repositioning cruises to new zealand

Repositioning cruises 2024 and 2025: Save money with these unusual itineraries

Looking for a cruise where you can truly kick back and take advantage of onboard amenities without getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of a different port of call every day? Consider a repositioning cruise.

Repositioning cruises are the name for one-way sailings that bring the ship to a new home port or a different part of the world to kick-start a new cruise season. Because these sailings often cross oceans, you'll likely experience ports in more than one cruise region — and have ample sea days to take advantage of the spa, dining and entertainment options on board.

All the major cruise lines offer the occasional repositioning cruises, typically on ships that usually sail in destinations with shorter seasons, such as Alaska or the Mediterranean . Here, we answer all your questions about repositioning cruises.

Note: Listed fares were accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What is a repositioning cruise?

Cruise ships chase warm and sunny climates, so they often move, or "reposition," from one part of the world to another when chilly weather sets in. Cruise lines don't want to sail a ghost ship, one carrying only crew and no passengers, across the ocean because it's wasting an opportunity to earn money. They have figured out that by discounting rates, they can fill the cabins on these oddball itineraries.

Repositioning cruises are never round-trip sailings. Your origin and destination cities — or, in cruise-speak , embarkation and disembarkation ports — will not be the same. You might sail out of Florida and arrive in Barcelona or Southampton, England, allowing you to explore two continents on one vacation. Or, you might simply sail from Boston to Florida or from San Diego to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Repositioning cruises are known for having a greater-than-average number of days spent at sea, but it's not as if you never get off the ship. On a transatlantic sailing , port stops could be in Spain's Canary Islands or Portugal's Azores islands. A repositioning cruise from Southern California to Vancouver before the Alaska cruise season might sail up the Pacific Coast and visit cities like San Francisco and Astoria, Oregon.

Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise

Another aspect that makes a repositioning cruise different from a typical sailing is that many of these itineraries are longer than a week. (This is by design. It takes longer to sail from Florida to Europe than it does to sail to and from the Caribbean .) Still, there is a lot of flexibility, just as with booking any cruise. The shortest you'll find is four or five days (for example, Southern California to Vancouver) and the longest is around 28 nights (yes, almost an entire month, usually between continents).

Are repositioning cruises one-way?

Yes, repositioning cruises are one-way voyages that start in one region and end in another. Because they happen when a cruise ship switches destinations based on seasonality, these sailings often involve travel to a different part of the world, which can result in many consecutive days at sea.

Where and what time of year do cruise ships reposition?

The good news is you can book a repositioning cruise nearly six months out of the year, spanning mid-spring and mid-fall months, which are the cruise lines' shoulder seasons.

Because repositioning cruises are not all tied to the same destination, this only widens your options in terms of geography. To envision where these will sail and when, you need to know a destination's cruise season.

Take Europe as an example. The majority of Mediterranean and Baltic sailings take place in the spring through the early fall. Europe-based ships flee the region during the winter, spending November through March in the warm Caribbean. Therefore, a ship will need to travel from the Caribbean to Europe in spring and return to the Caribbean by fall. Look for transatlantic repositioning cruises during those changeover months.

Related: From Alaska to the Panama Canal: Here are 9 of TPG's favorite fall cruise itineraries

Some ships stay in the Caribbean year-round and only reposition when the cruise line chooses to move them to a different home port. However, ships sailing short seasons in Alaska, South America, Canada/New England and Europe will always be repositioned at least twice a year.

Due to increased cruise itineraries in the Middle East and Asia over the last decade, you might also find a repositioning cruise departing or returning to either of those regions. For example, MSC Cruises offers cruises from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Genoa, Italy, in April prior to sailing European itineraries in the spring and summer. Just be prepared to be away from home for a long time. The aforementioned sailing lasts about three weeks — a long trek through the Suez Canal, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, by way of Egypt.

Note: Many cruise lines have canceled or altered their 2024 Middle East itineraries due to unrest in the region.

What happens on a repositioning cruise?

On many repositioning cruises, you will not get off the ship as often as you might on a typical sailing because there are no ports in the middle of the ocean you're crossing. These itineraries often feature a string of sea days, so be prepared to spend more time and money on board.

Some people love port-intensive cruises so they can quickly check off a list of countries and only unpack once. But if you prefer leisurely, lazy days, then a transoceanic repositioning cruise might be your ticket to utopia. This huge stretch of time is a great opportunity to crack open books you've been meaning to read, launch into a knitting project or finally have time for daily workouts.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Programming — such as comedy nights, fitness classes, boutique shopping, art auctions, wine tastings and evening shows — are as much a part of a repositioning cruise as any other sailing, only you might be able to take in a whole lot more than you normally would. Some cruise lines organize themed sailings or invite guest lecturers on board for extra sea day activities.

You also might want to consider springing for a cruise line's all-inclusive beverage package on a repositioning cruise. You'll get better value than usual from the price because you'll be ordering most of your drinks on board due to fewer port stops.

Another worthwhile splurge is a balcony cabin . You'll have easy access to fresh air without the top-deck crowds and can enjoy the romance of gazing out at the seemingly endless ocean. Just be sure to pack a sweater or sweatshirt because shoulder seasons in these climates are not necessarily sunbathing weather.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a repositioning cruise?

When you book a repositioning cruise, you'll likely be on board for at least two weeks, allowing enough time for the ship to sail between where it's currently based and its new home port. Sometimes the voyage can be even longer, and it's likely you won't have more than five or six port stops during that time.

That means lots of days on board, many of them consecutive. It's an advantage for anyone who enjoys relaxing at sea and doesn't mind exploring the ship for days at a time without touching land; it's a disadvantage for anyone who sees cruises as merely transportation to explore new places.

An advantage of repositionings is the price, which is often cheaper than what you'd pay for a round-trip sailing of the same length or which has more port days built into the schedule. However, the cost of the potentially expensive one-way or open-jaw flights needed before and after a repositioning cruise could eat up most of the money you'd save by booking that type of voyage.

Do you need a passport for a repositioning cruise?

Yes. The only time you don't need a passport to cruise is if you're booked on a closed-loop sailing — a voyage that departs from and returns to the same port within the U.S. Since repositioning cruises don't leave from and return to the same port, the exception won't apply, and you'll need a passport in order to board the ship.

Are repositioning cruises cheaper than other cruises?

It depends on the sailings to which you're comparing them, but repositioning cruises are often relatively affordable. Even though repositioning sailings can often be two to three weeks in length, you might find that they're less expensive than a regular weeklong voyage that begins and ends in the same port of call. That's because repositioning cruises offer mostly sea days, during which you'll be enjoying the ship instead of lounging on the beach or exploring museums.

How to score repositioning cruise deals

More often than not, a repositioning cruise is a good deal because it costs much less per night than a typical sailing. This is because the one-way, sea day-heavy itineraries are less desirable to the majority of cruisers, and they take place during slower travel seasons.

Related: 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Travelers who live near the embarkation or debarkation ports can save even more by only having to buy a one-way plane ticket rather than a full round trip.

Repositioning cruises can be tricky to find on booking sites. They often are referred to as repositioning cruises or transatlantic or transpacific cruises. When ships reposition between ports in the U.S. and Canada, the one-off one-way itineraries might not be labeled anything special beyond Caribbean or Pacific Coast cruises.

Not all of the cruise line or online travel agency booking pages have an option to check a box and search for repositioning cruises. If you can't find what you're looking for, do an online search for the term and the cruise line you wish to sail. Even better, call a travel agent or the cruise line's booking staff directly, and they can help you find the repositioning cruise that's best for you.

What are the best 2024 repositioning cruises?

14-night transatlantic on carnival glory.

This two-week repositioning voyage on Carnival Cruise Line 's Carnival Glory departs Barcelona on April 18 and offers just four port calls. The sailing will visit Valencia, Malaga and Las Palmas in Spain, as well as Bermuda, before reaching Port Canaveral, near Orlando, which is the ship's seasonal home base in Florida.

Prices start from $649 per person for an inside cabin.

15-night transatlantic on Rotterdam

On Oct. 12, Holland America 's newest ship, Rotterdam , sets sail on a transatlantic repositioning from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Florida's Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Those ports bookend calls on Bruges, Belgium; Le Havre and Brest, France; England's Isle of Portland; Bermuda; and Half Moon Cay, the line's private island in the Bahamas.

Prices begin at $2,074 per person for an inside cabin.

14-night transatlantic on Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Cruise Line 's Norwegian Escape will relocate from the Mediterranean to Miami on Nov. 26, offering a repositioning cruise that begins in Barcelona. It calls on Cartagena and Malaga, Spain; Madeira, Portugal; Antigua; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and NCL's private island , Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas along the way.

Fares start at $829 per person for an inside cabin.

16-night Panama Canal transit on Seven Seas Grandeur

For a repositioning sailing that transits one of the world's most impressive modern engineering marvels and offers lots of port stops, check out Regent Seven Seas ' 16-night Panama Canal crossing on Seven Seas Grandeur . Departing from Miami on Dec. 13, passengers can check out Grand Cayman before enjoying calls on Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Antigua; and Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, before reaching Los Angeles.

Prices for this voyage on Seven Seas Grandeur, which is an all-inclusive, all-suite vessel, start at $10,499 per person.

What are the best 2025 repositioning cruises?

15-night transatlantic on wind spirit.

Windstar Cruises ' Wind Spirit, a masted sailing ship, is repositioning from Barbados to Lisbon, Portugal, on Feb. 22, 2025. However, you'll only want to book this voyage if you're interested in sailing vessels or you're not easily bored. The ship is small, and there are no port calls on the schedule.

Prices start from $2,399 per person for a room with a window.

23-night Panama Canal on Coral Princess

For a lengthy voyage that will allow you to sail from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to Mexico and then up the California coast before arriving in Canada, check out Princess Cruises ' Coral Princess. Beginning April 10, 2025, the ship is featuring a cruise that's longer than three weeks as it repositions to Vancouver for a season of Alaska sailings .

Fares begin at $1,593 per person for an inside cabin. If you're short on time, you can opt instead for a shorter voyage of 16 nights that also begins on April 10 and ends in Los Angeles before the ship moves on to Canada. Fares for the shorter cruise start from $1,048 per person for inside accommodations.

17-night French Polynesia and Hawaii on Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Edge will relocate from its base in Sydney on April 14, 2025. Its ultimate destination is Vancouver, where it will be stationed for a series of Alaska voyages. On its way, it will take passengers on a 17-night trip to experience the beauty of French Polynesia before concluding the sailing in Honolulu. Port calls include Paihia and Auckland in New Zealand and Raiatea, Papeete and Moorea in French Polynesia.

Rates start at $1,574 per person for an inside cabin.

14-night transatlantic on Odyssey of the Seas

On April 27, 2025, Royal Caribbean 's Odyssey of the Seas is repositioning from Bayonne's Cape Liberty port in New Jersey to Rome. There are only five port stops — Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Malaga, Cartagena and Valencia, Spain; and La Spezia, the port for Cinque Terre in Italy — mixed in among the sea days. However, this Quantum Class vessel has plenty to keep cruisers busy on board. Amenities include surfing and skydiving simulators, bumper cars and a robotic arm that holds a glass-enclosed observation sphere for excellent ocean views.

Fares begin at $829 per person for an inside cabin.

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring travel through photography

Repositioning Cruises: Are they right for you?

Turning fantasy into reality, we boarded a ship and sailed away. Traditional turnaround cruises bring us back to where we started. Repositioning cruises take us out into the world, letting us make our own way back.

If you love cruising as much as we do, there is no better way to travel. While we love them, repositioning cruises aren’t for everyone. Below we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. And for us, the advantages far outweigh the down sides. See if you agree.

What are repositioning cruises?

Cruise ships generally sail in warm weather. Therefore, at the end of a season, they often move from their home port to one in a warmer region. The cruise ship lines take passengers and call these one-way sailings repositioning cruises or relocation cruises.

With more days at sea, few stops, and different start and end ports, they often are harder to fill than traditional cruises, so the price is generally substantially less.

To make them more attractive to passengers, repositioning cruises offer all the same amenities as turnaround cruises and usually stop at several exotic and less-visited ports between the two host cities.

Advantages of a repositioning cruise

• Lower cost . And not just a little lower. The average daily cost of a typical repositioning cruise is less than half of a turnaround cruise.
• Generally, repositioning cruises are less crowded . As they often sail below capacity, there are fewer passengers. However, the staff size is the same, resulting in a higher staff-to-passenger ratio and the illusion of better service.
• Only have to unpack once . This is an advantage of all cruising.
• Exotic ports of call . Tahiti, Moorea, Kauai, Aruba, Cartegena, American Samoa, and Puntarenas Costa Rica are amongst the more exotic ports we have visited on repositioning cruises.
• Longer-term onboard activities and lessons . On the Golden Princess, we took daily lessons and learned to play the ukulele. On other repositioning cruises, we have taken lessons in watercolour painting, ballroom and tango dancing, portrait photography, and more.
• Better enrichment and lecture series . Topics we have enjoyed include blogging, stargazing, and nature, including local birdlife.
• More laid-back atmosphere . While we love port days, back-to-back, day after day, they become exhausting, whereas several consecutive days at sea can be quite relaxing.

More advantages of repositioning cruises

• Longer cruise options for those who want a truly relaxing opportunity. The repositioning cruises crossing the world’s oceans are generally more than two weeks in length.
• Shorter cruise options are perfect for those who need a break from life or first-timers. We took a 3-day repositioning cruise on the Island Princess from Los Angeles to Vancouver. The per-person cost was less than $53 per day.
• Starting and ending at different ports . I realize some people find this a negative, but we love the opportunity to explore the two cities at each of the ends by staying longer.
• You get to really know the ship . More time onboard means more time to explore.

• Often only one long flight . As the ships start and end in different parts of the world, passengers may live close to one end. We sailed home on one cruise.
• It’s a vacation . As travel bloggers, vacation and downtime is something we often don’t get when we travel. While I am writing this, my percentage of play-to-work time on a repositioning cruise is much higher than normal.

Where can transition cruises take me?

Cruise ships cross every ocean, generally repositioning in the off-seasons of spring and autumn. In addition to seasonal temperatures, there are hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon seasons to avoid. The best time to cruise depends on the region.

Ships repositioning for the southern hemisphere summer (December to February)

October is the optimal time to find ships repositioning to Australia or New Zealand. November repositioning cruises tend to head towards the Caribbean, Florida, and South America, whereas the few repositioning cruises in December are also going to the Caribbean and Florida. In January and February, one can find a few ships relocating to Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa, southern Europe, and South America.

Ships relocate to the northern hemisphere as its summer approaches (June to August)

In March and April, ships head to Europe, including the Mediterranean (which has a second sailing season starting in September). In late May, cruise ships sail to Alaska, Canada, or London. June and July bring ships back to New York. Meanwhile, in August, they head to Boston, Montreal, and Japan.

Nothing’s Perfect: disadvantages of repositioning cruises

Now that we have been on three repositioning cruises, we find it difficult to find true disadvantages. In reality, it depends on who you are and what you want. Here is a list of complaints we have heard.

• The longer voyage may be difficult for people with a limited number of vacation days. However, many people, myself included, find a longer cruise to be an advantage.
• Repositioning cruises often attract an older crowd . Similar to the above, this is often because retired passengers have more free time. While some find this a disadvantage, I don’t agree. In fact, we meet fascinating people of all ages on cruise ships. With age comes experience, and well-travelled people often have the best stories.
• Too many sea days . Again, a negative to some and a positive to others. Either way, there is not much to see on the water. . . except for the sunrise, sunset, and occasional dolphins.

More disadvantages of repositioning cruises

• Fewer sailings to choose from . While turnaround cruises go back and forth, thus offering many sail dates, each repositioning cruise schedule happens only once per year per ship. And they are typically off-season.
• More days at sea often means more spending at sea . If you gamble, play bingo, drink without purchasing a drink card, indulge in fancy coffee, eat in speciality restaurants, spend time in the spa, or attend and shop at art auctions, more time onboard can equal more spending. For us, we tend to spend more money onshore, so we find sea days to be less expensive.
• People with certain medical conditions might not want to be away from a shore for so long.
• Weight gain from too many days at sea . Really, this one is on you.
• Environmental responsibility . Today, many cruise lines have made vast improvements in this area.

Major cruise lines’ environmental policies

It is with good reason that people worry about the impact these large cruise ships have on the environment. In some areas, laws are changing, like the 2019 prevention of large cruise ships into Venice harbour . Today, many of the major lines have environmental policies to help minimize any potential damage. Here are the policies of some of the major cruise lines.

• Princess Cruise Lines on environmental responsibility (Owned by Carnival but has its own policy)
• Royal Caribbean says protecting the environment is everyone’s business (including Azamara, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean)
• Norweigan Cruise Lines’ environmental commitment (owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands)
• Carnival Cruise Lines’ commitment to environmental management (they own Princess, Costa, Cunard, and Holland America)
• Disney Cruises (owned by The Walt Disney Company)

Repositioning cruise tips

• Read reviews on your ship before you book . Every ship is different, and each attracts a different kind of person. Whether you are a solo traveller, a retired couple, or a family with young kids, you have certain needs and desires. Make sure your ship meets these.
• Resist the temptation to book early . Relocation cruises rarely sell out. In fact, cruise lines often have trouble filling them. The longer you wait, often the lower the cost.
• Repositioning cruises are not ideal for first-time cruisers. However, if you can’t resist the lower cost, we recommend looking for a shorter repositioning option. We took a 3-day Los Angeles to Vancouver cruise.
• Choose a cabin near the centre of the ship or on a lower deck if you are subject to seasickness . While this really applies to all cruises, transpacific or transatlantic repositioning cruises with open ocean crossings can sail through rougher seas; although, with the ship’s stabilizers on, you may not even notice the swells.
• Don’t let dessert tempt you every night . If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to read these tips for eating onboard without gaining weight.

• Book traditional dining and make some friends on board . Traditional dining is dinner at a reserved table with the same people each night, allowing you to really get to know some of your shipmates. Many cruises offer an Anytime dining option with no reservations and with or without meeting other guests.
• Bring a book , or better yet, bring a Kindle loaded with several reading options.
• Pack light . Another tip that applies to every cruise, and for us, all travel. There are a few extra things you need on a cruise. So you don’t miss anything, sign up for our newsletter and get our free packing light checklist for cruise travel .

Want more tips? Check out these tips for all cruises or these cruise packing tips .

Ready to check out repositioning cruises for yourself? Start here:

Nearly every cruise line out there offer repositioning cruises, as they don’t want their ships to sit idle in the off-season. To date, we have thoroughly enjoyed three Princess repositioning cruises and have had great experiences sailing with Azamara , Royal Caribbean , and NCL . If you are ready to give them a try:

Don’t forget travel insurance

We purchase insurance that covers medical and travel emergencies when we head overseas. We use a travel insurance aggregator that gives us a free and easy-to-read comparison of the inclusions of each policy.

Perhaps there’s a correlation between my favourite quote ( usually attributed to Mark Twain ) and a repositioning cruise. “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Click here for the list of the travel resources that we use to save money and simplify travel planning.

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Will you try a repositioning cruise? Where will it take you?

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About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

December 1, 2022 at 6:40 am

Very informative article! Thank you for posting it.

(Your quote is from H. Jackson Brown, Jr. and not Mark Twain, though.)

Kim Gonzalez

December 2, 2019 at 1:26 am

Rhonda, great article! My husband and I have always shied away from cruises, but we’re considering a repositioning one as a means to move to Spain. Big question: would we be able to take 2 large suitcases each on board? Also, what is considered booking too early? We’re looking at an April cruise. Thanks for your help.

August 24, 2019 at 12:28 am

Good overview. Since we come back from every cruise thinking we would have enjoyed more sea days, we’ve been considering a repositioning cruise for a while. I think it’s just down to which one, now. Finding one that stops in Moorea would be a done deal! 😁

Rhonda Albom

August 24, 2019 at 8:25 am

Check out the cruises from Los Angeles to Auckland to Sydney – that’s the one that stopped in Moorea for us.

Aaren Prody

August 22, 2019 at 4:11 am

I’ve never thought I would be a cruise kind of gal, but this has really piqued my interest! I had no clue that you could do that AND Mo’orea is really high on my radar right now! I loved this informative post and I will for sure reference it later for a future trip (:

Diana Tormey

August 21, 2019 at 7:54 pm

Definitely a must try – and must try soon! Thanks for a great blog.

beatravelling

August 21, 2019 at 8:42 am

I had no idea what a repositioning cruise was, now I know 🙂 Sounds like a really good idea! I might reconsider going on a cruise again.

August 20, 2019 at 8:20 pm

Great post and great advice. Repositioning cruises are certainly worth looking into.

August 20, 2019 at 5:48 pm

I’ve never been on a cruise, nor did I know about repositioning curises, this was a very detailed and extensive post, thanks!

August 18, 2019 at 10:16 pm

I had never thought of repositioning cruises so found your article really interesting. I have done some cruises but can’t sit still very long so need lots of thing to do. These could be a great way to force yourself to relax.

August 18, 2019 at 11:24 am

I have always wanted to do one of these! I think there is even one that bloggers do as a networking event!

August 18, 2019 at 10:34 am

Very cool! I had not heard of repositioning cruises before, so I had no idea that cruises could be so cheap. I also like the idea of starting and finishing in different places.

My main issue would be the pollution the ships cause. That is the only reason I haven’t really considered a holiday on a cruise…

August 18, 2019 at 5:01 pm

Cruise ships are making major changes to help protect our environment. I used to share your concerns. That’s why I included the section above linking to each of the major cruise lines current environmental policies.

August 18, 2019 at 3:22 am

I’ve never done a cruise, but I’ve often thought that a trans-atlantic repositioning cruise would be the way to go! I could do with some down time. 🙂

Laureen Lund

August 18, 2019 at 2:49 am

We don’t cruise often but we have done two repositioning cruises. Although both were surprisingly crowded, we found the days at sea very relaxing and living on board for an extended time (24 days Sydney to Seattle) a very memorable experience.

Traveling Blondie

August 18, 2019 at 2:08 am

I’ve been on two cruises this year with my third being my honeymoon coming up next month … three in one year!!!!

August 18, 2019 at 1:25 am

This post is so helpful. We’ve been considering doing one of these for a while. We don’t cruise very often. I like how you describe the advantages and disadvantages. Keeping this post for future reference.

Obligatory Traveler

August 18, 2019 at 1:07 am

Thanks for the great information. I feel like a re-positioning cruise might be right for me. I like the sound of extra days at sea and the more laid back feel. Exotic ports sound fun too. It would be nice not to have the heavy hustle and bustle of a more traditional cruise.

Jenn | By Land and Sea

August 18, 2019 at 12:18 am

I can only handle one day at sea, so I’m not sure I could do a repositioning cruise. But, who knows – one day I could change my mind!

August 17, 2019 at 9:10 pm

Cruises have never appealed to me because of the short amount of time you get to spend in each port. This is a completely different take on cruising and one that has me thinking, for the first time ever, that I would like to try! Very informative, especially for people like me who have no clue about cruises!

August 17, 2019 at 4:57 am

This is a new concept for me. It sounds like a great way to take a cruise and save money! I don’t plan to cruise due to how easily I get seasick, but I can see that a repositioning cruise would be a great choice for many reasons.

August 16, 2019 at 4:55 pm

I love cruise ship amenities!! So I would love a cruise with more sea days! I need to look more into these

August 16, 2019 at 12:23 pm

I’ve never been on a cruise full stop. We are looking at booking one for next year that goes past New Caledonia.

August 16, 2019 at 1:44 am

I didn’t know about this, but for sure is something I would love to try, I don’t care about exotic stops that much so this is perfect for us

Marvin Sowers

August 15, 2019 at 11:48 pm

This is a great summary of repositioning cruising pros and cons! We love repositioning cruises because of the cost and the extended sea days. Our favorite so far has been a cruise from Sydney to Honolulu. We may have to do that one again! Will be posting this article on our Retirees On The Go Facebook page!

alexandra cook

August 15, 2019 at 4:47 pm

This is my first time to hear about repositioning cruises and i like the fact that it will give us a chance to have a longer cruise experience. I will def add this on my list.

August 15, 2019 at 4:09 pm

This is the first I’m hearing of repositioning cruises. I’ve been on a couple of cruises and they were both music cruises. This cruise sounds really awesome. I’m sure there are drawbacks like you mentioned, but it seems the pros outweigh the cons. I’ll definitely look into repositioning cruises.

Jasmine Hewitt

August 15, 2019 at 12:09 pm

i’ve never been entirely keen on going on a cruise. often they sail to impoverished countries. but hey, its something i’m sure a lot of people like!

August 15, 2019 at 12:04 pm

My husband and I have always wanted to go on one! But we don’t know which cruise line and what time, etc; this is very helpful.

L. Diane Wolfe

August 15, 2019 at 9:47 am

We’ve been talking about taking another cruise. We’ll have to discuss the possibility of a one-way cruise.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

August 15, 2019 at 4:36 am

Fifty-three bucks a day? Wow, we need to look for one of those cruises.

August 15, 2019 at 4:35 am

Don’t think I will ever take a cruise, but I would like to take the BC Ferry trip through the inside passage some day. – Margy

Candace Moczarski

August 15, 2019 at 12:11 am

honestly thank you for sharing all this info I never knew we like to take a cruise every few years and I have learned so much from your post. very informative

August 17, 2019 at 7:23 am

$53 a day?! Seems like a dream come true. I love the idea of extended sea days! Thanks for all the info!

August 14, 2019 at 10:32 pm

Thanks for all the valuable and insightful information. I’ve always considered taking a repositioning cruise because of the value for the money. However, not sure I could stay at sea so many days.

Kat&Phil

August 14, 2019 at 4:07 pm

We’ve been hearing more and more about these ‘repositioning cruises’. They definitely sound right up our alley! Thanks for the additional resources!

August 14, 2019 at 1:55 pm

I’ve never heard of repositioning cruises before, but it definitely makes sense! I would get on one for sure!

kumamonjeng

August 14, 2019 at 12:09 pm

I have been to cruise once in my life and it is cruise to nowhere. It did not stop anywhere for us to go down. But I still enjoy so much my days in the cruise, eating good food and the entertainment.

August 14, 2019 at 10:40 am

If cruising works for you then it’s a good thing. I did enjoy meeting my blogging friends, but the cruise wasn’t all that great.

Have a fabulous day and week, Rhonda. ♥

Andrea Peacock

August 18, 2019 at 12:15 pm

I’ve never been on a cruise before, but it does seem like it could be fun, especially stopping at some of the cool places you mentioned! That is nice about the repositioning cruises being cheaper too!

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P&O’s Pacific Explorer Sets Sail on Repositioning Cruise to New Zealand

• June 24, 2023

The Pacific Explorer is sailing from Australia today on a six-night repositioning cruise to Auckland, New Zealand.

Ahead of P&O Australia’s first post-pandemic season in the country, the vessel sets sail from Darwin, according to a company information.

In addition to four full days at sea, the one-way cruise also includes a visit to Norfolk Island, a less visited destination located between New Zealand and New Caledonia.

Upon arriving in Auckland on June 30, the Pacific Explorer is set to kick off a series of cruises departing from the Kiwi port.

Extending through late November, the program features three- to 13-night itineraries to different destinations, such as Fiji and the South Pacific.

On July 30, the Pacific Explorer sets sail from Auckland for a nine-night voyage to Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Named “Pacific Island Hopper,” the itinerary features visits to four destinations in the region, such as Noumea, Lifou and Mistery Island.

The Pacific Explorer is also offering short cruises to nowhere during its local season, in addition to domestic itineraries in New Zealand that feature visits to Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin and the Fiordland National Park.

On November 24, the 1,998-guest vessel also pays a visit to Oban, on Steward Island. Located on New Zealand’s southern coast, the unusual cruise destination is only scheduled to receive four mainstream ships this year.

Following its program in New Zealand, the Pacific Explorer repositions to Melbourne, in Australia, for the 2023-2024 season.

The ship is scheduled to return to Auckland in July 2024 for a new series of cruises departing from the New Zealand homeport.

Originally built for Princess Cruises, the Pacific Explorer first entered service in 1997. Transferred to brand following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, the 77,000-ton vessel has been in service for P&O Cruises Australia since 2017 .

Among its many features and facilities is a complete waterpark, with two large waterslides, a barefoot lawn bowling green and a wide range of dining options.

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Roaming Around the World

Travel Guides, Tips, and Tales

Repositioning Cruises: Everything You Need to Know

March 14, 2023 By John Widmer 11 Comments

As we’ve now spent more than a half year (189 days) in total living as passengers aboard twelve different repositioning cruises, we love explaining these unique cruises to other travelers. Yet upon first mentioning the concept of these seasonal one-way voyages, we’re often asked:

What is a Repositioning Cruise?

So we’ve written this detailed article to explain exactly what repositioning cruises are. We’re here to dish out all the comprehensive info and reveal all of our repositioning cruise travel tips from first-hand experience of regularly utilizing these lengthy oceanic voyages to journey around the globe.

We have a true passion for taking repositioning cruises, as they have become our primary means of transportation when traveling from one continent to another. We find it to be a fantastic method of slower travel, all while indulging in affordable luxury and visiting exotic ports along the way.

In fact, we even traveled entirely around the world without flights, by instead using repositioning cruises, and did so on a surprisingly low budget of about $60 per day! After all, repositioning cruises are regularly found at highly discounted rates that can be an ultimate travel bargain. We hope you’ll see throughout this article what a great travel deal repositioning cruises can be. That is… if you know how to find the deals and when to book. We’ll get to all that!

Repositioning cruises can actually be somewhat of a complex concept. But we’re here to break it all down and explain all the info you need to know about repositioning cruises.

• 🔍 Understand: How & Why Repositioning Cruises Are Formed
• 📜 A Brief History of Repositioning Cruises
• 👍 Benefits of Taking a Repositioning Cruise
• 🗓️ When Is the Best Time to Take a Repositioning Cruise?
• 🌍 Where Do Repositioning Cruises Go?
• 🤔 Common Misconceptions of Repositioning Cruises
• 💰 How Much Do Repositioning Cruises Cost?
• ⚠️ Potential Drawbacks to Repositioning Cruises: How to Overcome
• 💡 Travel Tips for Taking a Repositioning Cruise

What Is a Repositioning Cruise?

A repositioning cruise is a one-way voyage that a cruise ship takes when it moves from one region to another for seasonality changes or other logistical reasons.

Rather than move an empty cruise ship from one location to another, the cruise lines create a repositioning cruise by offering passengers a chance to join these unique voyages.

As the cruise line transfers a ship to the next region, they are repositioning the cruise  ship from one area to another. Hence the etymology of repositioning cruise . Repositioning cruises are also known as “repo cruises” and are occasionally referred to as “relocation cruises.” It’s all the same thing.

Repositioning cruises are typically offered at a discounted rate and can be an affordable way to travel between different regions or continents. The routes of repositioning cruises are almost never direct cruises. Instead, there are typically interesting ports scheduled along the way, in an effort to make them more enticing to prospective passengers. These one-way repositioning cruises tend to be long (2+ weeks) in order to have time to cross an ocean or change hemispheres.

There are inevitably a number of consecutive sea days during repositioning cruises, which may not give such cruises as broad of an appeal as a packed Caribbean cruise that stops at a different island each day. Although we love repositioning cruises, they’re certainly not for everyone. Therefore, with a lack of demand, prices for repositioning cruises tend to drop to very attractive rates.

Cruise lines always attempt to fill their ships to capacity. So when repositioning cruises aren’t selling, prices often become slashed to attract passengers who may further spend on drinks, in the casino, and in the shops onboard.

Understand: How & Why Repositioning Cruises Are Formed

Repositioning cruises are formed when one of the following situations requires a cruise ship to move a significant distance:

• Seasonal changes (most common)
• Transfer of new ships
• Move ships to/from dry dock refurbishments

Relocating Cruises to Seasonal Vacation Destinations

Seasonal shifts are the most common cause for repositioning cruises, creating an abundance of repositioning cruise routes in the midst of every spring and fall, in advance of summer and winter cruise seasons.

For example, during winter months, Caribbean cruises are very popular. So cruise lines logically have a number of their ships serving Caribbean itineraries during the winter months, when it is too cold to cruise in locations such as Alaska and Northern Europe.

But in Spring, as the summer months approach, cruise lines want to move their ships to locations such as Alaska and Europe, both very popular summer cruise destinations. Relocating the ships between these regions can be a costly and time-consuming process. That’s where repositioning cruises come in. Passengers are able to enjoy the unique lengthy voyages that are created out of the need to move the ships.

After the summer cruise seasons subside, the cruise lines want to relocate their ships back to their winter locations. So another seasonal shift occurs.

For example, during fall, we’ve regularly used the route from European locations to Florida across the Atlantic. Yet as cruise lines don’t want to leave their ships in Alaska over the winter, we’ve also utilized repositioning cruise voyages from Alaska to warmer locations in Asia, where the ships will remain over winter.

Those are just a few examples, but we’ll review all the common seasonal repositioning cruise routes later in this article.

Logistical Reasons Can Also Create Repositioning Cruises

Logistical situations are another reason that sometimes creates repositioning cruises. One instance of this is when new ships are launched from a shipyard, they need to be moved to what will eventually become their home port.

A ship’s inaugural voyage is often a repositioning cruise! When a brand new ship is repositioned like this, it doesn’t necessarily follow the seasonal shifts that other repositioning cruises do. It’s more about the timing of the shipbuilding and the location the ship will be serving.

For example, we took a repositioning cruise when the Norwegian Bliss was first launched. The ship was built at a German shipyard, where it was launched in April. Yet this new ship needed to make its way all the way to Alaska to begin its summer itineraries. So the Bliss formed a series of repositioning cruises to cover that great distance.

We embarked on the sparkling brand-new ship in Europe and took it on a transatlantic voyage to New York City. During April, seasonal repositioning cruises are usually headed to Europe – not away from Europe. So this was an unusual circumstance that provided us with a great opportunity to be among the first passengers to experience this brand-new 5-star ship.

One final reason that repositioning cruise routes are created is when cruise ships need to be moved for major refurbishments .

When this happens ships typically go into dry dock for extended periods of time, usually about a month. The dry docks where these refurbishments are performed are usually located in Europe or Asia. So ships need to be temporarily relocated to these locations, accordingly.

A Brief History of Repositioning Cruises

The concept of repositioning ships for seasonal demand dates back to the early days of ocean travel. However, the concept of a repositioning cruise as a leisure activity on cruise ships is a more recent development.

Many popular repositioning cruise routes can perhaps be traced back to the golden days of ocean liners . In the late 1800s and early 1900s, ocean liners were the primary means used to travel long distances between continents. Transatlantic crossings were a common route during that period, which remains the most popular repositioning cruise itinerary today.

Yet to trace the origins of modern repositioning cruises, we need to go back to the 1960s. This is when regular long-distance commercial flights became more commonplace, and demand for ocean travel decreased.

Although ocean liners were losing favor to air travel, this actually helped give rise to the modern cruise industry that pushed forward in the 1970s and beyond. In fact, Carnival Cruise Line’s first ship, Mardi Gras (1972-1993), was actually a former transatlantic oceanliner, Empress of Canada, that had regularly traversed between the continents during the decade before it was reformed into a Carnival leisure cruise.

But as companies like Carnival and Royal Caribbean emerged in the 1970s, they were not using their cruise ships to cross oceans, as is commonly done with repositioning cruises today. Instead, these cruises were composed of closed-circuit itineraries with amenities and activities that appealed to a wide audience, just as most cruises still are today.

It wasn’t until major cruise lines started increasing their fleets and expanding their routes, that the concept of repositioning cruises as a distinct type of cruise experience really took off.

At first, cruise lines would sail their ships with crewmembers only, and no passengers, when repositioning their ships to new locations. But cruise lines began to recognize that they could maximize the use of their ships by offering longer, one-way itineraries between different regions of the world while also maximizing the ship’s profitability. Hence, the birth of repositioning cruises as we know them today!

Over time, the popularity of repositioning cruises has only continued to grow, as more and more passengers have discovered the unique benefits of this type of cruising experience.

Benefits of Taking a Repositioning Cruise

Many curious or doubtful travelers often ask “Why would anyone want to take a repositioning cruise?”

Well, there are many benefits of repositioning cruises!

Benefit: Excellent Value of Repositioning Cruises

Part of the appeal of repositioning cruises is undoubtedly the fantastic bargains they can present. Because repositioning cruises often have highly-discounted rates, they can present an affordable possibility on what are otherwise pricey luxury cruise ships.

We’ve taken lengthy two-week-long repositioning cruises for just a few hundred dollars, on 5-star ships that normally cost thousands of dollars for a regular weeklong sailing! On ships that normally have rates around $400/night, we’ve paid less than $50/night.

Although paying significantly less than normal, the amenities, level of service, and cuisine on the ship remain exactly the same as a regular full-priced sailing. So repositioning cruises can provide a luxury experience that may otherwise be out of reach.

It’s like a floating luxury resort that transports you across the world. Prices are inclusive of dining, entertainment, activities, port calls, and so much more. It all adds up to exceptional value!

Later in this article, we’ll go into further detail about the costs of repositioning cruises and where to find these deals!

Benefit: An Interesting Alternative to Flying

If needing to travel long distances between continents, repositioning cruises can be a great alternative to air travel. Repositioning cruises are often priced about the same as, sometimes even less than, a coach ticket on a cramped redeye flight between the same locations.

Yet while a flight simply gets you from point A to point B in a slightly reclining seat, a repositioning cruise transports passengers between the same two locations all while sleeping in spacious staterooms, dining on decadent dinners, and stopping into exotic locations.

For anyone who doesn’t like flying, repositioning cruises can be a great consideration to avoid taking a plane when traveling one way. Personally, we’re indifferent to flying in general. But we will always prefer spending a few weeks on a luxury cruise voyage rather than suffering through an overnight flight in a coach seat.

Benefit: Exotic and Desirable Itineraries

Repositioning cruises can be a great opportunity to reach far-flung destinations that aren’t regularly served by cruises . For example, we’ve been fortunate to visit the stunning Azore Islands on repositioning cruises crossing the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, transpacific itineraries often include exotic islands in the South Pacific or rarely-visited ports on Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. While crossing the Indian Ocean, we loved being able to stop into the Maldives, Seychelles, and the overseas French territory of La Réunion. These far-off locations would cost a fortune to visit using a series of flights!

In addition to such rarely-visited destinations, many repositioning cruises also stop at popular cruise ports too . For example, transatlantic repositioning cruises will regularly still include a wide assortment of popular Mediterranean ports, Caribbean ports, or sometimes both! When taking westbound northern transpacific repositioning cruises, the cruise lines have always been generous to form a weeklong Alaskan cruise before crossing the Pacific.

And let’s not forget about the interesting transit opportunities . Repositioning cruises have brought us through the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal, Alaska’s Inside Passage, and Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. These scenic cruising days are events unto themselves!

For travelers like us, it is such a huge benefit of repositioning cruises to be able to experience these many different destinations and their cultures all in one big long voyage!

Benefit: Following Good Weather

For those who are nomadic or on a grand long-term trip, repositioning cruises can be an ideal mode of transportation to follow good weather.

When one part of the world becomes too cold, cruises move to warmer climates. So moving around the world by taking repositioning cruises can always lead you to nice weather on the other side!

Benefit: No Jetlag on Repositioning Cruises!

When traveling on eastbound or westbound itineraries, you’ll inevitably cross several time zones. When crossing several time zones on a flight, jetlag can be horrible. You arrive at your destination exhausted.

But when taking a repositioning cruise across these time zones, the shift in time is nice and gradual. Time zones may change every day or every other day. The gradual shift can be so much easier to deal with, arriving at your destination refreshed and ready to explore!

After several consecutive days of setting back the clocks (or moving the clocks forward), your internal clock may feel a tinge that something’s not quite right. But it’s never severe as transiting across 8 timezones all at once on an overnight flight.

Personally, we always prefer westbound repositioning cruises to eastbound routes. During westbound repositioning cruises (more prevalent in the fall), every day or so you get an extra hour of sleep ! It’s a phenomenal little perk to repositioning cruises! We tend to find ourselves waking up earlier than normal yet feeling well-rested.

We’re typically not early risers. Yet with all the extra hours of sleep on westbound voyages, we’re often awake to catch the many impressive sunrises while crossing the world’s oceans!

Benefit: Unique Onboard Experience of Repositioning Cruises

Often repositioning cruises will transit passengers across vast oceans. These grand voyages tend to bring out the romanticism of yesteryear , traveling by sea. There’s something so peaceful and relaxing about being in the middle of the ocean.

But it’s not boring. There’s so much to do on repositioning cruises, besides all the fun ports. Many of these large ships are like mini-cities, full of recreation, bars, theatres, libraries, pools, activity centers, gyms, spas, shops, and more.

We’ve been on repositioning cruises with rock-climbing walls, surfing waves, ice-skating rinks, and bowling allies! In addition to all that, most cruise lines bring on extra entertainment and lecturers to help fill the added time at sea.

There’s also more time to connect with crew and other passengers that you’ll see again and again throughout a lengthy repositioning cruise journey. We’ve found that people who take repositioning cruises often have the same mindset as us when it comes to travel, so bonds are easily formed with this mutual interest. We’ve made lifelong friends on repositioning cruises.

Outside the ship, repositioning cruises can present rare opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing out in the middle of the ocean. For example, taking a repositioning cruise across the North Pacific, we spotted almost unimaginable amounts of whales – hundreds of them! Another memorable moment was waking up to see a volcano outside our window while cruising near Russia.

Passengers aboard repositioning cruises also have the opportunity to complete an assortment of unique maritime feats . It’s quite the experience to entirely cross one of the world’s oceans by sea. That’s bragging rights! Most cruises send personalized certificates to passengers’ staterooms to formally document the feat of a full oceanic crossing.

Depending on the route, you may also cross the Equator , hence immediately going from fall to spring or vice versa. Or you can cross the International Dateline , in which you lose or gain an entire day. When crossing these lines, most cruise ships will put on special events to make a big deal about the occasion. Maritime superstitions are strong and there are some fun traditions that occur onboard during these events.

Seasonality of Repositioning Cruises

Most repositioning cruises operate seasonally, with routes that follow the same patterns every year. There are a few months during the year when repositioning cruises are in much greater abundance, whereas at other times of the year repositioning cruises are nonexistent.

It’s important to understand the narrow time windows when seasonal repositioning cruises make their regional moves and where these routes are commonly found.

When is the Best Time of Year to Take a Repositioning Cruise?

The best time to take a repositioning cruise is when these one-way cruises are actively running. This only occurs a few months each year.

Seasonal repositioning cruises are most active during the change in seasons:

These seasonal repositioning cruises occur in the greatest abundance twice per year , peaking around late March and well into April , and then again peaking again in October and November .

So those are generally the best months to take repositioning cruises. Although there are seasonal repositioning cruises that depart a bit earlier than average (March in the Spring, September in the Fall) and some repositioning cruises that depart later than average (May in the Spring, December in the Fall).

Meanwhile, repositioning cruises are very uncommon January-February and are exceptionally rare from June-August.

Because these seasonal shifts dictate the timing of repositioning cruise voyages, prospective passengers need to time their transits accordingly for spring and fall months. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to just pick any time of year you want to take a repositioning cruise. You must be on repositioning cruises’ schedule.

Where Do Repositioning Cruises Go?

Repositioning cruises generally travel on northbound and westbound itineraries in the spring while reversing course to voyage southbound and eastbound in the fall. The exact routes vary greatly by season.

Common Repositioning Cruises Routes in the Spring

The most common trend for Spring repositioning cruises is for ships to be relocated towards:

• European ports for Europe’s summer cruise season and
• the Pacific Northwest (specifically, Vancouver & Seattle) for Alaska’s summer cruise season.

Spring (April-May) repositioning cruises generally voyage Northbound and Westbound, with a few exceptions. To help remember, use this mnemonic device: spring repositioning cruises “spring up, spring forward.”

These are typical repositioning cruise routes during the spring months:

• Northern Transatlantic : Florida (and US East Coast) ➡️ Europe
• Southern Transatlantic : Argentina & Brazil ➡️ Europe
• Panama Canal : Florida (and US East Coast) ➡️ US Pacific Coast
• TransAmerica Panama Canal : Chile ➡️ Florida
• Southern Transpacific : Sydney & Auckland ➡️ Hawaii, California, & Pacific Northwest
• TransAmerica Pacific : Chile ➡️ California & Pacific Northwest
• TransAsia : Asia (usually Singapore) ➡️ Europe
• MiddleEastern : Middle East (usually UAE) ➡️ Europe
• TransAfrica : South Africa ➡️ Europe

Common Repositioning Cruise Routes in the Fall

During Autumn , cruises are repositioned away from Europe and Alaska. Most commonly ships are moved to Florida and US East Coast ports to do Caribbean cruises during winter months. But cruises are also repositioned to Asia and locations throughout the southern hemisphere.

Fall (October-November) repositioning cruises generally voyage on Eastbound and Southbound itineraries, with a few exceptions. Mnemonic device: fall repositioning cruises “fall down and fall back.”

This is where cruise lines tend to reposition their cruise ships in the Fall:

• Northern Transatlantic : Europe ➡️ Florida (and US East Coast)
• Southern Transatlantic : Europe ➡️ Argentina & Brazil
• Panama Canal : US Pacific Coast ➡️ Florida (and US East Coast)
• TransAmerica Panama Canal : Florida ➡️ Chile
• Southern Transpacific : Hawaii, California, & Pacific Northwest ➡️ Sydney & Auckland
• TransAmerica Pacific : California & Pacific Northwest ➡️ Chile
• TransAsia : Europe ➡️ Asia (usually Singapore)
• MiddleEastern : Europe ➡️ Middle East (usually UAE)
• TransAfrica : Europe ➡️ South Africa
• Canadian Maritimes : US East Coast ⬅️➡️ Quebec, Canada

Common Misconceptions of Repositioning Cruises

We regularly hear so many misconceptions about repositioning cruises. When people hear about us getting a good deal on a repositioning cruise, we regularly get comments like, “you must be washing the dishes.” I assure you we are not.

Repositioning cruises are NOT stripped-down versions of a cruise. They are full-on cruises, with all the same great complimentary dining options, entertainment, activities, and high standards as their regular itineraries.

We want to debunk these myths and tell you what repositioning cruises are really like.

Repositioning Cruises Are Full of Days At Sea

Repositioning cruises do usually have more sea days than a regular cruise itinerary. But repositioning cruises also usually make many stops throughout the voyage, for passengers to get off the ship and explore.

We’ve already mentioned how one of the best benefits of repositioning cruises is their exotic itineraries. Yet many people don’t fully realize the full potential of interesting destinations along the way during repositioning cruise itineraries.

Many people envision weeks at sea over expanses of open ocean. Sure, there is a bit of that. But there are also fascinating dots of land along the way that you may have never realized.

Most repositioning cruises make several port calls throughout their voyages, as this will appeal more to potential cruisegoers. Often the ports during repositioning cruises will be exotic remote destinations that aren’t typically reached by cruises.

Transatlantic repositioning cruises often stop in the Azore Islands, the Canary Islands, and Bermuda, in addition to Caribbean and European ports. These mid-Atlantic islands help to minimize what would otherwise be lengthy stretches of sea days. And while you’ve probably heard of Bermuda and the Canary Islands, you may not realize what a beautiful and fascinating place the Azores are!

Meanwhile, transpacific repositioning cruises often create exotic South Pacific itineraries to include an assortment of South Pacific islands, including the likes of Fiji and Hawaii. We’re particularly big fans of the northern transpacific routes, which almost always include an assortment of intriguing Japanese ports, beautiful Alaskan ports, and scenic cruising, like in Glacier Bay – wow!

Other routes can be even more packed with ports, such as Asia repositioning cruises or repositioning cruises to/from South America. On a Panama Canal repositioning cruise we took from Florida to Chile, the ship stopped at amazing Latin American ports nearly every other day as we journeyed down the western coast of South America.

Meanwhile, a two-week repositioning cruise we took from Hong Kong to Singapore only had three sea days during the entire trip! On that voyage, we actually wanted a few more days to relax in between so many busy port days. It all just goes to show that repositioning cruises are not all boring cruises completely filled with sea days every single day.

Cruise lines know that potential customers won’t be attracted to boring repositioning cruise itineraries. So they almost always plan many interesting ports along the way.

There’s Nothing To Do on Repositioning Cruises

Many people falsely believe that since the cruise is being repositioned, there is a lack of entertainment and things to do onboard. It’s actually the opposite.

For example, on one of our last repositioning cruise journeys, we didn’t have any time to watch to even begin the first episode of the series we downloaded on our laptop that we intended to watch during the voyage to Japan. Instead, we were too busy taking advantage of the many fun activities, learning the basics of the Japanese language, going to cooking demonstrations, listening to navigation talks, watching awesome performances, attending parties, and soaking in the many intriguing lectures.

While the thought of attending lectures may sound boring to some, we find the quality of lectures on repositioning cruises makes them very worthwhile. Take Celebrity’s “Beyond the Podium” lecture series for example, which usually brings on 2-3 speakers to give talks on various topics. But since this was a lengthy repositioning cruise, they packed the agenda with 6 different speakers, each with their own expertise.

This included the first British woman to reach the North Pole (Sue Stockdale), a former F1 racecar driver, a Buddhism and meditation expert, a naturalist explaining the aquatic life around us, an expert on Marilyn Monroe, and a neuroscientist showing us how to unlock secrets of the brain. We departed the ship much wiser than we arrived!

After working out our minds, we try to squeeze in a bit of exercise into the day. Although there are always great gyms onboard with ocean views, we favor fresh air and walking around a lower deck while whale watching and putting into practice what we learned at the naturalist lecture.

Then there are all the different deck games and challenges . We’ve gone to putting competitions, bean bag toss, bingo, and even archery at sea. But we just enjoy the pub-style trivia and are part of a trivia team that meets each afternoon. This progressive competition is fun in itself. But it doubles as an opportunity to meet, mingle, and get to know our teammates and new friends.

Come night , there’s always a big production show in the theatre, from Broadway-style shows to musicians to Cirque du Soleil-style performances. We particularly enjoy if there’s a rock concert or a good comedian.

Finally, the late nights on repositioning cruises usually wind down with a live game show and/or a full-on theme party. On our last repositioning cruise, there was a Motown party and a “Latin Sizzle” fiesta, complete with professional dancers in costume.

Meanwhile, there are all features and shipboard amenities that these megaships offer that go way beyond shuffleboard. Instead, there are rock climbing walls, go-kart tracks, surfing waves, ice skating rinks, laser tag, water slides, and more. There’s usually so much to do! Even on repositioning cruises with many sea days, we often find ourselves scrambling on the last few days trying to experience all the things we haven’t done yet.

And during repositioning cruises, there are almost never any lines or waits for these activities that are otherwise packed during the single sea day of a regular cruise itinerary. I once learned to surf on Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider because no one else was ever using it, so I had it all to myself. I also got real good on NCL’s go-karts since they never had a line.

And if that all isn’t enough, there are even more social activities organized by passengers on sites such as CruiseCritic. During one of our first repositioning cruises, we participated in a multi-day Amazing Race-style competition organized by fellow passengers, which turned out to be a highlight of that two-week voyage.

With all that there is to do, we sometimes find it necessary to schedule downtime to relax by the pool or watch a movie. Otherwise, we have a bad habit of packing our schedule during sea days with activities nearly every hour.

Rest assured, you will not go bored on a repositioning cruise. …Unless, of course, you want to, and that’s okay too!

The Seas Are Too Rough in the Open Ocean

While the seas can be rough in the middle of the ocean, this is not always the case. Modern cruise ships are becoming so large and stable that it’s often difficult to even feel like you’re on a boat during a moderate chop. But if the seas do get rough, most ships have what’s known as stabilizers , which greatly lessen any rocking sensation.

The exact route and time of year of each repositioning cruise will impact your chance of rough seas too. If you’re on a transatlantic repositioning cruise at the end of September, this is the height of hurricane season. But that still doesn’t necessarily mean that the open ocean will be rough during that time.

All ships will steer far clear of a storm of such magnitude. Still, hurricanes still have the capacity to churn up the sea hundreds of miles away. So this is something to keep in mind. But the middle of the ocean can also be remarkably calm.

Our ocean crossings have been mostly calm and often surprisingly flat seas in the middle of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. In nearly 200 days aboard repositioning cruises, we’ve experienced only a handful of days with some motion, but it was never bad enough to cause us to become seasick.

How Much Do Repositioning Cruises Cost?

Repositioning cruise deals can vary greatly in cost, based on purchasing trends, the timing of the purchase, the popularity of the ship, and the appeal of the exact itinerary.

That said, it is regularly possible to find luxury repositioning cruises that cost less than a ticket for a coach seat on a cramped redeye flight between the same two points.

Ok, so exactly how much does a repositioning cruise cost?

A decent deal for a two-week oceanic crossing can range from around $400-$800 per person. That breaks down to about $30-$60 per person, per night! Personally, we try to shoot for repositioning cruise prices under $50 per person, per night. Occasionally, we’ll go above that threshold for a great itinerary or if extra perks are included.

That should give you a general idea of how low in price repositioning cruises can be. But understand that they can be much more expensive than that. Factors such as great itineraries and sought-after ships will certainly help to drive up the prices for repositioning cruises. Purchasing trends also affect pricing. It’s not uncommon to see repositioning cruise fares at $1,000 per person and much higher.

Yet supply and demand for each particular voyage can help drop repositioning cruise prices very low. So how low can they go?

The lowest price we’ve ever seen for a long-distance repositioning cruise was  $159 per person for an inside cabin on the Pullmantur Monarch. That came out to only $12.23 per person, per day, as we wined and dined while crossing the Atlantic for two weeks! Yes, for a mere twelve dollars per day! And this voyage even included an unlimited beverage package! It’s hard to believe but it’s true.

We couldn’t afford NOT to go! So how was this super cheap repositoning cruise? While we still enjoyed that extremely inexpensive voyage, it was on a 3-star ship on a European cruise line. Although we appreciated the fun umbrella drinks, comfy confines, and steak dinners, that particular repositioning cruise wasn’t exactly luxury. You can read our full review of our $159 Pullmantur Monarch cruise here .

Often, the cheapest repositioning cruises can be found on older 3-star ships. For example, there are usually a good assortment of MSC ships making the repositioning cruise voyage between Brazil and Italy for rates of $30 per day, or less. We once took a long repositioning cruise on one of MSC’s 3-star ships. While it definitely wasn’t our favorite, we still had an enjoyable cruise. Yet reviews on those sailings can be mixed.

So what does a 5-star repositioning cruise cost?

In the past, we’ve found two-week repositioning cruises on 5-star ships for as low as $300. In 2023, the least expensive repositioning cruise we’ve spotted is $446 for a 13-day late April voyage from Miami to England on the 5.5-star Celebrity Silhouette .

It’s a great ship and this particular sailing has a decent itinerary including Bermuda, Ireland, France, and England. But keep in mind that the least expensive repositioning cruises can sometimes be cheap for a reason, either a poor itinerary or an undesirable ship. There’s a good chance you’ll be spending more than $500 per person, for the repositioning cruise you desire.

That said, every year you can typically find at least several dozen repositioning cruises for under $1,000 and dozens of repositioning cruises priced below $50 per person, per night (based on double occupancy).

To provide you with some recent examples of low-priced repositioning cruises, check out the repositioning cruise deals below for 2023 and 2024.

Do note that prices are always changing, so the deals listed below certainly can change or be gone by the time you read this. The list below is intended simply to provide some idea of how inexpensive 2023 repositioning cruise prices can be. That said, if you see a repositioning cruise deal you like, click the link to see up-to-date availability and pricing through our trusted affiliate partner at CruiseDirect .

Examples of Cheapest Repositioning Cruise Deals 2023 :

• MSC, 5-star, March 2024, Brazil to Canary Islands, 11 nights – $329 ($30/night)
• MSC, 3.5-star, April, Brazil to Portugal, 13 nights – $349 ($26/night)
• Celebrity Silhouette, 5.5-star, April, Miami to UK, 13 nights – $446 ($34/night)
• Holland America, 5-star, Florida to Spain, 14 nights – $399 ($28/night)
• MSC, 3.5-star, Nov 2023, Italy to Brazil, 21 nights – $599 ($28/night)
• MSC, 3.5-star, Oct 2023, Norway to Brazil, 21 nights – $649 ($31/night)
• Princess, 5-star, March 2023, Florida to England, 14 nights – $569 ($40/night)
• Norwegian, 4.5-star, April 2023, NYC to Spain, 15 nights – $662 ($44/night)
• Holland America, 5-star, April 2023, Florida to Italy, 14 nights – $399 ($29/night)
• MSC Divina, 4-star, April 2024, NYC to Italy, 16 nights – $499 ($31/night)
• Royal Caribbean, 5-star, April 2023, Australia to Hawaii, 17 nights – $851 ($50/night)
• Holland America, 5-star, April 2023, Japan to Vancouver, 14 nights – $799 ($57/night)
• Norwegian, 5-star, April 2023, Miami to LA, 15 nights – $586 ($39/night)
• Norwegian, 4-star, April 2023, Miami to Seattle, 20 nights – $679 ($xx/night)
• MSC, 3.5-star, Nov 2023, Italy to Egypt, 11 nights – $299 ($27/night)
• MSC, 3.5-star, April 2024, South Africa to Italy, 23 nights – $599 ($26/night)

Search CruiseDirect to find many more repositioning cruises that meet your ideal criteria. We’ve booked many cruises with CruiseDirect and found they often have the best deals and promos. Search repositioning cruises on CruiseDirect .

Potential Drawbacks to Repositioning Cruises: How to Overcome

These repositioning cruises sound great. So what’s the catch?

Really there is no big catch. Repositioning cruises are truly fantastic travel bargains. Yet there definitely are some challenges that repositioning cruises present that prospective passengers need to be aware of.

Consider: The Time of Year of Repositioning Cruises May Not Work

Most repositioning cruises occur in mid-Fall and mid-Spring when the seasons change, as already discussed. If you want to take a repositioning cruise o utside of those narrow windows of time, it’s usually not possible .

For example, let’s say you’re able to take some time off in the month of June and want to take a repositioning cruise in June. Sorry, there usually aren’t any repositioning cruises happening over the summer months.

How to Maximize the Narrow Time Windows of Repositioning Cruises :

• Try to plan your travels around repositioning cruises, if possible.
• Travel in the Spring and Fall.

In doing so, you not only take advantage of a great repositioning cruise deal, but you’ll arrive in a destination that is in shoulder season. This is the period between the high season and the low season. During this time weather tends to be nice yet the overcrowding and higher accommodation rates haven’t yet gone into effect.

Consider: The Need for a Return Ticket

Most people will still need a flight to return back home  after the repositioning cruise Sometimes one-way international flights can be costly. If you are not continuing to travel onward, the repositioning cruise may not be financially practical.

How to Lessen the Expense of a Return Flight After a Repositioning Cruise :

• Use travel hacking techniques and/or redeem points to book a return flight for cheap or free.
• There are some great budget airlines with inter-continental flights. Example: it’s now easily possible to score flight deals between Europe and the US for under $500.
• If you have the flexibility, you can just continue traveling. (That’s the solution we take!)

Yet even if you don’t have the flexibility of time to continue traveling, these cruises are still bargains even with the added cost of a return flight, perhaps just slightly less so.

Consider: Length of Voyage of Repositioning Cruises May Be Prohibitive

The average transatlantic repositioning cruise takes about two weeks, while transpacific cruises and other routes can take three weeks or even longer. The longest repositioning cruise we’ve taken was 30 days, from Italy to South Africa.

We’re fortunate to have the flexibility of time when planning our voyages. Yet many working Americans only get about two weeks of vacation time per year, so such a crossing may not make sense or be logistically possible. It could be completely illogical to spend two weeks crossing the Atlantic, only to then immediately take a flight back home.

How to Take Advantage of Long Repositioning Cruise Voyages

Repositioning cruises may not be ideal for people with limited vacation time. If you’re not in a position to take an expanse of time off from your job, you may want to reconsider taking a repositioning cruise.

So who can take advantage of repositioning cruises ?

• Location independent professionals,
• long-term travelers,
• people on sabbatical or a gap year,
• those who are relocating from one region to another,
• digital nomads, and
• retirees (which leads us to the next point).

Consider: Repositioning Cruises Attract a Mature Crowd

Retirees have long known about the travel secret of repositioning cruises. Many savvy seniors rightfully take full advantage of these one-way cruise deals.

If you’re below the age of 60, you’ll likely be among the youngest 5% of passengers on a repositioning cruise. This may be a turnoff for Gen X, Millenials, or Gen Z passengers.

How to Find Your Tribe on Repositioning Cruises :

Enjoy everyone! We took a dozen repositioning cruises throughout our 30s and we loved meeting interesting people regardless of whether they were one of the few passengers on repositioning cruises our age to the 80-year-olds on the cruises and everyone in between.

Besides, 60s are the new 40s! While repositioning cruises typically attract a more mature crowd, they certainly aren’t a floating geriatric retirement center.

The people who go on repositioning cruises t end to be adventurous souls who like to have a good time . Many older repositioning cruise travelers have done a heck of a lot more traveling than we have. They have some incredible travel stories to share! They’re often savvy travelers too and understand great travel value, so we always share that in common with our fellow repositioning cruisers and swap tips.

These adventurous cross-ocean cruise itineraries tend to attract fun-loving groups and many of them can party harder than we can. Just think about your crazy drunk uncle or your fun aunt. There are lots of them onboard, and they are awesome!

And there’s always at least a handful of other people onboard who are around our age. They stick out, just like we do, so the younger people are easy to spot. Being among the only younger passengers on the ship, you’ll have something to immediately bond over. After two weeks at sea together, you may have just developed a lifelong friendship.

Consider: Waiting for Cheapest Rates on Repositioning Cruises Can Be a Gamble

Sometimes it takes a bit of knowledge and watching rates to score a highly discounted price on a repositioning cruise. Repositioning cruise rates fluctuate greatly based on supply and demand. So it can be tricky to score a repositioning cruise bargain at the super-cheap prices we’ve touted in this post.

It’s often a good strategy to wait until the last minute to score a bargain. Yet you run the very real risk of prices rising or a repositioning cruise selling out. It’s a gamble.

How to Snag Great Deals on Repositioning Cruises

• Be thorough when you search for repositioning cruises
• Book a refundable cruise fare. Then keep an eye on the price. If it drops, have your fare adjusted or cancel and rebook the cruise. Or book a different cruise if you discover something else, and cancel your refundable repositioning cruise.
• Yet if you’re flexible with the cruise line and exact itinerary, the gamble of waiting usually pays off to snag last-minute deals on common repositioning cruise routes. The more flexible you are, the better. If you can be brave enough to wait until a month or so before the departure and book a non-refundable fare, this is often the best time to book a low-priced repositioning cruise on common routes.

Consider: Solo Travelers Are Hit with Heavy Single Supplement Fees

Solo travelers can have a difficult time finding great deals on repositioning since cruises tend to impose a single supplement fee. It’s usually at least 50%-75%, but is more often double the price – ouch! Therefore repositioning cruises, or cruising in general, can often become cost prohibitive for solo travelers.

How Solo Cruises Can Try to Avoid the Single Supplement Fee on Repositioning Cruises

• Sometimes repositioning cruise rates go so low, that they’re still affordable even when having to pay a single supplement. For example: if you find a $400 repositioning cruise with a 100% single supplement fee, the $800 fare can still be a great deal for a 2-week voyage.
• Try to find a travel buddy to join you.
• Some cruise lines are nice enough to waive a single supplement fee. Seek these out! We’ve found that Norwegian tends to be the most generous at waiving single supplement fees and some NCL ships even have solo cruiser cabins and lounges.

Consider: The Wifi on Repositioning Cruises Can Be Slow and Costly

For those who need to stay connected for work or other responsibilities, repositioning cruises can become problematic. Wifi during repositioning cruises tends to be slow and very expensive. Often the cost to have unlimited wifi during the voyage can exceed the cost of the entire repositioning cruise itself. It’s that expensive!

Wifi usually runs on a satellite signal. So while out in the middle of the ocean, it can become extremely sluggish or will go out entirely. Yet as cruise ships upgrade to more reliable wifi technology, like Starlink, this should become less of an issue.

How to overcome expensive wifi on repositioning cruises :

For those who need some minimal connectivity, like us, repositioning cruises can still be very feasible.

• If you’re able to take a digital detox without having work obligations, it can be so refreshing to disconnect for a few weeks.
• If not, then whenever in port, visit cafes with free wifi or use your phone to connect if it has an international data plan.
• Buy small internet packages to take care of crucial tasks while at sea.
• And be sure to use all our Cruise Wifi Hacks .

Consider: Extra Costs Add To the Total Price of Repositioning Cruises

Wifi isn’t the only item that’ll add a significant expense to a repositioning cruise. First, understand that the prices you see listed online usually don’t include port fees and taxes, which often tacks on an extra few hundred dollars to the total cost of the cruise.

In addition to those fees, once onboard, you’re charged an additional $10-$15 per person, per day for gratuities to the deserving waitstaff and cabin steward. For a two-week repositioning cruise that can add up to an extra $400 for a couple to your total cruise expense.

Additionally, alcoholic drinks are often pricey cruises, as are shore excursions to take while in port.

Minimize and Budget For Additional Repositioning Cruise Fees and Expenses

• Take taxes and port fees are unavoidable. When searching cruises, see the full cost including these fees.
• Research the gratuities on your ship and budget accordingly for them.
• Don’t throw money away in the casino.
• When in port, go ashore independently to avoid expensive group tours offered by the cruise line.
• Limit your drinking while on repositioning cruises and take advantage of our 25 Best Ways to Get Free and Cheap Drinks on a Cruise .

Consider: The Best Repositioning Cruise Deals Are For Interior Staterooms

The best deals are usually for interior staterooms (meaning, no balcony or window). To enjoy the luxury of waking up to the ocean breeze in your stateroom, you’re likely going to need to pay more than the prices we’ve mentioned throughout this article.

But not necessarily. Inexpensive veranda rooms are possible on repositioning cruises. We’ve regularly seen balcony staterooms on repositioning cruises for less than $1,000 per person, per sailing. On rare occasions, we’ve even managed to score deals in which the cruise was selling balcony staterooms for the same price as interior staterooms!

If the price is right, it can certainly be worth it to upgrade to a balcony stateroom during repositioning cruises, given all the extra time at sea.

How to Find Inexpensive Balcony Staterooms on Repositioning Cruises :

• If a balcony room is important to you, filter your search accordingly and sniff out the cheapest repositioning cruises with balconies.
• After purchasing an inside or outside cabin, bid for an upgrade to a balcony.
• Read our comprehensive article detailing: 10 Secrets How to Get a Free Balcony Upgrade on a Cruise

Travel Tips for Repositioning Cruises

Choose the best cruise line to fit your repositioning cruise desires.

We’re often asked, what’s the best cruise line for repositioning cruises? The answer is highly subjective.

Personally, we like to focus on the best itineraries and the best values. That has led us to cruise on most major cruise lines and even a few more obscure lines. While we’ve definitely enjoyed some cruise lines more than others, we have no favorite to suggest to a wide audience. We’re often easy to please whenever on a repositioning cruise that has a great itinerary at a low cost.

But other travelers can be much more particular about their preference in choosing a cruise line for a long voyage like a repositioning cruise. All cruise brands are different. So if you’re going to call the ship home for several weeks, it’s a good idea to ensure the cruise line is a good fit for you. Your experience on a repositioning cruise can be greatly affected by the cruise line you choose.

Here are our personal opinions having taken repositioning cruises on the following lines:

• Carnival – Casual, we enjoy the “fun ship” but the party atmosphere may not be for everyone
• Costa – Caters to European travelers, excellent Italian food, subpar amenities, and entertainment
• Celebrity – Lives up to its “modern luxury” branding, great dining, elegant yet still fun
• Holland America – Refined yet relaxed, great dining, older crowd, fantastic enrichment, best itineraries
• MSC – Experience varies by ship with older 3-star ships being subpar yet we’ve still enjoyed, can be a largely international crowd depending on the repositioning cruise route
• Norwegian – Casual, focus on flexibility, more areas to spend $ than other lines, fantastic entertainment
• Royal Caribbean – Casual and fun, good all-around experience, lots of onboard activities

Research Ports Before Your Repositioning Cruise

If you like to explore, ensure to do research on your ports before you embark on your repositioning cruise. Or download travel articles and ebooks about the destinations to read during sea days.

It can be nice to arrive at a port with a solid plan of what you want to do with the minimal time you have there. If you’re comfortable traveling independently, exploring on your own will help save significantly on costs in comparison to purchasing the ship’s pricy shore excursions. Just be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship so you don’t get left behind!

Research popular points of interest. Determine the best ways to reach attractions, whether that be by walking, public transportation, taxi, or a local tour.

Take Full Advantage of the Entertainment and Onboard Amenities

Most of the amenities, activities, and entertainment on repositioning cruises are free. Don’t be a homebody and sit in your stateroom during the sea days. Get out there and take advantage of all the fun things to do on the ship itself.

Get out of your comfort zone and try something new, even if it’s not something you typically enjoy. Participate in progressive trivia, which can be a great way to make new friends. Go to the enrichment lectures to learn about the destinations you’re visiting. Make it a point to attend the shows in the evening and get a front-row seat! Eat all the food and do all the things !

Important Things to Do on the First Day of a Repositioning Soon

There are a few things you should consider doing on the first day of any repositioning cruise to help ensure you’ll be comfortable throughout the long voyage.

Here’s a checklist of tips for things to do on the embarkation day of any repositioning cruise.

🕒 1) Get with the program – A daily program always awaits new passengers. Check it. While other passengers could be clustering at the buffet for lunch, this lets you know what other complimentary restaurants are open to enjoy. It also helps to plan out the rest of the day. Start your repositioning cruise off right and be informed. Know when the muster drill is, where to go for the sail away party, and what time you can make dinner reservations.

🍽️ 2) Make dinner reservations – We always forgo traditional set dining times in favor of “anytime dining,” to have the flexibility to eat whenever we want. The drawback to this is sometimes there are popular periods, in which walk-ins can incur waits. This is particularly true on the busy first night of a cruise. To avoid this and waltz right into the main dining room, simply make a reservation soon after boarding the ship.

🛳️ 3) Explore every nook – Repositioning cruises are on ships that are often enormous! We’ve found that cruises tend to have many hidden venues and quiet nooks. Get to know this place that’ll be your home for several weeks. We like to get our bearings by walking the length of all major decks, plus going up & down the bow and stern stairs. In doing so, we’ve discovered many awesome spaces that we’ll retreat to throughout the voyage.

⚖️ 4) Weigh yourself – There are so many indulgent dining opportunities while cruising that many people say they pack on 5 lbs during each week of a repositioning cruise. With such an abundance of delicious food, a lengthy cruise can be dangerous to the waistline. So we like to keep track of that. We’ll always order dessert. But if the scale starts tipping too far in the wrong direction, we’ll know it’s time to start making healthier choices.

📚 5) Get to the library – Most cruises have a healthy stocked library. But on long repositioning cruises, the best books can get swooped up quickly. Those planning to do some reading at sea must act fast!

💆‍♀️ 6) Enter the Spa Raffle – On most ships, the spa usually has a raffle on the first day of the cruise in which they’ll give away spa passes and free treatments. You must be present to win. Find out when it is and then take 20 minutes to listen to their offers and enter the raffle. You may win spa access for the length of the cruise or a treatment during a slow sea day.

🧳 7) Unpack and unwind – This may seem obvious, but when staying in hotels for 2-3 nights at a time it can be counterproductive to unpack everything. We don’t. But lengthy cruises offer the simple luxury of closet space! It’s something to fully take advantage of during a multi-week stay on these floating hotels. This can be the final embarkation day chore before fully slipping into vacation mode.

Stay Active during Sea Days

We’ve found it can get easy to feel sluggish during a long stretch of sea days during a repositioning cruise. But it can feel good to stay active! Hit the gym and then give yourself a good excuse to have a second dessert.

Personally, we love to simply walk laps around the outer deck during repositioning cruises. It’s nice to get those fresh ocean breezes and listen to the endless swells while watching for marine life and getting a bit of exercise.

Ensure to Stay Safe By Having Medical Coverage on Your Repositioning Cruise

When traveling great expanses across the ocean, a travel insurance policy is an absolute must-have. We never take a repositioning cruise without travel insurance. Sure, travel protect the investment of the repositioning cruise itself. Yet, more importantly, travel insurance can help keep you safe in the event of any illness or unfortunate accident during a repositioning cruise.

The shipboard doctor visits on cruises are notoriously expensive should you need their services. A good travel policy will help to cover the hundreds of dollars of your shipboard doctor visit if you were to get a cold. But what you really need to have travel insurance coverage for is in the instance of something really serious happens and you’d need to cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical evacuation and/or repatriation . Without proper travel insurance, such an unfortunate occurrence would be financially devastating .

Thankfully, we’ve never had to be medically evacuated from a cruise ship. But travel insurance has covered our medical bills and has even lost luggage when flying in to catch a repositioning cruise. In that instance, I was allotted $800 to buy new clothes, so we got to go on a shopping spree before our cruise! Needless to say, travel insurance can pay for itself.

Find a policy and coverage that fits your needs. As for what travel insurance coverage to buy for your repositioning cruise , consider the following plans, depending on your coverage needs. (We’ve used each of these for different coverage needs.)

• Safety Wing – A travel and medical incident insurance built specifically for digital nomads. Low-cost coverage can be used as a safety net to cover critical medical needs that may arise. Covers most nationalities, up to age 69. Get a quick quote .
• World Nomads – More comprehensive coverage, including adventure sports, higher medical coverage limits, trip cancellation, and more. Covers most nationalities, up to age 70. Get a quick quote .
• CruiseSafe by VisitorsCoverage is comprehensive travel and medical insurance, that includes trip cancellation and medical evacuations. Typically more expensive, but offers comprehensive coverage that is specific to cruise travel. Covers up to age 99. Get a quick quote .

Pack for Versatility on a Repositioning Cruise

It’s possible that you’ll need formal wear and beachwear for a repositioning cruise. Given that you’re changing regions, you may also need to pack for tropical climates and cold weather climates all in the same trip.

Pack light, but bring layers for varying weather conditions. Do your best to pack versatile clothes that can be repurposed.

Be strategic in how you pack too! If traveling from a cold weather climate to a warm weather climate, pack the warm-weather clothes on the bottom of your luggage. Then once in a warm-weather location, stuff your jackets, gloves, and scarves into packing cubes like these  so they don’t get in the way of the warm-weather clothing you now need.

When it comes to formalwear on repositioning cruises , packing can be a challenge. Many repositioning cruises have a few formal nights throughout the long voyage when most passengers dress up and a dress code may be imposed in the dining room. This can pose a problem for nomads and long-term travelers who aren’t roaming the world with suits and cocktail dresses in their packs.

So there are some different strategies to use for formal nights on repositioning cruises :

• Choose a cruise line, like NCL, that doesn’t have a formal night.
• Don’t participate in formal night and hit the buffet instead.
• Go to a thrift store to buy cheap yet acceptable formalwear. Then donate it after the cruise, so you don’t have to continue to carry it in your luggage. (We’ve often done this.)
• For men, jackets are often the norm but I’ve been greeted in the main dining room on formal night wearing slacks, a collared shirt, and a tie.
• For women, pack a versatile dress that can be dressed up or down.

For more packing tips or inspiration on what to pack, read our Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist and Packing Tips for World Travel .

Have a Plan for Laundry on Repositioning Cruises

Repositioning cruises are lengthy voyages, so you may have a need to have your clothes washed. Laundry service is available on repositioning cruises, but it tends to be quite pricy. Be sure to have a plan.

Here are a few ideas for doing laundry on lengthy cruises:

• Just pay for laundry on the cruise and budget accordingly.
• When on the ship keep an eye out for sales on laundry service .
• Pack enough clean clothes to last the entire voyage .
• Hand wash laundry in the sink. Pack a small bottle of Woolite or these travel packets of SinkSuds.
• If you have a long or overnight port call, get your clothes washed for cheap on land.
• Self-service laundry is increasingly rare on cruises, but some ships still have laundry facilities. If your ship does, plan according.

Enjoy The Unique Repositioning Cruise Journey!

Repositioning cruises are a different type of travel. Take some time out of your day to appreciate this unique mode of transportation as you ply the seven seas! Soak in the endless views, catch the endless sunsets and sunrises, and get into the relaxing rhythm of the ocean swells. Enjoy!

More Cruise Tips to Save Money on Your Repositioning Cruise!

Are you intrigued about repositioning cruises? Don’t stop reading now! We’ve still got lots more to spill. Be sure to check out these articles below for further reading all of our best cruise tips:

🚢 Be sure to check out  all of our favorite cruise tips  in our latest article about cruising:  Top 50+ Cruise Hacks to Save You Money, Hassle, and Weight Gain .

🚢 Want a balcony stateroom, but can only afford an inside cabin? You need to read our:  10 Secrets to Get a Free Balcony Upgrade on a Cruise .

🚢 Have some fun drinking on a repositioning cruise without breaking the bank: 25 Best Ways to Get Free and Cheap Drinks on a Cruise .

🚢 And see how we used a series of repositioning cruises to string together an entire Cheap World Cruise on A Budget .

Conclusion: Travel Guide to Repositioning Cruises

Okay, I know that was a lot to take in. Thank you for reading our Ultimate Guide to Repositioning Cruises! If you’ve skimmed your way to the end of this post or think you may need to refer back to this post later, then consider bookmarking this page to refer back to .

We hope that this article has given you a thorough understanding of what a repositioning cruise is, how it came to be, and the many benefits of taking one.

Repositioning cruises offer a unique and affordable way to travel the world. If it’s an intriguing travel idea that is feasible for you, we’d encourage you to consider taking one on your next adventure. With our guide, you now have all the tools to plan the ultimate repositioning cruise experience. Hopefully, our tips and tricks will help overcome any challenges so you can make the most of your repositioning cruise.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time cruiser, we hope that our guide has been helpful in your quest to explore the world on a repositioning cruise.

If you have any other questions about repositioning cruises that weren’t covered in this guide, please ask them in the comments section below. Other readers may be wanting to know the same thing! We’ll be sure to respond back and may even add the info to our guide as we update it in the future.

Bon voyage! -John & Heather

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April 8, 2024 at 3:37 PM

Thanks for such a thorough article with great tips. My 91 year old mother has just said she would do one, and I’m so happy. I’ve wanted to travel with her since I retired. Never done a repo cruise – diving in to learn about it, and your article is a great starting point.

August 8, 2022 at 1:43 AM

Excellent information in Great detail.obviously it seems more for the American people but we Europeans do appreciate it Thank you so much

December 9, 2016 at 9:15 AM

Very informative information but our goal is to take a re positioning ship to Europe ( Spain, Italy or any similar Mediterranean port or country) but being claustrophobic (meaning I can’t fly) what we’re trying to do is take a ship across to Europe “one way” and spend whatever amount of time is necessary exploring parts of Europe (example: 2 to 3 months but we’re flexible ) and then take a re positioning ship back to the USA’s east coast (preferably Florida but not imperative) but I can’t seem to get clear information if this is available… Cordially Ray and Rose

December 12, 2016 at 3:24 PM

Yes, you most definitely can do that. Florida happens to be one of the best places to do it from. But you may find it necessary to spend at least 4 or 5 months exploring Europe in order to get the timing right. You need to book two separate cruises. Most repositioning cruises from Florida to Europe go in April (with a few at the end of March and beginning of May). So you’ll likely arrive in Europe around sometime in May. Cruises returning from Europe to Florida begin around mid-September which really comes to an apex in October and lingers into early November. So if you were able to find an early May repositioning cruise to Europe and then a mid-September cruise returning, that would give you four months in Europe to explore over the summer. If you’re flexible to stay a little longer on either end, you’ll have even more options. Hope that helps!

February 12, 2016 at 7:32 AM

We have a trans-atlantic cruise booked for April 2016 – looking for a map that we can print or get e-mailed to us of the route – my husband wants to keep track of each day – doing ft. lauderdale to azores (horta & ponta delgarda) then spain, france, belguim, netherlands and fly home from cophegan. don’t know which rt. holland america will use.

February 12, 2016 at 8:00 AM

Hi Pat, We also love having the cruises route to keep track of exactly where we’re going. I would recommend going to the Holland American website. Once their you can search for your exact cruise which will have the map route for your exact itinerary. Hope that helps!

November 20, 2015 at 2:47 PM

My friend and I are in our early 70’s and want to cruise a lot! Any tips for how to search for repositioning cruises would be great. Thanks, Bev in Utah

November 20, 2015 at 4:42 PM

Hi Bev! Be sure to see our next post in this series which provides our step-by-step strategies for exactly how to search for repositioning cruises. Its at this link here: http://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/how-to-get-a-repositioning-cruise-deal-for-less-than-50-per-day/

There tends to be a lot of fun active retirees around your ages on the ship, so you’ll be in good company. Hope you find yourselves the perfect cruise and enjoy!

October 8, 2015 at 6:09 PM

Hey! I really love your blog and this post is pretty cool! I also have a blog, so I read a lot of travel blogs… so far you are the best! Really great tips and insights… and you write so well! you should’t have 1000 followers, but 100.000! Congrats!

October 10, 2015 at 7:05 AM

Thanks for stopping by and for such the kind words, which are very encouraging! Looking forward to following along your blog as well. We’re in Portugal now! (Azores)

November 5, 2014 at 6:40 AM

I agree with your post that there are a lot of fun activities we can enjoy if we go for repositioning cruise.For the cost, we can ask if there are also onboard credit or any great cruise deals because there are some limited promotions that we might avail.

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New Zealand Cruises: the Ultimate Guide for a Remarkable Trip

Posted on Last updated: March 21, 2024

This island nation located off the eastern coast of Australia offers expansive bays, dramatic fiords, and a scenic coastline– perfect for exploration by hundreds of New Zealand cruises every year.

So grab one of our free cruise planners — equipped with budgeting help, daily itineraries, shore excursion planners, packing lists, and more– and stick around to learn about all the ins and outs of New Zealand cruises.

When is the Season for New Zealand Cruises?

Cruise lines most consistently visit New Zealand on their best New Zealand cruises between the months of early October to late April . This means that it can be pretty challenging to narrow down your choices as many cruise lines have dozens of New Zealand itineraries operating a month.

With so many must-see spots in New Zealand, the most popular months for New Zealand cruises are December, January, and February. This is when the temperatures are the most comfortable and enjoyable with sunnier days.

A handful of cruise ships visit New Zealand between May and September, with no New Zealand cruises operating during July (New Zealand’s first month of winter).

How is the Weather on New Zealand Cruises?

While spring, summer, and early fall in New Zealand on a cruise can be fabulous, you should always come prepared.

This means to pack various layers to stay comfortable on your New Zealand cruise. The average temperatures in the southern region of the country are vastly different than the weather you will experience at the northern end. For the best chances of warm and pleasant weather , plan your New Zealand cruise during the months of January and February.

It also  rains a lot in New Zealand , so make sure to bring your best rain jacket and umbrella. New Zealand has a high annual rainfall spread pretty evenly throughout the year. The weather on a New Zealand cruise can also change in an instant . Locals aren’t joking around when they say they sometimes experience all four seasons in one day!

When in the northern area of the country, you can expect subtropical weather during the summer, while the alpine areas of the South Island can reach as low as -10 Celsius. The average temperature gradually decreases as your New Zealand cruise travels south.

How Do I Plan a New Zealand Cruise?

If you have never been on a cruise before, you may have some questions about the logistics and how to plan your cruise .

First, you will want to get an idea of what your must-see attractions are. Most New Zealand cruises follow the popular itineraries of either departing from an Australian port, New Zealand-only, South Pacific Islands, and Repositioning cruises.

After you determine the itinerary you would like, then you need to focus on a specific cruise line for the best New Zealand cruise ever. Each cruise line offers a unique experience for every type of cruiser. Then, you can select a date with that perfect cruise line and itinerary to book and mark in your calendar!

I highly recommend booking a balcony or higher stateroom on your cruise ship as you will not regret waking up to the breathtaking New Zealand cruise landscape from your own private balcony. Also, make sure to avoid the loudest staterooms onboard to completely relax on your New Zealand cruise.

Once booked, you will receive access to more booking options like onboard packages, shore excursions, and stateroom upgrades . I highly suggest taking advantage of these pre-travel opportunities to have your vacation planned out before you leave on your New Zealand cruise!

What are the Different New Zealand Itineraries?

The majority of cruises visiting New Zealand are roundtrips from one of the popular Australian ports of Sydney and Melbourne. These New Zealand cruises tend to be more cost-effective, however, there are also opportunities to see New Zealand through cruising on longer voyages of 10+ days or shorter four night cruises.

12 Day NCL Australia and New Zealand Cruise

Cruises from Australia

By far the most popular itinerary for New Zealand cruises are those leaving from Australia. Itineraries typically leave out of either Melbourne or Sydney , Australia on these New Zealand cruises. 

The most popular of these cruises are roundtrip, including stops at the most popular New Zealand ports of Auckland, Wellington, Akaroa, Tauranga, and Dunedin . There are other opportunities for New Zealand cruises on longer voyages of 10 days or more that will explore further, less-visited ports like the Bay of Islands, Napier and Picton, and scenic cruising at the nearby Fiordland.

Some of these New Zealand itineraries will also tack on some Australian ports to your New Zealand cruise like Melbourne, Newcastle, and Hobart . Others will visit the popular South Pacific ports of Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia .

Cruise from Australia Reasons

Nature lovers, sports enthusiasts, and those who would just love to relax will fall in love with this itinerary. They all head out on New Zealand cruises for fishing charters, wildlife-watching trips, Lord of the Rings expeditions, trek hiking , and much more!

Book a stateroom overlooking New Zealand’s magnificent mountains, gushing waterfalls, rugged cliffs, fjords, and rolling hills. If you are looking for marine wildlife , you are in luck. You will more than likely spot an abundance of whales, porpoises, Royal Albatross colonies, yellow-eyed penguins, dolphins, and fur seals.

Shore excursions and onboard lectures are a must-do as they will go in-depth into the rich history of New Zealand. You will want to learn about the cultures of the indigenous people of New Zealand on your New Zealand cruise and about more recent inhabitants. The Maori culture found in New Zealand is one of the strongest in all of Polynesia and if you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings series, you will be far from disappointed.

Cruises from Australia Ports

The most popular cruises from Australia ports are Auckland, Wellington, Akaroak, Dunedin, and Tauranga . Most New Zealand cruises also pass by the breathtaking sights near Fiordland and Doubtful Sound .

A perk of New Zealand cruises traversing the ocean from Australia is calm waters . If you are prone to seasickness , this may be the itinerary for you, versus one that transits over open, rougher waters.

16-night Azamara New Zealand cruise

New Zealand-only Cruises

If you are looking for a New Zealand cruise solely in New Zealand , I highly suggest booking a New Zealand only cruise. This way, you will enjoy all the best ports of the cruises from Australia and its ports while hitting other, less-visited cruise destinations on North and South Island.

In general, these roundtrip itineraries depart from Auckland. Many of these New Zealand sailings are shorter, however. They typically run for around  three to five nights , but you may be able to find other, longer New Zealand cruises after diligent research.

New Zealand-only Cruise Reasons

You will have up to two days at sea perfect for scenic cruising as you enjoy the views of the landscape passing by. This may sound boring at first, however, these days at sea are completely different from others, as you will see some incredible sites. These include the breathtakingly rugged landscape found at Fiordland.

The New Zealand-only sailings can experience rough waters when sailing further into the ocean during the outside section of the voyage.

New Zealand-only Cruise  Ports

The most popular cruises from New Zealand tend to visit more ports than those leaving from an Australian port. This means they reach the popular New Zealand ports of Auckland, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga, and Dunedin , while adding some other, lesser-known destinations.

These include Picton, Milford Sound, and Dusky Sound . These beautiful ports of call on a New Zealand cruise are some of the best sights in New Zealand.

New Zealand Repositioning Cruises

If you are looking for relaxing longer cruise that visits New Zealand , I highly suggest booking a New Zealand repositioning cruise. This way, you will enjoy all the best ports of the cruises from Australia and its ports while spending more time at sea and potentially linking up other must-see destinations .

Typically, these repositioning cruises are seen on Transpacific itineraries taking place at the beginning or end of Austrasia cruising season . Check out the larger cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian Cruise Line to explore these itineraries.

New Zealand Repositioning Cruise Reasons

You will have plenty of days at sea for scenic cruising  as you enjoy the views of the landscape passing by in New Zealand and the other countries you pass. This may sound boring at first, however, these days at sea are completely different from those on other itineraries, as you will see remarkable sights around the Pacific Ocean. 

Since these New Zealand repositioning cruises sail across the open waters on the Pacific Ocean , you may want to pack some seasickness medicine if you are susceptible to motion-sickness.

New Zealand Repositioning Cruise  Ports

The most popular repositioning cruises that visit New Zealand typically visit less New Zealand ports than the other itineraries.. This means they won’t reach the lesser-known ports, however they will choose a couple of New Zealand ports to visit like  Auckland, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga, and Dunedin .

Popular repositioning routes include cruises from Honolulu to Auckland or Honolulu to Sydney , and the reverse. Of course these South Pacific cruise itineraries will stop in New Zealand to explore its breathtaking natural beauty.

New Zealand Cruises to the South Pacific Islands

New Zealand cruises visiting the South Pacific are the perfect way to explore the neighboring islands around this breathtaking country.

This New Zealand cruise itinerary is very popular amongst the locals as they typically leave from Auckland. The waters can be quite rough during these itineraries, however, if you are sailing during the summer months, you should not have anything to worry about.

Some highlights of the longer 7+ night New Zealand cruises include ports of call in New Caledonia and Vanuatu . Others add on other South Pacific islands like Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Fiji .

New Zealand Land and Sea Tours

On a New Zealand cruise, you can expect to journey along the state’s southeastern coast aboard your cruise ship. However, if you are looking to spend more time exploring inland, you may want to consider extending your vacation with a cruisetour.

Many smaller cruise lines like Grand Pacific Tours offer these itineraries. These options were created by popular demand as you can combine a simple New Zealand cruise with an exhilarating land tour . These are typically booked through the cruise line where you can stay in authentic lodges and hike on some of the world’s best treks.

Most of these Land and Sea Cruise-tours are guided by locals . This means you will get to know the land and culture with deep connections to the local communities once you get off your New Zealand cruise.

Types of New Zealand Cruise Lines

No matter what cruising experience you are looking for, I guarantee you will find it in New Zealand. Nearly every major cruise line has cruises to New Zealand every year.

From 3-day weekend trips to 180-day world cruises, these New Zealand cruises are absolutely stunning. There are plenty of New Zealand cruise deals available for eager cruisers booking through a travel agent or directly with the cruise line. Make sure to research diligently to find the best New Zealand cruise for you!

Mainstream and Family Cruise Lines for New Zealand Cruises

Just about all the main cruise lines offer sailings to and from New Zealand:

• R oyal Caribbean International — Royal Caribbean offers spectacular itineraries up to New Zealand’s North and South Islands at extraordinarily low prices. With this cruise line offering countless amenities for all types of cruisers, Royal Caribbean offers dozens of New Zealand cruises every year.
• Norwegian Cruise Line — Norwegian (NCL) offers unique itineraries visiting New Zealand, boasting new discoveries around every turn. NCL prides themselves on offering exhilarating wildlife and cultural shore excursions during their NCL New Zealand cruises.
• Celebrity Cruises — Celebrity Cruises offer their passengers a slightly more luxurious experience tailored to each guests’ dream New Zealand cruise. This cruise line is popular for it’s over-the-top vacation experience traveling to the soaring mountains of New Zealand.
• Carnival Cruise Line — Carnival offers very affordable New Zealand cruises for the average cruise enthusiast. Their popular cruises typically leave from Sydney when they sail to the Bay of Islands and through the beautiful fjords at Fjordland National Park.
• Holland America — Holland America offers cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific throughout the New Zealand cruising season. Whether cruising by Milford Sound or traversing the New Zealand ocean landscape, you are guaranteed to enjoy their luxurious experience on your New Zealand cruise!

Small Cruise Lines and Expedition Sailings to New Zealand

Active travelers may be looking for expedition-style voyages or cruises on a smaller ship to enjoy more time in the New Zealand ports.

• Silversea — Silversea offers stylish and intimate New Zealand cruises. Their smaller ships visit plenty of New Zealand’s hidden waterfalls and silent fjords on their journey. They pride themselves on their crew to guest ratio of almost 1:1 creating a personalized New Zealand trip for every passenger.
• Seabourn — Seabourn Encore sails New Zealand every Australasia cruising season. This stunning cruise ship brings its guests to the sweeping landscapes of New Zealand. Popular shore excursions include kayaking to waterfalls and hiking the breathtaking New Zealand mountains.
• Regent Seven Seas — Regent Seven Seas explores the geothermal wonderlands found in New Zealand through numerous Australia & New Zealand cruises. This cruise line balances cultural, active, and foodie activities.
• Zeagrahm — This tour company offers a variety of intimate New Zealand expeditions on their cruise ships. Some past expeditions include visiting the sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand and exploring the Southern Alps and Queenstown on South Island.

Top Ports for New Zealand Cruises

No matter which cruise line and itinerary you ultimately decide on, you will likely visit a mix of these fabulous New Zealand ports. 

Many cruises to New Zealand offer trips to these popular ports of call that are consistent with most itineraries. Like Caribbean cruise ports, these ports cater to the New Zealand cruise market . If you are looking for more than touristy attractions and activities, make sure to get out of the main port area and explore.

Auckland, New Zealand

This port is known as New Zealand’s most populated urban center . Auckland is a proper maritime city boasting welcoming a plethora of cruise ships and yachts year round.

Visitors will find world-renown museums and galleries, in addition to great shopping and tasty wines during their time in port. Many New Zealand cruises will embark from Auckland , so make sure to arrive a day or two early to explore this fantastic city!

What to do in Auckland:

The main draws to this popular New Zealand cruise port include the Auckland War Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki . 

Families will enjoy exploring the numerous family-friendly attractions in Auckland like the famous Sky Tower, the Auckland Zoo, and the Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary . Nature enthusiasts will love the awe-inspiring landscapes explored through shore excursions to Mount Eden, Waiheke Island, and Rangitoto Island . 

If you are in port for an extended period of time, venture a few hours outside of Auckland to some of the epic Kiwi attractions. These include the Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves .

Wellington, New Zealand

This exhilarating New Zealand port is actually the country’s capit al ! Once debarking your New Zealand cruise, stroll along the waterfront in Wellington where you will find several museums, retail stores, and restaurants to get to know the city. If you are looking to get out of the city for a while, head out of town to one of the New Zealand’s most famous wine districts !

What to do in Wellington:

You will enjoy one of Wellington’s top attractions Mount Victoria — offering incredible panoramic views located on an inner-city public parkland. Explore this cruise port’s famous historic landmarks like the Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Museum, and the Parliament House . 

Stroll the quirky Cuba Street , home to some of the city’s best cafes, bars, and markets with its stylish bohemian flair. For nature lovers, head out to Zealandia Wildlife Reserve . This reserve protects New Zealand’s natural wildlife through an enclosed urban ecosanctuary– the very first of its kind in the world.

Some other fun activities to enjoy in Wellington on your New Zealand cruise include riding the Wellington cable car system . These cable cars transport visitors and locals between the city’s top attractions like the Botanic Garden, the Cable Car Museum, and the Carter Observatory .

Dunedin, New Zealand

As a little piece of New Zealand’s Scottish heritage, Dunedin is nestled on South Island. Dunedin was named after the famous Gaelic for Edinburgh , “Dun Edin”, founded by the Presbyterian Scottish immigrants.

Dunedin is characteristically hilly as the city lays claim to the steepest residential street in the world . The town center itself is simple enough to navigate on foot, with many beautiful late 19th-century architecture still very well maintained.

What to do in Dunedin:

Look out for the gorgeous Larnach Castle when in the Dunedin port on your New Zealand cruise. This top attraction is New Zealand’s only castle, originally constructed by a wealthy banker during Otago’s gold rush years.

Learn more about Dunedin’s rich history at the Otago Museum, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Olveston Historic Home . These historic buildings offer glimpses into Dunedin’s past.

If you are looking for some outdoor attractions during your New Zealand cruise to Dunedin, check out the Dunedin Botanic Garden, Taiaroa Head & The Royal Albatross Center, and nearby Tunnel Beach . If you are spending a good amount of time in port, consider a day trip to the famed Moeraki Boulders found on Koekohe Beach near Moeraki.

Akaroa, New Zealand

Located on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of South Island, Akaroa has turned into a haven for artists, gardeners, and vacationers alike. This is also known as the best spot to reach the historic nearby city of Christchurch as the previous port of Lyttleton was damaged badly in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Whether you are spending the day exploring the inner workings of Akaroa or venturing further out into the countryside, this city is a fabulous port on New Zealand cruises.

What to do in Akaroa:

Head into the heart of Akaroa to discover the Giant’s House — a historic homestead that has since been transformed into an artsy attraction. Learn about Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula’s history at the Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum .

Another spot to explore the beautiful history and art of the area is the Akaroa Museum Te Whare Taonga . Here you will learn about the history of the Banks Peninsula by viewing an extensive collection of historic artifacts.

Head out of the city through a wildlife cruise to Akaroa Harbor to catch rare glimpses of Hector’s dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and other native animals. Alternatively, book a shore excursion kayaking in the Pohatu Marine Reserve to discover white-flippered penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, seals, Hector’s dolphins. and orcas.

Tauranga, New Zealand

Tauranga is technically the largest city in the Bay of Plenty on North Island. This New Zealand cruise port is one of the fastest growing population centers in New Zealand.

Downtown Tauranga is home to numerous historically significant areas– perfect for a scenic walk around the area. This port is a popular stop for New Zealand cruises heading into the Tauranga harbor , a popular spot for fishing, diving, sailing, and dolphin tours.

What to do in Tauranga:

Head over to Tauranga’s beautiful coastline once you step off your New Zealand cruise. Tauranga is home to white sand beaches and a plethora of water adventures destined to please every type of cruiser!

Another great outdoor adventure is hiking up Mt Maunganui . As an intermediate-level hiking spot, Mt Maunganui offers expansive views of the harbor below as a fantastic reward for tackling the rugged landscape.

The Tauranga Art Gallery provides a expansive collection of high-quality art from international street style to contemporary pieces. If you are in port for a while, book a tour to the Hobbiton Movie Set to learn about the creation of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.

a day trip to explore the bay at the Hole in the Rock. This natural wonder was carved by the sea creating a 240-foot wide hole.

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Located on the northwestern coast of North Island , the Bay of Islands is an amazing port offered when cruising to New Zealand.

The Bay of Islands is frequently compared to Rio de Janeiro as its home to the second bluest sky in the world . 144 subtropical islands are nestled in this gorgeous area filled with Maori cultural sites and stunning turquois waters.

What to do in the Bay of Islands:

Check out the Bay of Islands Maritime Park featuring a lovely lighthouse, Cape Brett, and the infamous Hole in the Rock formation. Explore this top New Zealand cruise attraction which was carved by the sea and weather creating a 240-foot wide hole.

The nation of New Zealand was formed here in the Bay of Islands with the signing of the Waitangi Treaty between the British and the Maori in 1840. Make sure to visit the on-site Te Kongahu Museum and the intricately carved meeting building where you can enjoy Maori cultural performances.

Head out to explore areas outside of the Bay of Islands at Cape Reinga located on the northern tip of New Zealand. This scenic outlook is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet and combine together.

Top Cruise-by Ports on a New Zealand Cruise

If you are planning to go on an Alaskan cruise, you can more than likely expect to have a couple days at sea cruising by some of the state’s top natural wonders. This alone is reason enough to splurge on that balcony cabin you have been debating about as you can sip on your morning coffee while watching whales and glaciers pass by.

Milford Sound

While there may not be a dock or really any port, Milford Sound is truly a treat on any New Zealand cruise situated on the western coast of South Island .

 Famously stated as the ‘ eighth wonder of the world ‘ by Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound was originally carved by glaciers during the ice ages.

Most cruises to New Zealand feature this cruise-by port which is absolutely stunning in any weather. The fjord’s cliffs feature a steep edge , as they rise from the dark waters. Milford Sound offers mountain peaks scraping the sky and waterfalls thundering downwards from over 1000 meters .

Dusky Sound

Dusky Sound lies amongst plenty of other grandiose fiords at Fiordland National Park in the southwestern area of New Zealand’s South Island .

Originally named by Captain Cook as he sailed by around dusk during his 1770 voyage to the area, Dusky Sound is home to one of the area’s largest fjords.

If you are cruising during the rainy season, you will luckily get to witness hundreds of waterfalls gushing down from the green hills above. Keep an eye out for sleeping seals on Dusky Sound’s Seal Rock and Astronomer’s Point — a historic observatory dating back to 1773 overlooking the dramatic fjord.

Doubtful Sound

Frequently referred to as the “Sound of Silence” , Doubtful Sound is a classic cruise-by sight on New Zealand cruises. Similar to Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound was named by Captain James Hook who decided to not sail into the narrow inlet as it looked a bit tight.

Similar to other fiords in the area, Doubtful Sound features two distinct layers of water that won’t mix . While the top few meters contain fresh water, the remaining water underneath is salt water from the sea.

Look out for the Hall Arm, Browne Falls, and Helena Falls at Deep Cove on your New Zealand cruise. These towering waterfalls are particularly strong during the wetter months of the year. Also watch for the area’s natural wildlife including fur seals, penguins, and bottlenose dolphins .

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New Zealand has definitely been on my bucketlist for so long and I didn’t really think of doing it with the idea of a cruise. But now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m definitely convinced. I love how theres a lot of choices. My favorites are Dusky and Doubtful Sounds.

I have never been on a cruise before and I wanted to go on one last year but unfortunately that did not happen. I would love to go on a cruise that stops at those tiny islands in the Pacific Ocean. I have been to New Zealand many times and taking a cruise to that beautiful country will be amazing.

I never thought that there would be lots of choices of cruise in New Zealand. But I should since New Zealand is an island country. I found all of them offer beautiful destinations and views. But I would like the ones that go to Milford and Doubtful Sounds. The one that goes to the South Pacific Islands also interest me. It will be great to visit New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, and the Cook Island.

New Zealand is on my dream list. I did not consider a cruise option yet. But it seems like an interesting attraction. I did not even know that there are so many possibilities and such a wide selection of cruises. It’s great that you have prepared such a detailed post with so many tips! I hope to take a cruise one day.

I was fortunate to be able to visit North Island a couple of years ago, but really want to go back to see the magic of the South Island too. I had never previously considered a cruise, but what a great idea! Might have to bring this suggestion up to my boyfriend for when travel restrictions ease. Thank you for all the information!

I have always been fascinated with New Zealand but had no idea about cruises there. Hence I found it immensely useful. Saving it for planning later when we are ready to visit. I would love to go for a longer cruise around the Polynesian islands which sounds exciting.

I have never gone for a cruise. And all my friends recommend New Zealand. This sounds so dreamy, especially Dusky and Doubtful sounds. The waterfalls and the scenery is so magnificent.

There are so many options to consider with these New Zealand cruises! I would definitely want to check out the Lord of the Rings sets, but taking a longer cruise around the Polynesian islands also sounds enticing. I’ve always heard amazing things about New Zealand so I am sure I wouldn’t be disappointed with any of the options!

Fantastic advice here on cruises around New Zealand. To be frank, I haven’t done a cruise and I havent been to this part of the world, so I wouldn’t really know where to start. I think I would prefer to do New Zealand for weeks with a campervan so if I was to do a cruise which included Auckland, I would have to combine it with other Pacific islands like Fiji and Bora Bora. Now that would be an experience to have with my family 🙂

Tauranga, New Zealand

Tauranga is the principal city of the Bay of Plenty, noted for its good climate and fine beaches. The Mount Maunganui town center is within walking distance from the port. Tauranga also plays an important role as gateway to Rotorua, known as one of New Zealand's most famous tourist attractions.

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Top 2024 & 2025 Repositioning Cruises

by The Cruise Web Team February 16, 2024, 4:36 pm

The Cruise Web-partnered cruises that offer repositioning cruises.

• Norwegian Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean International

• Windstar Cruises

Celebrity Cruises

Princess cruises.

• Carnival Cruise Line

Holland America Line

• Oceania Cruises
• Viking Ocean
• Seabourn Cruise Line

Embark on an unforgettable adventure exploring Repositioning Cruises in 2024 & 2025. Join us as we sail the seas and discover new horizons! In this blog series, we will delve into the fascinating realm of cruise travel, focusing on the unique experiences offered by top cruise lines. Join us as we discover the allure of repositioning cruises, the importance of planning ahead, and the exciting destinations awaiting travelers. Let us set sail together and uncover the wonders that await on the high seas.  

Definition and concept of repositioning cruises:

Repositioning cruises are voyages that cruise ships undertake when moving from one seasonal cruising region to another. These cruises are typically offered during the spring and fall, when cruise lines reposition their ships to different parts of the world to take advantage of the changing seasons and travel patterns.

The concept of repositioning cruises is based on the idea of maximizing the utilization of cruise ships and providing passengers with unique travel experiences. Instead of sailing empty from one region to another, cruise lines offer these voyages at discounted rates, making them an attractive option for travelers looking for longer, one-way cruises at a lower cost.  

Repositioning cruises often include fewer port stops and more days at sea compared to traditional cruises, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ship. These cruises can also offer different itineraries and ports of call than regular cruises, providing passengers with the opportunity to explore new destinations.  

Repositioning cruises have several distinct characteristics that set them apart from traditional cruises:

• Longer Duration : Repositioning cruises are typically longer in duration than traditional cruises, often lasting two weeks or more. This is due to the distance the ship needs to travel between its original and new cruising regions.  
• One-way Travel : Unlike round-trip cruises that start and end at the same port, repositioning cruises are one-way voyages. Passengers embark at one port and disembark at another, often in a different country or continent.  
• Unique Itineraries : Repositioning cruises offer unique itineraries that may include ports of call not typically visited on traditional cruises. This provides passengers with the opportunity to explore lesser-known destinations and experience different cultures.  
• More Days at Sea : Due to the longer distances traveled, repositioning cruises often include more days at sea than traditional cruises. This provides passengers with ample time to relax and enjoy the onboard amenities and activities.  
• Unique Onboard Activities : To keep passengers entertained during the longer voyage, repositioning cruises often offer unique onboard activities and events. These may include special lectures, workshops, or themed parties.  

Norwegian Cruise Line  

Discover the allure of Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, promising unforgettable adventures across the seas. Known for their innovative ships and top-notch service, NCL is the ultimate choice for travelers seeking both excitement and relaxation. These cruises offer a chance to embark on a journey of discovery, spanning multiple destinations and continents.  

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with Norwegian Cruise Line’s repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, exploring a diverse range of captivating destinations. Traverse the azure waters of the Caribbean, soak in the cultural richness of Europe, or witness the natural splendor of Alaska. From bustling metropolises to secluded paradises, NCL’s itineraries are meticulously crafted to offer an immersive experience like no other. Sail away to iconic ports of call, including majestic fjords, historic cities, and tropical islands, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder and excitement.  

25 Night Repo – Panama Canal (TPA/WQF) | April 3, 2025  

Ports of call :  Tampa, Florida | Cartagena, Colombia | Colon, Panama | Panama Canal, Panama | Puntarenas, Costa Rica |  Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala | Acapulco, Mexico |  Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Los Angeles, California | San Francisco, California | Astoria, Oregon |  Ketchikan, Alaska | Juneau, Alaska | Skagway, Alaska | Hubbard Glacier, Alaska | Whittier, Alaska  

Indulge in unparalleled luxury and comfort aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s repositioning cruises, where every detail is thoughtfully curated to enhance your experience. With an impressive array of onboard amenities, including world-class dining options, exhilarating entertainment, and rejuvenating spa facilities, NCL ensures that every guest’s needs are met with unparalleled excellence. Whether unwinding by the pool, savoring gourmet cuisine, or exploring exciting shore excursions, NCL’s repositioning cruises offer a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Plus, with innovative features such as the Norwegian Edge program, guests can expect nothing short of extraordinary service and amenities throughout their journey.  

Ready to embark on your dream repositioning cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line? Book now at The Cruise Web, contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your unforgettable voyage today!  

View Norwegian Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Royal Caribbean International, a renowned name in the cruise industry, presents an enticing array of repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. These voyages promise unparalleled experiences, blending luxury, comfort, and adventure as you traverse the seas to new horizons. With a reputation for excellence, Royal Caribbean International crafts repositioning cruises that cater to diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring every traveler finds their perfect getaway.  

Embark on a journey of discovery with Royal Caribbean International’s repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. Traverse vast oceans and visit exotic ports of call, each offering a unique cultural tapestry and breathtaking landscapes. From the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean to the majestic fjords of Alaska, Royal Caribbean International’s itineraries are carefully curated to immerse you in the beauty and charm of each destination. Explore historic cities, lounge on pristine beaches, and marvel at natural wonders as you sail towards your next adventure.  

22N ULT. ICELAND, GREENLAND & CARIBBEAN | August 19, 2024  

Ports of call :  Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Reykjavik, Iceland | Qaqortoq, Greenland | Nuuk, Greenland | St. Johns, Newfoundland | New York, New York | Kings Wharf, Bermuda |  Perfect Day at CocoCay | Miami, Florida  

Experience unmatched luxury and comfort aboard Royal Caribbean International’s repositioning cruises. Indulge in world-class dining options, from gourmet cuisine to casual fare, crafted by talented chefs using the freshest ingredients. Unwind in spacious accommodations, meticulously designed to provide the ultimate retreat at sea. Immerse yourself in a wealth of onboard activities and entertainment, from Broadway-style shows to adrenaline-pumping waterslides. With top-notch service and amenities, Royal Caribbean International ensures every moment of your repositioning cruise is filled with unforgettable experiences.  

Do not miss the opportunity to embark on a Royal Caribbean International repositioning cruise in 2024 & 2025. Book your voyage today with The Cruise Web and set sail towards new adventures on the high seas. Contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your dream getaway.  

View Royal Caribbean Repositioning Cruise of 2024 & 2025

Windstar Cruises  

Windstar Cruises presents a captivating array of repositioning cruise options in 2024 & 2025, designed to transport travelers on unforgettable journeys across the seas. With a reputation for intimate luxury and personalized service, Windstar Cruises stands out as a premier choice for discerning travelers seeking distinctive experiences. Embark on a voyage of discovery with Windstar Cruises’ repositioning cruises, where every moment onboard is infused with elegance and adventure.  

Set sail with Windstar Cruises on repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025 to explore an array of captivating destinations spanning continents and cultures. From the tranquil waters of the Caribbean to the majestic fjords of Scandinavia, each itinerary is meticulously crafted to showcase the best of each region. Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of Europe, Asia, and beyond, as you journey to iconic ports of call and hidden gems off the beaten path. Whether you seek sun-soaked beaches, historic landmarks, or breathtaking natural wonders, Windstar Cruises’ repositioning cruises offer something for every traveler’s wanderlust.  

Ocean Crossings 15D BGI-LIS  | March 26, 2025  

Ports of call :  Bridgetown, Barbados | Lisbon, Portugal

Windstar Cruises repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025 elevate the art of travel with their unique features and amenities tailored to enhance the onboard experience. Experience the intimacy of small ships cruising with Windstar’s fleet of elegant sailing yachts and luxurious motor ships, designed to access hidden harbors and secluded ports inaccessible to larger vessels. Indulge in gourmet dining experiences inspired by local flavors and ingredients, curated by talented chefs passionate about culinary excellence. Relax and rejuvenate in spacious accommodations adorned with luxurious amenities and breathtaking ocean views, ensuring a restful sanctuary at sea. With attentive service and a commitment to exceeding guest expectations, Windstar Cruises sets the standard for luxury repositioning cruises.    

Are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Book your Windstar Cruises repositioning cruise for 2024 & 2025 today and unlock a world of adventure and luxury. Contact The Cruise Web at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your unforgettable voyage at sea.  

View Windstar Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Set sail on an unforgettable journey with Celebrity Cruises in 2024 & 2025, as they offer a captivating lineup of repositioning cruises. Known for their exceptional service and luxurious accommodations, Celebrity Cruises has curated a diverse selection of voyages to cater to every traveler’s wanderlust. Whether you crave a peaceful retreat or an adventurous expedition, Celebrity Cruises has the perfect repositioning cruise for you.  

Explore new horizons with Celebrity Cruises’ repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, featuring enchanting destinations and carefully planned itineraries. Cruise through the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, discover the historic ports of Europe, or witness the majestic beauty of Alaska. Each journey promises a wealth of enriching experiences, from stunning beaches to cultural treasures, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime.  

19 NIGHT TAHITIAN TREASURES CRUISE | October 1, 2025  

Ports of call :  Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | Moorea, French Polynesia | Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia | Raiatea, French Polynesia | Tauranga, New Zealand | Auckland, New Zealand | Bay of Islands (Paihia), New Zealand | Sydney, Australia

Indulge in unparalleled luxury and comfort aboard Celebrity Cruises’ repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, boasting an array of unique features and amenities designed to enhance your journey. Relax in stylish staterooms with modern amenities and breathtaking ocean views, savor exquisite cuisine crafted by world-renowned chefs, and unwind in sophisticated lounges and entertainment venues. With attentive service and innovative onboard experience, Celebrity Cruises ensures that every moment of your repositioning cruise is nothing short of extraordinary.  

Book your Celebrity Cruises repositioning cruise for 2024 & 2025 today with The Cruise Web and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Call us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your dream getaway.  

View Celebrity Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Experience the epitome of luxury and adventure with Azamara’s exquisite repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. Set sail on a journey that seamlessly blends comfort, sophistication, and excitement, promising an unforgettable voyage across the seas.  

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first cruise, Azamara’s unwavering commitment to excellence ensures a remarkable experience from beginning to end.  

Discover the world with Azamara’s repositioning cruises, spanning diverse continents from the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean to the exotic landscapes of Asia and beyond. Delve into carefully crafted itineraries that allow you to explore iconic ports of call, immerse yourself in vibrant cultures, and embark on enriching shore excursions.  

  17 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE | July 13, 2024  

Ports of Call: Oslo, Norway | Stavanger, Norway | Haugesund, Norway | Geiranger, Norway | Svolvaer, Norway | Tromso, Norway | Honningsvag (North Cape), Norway | Alta, Norway | Bodo, Norway | Trondheim, Norway | Copenhagen, Denmark  

Embarking on an Azamara repositioning cruise in 2024 & 2025 offers passengers a host of unique features and amenities designed to elevate their onboard experience. From elegant accommodations with plush furnishings to world-class dining options featuring gourmet cuisine, Azamara ensures every aspect of the journey exceeds expectations. Additionally, passengers can indulge in immersive cultural experiences, curated onboard entertainment, and rejuvenating spa treatments, making each moment onboard a celebration of luxury and relaxation.  

Whether you crave the historical charm of European cities or the breathtaking beauty of tropical paradises, Azamara’s itineraries cater to every traveler’s wanderlust. Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Azamara and create unforgettable memories at sea. Book your voyage today at The Cruise Web or call us at 1-800-377-9383 . For inquiries, email us at [email protected] . Your extraordinary journey awaits!  

View Azamara Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Princess Cruises is renowned for its spectacular repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, offering travelers a remarkable journey across oceans and continents. As a leading name in the industry, Princess Cruises ensures an unforgettable experience for passengers seeking adventure and relaxation alike. With a fleet of state-of-the-art ships and a commitment to excellence, Princess Cruises stands out as a top choice for repositioning cruises in the upcoming years.  

Embark on a Princess Cruises repositioning adventure in 2024 & 2025 and discover a world of breathtaking destinations and captivating itineraries. From traversing the Panama Canal to exploring the scenic wonders of Alaska, Princess Cruises offers an array of enticing routes designed to satisfy every traveler’s wanderlust. Experience the vibrant cultures of South America, the pristine beaches of the Caribbean, or the historic landmarks of Europe—all from the comfort of your luxurious Princess Cruises ship.  

38 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE | November 14, 2024  

Ports of call :  Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy | Salerno, Italy | Argostoli, Kephalonia | Crete, Greece |  Santorini (Thira), Greece | Rhodes, Greece | Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey | Mykonos, Greece | Piraeus (Athens), Greece | Mykonos, Greece |  Limassol, Cyprus |  Rhodes, Greece | Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey | Crete, Greece | Katakolon (Olympia), Greece | Naples, Italy | Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy | Sardinia, Italy | Malaga, Spain | Tangier, Morocco | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands | Mindelo, Cape Verde Island | Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida  

Princess Cruises sets itself apart with an array of unique features and amenities tailored specifically for repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. Enjoy unparalleled comfort and elegance in spacious staterooms, indulge in gourmet dining experiences crafted by world-class chefs, and immerse yourself in a wealth of onboard entertainment options, from Broadway-style shows to rejuvenating spa treatments. With attentive service and a commitment to passenger satisfaction, Princess Cruises ensures that every moment of your repositioning voyage is nothing short of extraordinary.   

Ready to embark on your Princess Cruises repositioning adventure? Book your cruise today at The Cruise Web and set sail for unforgettable memories. Call us on 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your dream vacation.  

View Princess Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Carnival Cruise Line  

Step aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s repositioning cruises in 2024 and 2025 for a journey like no other! Experience the thrill of exploring new horizons as you sail across oceans and discover captivating destinations. From the vibrant shores of the Caribbean to the cultural gems of Europe, Carnival offers a kaleidoscope of experiences that promise excitement and adventure at every turn.  

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and family-friendly environment that Carnival is renowned for. With a commitment to exceptional value and entertainment, every moment onboard is designed to be unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or exploration, Carnival’s carefully curated itineraries ensure a perfect balance, making these voyages ideal for travelers of all ages.  

31-day Alaska & Japan Cruise | April 1, 2024  

Ports of Call: Brisbane, Australia | Guam, Asia | Okinawa (Naha), Japan | Hiroshima, Japan | Yokohama, Japan | Aomori, Japan | Seward, Alaska | Hubbard Glacier, Alaska | Juneau, Alaska | Ketchikan, Alaska | Seattle, Washington  

Carnival Cruise Line distinguishes itself with an array of unique features and amenities tailored to enhance the repositioning cruise experience. From world-class dining options and exhilarating entertainment to spacious accommodations and immersive onboard activities, Carnival ensures that every moment onboard is filled with excitement and relaxation. Additionally, passengers can indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, engage in thrilling shore excursions, and enjoy unparalleled service from the dedicated crew, making Carnival repositioning cruises an extraordinary journey.  

Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on an epic adventure with Carnival Cruise Line. Book your repositioning cruise today and prepare for an enriching experience that will create lasting memories! Contact The Cruise Web at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your unforgettable adventure.  

View Carnival Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Set sail on a remarkable adventure with Holland America Line’s 2024 & 2025 repositioning cruises! Known for its exquisite service and sophisticated atmosphere, Holland America Line offers a range of repositioning voyages tailored to fulfill every traveler’s wanderlust.  

Experience the thrill of discovery as you journey through captivating destinations across the globe. From the lively streets of Europe to the sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean, Holland America Line’s repositioning cruises offer a unique opportunity to explore iconic waterways and stunning landscapes. With thoughtfully planned itineraries, Holland America Line guarantees an unforgettable experience for those seeking both adventure and cultural immersion.  

42-day Ultimate Viking Explorer & Passage | July 8, 2024  

  Ports of call :  Ijmuiden, Netherlands |  Oslo, Norway | Runavik, Faroe Islands | Djupivogur, Iceland | Isafjord, Iceland | Qaqortoq, Greenland | Paamiut (Frederickshaab), Greenland | Nanortalik, Greenland | Reykjavik, Iceland | Stornoway, Scotland | Portree, Scotland | Kirkwall, Scotland | S. Queensferry, Scotland | Ijmuiden, Netherlands | Alesund, Norway | Akureyri, Iceland | Isafjord, Iceland | Reykjavik, Iceland | Santos (Sao Paulo), Brazil | Qaqortoq, Greenland | Nanortalik, Greenland | St. Anthony, Newfoundland | St. Johns, Newfoundland | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | Sydney, Nova Scotia | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Bar Harbor, Maine | Boston, Massachusetts

Holland America Line distinguishes itself with an array of unique features and amenities tailored to enhance the repositioning cruise experience. From elegant onboard dining options showcasing world-class cuisine to immersive enrichment programs exploring the destinations visited, travelers can indulge in luxury and enrichment throughout their voyage. Enjoy spacious accommodations, exceptional service, and many onboard activities designed to cater to all interests and preferences. With Holland America Line’s repositioning cruises, embark on a journey of a lifetime filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories.  

Experience an exceptional repositioning cruise with Holland America Line or any of our prestigious partner cruise lines by booking your voyage today through The Cruise Web. Contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to begin planning your ideal cruise getaway.  

View Holland America Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Step aboard Cunard’s luxurious ships and set sail on an unforgettable journey across the seas in 2024 & 2025. Renowned for their elegance and sophistication, Cunard’s repositioning cruises offer discerning travelers the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.  

Discover stunning destinations worldwide, from transatlantic crossings to exotic ports of call. Each itinerary is thoughtfully curated to showcase the beauty and diversity of the seas. Experience the allure of the Mediterranean, immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean, or marvel at the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Europe.  

41 NIGHT Transpacific CRUISE | May 14, 2024  

Ports of call :  Yokohama, Japan | Kushiro, Japan | Hakodate, Japan | Sakaiminato, Japan | Busan (Kyongju), South Korea | Nagasaki, Japan | Shimizu, Japan  | Yokohama, Japan | Hakodate, Japan | Kushiro, Japan | Kodiak, Alaska |  Seward, Alaska | Juneau, Alaska | Sitka, Alaska | Misty Fjord, Alaska | Victoria, British Columbia | Seattle, Washington

Cunard’s repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025 boast an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication. Indulge in sumptuous accommodations, exquisite dining options, and world-class entertainment throughout your voyage. Take advantage of enriching onboard activities, including guest speakers, workshops, and cultural performances. With impeccable service and attention to detail, Cunard ensures a truly extraordinary experience on every journey.  

Seize the opportunity to embark on a Cunard repositioning cruise and make memories that will endure forever. Reserve your journey now through The Cruise Web and begin your adventure and luxury on the open waters. Reach out to us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to begin organizing your unforgettable escape.  

View Cunard Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

When it comes to repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, Oceania stands out as a premier choice. Renowned for its luxury and elegance, Oceania Cruises offers a selection of repositioning voyages that promise unforgettable experiences on the high seas.  

Embark on a journey of discovery with Oceania’s repositioning cruises, exploring a variety of captivating destinations. From the sunny shores of the Caribbean to the breathtaking landscapes of Europe, Oceania’s itineraries span the globe, ensuring there’s something for every traveler’s taste. Whether you are craving the cultural riches of the Mediterranean or the natural wonders of Alaska, Oceania’s repositioning cruises promise an enriching and immersive adventure.  

35 NIGHT Repositioning CRUISE | April 17, 2025  

Ports of call :  Singapore, Singapore | Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia |  Penang, Malaysia |  Langkawi, Malaysia | Phuket, Thailand | Colombo, Sri Lanka | Kochi, India | Mangalore, India | Goa, India | Male, Maldives | Mahe, Seychelles Islands | Praslin, Seychelles Islands | Mahe, Seychelles Islands | Nosy Be, Madagascar | Mayotte, Comoros Isles | Maputo, Mozambique | Richards Bay, South Africa | Durban, South Africa | Mossel Bay, South Africa | Cape Town, South Africa  

Oceania sets itself apart with its unparalleled commitment to luxury and personalized service. Guests aboard Oceania’s repositioning cruises can indulge in exquisite dining experiences curated by world-class chefs, relax in spacious and elegantly appointed accommodations, and partake in a wide array of enriching activities and entertainment options. With a focus on providing a truly immersive and refined travel experience, Oceania ensures that every moment spent onboard is nothing short of extraordinary.  

Ready to embark on an unforgettable journey with Oceania’s repositioning cruises? Book your cruise today with The Cruise Web and let us help you plan the voyage of a lifetime. Contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your dream vacation.  

View Oceania Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Viking Ocean Cruises  

Viking Ocean Cruises is renowned for its exceptional repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. These voyages offer travelers the chance to embark on unforgettable journeys across the seas, exploring new destinations and cultures along the way. With Viking Ocean Cruises, passengers can expect unparalleled comfort, luxury, and service from start to finish. Whether it is traversing the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean or crossing the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, Viking Ocean Cruises ensures a seamless and enriching experience for all passengers.  

The destinations and itineraries offered by Viking Ocean Cruises in 2024 & 2025 are nothing short of spectacular. From the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean to the rugged landscapes of Northern Europe, each voyage promises an array of captivating destinations to explore. Passengers can immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of bustling cities, discover hidden gems off the beaten path, and marvel at breathtaking natural wonders. With carefully crafted itineraries designed to showcase the best each region has to offer; Viking Ocean Cruises ensures an unforgettable journey filled with unforgettable experiences.  

28 Night Greenland,Iceland,Norway & Beyond | June 17, 2025  

Ports of call :  New York, New York | Qaqortoq, Greenland | Nanortalik, Greenland |  Isafjord, Iceland | Akureyri, Iceland | Seydisfjordur, Iceland | Reykjavik, Iceland | Isafjord, Iceland | Reindyrsflya | Honningsvag (North Cape), Norway | Narvik, Norway | Lofoten, Norway | Geiranger, Norway | Bergen, Norway  

What sets Viking Ocean Cruises apart are its unique features and amenities that elevate the repositioning cruise experience to new heights. From spacious and elegantly appointed staterooms to world-class dining options curated by renowned chefs, every aspect of the journey is designed to exceed expectations. Passengers can relax and unwind in luxurious onboard spas, enjoy enriching lectures and cultural performances, and partake in immersive shore excursions led by knowledgeable guides. With attentive service and attention to detail at every turn, Viking Ocean Cruises ensures that every moment spent onboard is nothing short of extraordinary.  

To embark on your own unforgettable repositioning cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises in 2024 & 2025, book your voyage today at The Cruise Web, contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] .  

View Viking Ocean Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas, renowned for luxury travel experiences, offers an exquisite array of repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. These voyages provide discerning travelers with an unparalleled journey across oceans, blending comfort, sophistication, and exploration.  

Embark on a captivating adventure with Regent Seven Seas as you traverse the globe during their repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. Explore diverse destinations, such as exotic islands, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes. From the azure waters of the Caribbean to the historic ports of Europe, each itinerary promises awe-inspiring experiences and cultural immersion.  

39 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE | August 11, 2025  

Ports of call :  Piraeus (Athens), Greece |  Istanbul, Turkey | Santorini (Thira), Greece | Amalfi, Italy | Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Barcelona, Spain | Alicante, Spain | Granada, Spain | Cadiz (Seville), Spain | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal | Horta, Azores, Portugal | St. John’s, Antigua | Corner Brook, Newfoundland | Quebec City, Quebec | Montreal, Quebec | Saguenay Fjord, Canada | Sydney, Nova Scotia | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Saint John, New Brunswick | Portland, Maine | Boston, Massachusetts | New York, New York  

Indulge in the ultimate luxury aboard Regent Seven Seas’ repositioning cruises, where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed expectations. Enjoy spacious suites adorned with elegant furnishings, personalized service from attentive staff, and exquisite dining experiences showcasing world-class cuisine. Enhance your journey with enriching onboard activities, from immersive cultural lectures to rejuvenating spa treatments. With all-inclusive amenities and impeccable service, Regent Seven Seas repositioning cruises redefine luxury travel.  

Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a luxurious voyage with Regent Seven Seas in 2024 & 2025. Contact The Cruise Web at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to book your dream cruise and create unforgettable memories at sea.  

View Regent Seven Seas Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

Seabourn Cruise Line  

Seabourn Cruise Line, renowned for its luxury and personalized service, presents a captivating array of repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. These voyages offer travelers a unique opportunity to traverse the globe in style, experiencing unparalleled comfort and sophistication amidst breathtaking seascapes. With Seabourn, passengers embark on a journey of discovery, immersing themselves in the beauty of diverse destinations while indulging in exquisite onboard amenities.  

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Seabourn’s repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025, exploring a myriad of captivating destinations across the globe. From the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean to the pristine landscapes of the Caribbean, each itinerary is meticulously crafted to offer an unparalleled voyage of discovery. Traverse iconic ports of call, from bustling cosmopolitan cities to secluded island paradises, as you uncover the rich tapestry of cultures and landscapes that await at every turn.  

40 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE | February 22, 2024  

Ports of call :  Buenos Aires, Argentina |  Ushuaia, Argentina | Stanley, Falkland Islands | South Georgia, Antarctica | Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha | Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha | Praia, Cape Verde | Mindelo, Cape Verde Island | Banjul, Gambia | Dakar, Senegal | Agadir, Morocco | Casablanca, Morocco | Tangier, Morocco | Malaga, Spain  

Seabourn sets the standard for luxury travel with its unrivaled onboard features and amenities, ensuring an unparalleled experience for discerning travelers. Indulge in gourmet dining experiences curated by world-renowned chefs, relax in spacious and elegantly appointed suites, and rejuvenate body and soul at the onboard spa and wellness center. With a commitment to personalized service and attention to detail, Seabourn elevates the repositioning cruise experience to new heights of luxury and sophistication.  

Do not miss the opportunity to embark on a remarkable journey with Seabourn Cruise Line’s repositioning cruises in 2024 & 2025. Book your cruise today at The Cruise Web, contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your unforgettable voyage.  

View Seabourn Repositioning Cruises of 2024 & 2025

As we look ahead to the years 2024 & 2025, The Cruise Web is thrilled to present a curated selection of top repositioning cruise options from our esteemed partner cruise lines. These cruises offer unparalleled opportunities to explore diverse destinations, indulge in luxurious amenities, and create lasting memories at sea. With a variety of itineraries and experiences to choose from, travelers can embark on a voyage tailored to their preferences and interests, ensuring an unforgettable journey from start to finish.  

When selecting the perfect repositioning cruise for your needs, consider the following tips to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience:  

• Destination preferences : Determine which regions and ports of call align with your travel interests and bucket list destinations.  
• Cruise line amenities : Research the amenities and onboard offerings of each cruise line to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and preferences.  
• Itinerary duration : Consider the length of the cruise and any specific time constraints or scheduling preferences you may have.  
• Budget considerations : Set a realistic budget for your repositioning cruise, considering factors such as fares, gratuities, and onboard expenses.  
• Travel dates : Plan and book early to secure the best rates and availability for your preferred travel dates.  

By keeping these tips in mind, you can select the best repositioning cruise to suit your individual preferences and ensure a memorable and rewarding experience at sea.  

At The Cruise Web, we believe that repositioning cruises offers a unique opportunity for travelers to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure across the seas. With our partner cruise lines, including Azamara, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and many more, travelers can experience the thrill of exploring new destinations, cultures, and experiences while enjoying the comforts and luxury of a cruise vacation. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, exploration, or adventure, our partner cruise lines offer a repositioning cruise to suit every taste and preference. Book your repositioning cruise with The Cruise Web today and embark on the journey of a lifetime. Contact us at 1-800-377-9383 or email us at [email protected] to start planning your next adventure at sea.  

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Repositioning Cruises from Los Angeles

Several cruise lines offer repositioning cruises from LA. The destinations of these one-way cruise are Florida, New York, Canada, Japan, Australia, Peru and Chile.

A repositioning cruise is one that shifts a ship from one departure port to another. Out of Los Angeles, the cruises often go through the Panama Canal to the East Coast. Repositioning cruises are usually good bargains because one-way cruises are not as popular as round-trips.

January 12, 2024: 15-night cruise to Florida on Norwegian . One-way from Los Angeles to Miami (Florida). Visit Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Acapulco (Mexico), Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), Panama City (Panama), the Panama Canal and Cartagena (Colombia).

March 31, 2024: 5-night cruise to Canada on Norwegian . One-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver (Canada). Visit San Francisco (California) and Victoria (Canada).

April 22, 2024: 4-night cruise to Canada on Royal Caribbean . One-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver (Canada). Visit Monterey (California) and Victoria (Canada).

May 1, 2024: 12-day cruise to Canada on Oceania . One-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver (Canada). Visit San Francisco (California), Astoria (Oregon), Sitka (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska) and Ketchikan (Alaska).

May 4, 2024: 6-night cruise to Canada on Celebrity . One-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver (Canada). Visit Santa Barbara (California), San Francisco (California), Astoria (Oregon) and Victoria (Canada).

May 9, 2024: 15-day cruise to Florida on Princess . One-way from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale (Florida). Visit Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Huatulco (Mexico), San Juan del Sur (Nicargua), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Fuerte Amador (Panama), the Panama Canal and Cartagena (Colombia).

August 22, 2024: 18-night cruise to Japan on Carnival . One-way from Long Beach to Tokyo (Japan). Visit Ketchikan (Alaska), Sitka (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Kushiro (Japan) and Aomori (Japan).

September 19, 2024: 15-night cruise to Florida on Celebrity . One-way from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale (Florida). Visit Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Huatulco (Mexico), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), the Panama Canal, Cartagena (Colombia) and Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands).

September 28, 2024: 14-night cruise to Louisiana on Royal Caribbean . One-way from Los Angeles to New Orleans (Louisiana). Visit Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Huatulco (Mexico), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), the Panama Canal and Cartagena (Colombia).

October 5, 2024: 16-night cruise to Florida on Royal Caribbean . One-way from Los Angeles to Tampa (Florida). Visit Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Mazatlan (Mexico), Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), the Panama Canal, Colon (Panama), Cartagena (Colombia) and Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands).

October 8, 2024: 21-day cruise to New Zealand on Princess . One-way from Los Angeles to Auckland (New Zealand). Visit Honolulu (Hawaii), Maui (Hawaii), Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Pago Pago (American Samoa).

December 6, 2024: 15-night cruise to Florida on Norwegian . One-way from Los Angeles to Miami (Florida). Visit Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Acapulco (Mexico), Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), Panama City (Panama), the Panama Canal and Cartagena (Colombia).

Why A Repositioning Cruise Is A Budget-Saving Way To Check Off A Bucket-List Destination

W ant to save a boatload of money on your next bucket-list trip ? Consider a repositioning cruise, which offers you a way to see some of the world's best destinations on a budget. These true hidden gems of travel occur when a cruise line needs to move a boat from one region to another. They are one-way sailings and often take place in shoulder seasons when ships need to begin a new season in another area. Basically, the ships chase the sun, and on a repositioning cruise, you can do the same.

For example, as Celebrity Cruises explains, cruises in Alaska are popular in the spring and summer months but don't hold the same allure during the long, dark winters. So the boat heads off to warmer climes — often in Asia — and, rather than sailing empty, the cruise lines offer heavily discounted fares for passengers who want to go along for the ride. So ahoy budget-conscious cruisers: step aboard.

Where You Can Go And What To Expect

There are quite a few different routes to choose from, and all major cruise lines offer repositioning cruises at some point. So you do have a choice of where to go and with which company. Popular routes are between Europe and the Caribbean, between North America and South America, and across the Pacific. Celebrity Cruises lists their popular embarkation points for repositioning cruises, which include the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain; tropical Honolulu, Hawaii ; and glorious Sydney, Australia. Not too shabby.

One thing to note is that repositioning cruises are usually longer than traditional cruises, which likely isn't a surprise given the distances they travel. You might also be thinking that on a repositioning cruise, you'll be stuck onboard the ship for the entire time. Not so. While you may expect to spend more days at sea than on a traditional cruise, there are usually plenty of port stops.

As an example, a 20-night cruise on Oceania Cruises' Nautica from Dubai to Singapore offers multiple stops in fascinating ports including Mumbai, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Phuket, Thailand. It's the vacation of a lifetime. With Celebrity Cruises, a 12-night cruise from New Jersey to Iceland onboard the Celebrity Eclipse stops in Canada and Greenland. Transatlantic cruises often stop in the Azores or the Canary Islands, while transpacific cruises often dock in Tahiti and Bora Bora (aka paradise).

Savings And Booking

Traditional cruises that take in many of the destinations mentioned above would usually be out of reach for a budget traveler. But you can save big on a repositioning cruise — often 50% to 75% on the average price for a cruise. Currently, an 11-night trip with Celebrity Cruises across the Atlantic from the U.K. to Bermuda costs as little as $649, a bargain in anyone's book. Reduced prices don't mean that you're getting an inferior boat or service, though; all-inclusive drinks packages, spa treatments, entertainment, and much more are all still available onboard.

So how do you find these mythical cruises? The best way is to do an internet search with "repositioning cruise" + [destination/route/cruise line]. This will show you cruise lines' official websites as well as booking sites where you can find cruises provided by several operators. Repositioning cruises offer an excellent way of following an unusual and often fabulous itinerary for bargain prices, so start searching now.

Read this next: The Ultimate Guide To Perfectly Packing For Your Cruise Vacation

Repositioning

To see discounted cruises in this region, use the Find a Bargain box on the left.

Rock-bottom prices, varied itineraries and a large number of relaxing days at sea are all unique characteristics of a Repositioning cruise. Usually offered in the fall and spring months, this interesting cruise option allows you to journey to uncommon and even exotic ports of call as a cruise ship relocates to a new region.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler looking to visit new ports of call or a cruise novice interested in an unbelievable deal, a Repositioning cruise will give you a unique opportunity to embark on an out-of-the-ordinary journey to see multiple destinations and sometimes different continents of the world. The most common itineraries feature sailings from Alaska to Hawaii or Transatlantic voyages from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean in the fall, or the reverse in the spring, although there is an endless combination of itineraries periodically offered throughout the year as ships move from region to region around the globe. Spend days relaxing onboard resort-style ships as you cruise to or from seasonal cruise regions like Bermuda, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Asia, stopping to explore ports of call along the way.

• Repositioning cruises primarily operate during the spring and fall months when ships are relocating to and from major cruise regions, although these cruises are offered periodically throughout the year.  
• Repositioning cruises vary greatly in length. Most are longer than a week, lasting at least 10 nights.  
• Repositioning cruises leave from major departure ports all over the world, among them are Miami, London, Rome, Buenos Aires and Anchorage. You will have to arrange one-way air to the port of embarkation and from the port of disembarkation. If you must fly a very long distance to reach your port of departure, we suggest that you arrive at the port city at least one or two days in advance of your Repositioning cruise. This will give you time to rest and get oriented before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines offer pre-cruise hotel packages.

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Repositioning Cruises

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Luxury Repositioning Cruises

Sail from one incredible destination to another on one of our luxury repositioning cruises. Explore Europe’s dynamic cities. Lounge on Fort Lauderdale’s stunning beaches. Spend relaxed days on board one of our luxury cruise ships in the award-winning spa, dipping in the sparkling pool, and tasting world-class culinary creations inspired by global destinations. With plenty of days at sea and stops in some of the most coveted ports in the world, these repositioning cruises promise adventure both on and off the ship.

Browse Repositioning Cruise Itineraries

Itineraries, view all repositioning cruises, explore two continents on an unforgettable repositioning cruise.

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey across the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean aboard our spectacular repositioning cruises. Sail from one continent to another on an award-winning ship , and experience unrivaled luxury, service, and entertainment as it relocates from one region of the world to another.

In the late fall, our repositioning cruises sail from Europe, where you’ll depart from fascinating cities like Lisbon, Southampton, and Rome, to North America. Stop in stunning destinations such as Nice, Provence, the Azores, and the Canary Islands, and luxuriate in consecutive days at sea before arriving at your debarkation port in Florida or the Northeast. Or cruise between Europe and South America on a cruise from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro and explore ports in the Canary Islands and Brazil. 

In the early spring, our transatlantic cruises depart from the United States and head back across the Atlantic, stopping in beautiful European destinations along the way, such as the islands of Palma de Mallorca and Corsica, before arriving in Rome, Southampton, and Lisbon.

Whether you choose to board a relocation cruise in the spring or fall, you’ll find a wealth of options to choose from. Depending on your itinerary, you’ll explore the sun-soaked Mediterranean, visit popular ports across Western Europe, or stop in Iceland and Greenland along the way. 

Sail across the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean on a transpacific cruise that travels from Asia to North America—and vice versa. Depart from the exciting city of Tokyo and stop in destinations in Russia and Japan along the way. A highlight of a transpacific cruise is traversing the International Dateline.

You can also board one of our repositioning cruises between Hawaii and Australia. Depart from either Honolulu or Sydney and visit breathtaking islands in the South Pacific, including New Zealand’s idyllic Bay of Islands, dreamy destinations in French Polynesia like Bora Bora and Tahiti, and the tropical islands of Hawaii.

Aside from these remarkable journeys across continents, we also have exciting repositioning cruises that travel from one destination to another within the Western Hemisphere. Sail between San Diego or Los Angeles and Vancouver and cruise along the Pacific Coast, stopping in destinations throughout California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada along the way. Or combine a tropical vacation in the Caribbean with sightseeing in the Northeast by embarking on an open-jaw itinerary between Miami and Cape Liberty or Boston; San Juan and Cape Liberty; or a Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan.

On all of our repositioning cruises, you’ll have access to exciting venues and unlimited entertainment. Spend days at sea lounging by the outdoor pool or relaxing at the indoor solarium. Schedule a day at the spa and choose from a number of reinvigorating and revitalizing treatments. Dine on delicious dishes designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Dance under the stars at one of our rooftop lounges. There’s no shortage of magic and adventure awaiting on a Celebrity cruise.

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Repositioning Cruises

Ships, Itineraries, Sailng Dates, Prices

• Cruise Industry
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RepositionCruises.com has all Repositioning Cruises 2024-2025-2026 schedule as dates and itineraries officially announced by the world’s major cruise lines. here you’ll get your answers to questions like “What is a Repositioning Cruise”, what are the best destinations, how cheap are the prices, which are the best lines and ships, how to find them, why and when to take them, what are the benefits and disadvantages, what are the best or cheapest routes.

Some of our relocation cruise itineraries are the first transition voyages of the companies’ newest vessels (inaugurated in 2024-25). Another very useful information we provide is about the company’s itinerary changes in destinations/ports, operational regions/deployment, homeports (turnaround / departure ports). Whatever the reposition voyages might be as types, be sure that you’ll get the best-price ship travel deals to some of the world’s best-known vacation destinations!

Note: RepositionCruises.com selects the relocation itineraries from the ship schedules available at CruiseMapper.com .

What is a “Repositioning Cruise” (definition)

“Repositioning Cruise” is a one-off sea/ocean voyage that cruise passenger ships make when transferring from one operational region to another. Usually, this is done in Spring and Fall, often each year. But there are some exceptions to these “usual times”. Your off-season vacations will be marked by discounted cheap rates, big (yet not crowded) cruise ships, lots of “lazy leisure days” to enjoy the tranquillity of the sea.

Ship relocation deals are the preferable option for “highly addicted” travelers to enjoy a truly special and most affordable sea cruising vacation. The special ship relocation voyages always feature a one-way itinerary (connecting different embarkation and disembarkation ports) since cruise ships relatively often change their sailing areas due to economic reasons.

Another prominent feature of all these “ship transition cruises” deals is the bargain price – they all are really really cheap in comparison to the ship’s regular cruise rates. Repositioning deals are rarely called that way by travel agents or in companies’ brochures. One of the most popular substitute names officially used by the industry’s representatives is “Discovery Voyage”.

The list of synonyms for repositioning voyages includes: “Relocation Cruises”, “Transit-” or “Transition Cruises”, “Crossings” (also with “Eastbound” and “Westbound”). Of course, the most traditional (by definition) is “One-Way”, and also by destination – “Panama Canal”, “Suez Canal”, “Transpacific” and “Transatlantic”.

The reasons to book a relocation voyage are so many. These special offers are “different” voyages that offer unique opportunities like Atlantic Ocean crossings, visiting and sailing Alaska, Hawaii, and transiting Suez Canal and Panama Canal’s new locks (a true engineering miracle).

When considering this unique type of travel vacation-themed as “Repositioning Cruises”, know that it’s all about long and exciting voyages, transiting famous canals, crossing the world’s biggest oceans. You’ll be most probably sailing coast to coast, often from one sea to another. It’s about comfort and impeccable service on some of the world’s best cruise liners. It’s about all the fun you can get on up to 3-week transitions visiting different continents, changing cold with warm climates. It’s about a resort-type swimming pool and Jacuzzi experiences, gourmet cuisine, bingo and casino thrills, onboard duty-free shopping. Some ships even offer rock climbing, surfing, Zip-lining, hovering, and ice-skating at sea.

Why take reposition cruises?

• It’s a longer (often Transoceanic) voyage
• The itinerary has only a few ports of call. Destinations are from the “special and exotic” category, featuring Africa, South America, Transatlantic and Transpacific, US East Coast and the Caribbean, often Asia and Australia.
• Top-option for “best fun” experiences on bigger passenger ships, with a lot more sea days than on a normal voyage.
• Irresistibly cheap rates – most affordable to cheap cruise rates on both mainstream and top luxury ships when they relocate in Spring and Fall each year.
• These are all low-season discounted deals on alluringly low-priced cruises.

Still, whoever is blessed with enough free time and an adventurous spirit may enjoy each year at least one of the not-so-many repositioning cruise ships.

Repositioning cruise – examples, benefits, disadvantages

• Passenger ships sailing during the hot summer in Alaska relocate in the Fall to the Caribbean Sea region through Panama Canal, or to Hawaii and then to Australia or Asia for their winter seasons.
• Ships from Northern Europe sail to the Mediterranean Sea or across the Atlantic Ocean to operate roundtrip itineraries leaving from USA ports (Florida and New York mostly) or to the Caribbean for round-trips from Barbados or Puerto Rico.
• Ships move from South America to Florida (for the Caribbean) or Transatlantic to Europe (Baltic or Mediterranean) in early Spring.
• Search for ships sailing along Africa’s east coast. In the Fall they will be departing from UK (Southampton, mainly) to South Africa (Cape Town or Durban). In spring they will return (usually departing from Cape Town) to the UK or the Mediterranean. Such sailings are offered mainly by MSC and luxury ships.
• They are cheap! The lower to absolutely cheapest price is the most important factor for the popularity of these special deals. The average cost of a repositioning cruise is up to 50% less compared to a typical round-trip sailing from the same port. And the best index is the “Price Per Person Per Day” – it could be as low as USD 40!
• All relocation cruises offer a full set of entertainment and dining options onboard – they are just like the regular ones. This is the perfect chance to sample all the stuff on board since you are going to spend so much time at sea. There are even more onboard activities while ships reposition! The list of the “bonuses” includes guest lecturers, top comedians, and numerous themed activities and games to entertain guests.
• And yes – the repositioning cruise ships are almost always not crowded.

Disadvantages

• Too much time aboard the ship instead of visiting different ports of call (sea intensive as opposed to port intensive). Some find it pretty boring.
• Embarkation and disembarkation not in the same port increase the expenses as to additional flight fares added to the cruise ticket price.
• Spending a lot of time aboard the ship might tempt you to enjoy more “money spending fun” by splurging on bar drinks and gambling in the casino.
• The duration of relocation cruises – some last up to 18 days, and most people cannot afford so much time off work.
• You may experience an occasional “bumpy ride” due to rough waters (especially on smaller ships), and often “choppy weather” as your ship transits from one part of the globe to another. The “changing weather” issue will also have an impact on your packing list.

What time of year are the cheapest Repositioning Cruises?

Most of them are operated in Spring and Fall. Some exceptions are a few ship relocation itineraries in late-August, and some very rare very late re-position sailings in December, January, or February. The best and most busy months with readily available and cheap relocation cruise deals are April-May and September-October.

What are the best Repositioning Cruises?

When it happens that you have to choose what is the best, there’s this rule number one stating “expect the best from the best”. When you book on major cruise line ships, expect cheap rates, best value for money indices, lots of vessels in the fleet to choose from, great destinations, and service. The biggest companies and operators with regularly offered reposition voyages are Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Costa, MSC, RCI-Royal Caribbean. Carnival and Disney also do ship transitions moving ships between Alaska and Australia (Caribbean).

All these company decisions are made with economic considerations in mind. Companies do cruise ship repositioning to improve profits by departing from different homeports or to more attractive destinations.

Some of the companies relocate vessels each year crossing the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and the USA (Florida, New York, Boston) or South America (Brazil, Argentina).

Some ships reposition between Alaska and Australia (Transpacific) or between Alaska and Florida (with Panama Canal transits). Some lines offer to transit through Suez Canal on repositioning between Europe and Asia (the Red Sea or East Asia).

So what you gotta do is choose a destination and departure port. If you are a big fan of a particular company – just search its page here – it is that simple. If you ask “the best of the best” not as best prices, but rather as experiences, the simple answer to this question is “luxury cruises”. Generally, luxury cruise deals offer smaller ship cruise travel marked by sophisticated, all-inclusive, superb service experiences.

The list of top luxury lines includes Crystal, Seabourn, Azamara, Oceania. The more “affordable luxury” brands are Cunard, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America. If you love budget travel, save money and book deals on Carnival, RCI-Royal Caribbean, Costa, MSC – the cheapest of them all. Of course, the savings you can always spend on “ship drinks”, onboard gambling, Spa-beauty treatments and whatnot – the choice is always yours to make!

How much do repositioning cruises cost?

It depends on the itinerary as destination and length, but a one-way Transatlantic could cost as little as USD 60 Per Person per day (double occupancy, fares inclusive of taxes and fees). You might pay 50% or even less for a one-way reposition cruise than the normal price for a round-trip with multiple ports of call. What adds to these low prices is your one-way return flight fare. Still, you may purchase a cheap fly-cruise package with the flight fare included in the total price and a convenient departure from major US ports to the UK or the Mediterranean’s biggest port cities – Civitavecchia-Rome, Barcelona, and Venice being among the cheapest end-points. The same goes for Hawaii and Alaska. Never forget that almost all relocation cruises are operated in low season, so buying a discount cheap cruise and stay packages is always a quite reasonable option. You’ll be able to enjoy a budget-friendly off-season vacation to not-so-crowded places in some of the most charming and colorful seasons – the always new lush-luxuriant Spring and the melancholic-romantic Fall.

Repositioning Cruises 2024-2025-2026

Our website provides information on discounted one-way cruise itineraries and indicative cruise prices Per Person by line. In the table below you will find all ship relocation cruises 2024-25 voyages on all major cruise lines.

You can see detailed itinerary information and prices by following our lines-links (positioned on page right). To see relocation cruises by line, season, destination, or departure port (future project) – follow the respective links on the top page right.

For satellite AIS data-based tracking of cruise ships, passenger ferries, and riverboats see CruiseMapper’s tracker . For the latest incidents and accidents on passenger ships, you can visit CruiseMapper’s accidents section .

Visit us again soon for the latest Reposition Cruises 2024-2025-2026 updates on itineraries and prices. Since RepositionCruises.com doesn’t offer bookings, we can only wish you the best of luck with the real deals – good cabin availability, and good luck finding and booking them with the cheapest rates possible!

Repositioning cruise ships will surprise – will charm you, really, with their deals prices. And if you are a first-timer – don’t miss this rare opportunity to sample what the ship cruising is like – for a totally cheap price! Enjoy your “happily cheap” vacations, and best of luck with the damn prices out there!

Cruise Lines

• Holland America
• Marella (Thomson UK)
• NCL Norwegian
• P&O (Australia, UK)
• Royal Caribbean
• Viking Ocean

Destinations, Ports

• Vancouver BC
• Panama Canal cruises
• Transatlantic cruises
• Suez Canal cruises

Copyright © 2012 - 2024 Repositioning Cruises

Cruises to Repositioning in April 2024

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $186 pp not included.

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Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $159 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $292 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $141 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $173 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees not included.

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• SOUTH DAKOTA

Repositioning cruise from Alaska in the fall, September 2023, October 2023 🏔 Alaska to Hawaii, to Australia, to New Zealand, to Japan 🏔 Alaska cruise travel blog

Repositioning cruises are cruises that “reposition” cruise ships for the upcoming cruise season.

You will mostly see “repositioning” cruises from Alaska on Princess cruise ships below.

For the Princess cruise ships, you will string together 2 or more cruises together to go from Alaska to the “final destination” that the cruise ship is going to.

There are some repositioning cruises to Alaska on other cruise lines that actually do start in Alaska.

These are repositioning cruises with NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) and Holland America.

To get an idea for when the repositioning cruises are, you can think about when the Alaska cruise season is.

The Alaska cruise season is from spring to fall.

So if you want to do a repositioning cruise starting in Alaska, then that will be at the end of the Alaska cruise season.

So repositioning cruises from Alaska will be in the fall, mostly September or October.

If you want to take a cruise in the spring, then take a look at repositioning cruises to Alaska from Japan .

Repositioning cruise from Alaska to Japan (NCL and Holland America)

NCL and Holland America have repositioning cruises from Alaska to Japan.

NCL: Norwegian Jewel

• October 3: 16-day cruise from Seattle to Japan one-way (ports: Ketchikan AK, Icy Strait Point AK, Hubbard Glacier sea day, Seward AK, cross the international date line sea day , Hakodate Japan, Sendai Japan, Tokyo Japan)

Holland America: Westerdam

• October 1: 13-day cruise from Seattle to Japan one-way (ports: Juneau AK, cross the international date line sea day, Kushiro Japan, Tokyo Japan)

Princess repositioning cruises from Alaska

Princess has 7 cruise ships in Alaska during the 2023 Alaska cruise season.

This means that come fall 2023, these 7 cruise ships will be repositioning to other locations during Alaska’s off-season.

Where will these ships be following the 2023 Alaska cruise season?

• Discovery Princess: Los Angeles, California coast, Mexico
• Royal Princess: Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand
• Majestic Princess: Australia, New Zealand
• Crown Princess: San Francisco, California coast, Mexico, Hawaii
• Ruby Princess: Fort Lauderdale, Panama Canal, Caribbean
• Sapphire Princess: California, Hawaii, South Pacific, South America
• Grand Princess: Australia, New Zealand

The order of cruise ships is mostly from biggest to smallest in terms of passenger capacity. I like to google something like “discovery princess passenger capacity” to know if it’s a bigger ship or smaller ship.

These are the cruises on the Princess cruise ships immediately following the Alaska cruise season, including the last cruises in Alaska.

Of course, cruise itineraries can change!

See princess.com for the most up-to-date itineraries… and of course prices!

What is the Discovery Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Discovery Princess will go to Los Angeles to do California cruises and Mexico cruises

Back-to-back cruises on the Discovery Princess! The Discovery Princess repositioning cruise(s) from Alaska in fall 2023:

• September 17: 7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle round trip (ports: Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier sea day, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria Canada)
• September 24: 7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle to Vancouver one-way (ports: Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier sea day, Juneau, Skagway)
• October 1: 6-day cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles one-way (ports: Victoria, overnight in San Francisco)
• October 7: 7-day California cruise from Los Angeles round trip (ports: overnight in San Francisco, San Diego, Ensenada)
• October 14: 7-day Mexico cruise from Los Angeles round trip (ports: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta)

What is the Royal Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Royal Princess will go to Australia and New Zealand.

So, book the last Alaska cruise of the season on the Royal Princess, and you can make it a cruise from Alaska to Australia, a cruise from Alaska to New Zealand, or even a cruise from Alaska to Hawaii!

Not all cruises that go from North America to Australia allow you to book a cruise that start or ends in Hawaii, but the Royal Princess does.

Back-to-back cruises on the Royal Princess! The Royal Princess repositioning cruise(s) from Alaska in fall 2023:

• September 16: 7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle round trip (ports: Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park sea day, Ketchikan, Victoria)
• September 23: 2-day cruise from Seattle to Vancouver one-way (0 ports)
• September 25: 23-day cruise from Vancouver to Auckland New Zealand one-way
• September 25: 7-day cruise from Vancouver to Honolulu Hawaii one-way
• September 26: 22-day cruise from Seattle to Auckland New Zealand one-way
• September 26: 26-day cruise from Seattle to Sydney Australia one-way
• October 2: 20-day cruise from Honolulu Hawaii to Sydney Australia one-way
• October 19: 4-day cruise from Auckland to Sydney one-way

What is the Majestic Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Majestic Princess will go to Australia and New Zealand.

So, book the last Alaska cruise of the season on the Majestic Princess, and you can make it a cruise from Alaska to Australia or a cruise from Alaska to New Zealand.

Back-to-back cruises on the Majestic Princess! The Majestic Princess repositioning cruise(s) from Alaska in fall 2023:

• September 16: 10-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver round trip (ports: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier sea day)
• September 26: 7-day cruise from Vancouver round trip (ports: Victoria, Astoria Oregon, Ketchikan, Seattle)
• October 3: 5-day cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles one-way
• October 3: 26-day cruise from Vancouver to Auckland New Zealand one-way
• October 8: 26-day cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney Australia one-way
• October 8: 21-day cruise from Los Angeles to Auckland NZ one-way
• October 30: 5-day cruise from Auckland to Sydney one-way

What is the Crown Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Crown Princess will go to Seattle to do a Hawaii cruise, and then to San Francisco to do California cruises, Mexico cruises, and Hawaii cruises. 

Back-to-back cruises on the Crown Princess! The Crown Princess repositioning cruise(s) from Alaska in fall 2023:

• September 15: 11-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver round trip (ports: Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier sea day, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria)
• September 26: 4-day cruise from Vancouver to Seattle one-way (1 port: Ketchikan)
• September 30: 16-day Hawaii cruise from Seattle round trip (ports: Kona, Kauai, Honolulu, Maui)
• October 16: 3-day cruise from Seattle to Vancouver one-way (1 port: Victoria)
• October 19: 3-day cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco one-way (0 ports)

And finally on October 22, the Crown Princess reaches its home port for the winter!

From San Francisco, it will be doing round trip cruises along the California coast, to Mexico, and to Hawaii.

What is the Ruby Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Ruby Princess will do Panama Canal cruises and Caribbean cruises.

But, there’s a break in the schedule, so you won’t be able to do it as a back-to-back from Alaska to the Panama Canal or from Alaska to the Caribbean.

I don’t know what’s going on with the Ruby Princess (dry dock?) but in case you want to cruise from San Francisco, here are the cruises showing up in the princess search results:

• September 14: 10-day Alaska cruise from San Francisco (ports: Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier sea day, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert Canada)
• what’s going on with the Ruby Princess from September 24 to October 22? 🤔
• October 22: 15-day Panama Canal cruise from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale one-way (ports: Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Panama Canal full transit new locks, Colombia)
• November 6: 14-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale round trip (ports: St Kitts, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad, Curacao, Aruba)

What is the Sapphire Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Sapphire Princess will do round trip cruises from North America to California, Hawaii, and the South Pacific Islands. Then, it will do a one-way cruise to South America and Antarctica.

Back-to-back cruises on the Sapphire Princess! The Sapphire Princess repositioning cruise(s) from Alaska in fall 2023:

• September 6: 7-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage one-way
• September 13: 7-day Alaska cruise from Anchorage to Alaska one-way
• September 20: 7-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver round trip (ports: Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park sea day, Ketchikan)
• September 27: 11-day California coast cruise from Vancouver round trip (ports: Los Angeles, Catalina Island, San Diego, San Francisco)
• October 8: 7-day cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles one-way (ports: Victoria, Astoria Oregon, San Francisco, San Diego)
• October 15: 15-day Hawaii cruise from Los Angeles round trip (ports: Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Ensenada)
• October 30: 32-day South Pacific cruise from Los Angeles round trip (ports: Hilo, Honolulu, American Samoa, cross the international date line sea day, Western Samoa, Suva Fiji, Dravuni Island Fiji, cross the international date line sea day, Tahiti overnight, Moorea)
• December 1: 18-day cruise from Los Angeles to Santiago Chile
• December 19: 16-day cruise from Santiago Chile to Buenos Aires Argentina

What is the Grand Princess itinerary after Alaska?

After the Alaska season, the Grand Princess will go to Australia and New Zealand.

So, book the last Alaska cruise of the season on the Grand Princess, and you can make it a cruise from Alaska to Australia or a cruise from Alaska to New Zealand!

Back-to-back cruises on the Grand Princess! The Grand Princess repositioning cruise(s) from Alaska in fall 2023:

• September 9: 7-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage one-way
• September 16: 7-day Alaska cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver one-way
• September 23: 3-day cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco one-way
• September 23: 23-day cruise from Vancouver to Auckland New Zealand one-way
• September 26: 24-day cruise from San Francisco to Sydney Australia one-way
• September 26: 20-day cruise from San Francisco to Auckland New Zealand one-way
• October 17: 4-day cruise from Auckland to Sydney one-way

How can you quickly figure out what cruise ships are in Alaska?

In this order: Go to princess.com > filters > destination > alaska > ship: there’s your list!

Then, “reset filters” and then you can filter to the individual ship.

If you have already searched with some filters to see “results” and go back to change the filters, sometimes it still continues to use the previous filters so I find it in some cases best to start the search from new.

Although not the case for repositioning cruises, if you are looking at the cruises before or after, some of the itineraries have multiple departure dates. In this case, it will only show up on the list once in the results. So you will want to use the drop-down to see more available dates.

To order by date, you can go to: options > select a sort order > date. Again, it might not be in the exact order because if there are multiple departure dates, it will only show up on the list once, for the lowest price date.

And finally, before you make your booking, search for the cruise on both desktop AND mobile.

Although it’s usually the same, I have seen cruise prices that do vary, including the repositioning cruise that I did !

It was a difference of over $1,000!

I tried to get the price to show up on desktop (because I like to book on desktop), but I just could not get it to do so.

So I booked on mobile.

I checked the price in the coming days and I never saw the low price again.

I had also been checking the price in the days leading up to it, so the major price drop was a little crazy that I saw it ONLY that time that I went to make the booking!

HAPPY DOING A REPOSITIONING CRUISE FROM ALASKA!

• Best whale watching in Alaska
• Best dog sledding in Alaska (on a glacier, on snow, in summer!)
• Snorkeling in Alaska 😂
• Deadliest Catch tour (as seen on TV!)
• Juneau icefield seaplane + Taku Glacier Lodge salmon bake
• Nugget Falls in Tongass National Forest (Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area)
• Helicopter + glacier walk to see blue ice
• Klondike Highway to Fraser BC + White Pass summit train
• What I did on another Skagway cruise ship arrival: Dog sledding and Yakutania Point
• Totem Bight State Historical Park
• Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness seaplane + wilderness landing
• Creek Street
• Icy Strait Point to Hoonah
• Sitka National Historical Park totem poles
• Things to do in Sitka
• What is it like: Glacier Bay National Park from a cruise ship
• This was not available on my early season cruise: Hubbard Glacier excursion (yes, you can get off the ship on a sea day! available until early September... if it's not already sold out!)
• Tips for first Princess cruise (getting familiar with Princess food + more!)
• Ideas for your first Alaska cruise

• +1 (866) 622-3344
• Cruise Booking
• Destinations
• New Zealand
• Cruises To New Zealand

Cruises Sailing to New Zealand

New zealand cruises.

A voyage through the captivating landscapes and rich cultural heritage of New Zealand creates unforgettable memories. Each port of call promises a unique and immersive experience, blending stunning natural beauty with vibrant traditions and fascinating history. 

Every destination along your journey offers something special to discover. Indulge your senses in the culinary delights of New Zealand, from fresh seafood to world-renowned wines. Immerse yourself in Maori culture, experience traditional music and dance, and explore the rich history of the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa.

Beyond its natural beauty, New Zealand offers a wealth of outdoor activities, from hiking in the rugged mountains to kayaking in pristine waters. Dive into crystal-clear lakes, wander through ancient forests, or simply relax on golden beaches surrounded by stunning scenery.

Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, your journey through New Zealand promises an unforgettable experience filled with moments of wonder and discovery.

New Zealand is a beautiful island country in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. The enthralling mountain peaks, slow-flowing water, captivating waterfalls, and fascinating flora and fauna attract tourists. Situated in the middle of the ocean, exploring this island on a cruise ship can be more exciting.

Sailing Dates

Departure port, cruise length, destination/river, price per person, cruise ship, cruise line, arrival port.

Sorry, no cruises were found that matched your search request.

2 nights | new zealand | disney cruise line | disney wonder.

• Interior $413.20
• Oceanview $454.60
• Balcony $542.00
• Suite $1,071.00

5 Nights | New Zealand | Princess | Crown Princess

• Interior $468.00
• Oceanview $508.00
• Balcony $668.00
• Suite $1,018.00

10 Nights | New Zealand | Carnival Cruise Lines | Carnival Splendor

• Interior $552.00
• Oceanview $816.00
• Balcony $1,234.00
• Suite $1,911.00

11 Nights | New Zealand | Carnival Cruise Lines | Carnival Splendor

• Interior $597.00
• Oceanview $835.00
• Balcony $1,369.00

• Interior $609.00
• Oceanview $873.00
• Balcony $1,335.00
• Suite $2,111.00

Popular Departure Ports for New Zealand

Each departure port serves as a gateway to a world of exploration and discovery. From the charming coastal town of Napier to the bustling city of Auckland, and from the pristine Bay of Islands to the historic port of Dunedin, these departure points offer direct access to the diverse beauty and captivating history of the region.

New Zealand invites travelers with its picturesque landscapes and promise of unforgettable adventures. Whether you're exploring the art deco architecture of Napier, sailing through the stunning Bay of Islands, or immersing yourself in the cultural hub of Wellington, setting sail from these iconic ports ensures a journey rich with exploration of New Zealand's essence. 

Each port holds its own allure, seamlessly connecting travelers to a tapestry of natural wonders and cultural treasures. Whether it's the golden beaches of Tauranga, the rugged beauty of Lyttelton, or the historic charm of Port Chalmers, New Zealand offers an array of experiences to suit every traveler's desire. 

These renowned ports guarantee a memorable voyage into the heart of New Zealand's captivating scenery, profound history, and vibrant spirit. Whether seeking moments of tranquility amidst the region's natural beauty, the excitement of outdoor adventures, or the depth of cultural immersion, these ports serve as perfect starting points for creating unforgettable memories and experiencing the quintessential allure of New Zealand.  

Top cruise lines to New Zealand

Cruises in New Zealand have some of the greatest specialties that can enhance the thrill of your trip. Since you are ready to be on board, here is the list of some of the best cruises to New Zealand:

1. Majestic Princess Cruise

Majestic Princess Cruise in New Zealand is a part of the cruise line - Princess Cruises. It is one of the most luxurious and comfortable cruises to be on board. Being in a partnership with the Disney channel, this cruise ship accommodates multiple activities for kids and adults. All the cabins to the extreme sides of the cruise have balconies, allowing you to witness the breathtaking views of New Zealand's city . 

• Cruise Specialties – Dramatic glass walkway over the ocean, providing a spectacular view, a wide range of dining options, an art gallery, pools, and hot tubs.

2. Milford Sound Cruise

The Milford Sound Cruise is a UNESCO-listed cruise line that helps to witness the natural wonders in New Zealand. This ship is mainly for sightseeing, where you can enjoy the slow-running water, thrilling waterfalls, and admirable flora and fauna. It provides a tour of the famous Fiordland National Park of New Zealand. Besides that, Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, and Mount Pembroke are some of the exotic views to experience on this cruise ride.

• Cruise Specialties – Complimentary tea and coffee, activities like fishing and kayaking, shore excursions, underwater observatories, and more.

3. Radiance of the Seas Cruise

A modest-sized cruise and one of the Royal Caribbean's most demanding, Radiance of the Seas Cruise can accommodate more than 2100 passengers. This ship will provide beautiful dining venues that also include various cuisines. The passengers on this ship are mixed and involve young people to old retirees. It can also give you some of the greatest indoor and outdoor activities for kids and adults, causing high adrenaline rush.

• Cruise Specialties – Outdoor movie screen, nursery for babies and toddlers, rock climbing activity, and more.

4. Bay of Islands Cruise

Bay of Islands is another famous cruise line among others. It starts its tour from the Bay of Islands and takes you to the favorite Hole in the Rock. You will cover Russell, Piercy Island, and other islands in this journey. The total tour on this cruise ship is 3 hours, and it provides services daily. In addition, during this journey, you can see dolphins, different birds, and various unique marine life. 

• Cruise Specialties – Off-shore activities, hot pools, sports facilities, restaurants and cafes, water activities, and more. 

5. Regent Seven Seas Voyager Cruise

Regent Seven Seas Voyager Cruise is a luxurious cruise around New Zealand. Most passengers on this cruise ship are either affluent families or rich mature couples. It can accommodate a total of 700 passengers on its single voyage. As a passenger, you can get a big deck to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. In addition, all of the cabin rooms on this cruise ship are suites and have an attached balcony to provide an exotic statement with privacy.

• Cruise Specialties – Unlimited Wi-Fi, unlimited and free shore excursions, beauty salon, fitness center, spa, indoor games, live music, and more.

Highlights of the New Zealand Cruises

To ensure your comfort and enjoyment, pack light and breathable clothing suitable for diverse climates, sunscreen for protection against the sun's rays, and sturdy footwear for your adventures.

Onboard, immerse yourself in a world of diverse dining options, entertainment, and activities that enhance your New Zealand experience. From cultural tours delving into the region's heritage to nature expeditions showcasing its untouched beauty, shore excursions promise adventure at every turn. With departures from picturesque ports like Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers (Dunedin), you can tailor your voyage to align perfectly with your desires—whether seeking immersive exploration or leisurely discovery. 

• Explore the charming coastal town of Napier, with its art deco architecture and scenic waterfront, offering a glimpse into New Zealand's past. 
• Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Tauranga, where pristine beaches and lush landscapes beckon exploration.

• Discover the vibrant city of Auckland, with its iconic landmarks, bustling waterfront, and stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf.

Bay of Islands:

• Wander through the picturesque Bay of Islands, where turquoise waters, secluded beaches, and historic sites await discovery.

Wellington: 

• Experience the cultural hub of Wellington, with its eclectic arts scene, vibrant culinary culture, and stunning harbor views.
• Explore the quaint town of Lyttelton, nestled in the scenic Banks Peninsula, offering charming cafes, galleries, and coastal walks.

Port Chalmers (Dunedin):

• Step back in time in Dunedin, with its Victorian architecture, historic railway, and rugged coastal landscapes.

Your New Zealand cruise promises an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, relaxation, and the discovery of the diverse cultures, histories, and natural wonders that define this captivating region. 

Final takeaway

New Zealand is a wonderful place to spend holidays with your family. A cruise trip on this island country can be the cherry on the cake, considering all the specialties offered on each ship. Moreover, visiting here between December and March will help you enjoy the exotic scenic view. 

Therefore, without further delay, book online cruise  now at CruiseBooking.com to avail yourself of some of the best offers. It will allow you to compare various cruises and choose the best one.

FAQs for Cruises to New Zealand

1. Can I visit New Zealand on my own?

2. Are there any cruises that go to New Zealand?

3. Can I cruise to New Zealand?

4. Can I expect to see wildlife during my New Zealand cruise? 

5. Are there any cultural experiences available during the cruise? 

6. What unique shore excursions are available in New Zealand? 

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