Over the past 50 years, transatlantic travel has changed dramatically. Nowadays there are dozens of airlines offering flights from the UK to the US on a daily basis. On the other hand, there are fewer services that allow you to travel by sea and tickets with accommodation and meals included are no longer sold. However, there are still a number of options to consider, including cruise ships, relocation cruises, and cargo ships. Those who decide to travel by sea rather than by plane will have to do some research and have greater flexibility from an organizational point of view. Read on to learn how to travel from Britain to the US by ship.
Steps
Step 1. Calculate your travel budget
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean by ship costs around 900 euros, but can also reach 4000 euros per person, depending on the cabin chosen. It is cheaper to fly from major English cities to New York.
Step 2. Book a cruise with Cunard
This cruise company organizes voyages between the port of Southampton and New York on the Queen Mary II. If you want to book a ship trip from the UK to the US in the summer, this is the best option.
- Search the site by entering the dates you intend to travel. If available, booking a cruise at the last minute allows you to grab cheaper prices for private cabins.
- Book the cabin according to the budget you have available. Private internal cabins without windows cost between 600 and 900 euros per person. The cost of a suite can reach 4000 euros per person for a seven-night trip.
Step 3. Book a seat on a relocation cruise
In the winter season, cruise lines move from Europe to the Caribbean. It is possible to find a seat on one of these ships. Visit a site like cruises.com and specifically look for repositioning cruises that depart from London or Southampton.
- Relocation cruises offer ticket discounts, as they do not stop at ports. Most travel agencies and websites don't offer them. You should look for them directly online or call the company to inquire about availability.
- Look for cruises lasting around seven days. Otherwise they could include a trip to the Caribbean.
Step 4. Learn about merchant ships
Cargo ships can carry up to 12 passengers and generally there is no medical staff available on board. It is sometimes possible to find tickets costing between 50 and 100 euros per night for cabin, food and access to services.
- Cargo ship tickets differ from cruise ship tickets in that they do not offer any onboard entertainment. Passengers are occasionally given the opportunity to participate in meals or aperitifs with the ship's captain and staff.
- Visit the "A La Carte Freighter Travel" website, freighter-travel.com, for options. The duration of the trip is between nine and 130 days and is paid per night.
- Cargo ships stop to deliver goods, as their main function is precisely to deliver the cargo they carry. These stops can last for 12 hours, but they can also last for a few days. Anyone wishing to travel this way should have a flexible schedule.
- Be sure to ask what specific services are offered during the trip. In some cases it is not possible to get off the ship when it is in port. Since for shorter journeys the company may not provide meals during layovers, ask if you need to prepare for this and bring some food.
