Queen Mary 2 Westbound Transatlantic Crossing

Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing

Southampton to New York

Crossing the Atlantic by Ocean Liner

Departing from Southampton aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, we set sail westward across the North Atlantic Ocean bound for New York City. This classic six-night, seven-day transatlantic voyage retraced the historic shipping lanes of generations past, offering a rare opportunity to disconnect, reflect, and slow down.

With no intermediate stops, the crossing became a meditation in movement.  It was, as it always is, a week of horizon-gazing, quiet walks around the deck, live music in elegant lounges, and shared moments with fellow travellers beneath starlit skies. Each day unfolded at its own unhurried pace, shaped by the rhythm of the ship, the weather, and the sea.

This blog series captures the charm and challenge of a westbound voyage: the sense of travelling backward in time, of returning home by sea, and of embracing the journey as its own reward.

Time to Disconnect, Time to Reflect

After months of long-distance trekking across England and Scotland - tracing drover’s paths, and hiking trails, as well as following the ancient steps of Roman roads - the westbound crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 offered something rare: time to reflect. There were no train transfers, no onward bookings, no airports. Just the open Atlantic and seven full days to breathe, rest, and integrate all that had come before. The steady motion of the ship mirrored the internal movement we felt - a gentle unwinding after weeks of early mornings, shared dorms, and relentless forward progress.

Each day at sea gave us space to process the journey: to reread our notes, sift through memories, and begin to understand how the walking had changed us. We walked laps on the deck, stared out at the waves, shared stories over coffee and wine, and let the horizon hold our gaze. It wasn’t just a return voyage, it was a recalibration. A slow and dignified re-entry into life beyond the trail.

QM2 Itinerary and Blog Stages 

Return to Queen Mary 2 : Westbound Transatlantic

Embarkation from Southampton

Crossing is Half the Fun : Slow Travel and Celebrities

Mid Atlantic : Storms, Dolphins and Petrels

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 in Black and White

Final Day on Queen Mary 2 : Departure Preparations

Arrival into New York : Gateway to the New World

Reflections on Queen Mary 2 Westbound Transatlantic Voyage

What’s Next?

Final Reflections

After walking thousands of kilometres across the UK and Europe, returning by ship felt like a fitting counterbalance a way to absorb all we had experienced and watch the world slowly reappear on the horizon.

         

Our Other Journeys

As with our many other journeys - from hiking the Trans Canada Trail, to pilgrimage on the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route, to rail journeys aboard VIA Rail on the Canadian and Ocean, and sailing aboard Windstar’s Wind Surf - this crossing was not an ending, but a continuation. 

We travel to explore, yes, but also to learn, to reflect, and to grow. The westbound crossing on Queen Mary 2 reminded us that some of the most important parts of any adventure happen not at the destination, but in the quiet space between.

To enjoy some of our other journeys by Sail, Rail, or Trail, check out here. 

See you on the Voyage!