The short version
There is no cruise ship that sails to the middle of London or Paris. The usual way to cross from New York to England by ship is a Cunard Queen Mary 2 crossing from New York to Southampton, from where London is a train ride away. France is a less frequent destination: some crossings or repositioning cruises include a French port such as Le Havre, which is the main gateway for Paris. Always check the arrival port on any itinerary that claims to reach “London” or “Paris.”
Queen Mary 2: New York to Southampton
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the best-known ocean liner on this route, and she is built for Atlantic crossings. Key points:
- Duration: Crossings between New York and Southampton are generally about seven nights, with some listed as eight days depending on the schedule. For more on duration, see how long a transatlantic cruise takes.
- Frequency: Crossings run on a seasonal schedule, with sailings in both directions, and some round-trip options of two weeks or more that combine a crossing out with one back.
- New York terminal: Queen Mary 2 has typically used the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which is not in Manhattan. Confirm in your documents.
- Costs: Fares vary widely by cabin class. See how much a Queen Mary 2 cruise costs.
Crossings that involve France
Some Queen Mary 2 itineraries and some other transatlantic cruises include France. A French booking site, for example, lists a Le Havre to New York crossing on Queen Mary 2, with full board, tea and entertainment included in the fare. Others cross from the US to a port in Spain, Portugal or Italy, with the French leg picked up on a later itinerary.
If France is your priority, look for itineraries that name a French port, such as Le Havre or Cherbourg, and check whether it is the start, the end or a call along the way. For the ports themselves, see our France cruises overview and Normandy cruise ports guide.
Repositioning cruises between the US and Europe
Many cruise lines move ships between the Caribbean or US East Coast and Europe each spring and autumn. These repositioning cruises are often longer, with more sea days, and may end in ports such as Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Amsterdam or Southampton. Typical points about them:
- Many run for roughly two weeks, often with a few port stops, such as the Azores or Canary Islands, on the way.
- Fares can be lower per night than a summer Mediterranean sailing, but flights home may cost extra.
- Some start from US ports other than New York, such as Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
Getting from the arrival port to London or Paris
- Southampton to London: Direct trains run from Southampton to London Waterloo, and the journey generally takes roughly an hour and a half, depending on the train. Cruise lines often sell coach transfers as well.
- Le Havre to Paris: There are train and coach services, and the trip takes roughly two hours or more. Many cruisers consider a Paris day trip from Le Havre a long day and prefer to spend a night or more in Paris after disembarking.
- Other arrival ports: For Barcelona or Rome arrivals, see our guides to Barcelona’s cruise terminals and Civitavecchia.
Is there a cruise from Paris to London, and which ships depart from London?
There is no regular ocean cruise from Paris to London. Travelers usually cross between the two by rail, such as Eurostar, by ferry or by air. London-area cruise departures use a few ports: ships that serve London often sail from Southampton, Tilbury on the Thames, or Dover. Check which of these your ship uses before arranging transfers.
Practical planning notes
- Documents: Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country you will visit, including any new electronic travel authorizations that apply to your nationality.
- Time zones: Clocks usually change by an hour on many nights of an eastbound or westbound crossing, as Britain is several hours ahead of New York.
- One way or round trip: Many travelers sail one way and fly the other, which can shorten the trip. Compare combined costs.
- Sea days: A crossing has a run of sea days, so look at onboard programmes, lectures and dining style before booking. If you are prone to seasickness, a midship, lower-deck cabin can help on the open Atlantic.