 Repositioning itineraries, seasonal voyages used to relocate ships from one cruise region to another, offer sensational savings opportunities, sybaritic days at sea and opportunities to call at ports of call that are off the beaten track.
Transatlantic crossings between Europe and North America or the Caribbean, usually eastbound in the spring and westbound in the fall, are offered by many cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises.
Windstar Cruises’ ships reposition from Europe on two fall 14-day, transatlantic crossings. With no ports of call en route, the main focus is total relaxation, although fitness, entertainment and enrichment offerings are readily available.
In the fall, vacationers can also sail on repositioning cruises from Alaska to ports along the west coast of the USA and beyond through the Panama Canal ready for the winter Caribbean season. The return repositioning cruises, of course, take place in the spring.
Another popular set of repositioning cruises take passengers between Canada/New England and a host of US and Caribbean ports for warm-weather cruises in the winter, and back for the northern hemisphere summers.
Some of the cruise lines offer more exotic repositioning itineraries to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Silversea Cruises, for example, offers several fall repositioning cruises that visit exotic destinations. The Silver Whisper departs in November on a 15-day Athens to Dubai sailing. Princess Cruises repositions between Alaska and China, Seabourn Cruise between Europe and India, and Norwegian Cruise Line between North America and Chile. There are many more.
With extra days at sea, guests on repositioning cruises can enjoy passenger-pleasing onboard amenities, entertainment and innovative facilities and services.
Repositioning voyages are often enhanced with distinguished guest lecturers in subjects ranging from Egyptology to music, art and journalism.
Depending on the ship, passengers can partake in golf clinics, financial workshops, bridge tournaments, dancing lessons, computer courses, and much, much more.
Some repositioning cruises are themed, and can focus on topics ranging from health and fitness to wine and food to jazz and Big Bands.
“Repositioning voyages offer more of what makes the cruise experience so enjoyable,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the chief marketing organization for 20 premier cruise lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies. “Not only do these itineraries visit unusual ports of call, they also offer guests extended access to today’s superlative onboard products. And, these cruises usually feature a full lineup of activities and special events and significant savings, as well.”
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