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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MSC started out as a cargo shipping company. In the late 1980s, they began carrying passengers, and today, they’re one of the fastest growing cruise lines in the world – with one of the newest fleets.

They add new ships and itineraries to their repertoire often. Most of their programs are in the Mediterranean, and the Baltic has recently been added. For more exotic ports, their repositioning cruises are just the thing.

Because so many of MSC’s passengers are European, they’re best for Americans who enjoy other cultures and continental cuisine. Italian language classes are a popular on-board activity. And the Euro is often the currency used on board.

The ships are clean and modern, with an Italian sense of style. Polished wood and marble set the tone. Given the overall quality of the experience, cruise fares and incidentals are very well priced. Wine and cocktails on the ships are especially reasonable.

The dining rooms serve seven-course dinners with an emphasis on authentic Italian and Mediterranean specialties. Vegetarian and healthy options are also available. The breads baked each day are always tempting. And unlike most cruise lines today, MSC still offers a full midnight buffet.

To work it all off, there’s a fitness center with basic classes, a jogging track, and a spa.

Repositioning cruises on MSC Sinfonia.

Acquired in 2004 from now defunct Festival Cruises, Sinfonia has a musical theme. In addition to the usual fitness facilities, there’s also a tennis court and a whirlpool and sauna.

Cabins are on the smallish side, but all have a desk, small fridge, in-room safe, and ample closet and storage space. Suites have balconies, bathtubs, and sitting areas.

Sinfonia sails from Durban, South Africa on April 1, 2010 and visits Cape Town, and then spends ten days sailing up the west coast of Africa, calling at Walvis Bay in Namibia, and Dakar, Senegal along the way. From there, she visits Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Funchal, Madeira, Malaga, and Rome before arriving in Genoa on April 22.

This repositioning cruise is a great chance to visit some off-the-beaten ports in Africa that you wouldn’t otherwise see.

Repositioning cruises on MSC Orchestra.

Those who love the sea will enjoy the 3,000-passenger Orchestra. With 80% outside staterooms, and 60% of cabins having balconies, there are plenty of places to enjoy the view.

Launched in 2007, she’s one of the new breed of MSC vessels and she’s pretty impressive. From the Zen Garden to the Sushi Bar to the LED screen for movies under the stars, she has pleasant surprises in store for passengers who board for the transatlantic repositioning cruise.

On April 20, 2010, she sails from Sao Paolo, Brazil and calls at Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Recife in Brazil before transiting the Atlantic. After the crossing, she arrives in Tenerife, and calls at Funchal, Lisbon, Vigo, and Dover before disembarking passengers in Amsterdam on May 7.

With ten ports and eight sea days, this itinerary has a nice balance of sightseeing and relaxation.

Repositioning cruises on MSC Poesia.

A sister ship to Orchestra, Poesia’s atrium lobby has a waterfall that cascades down three decks. She offers one transatlantic repositioning cruise in April, but you can embark or disembark in different ports.

She leaves Fort Lauderdale on April 27, and spends two days sailing up the U.S. east coast before arriving in New York. Passengers can also board the ship there on April 30. She spends five days crossing the Atlantic, and then arrives in Ponta Delgada, Portugal.

She arrives midday in Lisbon and sails at 2AM the next day. Then calls at La Coruna, and Bilbao before arriving in Dover. Passengers can disembark there on May 13 or stay aboard and disembark in Hamburg two days later.

Americans looking for an authentic European cruise experience will enjoy MSC.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

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