Moving via cruise vs. flying

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/noneuroutes-sea.htm

approved non-eu sea routes

Excellent- thanks!

Yeah, technology has slightly improved since Titanic and luggage transport has probably improved a bit since 1944 too. 

I'm getting excited about this now! I will work hard on DB with this when he gets over here! 

That's good that there are a lot of fun things to do on ship. I have browsed a bit and it does seem like it'll be good. It sounds like the in room amenities are pretty nice too. I think that for the price it's reasonable. Not too much more than a round trip flight, since we're moving in the summer, and you get a week on a cruise and we'll pack well enough that we can transport stuff without having to worry about excess baggage fees!

I definitely think it'll be a nice break in the mid of a life-changing, probably stressful move. 

This is a great idea, and one that hadent even crossed my mind! Does anyone know though whether taking your dogs into the UK via a cruise would still qualify under the PETS scheme??

www.cunard.com

Does Cunard offer a Kennel programme?
 
Queen Mary 2’s kennel programme is available on all crossings between New York and Southampton in either direction, and is overseen by a full-time Kennel Master who takes care of responsibilities such as feeding, walking and cleaning the ship’s 12 spacious kennels. Travelling dogs and cats also receive a complimentary gift pack and other animal amenities.The kennels and adjacent indoor and outdoor walking areas are open throughout the day, enabling passengers to spend significant time with their pet. Reservations for the kennels may be made at time of booking, and are based on space availability. Contact Cunard for fees and additional requirements.

Sounds good! 

I think moving by ship sounds like an excellent way to do it. My boss has done the QE2 a couple of times and loved it.

It definitely seems like Cunard is the one to go with. I've been looking around their sites and the UK one seems to have more FAQ than the US one. 

I get more and more excited and determined to do it the more I look at the sites. I've ordered a brochure and will have it strategically out for DB to see it when he's moved over. Let him browse and see how wonderful it will be. They have a planetarium on board, he would love that! 

I was under the assumption that the QE2 was extremely expensive, but someone mentioned it was only a little more than the cost of a round trip flight to the UK.  Can you post the link, please?

I was under the assumption that the QE2 was extremely expensive, but someone mentioned it was only a little more than the cost of a round trip flight to the UK.  Can you post the link, please?

I just looked at this the other day...the least expensive one-way transatlantic ticket on the QM2 is about $1300.  Which is actually not bad considering you're getting travel and six days of accommodations. Of course you could also go the other extreme and pay $23,000 and stay in the grandest suite of them all, hehe

the cheapest i saw was $1499

The price is a couple of hundred dollars more than a round trip flight would be. When I figure that it would be comprable in price to flying, I was also taking excess baggage charges into consideration and/or the shipping of my things. I plan to consolidate my things enough before moving so that the only things I may need to ship would be my classroom/teaching supplies. I also live in MA and NYC is only about 2 1/2 to 3 hours from me, so I can have family drive us down to the dock and not have to fly to get there. That also saves money for us.

Also, unless you go to a special restaurant or get a special spa treatment, the fare includes all meals and entertainment. They do charge an additional fee per day for tips, but that isn't too much.

For my boyfriend and I, the difference in price between the QM2 (which is the ship that does the transatlantic crossings) and flying would even out. It really is a good price for all that you get. I've looked at booking cruises before and it is comprable to what you would find with another cruise line.

ETA: I was looking at the prices for the cheaper state rooms, like Andrea said, it does get as expensive as you make it to be. 

$1300 is way too expensive for me!  If money were not an issue I'd do it in a second and take my precious harp with me onboard.  I guess I'll have to figure out another way to get it across for as cheap as possible.

When I consider a roundtrip ticket and shipping my guitars and clothes $1300 doesn't sound bad at all. In fact it would probably be cheaper. I think it might cost $1300 just to ship my instruments and the small amount of stuff I want to hold onto. I'll have to check into it and see. There is also my eager finacee who will be waiting for me, that I must think about.

I agree that if you don't mind an inside cabin on the lower decks and you are moving a small amount you were just planning on paying extra to the airlines for (or using a shipping company just for a few boxes) this would be a very ideal plan... if you have the time.

It does sound like a lot of fun, but with 2 dogs and 2 kids plus the 2 of us it is definitely out of my price range.

If you go, don't forget to take proper clothing... this cruise liner strongly suggests you follow the dinner attire suggestions (I had fun reading about the cruise).

The moving via cruise ship definitely wouldn't work for everyone for various reasons. I'm fortunate that as long as DB agrees, it would work for us. 

I love seeing men dressed nicely, I want so badly to get DB in a tux!!! 

The price is a couple of hundred dollars more than a round trip flight would be. When I figure that it would be comprable in price to flying, I was also taking excess baggage charges into consideration and/or the shipping of my things.

This is true. Excess baggage fees can easily cost several hundred dollars on their own, especially since airlines have lowered their limits.

My excess baggage costs for my move will be around $200 (only $100 less than my plane ticket), and that's only for two suitcases, one carry-on sized suitcase, one duffle and a laptop bag (this is for BA). I also sent one box of books to the UK and it was around $45 for standard service. 

I would do it if they had a cruise going to England in January. But as it's looking, September and April are the closest I can really get to my proposed move date. Oh well, no trans atlantic cruise for me.