They’re also good cruise deals, with fares well below voyages that call at lots of ports.

Princess Cruises has three ships offering transatlantic cruises this spring. The first sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 27, aboard Emerald Princess. With nearly 900 balcony staterooms, the 2,080-passenger Emerald Princess is a great choice for those who want to enjoy the endless ocean views.

Cobh, Ireland

After two days at sea, she arrives at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda for the day. Passengers can spend the next five days at sea enjoying the amenities of the ship, and attending lectures, special meals, and evening entertainment.

On May 6, Emerald Princess arrives in Cobh, Ireland, the port city for Cork. She calls at Falmouth, Le Havre – for Paris – Rotterdam, London, and Oslo before disembarking passengers in Copenhagen on May 13.

Passengers who wish to see Northern Europe can stay aboard and visit Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Berlin, and Aarhus, before returning to Oslo and then leaving the ship in Copenhagen on May 24. After the crossing, they’ll be well rested for their sightseeing excursions.

Repositioning cruises on Star Princess.

The 2,600-passenger Star Princess manages to offer the amenities of a bigger ship in a more manageable space.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

She sails from Fort Lauderdale on May 3 and heads for Tenerife in the Canary Islands. She arrives after a full week at sea. After a day exploring beautiful Tenerife, she sails for Gibraltar, arriving on May 13. From there, she calls at Alicante and Barcelona in Spain, Marseille, and Florence. Cruisers leave Star Princess on May 18 in Rome.

This voyage offers ports that are very diverse in nature. It packs a lot of travel experiences into a brief span of time.

Repositioning cruises on Grand Princess.

We’ve sailed on the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess several times and have always enjoyed being aboard. The ship seems much more intimate than her passenger capacity would suggest.

The Movies Under the Stars out by the pool are always enjoyable.

On May 5, Grand Princess leaves Fort Lauderdale bound for Ponta Delgada, Portugal. The crossing takes a week.

After leaving Portugal, passengers will enjoy a cruise through the British Isles, visiting Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Holyhead, Falmouth, and Le Havre, before leaving the ship in Southampton on May 21.

Passengers who would like see more of Europe can remain on board and call at St. Peter Port on the isle of Guernsey; Brest, France; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vigo, Spain before disembarking in Southampton on May 28.

Read more about Princess repositioning cruises.

Cobh, Ireland Image Flickr: Shaun Merritt
Tenerife, Canary Islands Image Flickr: SanShoot

Cruise ships have fairly sophisticated inventory management systems. And when certain benchmark dates are reached, if too few passengers are booked, the price is reduced. An empty cabin doesn’t generate any revenue. So it’s worth it to reduce the price of the stateroom to attract a passenger who might gamble, drink, and dine in the specialty restaurants.

Many cruise ships offer repositioning cruises.

Several years ago, cruise lines offered their best deals in the form of early booking discounts. In return for having your deposit as much as a year in advance, cruise companies would give early birds a discount. Back in those days, marketing materials had to be created months in advance. And special offers were established according to a fixed schedule.

But today, cruise lines can market specific cruises online, which reduces the amount of lead time required for marketing campaigns. With a healthy list of email addresses, a cruise line can decide on Wednesday to discount a cruise on Thursday. And on Friday, savvy travelers who have given up their email addresses can get really impressive repositioning cruise deals.

If there’s one particular cruise line that you like, sign up for any email updates or e-newsletters that they offer. Registering with an online cruise agency is also a good idea. Vacationstogo, Travelzoo, and Shermans Travel all have hot deals.

A repositioning cruise gives you plenty of time to enjoy onboard amenities.

As a rule, the best deals are available 30 to 90 days before sailing. But in some cases, you may be able to get a bargain as much as six months before departure.

Be sure to take advantage of any shipboard credits that are offered. These are often worth up to $1,000 per stateroom and use can use them to offset the cost of almost any service available on board.

Although airfare isn’t often included with repositioning cruises — because two point-to-point fares are usually required — be sure to ask if any discounted airfares are available. This can end up saving you quite a bit.

Before you book, be sure to shop around. If there’s a cruise agency in your town, give them a call. If you live in a big city, check your local, Sunday newspaper. And visit the cruise line websites.

With any luck, you’ll be able to land a repositioning cruise for less than $100 per person, per day.

Many cruise ships offer repositioning cruises Image Flickr: Salicia
A repositioning cruise gives you plenty of time to enjoy onboard amenities Image Flickr: Tom Mascardo 3

But you don’t have to do it on your own, and you don’t have to forego all the creature comforts either. A transatlantic repositioning cruise on one of Star Clippers’ three tall ships offers you the best of both worlds – the romance and adventure of days gone by and the amenities of a modern cruise ship.

Royal Clipper in Barbados

Star Clippers lets passengers spend their days enjoying life at sea. You can join the Captain on the bridge, assist with sailing the vessel, or just relax by the pool. Life aboard ship is casual and relaxed, and on beach days, passengers can enjoy the water directly from the marina at the ship’s stern. A nice selection of water sports equipment is available.

Royal Clipper, a five-masted vessel modeled after the tall ships built around the turn of the century, has 42 sails and 21,000 square feet of teak decking. She’s the flagship of the line and the largest passenger sailing vessel in the world. Her 227 passengers enjoy staterooms with air conditioning, private bathrooms, telephone, and television. All but six of the cabins are outside.

Special harnesses let guests climb the mast to a crow’s nest for unbelievable views and photos. And there’s a small fitness center, spa, pool, sauna, library, and plenty of space out on deck for enjoying the fresh air. Dress is casual — even in the multi-deck dining room, and there are several bars where you can have a before or after-dinner drink.

Royal Clipper sails from Rome to Barbados on October 15, 2011, calling at 11 ports in Corsica, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, and the Canary Islands en route. The voyage takes 28 days, but passengers with less time can join the ship in Lisbon on October 27 and call at Morocco and Tenerife before crossing the Atlantic.

Star Flyer and Star Clipper are four-masted vessels with a capacity of 170 passengers. Teak decks, brass fittings, and mahogany rails give these ships an old-world feel. There’s even a fireplace in the Edwardian-style library. Private bathrooms in the staterooms have marble accents.

Tenerife, a popular port on repositioning cruises

Star Flyer leaves St. Maarten on April 2, 2011 and visits the Azores, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and St. Tropez before arriving in Monte Carlo on April 30. Passengers can also disembark Star Flyer in Lisbon on April 20.

On April 9, 2011, Star Clipper sails from St. Maarten bound for Athens. In addition to the Azores, Portugal, Morocco, and Spain, she also calls at Tunisia, Italy, Malta, and Greece. The 35-night cruise arrives in Athens on May 14, 2011 but passengers looking for a shorter cruise can leave the ship in Lisbon on April 27.

At the end of the Mediterranean season, Star Flyer sails from Cannes on October 8, 2011. The 29-night voyage arrives in Barbados on November 6. A 22-night cruise that leaves from Malaga on October 15 is also available.

Star Clipper leaves Athens on October 8, 2011 and arrives in St. Maarten 35 nights later, on November 12. Passengers boarding in Malaga on October 22 enjoy a 21-night cruise. Those who board in Las Palmas on October 29, sail for two weeks.

Royal Clipper returns to Barbados from Rome on October 15, 2011. The 28-night voyage includes multiple calls in Casablanca and Safi, Morocco. Travelers joining the cruise in Lisbon on October 27, arrive in Barbados 16 nights later.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

Royal Clipper in Barbados Image Flickr: gailf548
Tenerife, a popular port on repositioning cruises Image Flickr: ReservasdeCoches.com

But the season is a short one. By mid- to late-October, most of the fall color is gone and the weather becomes less attractive. At that time, most of the cruise ships head for Florida, which they use as a base for Caribbean cruises.

Fall foliage repositioning cruises offers travelers the chance to see Canada’s craggy coastline and quaint fishing villages up close, as well as some of America’s most historic ports. It’s a hassle-free vacation that will completely transport you, without the jet lag.

Quebec City

The first ship to head south is Holland America’s Eurodam, which sails from Quebec City on October 6. She sails the St. Lawrence Seaway to Baie-Comeau and Gaspe in the province of Quebec, then calls at Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Maine and Gloucester, Massachusetts. She spends two days sailing along the east coast before arriving in Fort Lauderdale on October 16.

Readers of Ann of Green Gables will find the rolling hills and neat farms of Prince Edward Island strangely familiar.

On October 9, Holland America’s Maasdam sails from Montreal and calls the next day at Quebec City. Passengers have a full day to explore this delightful, old world charmer before sailing for Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, and Gaspe. Like Eurodam, Maasdam also visits Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Maine, and Massachusetts. But she spends three days at sea before arriving in Fort Lauderdale. This gives passengers plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spa, fitness center, and Culinary Arts Center.

The 3,120-passenger Crown Princess embarks cruisers in Quebec City on October 17 and berths there overnight. Passengers can spend the evening and the following day enjoying the old town before sailing for Saguenay. After calling at Halifax and Bar Harbor, Crown Princess visits Boston, Newport, Rhode Island — where passengers can tour the fabulous homes of the American aristocracy — Brooklyn, and charming Norfolk, Virginia. After a day at sea, she arrives in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most attractive towns in the South. After a second day at sea, she arrives in Fort Lauderdale, where passengers disembark on October 30.

Lighthouse at Prince Edward Island

Luxury cruisers can board Crystal Symphony in Montreal on October 22. Passengers spend the night on board and sail at 9PM the following night for Quebec City. She stays there until midnight, giving passengers time to enjoy Quebec City in the evening. After two days at sea, she calls at Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Portland, Maine before overnighting in Boston. Next, she calls at Newport, Rhode Island. Passengers can disembark in New York on November 2, or stay aboard, transit the Panama Canal, and go all the way to Los Angeles.

MSC Cruises’ Poesia offer travelers three options, depending on how much time they have. She sails from Quebec City on October 23 and visits Sydney in Nova Scotia, Boston, and Newport before arriving in Manhattan. Passengers can disembark there or stay on board, spend the evening in New York, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale after a day at sea. They can also continue on to Jamaica, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cancun, disembarking in Fort Lauderdale on November 11.

Read about other coastal repositioning cruises.

Quebec City Image Flickr: David Paul Ohmer
Lighthouse at Prince Edward Island Image Flickr: cphoffman42

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

Wind Star

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

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

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

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

Larger cruise ships that are still great for romance.

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

Crystal Serenity

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

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

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

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

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