Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Repositioning Cruises - Luxury Vacations That Save You Big Bucks

By Dorothy Yamich

Repositioning cruises aren't a new phenomenon, they are the best kept secret in the cruising industry. Just like migrating birds, many cruise ships move to warmer climates in the Autumn and then return in the Spring. Some head south for the winter months and then they sail back for the summer months. Other cruise ships sail across the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans to "reposition" in warmer weather. Just like most vacationers, these huge fleets of ships are seeking seasons in the sun.

These special one-way cruises are offered at incredible savings to attract new and seasoned cruise lovers alike. No cruise line ever wants to have the expense of moving a huge ship over hundreds or thousands of miles of ocean without having any paying cruise passengers onboard. This is an opportunity for vacationers to book a great luxury dream cruise for a bargain basement price.

A repositioning cruise isn't just a stripped down version of a luxury cruise. It's a luxury cruise! All the passengers enjoy the same meals and entertainment, and have the same onboard privileges. Also, your deeply discounted ticket, sometimes costing as low as fifty dollars per day, entitles you to everything that's usually included in a luxury cruise.

The main difference between a standard cruise and a repositioning cruise is that the latter is longer, usually lasting from two to four weeks, with more time spent at sea and fewer, or possibly no ports of call. This means more relaxing days spent at sea and a less hectic itinerary. And on some repositioning cruises certain ships will drop anchor in very unique ports of call that are usually reserved for very expensive world cruise itineraries.

Usually these repositioning cruises take place in the months of September and October, and in March and April. Some of the destinations in the Winter are Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America including the Panama Canal, and Asia. The destinations in the Summer are Alaska, Canada, New England, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Depending on the season, vacationers can sail to or from Europe and North America; Alaska and British Columbia, and the United States southwest coast including ports in Mexico; the northern United States and the Eastern coast of Canada, and a number of southern U.S. as well Caribbean destinations. Some repositioning cruises sail to and from Asia, Africa, as well as the Middle East.

There are a few important things that you should consider if you are contemplating going on a repositioning cruise. First is the booking an "open jaw" flight where you fly to the departure port and then fly home from the cruise ship's destination port. These flights can be pricey compared to the usual return airfares that most vacationers are familiar with. Sometimes it's possible to book the flight through the cruise line, but not always. Even with the extra cost of an open jaw ticket compared to a regular airline return ticket, a repositioning cruise is still an incredible value for your travel dollar. However, if you happen to live close by, or within driving distance of the departure port, then you would only have to book a one-way flight back to your departure port and then drive back home.

When booking your flight it may be advisable to arrive at the departure port a day before you sail and stay at a hotel overnight. This will avoid the problem of any unforeseen delayed flights that can sometimes happen and leave you standing on the pier waving goodbye to a cruise ship that has just sailed without you.

If you think you would enjoy a long and relaxing luxury cruise then you will love a repositioning cruise which usually is not filled to capacity with passengers and spends more time at sea.

P.S. Don't forget your camera and a wardrobe to reflect the possible weather conditions on your cruise.

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