USA to British Isles ...and back?

[djudge33]

I would really like to take a cruise from USA to British Isles and then back again. Does this cruise even exist? I've been searching with no luck but I thought a more seasoned traveler might have a definite answer for me. If it does not exist do you have any suggestions for back to back cruises that would get to some stops on the British Isles and then back? Thanks for your help. PS. I live in NH so the further north I can sail from the better.

[TheOldBear]

I would really like to take a cruise from USA to British Isles and then back again. Does this cruise even exist? I've been searching with no luck but I thought a more seasoned traveler might have a definite answer for me. If it does not exist do you have any suggestions for back to back cruises that would get to some stops on the British Isles and then back? Thanks for your help. PS. I live in NH so the further north I can sail from the better.

 

Cunard does frequent transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton.

 

Some are sold as round trips, with a variable number of stops at either end of the crossing.

 

For example, our next cruise will be a round trip transatlantic from NYC [brooklyn] stoping at Southampton, Hamburg, back to Southampton, LeHavre [Normandy] then back to NYC.

[BlueRiband]

The only line that makes regular crossings over the North Atlantic is Cunard. New York is the US port and Southampton in the UK. Other lines only make southern route repositioning cruises from the Med to the Caribbean in the fall and the reverse in the spring.

 

Cunard has some upcoming British Isles sailings on the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, and you may be able to fit those in between transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2. Transatlantic crossings are 7 days in each direction, plus whatever time you would spend in the British Isles. This is no do-able if you lack enough vacation time from work. My sailing was 22 days: 7 days EB, 8 days around the Isles, and 7 days WB.

 

P&O is a UK-based line that has a lot of British Isles cruises. But you would have to fly to the UK unless you managed to find a schedule that fits in the QM2 crossings. You will therefore find that the majority of passengers are British and the menus will reflect their dining preferences.

 

Cunard ships are very formal and traditional so you need to decide if that line is a good fit for you. I did this in 2011 and while the ship was in British territorial waters they were not allowed to open the casino and the shops were required to collect the European VAT. Don't know if the casino situation has changed or when or if Brexit will affect the later.

Edited July 12, 2018 by BlueRiband

[djudge33]

Thanks, that was very helpful! I guess I'll have to resign myself to flying over. Ugh! lol

[LHT28]

take cruise to UK then look for one that leaves the UK to do the British Isles

 

Usually in early spring summer ships will do around the British Isles