It’s that time of year when the ships that have spent the summer sailing in the Mediterranean are starting to make their way back to the U.S. and Canada. There are some excellent deals out there with some cruises selling for 70% off brochure prices.

NCL repositioning cruises fall 2011.

Fans of Norwegian Cruise Lines can board the recently refurbished Norwegian Sun in Copenhagen on September 11 and spend more than two weeks visiting ports in Northern Europe and the Atlantic. With calls at Berlin, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, Lisbon, and Ponta Delgada, there’s plenty to see before the six-day crossing to Port Canaveral.

Norwegian Sun docked in Lisbon, Spain

Those with less time, can board the ship the second time she calls at Copenhagen, on September 20. Passengers leave the ship in Port Canaveral on October 5, 2011.

Royal Caribbean repositioning cruises.

Royal Caribbean has eight ships offering transatlantic repositioning cruises this fall. Jewell of the Seas sails from Harwich on September 3, and calls at Le Havre, Cherbourg, Cobh, Dublin, and Reykjavik before arriving at St. John’s, Newfoundland on September 14. Passengers disembark in Boston on September 17.

Mariner of the Seas leaves Rome on October 26 and arrives in Galveston on November 11 after calling at ports in Spain, Portugal, and the Bahamas. Liberty of the Seas visits ports in Spain and the Canary Islands on her voyage from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. She sails on October 29.

Voyager of the Seas sails from Barcelona on October 30 and arrives in New Orleans on November 12. With only three port calls, this is a great choice for cruisers who love days at sea. Grandeur of the Seas sails that same day and visits several Caribbean ports before arriving in Colon, Panama on November 13.

Navigator of the Seas leaves Rome on November 6 and Adventure of the Seas leaves Malaga the following day. Navigator visits ports in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, while Adventurer makes stops in the Canary Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Princess repositioning cruises.

Emerald Princess

Princess only has two ships crossing the Atlantic this fall: Emerald Princess and Grand Princess. The first sails from Copenhagen on September 11 and visits Norway, the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland, and Nova Scotia before arriving in Fort Lauderdale on September 29.

Grand Princess leaves Southampton on November 4 and calls at Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda before disembarking passengers in Fort Lauderdale on November 19.

Norwegian Sun Docked in Lisbon, Spain Image Flickr: Sean and Lauren
Emerald Princess Image Flickr: Bruce Tuten

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The maritime provinces of Canada and the northeast coast of the United States are popular cruising destinations in the fall. The beautiful scenery, gorgeous fall foliage, and abundance of attractive ports make this a great region for cruising

But the season is a short one. By mid- to late-October, most of the fall color is gone and the weather becomes less attractive. At that time, most of the cruise ships head for Florida, which they use as a base for Caribbean cruises.

Fall foliage repositioning cruises offers travelers the chance to see Canada’s craggy coastline and quaint fishing villages up close, as well as some of America’s most historic ports. It’s a hassle-free vacation that will completely transport you, without the jet lag.

Quebec City

The first ship to head south is Holland America’s Eurodam, which sails from Quebec City on October 6. She sails the St. Lawrence Seaway to Baie-Comeau and Gaspe in the province of Quebec, then calls at Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Maine and Gloucester, Massachusetts. She spends two days sailing along the east coast before arriving in Fort Lauderdale on October 16.

Readers of Ann of Green Gables will find the rolling hills and neat farms of Prince Edward Island strangely familiar.

On October 9, Holland America’s Maasdam sails from Montreal and calls the next day at Quebec City. Passengers have a full day to explore this delightful, old world charmer before sailing for Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, and Gaspe. Like Eurodam, Maasdam also visits Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Maine, and Massachusetts. But she spends three days at sea before arriving in Fort Lauderdale. This gives passengers plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spa, fitness center, and Culinary Arts Center.

The 3,120-passenger Crown Princess embarks cruisers in Quebec City on October 17 and berths there overnight. Passengers can spend the evening and the following day enjoying the old town before sailing for Saguenay. After calling at Halifax and Bar Harbor, Crown Princess visits Boston, Newport, Rhode Island — where passengers can tour the fabulous homes of the American aristocracy — Brooklyn, and charming Norfolk, Virginia. After a day at sea, she arrives in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most attractive towns in the South. After a second day at sea, she arrives in Fort Lauderdale, where passengers disembark on October 30.

Lighthouse at Prince Edward Island

Luxury cruisers can board Crystal Symphony in Montreal on October 22. Passengers spend the night on board and sail at 9PM the following night for Quebec City. She stays there until midnight, giving passengers time to enjoy Quebec City in the evening. After two days at sea, she calls at Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Portland, Maine before overnighting in Boston. Next, she calls at Newport, Rhode Island. Passengers can disembark in New York on November 2, or stay aboard, transit the Panama Canal, and go all the way to Los Angeles.

MSC Cruises’ Poesia offer travelers three options, depending on how much time they have. She sails from Quebec City on October 23 and visits Sydney in Nova Scotia, Boston, and Newport before arriving in Manhattan. Passengers can disembark there or stay on board, spend the evening in New York, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale after a day at sea. They can also continue on to Jamaica, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cancun, disembarking in Fort Lauderdale on November 11.

Read about other coastal repositioning cruises.

Quebec City Image Flickr: David Paul Ohmer
Lighthouse at Prince Edward Island Image Flickr: cphoffman42

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Several years ago, we did a cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday. It wasn’t a repositioning cruise – we just sailed down the coast of Mexico. But it was festive and fun.

No one got stuck making the beds or doing the dishes. Everyone had their own personal space and could spend the day as they pleased. And we even ate leftover turkey on Friday – though there were plenty of other choices.

To be honest, snorkeling and kayaking off the Baja coast was one of the most memorable Thanksgiving holidays we’ve ever had. Not traditional – but in some ways, better. So if you’re looking for a different way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a repositioning cruise might be just the thing.

Windstar Wind Spirit

Depending on the ship you choose, there will probably be a big-screen TV showing all the big games. There are plenty of pies to choose from. And you can just relax and enjoy the good life.

Thanksgiving repositioning cruises from Spain and Portugal.

Carrying 700 passengers, Oceania’s Regatta is a really nice size cruise ship. It’s big enough to have all the amenities, including a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, six restaurants, and lots of fitness facilities. But small enough to be manageable. After a few days – especially on a repositioning cruise – many of the staff will know you by name.

Oceania sails from Barcelona on November 13, 2010 and calls at Tangier and Funchal before crossing the Atlantic. After five says at sea, she arrives in Hamilton, Bermuda and overnights there. Passengers spend Thanksgiving at sea, which gives them plenty of time to dress up for dinner and enjoy a leisurely turkey dinner and after-dinner show. Passengers disembark in Miami on November 27.

Wind Spirit is one of the smaller Windstar computer-assisted sailing vessels. Her 148 passengers enjoy a country club casual ambience where the most exciting activity is spotting dolphins riding the bow waves. Those who enjoy plenty of time at sea can board her in Lisbon on November 20 for a two-week cruise to St. Maarten, in the Netherlands Antilles. There are no port calls along the way – just lots of rest, relaxation, and good food.

Barcelona

Seabourn’s 208-passenger Legend offers its guest a true luxury experience with complimentary beverages, cuisine by celebrated chef Charlie Palmer, and all-suite accommodations. She sails from Malaga, Spain on November 20 and calls at Funchall, Madeira two days later. After nine days at sea, she arrives in Fort Lauderdale on December 3.

Thanksgiving repositioning cruises from Rome.

Cruisers who have more time and want to visit some European ports before crossing the Atlantic can board Seabourn Legend in Rome on November 13. Passengers will spend the extra week exploring Florence or Pisa, Barcelona, Valencia, and Palma de Mallorca before arriving in Malaga.

The 694-passenger Azamara Journey is another mid-size ship with big-ship amenities and small-ship service. In fact, the crew-to-guest ratio is one of the highest in the industry. Cruisers who want to experience all Azamara has to offer can board Journey in Rome on November 15 and call at Cartagena, Gibraltar, and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. After a week at sea, she arrive in Nassau, and then disembarks passengers the next day, November 29, in Miami.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

Windstar Wind Spirit Image Flickr:  ed and eddie
Barcelona Image Flickr: papalars

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