Travel from UK to the US by Boat

Transatlantic travel has changed drastically in the last 50 years. Dozens of airlines make the voyage from England to the United States every day. Yet, there are fewer ships offering this itinerary, and boats no longer offer room and board in exchange for passage. However, there are still a number of options, including cruise ships, positioning cruises and freighters. You will need to do research and be more flexible when you choose sea travel over plane travel. Learn how to travel from the UK to the US by boat.

Steps

  1. Calculate a travel budget. Travel across the Atlantic by boat is likely to cost around $1,000, but it can cost upwards of $4,000 per person, depending upon your cabin choice. Traveling between New York and major English cities is cheaper by plane.
  2. Book a cruise with Cunard. This cruise company makes trips between Southampton and New York harbors on the Queen Mary II. If you want to book a boat trip between the UK and the US in the summer, this will be your best option.
    • Cruises are not available between January and March through cunard.com. If there is availability, booking last minute cruises will yield the cheapest stateroom prices.
    • Book your cabin according to your budget. Inside staterooms without windows cost between $650 and $900 per person. Suites can cost up to $4,000 per person per 7 night voyage.
  3. Reserve a seat on a positioning cruise. Every year, cruise lines relocate from Europe to the Caribbean. You can find a seat on 1 of these cruises. Visit a website like cruises.com and look specifically for positioning cruises leaving from London or Southampton.
    • Positioning cruises offer some discounts on fares, since they do not stop at ports. Most travel agents and online travel websites will not list these cruises. You should look online or call the cruise ships directly to inquire about availability.
    • Look for cruises that are approximately 7 days long, or they may include travel to the Caribbean.
  4. Research passage on a freighter. Freighters can carry up to 12 passengers without hiring a doctor. This means that you can occasionally find a ticket that costs approximately $50 to $100 per night for a cabin, food and access to facilities.
    • Freighter tickets are not like cruise ship tickets. They do not provide on-board entertainment. Occasionally, passengers are offered to attend meals and cocktail events with the captain and ship employees.
    • Visit A La Carte Freighter Travel, at freighter-travel.com, to look for freighter options. Passage can extend from 9 to 130 days, and you will pay per night.
    • Freighters make delivery stops, since their main duty is to deliver cargo. These stops can take 12 hours to a few days. You must be flexible with your schedule in order to travel this way.
    • Make sure to specify which amenities will be provided on the ship. Some freighters do not allow you to exit the boat in port, but they may not provide meals in port for these shorter trips.



Tips

  • Make sure you have an up to date passport before you depart the UK. Depending upon your nationality, you may need travel visas for every port you enter.

Things You'll Need

  • Credit card
  • Flexible schedule
  • Passport
  • $700 to $4,000

Sources and Citations

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