With lots of long, luxurious days at sea and plenty of nights out on deck bathed in the moonlight, repositioning cruises can be very romantic. With so few distractions, couples can really unwind, reconnect and enjoy themselves.

Cruise ships today have plenty of amenities to further the process – from couples massages to tables for two under the stars. So if you’re looking for a romantic getaway for two, a repositioning cruise may be just what the doctor ordered.

Wind Star

Two of the most romantic ships at sea are Sea Dream I and Sea Dream II from Sea Dream Yacht Club. With Balinese beds, lots of ways to dine alone, and just 108 fellow passengers, you’ll feel like you’re on your own personal yacht. In October, Sea Dream I sails from Malaga, Spain to San Juan Puerto Rico. In April, she sails from San Juan to Southampton.

Sea Dream II also offers two repositioning cruises. She sails from Lisbon to San Juan in November and Barbados to Malaga in April. Couples should plan to spend a few nights in Barbados before boarding the ship.

Windstar has three cruise ships that combine the efficiency of motor sailing with the romance of sailing. Wind Spirit and Wind Star each carry 148 passengers and Wind Surf carries 312. The water sports platform at the ship’s stern makes it easy to explore the undersea world, and the hammocks in the rigging were made for two.

Wind Surf and Wind Spirit sail from Lisbon in November. Wind Surf passengers leave the ship in Barbados. Wind Spirit passengers disembark in St. Maarten. Wind Surf and Wind Star return to Lisbon from the Caribbean in April.

Larger cruise ships that are still great for romance.

The most luxurious of the medium-sized ship cruise lines, Crystal has suites with private verandahs and Jacuzzi tubs, fine dining restaurants from Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, and a world-class spa with lots of treatments for couples.

Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity repositions from Lisbon to Miami in December, and calls in Ponta Delgada and Turks & Caicos on the way. For those who prefer the Pacific, she sails from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti in January. Passengers on this repositioning cruise overnight aboard the ship in Honolulu and call at Moorea before arriving in Papeete. There are few places more romantic than Tahiti, and cruisers arrive in the island rested and with no jet lag.

Oceania Cruises launched several years ago with three 700-passenger ships that had been built by Renaissance Cruises. Their three ships offer cruisers dining overseen by Jacques Pepin, Canyon Ranch SpaClub facilities, and even private, pool-side cabanas for two.

Oceania Regatta sails from Barcelona to Miami in November. Passengers enjoy an overnight call in Hamilton, Bermuda en route. In December, Oceania Insignia leaves Barcelona bound for Rio. She visits Recife and Salvador in Brazil before arriving in beautiful, sultry Rio de Janeiro. Oceania Marina sails from Barcelona to Miami in January and returns in March. That same month, Insignia sails from Buenos Aires to Barcelona.

Wind Star Image Flickr: HBarrison
Crystal Serenity Image Flickr: 3DSumoWrestler

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Cruise ships that have spent the summer in Europe will start to head back to the United States in August. With fares as much as 65% off, now is a great time to book your trip.

The weather is still pleasant in Europe, many of these cruises include interesting ports in Europe and visits in Iceland, Greenland, and the Martime provinces of Canada along the way. So a repositioning cruise would be a lovely way to end the summer.

Holland America’s Eurodam sails from Amsterdam on August 19, then spends a day at sea before overnight in South Queensferry. This is the port for Edinburgh, Scotland, and Eurodam overnights so passengers will have the opportunity to attend the 59th annual Edinburgh Military Tatoo. Hundreds of pipers, drummers, and members of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland perform. It’s a thrilling spectacle you’ll never forget.

Newfoundland

After South Queensferry, Eurodam calls at Kirkwall, Scotland, and Torshavn, Denmark before spending a day at sea en route to Reykjavik, Iceland. Passengers will be able to learn more about the Eyjafjallajokull volcano during their visit. After two more days at sea, Eurodam arrives in Qaqortoq, Greenland, where passengers can tour the Norse ruins of Halsey.

The ship spends the next five days in Canada, calling at ports in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Passengers arrive 19 days later in New York City on September 6. Big discounts are currently available on this sailing.

Travelers with more time can board Eurodam in Amsterdam on August 8 and visit Stockholm, Tallinn, St. Petersburg — where the ship overnights — Helsinki, and Copenhagen in addition to the ports described above. Passengers can choose from several evening activities in Saint Petersburg. The 29-night voyage offers a huge number of ports for a repositioning cruise.

Launched in 2008, Eurodam has the Culinary Arts Center sponsored by Food and Wine magazine, several excellent alternative restaurants, a large spa, and the largest gymnasium in the HAP fleet.

On August 22, Crown Princess sails roundtrip from Southampton and does a 13-night British Isles itinerary visiting Guernsey, Cork and Dublin, Irleand, Liverpool, Belfast in Northern Ireland, and Glasgow, Invergordon, and South Queensferry in Scotland. She calls at Le Havre before returning to Southampton on September 3. Those with less time can board Crown Princess then.

Edinburgh Castle at night

We did this cruise two years ago and really enjoyed Guersney and Liverpool, which was nothing like what we expected. When a strike prevented us from calling at Le Havre, we went to Dover instead, and spend a delightful day in Canterbury.

After leaving Southampton, passengers will visit Falmouth — the gateway to Cornwall — Dublin and Belfast, before sailing to Reykjavik. After leaving Iceland, she has two days at sea before arriving in Greenland, then two more days at sea before visiting St. John’s, Newfoundland. Passengers disembark in New York on September 17.

You can find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

Newfoundland Image Flickr: jurek d.
Edinburgh Castle at night Image Flickr: http2007

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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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