Repositioning cruises: what they are and why they're such good value

What is a repositioning cruise?

A repositioning cruise is a one-way voyage that a cruise line sails to move a ship from one seasonal region to another. Ships follow the weather: the Caribbean in winter, Europe and Alaska in summer, and back again. Instead of sailing those positioning legs empty, cruise lines sell them as cruises, often at a discount.

Because the ship must make the journey anyway, these voyages are usually longer than regular cruises, with more sea days and a mix of ports you won't find on standard itineraries. For travelers with time and flexibility, they're among the best-value cruises of the year.

Common repositioning routes and when they sail

Repositioning cruises cluster in spring and fall, when ships switch seasons. Spring sailings head north and east toward Europe and Alaska; fall sailings head south and west toward the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Asia and Australia.

• Transatlantic, spring: Florida or the Caribbean to Europe, often via Bermuda, the Azores, Madeira or the Canary Islands, roughly April to May.
• Transatlantic, fall: Europe back to Florida or the Caribbean, often via the Canaries or the Azores, roughly October to November.
• Panama Canal: between the West Coast and Florida in spring and fall, as ships move between Alaska or Mexico seasons and the Caribbean.
• Pacific coastal: short one-way trips between Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco and Vancouver or Seattle at the start and end of the Alaska season.
• Hawaii: ships heading to or from Alaska sometimes sail between Hawaii and Vancouver or the West Coast.
• Transpacific: from Alaska or the West Coast to Asia or Australia in fall, sometimes via Hawaii and the South Pacific, and back in spring.
• Within Europe and Asia: shorter repositionings between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, or along Asian coastlines.

Why are repositioning cruises so cheap?

Repositioning cruises are good value because they're harder to sell than regular cruises. Many people don't have the time for a long trip, aren't keen on a run of consecutive sea days, or don't want the hassle of flying home from a different continent. To fill the ship, lines price these sailings lower per night than the same ship's regular itineraries.

The result is that a two-week crossing can cost much less per night than a seven-night Caribbean cruise on the same ship in peak season. Balconies and suites, in particular, often represent better value on repositioning sailings, and some lines add perks such as onboard credit or reduced single supplements to attract guests.

The pros of a repositioning cruise

Beyond price, repositioning cruises suit a certain kind of traveler perfectly. If the idea of days at sea with nowhere to be sounds appealing, these voyages are hard to beat.

• Value: some of the lowest fares per night of the year, especially for balconies.
• Sea days: time to read, rest, use the spa, join classes and lectures, and enjoy a quieter ship.
• Unusual ports: stops like the Azores, Madeira, Bermuda, the Canary Islands or Cartagena that rarely feature on round-trip cruises.
• Length: a long trip for the price of a shorter one, with time to really unwind.
• A one-way trip that lets you start or end with a stay in Europe, Asia or a new city.
• A more relaxed atmosphere, with fewer families when schools are in session and many experienced cruisers.

The cons: what to know before you book

Repositioning cruises aren't for everyone, and the trade-offs are real. Think carefully about these before you commit.

• Flights: you'll fly one-way or open-jaw, which can cost more than a round trip and may eat into your savings.
• Time: transatlantic and transpacific voyages often run two weeks or more, plus travel days.
• Many sea days in a row, which some people find dull, especially on a large ship with fewer activities than usual.
• Weather: the North Atlantic can be rough in spring and fall, and fall crossings can coincide with the end of hurricane season.
• Cooler days: outdoor decks can be chilly mid-ocean, so pools may be less inviting.
• Clock changes: eastbound crossings often lose an hour on several nights in a row, which can be tiring; westbound crossings gain them back.
• Fewer ports and less flexibility if you want to leave early.

Who should take a repositioning cruise?

Repositioning cruises are ideal for retirees, remote workers with flexible schedules, and anyone with plenty of vacation time who loves being at sea. They also suit travelers who want to combine a cruise with a land trip, such as spending a week in Barcelona, Rome or Lisbon after a spring transatlantic crossing.

They're less suited to families with school-age children, people who get bored without daily ports, those prone to seasickness on open-ocean crossings, and anyone on a short vacation. If you're curious but unsure, a shorter Pacific coastal repositioning between California and Vancouver is a good way to try one.

Why some one-way cruises start or end outside the US

US law shapes many repositioning routes. The Passenger Vessel Services Act prevents foreign-flagged cruise ships from carrying passengers one-way between two US ports unless they call at a distant foreign port along the way. That's why most West Coast repositioning cruises start or end in Vancouver, and why Panama Canal transits between Florida and California call at places like Cartagena, Colombia.

This matters when you plan flights, since your cruise may finish in Canada or abroad. Bring a passport for every repositioning cruise, and check entry requirements for the country where you'll disembark.

Tips for booking a repositioning cruise

Price the whole trip, not just the cruise. Look up one-way and open-jaw flights early, since they're often the biggest variable cost. Flying home from Europe after a spring crossing usually works well, and many travelers add a few days in the arrival city.

Choose your cabin with the voyage in mind. On a trip with many sea days, a balcony gets plenty of use, and a low, midship cabin helps if the ocean is rough. Pack layers for cool, windy sea days and check whether the line offers enrichment programs, which are often richer on long crossings.

• Watch for repositioning sailings when lines release new seasons, and compare prices per night.
• Check whether the line runs special events, lectures or classes on long crossings.
• Buy travel insurance that covers missed connections and trip interruption.
• Check the latest entry requirements for your arrival country, including any travel-authorization rules for Europe.
• Look at the internet options; satellite Wi-Fi on many big ships is far better than it used to be, which helps remote workers.

Frequently asked questions