How Can an Ocean Crossing Transform You?

Ocean crossings, most typically occurring in the Atlantic, as ships reposition between the Caribbean and Europe, and in the Pacific, between North America and Asia, offer a type of travel experience you pretty much can’t find anywhere but on a cruise ship. Imagine numerous days — in a row — of being at sea, without a shred of land in sight (though some crossings do add in a port or two along the way). That intimidated me a bit before my first crossing. Now I crave those wonderful and timeless days out at sea.

Another pleasure of a crossing: You can be as busy or as languid as you like. If enrichment activities aren’t as necessary on busy, port-a-day voyages, they’re much more layered, deeper and more intellectually stimulating on a transoceanic trip. On my last voyage, sailing on Silver Nova from Lisbon to New York, I loved having days with no activities at all — just reading, watching movies, long and lazy lunches with my husband, and a leisurely breakfast in bed. I also enjoyed embracing S.A.L.T., Silversea’s Sea and Land Taste program, in all its forms; the multi-course chef’s dinner, paired with wines, in the transformed-from-day-to-night S.A.L.T. Lab, was a special treat.

We found our rhythm very quickly on that wonderful trip, and I crave another crossing.

Are you curious? Over the next two years, Silversea is offering 27 different ocean crossings, with trips from 12 to 21 days. Here’s a tip: The longer the crossing, the more ports you’ll visit along the way. So, for instance, a 12-night trip from Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale on Silver Dawn this fall offers a couple of stops (Madeira and Bermuda) but is essentially a traditional style of crossing, with the emphasis on days at sea. A longer voyage, such as a 20-day itinerary that Silver Spirit is sailing in the same repositioning season, adds a more port-intensive experience before — and after — the crossing. (You can also opt for a 13-day version of the same trip if you really want to focus on days at sea.)

In addition to our own experiences, we checked in with friends we have met onboard these sailings for their favorite elements of a transoceanic voyage. While some had different preferences, every one of us felt the same way about this: On an ocean crossing, the trip is so much more about the journey than the destination.

Grow, delight and connect in the mind-body-spirit of exploration

What to know: One of the true benefits of a multiday crossing is the chance to embrace change in your mind, body and spirit. It’s a perfect time to establish a healthy new routine (along with some indulgences, of course). The ships’ spas offer facials, massage and acupuncture, among other treatments, of course, but the extended time at sea is also perfect for leisurely visits to the steamroom or sauna, along with some downtime in a relaxation room.

Don’t miss: One core element of all of Silversea’s spas is the exercise component. You can sign on with a trainer to help you create a new workout routine or take part in classes ranging from Pilates to stretching. An activity as simple as walking around the outside deck is also refreshing.

Discover a new hobby — or reignite an existing one

What to know: On Silversea’s crossings, the line adds extra workshops, classes and demonstrations to help fill your days. You can learn to play bridge (or, for those who are already experienced, you can play in bridge tournaments with fellow travelers, day after day). Wine tastings and language lessons offer an opportunity to develop a new skill or enhance an existing one.

Don’t miss:

On our sailing, Silversea invited prominent lecturers, with specialties in areas such as history, the cinema and other topics, to host series of three or four topic-related talks. Don’t forget about the ship’s onboard library; you’ll actually have time to read the books that catch your eye.

Grow your tastes

What to know: Silversea’s exciting S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) culinary program, available on Silver Ray, Silver Nova, Silver Dawn, and Silver Moon, has expanded activities on crossings on the line’s classic fleet. At S.A.L.T. Lab, hands-on cooking workshops expand your recipe repertoire. S.A.L.T. Talks features culinary experts on a range of topics. Savor exotic cocktails at S.A.L.T. Bar, ocean-inspired menus at S.A.L.T. Kitchen, and, on Silver Nova and Silver Ray, enjoy S.A.L.T.’s multi-course Chef’s Dinner. 

Don’t miss: Our favorite activity on our most recent crossing was a series of S.A.L.T.-hosted wine and cocktail tastings that both expanded our knowledge — and proved to be a fun way to meet fellow travelers.

Forging new friendships and enhancing existing ones

What to know: As you’re sailing across the ocean in a leisurely fashion, the days at sea offer so many opportunities to connect with new friends — and reconnect with existing partners and pals. At the end of my first-ever crossing, I spent an hour circling the ship, saying goodbye to dozens of new buddies I’d bonded with over meals and cutthroat (in a fun and feisty way) games of trivia.

Don’t miss: On Silversea’s crossings, its Gentleman Hosts program enables solo travelers to make platonic connections. The hosts are fine company during a free-flowing dinner conversation, an evening of dancing, or sunset cocktails.

Add land adventures to sea exploration

What to know: We have friends who’ve been taking annual transoceanic cruises for decades. They love the sea days for relaxing and trying out new hobbies. Because they also enjoy exploring in port, they typically add a pre-crossing land-based element to their trip. Most recently, heading to Europe for a Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale voyage, they added an extra week in Portugal’s Porto and the Algarve.

Don’t miss: Often, ocean crossings begin and end in some of the world’s most fascinating cities, like a Pacific trip between Tokyo and Vancouver or a repositioning voyage where you can start off with an Antarctica cruise and then sail from Chile’s Puerto Williams to South Africa’s Cape Town.