Cruise Bargains - Repositioning Cruises

During the Fall and Spring, cruise lines move fleets to warmer climate ports so ships will be ready to sail for the next cruise season.

In the Fall, cruise lines move their fleets from Europe to the U.S., Caribbean and South America and from Alaska and Vancouver to California. In the Spring, they move them in reverse.

You will pay far less per day when booking repositioning cruises, and have more days at sea – along with fewer ports of call – but you’ll still have the same access to cruise-ship amenities, including ample food, swimming pools and on-board entertainment.

Here’s an example of a few repositioning cruise prices:

Norwegian Cruise Line has a 14-night cruise from Venice, Italy, to New York, departing Oct. 30, with rates starting at $45 per day. The ship stops in Granada and Cadiz, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Rates start at $629 for an inside cabin, $949 for an ocean view, $1,289 for a balcony and $1,499 for a suite.

Carnival is offering a 16-night cruise from Barcelona to Galveston, departing Oct. 28, with rates starting at $50 per day. The ship stops in Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas and Grand Turk. Rates start at $799 for an inside cabin, $1,099 for an ocean view, $1,289 for a balcony and $2,439 for a suite.

Celebrity’s 17-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Baltimore start at $65 per day. The ship departs Oct. 1 and makes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Rates start at $1,099 for an inside cabin, $1,399 for an ocean view, $2,499 for a balcony and $2,699 for a suite.