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I recently took a cruise onboard P&O’s largest ship, Arvia from the UK to the Mediterranean. I don’t think that being from the UK I really appreciated the size of the Pacific Ocean until I started looking at cruises that sailed there. The amount of time depends on how many port stops they make on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. Cruise ships usually complete a season in one part of the world and then move on to another area for another season. If you are looking to book a cruise you may have come across “Repositioning” cruises.
Repositioning Cruises Have Quieter Ships/Themed Cruises
One particularly memorable journey for me was a transatlantic cruise that provided an opportunity to visit several rarely-seen ports, offering glimpses into cultures and places I’d never imagined. 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. It’s important to understand the narrow time windows when seasonal repositioning cruises make their regional moves and where these routes are commonly found. Many popular repositioning cruise routes can perhaps be traced back to the golden days of ocean liners.
Browse Repositioning Cruise Itineraries
Repositioning cruises allow cruise lines to optimize their fleet’s deployment throughout the year. For example, during the summer months, a cruise ship may be sailing in the Mediterranean, but as winter approaches, it may be relocated to the Caribbean to take advantage of the warmer weather and higher demand. These cruises act as a bridge between different cruising seasons, giving passengers the opportunity to explore a diverse range of destinations during a single voyage. A regular cruise typically follows a set, round-trip route with frequent stops, while a repositioning cruise is a one-off itinerary moving a ship from one region to another.
The Seas Are Too Rough in the Open Ocean

A repositioning cruise is a one-off itinerary that moves a cruise ship from one destination to another. I have been on a few repositioning cruises and in this post, we will explore what a repositioning cruise is and look at why so many people love taking them. Remember, repositioning cruises offer a distinctive blend of relaxation and exploration. Some dining venues and restaurants on the ship may have reduced operating hours or closures during repositioning cruises, affecting passengers’ dining choices. If you love the open sea and the onboard experience of a cruise ship, repositioning is a great option. Repositioning cruises often follow quite different routes from the norm, allowing you to explore ports of call that are not part of typical cruise itineraries.
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However, although repositioning cruises are often under-appreciated, discerning cruise guests will know that there are some excellent benefits to be had from booking on one. One of the most memorable repositioning cruise destinations I’ve been on was from Florida to Rome. Other typical itineraries include voyages from Sydney to Honolulu and Europe to Florida. For example, the Sydney to Honolulu route immerses you in the diverse cultures of Australia and Hawaii, blending the urban sophistication of Sydney with the tropical paradise of Honolulu.
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Afterward, you’ll visit the Polynesian islands of Tahiti and Bora and Bora and cruise for five more nights before reaching Lahaina, Maui, and your final port of call, Honolulu. If you’re in Australia, you can embark on a transpacific cruise from Sydney to Hawaii, where you’ll stop in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands and Auckland. Then you’ll sail east until you cross the International Dateline, where you’ll subtract 24 hours from your current time. For example, it could travel from Hawaii to Sydney across the Pacific, or through the Panama Canal. 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.
Repositioning: Departure Ports
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.
This means that the ship will depart from one port and arrive at another, often bridging continents or exploring lesser-known destinations. Although it may seem like most of the leading cruise ships are heading on the same route across the Atlantic at the end of a season, the destinations on repositioning cruises can be pretty varied. Repositioning cruise deals offers the chance to experience extensive and unique itineraries at a lower cost.
Cruises
Additionally, it’s a common feature of these trips to encompass several consecutive days spent at sea, occasionally extending up to 10 nights. This extended duration is part of what makes repositioning cruises a unique and immersive experience. This flexibility in scheduling allows us as travelers to experience a variety of destinations and climates, all within the comfort of the same cruise line. It’s a unique aspect of repositioning cruises that keeps us coming back for more, eager to see where the ship will take us next as the seasons change.
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. 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. For anyone who doesn’t like flying, repositioning cruises can be a great consideration to avoid taking a plane when traveling one way. 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.
We’ve found it can get easy to feel sluggish during a long stretch of sea days during a repositioning cruise. Hit the gym and then give yourself a good excuse to have a second dessert. 🧳 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. It’s something to fully take advantage of during a multi-week stay on these floating hotels.
Sail from one incredible destination to another on one of our luxury repositioning cruises. 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.
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