“Bigger is better” seems to be the Royal Caribbean motto. Over the years, a RCCL ship has frequently been the biggest cruise vessel in the world. And today, the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas holds that distinction.

Royal Caribbean’s cruises appeal to active travelers who want to have unique experiences. In fact, when you return from a Royal Caribbean cruise, you may need a vacation. There’s never a dull moment aboard these popular ships. And there are plenty of activities for people in every age group. From the rock climbing wall to the surfing pool, these ships are built for fun and excitement. Ice skating rinks, boxing rings, and surfing simulators are just some of the innovations you’ll find on board.

Their shore excursions also provide lots of opportunities to hike, bike, parasail, and “get out there.” If you want to swim with sting rays, dolphins, or other aquatic creatures, Royal Caribbean has you covered.

Programs and facilities for children and teens keep them out of their parents’ hair. And these days, most ships have adults-only pools and hot tubs.

Royal Caribbean has many ships that spend the summer in the Mediterranean, so there are several transatlantic repositioning cruises to choose from.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Vision of the Seas.

One of Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class ships, Vision of the Seas is a light, airy ship with lots of skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. Passengers gather in the atrium lobby where there’s a Champagne bar and live music.

The two-story main dining room and Windjammer buffet serve a variety of international dishes, depending on the itinerary. And burgers are available at the pool-side grill.

The indoor solarium pool adjacent to the spa and fitness center is nice on cooler days.

Cabins have small sitting areas and private safes. Some of the inside cabins even have windows overlooking the Promenade. Mini suites have balconies, bathtubs, and mini bars.

Vision of the Seas sails from Sao Paulo, Brazil on April 5, 2010 and visits Rio de Janeiro and Salvador before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. A week later, she arrives in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. She calls at Funchal and Cadiz before disembarking passengers in Lisbon on April 19.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Navigator of the Seas.

With an ice-skating rink, miniature golf course, in-line skating track, volleyball court, basketball court, and golf simulator, Navigator of the Seas will appeal to sports-minded cruisers — who can soothe their aching muscles with a variety of treatments in the full-service spa.

In addition to the main dining rooms and Windjammer, there are two alternative restaurants — Portofino Italian restaurant and Chops Grille steakhouse.

On April 10, 2010, Navigator of the Seas leaves Miami and spends the next week crossing the Atlantic. After the transit, she calls at Tenerife, Barcelona, Nice, and Florence before ending the cruise in Rome on April 24.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Independence of the Seas.

As a Freedom Class ship, Independence of the Seas has everything passengers could want at a land-based resort — lots of activities, entertainment, and dining options. From the water park to the whirlpools that extend out over the ocean, Independence was designed to impress. And she does.

Passengers can enjoy burgers at Johnny Rockets, pizza from Sorrentos, fine Italian dining at Portofino, or steak at Chops Grille. And Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream is a nice pool-side treat. The lively Promenade is filled with shops and places to wet your whistle.

Cabins have flat-screen TVs and WiFi Internet access. Three quarters of the outside cabins have balconies.

Independence of the Seas sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 11, 2010. After crossing the Atlantic, she visits Ponta Delgada, Portugal, Funchal, Lisbon, and Vigo before disembarking passengers in Southampton on April 25.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Voyager of the Seas.

A sister ship of Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas was the first of the Voyager Class vessels. She was the first ship to have a television studio and a full-size basketball court.

Passengers can play some of the world’s most famous courses in the golf simulator or enjoy a smoke in the cigar club. There are two venues for teens only — the Living Room and Fuel Dance Club. Adventure Ocean has plenty of activities for younger kids.

Voyager of the Seas leaves Galveston on April 18 and calls at Nassau in the Bahamas before heading for Europe. After arriving in Ponta Delgada, she visits Malaga and Catagena before ending the voyage in Barcelona on May 2.

Fine more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

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Those who’ve had the good fortune to cruise aboard one of the Yachts of Seabourn know that their service, food, and accommodations are absolutely top of the line.

With amenities like Hermes and l’Occitane toiletries, all-suite staterooms, and menus created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, everything is a cut above.  And innovative events like outdoor barbecues, Caviar in the Surf, and Shopping with the Chef provide passengers with unique experiences that enrich their travels.

The no-tipping policy and open bar provide added value.  And being aboard with so few other passengers means the first-rate staff will know you, and your preferences, right away.

Seabourn is currently offering transatlantic repositioning cruises aboard Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend at prices that are up to 70% off.

Here are the details:

On March 19, 2010, Seabourn Sprit leaves from Fort Lauderdale and spends a leisurely ten days crossing the Atlantic.  She calls at Funchal, Madeira before arriving in Lisbon on March 30.  Passengers may disembark her there.  Fares for this voyage were starting at just $2,799 per person.

With so many days at sea, cruisers have plenty of opportunities to relax, unwind, and enjoy the spa and fitness facilities.

Those with more time can stay aboard and visit Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona, Menorca, Sicily, Malta, Grythion, Argostoli, Corfu, and Dubrovnik before arriving in Venice on April 17.

Seabourn Legend sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 8, 2010, also bound for Lisbon.  She calls at Funchal along the way.  Passengers who disembark in Lisbon can take advantage of fares as low as $3,199 per person.

If you’d like to see more of the Mediterranean, you can stay aboard and visit Portimao, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Malaga, Cartagena, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona before disembarking in Monte Carlo on May 2.

At these rates, both these Seabourn repositioning cruises provide excellent value for money.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) began offering week-long Caribbean cruises from Miami in 1966.  In 1979, they introduced the first “megaship,” the SS Norway, and they’ve never looked back.

NCL has been responsible for many popular cruising innovations, not the least of which is Freestyle Cruising, which lets passengers dine wherever, and whenever they like.  Not having to hew to any schedule provides NCL cruisers with the utmost freedom.

Their newest vessels have a wide range of dining options, from Spanish to Asian, and healthy options are always available.  Those not too concerned with health can indulge in the Chocoholic Buffet.

With their colorfully painted hulls, NCL’s ships are easy to spot in port or at sea.  Entertainment on board is spirited and fun.  Improvisational performances by Second City players are especially popular.    If they have an improv workshop while you’re aboard, go.

NCL offers a wide range of accommodations, and with their own private deck, pool, and exercise area, the Villas and Deluxe Owner’s Suite offer a ship-within-a-ship experience.

There’s a lot to do on board, including a full-size bowling alley and rock climbing.

Repositioning cruises on the Norwegian Gem.

The latest NCL ships – Jewel-Class ships – were designed to really facilitate the Freestyle cruising concept.  With more than a dozen dining venues, several theaters and nightclubs, and lots of recreational options, passengers are spoiled for choice.  In fact, on most itineraries, travelers can dine in a different restaurant every night of their cruise.

Launched in 2005, the 2,380-passenger Gem has some of the largest suites at sea, making them ideal for family groups.  The Garden Villas have three bedrooms, a combination living room/dining room, and private garden deck with hot tub.  Staterooms have in-room safes, small fridges, Ethernet ports, and small sitting areas.

The full-size, ten-pin bowling alley is the first on a modern cruise vessel.  And the spa’s thermal suites have whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms with ocean views.

On April 10, 2010, Norwegian Gem sails from New York and spends five days crossing the Atlantic.  After arriving in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, she calls at Lisbon, Cadiz, and Malaga, before ending the voyage in Venice on April 24.  This two-week sailing has a nice blend of sea days and port calls.

Repositioning cruises on the Norwegian Sun

One of the first generation of Freestyle ships, the Norwegian Sun has nine restaurants – including a tapas bar – an outdoor basketball court, 24-hour fitness center, cigar bar, and a large Internet café for staying in touch with the folks back home.

The Sports Bar lets fans keep up with their teams.  And golfers can play famous courses with the simulator.

On April 26, 2010 Norwegian Sun sails from Miami.  After six days crossing the Atlantic, she arrives in Ponta Delgada, and then visits Lisbon, Vigo and La Coruna.  After more port calls in Le Havre (for Paris) and Zeebrugge, Belgium, she arrives in Dover on May 11.

Repositioning cruises on the Norwegian Spirit.

Once part of NCL sister company Star Cruises’ fleet, the 1,966-passenger Norwegian Spirit has French, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese restaurants in addition to the Mediterranean Bistro.  There’s also a Champagne Bar.

Cabins have amenities like stocked mini bars and memory-foam topped mattresses.   Almost 70% of the cabins are ocean view and 70% of those have balconies.  Suites have whirlpool tubs and DVD players.

Facilities for kids are better than on most ships, making the Spirit very family friendly.  And Buccaneer’s Wet & Wild water park has slides, caves, and other fun places to explore.

Norwegian Spirit spends the summer sailing from Boston to Bermuda, so she does not offer a transatlantic repositioning cruise.  But she does reposition in April for the start of the Bermuda season.

She leaves New Orleans on April 11 and calls at Costa Maya, Mexico and Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala.  She spends two days at sea en route to Aruba and Curacao, and then visits Hamilton, Bermuda before disembarking passengers in Boston on April 23.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

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