Queen Mary 2 in New York
Photo: Queen Mary 2 in New York / Cunard Line

Transoceanic Crossings

The Benefit: These super-inexpensive voyages are cruising’s best value, with rock-bottom prices on trips that generally last 10 to 14 days. Usually offered during the shoulder months of April to May and September to October, these voyages sail between Europe and North America, or between Asia and North America. If you’re really lucky, you can snap up a 14-day Transatlantic voyage for less than you’d pay for a week-long cruise in the Caribbean. Mindful of the fact that most travelers don’t like weeks made up of multiple days at sea, these voyages routinely call on a handful of ports, interspersed with three or four sea days in one stretch. These voyages also provide unique opportunities to see ports of call that would otherwise be difficult to visit, including the Cape Verde Islands in the mid-Atlantic or Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the Pacific.

The Risk: Rough seas and high airfare costs can really torpedo the value of these cruises. Make sure you research the latter thoroughly before you book.