A transatlantic crossing is not just a cruise — it is an experience steeped in history, romance and tradition. For over a century, the great ocean liners carried passengers across the Atlantic in a style that no other form of travel can match. Today, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 keeps that tradition alive, offering the only regular scheduled transatlantic passenger service in the world.

The classic transatlantic crossing takes 7 nights from Southampton to New York (or New York to Southampton). The days at sea are the point — time to read, relax, enjoy the ship's extraordinary facilities, attend lectures and enrichment programmes, dine in world-class restaurants and simply watch the ocean go by. There is something deeply restorative about days at sea with no ports, no excursions and no agenda.

Arriving in New York by sea is one of the great travel experiences. Sailing past the Statue of Liberty and into New York Harbour at dawn, with the Manhattan skyline emerging from the morning mist, is a moment that will stay with you for the rest of your life. It is the way New York was meant to be arrived at.

Many transatlantic itineraries include stops along the way — the Azores, Bermuda, Halifax or Boston — adding interest to the voyage. One-way crossings are popular combined with a fly-back option, allowing you to spend time in New York before flying home.

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is the ship for a transatlantic crossing — a true ocean liner rather than a cruise ship, built specifically for the rigours of the North Atlantic. The ship's facilities are extraordinary: the Cunard Royal Court Theatre, the Canyon Ranch Spa, the Britannia Restaurant and the legendary White Star Service. Dress codes are observed, afternoon tea is served daily and the whole experience feels like stepping back into a more elegant era of travel.

Other cruise lines also offer transatlantic repositioning cruises in spring and autumn, when ships move between their Mediterranean and Caribbean deployments. These are often excellent value and offer a more casual alternative to the Cunard experience.