What is a repositioning cruise?
Published by Mark O'Haire on 27 Apr 2010
Canny shoppers can take advantage of the little-known phenomenon of the Repositioning Cruise and save a fortune on that dream trip.
Twice a year, ships that sail in seasonal regions need to relocate to more temperate waters. You might expect these one-way journeys to be perfunctory, hurried affairs, but cruise companies have instead turned them into a special kind of sailing called the repositioning or "repo" cruise which ultimately provides added value for enthusiastic cruisers.
No cruise line ever wants to have the expense of moving a huge ship over hundreds or thousands of miles of ocean without having any paying cruise passengers onboard. This is your opportunity to get a luxury cruise for a bargain price.
What is the Itinerary Like?
Repositioning cruises are unique in that they tend to be longer than regular sailings, since they are often covering long distances.
You can still expect a variety of ports along the way and lines often go out of their way to make sure that your time aboard is full of extra activities.
When Can I Book A Repositioning Cruise?
Repositioning cruises happen once or twice a year per ship, usually in spring and autumn.
Crafty shoppers know when and where to look for the bargains and they sell out early. You will need to shop around in advance for the best deal; there are plenty of websites which offer these cruises.
What Should I Consider?
You may need to book an open flight where you fly to the departure port and then fly home from the ship's destination port. These air flights can be pricey compared to normal return airfares.
Even with this usual extra, a repositioning cruise is still incredible value. Of course, if you are fortunate to live close by, or within driving distance of your departure port, then you would only have to book a one-way flight home.
Have you ever been on a Repositioning Cruise? Did you think it was good value for money?
If so why not comment in the box below, or discuss it in the 50connect forums?
Have Your Say
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Leave A CommentWe did a repositioning on P&O Cruises from Barbados to Southampton, although we visited a few ports lot of our time was spent at sea which was perfect as it meant we could enjoy reading the books we had taken plus there was so much activity onboard like dance classes etc.
Cruises Fan