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

One-way airfare is around $150, per person, and transfers are usually available through the cruise lines.

Parliament Building Victoria B.C.

For less than $500 per person, you can enjoy the cruise experience and all that goes with it – beautiful views of the coast, dining out each evening, dancing, seeing a Broadway-style show, and testing your luck in the casino.

Celebrity Millennium is a striking ship with a 25,000-square-foot spa, a demonstration kitchen, wine cellar for private dining, and a digital music library. For those who want a nice long cruise with several port visits, Millenium has a ten-night voyage that leaves from Vancouver on September 17 and calls at Nanaimo and Victoria on Vancouver Island before arriving in Seattle. After a day at sea, she arrives in San Francisco and overnights there, sailing at 8PM on Thursday, September 23. This gives passengers the opportunity to have dinner in San Francisco. The next day, she calls in Monterey, then spends a day at sea before spending a day at Catalina Island. Passengers leave the ship in San Diego on September 27.

Princess has two west coast repositioning cruises this September. The 1,900-passenger Coral Princess sails from Vancouver on Saturday, September 18 and spends two days at sea before arriving in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 21. During the time at sea, cruisers can play mini-golf or use the sport court, enjoy entertainment in the three showrooms, get a treatment in the spa, or just enjoy some time by the pool. Sabatini’s and Bayou Café and Steakhouse provide alternatives to the main dining room.

Golden Princess leaves Vancouver the next Sunday, September 26 and does the same itinerary, arriving in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29. This 2,600-passenger vessel, a sister ship to Grand Princess, has a central piazza with a coffee house and wine bar, the Crown Grill Steakhouse, and an adults-only Sanctuary for relaxing.

Golden Gate Bridge

With a bowling alley, ten restaurants, a dozen bars, rock-climbing wall, and sports bar with games by day and cool lounging beds in the evenings, Norwegian Pearl has more than you can likely do in just five days. She sails from Vancouver on September 19 for Astoria, Oregon. Passengers can explore Astoria or visit the nearby Oregon beach towns. After a day at sea, she calls at San Francisco, and then spends another day at sea en route to Los Angeles, where she docks on September 24.

Cruisers who want a little more time to enjoy NCL’s Freestyle Dining and amenities can board Norwegian Star in Vancouver on October 2 for a 6-night cruise that visits Victoria, Astoria, and San Francisco. Norwegian Star was 14 lounges and bars, a two-level Mandara spa, 24-hour fitness center, and driving range.

Read about West Coast cruises on Holland America here.

Parliament Building Victoria B.C. image Flickr: WriterGal39
Golden Gate Bridge image Flickr: chadh

For residents of California, Washington, or Oregon, these repositioning cruises are a terrific value and a hassle-free way to enjoy everything that cruising has to offer – good food, entertainment, cool amenities, and a complete escape from the same old routine.

Victoria’s Inner Harbor

This September, there are five Holland American ships sailing down the Pacific coast from Vancouver to California. Known for their classic-style cruise ships, impressive art collections, and excellent service, Holland America also has innovative new programs and amenities that will make your days at sea stimulating and enjoyable.

The flagship of the line, Rotterdam VI, features one of the most exciting additions to Holland America ships in recent years – the Culinary Arts Center. This state-of-the-art exhibition kitchen is where you’ll go for cooking classes, wine tastings, demonstrations, and more. It’s a great facility that’s been a big hit with passengers. And it’s now available on all Holland America cruise ships.

Rotterdam VI leaves Vancouver on Sunday, September 19 and spends two days at sea before arriving in San Diego on Wednesday morning, September 22. Which means that you can have a relaxing mini-vacation and still be back at work by Thursday. At press time, Southern California residents could fly one-way to Vancouver for less than $200, and cruise fares were as low as $199 per person. So it’s very affordable.

Their Ryndam adds an extra day to the voyage, so if sea days are your thing, it’s a great choice. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the two pools, one of which is under a retractable glass dome, tennis, the spa, sauna, and steam bath. Like Rotterdam VI, she sails from Vancouver on September 19, but she doesn’t arrive in San Diego until Thursday, September 23 – giving you an extra night to enjoy a Broadway-style show in the Vermeer Show Lounge.

Bay Area residents can board Zuiderdam in Vancouver on Saturday, September 25 and disembark in San Francisco on Tuesday, September 28. With one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the Holland America fleet, Zuiderdam is a delight. The huge spa has a hydrotherapy pool, aroma therapy rooms, a sauna, steam room, and eleven treatment rooms. You can arrange to be pampered to your heart’s content. A variety of dining options make it possible eat in a different restaurant every night of your cruise.

Holland America’s Ryndam

On Sunday, September 26, Statendam sails from Vancouver bound for Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is a charming town, that’s very British in feel. Passengers can explore the Provincial Museum with it’s impressive totem poles and coastal art, visit the beautiful Empress Hotel on the Inner Harbor, or go for an optional tour of Butchart Gardens. She arrives in San Diego on September 30, following two days at sea.

Like Zuiderdam, Osterdam has lots of extra room and extensive spa facilities. And with two port calls and two sea days, her fall repositioning cruise offers a good balance of sightseeing and relaxing. Osterdam sails from Vancouver on Monday, September 27, so consider spending the weekend there before boarding the ship. She calls at Astoria, Oregon the next day. From there, you can take a side trip to Cannon Beach or Seaside. Passengers will have two days to enjoy the ship’s amenities before calling at Catalina Island. There’s plenty to do on Catalina, and in the surrounding water. Go for a snorkeling trip, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or do some shopping in Avalon. Osterdam arrives in San Diego on Saturday morning, October 2.

Victoria’s Inner Harbor Image Flickr: dbaron
Holland America’s Ryndam Image Flickr: wch14

On September 2, Silversea Silver Whisper leaves Southampton, and calls at Fowey, England the following day. Between Plymouth and Falmouth, Fowey is a rarely visited medieval port town with a pretty esplanade and great seafood. The following day, Silver Whisper calls at Waterford, Ireland. After four days at sea, she arrives in St. John’s Newfoundland, followed by another sea day, then Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Lobby of the MSC Poesia

Passengers will have a full day to explore the historic “cottages” of Newport, Rhode Island before disembarking in New York on September 14.

This 13-night voyage has a nice balance of port calls and time at sea, and Silver Whisper’s all-suite accommodations ensure that all passengers will be comfortable. The menus designed by chefs from Relais & Chateaux, and treatments and services at the Mandara Spa make the sea days especially enjoyable. And wines, Champagne, and other spirits are included in the cruise fare.

Sailing from Copenhagen on September 4, Costla Atlantica visits Bremerhaven, Germany, before calling at Harwich and Le Havre, France. After five days crossing the Atlantic, she visits Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Maine, Boston, Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island before arriving in New York on September 19. Passengers will have two nights in New York before disembarking on September 21.

With Carrara marble accents, a recreation of one of the most famous cafes on the Piazza San Marco in Venice, and the Via Veneto Lounge, Costa Atlantica is Italian through and through. Expect many of your fellow passengers to be European on this cruise.

Another European cruise line, MSC has a repositioning cruise on September 4. MSC Poesia sails from Kiel, Germany to Copenhagen, Denmark. After a sea day, she visits Southampton and Le Havre. Passengers will have half a day to explore Vigo, Spain, and then a full day in Lisbon before sailing for the Azores. The 13,000-sqare-foot-spa is a great place to unwind during the four days Poesia spends en route to Bermuda. She arrives at King’s Wharf at 8 in the morning on Saturday and sails on Sunday afternoon, giving passengers the opportunity to spend the evening ashore in Bermuda. She arrives in New York on Tuesday afternoon and docks for the night. Passengers disembark the next morning – September 22.

Crystal Serenity Tenders

The luxurious Crystal Symphony sails from Dover on September 5 and calls at Dublin, Reykjavik, Nuuk in Greenland, and Halifax, Nova Scotia before arriving in New York on September 19. With nine days at sea, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the shipboard amenities, including a wraparound teak promenade, a state-of-the-art spa, putting green, and paddle tennis court. Two alternative restaurants, one Italian and one Asian, provide plenty of dining variety.

Families with children will enjoy the voyage aboard Disney Magic, which sails from Barcelona on September 18. She has full days in Gibraltar and Funchal, Madeira, before spending five days sailing to the Caribbean. There, she visits St. Maarten, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, and Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas, which was voted the best private island in the Caribbean. Passengers leave the ship in Port Canaveral on October 2.

Although Disney cruises are designed for kids, adults enjoy the progressive dining program in which passengers change dining rooms several times during the course of the cruise. There are plenty of adults-only spaces on board. And kids’ programs and babysitting services ensure that parents have some alone time.

Find Princess transatlantic repositioning cruises.
Find Royal Caribbean transatlantic repositioning cruises.

Lobby of the MSC Poesia Image Flickr: Tambako the Jaguar
Crystal Serenity Tenders Image Flickr: Der Etienne

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

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

Crown Princess

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

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

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

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

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

Grand Princess

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

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

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

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

Find more Princess repositioning cruises here.

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

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.

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

Adventure of the Seas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Royal Promenade

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

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

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

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

Find more Royal Caribbean repositioning cruises here.

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

You can drive to San Pedro or San Diego, cruise for three, four, or seven nights and then fly back from Vancouver to Los Angeles. At press time, one-way fares were around $150.

So why not celebrate the start of spring with a little getaway.

NCL west coat repositioning cruises.

Norwegian Star

The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Pearl sails from Los Angeles on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Passengers on this cruise can eat in a different restaurant every night of their cruise. There’s a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant, a tapas bar, an Asian restaurant, and more. With a dozen bars and lounges, there are also plenty of places to wet your whistle, including Maltings which has the largest beer and single-malt Scotch menu at sea. Norwegian Pearl was the first cruise ship to have a bowling alley, and it has a rock-climbing wall and thalassotherapy pool. In the evening, comedy shows by the Second City improv group are hysterical.

After a day at sea, you’ll arrive in San Francisco, where you can explore Fisherman’s wharf, visit Chinatown, or tour Sausalito or Sonoma. After another day at sea, you’ll spend a day each in Astoria, Victoria, and Nanaimo, where you can take a trip on a 1929 steam train, or visit a grove of 800-year old Douglas fires. The cruise ends in Vancouver on Saturday, May 1. With four port calls, there’s lots to see and do on this voyage. Fares start at $599.

Victoria, BC

Similar to Norwegian Pearl, the 2,240-passenger Norwegian Star sails from Los Angeles on Saturday, May 1, 2010. With 12 restaurants and as many bars, there’s plenty of variety at meal time. And the 24-hour fitness center helps burn off the calories. This itinerary is perfect for those who also want to see some of the spectacular scenery of Alaska, because after three days at sea, she calls at Juneau and Ketchikan, and cruises the Inside Passage before arriving in Vancouver on May 8. Passengers can take a helicopter flight onto a glacier, take a whale-watching cruise, go fishing, enjoy a salmon bake, or take a wildlife-spotting excursion. Fares start at $599.

Princess Cruises west coast repositioning cruises.

Princess has three cruises to choose from. The 1,970-passenger Coral Princess is one of the line’s roomiest vessels. Ninety percent of her cabins are ocean view, and most of those have balconies. In addition to the main dining rooms, there’s Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and the Bayou Café steakhouse. The huge, poolside LCD screen is a passenger favorite. She sails from Los Angeles on Thursday, May 6, 2010, and calls at Victoria after two days at sea. Passengers leave the ship in Vancouver on Monday, May 10. Fares start at $399.

Golden Princess

The 2,006-passenger Golden Princess sails from Los Angeles on Sunday, May 9, 2010. With three showrooms and Movies Under the Stars out on deck, there’s plenty to do at night. And with four pools and nine whirlpools, you can soak up the sun on the day at sea. Golden Princess arrives in Catalina Island the first morning and overnights there, sailing at one the next afternoon. You can tour the island, go for a kayaking or rafting trip, play a round of golf, snorkel, SCUBA dive, or go for a glass-bottom boat ride. That evening, you can have dinner ashore, or pop into town for a night cap. The next day, you’ll arrive in San Francisco. You’ll have a full day there and in Victoria before arriving in Vancouver on Friday, May 14. Fares start at $449.

A sister ship to Coral Princess, the 1,970-passenger Island Princess sails from Los Angeles on Friday May 14, 2010 and arrives in Vancouver on Monday, May 17. There are no port calls, so this itinerary is a great choice for cruisers who love life at sea. Enjoy the shows at night, sleep in in the morning, and then have a relaxing day at the spa, pool, or art auction. Fares start at $349.

Find more west coast repositioning cruises here.

Norwegian Star Image Flickr: Tom Mascardo 1
Victoria BC Image Flickr: Dustin and Jenae
Golden Princess Image Flickr: anthony_goto

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