Twice a year, cruise lines move ships to where the next season is. Those one-way voyages are called repositioning cruises, and for travelers who like sea days they are some of the best-value days at sea you can find.
The Main Repositioning Windows
| When | Typical routes |
|---|---|
| Spring (around April–May) | Florida or the Caribbean to Europe across the Atlantic; Florida or the Caribbean to the West Coast and Alaska via the Panama Canal; California to Vancouver or Seattle up the Pacific coast |
| Fall (around September–November) | Europe back to Florida or the Caribbean; Alaska and the Pacific Northwest down to California, Mexico or Hawaii; some ships onward to Asia or Australia |
Transatlantic crossings often call at Atlantic islands such as the Canaries, the Azores or Bermuda before long stretches at sea. Panama Canal repositioning sailings add one of the world’s great transits.
Who Repositioning Bargains Suit
- Travelers who love sea days, reading, lectures and the ship itself.
- Retirees and remote workers with time for two weeks or more.
- People who want Europe or Alaska at the end of a cruise and can stay on.
- Not ideal for families who want a port every day, or anyone short of time.
Plan the flights first; our sister site Cruise Airfare explains one-way and open-jaw tickets. Then pick the cabin: on long crossings an outside cabin or balcony is worth more than on a busy port-intensive week.
Repositioning Questions
Why are repositioning cruises cheaper?
They are one-way, have many sea days and sail at the turn of the seasons, so fewer travelers want them. For people who love life at sea, that is the attraction.
What is the catch?
The flight. You start and end in different places, often on different continents, so one-way or open-jaw airfare can be expensive. Count it before you decide.
Making the Most of a Crossing
Repositioning cruises have a character of their own. With many sea days, lines often put on extra lectures, classes and entertainment, and the ship feels relaxed. Bring books, plan a few spa or fitness sessions, and use the time zones to your advantage: eastbound Atlantic crossings lose an hour on several nights, while westbound crossings gain them, which many travelers find easier. Pack layers, because a spring crossing can start warm in Florida and end cool in northern Europe.
A repositioning cruise can also be the start of a bigger trip. Many travelers sail to Europe in spring, spend a week or two on land, then fly home — or reverse it in the fall. Others pair a Pacific coast repositioning with an Alaska cruise or a Hawaii sailing. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can build the whole route and price the flights alongside the cruise, so the bargain stays a bargain.
Cabin choice is part of the value. Interior cabins cost least and are fine for sleeping, but on a voyage with a week or more at sea, many travelers find natural light worth paying a little more for.
Find a Repositioning Bargain
Tell us whether you want an ocean crossing or the Panama Canal, and your dates. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match the sailings and the flights.
Find a Repositioning Cruise