How Far Do Cruise Ships Travel in a Day?
Daily distances at sea, from overnight hops to ocean crossings.
Get a Free Cruise QuoteHow Far Do Cruise Ships Travel in a Day?
The distance a ship covers depends on two things: how fast it sails and how long it is under way. On a sea day the ship may sail all 24 hours; on a port day it may be alongside for eight or ten hours and sail only overnight. That is why daily distances on the same cruise can vary several-fold.
Daily Distances by Speed
| Speed | 12 hours under way | 24 hours under way |
|---|---|---|
| 12 knots | 144 nm (about 166 mi) | 288 nm (about 331 mi) |
| 16 knots | 192 nm (about 221 mi) | 384 nm (about 442 mi) |
| 20 knots | 240 nm (about 276 mi) | 480 nm (about 552 mi) |
| 24 knots | 288 nm (about 331 mi) | 576 nm (about 663 mi) |
Simple arithmetic: knots multiplied by hours gives nautical miles. Try your own figures in the ocean miles calculator.
The Atlantic Crossing as a Yardstick
Queen Mary 2’s scheduled crossing between Southampton and New York takes seven nights and covers about 3,150 nautical miles, according to The Man in Seat 61. Divided across the voyage, that is somewhere around 450 nautical miles a day, comfortably below what the ship could do flat out. The spare speed is there to absorb North Atlantic weather and still arrive on schedule.
How Fast Do Cruise Ships Go at Night?
Many cruises sail between ports overnight, so night is when most of the miles are covered. The speed is whatever gets the ship to the next port at the planned time. If the next port is close, the ship may idle along slowly for hours, which tends to make for a smooth night. If the next port is far, it will sail faster and may sail on through a sea day. Some ships also schedule scenic slow sailing, such as an approach to a fjord, glacier or harbor at dawn.
Sea Days, Port Days and Your Itinerary
When you compare cruises, the number of sea days tells you a lot about the miles involved. Longer legs mean more sea days and more time to enjoy the ship; shorter legs mean more ports and earlier mornings. Our sister site Cruise Ship Itineraries goes deeper into reading itineraries, and World Cruise News covers voyages measured in months rather than days.
Distance Questions
How far does a cruise ship travel in a day?
On a sea day at around 20 knots, roughly 480 nautical miles, or about 550 statute miles. On a port day the ship may sail only overnight, often covering much less.
How many miles is a 7-day cruise?
It varies widely with the itinerary. A port-intensive Caribbean week, with short overnight hops, usually covers far fewer miles than an ocean crossing of the same length, which can cover about 3,000 nautical miles. Ask for the distances on any itinerary you are considering.
More Sea Days or More Ports?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare itineraries by sea days and distances for your dates. Free quote.
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