Top Transatlantic cruise deals

The heyday of Transatlantic sea crossings, when Hollywood heroes and heroines swaggered around the decks in their finery has disappeared into history. But it’s still possible to live like a star and travel to America in style by ship.
Here are three different deals to think about.
Cunard is the only shipping company still sailing regular scheduled crossings between Southampton and New York. Join flagship Queen Mary 2 for a six-night voyage departing from Southampton on October 19. Fare for two people sharing a balcony cabin is £799 each. Go to www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0871 781 9893.
Or sail from Southampton to Miami on board Celebrity Eclipse as the ship re-positions for a winter of Caribbean cruises after a summer based in the UK. Departing on October 30, the ship calls at Le Havre, Cherbourg, Vigo, and the Azores before arriving in Miami for the flight home. Fare for two people sharing a balcony cabin on the 14-night cruise is £899. Go to www.gillscruise.com or call 0845 6582323.
The final Transatlantic offer this week is a 28-night round trip on Fred Olsen’s Black Watch which sails from Southampton on November 12, heading for the Caribbean. Ports of call are Tenerife, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Maarten and the Azores. The cruise will feature entertainment from tribute acts the Divas of Motown and the Upbeat Beatles. Fares start from £2,099 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin. Go to www.fredolsencruises.co.uk or call 01473 742424.
Want to stay in Europe? A 12-night cruise to the Baltic on board Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ Marco Polo sails from Tilbury on September 8 and calls at Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Holtenau and Brunsbuttel. Fares from £799. Go to www.sailfromuk.com or call 0808 202 6104.
Or spend 11 nights exploring the Eastern Mediterranean on board Italian ship MSC Splendida. Fly to Genoa on December 5 and then visit Katakolon, Piraeus, Rhodes, Alexandra, Heraklion, Valletta, Messina and Naples. Two passengers sharing a balcony cabin pay £699 each and receive £100pp on-board spending money. Go to www.gillscruise.com or call 0845 6582323.
And if you’re looking for a last-minute deal, there’s a seven-night cruise on board Norwegian Gem, departing from Venice on August 28, for £999. The ship calls at Split, Corfu, Santorini, Heraklion and Mykonos before returning to Venice. Go to www.cruise118.com or call 0800 280 2614.
New to cruising? Get advice on ships and destinations at www.discovercruises.co.uk.