Take a transatlantic cruise to New York

A Cunard transatlantic cruise is one of those 'must do' holidays - taking you back to the golden era of ocean liners before jet travel. This is an opportunity to do something completely different on holiday and break the monotony of daily life. Grandeur, sophistication, elegance and tradition are key words associated with a cruise on board Cunard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing. Expect to dress glamorously for dinner, meet interesting people and be pampered with Cunard's legendary white star service. The Queens Ballroom is where a range of themed balls throughout your cruise will be held, including a champagne cocktail party with the captain. It's also where superlative afternoon tea will be served by white-gloved waiters on fine bone china. Why not enjoy fish and chips in the Golden Lion Pub, or an al fresco lunch at the Boardwalk Café and peruse fine works of art in the Clarendon Art Gallery. There are also shows in the Royal Court Theatre, guest speakers and films in the Planetarium, or perhaps to try your luck in the casino or dance the night away in the G32 Nightclub.

Why choose a transatlantic cruise? 

1. Simply as a means of transportation to get from one side of the Atlantic to the other. After all, a seven-night transatlantic cruise on a luxury ship in a comfortable en-suite stateroom on full board with waiter service can sometimes be the same cost of an economy flight and a fraction of the cost of business or first-class flights.
2. To enjoy the journey in itself as a way to relax perhaps without the interruptions of ports of call, and/or to escape the distractions of daily life.
3. As part of a greater holiday experience in North America and travel across the Atlantic Ocean instead of flying, to combine a cruise with a more traditional land-based stay. For this reason, transatlantic crossings are ideal for people who like their land-based holidays but want to try out a five-star cruise experience.

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Who are they suitable for?

If you want a regular cruise with ports of call or badly suffer from the effects of motion – then these cruises are probably not for you. These transatlantic cruises are ideal for those who are well travelled, have cruised lots of times before, or are simply looking for something different. They’re also perfect for people who lead busy lives in the work or home environment and want to totally unwind without distraction, and let someone else do all the work. For these reasons you do tend to meet a very different type of passenger on a transatlantic crossing than on a regular cruise with ports of call.

What is there to do?

• Switch off from the outside world; put the mobile down and shut the laptop
• Have a wallow in the thermal pool or detox in the sauna
• Try your luck at bingo or learn how to play poker
• Watch a feature film or attend a lecture by a guest speaker
• Join a RADA acting class or pop in to see a matinee theatre performance
• Compete in a golf simulator competition or learn more about computers
• Join the pub trivia quiz or learn about mixing martinis
• Make friends with Bill W or Dorothy
• Work out in the gym or learn some dance moves
• Take a brisk walk on deck or sunbathe in the solarium
• Check out the library or peruse fine works of art
• Relax in one of the many hot tubs or have a splash in the pool
• People watch with a coffee or plan your evening attire

New York 

The bright lights, sights and shopping delights beckon to create the buzz that is Manhattan - the memory of which stays with you for a long time afterwards. Think of Central Park, 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Macy’s, Tiffany’s, NYPD, yellow cabs, Broadway and the Rockefeller Centre. These are the ingredients which come together in a whirlwind of sights, sounds and experiences. Christmas and new year are a magical time in New York, with the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre, ice skating in Central Park and magnificent shop displays on 5th Ave. On New Year’s Eve everyone gathers in Times Square to count the new year in and watch the silver ball drop.

The main tourist center is situated in an area called Midtown - immediately below Central Park. It is laid out in a grid of streets which run from west to east and avenues which run from north to south. The very southern tip of Manhattan is known as Downtown where the layout of streets become a bit more muddled around Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Freedom Tower (Ground Zero). Midtown is generally bordered by 59th Street in the north running along the southern edge of Central Park and 34th Street in the South. Times Square is in the middle of it all where Broadway crosses 7th Avenue and 42nd Street.

Getting around New York City

Because there is so much to see and do in this area, the best way to get around is on foot. Walking within the Midtown area is achievable but can be tiring if you are on the go all day. For other sights and attractions outside of this area, yellow cabs or the subway are good ways to get around. Unfortunately, the subway routes are not as straightforward as the streets. On any given route there are several lettered trains which stop at a different selection of stations. Up trains run from south to north while down trains run from north to south, local trains stop at all stations while express trains stop at a small selection of main stations. Unlike London you pay the same fare whether it is a one stop journey or a 10-stop journey.

Shopping and sightseeing in New York

We recommend combining both activities at the same time in a sweep from north to south, starting in Central Park after breakfast and before most shops open at 10am. The following are ‘must do’: Central Park, including the Bethesda Fountain and Strawberry Fields memorial; walk along 5th Avenue from Central Park for a spot of top-class shopping; check out the art deco Rockefeller Centre on 50th Street and pop in to view the magnificent interior of Grand Central Station on 42nd Street & Park Avenue.

Just a couple of blocks south at the southern edge of the Midtown area on 34th Street you will find Macy’s, Madison Square Garden sports arena, the Empire State Building and a great range of shops.

Hop on the subway down to 23rd Street at Madison Square Park to visit the Flatiron building then carry on down to the Ground Zero site, the Freedom Tower and Wall Street. Visit Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan and take some photos of the Statue of Liberty.

If you have time - hop on a boat tour via the Statue of Liberty to the museum on Ellis Island. The Empire State Building at sunset is perfect for magnificent views across the city, as the lights twinkle on. Finally, visit Times Square at night before seeing a show on Broadway.

A new attraction is the Highline Park. This is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District (13th Street) to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues. This offers a great opportunity to view the lower west side with great views, water features, flowers beds and lawns.