What is a Repositioning Cruise? Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
- Amanda Davis
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
When I first heard the term repositioning cruise, I imagined a ship slowly gliding across the ocean, heading somewhere warmer for the winter or cooler for the summer. I wasn’t far off… but I didn’t realize how unique these sailings really are until Josh and I booked our first one.
If you’ve ever dreamed of crossing the Atlantic without boarding a plane, visiting ports you might never see on a standard itinerary, or enjoying long stretches of open ocean, a repositioning cruise might be exactly your style of travel.
Repositioning Cruise Definition
A repositioning cruise happens when a cruise ship changes regions for a new season. Ships don’t magically appear in Alaska in the summer or the Caribbean in the winter - they have to get there somehow. Instead of moving empty, cruise lines sell these voyages to passengers at often much lower per-day rates than typical itineraries.
For example:
In the spring, ships may move from the Caribbean to Europe for the summer season.
In the fall, ships often sail from Europe back to North America.
Some reposition from Alaska to Asia or from Australia to Hawaii.
Why Are Repositioning Cruises Cheaper?
Because they often involve more sea days and fewer port stops, they aren’t for every traveler. Cruise lines know this, so the fares are usually lower - sometimes dramatically so - compared to shorter itineraries.
It’s not unusual to find transatlantic repositioning cruises for under $70 per person, per day, especially if you’re booking an interior cabin. That’s less than you’d spend on many land vacations, with food, lodging, and entertainment all included.
Pros of a Repositioning Cruise
Lower Cost Per Day – Your travel budget goes further.
Unique Itineraries – Ports you might not get on standard sailings.
More Sea Days – Perfect for reading, relaxing, and recharging.
Fewer Crowds – Ships aren’t always sailing at full capacity.
Great for Crossing Oceans – Avoid the stress of long flights.
Cons of a Repositioning Cruise
Lots of Sea Days – Not great if you get restless easily.
One-Way Travel – You’ll need to arrange flights to or from distant ports.
Limited Port Variety – It’s not a daily port-hopping itinerary.
Seasonal Weather – Some crossings can have rougher seas depending on the time of year.
Who Should Consider a Repositioning Cruise?
Travelers who enjoy the shipboard experience as much as the destinations
People with flexible schedules (repositioning cruises are often 12–20 days)
Budget-conscious travelers looking for value per day
Retirees or remote workers who can be away longer
Anyone wanting the romance of crossing the Atlantic by cruise ship
If you’re the type of traveler who wants something planned every hour in a new port each day, a repositioning cruise probably won’t be your style. But if you love leisurely mornings, shipboard activities, and the feeling of being truly at sea, you’ll fit right in.
What to Expect on a Repositioning Cruise
On our Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise on the Norwegian Pearl, the first few days were spent exploring ports in Spain. Then we had six full sea days before arriving in Bermuda. Those days at sea became our favorite part of the trip.
Here’s what those days typically look like:
Morning coffee on the balcony or in the café
Trivia, lectures, and enrichment programs
Pool and hot tub time
Specialty dining or casual buffet lunches
Reading in a quiet lounge or library
Evening shows and live music
The ship becomes your destination, and you start to appreciate the slower pace.
Packing Tips for a Repositioning Cruise
Layers – Weather can change dramatically during the crossing.
Entertainment – Books, e-reader, card games.
Comfortable Shoes – For both ports and walking the ship.
Formal/Smart Casual Outfits – Some nights may be more upscale.
Motion Sickness Remedies – Even calm crossings can have a bumpy day or two.
Best Time to Book a Repositioning Cruise
These cruises happen seasonally, so availability depends on where the ship is coming from and going to:
Spring – Caribbean to Europe, Asia to Alaska, South America to the U.S.
Fall – Europe to the Caribbean, Alaska to Asia or Hawaii.
Book early for the best cabin selection, but watch for last-minute deals if you’re flexible.
Final Thoughts
A repositioning cruise is the kind of trip that slows you down in all the best ways. For Josh and me, it felt like a bridge between two worlds - starting in Europe, crossing the Atlantic in comfort, and ending in sunny Miami. We got unique port experiences, plenty of time to relax, and the satisfaction of saying, “Yes, I’ve sailed across the Atlantic.”
If you’re curious about what it’s like in practice, read my full review of our Norwegian Pearl Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise.
Recommendations
Are you planning your next trip and looking for services that make travel smoother? Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:
Stay Connected Abroad: I use Airalo eSIMs to avoid the hassle of swapping SIM cards in every country.
Protect Your Data: NordVPN keeps my internet connection safe when I’m on public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or cafés.
Travel Europe by Train: I book through Trainline for easy tickets across Europe, including London, Italy, Spain, and France.
Relax Before You Fly: Priority Pass gives you access to airport lounges around the world.
Find the Right Stay: For vacation rentals, I like using VRBO.
See the City with Ease: Hop-on, hop-off tours are a fun way to get oriented. Check out Big Bus Tours in Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, and Dubai.
Book Tours and Transfers: I often use Get Your Guide and Viator to arrange activities, tickets, and transfers in advance.
Hotels, Cars, and Flights: Expedia is one of my go-to sites for comparing and booking travel.
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase or booking through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me keep creating and sharing travel content here on From Lawrence with Love. Thank you for supporting the blog!
Comments