If you love cruising, exploring new destinations, and having plenty of time to actually enjoy the ship, a transatlantic cruise might deserve a spot on your bucket list.
Unlike a typical 3-, 4-, or 7-night cruise, transatlantic sailings cross the Atlantic Ocean and often connect Europe with North America. These longer itineraries usually combine several exciting port days with multiple days at sea, creating a completely different kind of cruise experience.
But is spending nearly two weeks, or sometimes even longer, on a cruise ship worth it? Here’s what to consider before booking a transatlantic cruise.
What Is a Transatlantic Cruise?
A transatlantic cruise is exactly what it sounds like: a cruise that crosses the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and North America.
Many of these are repositioning cruises, meaning the cruise line is moving a ship from one region to another for a new season. For example, a ship may spend the summer sailing in Europe before crossing the Atlantic for a winter season in Florida or the Caribbean.
Because of the distance involved, these cruises tend to be longer and include more consecutive sea days than a traditional itinerary.
You Get to Experience Multiple Destinations
One of the best parts of a transatlantic cruise is that the crossing itself can be paired with some incredible destinations.
Depending on the itinerary, your cruise may begin with stops throughout Europe before making its way across the Atlantic. Instead of arranging multiple hotels, flights, trains, and transfers, you can visit several destinations while unpacking your suitcase only once.
It’s an especially appealing way to combine a European vacation with a relaxing cruise experience.
There Are A LOT of Sea Days
If you’re considering a transatlantic cruise, this is probably the biggest question to ask yourself: Do you enjoy sea days?
A transatlantic itinerary can include several consecutive days without a port stop. For some travelers, that’s the best part.
Sea days give you time to slow down and experience everything your ship has to offer. Depending on your cruise line and ship, you might spend your days enjoying pools, live entertainment, trivia, fitness classes, spa treatments, specialty dining, lounges, movies, character experiences, or simply relaxing with a book and an ocean view.
There’s no pressure to wake up early and rush off the ship every morning. You can actually settle into vacation mode.
You Have More Time to Enjoy the Ship
On a port-heavy cruise, it can sometimes feel like you barely have enough time to explore the ship itself.
That’s not usually a problem on a transatlantic sailing.
With so many days at sea, you have time to try restaurants you might normally skip, see different shows, participate in onboard activities, explore quieter areas of the ship, and revisit your favorite spots.
If you’re sailing on a ship with a lot to experience onboard, a longer itinerary gives you the opportunity to enjoy much more of it.
The Pace Is Completely Different
A transatlantic cruise isn’t necessarily about checking off as many destinations as possible. It’s about enjoying the journey, too.
After the port-intensive portion of the itinerary, multiple days at sea can create a much slower pace. You can sleep in, enjoy longer meals, spend an afternoon by the pool, catch a show at night, and wake up the next morning without somewhere you have to be.
For travelers who come home from vacation feeling like they need another vacation, that slower pace can be a huge plus.
Don’t Forget About Time Changes
Here’s something you might not immediately think about: you’re traveling through multiple time zones.
Depending on the direction of your cruise, clocks may change throughout the crossing. Westbound transatlantic cruises can be especially appealing because clocks are typically moved backward as you travel toward North America—which can mean an extra hour of sleep on certain nights!
It’s a small detail, but on a long cruise, those extra hours can feel like a vacation bonus.
Who Is a Transatlantic Cruise Best For?
A transatlantic cruise can be a great fit for travelers who:
- Love spending time onboard a cruise ship
- Enjoy relaxing sea days
- Want a longer vacation
- Prefer a slower-paced travel experience
- Want to combine European destinations with a cruise
- Enjoy onboard dining, entertainment, activities, and amenities
- Like the convenience of unpacking once while traveling a significant distance
If your favorite part of cruising is waking up in a new port every single morning, the number of sea days may take some getting used to. But if you love the ship just as much as the destinations, a transatlantic sailing can offer a completely unique experience.
So, Is a Transatlantic Cruise Worth It?
For the right traveler, absolutely.
A transatlantic cruise offers something you don’t get on most traditional sailings: time. Time to explore the ship, time to relax, time to enjoy entertainment and dining, and time to experience the journey itself.
It’s part European adventure, part cruise vacation, and part opportunity to completely disconnect from the rush of everyday life.
And with so many cruise lines, ships, routes, and cabin options available, choosing the right transatlantic itinerary makes a big difference.
Ready to find out if a transatlantic cruise is right for you? Connect with your Academy Travel advisor to explore available itineraries and start planning your next adventure across the Atlantic.
