As the seasons change, so too do the waters upon which the world’s cruise ships travel. Each fall, vacationers have the chance to experience extraordinary voyages aboard cruise ships “repositioning” from one seasonal destination to another. These unusual seagoing journeys offer travelers a one-of-a-kind travel experience – an opportunity to embark on voyages offered only once or twice a year to ports not normally found on contemporary cruise itineraries.
Repositioning cruises can feature as many as nine leisurely days at sea in addition to eclectic ports on each side of the Atlantic. As a highlight, travelers typically can enjoy enhanced onboard activities, including distinguished guest lecturers from the arts, sciences, politics and journalism. Itineraries may also feature culinary and wine appreciation seminars, computer classes or other enrichment programming. In some cases, brand-new vessels built in Europe sell out on repositioning cruises to North America, with ship buffs vying to ensure they’re booked to sail on the latest ship to hit the high seas.
NOTE: A sampling of some 2005–2006 repositioning cruises, compiled by Cruise Line International Association of its members, follows. Other cruise lines not listed below may also have repositioning cruises this autumn and so it is best to check with the cruise line's respective website or call a travel professional.
Celebrity Cruises
Four Celebrity ships sail on 12- to 15-night itineraries through November on routings that include: Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale; Civitavecchia to Galveston; and Dover, England to Cape Liberty Cruise Port, N.J. Other repositionings include Summit’s 14-night sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles in September, Constellation’s nine-night sailing from Cape Liberty to San Juan in November, and Mercury’s eight-night itinerary from Vancouver to San Diego in October. Website: www.celebrity.com
Costa Cruises
Nine Costa ships will offer repositioning itineraries from late August through November. Seven of the ships reposition within Europe while two others sail from Europe to North America. Costa Mediterranea and Costa Magica will sail on 16- and 17-day sailings from Genoa to Fort Lauderdale, respectively. The ships will call at Barcelona, St. Cruz de Tenerife, St. Maarten and Nassau – among other ports. Website: http://www.costacruise.com/B2C/USA/Default.htm
Crystal Cruises
Crystal’s Crystal
Serenity celebrates the centennial of the Tommy Dorsey band, led by
Buddy Morrow, on a November transatlantic cruise from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale.
Crystal Symphony’s September transatlantic sailing from London
to New York is dubbed a Film Festival/Distinguished Speakers Series cruise
while its October sailing from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale will include
lecturers from the Smithsonian and U.S. News & World Report. Website:
www.crystalcruises.com
Holland America Line
In October, Holland America’s Westerdam sails from Civitavecchia to Fort Lauderdale on a 15-day transatlantic. In November, Prinsendam sails a 15-day itinerary from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale and Rotterdam operates a 17-day Lisbon to Rio cruise. Three fall Panama Canal sailings aboard Veendam, Volendnam and Zaandam reposition the ships from Vancouver to Caribbean waters. Three Pacific Coast itineraries operate between Vancouver and San Diego. Website: www.hollandamerica.com
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises’ MSC Lirica departs November 12 on a 17-night Genoa to Fort Lauderdale journey ale. MSC Armonia leaves November 30 on a 17-night journey from Genoa to Rio de Janeiro, while MSC Melody departs November 24 on a 16-night cruise from Genoa to Rio. MSC Rhapsody leaves September 3 on a nine-night cruise from Copenhagen to Genoa; on November 7, she heads to South Africa, on a 21-night sailing. Website: www.msccruises.com
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel, which debuted this August in Europe, repositions to the U.S. in September on a ten-day “Path of the Vikings” itinerary from London to New York.
October repositionings include two 13-day “Exotic Caribbean” itineraries, one between Philadelphia and Miami and the other between Boston and Charleston. A third October cruise, a four-day Pacific Coastal voyage, sails a San Francisco-Vancouver route. Website: www.ncl.com
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises’ Regatta sails on a ten-day Lisbon to Miami sailing November 17. A highlight of the Regatta’s repositioning cruise is a visit to Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Sister ship Insignia sails on a 12-day Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro voyage November 27. Insignia will make a call at Las Palmas, Canary Islands. During the voyages there will be a special emphasis on wine, with tastings and wine appreciation classes offered. Website: www.oceaniacruises.com
Orient Lines
Orient Lines Marco Polo will transit the southern Atlantic when it repositions from Europe to Barbados in November. The 18-day crossing departs from Barcelona on November 19 and arrives in Bridgetown on December 6. Website: www.orientlines.com
Princess Cruises
In late August, September and November, Princess features four transatlantic itineraries: London-New York; Civitavecchia-Galveston or Fort Lauderdale; and Copenhagen-Fort Lauderdale or New York. Coral Princess and Sun Princess reposition from the West Coast to Fort Lauderdale in September via the Panama Canal. Diamond Princess sails on an exotic 17-day transpacific voyage in late September that repositions it from Seattle to Osaka, Japan. Website: www.princesscruises.com
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
Radisson’s Seven Seas Voyager sails on an eight-night crossing November 13 from Madeira to Fort Lauderdale. En route to Fort Lauderdale, guests will be able to dance to the music of the Nelson Riddle Orchestra with Christopher Riddle conducting from the bandstand. A series of cooking classes, operated by famed Le Cordon Blue chefs, is available at an additional charge of $395 per person. Website: www.rssc.com
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean offers four cruises from Europe to North America in late August, October and November. Itineraries include Barcelona-Miami, Harwich-Boston, Barcelona-Galveston and Southampton-Tampa. The line has a range of other repositioning voyages, including sailings from the East Coast to the Caribbean and cruises from Vancouver to Honolulu and Los Angeles. Two itineraries—San Diego-San Juan and San Juan-Miami—reposition via the Panama Canal. Website: www.rci.com
Seabourn Cruise Line
Guests on Seabourn’s Seabourn Pride sail with the acclaimed British repertory troupe, The Reduced Opera Company, from London to New York in late August. The ship also sails from New York to Nassau October 16, hosting the annual Great American Food & Wine Festival. Seabourn Legend sails from Tenerife to Fort Lauderdale November 9. Seabourn Spirit positions from Egypt to Asia on October 23. Website: www.seabourn.com
Silversea Cruises
Silversea’s Silver Whisper departs in late August on a 12-day
voyage from London to Boston. Silver Cloud sails in October on
a 14-day itinerary from Lisbon to Barbados. Silver Wind departs
in November on a 17-day “Passage to the Seychelles” adventure from Port
Said, Egypt, to the Seychelles via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, calling
at ports in Egypt, Jordan, Eritrea and Djibouti. Website: www.silversea.com