BritishGuy36

We are batting around the idea of cruising to the US when we emmigrate. You know, to make it even more special.

Anyone any experience of not-ridiculously-priced one-way cruises from the UK to the US?

Englishmum

You only have the choice of the QM2 from Southampton to New York as far as I know (check with Cunard).

A couple of weeks ago I booked a triple cabin from New York to Southampton (8th July departure, 6 nights). The fare was approx $1500 for 2 adults and $792 for the third.

However....my husband was on a business trip to China and because of the time difference I told him the next day. He told me that it just wasn't going to happen when I said that the third person would be my mum! (Our son can't come as he is doing some kind of 'Summer school' for extra credits at college.

Although my spouse and my mum get on really well, he said that no way is she sharing a cabin with us LOL! Good job I never told her about it - my devious plan was to have her fly out for a visit and then surprise her by telling her she was going home to Blighty by boat....

Now my girlfriends thought that was a nice idea....but their spouses are in agreement with mine. I guess it would be a total passion-killer, however......

Now he still likes the idea of going to England on the QM2 *but just the two of us* and they did still have availability on the eastbound route (not as nice as going westbound but it's the only time which will work for us this Summer as we need to be in London in mid-July). Of course one can take as much luggage as one wants, which is a great advantage of going by ship.

Damn, I need to get my act together about what I'm doing this Summer....

O/P: Cunard does have Quad cabins - do look up posts by 'Calle' (mostly in the "Moving back to the UK" archived forums, her family went from NY to Soton on the QM2 when they returned to live in the UK and they had their cat and dog on the same ship....it worked out much cheaper than flying and they had a wonderful time.

penguinsix

If you want to Sail from Europe to the Carribbean, you can try this (very limited)

http://www.stadamsterdam.com/content/schedule/index.xml

lisag8070

We sailed on the QM2 back in 2006 and IMHO its the most relaxing way to travel to the US. It takes 5 days so every day you have to remember to rewind your watch an hour..

There was lots of things to do but me personally I grew tired of this just because your on the ship 24/7 so you always need things to do..(it was too cold on the deck to sit outside and read a book)....

Do you have kids?...if so the day care on board was fantastic, they would keep the kids all day (you'd have them back for lunch and Dinner) and they also babysit until midnight so you can have fun in the Casino.

The food was catered more towards the Americans (lots on board) well you are sailing to the US...but you'll still find lots of delicious food and the evening sit down meal was scrumptious...and everybody gets the chance to glam it up..

I could go on all day but to sum it up...its the perfect way to start your adventure in America..

The only downside (sorry there had to be one)...is when you get into New York...or should I say when you have to get out of New York...if your driving make sure you know which direction your heading in and be prepared to sit in traffic for a while..

Marmalade

I have been reading posts of people crossing on the QM2 with a lot of interest. I have thought of going in the other direction NY to Southampton on my return to the UK. Sounds like a lovely way to go home.

But, can you tell me what it would be like for a single person traveling that just wants to take it easy, and not really glam it up. Can you order room service instead of having to sit down to dinner?

lisag8070

You can go to the more "relaxed" restaurants on the ship (I think there was about 4 or 5 different cuisines) instead of having to do the posh sit down Dinner.

The only downside to travelling on your own is the cabin...my MIL came over with us and they wanted her to pay double which in a sense was the price for the 2 bed birth...Their argument was that they could sell that cabin for full price so she would have to pay full price (I think it was about $800 per person, so they wanted her to pay $1,600)....Luckily her sister decided she needed a vacation and came along...

Marmalade

Yes, I've seen that they do charge double for singles. Need to win the lottery I think

lisag8070

ahh thats a shame...hope it happens soon for you..

They should of thought of single births when they built the boat..idiots..

Marmalade

Just a wee room with a bed would suit me fine

lisag8070

thats exactly what my MIL said..."just give me a bed and I'll be fine"..

fingers crossed for that Powerball..

Marmalade

oh, and a toilet, can't forget that. Don't feel like peeing off the side of the boat

lisag8070

but its all part of the cruising experience...

Marmalade

Wouldn't be so bad if I was a guy, but hanging my bum off the end of the QM2 might find me in the Atlantic

lisag8070

you might be lucky and land on the fishing trawler... or at the very least give them something to remember..

BritishGuy36

Oooh! I wasn't aware of that. Very interesting!

Thanks. No kiddies, just the two of us.

~~~~~

Sounds like it will be a good way to get there. Relaxing, we can maybe take an extra suitcase each, and it might not be as expensive as I thought.

Thanks all for the input.