provides an impressive line up of guest speakers & lectures and the Cunard Maritime Quest is discovery trail around the ship charting the history of Cunard. Superlative white gloved afternoon tea is taken in the Queens Ballroom which is the largest ballroom at sea hosting the captain's cocktail parties, themed balls and big band style live entertainment in the evening. This ship even has a planetarium and its own art gallery. There is an indoor pool with a retractable glass roof and two whirlpools, two outdoor pools with three whirlpools and a separate kids splash pool. You will also find a library, children's clubs, numerous bars & a casino. The Royal Court theatre offers spectacular shows and entertainment, while the G32 nightclub is ideal for night owls.

Wyndham New Yorker Hotel

This large Art Deco style hotel comprises 1,014 rooms spread over 40 floors and is perfectly situated on 34th Street just across from Madison Square Garden and New York Penn Station. On the same street - just two blocks away you will find Macy’s Department Store and a little further on the Empire State Building graces the skyline. This air-conditioned city hotel welcomes its guests through revolving doors into a large and impressive lobby. It is also centrally located close to Times Square, countless restaurants, shops and bars.

Southampton, UK

Set sail from Southampton and get your holiday off to an immediate start. Enjoy the sail-away party on board as you settle in for a week of uninterrupted relaxation.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

New York, USA

Perhaps wake up early on your last morning onboard to greet the statue of Liberty as Cunard Queen Mary 2 glides past and eases into the Brooklyn Cruise terminal. You will arrive refreshed and in tune with local time ready to step of your ship after breakfast and enjoy a full day exploring all that Manhattan has to offer. Overnight hotel stay.

A further two-nights' hotel stay. Wander around Central Park and go shopping on 5th Avenue to take advantage of the exchange rate and the lower prices. Visit Battery Park at the Southern tip of Manhattan and take some photos of the Statue of Liberty. If you have time - hop on a boat tour via the Statue of Liberty to the museum on Ellis Island. Finally visit Times Square at night before seeing a show on Broadway.

Fly from New York, USA to London, UK

Make your way to the airport for your overnight flight home.

Arrive into the the UK.

Other Information

• This itinerary also operates in reverse - flying to New York and sailing eastbound to Southampton.

Prices are subject to availability and change. Offer and prices can be withdrawn at any time without any notice. Prices are per person based on two sharing a room. Carry-on and checked baggage restrictions vary by airline and may incur an additional charge.

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Cunard Transatlantic Cruises

An Atlantic crossing is more than just a voyage along one of the most storied routes in nautical history. A Cunard Transatlantic cruise is a true high-seas experience. These 7- to 8-day cruises don't just take you from here to there. They take you to a place of invigorating but civilized adventure.

Cunard Line offers many Transatlantic cruises on the Queen Mary 2. Departure ports include New York and Southampton . New York departures on the Queen Mary 2 cruise from Brooklyn .

Queen Mary 2 transatlantic cruise accommodations combine the class of the Golden Age of travel with marvels of new technologies. Interactive TV and email are available in every stateroom. Nearly 75% of the QM2's staterooms include private balconies, where you can experience the thrill of open-sea travel at 25 knots.

It will take you a while to discover all there is to do on the Queen Mary 2. Her recreational facilities include the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, the only planetarium at sea, and the largest ballroom of any ship. Play on two sports decks, five pools, the fitness center, and golf simulators. Enrichment programs include lectures, readings, art workshops, concerts and plays. Or relax in a teak steamer chair on deck, or having tea in the Queens Room to the melodies of a string quartet. Read a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic cruise review .

January 3, 2024: 8-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

January 11, 2024: 11-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale (Florida) on the Queen Victoria. Visit Bermuda and Port Canaveral (Florida).

January 27, 2024: 12-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale (Florida) on the Queen Anne. Visit Ponta Delgada (Azores) and Port Canaveral (Florida).

February 21, 2024: 10-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Southampton (England) on the Queen Anne. Visit Bermuda.

April 28, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

May 5, 2024: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

May 16, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

May 23, 2024: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

June 9, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

June 15, 2024: 8-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

June 23, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

July 6, 2024: 8-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

July 21, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

July 27, 2024: 8-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

August 16, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

August 23, 2024: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

September 15, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

October 4, 2024: 9-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Visit Newport (Rhode Island) and Boston (Massachusetts).

October 17, 2024: 8-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Visit Le Havre (France).

October 25, 2024: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

November 13, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

December 3, 2024: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

December 14, 2024: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

January 3, 2025: 8-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

January 9, 2025: 9-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Anne. Non-stop.

January 9, 2025: 12-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale (Florida) on the Queen Victoria. Visit Praia da Vitoria (Azores) and Port Canaveral (Florida).

March 8, 2025: 8-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

March 14, 2025: 14-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Southampton (England) on the Queen Victoria. Visit Port Canaveral (Florida), Hamilton (Bermuda) and Ponta Delgada (Azores).

March 29, 2025: 8-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

April 27, 2025: 8-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Visit Le Havre (France).

May 5, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

May 16, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

May 23, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

June 6, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

June 13, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

June 24, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

July 8, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

July 25, 2025: 14-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Visit Stavanger (Norway), Olden (Norway), Skjolden (Norway), Isafjordur (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland) and Halifax (Nova Scotia).

August 8, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

August 27, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

September 3, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

September 26, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

October 17, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

October 24, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

October 31, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

November 19, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

December 8, 2025: 7-night cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

December 15, 2025: 7-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Non-stop.

Have fun. Explore the world. Take one of the Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic cruises.

Cruises from Southampton, UK

The Port of Southampton – Cruise Capital of the UK

Cunard Cruises, Southampton to New York, November 13, 2024

7-day westbound transatlantic cruise on board queen mary 2.

Enjoy the best Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York with Cunard Cruises

Between Southampton and New York , whichever way you travel, crossing the Atlantic is a journey which Cunard has undertaken every year since 1840.

Cruising from Southampton, UK

Day 1-6 – At Sea cruising

The Queen Mary 2, often referred to as QM2, is distinguished by its blend of modern amenities and classic design, paying homage to the golden era of ocean liners while incorporating contemporary luxuries. This vessel is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic, making it one of the few ships capable of regular transatlantic crossings, a testament to its engineering marvel and robust construction.

Cruising to New York

Join Cunard Cruise Line on this Westbound Transatlantic crossing cruise from Southampton to New York on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Queen Mary 2 leaving Southampton, UK for 7 nights from November 13, 2024.

The 11 Things I Learned On A Transatlantic Cunard Cruise

M ost adventurers have some type of a travel bucket list. Taking Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 across the Atlantic had been on my list for nearly 25 years. Recently, my husband and I treated ourselves to the “crossing” of a lifetime. I’ve taken several cruises but this was my first voyage ! A transatlantic crossing is called a voyage because there are no port stops.

Cunard’s transatlantic history goes back to 1840. Cunard developed into a cruise line advertised as “floating palaces” and had design features that mirrored the opulent décor of The Ritz . The Queen Mary 2 (QM2) was built in 2004 and is the only transatlantic ocean liner with regular service from Southampton, England, and New York City. She is a ship built and designed specifically for the rough seas of the northern Atlantic and is the flagship of Cunard Line. She embodies old-world charm, class, style, and a British flair that we just don’t get to experience in the U.S.

I had no preconceived ideas or expectations but felt the trip would be opulent and special since it was with the Cunard Line. Our passage from Brooklyn to Southampton was remarkable, relaxing, luxurious, and exciting. I never expected the Atlantic Ocean to look so different each day of the voyage. I felt like a queen! Here are several things you’ll love about cruising with Cunard.

1. The Price

Surprisingly, it is at times more affordable to take this luxurious ship to Europe from the States than buying an airline ticket! I was quite surprised to meet and chat with many guests who opted for the luxury, food, and experience of crossing the Atlantic in lieu of flying, which cost them less than an airline ticket. If time isn’t an issue to get to Europe, why not enjoy an experience of a lifetime. The voyage takes seven nights and can cost as little as $799 per person in an interior cabin. Prices vary depending on the time of the year as do airline ticket prices.

2. An Interior Room Or A Balcony Room

I booked our balcony room after my husband explained a British idiom to me called POSH. Originally, I thought he meant a “fancy pants room . ” But he was really referencing the room’s location on the ship. He suggested we book the room on the right side (starboard) of the ship since she will be sailing eastbound to Europe . The afternoon sun would shine on our side longer. POSH , according to British folklore and ocean travel, references ships traveling between England and India. It stands for “Port Out, Starboard Home.” POSH might just be a tongue-in-cheek colloquialism, but it was exciting to reference that lingo as I selected my cabin. Reflecting on my choice, I should have chosen an interior room . At the time of our crossing in the fall, I never went on the balcony because it was too cold.

3. Level Of Service

There are three levels of service you can purchase for your voyage. The Britannia level is chosen by 85 percent of guests. Included in all levels is cabin accommodation, all meals and afternoon tea, all entertainment on the ship, films, the library, pools, and the King’s Court (buffet). Alcohol, the spa, and Wi-Fi are extra. The two other pricier levels have their own private dining room, the Queen’s Grill and Princess Grill Suites , plus different amenities and service levels associated with their rooms.

The Britannia Room is a decadent, two-floor dining room with a double spiral staircase that makes you feel like you are descending down stairs into culinary heaven. It has a social, lively, white-glove-service atmosphere with a nightly five-course dinner. Certain nights, guests are invited to wear their finest evening wear. Jackets and ties are required a few nights, so plan ahead and pack a tie! Breakfast and lunch are also served in this room. You can dine alone or ask to sit at a larger table with other travelers. They also cater to all your dietary needs. I prefer this level of service. The other levels are nice, but you miss the grandeur of this dinning room if you decide to dine in the smaller restaurants.

4. Dress Code

Some people like to go all out on “formal” nights. Men wear their tuxedos and ladies don sequins and feathers. At a minimum on “formal” night, men must be in a coat and tie. Ladies should be dressed up without jeans or flip flops. If formal night isn’t your fancy, you can eat at the King’s Court or order room service.

5. Time Changes

After you settle in on your first day at sea and acclimate with the ship and the laid-back atmosphere, you will hear a subtle daily chime throughout the ship indicating it’s time to move your watch ahead 1 hour. Because of the time zone change, 5 hours is spread out over your journey, but it is almost unrecognizable. I travel in multiple time zones almost daily and this was the easiest experience I’ve had!

6. Accommodation For Your Dog Or Cat

The QM2 is the only ship in the world that allows passengers to bring dogs and cats on board for a voyage. Cunard offers the only kennel service on transatlantic sailings . To make the animals feel like they are more at home, either from England or the U.S., the company installed an American fire hydrant and an English lamp post on the “ Dog Deck .” A “Kennel Master” is on board and assists in caring for the animals, responsible for feeding and walking, and cuddling is included as well. Owners can visit the animals, walk them, or snuggle in cuddle rooms but can’t bring the pets back to their rooms.

Pro Tip: Head up to the Kennel Deck to see hand-cut leftover filet mignon served at feeding time! Book early to reserve a coveted kennel spot for your four-legged friend.

A very unassuming pop-up table with a customs officer sets up in the afternoon for passengers to get their passports updated. Once the ship docks, you are free to leave!

Many floors on the QM2 pay homage to the Titanic . Titanic photographs and memorabilia are displayed all throughout the ship. White Star Cruise Line owned the Titanic but later merged with Cunard. Both companies display such interesting history making it easy to stroll about the large ship finding more nuggets of the past down every hall.

Pro Tip: Listen up! The ship makes an announcement when passing nearby where the Titanic went down.

9. Entertainment

There are more activities on this voyage and not enough time. There are nightly Broadway shows, dance lessons, guest talks, a planetarium, tours, a casino, a spa, art classes, and live music to enjoy.

Pro Tip: The Carinthia Lounge is a great place to relax, read, and enjoy coffee and handmade patisseries.

10. Exercise

The QM2 has an enormous workout facility with fitness classes and spin bicycles. The best exercise is the outdoor, open, large teak deck. Three laps around equal just over a mile. On this deck, there are old-world teak deck chairs with blankets if you want to catch your breath and look for whales.

The food in the Britannia Room was superb. I love a five-course meal! I don’t know what I liked more, the entrée or the delicious dessert. I wasn’t too keen on the buffet but they did offer fresh sushi daily. And breakfast room service is free!

I spent my days rarely looking at a clock. We walked the decks and strolled through the many floors of quality museum history. I really enjoyed having an afternoon, classic British tea service while I read my favorite books in a gorgeous room: the Carinthia Lounge. I loved the elegantly refined British rooms and waited daily for my scrumptious feast nightly in the Britannia Room.

Pro Tip: After two crossings, you “earn” a coveted Cunard pin to wear proudly on the ship.

This article originally appeared on TravelAwaits

Wed 22 May 2024

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The luxury summer cruise that’s cheaper than flying

A mini cruise can offer excellent value for money, and can also offer a cost-effective route to popular international events.

British cruise line Cunard launched its first new ship in 14 years earlier this month, having spent around £480m on the build of Queen Anne . The 2,996-passenger vessel, named after the Stuart monarch, will be officially named at a ceremony in Liverpool on 3 June. The ship will be based year-round in Southampton where Cunard is now headquartered.

Like Cunard’s three existing ships, RMS Queen Mary 2 , Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth , Anne is a heritage ship underpinned by luxury and understated elegance – the experience is all about afternoon teas and gala dinners rather than Broadway-style shows and bingo.

Interiors have been designed by David Collins Studio, Richmond International and Sybille de Margerie, who between them have worked on projects that include Harrods, bespoke David Beckham suites at the Londoner Macao hotel, Sandy Lane in Barbados and the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Paris. Creative director Adam D Tihany has been behind restaurants for high-profile chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Heston Blumenthal and Paul Bocuse.

While Queen Anne ‘s cruises this year include week-long voyages that nose into Norway’s fjords and fortnight-long itineraries around the western Mediterranean, there are also some remarkably good value mini-cruises, among them a two-night break to Hamburg in Germany.

Coinciding with Fifa’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, the cruise departs Southampton on 30 June and arrives in Hamburg two days later – the quarter-finals will take place at the city’s Volksparkstadion on 5 July. The price of £299pp includes sea-view accommodation in a Britannia Club Balcony stateroom, which has a lounge area, complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries, welcome bottle of sparkling wine, complimentary room service menu, priority embarkation and disembarkation and a dedicated steward.

Also included are meals in the main restaurant, afternoon tea, dance and art classes, deck games, access to the pool, classical concerts and evening entertainment. And of course luggage allowance.

Compare that to a one-way flight from Heathrow to Hamburg on the same departure date: British Airways has one-way fares available for £318pp, excluding checked-in luggage.

Cunard isn’t the only cruise line offering good value mini cruises this summer. MSC has a two-night cruise aboard Virtuosa from Southampton to Cherbourg on 1 June, that arrives on the coast of Normandy just before the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings on 6 June .

I'm a solo traveller – this type of holiday is cheaper than you might think

Costing £169pp, it includes accommodation in an inside cabin, all meals, tips, entertainment and port fees, rising to £209pp in an outside cabin. An equivalent on Brittany Ferries’ Portsmouth-Cherbourg overnight route on 3 June costs £161 for two passengers in a Club cabin without any meals or a car.

Anniversary events will be taking place along the coast from 1 June, starting with a free display of fireworks over the five landing beaches, and an international ceremony on 6 June on Omaha beach. The D-Day Festival runs for the first two weeks of June, with events along the coast until 16 June.

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The 11 top world cruises for 2025.

Dream big and set sail on the monthslong voyage of a lifetime.

The Top World Cruises

Courtesy of Viking

If your ideal vacation involves spending months sailing around the world – exploring storied, faraway lands and learning the mysteries of ancient civilizations and cultures – then you should consider booking a world cruise. These epic voyages transport guests around the globe to some of the world's top historical and cultural attractions . You'll sample locally inspired cuisines from Asia, Europe, South America and other diverse regions, plus enjoy special events on the ship and in port, including expert guest lectures, cultural programs and memorable themed nights. And best of all: You'll only have to pack and unpack once.

To help you choose which world cruise is right for you, U.S. News has compiled a list of some of the best sailings that are available to book for 2025. Keep in mind: If you're interested in a world cruise that is fully booked, you shouldn't lose hope. When trips are booked this far in advance, there are usually some cancellations; you may be able to get on a waitlist through a travel adviser or by contacting the cruise line directly. Otherwise, if you're ready to book your tickets and set sail on the trip of a lifetime, consider one of these 11 upcoming world voyages. (Note: All starting rates were accurate at the time of writing.)

Find your perfect cruise

Viking Ocean Cruises: Viking World Voyage I

Dates: Dec. 19, 2024, to June 17, 2025

Duration: 180 days

Starting rate: $85,995 per person (Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, double occupancy)

Viking Ocean Cruises' epic 180-day voyage on Viking Sky departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 2024 and ends in New York in June 2025. The cruise is nearly sold out, including the least expensive Veranda Stateroom at $79,995 per person. Guests will visit 37 countries on six continents and have 83 guided tours in far-flung locales, from the South Pacific to Asia to the Middle East. Cruisers will also have overnights in some of the world's most fascinating cities, including London, Istanbul and Singapore.

This world cruise includes Viking 's mostly all-inclusive amenities. Fares cover all meals; wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner; one complimentary excursion in every port; free Wi-Fi access; access to the spa and fitness center; enrichment lectures and destination performances; and other amenities. The line also runs world cruise promotions that may cover free business airfare and transfers, shore credits, shipboard credits, a beverage package and other perks.

A shorter, 138-day segment of the world cruise is also available. This voyage has the same departure date and port as the 180-day option, but guests will disembark on May 6, 2025, in London. This cruise includes ports of call in 28 countries and 57 guided tours. The lowest fare is $59,995 per person (double occupancy) for a Veranda Stateroom.

Holland America Line: 124-Day Grand World Voyage

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Dates: Jan. 4 to May 9, 2025

Duration: 124 days

Starting rate: $24,999 per person (Inside Stateroom, double occupancy)

In January 2025, Holland America Line will sail simultaneous world cruises of longer than 120 days for the first time in the line's history: this 124-day sailing and a 133-day "Pole-to-Pole" Grand World Voyage. The shorter 124-Day Grand World Voyage sails round-trip from Fort Lauderdale.

The extensive itinerary on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam features 32 countries and 10 overnight stays, as well as bucket list destinations like Machu Picchu, Easter Island and the Great Barrier Reef. The voyage includes a Panama Canal transit and stops in exotic destinations such as several islands in French Polynesia. Travelers will also visit ports of call in Australia, Asian countries like Indonesia and Sri Lanka, African destinations such as Madagascar and Tanzania, places in Western Europe like Italy and France, and many others. After traveling to so many incredible destinations on this itinerary, the ship crosses the Atlantic Ocean and returns to Florida.

Holland America offers a limited-time promotion where guests will receive a Surf Wi-Fi package, prepaid gratuities and other amenities when they book this voyage.

MSC Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Jan. 5 to May 1, 2025

Duration: 116 nights

Starting rate: $17,239 per person (Interior Stateroom, double occupancy)

The world cruise voyage on the 3,223-passenger MSC Magnifica departs round-trip from Genoa (Portofino), Italy, in January 2025 for a 116-night voyage around the globe. This incredible journey with MSC Cruises includes 52 ports of call, with stops in southern France; Spain; Morocco; ports in South America; Cape Verde, Africa; and more. Guests will also visit the Falkland Islands, the dreamy isles of Tahiti, the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia, numerous Asian countries and Egypt before returning to Italy.

Cruise fares include 15 complimentary shore excursions, as well as the Dine & Drink package that features a selection of wines, draught beer, sparkling water and other nonalcoholic beverages in the main restaurants and the buffet during lunch and dinner. There is also a 30% discount on laundry services. Cruisers will enjoy themed evenings, guest speakers and language classes while on board.

Oceania Cruises: Around the World in 180 Days

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Dates: Jan. 5 to July 3, 2025

Starting rate: $48,799 per person (Inside Stateroom, double occupancy)

This extensive 180-day world voyage with Oceania Cruises aboard the intimate 670-passenger Insignia embarks from Miami in January 2025. The sailing includes 89 ports in 32 countries across five continents, 46 accessible UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 21 overnight stays.

This cruise, with its unique east-to-west circumnavigation, features incredible cultural and immersive experiences across the globe. Guests will cruise the Amazon River in Brazil and visit bustling South American cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Then, they'll set sail for alluring locales in destinations like Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, China and more. Other destinations on the long journey include New Caledonia; Mystery Island, Vanuatu; Fiji; American Samoa; French Polynesia; and Hawaii. Guests disembark in San Diego in July 2025.

Oceania's " simply MORE" offer for the world cruise includes two-for-one cruise fares; round-trip airfare and transfers; $8,200 in shore excursion credit; free Champagne, wine and other beverages; complimentary specialty dining; and unlimited Wi-Fi access.

Princess Cruises: 116-Day World Cruise

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Dates: Jan. 5 to May 2, 2025 (round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida) or Jan. 20 to May 17, 2025 (round-trip from Los Angeles)

Duration: 116 days

Starting rate: $18,998 per person (Interior Stateroom, double occupancy)

There are two embarkation options for Princess Cruises ' 116-day cruise in January 2025. Guests can choose the earlier date departing from Fort Lauderdale or join the ship later in the month in Los Angeles. Both voyages aboard the 2,200-passenger Island Princess include 43 ports of call, with the earlier voyage transiting the Panama Canal before reaching Los Angeles.

Highlights include stops in Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia and Cape Verde. Then, it's off to exciting ports in the Mediterranean, such as Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro. After visiting magical European cities like Rome and Florence in Italy, the ship heads to southern France, Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands before sailing across the Atlantic to Florida. Guests on the later voyage will then transit the Panama Canal and visit Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico before disembarking in Los Angeles.

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Azamara: World Voyage

Courtesy of Azamara

Dates: Jan. 6 to June 11, 2025

Duration: 155 days

Starting rate: $39,999 per person (Club Interior Stateroom, double occupancy)

Azamara's 2025 world voyage embarks in January 2025 from San Diego aboard Azamara Onward . The immersive journey includes 10 segments covering 37 countries, 15 overnights and 31 late stays in port before disembarking in Southampton, U.K.

Guests will be treated to a kickoff welcome party in San Diego, 13 exclusive cultural events, round-trip business class airfare, a pre-cruise hotel stay, all transfers and a $4,000 onboard credit. In addition, the price covers the line's Experience More Essentials Package, which offers a $3,000 credit for shore excursions, unlimited Wi-Fi access for one device and an upgraded premium beverage package for two guests. Azamara 's pricing also includes food, drinks, gratuities, concierge service, weekly laundry and more.

Highlights of the itinerary include ports of call in the stunning islands of Hawaii, French Polynesia, American Samoa and Fiji. You'll also visit New Zealand, Australia and a wide variety of Asian destinations, including Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Thailand and India, before sailing to the Middle East, the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. After an extended time in Europe, the ship will disembark in the U.K.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Navigate the World (Away in Wonder)

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Dates: Jan. 7 to June 6, 2025

Duration: 150 nights

Starting rate: $95,949 per person for the all-inclusive fare (Deluxe Veranda Suite, double occupancy)

In January 2025, 700 guests will call Regent's Seven Seas Mariner home for its 150-night Navigate the World cruise. The ship sails from Miami to San Francisco across three oceans, visiting 97 ports of call in 25 countries over five continents. Stops include enchanting destinations across South America and idyllic islands like Bora Bora and Moorea in French Polynesia. The extensive Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyage will also take guests to places like Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, the Falkland Islands, Alaska and more.

Two new ports of call for the line are Muroran on the Japanese island of Hokkaido and the remote Robinson Crusoe Island off the coast of Chile. The voyage also includes a crossing of the infamous Drake Passage and three days of scenic cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula . The cruise fare covers up to 395 complimentary excursions, meals, open bars, and other amenities and perks. Guests will also have access to exclusive shoreside experiences in several ports, such as the "Li-Khe & Thai Tradition" in Bangkok and "A Maori Engagement" in Auckland, New Zealand.

Crystal: World Cruise

Courtesy of Crystal

Dates: Jan. 7 to May 10, 2025

Duration: 123 nights

Starting rate: $66,500 per person (Double Guest Room with Ocean View, double occupancy)

Crystal's 123-night world cruise embarks from Fort Lauderdale in January 2025 aboard its 740-guest luxury ship, Crystal Serenity . The Crystal voyage will transport passengers to 62 destinations in 31 countries around the globe, including Caribbean islands, Mexico, South American destinations like Argentina and Brazil, and African countries such as Mozambique and Kenya. Guests will also visit far-flung locales like the Seychelles and Maldives before sailing on to destinations in the Middle East, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. After visiting Greece and several ports in Italy, the ship will disembark in Barcelona in May 2025.

Exclusive onshore events during the voyage include an evening of "Tango Through the Ages" in Buenos Aires, Argentina; a Sri Lankan extravaganza with dinner and a traditional Kandyan Ves dance performance; and "An Evening with the Gods on Mt. Olympus" in Athens, Greece.

Crystal's cruise fares are all-inclusive and cover meals (including dinner at chef Nobu's Umi Uma); all beverages, including premium wines and spirits; luxurious amenities; butler service and gratuities; and 24-hour in-suite dining. Additional benefits with the world cruise include a business class airfare allowance or credit; $1,500 in shipboard credit; private transfers; luggage valet; exclusive onshore events; themed evenings on the ship; an exclusive gala dinner; a send-off celebration; and other perks.

Cunard Line: Maiden World Voyage (Queen Anne)

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Dates: Jan. 7 to April 29, 2025

Duration: 111 nights

Starting rate: $17,519 per person (Britannia Inside Stateroom, double occupancy)

Cunard Line's 111-night Maiden World Voyage aboard the new 3,000-passenger Queen Anne departs round-trip from Hamburg, Germany, in January 2025. The new ship, the 249th vessel to sail under the Cunard flag, debuted in May 2024. The addition of Queen Anne to the fleet marks the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships sailing at sea. Highlights of the historic journey include spectacular beaches, dazzling cities and cultural sites, with stops in North and South America (including Mexico and Hawaii), New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and more.

Meals in the main dining room, most onboard entertainment, gala evenings, afternoon tea and other activities are included in the cruise fare. Full World Voyage benefits also encompass a welcome reception, cocktail parties, a special shoreside event, use of a private lounge, the services of a World Voyage concierge, a commemorative gift, onboard credit and prepaid gratuities.

Travelers who are interested in booking a portion of this Cunard Line world cruise can opt for a voyage lasting between 17 and 107 days. These segments include routes like New York to Sydney; San Francisco to Auckland; Sydney to Hong Kong; and more.

Silversea Cruises: Controtempo

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Dates: Jan. 13 to May 29, 2025

Duration: 136 days

Starting rate: $79,520 per person (Vista Suite, double occupancy)

Silversea's 2025 world cruise, Controtempo, embarks in January 2025 from Tokyo aboard the ultra-luxury 596-guest Silver Dawn . The voyage includes 60 ports in 34 countries on the line's flagship. Guests of the journey from Tokyo to New York will have immersive bespoke events created exclusively for the cruise, including an incredible gala dinner, a "sky-high" extravaganza in Singapore, a Bollywood experience, a Marie Antoinette-inspired evening at Versailles and a private tour of an Egyptian palace.

Highlights of this Silversea Cruises itinerary are numerous ports of call in Asia, including Japan, China, Thailand and India, as well as stops along the west coast of Africa before the ship sails on to Western Europe. In France, guests can sip fine wines in Bordeaux and visit the magical walled city of Saint-Malo in Brittany. After sailing to Northern Europe to visit the cities of Stockholm and Oslo, Norway, Silver Dawn will then call on the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland before heading to Canada and the East Coast of the U.S. The ship will disembark in New York in May 2025.

Silversea's fares are all-inclusive and include luxurious suites, pre-and post-cruise benefits, all food and beverages, butler service, shore excursions, and other perks with the line's door-to-door service.

Holland America Line: 133-Day Grand Voyage: Pole-To-Pole

Matthew Dodd | Courtesy of Holland America Line

Dates: Jan. 25 to June 7, 2025

Duration: 133 days

Starting rate: $26,399 per person (Inside Stateroom, double occupancy)

Holland America's 133-day grand voyage is believed to be the first-ever pole-to-pole round-trip sailing from the U.S. The voyage aboard the 1,432-passenger Volendam will sail from Fort Lauderdale to the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Costa Rica before transiting the Panama Canal. Other ports of call in South America include Ecuador, Peru and Chile, where guests will get to experience scenic cruising in the Chilean fjords. The journey also offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to cross the infamous Drake Passage and see the surreal beauty of Antarctica.

After a stop in the Falkland Islands, the ship will return to South America with calls in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. After several ports of call in Africa and the Canary Islands, Volendam sails to Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The ship will then navigate the waterways in Northern Europe, the North Cape, Iceland, Greenland and Canada, before sailing along the East Coast of the U.S. toward Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Full itineraries for world cruises typically last anywhere from around 100 to 180 days, though Royal Caribbean International 's Serenade of the Seas is currently sailing the longest world cruise at 274 days. If you're not able to set sail for three to five months (or longer), some cruise lines also offer select, shorter segments of their full world cruise itineraries or grand voyages, which are typically two to three months in length.

World cruise fares can vary significantly between cruise lines. Some lines advertise cruise-only fares, which do not include meals at specialty restaurants, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, excursions, some entertainment, or other expenses. On top of that, many cruise lines' base prices exclude port fees and taxes. Given the length of a world cruise, even small expenses can add up after several months on the ship and in ports around the globe. Typically, travelers can expect to spend a base fare of about $15,000 for an inside cabin and as much as $90,000 (or more) for luxury accommodations and an all-inclusive fare.

If you're considering sailing beyond 2025, Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently announced its 140-night 2027 world cruise, World of Splendor, sailing from Miami to New York. The voyage embarks on Jan. 11, 2027, aboard Seven Seas Splendor , and prices start at $91,499 per person. If you want to reserve the over-the-top Regent Suite, you'll need to budget an unheard-of $1.7 million for two guests ($839,999 per person, to be exact).

Regent Seven Seas' all-inclusive fares include almost everything you could need, including door-to-door luggage service, first and business class airfare, pre-cruise gala events, exclusive shoreside experiences, unlimited dry cleaning and laundry, prepaid gratuities, meals, open bars and lounges, unlimited Wi-Fi access, and more. Silversea also offers door-to-door pricing that includes private executive transfers, international business class flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and transfers, baggage valet, all meals and beverages, butler service, bespoke special events, and other amenities.

Depending on the cruise line, you may receive many additional perks when booking a full world cruise, including shore excursions. All-inclusive luxury lines like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas offer a list of complimentary shore excursions in every port. In addition, Silversea hosts a bon voyage reception, a private dinner and an overnight hotel stay for world cruise guests. It also features exclusive world cruise cultural events in ports around the globe. If you're sailing with Regent Seven Seas, you'll also have pre-cruise gala events and exclusive shoreside experiences throughout the cruise.

Special inclusions, upgrades and other amenities are available with other lines that are not all-inclusive. For example, guests on boutique cruise line Azamara's 2025 world cruise will receive $25,000 in benefits, including $3,000 for shore excursions, 13 exclusive events and much more. Oceania's " simply MORE" offer includes $8,200 in shore excursion credit, as well as many other amenities.

If you're sailing with a larger cruise line, it's also possible to find deals that may include shore excursions or onboard credit you can use for booking tours. Holland America Line offers guests an early booking bonus that includes a list of additional perks, including one complimentary shore excursion, $2,000 per person in onboard credit ($4,000 for solo travelers) and more. MSC Cruises includes 15 free shore excursions and other perks when you book its world cruise.

You may want to consult with a travel agent specializing in cruises to see what additional perks they can offer if you book your world cruise through their agency.

Royal Caribbean International's 274-night Ultimate World Cruise, which set sail in December 2023, will visit all seven continents before guests disembark in September 2024.

Holland America Line's 132-day Grand World Voyage cruise aboard Volendam in 2026 will also visit seven continents, circumnavigating the globe. The epic journey will include a four-day Antarctic experience.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Snake and Columbia rivers, traditional masted sailing yachts, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica, crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• Bucket-List Cruise Itineraries
• The Top Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Top Transatlantic Cruises
• Cruise Packing List
• The Best Cruise Insurance Options

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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