I have had so many questions over the years about repositioning cruises.  It seems that many people have heard about them, but don’t really know excatly what they are or if they would actually like to do one.

The cruisecritic web site has a fantastic explanation:

” 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 Alaska to Australia. When ships sail across oceans or change seasonal homeports, their one-off, one-way itineraries — dubbed repositioning cruises — offer a chance for passengers to sail a new, offbeat route, often at a lower-than-average price.”

However, with that being said, is one of these unique itineraries right for you?  Hopefully the information below will  help answer this question for you…..

Why are repositioning cruises good?

Their itineraries often hit a number of countries or continents on one trip.  Which migh sound like a busy schedule, but in actual fact it isn’t.   Repositioning cruises often incorporate a number of consecutive of sea days, offering a more relaxing holiday without hectic, back-to-back port calls.  Giving you plenty of time in between ports to explore the ship and take advantage of everything it has to offer.

So what are the downsides?

For some people, spending days on end in the middle of an ocean is more maddening than relaxing. Repositioning cruises also tend to be long, which mean you need to have the annual leave available OR not be constrained by work schedules.  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.

Are they a good deal?

When you break the fare down into a per night  rate, repositioning cruises are often much lower in price than “regular” sailings. However, while your daily rate might look great, the total fare can be high due to the lenght of the cruise.  AND you may potentially be up for a pricey one-way airfare. Keep an eye out for package deals that include airfares, these can sometimes offer even better value. 

Is one ship better than another for a repositioning cruise?

Given the number of sea days you are likely to have, this is certainly an important consideration.  You need to make sure the onboard vibe, activities and entertainment fit with your holiday personality. The last thing you want is to be bored when you’re out at sea, days away from your next port of call.

If you like to be more active on holidays, then look at cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, especially their super cruises which tend to be large enough to have things like go-kart racing tracks, bumper cars, ice skating rinks, sky diving experiences, surfing simulators….just to mention a few.

If you are looking for something a bit more laidback, consider lines like Celebrity, Princess, or Holland America.  If luxury is more your holiday style, then lines like Seabourn, Silversea or Crystal Cruises may fit the bill. 

Is weather a factor in considering a repositioning cruise?

Because these cruises tend to be moving a ship from one region to another, temperatures are bound to fluctuate. The weather, of course, will depend on where and when you go, so you may need to be more thoughtful when packing. For example, a ship sailing from Sydney to Vancouver during autumn will start in warmer weather but end in a much cooler climate.

It is also important to bear in mind that ocean crossings can mean a bumpier ride, especially on smaller ships. It’s a good idea to be prepared with some type of seasickness medication or treatment on hand, even if your a seasoned sailor with excellent sea-legs.

As always, your best resource for finding the right repositioning cruise for you is your Travel Consultant.  They have the knowledge, tools and industry contacts for making sure you get the cruise that is right for you!

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