Full Answer
What are cruises repositioning and relocation?
Cruise ships sail in warm weather. Therefore, at the end of a season, they often move from their home port to one in a warmer region. The cruise ship lines take passengers and call these one-way sailings repositioning cruises or relocation cruises.
Why are repositioning cruises so expensive?
Repositioning cruises also tend to be long (some nearly a month), which often limits them to retired seafarers and the lucky few with a hefty amount of vacation time. Also, the one-way nature of the cruises means you'll need to book one-way or open-jaw flights, which can be more expensive than roundtrip airfare.
When is the best time of year to reposition your cruise?
For cruisers, fall and spring mean more than just transitioning wardrobes. These seasons are the prime times of year for repositioning cruises. Though some ships spend the entire year in the same region, many relocate a few times a year -- depending on the season -- from Europe to the Caribbean, or Asia or Australia to Alaska, for example.
How to prepare for a repositioning cruise?
Repositioning cruise tips 1 Take advantage of extra time on the ship. One of the best things about a repositioning cruise is all the extra sea days you have, so be certain to enjoy ... 2 Prepare to keep yourself busy. ... 3 Pack for all weather. ... 4 Research airfare before you commit. ...
Are repositioning cruises less crowded?
Generally, repositioning cruises are less crowded. As they often sail below capacity, there are fewer passengers. However, the staff size is the same, resulting in a higher staff to passenger ratio, and the illusion of better service.
How do repositioning cruises work?
Repositioning cruises are one-way cruises, with paying passengers, that are used to move of cruise ship from one region to another. When the seasons change, the cruise lines have a need to move their fleet of cruise ships based upon the seasonal changes in demand.
Do cruises get cheaper closer to sail date?
Cruise prices do not get cheaper closer to the sailing date in all cases. Cruise prices are usually the cheapest furthest from the sailing date when first launched or 60-90 days before the cruise sets sail. The prices of some cruises will decrease last minute but this doesn't always happen.
Do repositioning cruises have entertainment?
Repositioning cruises are often longer than regular cruises so you might actually have some extra entertainment onboard.
What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
Royal Caribbean concludes its cruise season in April or May, so if you can snag a cruise then, you will find some great deals. In addition, November is typically a less in-demand month.
What time of year do cruise ships reposition?
Where and when do repositioning cruises take place? The good news is you can book a repositioning cruise nearly six months out of the year, spanning mid-spring and mid-fall months, which are the cruise lines' shoulder seasons.
What day of the week do cruise prices drop?
ThursdaysOn average, prices for cruises drop the most on Thursdays, according to CruiseWatch.com. The data also revealed Wednesdays to have the greatest price hikes during the week. The worst day to book if you're hoping for a price drop, according to the data, is on Sundays.
How far in advance should I book a cruise to get the best price?
six to 12 months aheadExperts say it's best to book a cruise six to 12 months ahead for the best price, but you might be able to snag a better deal if you have the flexibility to wait a bit longer.
Which Cruise Line is the cheapest?
Carnival is the most famous and affordable cruise line for many ports. Fares can be a few dollars cheaper than Royal Caribbean and other carriers. It's possible to get basic fares for less than $200, but you may need to pay for more onboard amenities.
What is the number 1 cruise line?
Mega Ship Line #1: Norwegian Cruise Line In November 2019, Norwegian launched the newest member of its fleet, Norwegian Encore, which is the most luxurious of its mega-ships.
What is the best cabin position on a cruise ship?
You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Avoid cabins near the front (bow) or back (stern) and on decks higher than the middle deck of the ship. So, on a ship with fourteen passenger decks, your best options are below deck seven.
Can you cruise just one way?
Many repo cruises are long, crossing the Atlantic or passing through the Panama Canal. It's a one-way cruise, which means you'll have to fly home at the end of the trip, but it can be a wonderful way to see new countries and rarely visited ports.
Why do cruise ships reposition?
Think of cruise ships a bit like nomads. They roam the waters from port to port, many visiting more than one area of the world per year. When the seasons change, ships tend to relocate (or reposition) to chase the warm weather -- for example, moving from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean.
What does repositioning a cruise ship mean?
A repositioning cruise occurs at the end of a cruising season — usually the fall or spring — when a cruise ship is moving from one home port to another. Many repo cruises are long, crossing the Atlantic or passing through the Panama Canal.
What are some common repositioning options?
The most common repositioning cruise routes are “transatlantic” from Caribbean/Florida ports to European ports and vice versa. The winter and spring months are very popular times to cruise the Caribbean, and the weather tends to be ideal too.
Is it possible to take a one-way cruise?
A repositioning cruise is an exciting journey full of relaxing days at sea and stops in exotic destinations along the way. These one-way itineraries start in one major cruise destination and end in another.
What is a repositioning cruise?
A repositioning cruise is when a ship moves from doing a lot of sailings in one region to another region. For instance ships that sail in Alaska usually move to a warmer weather spot in the fall. Repositioning cruises offer an extended itinerary with a lot of sea days for relaxing.
Where does a repositioning cruise take place?
Your virtual tour includes highlights from Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific – each of which could be included on a repositioning cruise.
When do cruise ships leave Alaska?
In order to make sure cruisers have the best possible weather conditions for both their pleasure and their safety, cruise ships institute time limits for cruises to certain regions. For instance, most cruises to Alaska take place from May until September when the weather is warm. When the last Alaska cruise comes to completion, cruise lines don’t just keep their ships empty till May, they sail to a new region of the world. These trips from one destination to another, for instance Alaska to the Caribbean or Europe to the Caribbean, are called repositioning cruises. Featured below are highlights from possible repositioning cruises:
Why are cruises repositioning?
In order to get from one region to another , repositioning cruises tend to be significantly longer sailings, with lots of sea days inbetween. While all these extra days means more time to experience what is available onboard, many cruisers are concerned about the cruise getting dull or even boring.
Why do people book repositioning cruises?
The best reason to book a repositioning cruise is to not only be on a certain ship, but enjoy extra sea days and even unique ports of call. Many repositioning cruises involve an ocean crossing, where the ship moves from one region to another.
How long is a repositioning cruise?
Most repositioning cruises tend to be longer sailings, often in the ballpark of 10-14 nights, or longer. The time it takes to not only cross the Atlantic or Pacific ocean is no quick journey, and there are usually port stops included on both sides of the ocean to add some variety.
What are the different types of repositioning cruises offered by Royal Caribbean?
The most common types of repositioning cruises offered by Royal Caribbean are: Between North America and Europe. Between North America and Australia. Between Australia and Hawaii. Between Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.
Why are there so few families on the ocean crossing?
It should also be noted that there are usually far less families onboard the ocean crossing sailings, due to a combination of the cruise length and the fact they almost always occur while school is in session. If you have kids, you may find significantly less other children for them to play with in Adventure Ocean or elsewhere.
Do repositioning sailings involve ocean crossings?
Repositioning sailings that do not involve an ocean crossing are usually shorter, but they are less frequently offered.
Does Royal Caribbean have special ports?
In order to drum up demand for repositioning sailings, Royal Caribbean often includes special port visits that are not regularly offered. This may mean a visit to a port not usually visited by Royal Caribbean, or a combination of ports on either end of the crossing.
When does Alaska cruise season end?
The end of September mark s the end of the Alaska cruise season, and this repositioning itinerary is perfect for passengers seeking a good balance of scenic cruising, wine harvest-timed visits to California wine country and city stops, too. The trip factors in plenty of scenic cruising off the Canadian coast, visits two Alaskan ports, stops at popular California wine destinations and visits San Francisco and L.A. for good measure.
Where does Princess Cruises sail?
This wide-sweeping sailing with Princess Cruises explores the coast of South America and two Caribbean islands as the ship sails north from Argentina to the U.S. Eleven sea days will allow you to take full advantage of the ship's many offerings, while an overnight call in Rio permits a more comprehensive experience of this bustling Brazilian beachfront city.
What season is the best time to cruise?
For cruisers, fall and spring mean more than just transitioning wardrobes. These seasons are the prime times of year for repositioning cruises.
What are some good things to do in Rhapsody of the Seas?
Rhapsody of the Seas is a great place to be if you're spending more than a week crossing the ocean. At-sea activities include outdoor movies, dance classes, cooking demonstrations, rock climbing, game shows and wine tasting.
What to do on the Coral Princess?
Onboard Coral Princess, you'll find plenty to do, like watching Movies Under the Stars or rejuvenating at the adults-only, spa-inspired The Sanctuary retreat.
Where is Celebrity Constellation sailing?
For something truly exotic, consider this intriguing itinerary as Celebrity Constellation repositions from its sailing season in Europe to the Middle East. You'll transit the storied Suez Canal, after stopping in Kusadasi (gateway to Ephesus), the Greek island of Rhodes, as well as Cyprus. Then it's on to the Middle East, where a call in Oman is followed by an overnight stay in Dubai to conclude the sailing.
Where to go on the Seven Seas Navigator?
On this Seven Seas Navigator repositioning voyage, cruisers are granted a rare Pacific island-hopping itinerary reaching from Tahiti all the way southeast to far-flung Easter Island, before disembarking in Peru. Start off with a full week of French Polynesian exploration, with stops spent on six islands, including an overnight stay in Papeete and a late-night call in Raiatea -- primed for partaking in evening dining and nightlife ashore.
Where to stop on a relocation cruise?
Depending on your itinerary, you’ll explore the sun-soaked Mediterranean, visit popular ports across Western Europe, or stop in Iceland and Greenland along the way.
Where do transatlantic cruises go?
In the early spring, our transatlantic cruises depart from the United States and head back across the Atlantic, stopping in beautiful European destinations along the way, such as the islands of Palma de Mallorca and Corsica, before arriving in Rome, Southampton, and Lisbon.
Where to cruise in the Western Hemisphere?
Sail between San Diego or Los Angeles and Vancouver and cruise along the Pacific Coast, stopping in destinations throughout California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada along the way. Or combine a tropical vacation in the Caribbean with sightseeing in the Northeast by embarking on an open-jaw itinerary between Miami and Cape Liberty or Boston; San Juan and Cape Liberty; or a Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan.
Where to cruise in the South Pacific?
You can also board one of our repositioning cruises between Hawaii and Australia. Depart from either Honolulu or Sydney and visit breathtaking islands in the South Pacific, including New Zealand’s idyllic Bay of Islands, dreamy destinations in French Polynesia like Bora Bora and Tahiti, and the tropical islands of Hawaii.
Where to sail from Asia to North America?
Sail across the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean on a transpacific cruise that travels from Asia to North America—and vice versa. Depart from the exciting city of Tokyo and stop in destinations in Russia and Japan along the way. A highlight of a transpacific cruise is traversing the International Dateline.
Why should I take a repositioning cruise?
That might sound like a busy schedule, but it's actually not. Repositioning cruises often incorporate a multitude of sea days, offering a more relaxing vacation without hectic, back-to-back port calls. Itching to try a new cruise line? A handful of ships sail two- to three-night repo cruises (many of which are along the California coast or from Seattle to Vancouver) that are great for sampling.
What kind of ship is best for a repositioning cruise?
The best ship is the one whose onboard vibe, activities and entertainment jive with your personality. The last thing you want is to be bored when you're out at sea, days away from your next port of call. Active types would fare well with lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, while those interested in a more laidback atmosphere should consider Celebrity, Princess, Holland America or -- if you've got room to splurge -- a luxury line like Silversea or Crystal Cruises. Some lines also spice up their repo itineraries with themes, such as food and wine or bridge, which makes for a fun opportunity to learn something new or simply spend your sea days relishing a hobby you love.
What is the weather like on a repo cruise?
As you make your way from one region to another, temperatures are bound to fluctuate. The weather on a repo cruise depends on where and when you go, and always involves slightly more thoughtful packing. For example, a ship sailing from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean during fall will kick off with brisk weather but end in a warm, humid climate. Bear in mind: Ocean crossings can mean a bumpier ride, especially on smaller ships. It's a good idea to have some type of seasickness remedy on hand, even if you're not typically sensitive to motion.
What do cruise ships do when the seasons change?
When the seasons change, ships tend to relocate (or reposition) to chase the warm weather -- for example, moving from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. When ships sail across oceans or change seasonal homeports, ...
Are repositioning cruises a good deal?
Per-diem rates for repositioning cruises are often much lower than they are for "regular" sailings. That's because they're not as universally appealing due to the reasons mentioned above. Plus, you can snag a good daily rate on the cruise, but the total fare could still be high -- in addition to potentially pricey one-way airfare. Be on the lookout for cruise deals that include airfare or shorter repo sailings, which offer even better value.
What do you do during a repositioning cruise?
Since most repositioning cruises last longer than the typical 7-day itinerary, you will spend more time on the ship. Luckily, most ships have plenty of activities to keep you entertained throughout the cruise. However, this is why you should pick a ship that matches your personality.
How long does a repositioning cruise last?
The length of the repositioning cruise depends on how far the ship is going to sail. Some cruises last 7 days while others can last 19 days or longer. On longer cruises, the ship spends consecutive days at seas, sometimes up to 10 nights.
