Have you heard of repositioning cruises? In this comprehensive guide, we show you how to save on cruises with our repositioning cruise insights, tips and tricks. This is your key to navigating repositioning cruises and making the most of this cost-effective and adventurous travel option that will let you see the world for less!

Exploring repositioning cruises

Repositioning (also called repositional) cruises are where you join a ship that’s moving to a different homeport or heading back across an ocean. Ships usually have to do this in response to changing cruise seasons, needing to travel to where the warmer weather is. For example, a ship that has spent the summer cruising around the Mediterranean may then move to the Caribbean for the peak cruise season there of November to April.

Rather than have the ship travel empty for these relocation voyages, cruise lines turn them into repositioning cruises and invite passengers onboard. Because there are more days at sea and fewer port stops, repositioning cruises are much cheaper.  This means they’re an excellent way to maximize savings on cruises at the same time as enjoying unique cruise voyages.

While opting for a repositioning cruise means you may not have the chance to visit as many ports as you would during a usual cruise, the facilities and amenities on board will be the same as normal. It’s therefore a wonderful opportunity to sample everything a cruise ship has to offer at sea, and can be a great introduction to the wonderful world of cruising.

Our repositioning cruises guide

A repositional cruise is the easiest way to enjoy affordable cruise adventures. As mentioned above, because there are more days at sea these voyages are usually a lot cheaper than similar cruise itineraries. And if you can wait until the last minute and don’t have a particular destination in mind, you can sometimes snag an incredible bargain as cruise lines look to fill up the last cabins. This makes repositioning cruises one of the most cost-effective cruise options, and you can enjoy saving on unique cruises that you may not otherwise be able to afford.

Because you’ll spend more days onboard the ship, repositional cruises are great for really relaxing into life at sea and taking advantage of all the amenities available. Longer sea voyages give you plenty of opportunities to sample different restaurants, take part in activities, be pampered in the spa and simply soak up the sea air while you relax by the pool and read a good book or two. (Or three!)

Repositional cruises offer more unusual routes and are ideal if you’re looking for a more adventurous cruise, or want to travel between two completely different parts of the world. You could start out in America and end up in Europe, for example, or sail up the coast in a different direction to normal, such as going from California to Vancouver.

Just as cruises come in a variety of lengths, repositional cruises can vary from a few days for UK-based voyages to around three weeks for transoceanic trips. Taking advantage of a one- or two-night repositioning cruise in the UK, such as those offered by Fred. Olsen, can give you a taster of life at sea if you’re curious about cruising but don’t want to commit to a long voyage. You can also use repositional cruises as a start or end point for a longer holiday.  

Insider tips for repositioning cruises

You generally find repositional cruises during the ‘shoulder seasons’ of cruising, in mid-spring and mid-autumn. They can be available as long as six months in advance,  but as mentioned above you can also find a great last-minute bargain.

It’s important to note that repositional cruises are one-way voyages, so you’ll start and finish in different ports. You’ll need to check whether flights and transfers are included in your fare, and if not, make sure these additional travel expenses don’t wipe out any of the savings you’ll make from choosing a repositional cruise over a regular one!

As you’ll be onboard for longer, consider spending extra on all-inclusive drinks packages or ones that let you dine in speciality restaurants, especially as you’ll have fewer port expenses.

Some cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Hurtigruten Expeditions, call these type of journeys transoceanic, so it’s worth remembering this if you’re looking for a repositional cruise on a specific cruise line.

Planning cost-effective cruises with Cruise Collective

This guide has hopefully shown you how repositional cruises are one of the best budget-conscious travel options available. For more money-saving cruise strategies, cruise travel tips and cruise discounts and savings, become a member of Cruise Collective for free today and access a world of wonderful offers.