Repositioning Cruises
Looking for more cruise for your money? Repositioning cruises can offer some of the best value at sea, combining longer itineraries, unusual one-way routes and plenty of time to enjoy everything onboard. From transatlantic crossings between Europe and the Americas to voyages connecting Asia, Australia and the Middle East, these seasonal sailings turn a ship's journey to its next cruising region into an adventure of its own.
What is a Repositioning Cruise?
Cruise ships do not always stay in the same part of the world all year. As the seasons change, many move between regions, perhaps leaving the Mediterranean for the Caribbean in autumn or returning to Europe in spring. Rather than sailing empty, cruise lines turn these journeys into repositioning cruises.
Unlike a typical round-trip cruise, they usually begin in one destination and finish somewhere completely different. That creates itineraries you may only see once or twice a year, often combining several countries, extended time at sea and ports that rarely appear together on a standard cruise itinerary.
Why Repositioning Cruises Can Offer Exceptional Value
One of the biggest reasons to consider a repositioning cruise is simply how much holiday you can get for your money. These voyages are often longer than a traditional seven-night cruise, yet the price per night can be surprisingly attractive, particularly when you compare the cost with booking consecutive shorter sailings.
More sea days also mean more opportunity to enjoy what you have already paid for onboard. Take your time over breakfast, finally try the speciality restaurant you have been eyeing up, relax by the pool, make the most of the entertainment or simply enjoy having nowhere you need to be.
The headline fare is not the only thing to consider. Most repositioning cruises are one-way, so you may need a flight at the beginning or end of your holiday. Compare the complete cost of the trip, including flights, hotels and transfers, and you can quickly see which voyages offer the strongest overall value.
More Days at Sea, More Time to Enjoy the Ship
For some cruisers, the extra sea days are the best part of a repositioning cruise. Instead of waking up in a new port every morning, the pace is often more relaxed, with several uninterrupted days to experience the ship properly.
On larger ships that could mean waterparks, shows, speciality restaurants and spa days. On smaller premium and luxury ships, it might mean long lunches, enrichment talks, quiet afternoons on deck and evenings spent over dinner without thinking about an early start the following morning.
If you enjoy the ship as much as the destinations, repositioning cruises can be particularly rewarding.
Where Can Repositioning Cruises Take You?
Repositioning cruises can create some of the most exciting itineraries at sea, connecting cruising regions that would rarely feature together on a conventional round-trip voyage.
Transatlantic Repositioning Cruises
Cross between Europe and the Americas on longer one-way voyages, often combining Atlantic islands or Caribbean ports with several sea days and excellent value per night.
South Pacific Repositioning Cruises
Cross the Pacific on extraordinary voyages linking Australia and Alaska, with selected routes island-hopping through French Polynesia and Hawaii before continuing towards North America.
Indian Ocean Repositioning Cruises
Sail between Asia, the Middle East and South Africa on longer journeys such as Singapore to Dubai or Cape Town, combining fascinating destinations with plenty of relaxing days at sea.
Suez Canal Repositioning Cruises
Follow ships moving between the Mediterranean and Middle East, with selected repositioning voyages passing through the Suez Canal as part of a longer journey between Europe and Arabia.
When Do Repositioning Cruises Sail?
The widest choice tends to appear when cruise seasons change.
Spring often sees ships leave winter cruising regions such as the Caribbean and return to Europe, Alaska or Northern Europe for the summer.
Autumn brings the opposite movement, with ships leaving Europe as the Mediterranean and Northern European seasons wind down and heading towards the Caribbean, South America, Asia or other warmer destinations.
Because many of these voyages operate only once in each direction, you will not necessarily find the same itinerary available a few weeks later.
Who Are Repositioning Cruises Best For?
Repositioning cruises are particularly well suited to anyone who loves days at sea, wants a longer holiday or is looking for strong value on a per-night basis.
They are also ideal if you have already experienced many of the traditional seven or fourteen-night cruise routes and want something different. Starting in one country and finishing in another can make the holiday feel like a genuine journey rather than simply a series of port calls.
The trade-off is that these cruises often require more time away and usually involve a one-way flight. If you prefer a port-intensive itinerary with somewhere new to explore every day, a repositioning cruise may not be the best fit.
Finding the Best Value Repositioning Cruises
When comparing repositioning cruise deals, look beyond the total fare. A longer voyage will naturally cost more overall than a short break, but dividing the fare by the number of nights can reveal just how much cruise you are getting for your money.
It is also worth comparing what each fare includes. Drinks packages, Wi-Fi, gratuities, speciality dining or onboard credit can make a significant difference to the overall holiday cost, particularly on a voyage lasting two weeks or more.
Finally, factor in your one-way travel arrangements. A great cruise fare combined with sensible flights and perhaps a night or two in your embarkation or arrival city can turn a repositioning cruise into an exceptional-value cruise-and-stay holiday.
Repositioning Cruise Deals
Ready to see how far your cruise budget could take you? Explore our latest repositioning cruise deals below, with voyages from leading cruise lines sailing between some of the world's most exciting cruising regions.