Buzz
Transatlantic travel has undergone significant changes in the past fifty years. While numerous airlines operate regular flights from the United Kingdom to the United States, fewer ships now offer this route, and sea voyages no longer provide accommodations in exchange for passage. However, there are still options available, such as cruise liners, repositioning cruises, and cargo ships. You’ll need to do your homework and be more flexible if you opt for sea travel over air travel. Learn how to journey from the UK to the US by boat.
Steps
Estimate your travel expenses. Crossing the Atlantic by boat is likely to cost around $1,000, but depending on the type of cabin you choose, the price could exceed $4,000 per person. Flying between New York and major cities in England tends to be more affordable than traveling by sea.
Reserve a cruise with Cunard. Cunard offers cruises between Southampton and New York aboard the Queen Mary II. If you plan to book a boat trip between the UK and the US during the summer, this will be your top choice.
- Cruises are unavailable from January to March on cunard.com. If you manage to secure a booking, last-minute cruises tend to offer the best prices for staterooms.
- Select your cabin based on your budget. Inside cabins without windows range from $650 to $900 per person. For luxury suites, the cost can go up to $4,000 per person for a 7-night voyage.
Book a spot on a repositioning cruise. Each year, cruise lines relocate from Europe to the Caribbean. You can secure a seat on one of these cruises by checking websites like cruises.com for positioning cruises departing from London or Southampton.
- Positioning cruises often offer discounts on fares because they don’t stop at ports. These cruises are usually not listed by most travel agents or on popular travel websites, so you’ll need to search online or contact the cruise lines directly for availability.
- Look for cruises that last about seven days, or include travel to the Caribbean.
Investigate freighter passage options. Freighters can accommodate up to twelve passengers without the need for a doctor, meaning you might occasionally find tickets for around $50 to $100 per night, which includes a cabin, meals, and access to facilities.
- Freighter tickets differ from cruise ship tickets as they don't provide entertainment. Occasionally, passengers may be invited to attend meals or cocktail events with the captain and crew.
- Freighters make delivery stops, as their primary mission is cargo transport. These stops can range from twelve hours to several days, so you must be flexible with your schedule when traveling this way.
- Confirm what amenities are provided on the freighter. Some freighters don't allow passengers to disembark in port, and they may not offer meals during shorter trips to port.
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Ensure your passport is valid before leaving the UK. Depending on your nationality, you may need travel visas for each port you visit.
Items You'll Need
- Credit card
- Flexible itinerary
- Passport
- $700 to $4,000
