“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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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) began offering week-long Caribbean cruises from Miami in 1966.  In 1979, they introduced the first “megaship,” the SS Norway, and they’ve never looked back.

NCL has been responsible for many popular cruising innovations, not the least of which is Freestyle Cruising, which lets passengers dine wherever, and whenever they like.  Not having to hew to any schedule provides NCL cruisers with the utmost freedom.

Their newest vessels have a wide range of dining options, from Spanish to Asian, and healthy options are always available.  Those not too concerned with health can indulge in the Chocoholic Buffet.

With their colorfully painted hulls, NCL’s ships are easy to spot in port or at sea.  Entertainment on board is spirited and fun.  Improvisational performances by Second City players are especially popular.    If they have an improv workshop while you’re aboard, go.

NCL offers a wide range of accommodations, and with their own private deck, pool, and exercise area, the Villas and Deluxe Owner’s Suite offer a ship-within-a-ship experience.

There’s a lot to do on board, including a full-size bowling alley and rock climbing.

Repositioning cruises on the Norwegian Gem.

The latest NCL ships – Jewel-Class ships – were designed to really facilitate the Freestyle cruising concept.  With more than a dozen dining venues, several theaters and nightclubs, and lots of recreational options, passengers are spoiled for choice.  In fact, on most itineraries, travelers can dine in a different restaurant every night of their cruise.

Launched in 2005, the 2,380-passenger Gem has some of the largest suites at sea, making them ideal for family groups.  The Garden Villas have three bedrooms, a combination living room/dining room, and private garden deck with hot tub.  Staterooms have in-room safes, small fridges, Ethernet ports, and small sitting areas.

The full-size, ten-pin bowling alley is the first on a modern cruise vessel.  And the spa’s thermal suites have whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms with ocean views.

On April 10, 2010, Norwegian Gem sails from New York and spends five days crossing the Atlantic.  After arriving in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, she calls at Lisbon, Cadiz, and Malaga, before ending the voyage in Venice on April 24.  This two-week sailing has a nice blend of sea days and port calls.

Repositioning cruises on the Norwegian Sun

One of the first generation of Freestyle ships, the Norwegian Sun has nine restaurants – including a tapas bar – an outdoor basketball court, 24-hour fitness center, cigar bar, and a large Internet café for staying in touch with the folks back home.

The Sports Bar lets fans keep up with their teams.  And golfers can play famous courses with the simulator.

On April 26, 2010 Norwegian Sun sails from Miami.  After six days crossing the Atlantic, she arrives in Ponta Delgada, and then visits Lisbon, Vigo and La Coruna.  After more port calls in Le Havre (for Paris) and Zeebrugge, Belgium, she arrives in Dover on May 11.

Repositioning cruises on the Norwegian Spirit.

Once part of NCL sister company Star Cruises’ fleet, the 1,966-passenger Norwegian Spirit has French, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese restaurants in addition to the Mediterranean Bistro.  There’s also a Champagne Bar.

Cabins have amenities like stocked mini bars and memory-foam topped mattresses.   Almost 70% of the cabins are ocean view and 70% of those have balconies.  Suites have whirlpool tubs and DVD players.

Facilities for kids are better than on most ships, making the Spirit very family friendly.  And Buccaneer’s Wet & Wild water park has slides, caves, and other fun places to explore.

Norwegian Spirit spends the summer sailing from Boston to Bermuda, so she does not offer a transatlantic repositioning cruise.  But she does reposition in April for the start of the Bermuda season.

She leaves New Orleans on April 11 and calls at Costa Maya, Mexico and Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala.  She spends two days at sea en route to Aruba and Curacao, and then visits Hamilton, Bermuda before disembarking passengers in Boston on April 23.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

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MSC started out as a cargo shipping company. In the late 1980s, they began carrying passengers, and today, they’re one of the fastest growing cruise lines in the world – with one of the newest fleets.

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.

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