Repositioning Cruises: What They Are & What To Know
Have you ever come across the term "repositioning cruise" while surfing the Norwegian Cruise Line website and wondered what it means? They are what they sound like, and they involve repositioning a ship from one place to another. For example, a ship that offers Caribbean cruise itineraries out of a U.S. port in winter might switch things up for summer with Mediterranean sailings out of Spain. Norwegian gives you the chance to join the crew on a specialty adventure as the ship cruises across the Atlantic to its new summer port.
Repositioning cruises are few and far between since ships only change locations a few times each year. These cruises offer a rare opportunity to see the world in a new way.
Learn more about what repositioning cruises are and why you should book one.
Ready to start planning? Explore all repositioning cruises.
Visit Panama on a Norwegian cruise.
What Is a Repositioning Cruise?
As the seasons change, so do Norwegian cruise itineraries. Many popular cruise destinations provide only a limited window for optimal cruising based on the local climate and conditions. Take Alaska, for example. No one wants to cruise through the frozen waters of America's Last Frontier in the dead of winter.
As a result, the Alaska cruise season runs only from May through September, when the weather is at its finest. That opens up seven months of the year for Norwegian to cruise through parts of the world with more favorable winter weather, such as the Mediterranean or The Caribbean. Ships reposition at the end of the Alaska cruise season in the fall. This repositioning repeats a few weeks before the summer cruise season begins in the spring.
Golden State Bridge in San Francisco.
Where Do Repositioning Cruises Go?
Norwegian offers several repositioning cruises throughout the year. But these cruises are highly exclusive and customized since they happen only when a ship changes port, typically about twice a year. It's a good idea to book your cruise early so that you don't miss out.
Consider these featured destinations on Norwegian repositioning cruises:
- Transatlantic cruises: Ships cross the Atlantic Ocean as they make their way between ports in Florida & Europe.
- Panama Canal cruises: Cruise ships visit various ports as they reposition between ports in California & Florida.
- Extraordinary Journeys: Ships embark on unforgettable adventures that start in one city, such as Singapore, and end in another, such as Abu Dhabi.
- Pacific Coast cruises: Cruise lines move their ships from port to port in California & Canada.
- Transpacific cruises: Cruise ships cross the Pacific Ocean to reposition between North American and Asian ports.
RELATED CRUISES:
14-Day Asia Cruise: India, Thailand, Malaysia & Sri Lanka
7-Day Transatlantic Cruise: London (Southampton) to Boston
25-Day Panama Canal Cruise: Tampa to Whittier
What Can You Do on a Repositioning Cruise?
Repositioning cruises tend to run longer than typical cruises since the ships often have a long way to travel to reach their new port destination. Many cruises average between seven and 14 days, although Norwegian also offers a few shorter blocks, five to eight days, for repositioning cruises. What will you do with all this time?
On your ship, enjoy soaking up the sun in a lounge chair by the pool or go for a relaxing massage. Sample flavors from around the world at the many delicious dining options. Then, take in one of the spectacular live shows or dance the night away in a vibrant nightclub at sea. The choice is yours.
On land, Norwegian offers a host of carefully curated shore excursions for you to enjoy in each port of call. The Norwegian team selects the best activities to highlight in each port. All you need to do is choose the excursions that speak to your travel style, and away you go. It's that easy.
Experience Extraordinary Journeys with Norwegian.
Why Book a Repositioning Cruise?
Repositioning cruises offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to enjoy a cruise itinerary unlike any other. Some give you the chance to explore multiple regions in one cruise vacation or visit off-route ports in untraditional cruise destinations. Others offer the opportunity to discover a range of ports in different parts of the world or bite off an entire chunk of a particular locale. Love fun-filled days at sea? Many repositioning cruises involve travel across the ocean, which equates to plenty of free time to enjoy the onboard amenities.
Unlike a traditional cruise that starts and ends in the same place, a repositioning cruise is a one-way ticket. You start and end in different ports, often in very distinct parts of the world. You might board your Norwegian ship in Barcelona and disembark in Miami, making for an incredibly memorable cruise vacation.
Another significant advantage to repositioning cruises is that they often come at a lower price tag than other itineraries.
There you have it. Repositioning cruises are a great way to enjoy a spectacular cruise vacation and spend a few days exploring two different cities at the start and end of your journey. If you want to get off the beaten cruise path and experience something new, a repositioning cruise is a perfect choice for you.
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