Voyages that take a ship from one region to the next are called repositioning cruises.  And they have several key advantages.

Many first-time cruisers are surprised to find that the days when the ship is at sea turn out to be the most  enjoyable.  When the ship is in port, most cruisers are sightseeing from early morning until shortly before the ship sails.  While this is certainly rewarding, it can also be exhausting.   And sea days present a welcome opportunity to do nothing at all.

If relaxing in a deck chair with a good book or taking a brisk stroll along the promenade deck appeals to you more than sightseeing ashore, a repositioning cruise may be perfect for you.

They usually take place in spring or fall as the ships reposition for summer in Alaska and Europe or winter in South America and the Caribbean.  Although the length varies by region, most repositioning cruises are about two weeks long.  But a cruise from South America to Europe could be much longer.

Because most cruisers want to see as many destinations as possible, these cruises are less popular than voyages with lots of ports of call. Consequently, repositioning cruises are less expensive on a per-night basis.  Sometimes, significantly less.

In fact, this year, some cruises were going for as little as $60 a day.  And that includes everything — accommodations, meals, transportation, entertainment, etc.  The works.  For the right people, they’re one of the best travel bargains out there.

In order to make the sea days a little more interesting, some cruise lines offer cultural programs, seminars, and lectures.  And with fewer passengers on board, you’ll get more attentive service and less crowds at the buffet.  You can enjoy long, leisurely dinners and then sleep in the next morning.

Most itineraries will include a few ports, and often they will be places that cruise liners rarely visit.  A ship repositioning from Scandinavia to New York might call at several ports in Iceland and Greenland en route.  A trans-Atlantic cruise could visit the Canary Islands.  And a trans-Pacific voyage might include Tonga and Samoa.

Because you’ll be departing from and arriving in different cities, you’ll need an open-jaw air ticket.  But several cruise companies are including airfare — and even an overnight in the departure city — in the package price.

So how do you decide if a repositioning cruise is right for you?  If you enjoy long days at sea, don’t care how many places you visit, and want to stretch your travel dollar to the max, a repositioning cruise can provide a relaxing, affordable vacation.

Learn more about repositioning cruises from Northern Europe here.