A transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2 is a different kind of trip from a typical cruise. There is no new port every morning. The days at sea are the point, and the ship is the destination. If you have traveled widely but never crossed an ocean this way, this guide covers what we tell our own clients before they book.
Why a crossing suits a first-timer
Many first-timers worry they will be bored or unsteady at sea. Most find the opposite. A crossing has a steady rhythm: breakfast, a talk or a walk on deck, a long lunch, afternoon tea, an evening out. Nothing asks you to be anywhere at dawn.
It also solves a real problem with flying to Europe. You skip the overnight flight and the sudden jet lag. Over several days the time change arrives in small steps. Westbound, you gain about an hour on most nights. Eastbound, you lose one.
Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship, and crossing the North Atlantic is her signature route. Cunard is one of our preferred partners, and ocean voyages and transatlantic crossings are a specialty here.
When to go
Most people choose between spring and fall. Here is how we think about the seasons:
- Spring and fall: Cooler on deck, usually a little quieter, and a good fit if you like a calm pace. Fall westbound arrivals into New York are popular.
- Summer: Warmer and busier. Cabins in the categories you want may go first, so plan ahead.
- Winter: The North Atlantic can be rougher. Some travelers don’t mind, but we would not call it the best choice for a first crossing.
No month promises a particular sea or sky, and we won’t pretend otherwise. What we can do is tell you which sailings suit your timing. Ask us for this season’s dates.
Also decide which way you want to go. A crossing is one-way, so you need a flight at the other end. Many Twin Cities travelers fly from MSP to London, sail home to New York, and fly back to Minneapolis. We check every connection time before you book.
Choosing your cabin
Cunard’s cabins fall into two broad groups, and your category decides where you dine.
- Britannia: Inside, oceanview and balcony staterooms. You dine in the Britannia Restaurant.
- Britannia Club: A step up, with its own dining room.
- Princess Grill and Queens Grill: The most spacious accommodations, with their own dedicated restaurants and lounge.
On a crossing you spend more of your day on board than on a typical cruise, so the cabin matters more. Many travelers who would happily take an inside cabin for a port-heavy cruise choose a balcony for a crossing. Keep in mind that the North Atlantic can be breezy, and a balcony is not always comfortable to sit on.
If motion is a concern, a cabin low and toward the middle of the ship is the usual advice. We can look at the deck plan with you. We cannot promise a specific cabin or view until it is confirmed, but we will tell you what each category is like.
Gala nights, food and days at sea
Cunard keeps the tradition of formal evenings, called gala nights. A typical crossing has a few. Plan on a tuxedo or dark suit for him, and an evening gown or cocktail dress for her. Many guests love the dressing up, and the ballroom is a highlight of those evenings. The other evenings are more relaxed. If formal wear isn’t your idea of a holiday, there are other places on board to dine. The dress code varies by sailing, so we go through it with you before you pack.
Afternoon tea is a fixture, and it is worth planning your afternoon around it. Beyond that, a sea day can look like this:
- A talk from a guest lecturer in the morning
- A walk around the deck, then a long lunch
- Time in the library or a quiet lounge
- An evening show or an hour of ballroom dancing
Programming differs by sailing, so treat this as a sketch rather than a schedule. The best advice from past travelers is to leave some days with nothing planned. That is the part most people remember.
What a crossing costs
We won’t quote a single price for a Queen Mary 2 crossing, because it depends on several things:
- Cabin category, from Britannia up to the Grills
- Season and sailing date
- Whether you go one-way or round trip
- Flights to the departure city and home from the arrival city
- Extras: gratuities, drinks, shore excursions and a hotel night before sailing
For reference, our cruises run 7 to 21 days and start from $890 per person across all our sailings. A transatlantic crossing in the cabin you want will vary from that. We can price your sailing, flights included, once you tell us your dates and cabin preference.
The flights are where we add the most. We are CLIA-certified and IATA-accredited, and we book flights with our partner Centrav. If a flight changes while you travel, our Mission Control team is monitoring your trip and has a plan ready.
Plan your crossing with us
If you are weighing your first transatlantic crossing, we are glad to sit down with you and talk through the season, cabin and flights. We are a Minneapolis agency, and we will still be watching your trip after you leave.
