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

You may not familiar with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, but they’re very popular with British travelers.  Their ships are older — they were originally built for the now-defunct Royal Viking Line — but they’ve been thoughtfully updated.  With 435 cabins, their Black Watch is a nice size — big enough to have all the amenities, but small enough not to overwhelm the ports it visits.

Passengers embark Black Watch in Lima, Peru and overnight before setting sail on the afternoon of March 5.  She calls at Guayaquil, Ecuador before transiting the Panama Canal, then visits Columbia, Barbados, and Funchal, Portugal before disembarking passengers in London on March 26.  With more than 14 days with no port calls, passengers will have plenty of time to enjoy the large fitness center and spa.

Seabourn repositioning cruises.

Seabourn is another first-rate cruise line whose passengers want for nothing.  Complimentary wines and spirits, afternoon tea, and menus created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer set the tone.  And the water sports platform at the stern makes it easy to get into and out of the briny.   Each of Seabourn Spirit’s staterooms are suites tricked out with marble baths, balconies, DVD players, and walk-in closets.

Seabourn Spirit embarks passengers in Manaus, Brazil on March 3.  Guests overnight on board and depart Manaus the next day.  The Spirit calls at several ports in Brazil, including Parintins, Alter de Chao, and the Curua Una River before cruising the Breves Narrows.  After a day at sea, she calls at Devil’s Island, French Guiana, before visiting Barbados, Tortola, and Turks & Caicos.  She arrives in Fort Lauderdale on March 19.

Lucky travelers with lots of time can continue on from there and cross the Atlantic.  Or they can board Seabourn Spirit in Fort Lauderdale and disembark in Venice on April 17.  They’ll spend ten days crossing the Atlantic before arriving in Funchal, Portugal.  The voyage includes four ports in Spain, Sicily, Malta, Greece, and Croatia.

MSC Cruises repositioning cruises.

MSC Cruises is another line that’s more familiar to Europeans than Americans.  In fact, you’ll hear many languages other than English spoken on board.  With 11 ships, they’re one of the fastest growing cruise lines in Europe.

The MSC Magnifica is a brand new ship with state-of-the-art technology and amenities.  The spa has treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna, and fitness center.  And the retractable dome over the swimming pool means you never have to lose a pool day due to rain.  In preparation for it’s Mediterranean cruises, Magnifica is sailing from Hamburg, Germany to Venice, Italy on March 7.  The 14-day cruise calls at ports in Holland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Croatia before arriving in Venice on March 19.  As repositioning cruises go, this one has plenty of port calls, and it’s a nice itinerary.  Plus, it’s always fun to sail aboard a shiny, new vessel.

MSC’s 2,069-passenger Lirica is smaller than the other MSC vessels.  There’s an English pub for British passengers and the Beverly Hills Bar for Americans.  But the design is understated and European.  She sails from Rio de Janeiro on March 12 and arrives in Genoa, Italy on March 29.  In addition to the usual ports in Brazil, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, and Portugal, Lirica also calls at Tangier, Morocco and Alicante, Spain.

The MSC Musica, has several unexpected amenities including a Zen garden, sushi bar, a three-tiered waterfall, a wine bar, and a cigar club.  And there are plenty of sports areas that make it easy to keep fit.  She was christened in 2006 by Sophia Loren.  Her repositioning cruise from South America to Europe sails from Sao Paolo on March 17, and her itinerary is similar to the Lirica’s until the final week, when she calls at Malaga, Spain, Tunis, Tunisia, and Dubrovnik, Croatia before arriving in Venice on April 4.

Originally built for Festival Cruises, the MSC Armonia entered service in 2001. She was redone when MSC purchased her in 2004.  Cabins are on the small side, so upgrade to a suite if you can afford it.   With 2,200 passengers, she’s less grand than many of the MSC ships.   Her South America/Europe repositioning cruise leaves Buenos Aires on March 29, sails the eastern coast of Brazil, calling at Rio, Salvador, and Recife, calls at the usual ports in Portugal and Spain, before visiting Tunis and Kotor in Montenegro.  The cruise ends in Venice on April 19.

Costa Cruises repositioning cruises.

As part of the Carnival Cruise Lines family, Costa doesn’t necessarily cater to American passengers, but it certainly makes sure they feel at home.   Their flagship, Costa Concordia, has one of the most impressive spas at sea with 20,500 square feet of treatment rooms, pools, and a fitness center.  What’s more, the Samsara Suites adjoin the spa and have their own restaurant.  The 3,000 passengers can choose from five restaurants and 13 bars.  And two of the four swimming pools have retractable glass roofs.  If you get bored, you can take a spin in the Formula One race car simulator.  On March 10, Concordia sails from Sao Paulo, Brazil for Savona, Italy.  En route, she calls at Rio de Janeiro and three other Brazilian ports, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Spain, and France.

Costa’s Victoria has a seven-story atrium lobby, a modern spa, five restaurants, a fitness center, jogging track, and sport court.  There’s a large, indoor pool in the spa, and plenty of teak deck chairs.   Victoria leaves Buenos Aires on March 20 and visits Uruguay, and Brazil before arriving in the Canary Islands.  She calls at ports in Madeira, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Croatia before arriving in Venice on April 17.  If you have the time, this repositioning cruise includes lots of interesting ports, including Gythion and Argostoli, Greece.

Launched in 2003, Costa Fortuna was built in Genoa and it’s one of the most Italian ships afloat.  Public areas and restaurants were inspired by Italian cruise liners from the golden age and are named for famous Italians.  Dinner in the main dining room can be a 3+ hour affair.   And their a la carte restaurant, Club Grand Conte 1927, serves grilled Tuscan steaks and chops.   Fortuna sails from Fort Lauderdale on March 28.  She visits five ports in the Caribbean before crossing the Atlantic.  And then calls at Funcal and Malaga before arriving in Savona on April 14.  Because she sails from Fort Lauderdale, this repositioning cruise has more affordable airfare than some.

Royal Caribbean repositioning cruise.

One of Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class ships, Splendour of the Seas provides its 1,800 passengers with plenty of distractions, including an 18-hole miniature golf course, a solarium with retractable glass roof, and a fitness center.  There’s a Champagne Bar in the seven-story Centrum, and the ship-top Viking Crown Lounge is a great spot at sunset.  Splendour sails from Sao Paolo on March 20 on a voyage to Barcelona, Spain.  The 15-day sailing has nine sea days and fewer port calls than many South America to Europe repositioning cruises.  It’s best suited to American travelers.

Windstar repositioning cruise.

Windstar is one of our favorite cruise lines.  The sleek, computer-assisted sailing vessels provide an inviting home away from home for world travelers who like the casual, country-club atmosphere.  Carrying 312 passenger, Windsurf is the largest ship in the Windstar fleet.  The only drawback is that none of the staterooms have balconies.  But the platform at the back of the ship — and all the free water sports equipment — makes it really easy to enjoy the water.  Open-seating dining and an inventive menu from Joachim Splichal make meals a special event.  There’s not much in the way of nightlife, but most passengers don’t seem to mind.  Suites are worth the added expense.

Those who love the open ocean will enjoy the Windsurf repositioning cruise from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean.  There are no ports of call between Barbados and Lisbon.  Just 13 days at sea.   She sets sail on March 21.  Because of the lack of ports, this sailing is an especially good bargain.

Oceania repositioning cruise.

Built for the now defunct Renaissance Cruise, Oceania Cruises’s Regatta is an intimate 684-passenger vessel.   Due to it’s smaller size, you’ll never feel rushed or crowded.  Open-seating dining is a popular feature, as is the menu created by Jacques Pepin.   In fact, Oceania serves some of the best food at sea.  And there’s no additional charge for the alternative restaurants, as there is on other cruise lines.  Service is exceptional for the price.   Regatta sails from Miami on March 21 and spends eight days at sea before arriving in Funchal.  She also visits Casablanca and Malaga before ending in Barcelona on April 4.

Regent Seven Seas repositioning cruise.

Regent was formed when Radisson merged with Seven Seas in 1994 and rebranded as Regent in 2006.  Today, the line is one of the best and most all-inclusive at sea.  With complimentary beverages throughout the voyage and an interesting on-board educational program, Regent serves up whatever its passengers require.   Their Mariner was the first all-suite, all-balcony ship, and the cabins are quite spacious.  Their four restaurants all offer open seating and serve French, Asian, steak, and Mediterranean cuisine.  And with just 700 passengers, public spaces are rarely overwhelmed.  Their Canyon Ranch SpaClub is a great way to while away the time.

Mariner departs Fort Lauderdale on March 22 bound for Bermuda, and arrives at Funchal on April 1.  Passengers can disembark there or continue on to Monte Carlo, Monaco, calling at Cadiz and Malaga, Spain and Marseilles, France en route.

Read more about trans-Atlantic repositioning cruises here.  Or find February 2010 cruises here.

Most of the ships sailing in South America don’t reposition to Europe until March.  So February repositioning cruises are one-of-a-kind voyages in which a cruise line moves a single ship from one part of the world to another.

A couple of these cruises visit exotic ports you’re not likely to visit any other way.  And there are lots of relaxing days at sea for unwinding and relaxing.

Silversea repositioning cruise from South Africa to the Canary Islands.

Silversea has some of the most inviting ships at sea.  And with a Relais & Chateaux restaurant, a luxurious spa, and staterooms with marble baths, their Silver Wind is no exception.  In fact, thanks to their butler service you may feel like you’re aboard your own private yacht.  Other luxurious touches include Champagne in your stateroom on arrival, which is replenished throughout the voyage — and caviar available through room service.

All 148 cabins are suites with sitting areas and walk-in closets, and 80% of them have teak balconies.   Grand Suites have two bedrooms, two living rooms, and Jacuzzi tubs.   And early- and late-check in are available for an added charge.

On February 12, Silver Wind sails from Cape Town, South Africa bound for Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.  The 19-day voyage calls at some very unusual places, including Namibia, Bom Bom Island, Gambia, Senegal, and the Cape Verde Islands.  With ten days at sea, you’ll have plenty of time for spa treatments and enjoying life at sea.

Star Clipper repositioning cruise.

If you haven’t heard of Star Clipper, they’re a nice cross between conventional cruising and bare-boat cruising.  Their 4-masted ships actually sail, so if you love the sound of the wind in the sheets, you’ll feel right at home.  With nearly 20,000 square feet of deck space, two swimming pools, and a library with a fireplace, guests aboard the Star Flyer aren’t exactly roughing it.  But the onboard ambience is more casual than on most ships.

You can fulfill your dream of sailing across the South Pacific in comfort if you board Star Flyer in Papeete on Valentine’s Day.  You’ll call at Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, and Rangiroa in the Society Islands before sailing for Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas.  Then, it’s 18 days at sea before arriving in Cocos Island, Costa Rica.  Passengers disembark in Panama City on March 20.

Crystal Cruises repositioning cruise.

For traditional, six-star luxury, Crystal Cruises is rarely outdone.  From the Frette linens and robes to the Riedel crystal wine glasses to the spa that’s frequently voted World’s Best at sea, all amenities are top tier.  Room service is available 24 hours a day, and the menus were developed by star chefs Piero Selvaggio and Nobuyuki Matsuhisa.

During your days at sea, you can learn a foreign language, a musical instrument, or a new software program at the Creative Learning Institute.  Golfers will appreciate the driving range, putting green, and resident pro.  And tennis players will enjoy the top-deck paddle tennis court.

If you want to visit Australia and don’t like to fly, Crystal Symphony’s February 28 repositioning cruise is the perfect solution.  You’ll sail from Los Angeles, spend five days at sea before calling at Hilo, Lahaina, and Honolulu, Hawaii.  After another ten relaxing sea days, you’ll arrive relaxed and refreshed in Sydney on March 18.

Read more about repositioning cruises here.  And find March 2010 repositioning cruises here.

Thanksgiving is a great time to travel.  The crowds are less hectic than they are at Christmas.  The weather is better in many places.  And for many workers, two paid holidays can really help extend vacation time.

Plus, if Mom’s cooked turkey dinner for the last twenty years, maybe it’s time to give her a break and let someone else do the cooking — and the clean up.  Trust us, there will be plenty of leftovers for all.

Repositioning cruises are always some of the best cruise bargains, and this year, late November sailings are especially well priced.

On Wednesday, November 18, Costa Cruises’ Costa Magica departs Savona, Italy bound for Brazil.  This is a great itinerary that augments seven sea days with eleven port calls, including Malaga, Casablanca, Tenerife, the Cape Verde Islands, and six ports in Brazil, including Rio and Sao Paolo.  Costa is known for their Italian hospitality and warm service.  And guests will enjoy the modern fitness center and spa.  Ocean-view cabins start at $899. for 18 nights.

Royal Caribbean’s 2,400-passenger Vision of the Seas sails from Lisbon on Thursday, November 19.  Passengers on this 14-night itinerary will visit Funchal, Madeira and Tenerife in the Canary Islands before calling at Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paolo, Brazil.   Ocean-view cabins start at just $788, making this one of the least expensive trans-Atlantic repositioning cruises.

If you can get away for nearly three weeks, Costa Cruises’ 18-night voyage aboard the Costa Concordia has one of the lowest per diems ever.  With ocean view cabins as low as $899, rates are under $50 per night, per person.

The itinerary begins in Savona, Italy on Sunday, November 22, and calls at several ports in Spain and Portugal before arriving at Funchal, Madeira.  The ship spends five days at sea before arriving in Recife, Brazil and stops in four Brazilian ports, including Rio de Janeiro, before disembarking passengers in Sao Paolo on Thursday, December 10.

Those with less time can sail from Southampton on Monday, November 23, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas.  Passengers will visit Le Havre and Cherbourg in France, and Vigo, Spain before arriving in Funchal.  There are six sea days before the ship docks in Fort Lauderdale.  And with a water park, FlowRider surf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools, and a full-size boxing ring, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied.  Ocean-view staterooms start at $937.

Oceania Cruise Lines is one of our favorites.  Their roughly 700-passenger ships are small enough to call at off-the-beaten path ports, and service and dining are first rate.  Their Insignia sails from Barcelona on Wednesday, November 25, and visits Gibraltar and Porto Grande in the Cape Verde Islands.  After several days at sea, Insignia calls at Recife and Salvador before arriving in Rio de Janeiro.  Passengers enjoy an overnight in Rio before disembarking.

Seabourn Spirit sails from Fort Lauderdale the day after Thanksgiving bound for St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The Yachts of Seabourn are some of the nicest ships at sea and with capacity for just 208 passengers, the Spirit is no exception.  Port calls on this 5-night sailing include Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos, and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.

Trans-Atlantic cruises are just a part of QM2’s repertoire.  She also does several repositioning cruises that take passengers to some of the world’s most exotic ports.  Cunard lets passengers embark and disembark in a variety of port cities, so you can cruise for as few as six nights or as many as 108.

In November, QM2 sails from Southampton to New York and then heads for the Caribbean.  She calls at ports in Panama, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, St. Kitts, and the British Virgin Islands before returning to New York.

Passengers can choose to do the trans-Atlantic crossing, or the whole 19-day cruise.

On January 4, 2010, QM2 leaves New York for Dubai.  The first leg of the voyage features six days at sea before the ship arrives in Southampton.  Passengers can embark in Southampton instead of New York, if they prefer.

From Southampton, QM2 calls at Lisbon, cruises the Strait of Gibraltar, stops in Rome and Cairo, transits the Suez Canal, and then visits Luxor and Muscat before arriving in Dubai.  Fares for this cruise are currently discounted about 50%.

The next leg is a 10-day voyage that leaves Dubai on January 27 and sails to Singapore with stops in Mumbai, India, Phuket, Thailand, and Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   With balcony cabins going for as little as $1,599 per person, this is a fantastic cruise bargain.

Passengers who want to visit Bangkok and Viet Nam can stay on for another week and disembark in Hong Kong on  February 13.

From Hong Kong, QM2 spends 23 days sailing to Sydney, Australia, stopping in Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea, the Whitsunday Islands, and New Zealand en route.  Fares for this leg are also about half off the rack rate.

Those who have the time, and the money, can continue on from Sydney to Capetown, South Africa.  That voyage stops in Adelaide, Perth, and Mauritius before arriving in Durban, South Africa.   This itinerary includes 12 sea days.

From Capetown, QM2 sails on March 25 to New York, via Rio de Janeiro, Barbados, and Ft. Lauderdale.

In August, the ships sails from Hamburg, Germany to New York and then visits Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City before returning to New York.  This 17-night cruise visit New England and the southeastern coast of Canada at a lovely time of year.   This voyage also operates in reverse in early September.

Find out more about Seabourn Cruise repositioning cruises here.

If you’ve never been through the Canal, it truly is an engineering marvel.  And there’s plenty to see from the ship, especially if you have a balcony stateroom.

In mid September, the Island Princess sails from Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale in 17 nights.  This leisurely voyage has an equal number of port calls and sea days, and balcony staterooms are a little over $100 per night.  With lots of dining options and a big spa, the Island Princess is an attractive home away from home.

You can also join the cruise two days later in San Francisco.

The Norwegian Pearl sails from Los Angeles in late September and calls at three Mexican ports, Guatemala and Costa Rica before transiting the canal.  This two-week itinerary stops in Cartagena, Columbia before arriving in Miami.

With six sea days, there’s a nice balance of sightseeing and free time.  But amenities like a bowling alley, sports bar, and cigar bar provides lots to do on board.  Fares are currently about 50% off.

The Coral Princess sails from Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale, calling at Cabo, Acapulco, Aruba, and six other ports.   Balcony staterooms are running right around $100 a night.

Bay-area residents can take the Sea Princess from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale on a 15-night cruise.  Or stay aboard for another week and disembark in Barbados.  The longer cruise includes the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Antigua, and St. Lucia.  You’ll save as much as 60% on the shorter cruise, but you’ll pay rack rates for the longer cruise.

Celebrity offers a 16-night sailing in early October aboard their Millennium that leaves Los Angeles and visits several Mexican ports, Costa Rica, Panama, and Aruba before arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  This innovative ship has Champagne and martini bars, an MP3 music library with listening stations, and one of the largest spas at sea.  Balcony cabins are running less than $100 per person, per night.

In May, the repositioning cruises transit the canal in the opposite direction in order to be in Alaska for the summer.

Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator has a 20-night sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco.  This luxurious 450-passenger ship boasts all suite accommodations, and one of the highest crew-to-passenger ratios at sea.  Discounts up to 60% off are available.

Another six-star ship, Silversea’s Silver Shadow, pampers its 388 passengers with a Relais & Chateaux restaurant, a Davidoff Humidor room for cigars, and a Champagne bar.  The ship leaves Fort Lauderdale, calls at ports in Columbia, transits the Panama Canal, and then stops in Acapulco and Cabo before disembarking passengers in Los Angeles.

Find out more about trans-Atlantic repositioning cruises here.

There’s so little to see on a straight trans-Atlantic crossing, that these voyages have some of the lowest per-night fares of all repositioning cruises.

If relaxing days at sea are your cup of tea, consider a London to New York crossing on Queen Mary 2.  Launched in 2002, the QM2 combines the romance of the gilded age of cruising with state-of-the-art amenities like the 20,000-square-foor Canyon Ranch Spa.   Ten restaurants, including the award-winning, Todd English, serve some of the best food at sea.  And there’s even an onboard planetarium.  You’ll fit right in with a tuxedo or ball gown.

With fares starting under $1,000, it’s the best way to experience old-school luxury for a modest price.  You can also board Queen Mary 2 in Hamburg two days earlier.  Or do a roundtrip from London.

Sunset at Sea

The two-week cruise aboard the Crystal Symphony gives golfers the chance to play three courses between London and Boston — Nairn in Invergordon, Scotland; Keiler in Reyjavik, Iceland; and Glen Arbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia.   Additional parties, contests, and amenities add some excitement to the sea days.

Those who have plenty of time and would like exotic ports in addition to relaxing sea days can opt for MSC Cruises’ 17-night sailing aboard the MSC Lirica.  The ship leaves Genoa, Italy in early October and calls at Barcelona, Lisbon, and the Canary Islands, before arriving in Recife, Brazil.  The ship also stops in Salvador, Brazil before disembarking passengers in Rio.

An Italian line, MSC is expanding rapidly.  Guests enjoy the friendly Italian staff and the excellent food.

Lucky travelers with even more time can save almost 50% on the Seabourn Odyssey.   This 31-night voyage leaves from Athens, calls at several ports in the Greek Isles and Mediterranean, and then leaves Funchal, Madeira and arrives Fort Lauderdale a week later.

With only 450 passengers, and fewer than that on repositioning cruises, the Seabourn Odyssey is one of the most luxurious and spacious ships at sea.   Ninety percent of the staterooms have private verandahs.  And The Restaurant features menus created by Charlie Palmer.

Seabourn also has 12-night voyages from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale aboard the Seabourn Spirit.

Another luxury cruise line, Sea Dream Yacht Club offers an 11-night cruise that sails from Seville, Spain to San Juan, Puerto Rico, stopping in Funchal and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands en route.   The Sea Dream II carries just 110 passengers and has unusual amenities like Balinese Dream Beds for sunbathing on deck.

Discounted fares are around $200 per person, per night.

Holland America has a mid-October 16-night program from Rome to Fort Lauderdale aboard the Noordam.  You’ll explore lots of Mediterranean ports, including Livorno, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona before crossing the Atlantic.  Their Oosterdam sails from Barcelona, and visits Spain, Casablanca, and Portugal before sailing for Fort Lauderdale.

These cruises are currently discounted by about 50%.

For the ultimate in relaxation, Windstar offers a 13-night sail cruise aboard the 312-passenger Wind Surf.  This five-masted, motor-sail vessel is a great choice for those who love sailing.  This voyage leaves from Lisbon and disembarks passengers in Barbados.

Find out more about Alaska  repositioning cruises here.

Because of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, cruises that originate in U.S. ports cannot end in U.S. ports unless another country is visited.  As a result, Alaska cruises that begin in the U.S. usually end in Canada, and vice versa.

Vancouver is the departure port for most cruises that end in Alaska.  And it’s the city of departure for most repositioning cruises leaving Alaska at the end of the season.

Many Vancouver repositioning cruises can be taken for different lengths of time.  You can take a 3-night cruise aboard the Coral Princess from Vancouver to Los Angeles,  with no stops in between.  Or, you could stay on board, transit the Panama Canal, and disembark 18 nights later in Fort Lauderdale.

Perhaps the least expensive cruise ever is the three-night cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess from Vancouver to Los Angeles.  Inside cabins for this late September sailing are going for as little as $99.  And you can upgrade to a balcony stateroom for  $100 more.

Princess also offers a 17-night cruise from Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale aboard the Island Princess.  This relatively small ship — 1,900 passengers — offers 24-hour buffet, bistro, and room service.  Three restaurants serve steaks, Italian, and Cajun food.  And the Sanctuary Spa provides a relaxing retreat.

The ship calls at San Francisco, and several ports in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, and Aruba, before arriving in Fort Lauderdale.

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas goes north to Alaska before heading down the coast for San Diego.

After visiting Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, the Serenade calls at Seattle, Astoria, Oregon, and San Francisco before arriving in San Diego two weeks later.  Fares start around $100 per night.

Those who want to try cruising without spending much money can put their toe in the water on Norwegian’s 7-night cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles.   One of the least expensive repositioning cruises out there, fares aboard the Norwegian Star start at just $349.

Guests aboard the Norwegian Pearl can sail from Vancouver to Los Angeles in five nights, or  travel down the Mexican coast and through the Panama Canal to Miami in nineteen nights.  Because of the popularity of Panama Canal cruises, this voyage isn’t the bargain that many others are.

The Big Daddy of all repositioning cruises from Alaska is aboard Holland America Line’s Volendam.  The ships leaves Vancouver in late September and arrives in Hong Kong 46 days later.  En route, you’ll call at six ports in Japan, South Korea, seven ports in China, and three in Viet Nam.  What’s more, the ship overnights in Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai.

With  twenty sea days, there’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy the amenities aboard the ship. If you have the time, this is a great itinerary.  And fares are currently about 50% off the rack rate.

Find out about Panama Canal cruises here.

When the long days of summer in the northern latitudes start to shorten, the cruise ships plying the North Sea head for greener pastures.

Holland America’s Eurodam sails from Copenhagen to New York around the middle of August, calling at Scotland, Iceland, and Greenland, before arriving at St. John’s, Newfoundland.  The 16-night voyage also includes a couple of stops in Nova Scotia.  Fares this season were nearly 70% off rack rate.  Food lovers will enjoy the ship’s Culinary Arts Center — an exhibition kitchen with video screens displaying all the action.

Princess’s 18-night sailing aboard the Crown Princess leaves London and calls at Norway, Scotland, Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland before arriving in New York.  Fares for this early September cruise have been running as low as $115 per person, per night.   Since the ship is capable of  carrying 3,120 passengers, you’ll likely have lots of space to yourself.

Sea Day on Deck

Many American haven’t heard of MSC Cruises, but they’re one of the fastest growing lines in the world.  This Italian company is known for its multi-lingual staff and European service.  Test them out on a late August sailing aboard the Lirica from London to Genoa.   The 11-night itinerary which calls at several ports in Spain and Portugal, is going for as little as $799 per person.  Their 3,000-passenger Orchestra sails from Copenhagen to Genoa.

Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas sails from London to Boston in 12 nights.  This one is a great choice for those who love sea days.  Once the ship leaves Reykjavik, Iceland, there are five days at sea before sailing into Boston Harbor.   With a putting green, golf simulator, and rock-climbing wall, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.  Rates start below $1,000.

Crystal Symphony treats its  940 pampered passengers with kid gloves.  And they’re offering one of the best repositioning cruises for golfers, who have the opportunity to play some of the world’s best courses, including Nairn in Invergordon, Scotland, Keilir in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Glen Arbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Several special events and parties are scheduled.   And fares are almost 50% off regular rates.

Celebrity’s Constellation leaves London and calls at France, Ireland, and Scotland before crossing the Atlantic.  You’ll also visit Iceland, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick before arriving at Bayonne, New Jersey.  The ship has innovative features like listening stations with a huge selection of MP3s and Champagne and Martini bars.

One of the least expensive repositioning cruises out there, Costa’s 10-night sailing from Copenhagen to Savona, Italy starts at just $699 per person.  With six port calls in between, it’s also a good choice for those who want some time ashore.   As the flagship of the Costa line, the Atlantica offers an authentic Italian experience at sea.

The Norwegian Jewel offers cruisers the opportunity to call at Lerwick in the Shetland Islands.  There’s a nice balance between sea days and port calls with six days at sea and four ports between London and New York.  The 11-night sailing is a good buy with balcony staterooms starting at $1,499 per person. Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” means you can dine where and when you like.  And there are Asian, Italian, and French restaurants on board.

Find out if a repositioning cruise is right for you here.

]]> http://repositioningcruisesguide.com/2009/08/repositioning-cruises-from-northern-europe/feed/ 0 http://repositioningcruisesguide.com/2009/08/is-a-repositioning-cruise-right-for-you/ http://repositioningcruisesguide.com/2009/08/is-a-repositioning-cruise-right-for-you/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:46:16 +0000 Cruises http://repositioningcruisesguide.com/?p=1 Cruise lines and their ships follow the seasons.  They go where the weather’s nice, sail there until the season changes, then relocate to another region with pleasant temperatures.

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.