Transatlantic Cruises from Southampton: 2026–2027 Guide

Last updated: 22 October 2026

A transatlantic cruise is one of the great journeys of the world. For a week or more you leave airports behind, cross the ocean the way travellers did for centuries, and arrive in New York, Florida or the Caribbean rested rather than jet-lagged. This guide explains the transatlantic cruise options from the UK for 2026 and 2027, what they cost, and how they compare with a cargo ship crossing.

Types of transatlantic crossing

Type	Route	Duration	Season
Liner crossing (Cunard Queen Mary 2)	Southampton ↔ New York	7 nights	Most of the year
Repositioning cruise	Europe ↔ Caribbean, Florida or New England	10–16 nights	Spring and autumn
Round-trip transatlantic	Southampton to the Caribbean and back	3–5 weeks	Winter
Cargo ship crossing	UK or Europe ↔ US or Canadian ports	9–14 days	All year

The Statue of Liberty seen on arrival into New York by sea — Sailing into New York Harbor is the highlight of a westbound crossing.

Transatlantic cruise lines

Cunard: the only line running a regular, scheduled transatlantic service, on Queen Mary 2. Expect a classic ocean-liner experience with formal nights, a planetarium and a big library.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Norwegian and Princess: run seasonal transatlantic repositioning cruises, often from Southampton, Barcelona or Rome to Florida or the Caribbean.
P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen and Ambassador: offer round-trip Caribbean voyages from the UK that cross the Atlantic in both directions.
Disney Cruise Line: occasional transatlantic sailings when ships reposition.

Schedules for 2026 and 2027 are released well in advance. The most popular one-way dates and cabins sell out early.

Best time for a transatlantic cruise

April–May (eastbound to Europe) e October–November (westbound) are peak repositioning months, with the most choice and often the best value.
Summer suits Queen Mary 2 crossings, with long days and calmer seas.
Winter crossings can be rough, but are often good value. Southern routes via the Canary Islands are usually calmer.

How much does a transatlantic cruise cost?

Option	Indicative fare per person
Queen Mary 2 inside cabin	From around £675–£1,200 one way on selected dates
Repositioning cruise	Often £60–£150 per night for inside cabins
Balcony cabins	Typically 1.5–3 times inside-cabin prices
Nave da carico	Around US$90–150 per day, all meals included

Remember to add the flight home, gratuities, drinks packages, travel insurance and hotel nights.

Cargo ship sailing across the open sea at sunset — Sea days dominate a transatlantic voyage, which is a big part of the appeal.

One-way transatlantic cruises: things to know

You need a return plan. Most people fly back, so book open-jaw or one-way flights.
US entry. Check that ESTA is valid for your sea arrival. Most major cruise lines are approved carriers, but always confirm.
Luggage. Cruise ships have generous luggage allowances, which suits people relocating.
Sea days. Expect five to seven days without land. Many people love it; some find it long.

Transatlantic cruise vs cargo ship

If you want something completely different, a container ship crossing offers silence, open decks, meals with the officers and a view of how global trade works. There are no shows or crowds, just the ocean. Read our guides to taking a boat from the UK to the USA e the fastest transatlantic crossing by ship.

Tips for booking

Book early for the best cabins on Queen Mary 2 and peak repositioning dates.
Watch for last-minute deals on repositioning cruises if you are flexible.
Choose your direction. Eastbound you gain an hour most nights, and westbound you get an extra hour of sleep.
Pick a stabilised, mid-ship cabin if you worry about seasickness. See our seasickness guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a transatlantic cruise from Southampton?

Seven nights to New York on Queen Mary 2. Repositioning cruises to the Caribbean or Florida usually take 10–16 nights.

Which cruise lines do transatlantic crossings?

Cunard runs the only regular scheduled service. Royal Caribbean, MSC, Celebrity, Norwegian, Princess and others offer seasonal repositioning crossings.

Are transatlantic cruises cheap?

Repositioning cruises often offer good value per night. Queen Mary 2 prices vary by season and cabin.

Can you do a one-way transatlantic cruise?

Yes. Most crossings are one-way, and you fly home or continue your travels.

Is a cargo ship cheaper than a transatlantic cruise?

It can be similar per day, with meals included, but it is a very different experience: quiet, flexible and authentic.

Cross the Atlantic the authentic way

Prefer peace and quiet to crowds? Ask us about container ship cabins across the Atlantic.

Get a cargo ship crossing quote →

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Steve Joury

Consulente di viaggio Cargo at Cargoholidays

Appassionato di viaggi lenti e di mare. Steve conosce la maggior parte delle rotte di navigazione e le procedure per scoprire il nostro bellissimo mondo dal mare su una nave container. Ha partecipato a molti viaggi, da 7 giorni di viaggio in cargo a 140 giorni a bordo.