# Travel Time by Ship **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 20, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734 "2010-04-20T12:59:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/21 "2010-04-20T18:22:52Z")
[QUOTE=joebuck20] How much would it cost to cross the Atlantic by ship anyway? [/QUOTE] Not much difference than a similar-length (in days) Caribbean cruise. Figuring that this Thursday’s departure from Southampton to New York on the QM2 is booked solid, I looked at dates in May. For the May 15 departure, you can book an inside cabin for under $1400, and an ocean view cabin for under $1600. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/22 "2010-04-20T18:25:07Z")
That’s PPDO, right? Double that if you’re traveling alone. And don’t forget port fees, taxes, tips, etc. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/23 "2010-04-20T18:43:23Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I’ve travelled 4 times between Europe and Australia by ship. I don’t remember the first time (I was 2 years old at the time), but I remember the other three (being 9, 15 and 16 then). Going via the Suez Canal, it took about 4 weeks from England to Australia. I suspect it would be about the same time now – big ships aren’t that much faster these days. My Australian hostfather’s family had the misforturne of migrating to Australia just as the Suez Canal was closing because of the Crisis. I took them _six_ weeks and involved a stopover in South Africa. [QUOTE=gotpasswords] Not much difference than a similar-length (in days) Caribbean cruise. Figuring that this Thursday’s departure from Southampton to New York on the QM2 is booked solid, I looked at dates in May. For the May 15 departure, you can book an inside cabin for under $1400, and an ocean view cabin for under $1600. [/QUOTE] Isn’t that about the cost of a business class airline ticket? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/24 "2010-04-20T18:47:31Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I misread this as “time travel by ship,” so you can imagine my profound disappointment. It’s really, really hard to get a single hull ship up to 76.5 kts. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/25 "2010-04-20T18:54:51Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > It’s really, really hard to get a single hull ship up to 76.5 kts. > > Stranger The Nimitz did it in 1980… [The Final Countdown (1980) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080736/) ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/26 "2010-04-20T19:04:45Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That’s PPDO, right? Double that if you’re traveling alone. And don’t forget port fees, taxes, tips, etc. Back in the days when sea travel was the norm (since air travel was more expensive), people shared cabins. You only slept in your cabin: the rest of the day you were out of there, doing things in the rest of the ship. And (unlike cruise ships, where people are there for fun, and not just to get from point A to point B), there were multi-berth cabins, with 4 or 6 people sharing a small cabin, to get the cost of a ticket down for the less rich customers. [This Youtube video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvugebaT6Q) gives a not unrealistic idea of how crowded cabins were. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/27 "2010-04-20T19:17:07Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] That’s PPDO, right? Double that if you’re traveling alone. And don’t forget port fees, taxes, tips, etc. [/QUOTE] Yes, that’s per person, double occupancy. If the volcano problem turned into a long-term shutdown of air travel, I’m sure a lot of people would happily share a cabin. As for the other stuff… don’t forget passenger facility charges, 9/11 security charges, taxes, checked bag charges, inflight meal charges… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/28 "2010-04-20T19:26:04Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > The Nimitz did it in 1980… [The Final Countdown (1980) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080736/) A Japanese Self Defense Force cruiser did it [rather more recently.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipang_%28anime%29) ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/29 "2010-04-21T00:47:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Yes, the Titanic in 1912 IIRC was trying to set a speed record, Gotta chime in here. The Titanic was not trying to set a speed record - in fact she was doing only slightly in excess of 20 kts when she hit the iceberg, while in 1909 the Mauretania did the westbound trip at over 26 knots. Whatever sins the owners and captain of the ship committed, and there were quite a few, trying for a record was not one of them. I will cite just about every book written about the Titanic in the last 30 or so years as the source for this bit. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/30 "2010-04-21T02:17:40Z")
I traveled across the Atlantic on the SS Batory as a child, which, I believe, was the last transatlantic ship that offered regularly-scheduled passenger service as opposed to the novelty-luxury service provided by the likes of the QM2. I just thought I’d throw that out there because I think it’s so cool. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/31 "2010-04-21T02:30:31Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > The Nimitz did it in 1980… [The Final Countdown (1980) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080736/) You’re my favorite person today. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/32 "2010-04-21T02:39:20Z")
There were several Twilight Zone episodes on the theme, too. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/33 "2010-04-21T04:38:08Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > It’s really, really hard to get a single hull ship up to 76.5 kts. You think you’re clever, do you? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/34 "2010-04-21T13:12:07Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > and the fastest crossing by a steam ship was 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes in 1952. Holy shit, imagine first the wake and secondly how rough that must have been … think of the jolts of doing the wave slapping on slow rollers if you are going crosswise instead of parallel :eek: Although a couple of months ago for some odd reason I started looking up dirigibles [I think it may have been triggered by reading something about the Hindenburg?] and wondering if it might be possible to start a dirigible cruise line for crossings, I had found the floorplans for some of the dirigibles online, and was thinking it would be interesting [they had little cabins with space for 2 bunkbeds, and a couple 4 person cabins] to see if it would be able to make a profit on _comfortable_ 2 or 3 day crossings in luxury. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/35 "2010-04-21T13:25:16Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Yes, that’s per person, double occupancy. If the volcano problem turned into a long-term shutdown of air travel, I’m sure a lot of people would happily share a cabin. > > As for the other stuff… don’t forget passenger facility charges, 9/11 security charges, taxes, checked bag charges, inflight meal charges… 🆒 I am actually considering changing from air to sea travel next time I want to go to Europe for a visit. it isn’t like I am in a hurry, and it is about like paying for 2 seats in cattle class or going business class. IIRC it is 175% for a single person in the cabin, or regular price if you share. I would simply look on CruiseCritics for a person to share the cabin with [though I admit, if the ash issue continues for a prolonged time, sharing cabins for crossing may very well become popular again] Traveling in a wheelchair by airlines is such a damned dog and pony show lately [hell any travel by air is getting to be a dog and pony show of ridiculousness] that taking a week each way in luxurious space is looking pretty good actually. The food looks excellent, and the QM2 has a 10 000 volume library. How much time would one spend in the stateroom anyway =) I did college with living with a total stranger my freshman year, and I survived, I think I can survive a week =) I don’t travel with anything expensive other than my laptop and I can secure it in my luggage. I am not into jewelry, furs or expensive clothing and i doubt anybody would want to steal a wheelchair or crutches. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/36 "2010-04-21T15:33:54Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Holy shit, imagine first the wake and secondly how rough that must have been … think of the jolts of doing the wave slapping on slow rollers if you are going crosswise instead of parallel :eek: > . Never a passenger but I don’t think it was that bad. The liners were offering luxury as well as speed. They couldn’t afford to always have the paying customers seasick all the time - who would eat in the flash dining rooms 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/37 "2010-04-21T15:40:16Z")
> [@MarcusF](#): > > Never a passenger but I don’t think it was that bad. The liners were offering luxury as well as speed. They couldn’t afford to always have the paying customers seasick all the time - who would eat in the flash dining rooms 😃 Back in the early part of the last century a rough crossing like I surmise would have been tolerated for the bonus of the bragging rights of having been on ‘the fastest crossing ever’ sort of like bragging rights for flying the Concorde. I understand the Concorde was actually pretty uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/38 "2010-04-21T15:58:23Z")
> [@Ispolkom](#): > > Liners were used as troop ships in World War 2, especially in the North Atlantic… The Cunard Line’s RMS _Queen Elizabeth 2_ served as a troopship during the Falklands War in 1982, as well: [Queen Elizabeth 2 - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QE2#Falklands_War) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/39 "2010-04-21T16:13:06Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Yes, that’s per person, double occupancy. If the volcano problem turned into a long-term shutdown of air travel, I’m sure a lot of people would happily share a cabin. Heck, I’d cheerfully share one now, if the price were a bit lower. An ocean voyage would be fun! And I don’t mind sharing a room - when I go on vacation, I normally stay in dorm-style hostels. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734/40 "2010-04-21T16:34:21Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Heck, I’d cheerfully share one now, if the price were a bit lower. An ocean voyage would be fun! And I don’t mind sharing a room - when I go on vacation, I normally stay in dorm-style hostels. looking west to east is like $900 … east to west was $1200 IIRC for a windowless inside cabin on the QM2. To be perfectly honest, pricewise that beats the hell out of business class … a total of 2 weeks of luxurious dining and hanging out in pleasing surroundings? Compare that to a 17 inch wide seat, TSA bullshit, and a tiny bag of peanuts…crammed in a sardine can with a 5 year old monster kicking the back of your seat for 8 hours, while some baby 2 rows back screams nonstop … When do we go? We would have to also be staying for the same amount of time between the 2 legs of the round trip - how much vacation do you get? And I get the bed closer to the bathroom =) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-time-by-ship/536734.md?page=1)