Repositioning Cruise Specials: How to Find the Best Deals and What to Expect

Why they're often the cheapest cruise option

Cruise lines want full ships during a move. To achieve that they cut fares and add incentives. Discounts can be dramatic compared with regular itineraries. Carriers also anticipate higher onboard spending during long sea passages — in casinos, bars, specialty dining, and shops — and price the cruise to attract passengers who will spend onboard.

Common incentives and package components

• Airfare: Some specials include non-stop flights tied to the package.
• Hotel nights: Lines sometimes bundle a pre-cruise hotel (example given: Las Vegas stays).
• Transfers: Motor coach or shuttle transfers between hotel and pier are frequently part of the deal.

• Alaska to warmer waters in fall: Ships finish summer Alaska itineraries then reposition south for winter.
• Pacific Coast repositionings and coastal hops.
• Panama Canal transits and full Atlantic crossings also appear frequently in repositioning schedules.

• Sea-day lovers: If you like long stretches at sea — reading, shipboard amenities, shows, pools — these cruises work well.
• Budget-conscious travelers: Deep discounts and bundled extras can make these trips among the best-value cruise options.
• Retirees and flexible travelers: The article highlights baby boomers and retirees as particularly well-suited because of flexible schedules and preference for relaxed travel.

• More sea time: Expect multiple consecutive sea days, which can be ideal or dull depending on your travel style.
• Timing and logistics: Repositioning cruises happen seasonally and may require additional travel to the embarkation or disembarkation port.

Where to research and a useful media reference

The original guide references a short video by travel journalist Peter Greenberg that outlines the advantages of repositioning cruises. The post also points readers to Wikipedia for a formal definition and to travel packages and promotions for concrete examples.

Look for advertised promotions in spring and fall, compare total package value (fare plus included flights, hotel, and transfers), and weigh the itinerary against your preference for ports versus sea days. If you want many shore stops, a repositioning cruise may not match your goals. If low cost and relaxation matter most, these specials can deliver strong value.