“Bigger is better” seems to be the Royal Caribbean motto. Over the years, a RCCL ship has frequently been the biggest cruise vessel in the world. And today, the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas holds that distinction.

Royal Caribbean’s cruises appeal to active travelers who want to have unique experiences. In fact, when you return from a Royal Caribbean cruise, you may need a vacation. There’s never a dull moment aboard these popular ships. And there are plenty of activities for people in every age group. From the rock climbing wall to the surfing pool, these ships are built for fun and excitement. Ice skating rinks, boxing rings, and surfing simulators are just some of the innovations you’ll find on board.

Their shore excursions also provide lots of opportunities to hike, bike, parasail, and “get out there.” If you want to swim with sting rays, dolphins, or other aquatic creatures, Royal Caribbean has you covered.

Programs and facilities for children and teens keep them out of their parents’ hair. And these days, most ships have adults-only pools and hot tubs.

Royal Caribbean has many ships that spend the summer in the Mediterranean, so there are several transatlantic repositioning cruises to choose from.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Vision of the Seas.

One of Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class ships, Vision of the Seas is a light, airy ship with lots of skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. Passengers gather in the atrium lobby where there’s a Champagne bar and live music.

The two-story main dining room and Windjammer buffet serve a variety of international dishes, depending on the itinerary. And burgers are available at the pool-side grill.

The indoor solarium pool adjacent to the spa and fitness center is nice on cooler days.

Cabins have small sitting areas and private safes. Some of the inside cabins even have windows overlooking the Promenade. Mini suites have balconies, bathtubs, and mini bars.

Vision of the Seas sails from Sao Paulo, Brazil on April 5, 2010 and visits Rio de Janeiro and Salvador before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. A week later, she arrives in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. She calls at Funchal and Cadiz before disembarking passengers in Lisbon on April 19.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Navigator of the Seas.

With an ice-skating rink, miniature golf course, in-line skating track, volleyball court, basketball court, and golf simulator, Navigator of the Seas will appeal to sports-minded cruisers — who can soothe their aching muscles with a variety of treatments in the full-service spa.

In addition to the main dining rooms and Windjammer, there are two alternative restaurants — Portofino Italian restaurant and Chops Grille steakhouse.

On April 10, 2010, Navigator of the Seas leaves Miami and spends the next week crossing the Atlantic. After the transit, she calls at Tenerife, Barcelona, Nice, and Florence before ending the cruise in Rome on April 24.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Independence of the Seas.

As a Freedom Class ship, Independence of the Seas has everything passengers could want at a land-based resort — lots of activities, entertainment, and dining options. From the water park to the whirlpools that extend out over the ocean, Independence was designed to impress. And she does.

Passengers can enjoy burgers at Johnny Rockets, pizza from Sorrentos, fine Italian dining at Portofino, or steak at Chops Grille. And Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream is a nice pool-side treat. The lively Promenade is filled with shops and places to wet your whistle.

Cabins have flat-screen TVs and WiFi Internet access. Three quarters of the outside cabins have balconies.

Independence of the Seas sails from Fort Lauderdale on April 11, 2010. After crossing the Atlantic, she visits Ponta Delgada, Portugal, Funchal, Lisbon, and Vigo before disembarking passengers in Southampton on April 25.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises on Voyager of the Seas.

A sister ship of Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas was the first of the Voyager Class vessels. She was the first ship to have a television studio and a full-size basketball court.

Passengers can play some of the world’s most famous courses in the golf simulator or enjoy a smoke in the cigar club. There are two venues for teens only — the Living Room and Fuel Dance Club. Adventure Ocean has plenty of activities for younger kids.

Voyager of the Seas leaves Galveston on April 18 and calls at Nassau in the Bahamas before heading for Europe. After arriving in Ponta Delgada, she visits Malaga and Catagena before ending the voyage in Barcelona on May 2.

Fine more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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