Do any passnger liners ply the Atlantic anymore? Any information would be appreciated.

I have cruise-nut friends. Twice a year they cross the Atlantic. They go at the beginning and end of winter, when many of the ships that do the Carribean in the winter, cross and then do the Meditteranean or Baltic in the summer. They get really good deals on those crossings.

George:<BR><BR>What Patrick refers to I believe are called repositioning cruises, although we have never traveled on one. In addition, I think the Cunard QE2 continues to make Atlantic crossings, in some cases ship one way and Concorde the other (wouldn't that be a treat). You might try a cruise board (there are many) where you would get more detailed responses.<BR><BR>We used to enjoy cruising until the "bigger and glitzier is better" mentality prevailed.<BR><BR>j

George,<BR><BR>Besides the Queen E, there are many repositioning crossings, i.e. when a ship that is sailing the Caribbean, by the end of Caribbean season ( usually early Spring) crosses the Atlantic to begin the Mediterranean or European season, and then back again,usually by late Fall, to the Caribbean.<BR><BR>Many lines do it. from the luxury to the premium lines. Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, Radisson, HAL, RCCI, Celebrity, Princess, and so on...besides Italian Lines (that now is owned by Carnival) like Costa, and the Greek line Royal Olympic Cruises.<BR><BR>I'd advise you to post on the Fodors cruises forum, where you'd likely get more answers.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

The trouble with these re-positioning cruises is that they are one way. You still have to fly home. My first trip to Europe many years ago was on a liner not a cruise ship. It took 5 days and it was about the same price as airfare. Is this any longer possible? Or must we now fly?

Gerry, there are still some old fashioned ships doing the crossings. The QE is one, the Caronia is another one, and the Royal Viking Sun, that is being transferred to the HAL fleet is likely doing some repositioning cruises.<BR><BR>For better info on cruises and crossings, check:<BR><BR>http://www.cruisecritic.com<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>http://www.cruisemates.com<BR><BR> Some cruise lines offer a package, meaning that you buy a cabin along with a one way flight from/to your home town, or some promotional fares where the flight is offered on a complimentary basis.<BR><BR>Happy sailings,<BR><BR>S

Gerry, there are still some old fashioned ships doing the crossings. The QE is one, the Caronia is another one, and the Royal Viking Sun, that is being transferred to the HAL fleet is likely doing some repositioning cruises.<BR><BR>For better info on cruises and crossings, check:<BR><BR>http://www.cruisecritic.com<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>http://www.cruisemates.com<BR><BR>Some cruise lines offer a package, meaning that you buy a cabin along with a one way flight from/to your home town, or some promotional fares where the flight is offered on a complimentary basis.<BR><BR>Happy sailings,<BR><BR>S

This was mainly an information question. I have acquintances(not me) who will not fly under any circumstances ala John Madden. This was true even before current events. How would they get to Europe or could they? It seems a more topical question considering what we are seeing these days.

Not the same sort of trip (but lots of fun, educational, and cheap) - there are several freighter lines that offer regular Transatlantic services, usually cost around $100 per person per day all inclusive, roughly 10-14 days each way in transit depending on departure and arrival ports. See http://www.freighterworld.com/places/transatl.html for example.