Looking for a unique cruise that can potentially save you a bundle? In this post, we’ll tell you how repositioning cruises could work for you.
What Is a Repositioning Cruise?
Cruise lines need to relocate their ships to different ports during the off-season. Since summer and winter are peak seasons for traditional cruises, repositioning cruises are often held in the spring or fall.
A repositioning cruise is a one-way trip between two locations, such as Alaska and the Caribbean. Cruise companies offer this option for customers who want a cheaper price.
Repositioning cruises are often longer than typical cruises. They involve fewer port stops and are often less crowded. They often feature other perks like free wi-fi connections and additional onboard programming for the longer voyage.
Reasons to Consider Taking a Repositioning Cruise
If you prefer a quiet, laid-back pace for your vacation, a repositioning cruise may be just what you are looking for. Fewer port stops mean more time at sea, which you may find to be a peaceful respite from your busy days back at home. You can also get easier bookings for restaurants and spa services on a less crowded ship.
These cruises tend to carry fewer passengers, and you may prefer this quieter setting. It may allow you more time to build friendships with other passengers since you aren’t rushing from port to port. When they do stop, the ports aren’t as busy because you aren’t sailing during peak travel season.
Repositioning cruises are great for bonding time with adult children or catching up on your reading time.
You can cut your cruise costs significantly with a repositioning cruise. For example, the Celebrity Reflection typically costs $200 per night, per person, for balcony rooms. On a repositioning cruise, however, you can get the same room for $62 per night. Another example is Holland America, who is offering rooms for only $33 per night for a repositioning cruise between Fort Lauderdale and Rome.
If you want to try out a new cruise line, you can try a shorter one- to three-night repositioning cruise with a different company than you normally use for a lower rate.
Reasons a Traditional Cruise May Be Better for You
Repositioning cruises aren’t right for everyone. Here are reasons you may prefer a traditional cruise over a repositioning cruise:
- You want to travel during normal vacation time (summer or winter)
- You like non-stop activity
- You want to visit as many ports as possible
- You will be taking young children on the cruise
- You want to end up in the same place where you boarded
- You want to avoid higher airfare costs
Keep the idea of a repositioning cruise in your mind. It might not be right for you now, but it could be in the future.
Several Repositioning Cruises to Consider
There are nearly 200 repositioning cruises you can choose. Here are several of our favorites.
The Disney Wonder leaves San Diego on Oct. 27 on a two-week voyage to the Panama Canal.
The Regent Seven Seas Voyager travels for 33 nights from Dubai to Hong Kong beginning in November. Their Seven Seas Mariner sails from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona in February.
Carnival Horizon has transatlantic offerings in the springtime.
Even on a repositioning cruise accidents and injuries can occur. If you are hurt due to cruise line negligence, call us for a free consultation today.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented cruise victims who have suffered all kinds of injuries and illnesses due to negligence. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2017 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – and was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite” and as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015, 2016, and 2017.
