Princess Cruises has five ships that spend the summer season in the Mediterranean and then return in the fall to the Southern Hemisphere. So, they have several transatlantic repositioning cruises to choose from.

A sister ship of the Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess is one of Princess’s newest ships. With more than 900 balcony staterooms, it’s a great ship for those who love being at sea. There’s a Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and Crown Grill in addition to the main dining rooms, and a Lotus Spa for relaxing. The atrium lobby is like a piazza with a sidewalk café and wine bar.

She sails from London on September 3, 2010 and calls at Cornwall in England, Belfast and Dublin in Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland before disembarking passengers in New York on September 17. With seven port calls and seven days at sea, this voyage has a nice balance of activity and relaxation.

Grand Princess launched in 1998 as the first Princess Grand Class ship. For such a large ship — she carries 2,600 passengers — she’s surprisingly intimate with lots of cozy places. The adults-only Sanctuary is a good place to unwind and there’s a nine-hole putting course where you can work on your short game.

On Saturday, September 25, Grand Princess sails from London and visits Bergen in Norway, the Shetland Islands, Denmark, two ports in Iceland, and Nova Scotia before docking in Fort Lauderdale on October 11. With ten days at sea, this is a great choice for cruisers who want to enjoy the ship’s amenities and life at sea.

Ruby Princess is the same class as the Crown Princess, so she has the same dramatic, atrium lobby where passengers gather to enjoy a glass of wine or watch the performers. There are more than 900 balcony cabins to choose from, and several alternative restaurants.

Passengers embark Ruby Princess in Venice on October 8 and overnight onboard. She sails the next day and visits Naples, Rome, Cannes, and Barcelona. After three days at sea, she calls at Ponta Delgada, Portugal and then spends five days at sea en route to Fort Lauderdale. Passengers disembark there on October 24.

Travelers with a little more time (16 nights) and a taste for the exotic should consider a repositioning cruise on the Star Princess this fall. The ship has three dining rooms, three showrooms, two alternative restaurants, and a full-service spa. With four pools, nine whirlpools, and a golf simulator, there’s plenty to do on sea days, and Movies Under the Stars are a fun evening activity.

Star Princess sails from Rome on Saturday, December 4 and calls at Florence, Cannes, Barcelona, and Casablanca and Agadir in Morocco. After five days at sea, she arrives at Recife in Brazil. After two more sea days, she arrives in Rio de Janeiro, where passengers overnight onboard the ship. They disembark in Rio on Monday, December 20.

Carrying just 64 passengers, Pacific Princess is one of the smallest ships in the Princess fleet. She is one of the R Class ships that Princess acquired from the now defunct Renaissance Cruises. And she’s a real gem to sail on. The food and service are a cut above, and the smaller scale contributes to on-board camaraderie.

Pacific Princess leaves Rome on Sunday, December 5th and visits Florence, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona. She calls at rarely visited Ceuta, which is a Spanish Territory, and then continues on to Casablanca. After visiting Ponta Delgada, Portugal, she spends four days at sea before arriving in Hamilton, Bermuda. She spends another two days at sea before disembarking passengers in Fort Lauderdale on December 22.

Find more Princess repositioning cruises here.

Crown Princess Image Flickr: MoToMo
Grand Princess Image Flickr: P/\UL

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Royal Caribbean has five ships sailing in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2010.  All five ships return to spend the winter in the Caribbean or Southern Hemisphere.  So there are five transatlantic repositioning cruises on Royal Caribbean to choose from this fall.

Because Royal Caribbean’s ships offer so much, they’re great for repositioning cruises.  There’s never a shortage of things to do and see on these ships.  And with fares starting as low as $499 for 14 nights, these are fantastic cruise deals.

Navigator of the Seas is an especially good choice for cruisers who like to play sports and stay fit.  Passengers can ice skate, play golf, basketball or volleyball, in-line skate, or work out in the fitness center.  Afterwards, the spa is the perfect place to relieve sore muscles.

When it’s time for dinner, Portofino Italian restaurant and Chops Grille are alternatives to the main dining rooms.

Navigator of the Seas leaves Rome on Saturday, October 23, 2010 and calls at Toulon, Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga, and Tenerife before crossing the Atlantic.  She arrives in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, November 6, after a week at sea.  This is a nice itinerary for cruisers who want to see some Mediterranean ports before relaxing and enjoying the many amenities Navigator has to offer.

A sister ship of Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas sails on Sunday, November 7, 2010, from Barcelona, Spain.  She visits Cartagena, and then has a day at sea before calling at Funchal in Madiera and La Palma in the Canary Islands.  These are interesting ports you’re not likely to visit unless you’re on a cruise.  She spends the next six days at sea, and then visits Nassau in the Bahamas.  She arrives in Galveston, Texas on Sunday, November 21, after two more days at sea.   With a total of nine sea days, there’s plenty of time to unwind on this voyage.

The 1,800-passengers Splendour of the Seas is small by Royal Caribbean standards.  In fact, she carries about 1,300 passengers fewer than Navigator.   But there’s still plenty do with a fitness center, solarium with retractable roof, and 18 hole mini golf course.

Splendour of the Seas sails from Barcelona on November 27, 2010, which is the Saturday following Thanksgiving.  Port visits before crossing the Atlantic include Cadiz, Lisbon, and Tenerife.  She spends six days making the crossing before arriving in Salvador, Brazil.   She spend one more day at sea before calling at Rio de Janeiro.  Passengers disembark the next day, December 12, in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Adventure of the Seas entertains its 3,114 passengers with an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, and full-sized basketball court.  Johnny Rockets 1950s-style hamburger restaurant is a fun alternative to the dining rooms and buffet.  And the 15,000-square-foot spa offer a wide selection of health and beauty treatments.

On Sunday, November 28, 2010, Adventure of the Seas leaves Barcelona, and calls at Toulon, Ajaccio in Corsica, Palma de Mallorca, and Cartagena.  After a day at sea, she visits Grand Canary Island on Saturday and Tenerife on Sunday.  A week later, on December 12, she arrives in San Juan, Puerto Rico where passengers leave the ship.

One of Royal Caribbean’s first Vision Class vessels, Vision of the Seas has a soaring atrium lobby that’s flooded with natural light.  It’s a bright ship with many floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights.  The indoor, solarium pool adjacent to the spa and fitness center lets passengers enjoy some pool time whatever the weather.  And  the two-story dining room is especially attractive.

Some of the inside cabins have windows that overlook the Promenade — Vision’s café and boutique-lined main street.

Vision of the Seas leaves Lisbon on November 30,2010 and calls at both Grand Canary Island and Tenerife before crossing the Atlantic.   Six days later, she arrives in Recife, Brazil.   She has a sea day, a port call at Salvador, another sea day, and a port call in Rio before disembarking passengers in Sao Paolo on December 14.

Find more Royal Caribbean repositioning cruises here.

Adventure of the Seas Image Flickr: briandrum
The Royal Promenade Image Flickr: GregM35

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The economy isn’t bouncing back as quickly as everyone had hoped, so travel sales are still down.  And the cruise industry is responding by slashing prices to the bone.   Right now, transatlantic repositioning cruises to Europe this spring are a fantastic deal with fares under $50 per person, per day.

Even the most expensive fares represent savings of up to 60% off.

Many of these special fares expire soon, so act fast.   Here’s a brief run down of what’s available.

Azamara’s 710-passenger Azamara Journey (5*) sails from Miami on April 11 and arrives in Barcelona on April 25.  There are four port calls in Portugal and Spain.  Fares start at $1,799 for 14 nights ($128.50 per person, per night).

Celebrity’s 1,770-passenger Celebrity Century (4*) sails from Miami on May 20 and arrives in Barcelona on June 3. There are four port calls in Portugal and Spain.   Fares start at $1,099 for 14 nights ($128.50 per person, per night).

Costa’s 2,600-passenger Atlantica (3*) sails from New York City on May 5 and arrives in Copenhagen on May 22.  There are eight port calls in New England, Canada, France, England, and Germany.  Fares start at $919 for 17 nights ($54 person, per night).

Cunard’s 2,620-passenger Queen Mary 2 (5*) has 21 transatlantic crossings from New York to Southampton this summer.  Early booking fares start at $895 for 6 nights ($149 per person, per night).

Disney’s 2,500-passenger Disney Magic (4*) sails from Port Canaveral on April 10 and arrives in Barcelona on April 24.  There are four port calls in the Bahamas, Madeira, Spain, and Gibraltar.  Fares start at $699 for 14 nights ($50 per person, per night).

Holland America’s 2,044-passenger Eurodam (5*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 3 and arrives in Rome on April 19.  There are seven port calls in Portugal, Spain, and Monaco.  Fares start at $799 for 16 nights ($49.95 person, per night).

Their 1,918-passenger Noordam (5*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on May 14 and arrives in Barcelona on May 27.  There are four port calls in Madeira and Spain.  Fares start at $799 for 13 nights ($61 person, per night).

MSC’s 3,013-passenger Poesia (3*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 27 and arrives in Hamburg on May 15.  There are seven port calls in New York, Portugal, Spain, and England.  Fares start at $1,089 for 18 nights ($60.50 person, per night).

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun (4*) sails from Miami on April 26 and arrives in London on May 11.  There are six port calls in Portugal, Spain, France, and Belgium.  Fares start at $979 for 15 nights ($65.26 person, per night).

Oceania’s 684-passenger Insignia (5*) sails from Rio de Janeiro on April 3 and arrives in Barcelona on April 18.  There are four port calls in Brazil, the Cape Verde Islands, and Morocco.  Fares start at $2,599 for 15 nights ($173 person, per night).

Their 684-passenger Regatta (5*) sails from Miami on March 21 and arrives in Barcelona on April 4.  There are three port calls in Madeira, Morocco, and Spain. Fares start at $2,099 for 14 nights ($150 person, per night).

Princess Cruises’ 3,120-passenger Crown Princess (4*)  sails from Fort Lauderdale on May 1 and arrives in Rome on May 15.  There are five port calls in Gibraltar, Spain, France, and Italy.  Fares start at $799 for 14 nights ($57 person, per night).

Their 2,600-passenger Grand Princess (4*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 9 and arrives in London on April 24.  There are six port calls in Bermuda, Scotland, Ireland, England, and France.  Fares start at $799 for 15 nights ($53 person, per night).

The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess (4*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 19 and arrives in Barcelona on May 5.  There are seven port calls in Madeira, Gibraltar, Italy, and Monaco.  Fares start at $999 for 16 nights $62.50 person, per night).

The 2,600-passenger Star Princess (4*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 24 and arrives in Copenhagen on May 12.  There are eight port calls in Portugal, Spain, England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Norway.  Fares start at $1,270 for 18 nights ($70.55 person, per night).

Regent Seven Seas’ 700-passengers Mariner (6*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on March 22 and arrives in Monte Carlo on April 7.  There are five port calls in Bermuda, Madeira, Spain, and France.  Fares start at $5,695 for 16 nights ($355 person, per night).

Their 700-passenger Voyager (6*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on May 12 and arrives in Reykjavik on May 26.  There are six port calls in the U.S. and Canada.  Fares start at $6,195 for 14 nights ($442 person, per night).

Royal Caribbean’s 3,835-passenger Navigator of the Seas (4*) sails from Miami on April 10 and arrives in Rome on April 24.  There are four port calls in the Canary Islands, Spain, France, and Italy.  Fares start at $799 for 14 nights ($57 person, per night).

The 4,375-passenger Independence of the Seas (4*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 11 and arrives in Southampton on April 25.  There are four port calls in Portugal and Spain.  Fares start at $599 for 14 nights ($42 person, per night).

The 3,835-passenger Voyager of the Seas (4*) sails from Galveston on April 18 and arrives in Barcelona on May 2. There are four port calls in the Bahamas, Portugal, and Spain.  Fares start at $558 for 14 nights ($39.85 person, per night).

The 3,835-passenger Adventure of the Seas (4*) sails from San Juan on May 2 and arrives in Barcelona on May 15. There are four port calls in the Canary Islands and Spain.  Fares start at $499 for 13 nights ($38 person, per night).

The 2,501-passenger Jewel of the Seas (4*) leaves Miami on May 6 and arrives in Harwich on  May 19.  There are three port calls in Bermuda, Portugal, and Belgium.  Fares start at $594 for 14 nights ($42 person, per night).

Seabourn Cruise Lines’ 208-passenger Seabourn Spirit (6*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on March 19 and arrives in Lisbon on April 1.  There is one port call in Madeira.  Fares start at $2,799 for 13 nights ($215 person, per night).

Their 208-passenger Seabourn Legend (6*) sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 8 and arrives in Lisbon in on April 21.  There is one port call in Madeira.  Fares start at $3,300 for 13 nights ($254 person, per night).

SeaDream Yacht Club’s 110-passenger SeaDream I (6*) sails from San Juan on April 30 and arrives in Malaga on May 13.  There’s one port call in Madeira.  Fares start at $2,299 for 13 nights ($176 person, per night).

SeaDream’s 110-passengers SeaDream II (6*) sails from Barbados on April 25 and arrives in Malaga on May 7.  There is one port call in Madeira.  Fares start at $2,299 for 12 nights ($192 person, per night).

Silversea’s 540-passenger Silver Spirit (6*) sails from New York on April 23 and arrives in Southampton on May 7.  There are six port calls in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Wales, and England.  Fares start at $6,238 for 14 nights ($445 person, per night).

Their 296-passenger Silver Cloud (6*) sails from San Juan on April 14 and arrives in Barcelona on April 29.  There are six port calls in the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Spain.  Fares start at $5,518 for 15 nights ($368 person, per night).

Windstar Cruises’ 312-passenger Wind Surf (4*) sails from Barbados on March 21 and arrives in Lisbon on April 4.  There are no port calls.  Fares start at $1,499 for 14 nights $107 person, per night).

Their 148-passenger Wind Star (4*) sails from St. Martin on April 10 and arrives in Lisbon on April 24.  There are no port calls.  Fares start at $1,635 for 14 nights ($117 person, per night).

Find more information on Transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

The Promenade Deck Image Flickr: garybembridge
Seven Seas Navigator Image Flickr: milan.boers
Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas Image Flickr: EandJsFilmCrew

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