The Pros and Cons of Repositioning Cruises
Good Bargain Repositioning Cruises Available During Fall and Spring
Jul 25, 2008
Similar to transitioning wardrobes and migrating birds, when seasons change, cruise ships are moved from one geographical area to another. Cruise lines do not want to reposition an empty boat as this is not revenue generating.
As a result, repositioning cruises are considered some of the best cruise bargains due to their discounted fares. These voyages are discounted because there are many more sea days and the limited ports of call are generally not popular tourist destinations.
Advantages of Repositioning Cruises
The major advantage of a repositioning cruise is the discounted fare. These voyages also often feature enhanced enrichment options such as more guest lecturers on topics like wine and theater, more spa services and dance classes. This is because guests spend more relaxing days at sea. Repositioning cruises are suitable for those who don’t like the hectic pace of back-to-back port calls. A repositioning cruise also allows you to visit an entire coastline, or two different cruise regions and even two continents all in one trip.
Disadvantages of Repositioning Cruises
Repositioning cruises begin in one city and finish in another, often many miles from the original port city. As a result, you may be stuck paying a more expensive one-way or open-jaw flight. Repositioning cruises tend to be long as the ship has much distance to cover in order to relocate. For some passengers, spending multiple days at sea may be more claustrophobic than relaxing. Rougher seas are also more common in trans-ocean crossings due to the nature of open waters.
Popular Repositioning Routes
Fall and spring are the prime times of the year for repositioning cruises. In May, many cruise ships are moving north for the Alaska cruise ship season. These ships generally migrate from Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean to head up the west coast of the United States and Canada. Ports of call on these repositioning cruises may include San Francisco, California, Astoria, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, Victoria, British Columbia and Vancouver, British Columbia. At the end of the Alaska cruising season in late September, the ships head back south to warmer climates.
In the spring, many ships who call the Caribbean home during winter will make the transatlantic trip to Europe for the summer. Starting from the east coast of the United States, the trip across the Atlantic consists of many seas days in a row before reaching Europe. Transatlantic trips often stop at either the Canary Islands or the Azores on the way.
Are Repositioning Cruises For You?
Repositioning cruises may not be suitable for everyone. For most people, the drawbacks of many sea days and lackluster ports are mitigated by the heavily discounted fare. Repositioning cruises are also generally less busy than conventional cruises allowing for a more relaxing vacation. If you enjoy being out at sea with all the amenities a luxury cruise ship provides, then a repositioning cruise may be an ideal vacation for you. However, if you know you’ll be bored or feel claustrophobic being on a ship for multiple days at a time, then reposition cruising is probably not for you.
