Passed in 1920 as the Merchant Marine Act, it prohibits foreign-flagged cruise ships from transporting passengers from one U.S.port to another unless they stop in a foreign country en route. That’s why NCL’s Pride of America is the only cruise ship sailing exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands. It’s registered in America and has an American crew, which is more expensive than registering a ship in the Bahamas and hiring Filipinos or Eastern Europeans as crew.

Kona, Hawaii

If you want to cruise from the west coast to Hawaii, you’ll either have to take a round trip cruise from Southern California that calls in Mexico at some point, or you’ll need to take a repositioning cruise that leaves from Canada at the end of the Alaska cruising season.

These cruises let passengers arrive in Hawaii rested and relaxed, with no jet lag. There’s usually plenty of elbow room with fewer passengers on board. And the ship serves as your resort in Hawaii, taking you to a beautiful new location every day, once you cross the Pacific.

Carnival Spirit has capacity and facilities for 2,667 passengers, so you’ll have plenty of activities and venues to enjoy during your days and nights at sea. She has four pools, a gym, a spa, and a huge casino, and a fun supper club for dinner and dancing. She sails from Vancouver on September 14 and spends five days at sea before arriving in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. The next day she calls at Kauai and then sails for Hilo, on the other side of the Big Island. She overnights at both Kahului, Maui, and Honolulu, giving passengers the opportunity to sample island nightlife ashore.

The lovely, 710-passenger Royal Princess is one of the cruise ships that used to belong to Renaissance Cruises. The size is very appealing – she’s big enough to have all the amenities, but small enough to have minimal impact on the ports she visits. There’s a good spa and two alternative restaurants: Sabatini’s and Sterling Steakhouse. Cruisers can choose between a ten-night cruise to Hawaii and a fabulous 22-night voyage to Tahiti.

Royal Princess

Royal Princess sails from Vancouver on September 14 and arrives at Hilo on September 20. From there, she visits Lahaina, Maui, and Kauai before sailing to Hawaii. Passengers can disembark there or stay aboard and return to Kauai, Maui, and Hilo, before sailing for Bora Bora. Passengers overnight on board in Bora Bora and visit Raiatea and Moorea before leaving the ship in Papeete on October 6.

Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas is another mega cruise ship with all the bells and whistles of a 2,500-passenger ship. She leaves from Vancouver on September 17 and arrives off the coast of the Big Island on September 23, where she sails past Kilauea Volcano at night so passengers can watch the volcano spewing lava against the midnight sky. Fantastic! She spends a day in Hilo and Kona, overnights in Lahaina, and then spends a day in Kauai before overnighting in Honolulu. Cruisers leave the ship in Honolulu on September 29.

Read about other cruises from Vancouver here.

Kona, Hawaii Image Flickr: Hitchster
Royal Princess Image Flickr: lyng883

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

The hub of activity on Navigator is the four-story Royal Promenade, which is lined with shops, cafes, and bars.  One night of each voyage, there’s a Mardi Gras-style parade here shortly after midnight which is a real cruise highlight.  But this indoor mall is hopping 24 hours a day.

The Promenade

With terrific childrens’ programs and services that provide parents with some quality-time alone, Navigator is one of the best cruise ships for families.

Dining aboard Navigator of the Seas.

The three-story main dining room on Navigator is one of the most spectacular at sea.  Although it’s actually three rooms rolled into one, the multi-level affect is really striking.  Royal Caribbean still has two fixed-time dinner seatings, but a new program called My Family Time Dining gets the kids fed in 45 minutes and then escorted to Adventure Ocean for evening activities.

Parents are free to enjoy a leisurely dinner while the kids are entertained with others the same age.

Don’t rule out the dining room at lunch.  Tell them you’re in a hurry, and you’ll be served two menu items in under 30 minutes.  Since your lunch is prepared to order, it’s usually very good.

There are several other alternatives to the dining room.  Johnny Rocket’s has burgers, fries, and shakes available for a modest surcharge.  You can dine in or take out.

Portofino Italian restaurant serves five-course Northern Italian dinners in intimate surrounding.  And Chops Grille has steaks and chops, baked potatoes and other sides, and indulgent desserts. There’s a charge of around $25 per person to dine in either of these restaurants.

The Windjammer buffet is open for lunch and dinner, and the Jade buffet next to Windjammer has Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes.  The pizzeria and poolside grill are also open until late afternoon. And Ben & Jerry’s ice cream offers more than a dozen flavors.  If you prefer not to pay extra, there’s a free Sprinkle’s frozen yogurt dispenser next door.

When you’re thirsty, the Vintage Wine Bar, the Champagne Bar, Two Poets British-style pub, and Boleros Latin bar are popular spots.

Room service is free until midnight and $3.95 after that.  A variety of sandwiches and snacks are available around the clock.

Other activities aboard Navigator of the Seas.

Whether you’re active or just looking for a deck chair, there’s no shortage of things to do on Navigator.  If you’re daring, climb the rock wall and find yourself 175 feet above the sea.  Or for something more tame, try in-line skating, miniature golf, or a pick-up game of basketball or volleyball on the full-size court.

If you’re traveling with children, they’ll be well looked after whatever their ages.  At 22,000-square-feet, the Adventure Ocean is huge and has two clubs just for teens – the Living Room and the Fuel Dance Club.  And there are separate programs for kids in all age groups.

For adults, the Solarium is an appealing haven with an indoor pool, two Jacuzzis, and plenty of chaises for relaxing. The Spa has 14 massage and treatment rooms, a steam room, and a dry flotation room.

Entertainment on board is professional and varied.  The shows at Studio B – the Ice Skating rink – are a highlight.  There’s no charge, but seating is limited, so get tickets as soon as they’re offered.

Broadway-style reviews are performed in the 1,350-seat Metropolis Theater.  And there are musical acts in many of the dozen bars.

Navigator of the seas

Accommodations aboard Navigator of the Seas.

Most of Navigator’s cabins are outside, but some of the inside stateroom have views of the Promenade.  This is a great choice for the claustrophobic.

All cabins have a mini fridge, a safe, and a small sitting area.  But the 707 balcony staterooms are worth the splurge.

Families can choose from a 328-square-foot Family Oceanview cabin which has a second bedroom with bunk beds or a 512-square-foot Royal Family Suite that sleeps up to eight.

There are two Navigator of the Seas repositioning cruises in 2010.  On April 10, 2010, she sails from Miami and then spends eight days crossing the Atlantic.  She arrives at Tenerife, and then has two days at sea before calling at Barcelona, Nice, and Florence.  Passengers disembark in Rome on Saturday, April 24.

On Saturday, October 23, she sails from Rome and calls at Toulon, Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga, and Tenerife before crossing the Atlantic.  She arrives in Fort Lauderdale, on Saturday, November 6.

Find more Royal Caribbean repositioning cruises here.

Read about Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas here.

NCL’s most game-changing innovation was the introduction of “Freestyle Cruising,” a new approach that let passengers choose where, when, and with whom they dined. The concept caught on, and in 2001, NCL launched the Norwegian Star, the first of its cruise ships to be purpose-built for the new style of cruising.

Nine years later, Norwegian Star still seems new. And passengers love the tremendous variety they find onboard. With more than a dozen restaurants, you can try some place new every night of your cruise. And with lots of adjoining cabins, kids programs and facilities, it’s a terrific ship for families.

Norwegian Star

Dining aboard Norwegian Star.

Since dining is such a big part of cruising, let’s start with that. For many people, the best thing about being on vacation is not having a schedule. Freestyle dining gives you the flexibility to eat when you want to. So you can stay ashore, take another soak in the spa, or watch the sunset from your balcony without having to rush off to dinner.

You will have to plan ahead to dine in some of the specialty restaurants since they require reservations. But since you can set the time yourself, it’s not much of an inconvenience. If you don’t have reservations, electronic displays show the capacity and wait time in the restaurants.

Vegetarian selections are always available, and a healthy menu created in part by Cooking Light magazine is an option for those who don’t want to do too much damage.

Most of the specialty restaurants have a modest surcharge, usually between $15 and $25 per person.

At the Ginza Asian Restaurant you can order Thai, Japanese, or Chinese dishes, or have your food prepared before you in the 10-seat Teppanyaki Room. There’s also a sushi bar where you can indulge in impeccably fresh sashimi and a variety of sakes.

Head to Le Bistro for classic French cuisine, enjoy a perfectly cooked porterhouse at Cagney’s Steakhouse, or savor an intimate dinner for two in the SoHo Room, which serves Pacific Rim specialties.

For something more casual, grab a burger or hot dog from Topsiders Grill by the Oasis Pool, choose from a wide selection cold and hot dishes at the Market Café buffet, find Tex-Mex goodies at Endless Summer, or enjoy your favorite Italian dish at La Cucina.

Wherever you eat, try to save some room for the late-night Chocoholic Buffet.

If you get a craving for Buffalo wings, a salad, or even a stir fry at 2AM, try Blue Lagoon – they’re open 24 hours a day. And if you don’t want to leave your cabin, room service is also available.

And of course, eating in the main dining rooms – Aqua and Versailles – is also an option.

Other activities aboard Norwegian Star.

Entertainment aboard the Star is polished and professional with several attractive venues. The Second City improvisational group is always a passenger favorite. If they offer a workshop during your cruise, sign up. They’re a lot of fun.

Norwegian Star’s Atrium Lobby

The huge, two-level Mandara Spa offers a wide assortment of treatments and massages, as well as a 40-foot indoor lap pool surrounded by lounge chairs. There’s a whirlpool, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and solarium. There’s a small charge to use some of these facilities.

Those who want to stay in shape can work out in the 24-hour fitness centers or use the jogging track, sport court, or driving range.

If you brought a WiFi-enable laptop, there are hot spots in public areas. If not, you can rent a laptop or WiFi card. Or use one of the terminals in Internet Center. You’ll need a converter to plug your laptop into the outlet in your cabin.

Norwegian Star accommodations.

The Star has some of the most spectacular suites available on any cruise ship. The 5,700-square foot, 3-bedroom Garden Villas have their own private terrace with hot tub, and come with a butler. All the suites have beautiful ocean views.

Basic cabins have a small sitting area, a bathroom with shower, a small refrigerator, tea/coffee maker, Internet connection, and a hair dryer. Most have a third or even fourth berth. And many staterooms, in a variety of categories, connect. So if you’re traveling with family, ask what’s available.

Norwegian Star has two repositioning cruises in 2010. She sails from Los Angeles to Vancouver on May 1 and returns on October 2, 2010.

Read more about NCL repositioning cruises here.

Read our review of NCL Pride of America here.

Norwegian Star Image Flickr: Tom Mascardo 1
Norwegian Star’s Atrium Lobby Image Flickr: zionorbi

If any of this strikes a chord with you, we have just the solution — a repositioning cruise from California to Vancouver, British Columbia.  Fares start $149, and that includes all your meals, transportation, accommodations, and entertainment.   And if you watched the Winter Olympics, you know that Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Vancouver

At press-time, one-way fares from Vancouver to LAX were running under $150, so the total cost including airfare runs as little as $300.  Dollar for dollar, a repositioning cruise is a terrific way to get out of Dodge and add some excitement to your life without breaking your budget.

Holland America Line (HAL) is offering four west coast repositioning cruises this spring, and their cruise ships are some of the nicest at sea.

Their 1,432-passenger Zaandam sails from San Diego on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.  You can tour San Diego or visit the world-famous Zoo in the morning, and then board the ship in the late afternoon.  San Diego is a beautiful city to sail in and out of, and you’ll likely be treated to a spectacular sunset as you leave.  If the weather’s fine, you can enjoy a dip in the pool or one of the spas before dinner.

In addition to the main dining room, Zaandam serves Pacific Northwest specialties like Dungeness crab cakes in the intimate, reservations-only Pinnacle Grill.  During your days at sea, you can watch cooking demonstrations in the innovative Culinary Arts Center, see a movie at the Wajang Theater, or enjoy a treatment in the spa.    If you’d like to get some exercise, there’s a jogging track, fitness center, and sports court.  At night, enjoy a show in the lounge where hydraulic lifts and a revolving stage add to the excitement or have a quiet drink in the Crow’s Nest.

Catalina Island

The first morning, you call at Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island.  You’ll have a full day to explore the island.  Rent a bike or golf cart to get around.  You’ll spend the next two days at sea before arriving in Astoria, Oregon.  In Astoria, you can take a biking tour, go to Cannon Beach and Seaside for shopping, or enjoy a wine-tasting and cooking demonstration.  The next day, you’ll call at Victoria, British Columbia where you can see Butchart Gardens in springtime splendor, have high tea at the legendary Empress Hotel, or visit a local brewery.  You’ll disembark in Vancouver the morning of Tuesday, April 27.  Fares for this cruise start at $299 per person.

Cruisers who choose the 1,316-passenger Amsterdam will leave from Los Angeles on Thursday, April 29, 2010.  One of Holland America’s flagships, Amsterdam has an old-world, traditional ambience that seasoned cruisers appreciate.  With no port calls, this cruise is perfect for those who just want to get away from it all and enjoy some quiet time at sea.  Passengers disembark in Vancouver on Sunday, May 2.  Fares start at $149.

HAL’s  beautiful Ryndam has a wide, teak promenade deck that’s lined with old-fashioned deck chairs.  It’s a lovely, traditional cruise liner with a three-story atrium and a grand staircase.  Ryndam sails from San Diego on Wednesday, May 5th and spends two days at sea before arriving in Victoria.  She sails from Victoria at midnight, so guests can enjoy Victoria at night when the Empress Hotel, Houses of Parliament, and other buildings on the Inner Harbor are all illuminated.  Passengers disembark in Vancouver on Sunday, May 9.  Fares start at $199.

Statendam

With a fountain that cascades 26 feet down through the three-story atrium, the 1,258-passenger Statendam is a beautiful ship with excellent service.  She sails from San Diego on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 and arrives in Port Angeles after two days at sea.  In Port Angeles, you can tour spectacular Hurricane Ridge or go wine tasting at 15 Olympic Peninsula wineries.  Statendam arrives in Vancouver on Sunday, May 16.

Find more Holland America repositioning cruises here.

Vancouver Image Flickr: PoYang_博仰
Catalina Island Image Flickr: GeeSeeBee
Statendam Image Flickr: axiepics

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.

In business since 1873, Holland America Line has one of the most impressive legacies in the cruising industry. Over the years, they’ve established a tradition of excellence in every area of cruising. And today, they’re offering new services and amenities to ensure that they continue to exceed their passengers’ expectations.

Their ships are some of the most beautiful at sea, and an upgrade program begun in 2006 has brought them up to date. Decorated with fine art and articles from the line’s nautical traditions, they are sophisticated and refined. A nice feature of their ships is the Culinary Arts Center, where guests are treated to cooking demonstrations and wine-tasting classes. The center doubles as a cinema for daily movie screenings.

The Explorations Café is a coffee house/Internet center/library where you can relax or reconnect with family and friends back home. There’s a wide range of enrichment programs and lectures, and they’re broadcast in the staterooms.

Their chefs are members of Confrerie de le Chaine des Rotisseurs, which means their food is a cut above. In addition to a menu of Continental favorites, there are vegetarian options, and spa selections available each night. The Pacific Northwest-style Pinnacle Grill restaurant is worth the additional cover charge. Don’t miss the Dungeness crab cakes or the delicious bread pudding. Open seating is available from 5PM to 9PM.

The fitness clubs offer classes at no extra charge. There’s a sports court and jogging track. And the Greenhouse Spa has a variety of treatments available. Holland America is offering two repositioning cruises in 2010.

Eurodam has a larger than average Spa and Salon with a hydropool and thermal suites. She also has the largest gymnasium of any HAL ship. Nearly 70% of the staterooms have balconies. Facilities for children and teenagers make it a good choice for families. And the exhibition kitchen has video monitors for cooking demonstrations. Coffee lovers will enjoy the Crow’s Nest which has MP3 music and Internet stations, and specialty coffees.

Eurodam sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 3, 2010, and arrives in Lisbon eight days later. She calls at Portimao, Portugal, and Cadiz, Almeria, Ibiza and Barcelona in Spain, and Monte Carlo, Monaco before arriving in Rome on April 19. Passengers can disembark then or stay on board and visit Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon, Santorini, Ephesus, Athens, and Sicily before returning to Rome on April 29.

With a passenger capacity of 1,916, Westerdam has more space per passenger than many other HAL ships. The Greenhouse Spa on this ship has 11 treatment rooms and a hydrotherapy pool.

Passengers can opt for set times or open seating in the two-story main dining room, or dine at the Pinnacle Grill, Lido Restaurant, or Windstar Café. The outdoor seating area next to the Crow’s Nest is a quiet spot with great views.

On April 14, 2010, she sails from Fort Lauderdale and spends seven days at sea before arriving in Funchal, Medeira. After another day at sea, she calls at Cadiz and Almeria in Spain, and then visits Corsica, Rome, Naples, Split, and Venice. Passengers overnight in visit on May 3, and disembark the next morning. This is a great itinerary with nine wonderful ports. And by the time you get to Funchal, you be rested and ready to go. Fares at price time were running up to 60% off, making it a great cruise deal.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

Disney transatlantic repositioning cruises.

Families with young children will likely feel that Disney Cruise Line was created in 1998 just for them.  Which it kind of was.

Since the ships sail from Port Canaveral, you can start the experience at Walt Disney World, take their transfers to the ship, and never miss a beat.  In fact, cruise passengers who stay at one of the Disney resorts as part of a pre-cruise package check in for their cruise there.

Once on board, there are programs for kids of all ages, include parents, who can relax in several adults-only venues.  Children’s activities run from 9AM to midnight daily. Younger kids enjoy encounters with their favorite Disney characters.  Older ones have a private club with big screen TVs, video games, and Internet café.  There are separate pools for kids, families, and adults.

Food on board in the two casual restaurants is designed to appeal to everyone in the family.  The more formal restaurants are a little more adventurous.  And Palo, the adults-only Italian restaurant, is better still.  One money-saving feature is complimentary iced tea, lemonade, and soft drinks with meals or from the beverage station in the buffet area.

Fitness facilities include a gym, jogging track, aerobic studio, and basketball court.  The spa has three SpaVillas that have indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, balconies with hot tubs, and al fresco showers.

Animation cells and work by Disney artists decorates the public areas.  And an interesting diversion that only Disney can offer are lectures on animation and moviemaking.

There’s a huge LED screen on deck where a variety of programming is shown.

Most of the staterooms sleep at least three, and they have kid-friendly features like higher railings.  Each cabin has a small fridge and a personal safe.

Disney Magic sails from Port Canaveral on April 10, 2010, and calls at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.  She then spends a week at sea en route to Funchal in Madeira.  From there, she calls at Cadiz and Gibraltar.  She arrives in Barcelona at 7AM on April 23, and passengers overnight on board before disembarking the next morning.

Fred. Olsen transatlantic repositioning cruises.

Most Americans are unfamiliar with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, but they’re very popular with British travelers. In fact, the UK Pound is the on-board currency. The line has been family owned since its founding in 1848, a rarity these days, and the Norwegian nautical heritage is apparent.

They are an especially good choice for cruises to Norway.

Their five ships – each carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers – are small by today’s standard, but they include all the amenities passengers demand, including spas, fitness centers, and exercise classes.  A nice service for golfers is the option to play a round ashore with the resident pro.

The smaller size of their ships lets them visit off-the-beaten-path ports or dock more centrally in larger ones.

Food is above average with lots of fresh seafood – as you’d expect from a Norwegian line.  And there’s a good, affordable wine list.    Afternoon high tea is very popular.

Another nice extra is shuttle service from the pier to beaches or town centers when they’re more than a 15-minute walk.

Braemar is a 968-passenger ship that was originally built in 1993 and refurbished in 2008.  She has a nice, wraparound promenade deck that’s perfect for an early-morning or after-dinner stroll.    Dinner is served in two sittings in the main dining rooms.  There’s also a buffet with indoor and outdoor seating, and a pool-side grill.  If you want a balcony, you’ll need to upgrade to a suite.  But accommodations are snug and attractive.   And single and accessible cabins are available.

On April 15, 2010, Braemar sails from Barbados for St. Lucia.  She calls at Roseau in Domenica and St Maarten before leaving the Caribbean and crossing the Atlantic.  A week later, she arrives in Ponta Delgada, Portugal.  Before disembarking passengers in London on May 1, she also makes port calls at Oporto, Portugal, and La Coruna, Spain.  This itinerary includes some smaller ports that the larger ships don’t visit.  Expect your fellow passengers to be mostly Brits.

Find more transatlantic cruises in April 2010 here.

Most of these sailings are a terrific cruise bargains too with per-day fares as low as $50 per person. Another benefit is that you’ll arrive in Europe rested and relaxed. After several days at sea, you’ll have adjusted to the new time zone with no jet lag, and you’ll be in great shape for sightseeing.

Azamara transatlantic repositioning cruises.

You may not have heard of Azamara Cruises, but their pedigree is first rate. The line was formed in 2007 by parent Royal Caribbean who took two cruise ships from their Celebrity brand, renovated them, and created Azamara. The line was created to provide affordable luxury to travelers interested in exotic destinations, exceptional service, and personal enrichment.

Azamara has on-board experts who offer classes on a variety of topics from photography to wine. Food is a little more ambitious than on most of the mainstream cruise lines, and a dinner in one of the alternative restaurants is included in the fare. Dining is all open seating.

Other nice extras include butler service, daily in-cabin fresh fruit and fresh flowers, flat-screen TVs, and luxury European bedding in all categories. Nearly three quarters of the staterooms have balconies. Suites are especially nice with whirlpool tubs, guest powder rooms, and two TVs.

Active travelers can take advantage of yoga and Pilates classes, as well as the gym, jogging track, and full-service spa.

The 710-passenger Azamara Journey sails from Miami on April 11, 2010 and spends a week crossing the Atlantic before arriving in Ponta Delgada, Portugal. After two more days at sea, she calls at Gibraltar, and Cartagena and Palma de Mallorca in Spain before disembarking passengers in Barcelona on April 25.

Celebrity transatlantic repositioning cruises.

Founded in 1989, Celebrity merged with Royal Caribbean in 1997. Since then, the line has become known for some of the best food at sea, professional service, and its roomy staterooms.

Celebrity has lots of special touches you won’t find on most other cruise ships, including passed hors d’oeuvres served in the lounges between midnight and 1AM, a world-class art collection, and Champagne and caviar bars. A popular feature on their Constellation is “A Taste of Cirque du Soleil,” an entertainment first at sea.

There’s plenty to do on sea days with a variety of enrichment programs, cooking demonstrations, and wine-tasting classes. And the AquaSpa pampers passengers with everything from body wraps to acupuncture treatments and Oriental Medicine rituals. Golfers can play some of the world’s most famous courses in the simulator.

With amenities like chilled Champagne, fresh fruit and flowers, evening canapés, and more comfortable balcony furniture, ConciergeClass staterooms are an affordable cross between cabins and suites. Upgrade to one if you can.

Celebrity Constellation is a Solstice-class ship that features unique amenities like a greenhouse conservatory, extensive facilities and programs for children, an Italian coffee house, a floral shop with classes in flower arranging, and a two-story library. She’s an elegant, sophisticated vessel that looks more like a Manhattan hotel than a cruise ship.

Passengers who want healthy dining choices will appreciate the Aquaspa Café and the Sushi Café.

Constellation Leaves Miami on April 11, 2010 and arrives in Le Havre, France after eight days at sea. From there, she calls at Dover, and Rotterdam before completing the voyage in Hamburg on April 24. Fares at press time were very reasonable.

The second of Celebrity’s Solstice-class vessels, Celebrity Equinox has eight distinctive dining venues serving a variety of cuisines, AquaClass staterooms that adjoin the AquaSpa, and wireless Internet access. The most unique features of the ship are the Lawn Club, where passengers can enjoy outdoor activities played on real grass, and the Corning Glass Museum glass-blowing demonstrations.

On April 19, 2010, Equinox leaves Fort Lauderdale en route to Ponta Delgada, Portgual. After a day at sea, she visits Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona, and Nice before arriving in Rome on May 3. The voyage calls at some of the most appealing ports in the Mediterranean and has a balance of sea days and port calls.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which is also known as the Jones Act, prohibits foreign-flagged ships from embarking and disembarking passengers in U.S. ports unless they call in another country on the way. Because it’s much less expensive to register ships in countries other than the U.S., nearly all cruise vessels these days are foreign flagged. So they can’t embark passengers in Seattle and disembark them in Alaska, unless they stop in Canada.

That’s why most Alaska cruises, and most Alaska repositioning cruises, begin or end in Vancouver. Which isn’t a bad thing. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful, vibrant cities in the world. And this year, it’s getting a facelift for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

One of the nice things about Alaska repositioning cruises is you can usually find one that suits your needs. They range in length from 3 to 20 days. And you can often disembark in more than one port. Because the shorter sailings are often sold at a very deep discount — fares as low as $99 per person aren’t unheard of — they’re also a good way for first-time cruisers to “test the waters.”

Holland America repositioning cruises to Alaska.

On April 18, 2010, Holland America’s Ryndam leaves Tampa on a 21-day voyage to Vancouver. She calls at Grand Cayman and Columbia before transiting the Panama Canal. After passing through the canal, she visits Costa Rica, four ports in Mexico, San Diego, and Victoria before arriving in Vancouver on May 9. With a two-level dining room, an exhibition kitchen with plasma TV monitors, and just 1,266 passengers, Ryndam is a lovely place to spend three weeks. Passengers can also embark in San Diego on May 5 for a four-night cruise.

Holland America fans who don’t have much time for vacation can board their Zaandam in San Diego on April 21, 2010. En route to Vancouver, she calls at Catalina Island, Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, BC. During the days at sea, passengers can enjoy a pool with a retractable roof, a jogging track, tennis and volleyball courts, and the Ocean Spa. With fares starting at just $399 per person, it works out to less than $135 per couple, per day.

Ryndam’s sister ship, Statendam, sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 25, 2010 and calls at Aruba before entering and crossing the Panama Canal. After that, she visits Costa Rica, Guatemala, four ports in Mexico, and San Diego, before ending the voyage in Vancouver on May 16. A 26-foot splashing fountain in the three-story atrium greets passengers as they board. Those with less time can board in San Diego on May 12.

Cruisers who love days at sea can join Holland America’s Amsterdam in Los Angeles on April 29, spend three nights aboard and disembark in Vancouver on May 2nd. The 1,380-passenger Amsterdam is a sister ship to the Rotterdam.

On May 4, 2010, the 1,918-passenger Zuiderdam sails from San Diego to Vancouver. Passengers can disembark in Vancouver four days later. But those who want to see Alaska can remain aboard and cruise the Tracy Arm, and then visit Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ketchikan before leaving the ship when it returns to Vancouver on May 15.

Princess Cruises repositioning cruises to Alaska.

Coral Princess is 1,974-passenger cruise ship with a demonstration kitchen, a ceramics lab, and a swimming pool with a retractable dome roof. She sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 21, 2010 and transits the Panama Canal, arriving in Vancouver on May 10. As an alternative, passengers can board in Los Angeles on May 6, call at Victoria, BC on May 9, and arrives in Vancouver the next day. This four-night getaway is a nice break for west coast cruisers, and with fares from $349, it’s very affordable.

The 2,600-passenger Golden Princess has four pools, nine whirlpools, an adults-only Sanctuary, 17 lounges, and more than 700 balcony staterooms. She sails from Los Angeles on May 9, overnights at Catalina Island, and visits San Francisco, and Victoria before ending in Vancouver on May 14.

Royal Caribbean repositioning cruises to Alaska.

Sailing from the opposite direction, Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas sails from Honolulu on April 27, 2010. She spends two full days in Maui and then visits Kona and Hilo on the Big Island before crossing the Pacific en route to Vancouver. Five days at sea give passengers plenty of time to enjoy the spa, fitness center, and rock climbing wall. Special deals for California residents start as low as $899.

On May 8, Radiance of the Seas sails up the west coast from San Diego to San Francisco. After a couple of days at sea, she visits Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, and Sitka in Alaska, and then Nanaimo and Victoria in British Columbia. Passengers leave the vessel in Vancouver on May 21.