Cargo ships This is a non-sailing ship option that can take you across. Cargo ships usually rent out a few cabins to passengers. This costs a few thousand euros. Travelling with a cargo vessel can be a good alternative if you want to cross the ocean, don't like sailing, and do not want to fly.

Crossing the Atlantic without an airplane is a "slow travel" experience that usually takes between 6 and 14 days. The most iconic method is the Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, the only ship specifically designed as an ocean liner (rather than a cruise ship) that runs a regular schedule between New York and Southampton. For a more leisure-focused trip, many major cruise lines offer "Transatlantic Crossings" during the spring and fall as they move their fleets between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean; these are often significantly cheaper than standard cruises. More adventurous travelers can look into freighter travel, where you pay to stay in a cabin on a working container ship, though this requires months of planning and flexibility. Finally, there are organized sailing voyages where you can join a crew as a "paying guest" on a yacht or tall ship, though this requires a strong stomach for potentially rough seas and a willingness to participate in ship duties.