Chasing the Sun: The Hidden Joys of Repositioning Cruises
Tony and Barbara Hallwood on why you should consider a repositioning cruise
As the chill of the British winter lingers and the dark nights roll in we find ourselves dreaming of sunshine, warm seas and perhaps the gentle pace of life afloat. For those willing to think a little differently about how to cruise, there's a wonderful 'under-the-radar' option you should seriously consider - a repositioning cruise.
Every autumn cruise lines across Europe begin their seasonal reshuffle, moving ships from cold northern waters of Northern Europe and the cooler Mediterranean to the sun-drenched shores of Florida and the Americas, the colourful Caribbean or the enticing continent of South America. These "repositioning" voyages are often longer, more leisurely, and surprisingly, very well-priced, delivering excellent value for money for the more intrepid cruise passenger.
We've taken several in recent years and can confidently say they are a well-kept secret worth exploring. We’ve particularly enjoyed sailing in October travelling westbound from Southampton to Barbados (and other years returning the same route in March to relax in the spring sunshine). The magic of sailing from your own doorstep is hard to overstate - no airport queues, no baggage weight restrictions, just a seamless transition from chilly England to balmy Caribbean waters.
Choosing a repositioning cruise to the Caribbean normally offers port visits en route in the Iberian Peninsular or the Canaries before crossing the Atlantic and then calling in at a range of beautiful islands that could include Antigua, St Lucia and Saint Maarten before flying home from Barbados. The one way trip also allows you to combine the cruise with a land based trip at the final port. We typically extend our stay at the final destination to immerse ourselves in the local culture and sample the local cuisine, alongside using our frequent flyer miles for the flight home!
One of the true pleasures of these longer voyages is the time at sea. For some, this may seem like a lot of cruise time looking out onto an ocean panorama, but for us, it’s bliss. There’s an unmatched sense of tranquillity in waking up mid-Atlantic with nothing but clear blue skies on the horizon. Sea days offer a rare opportunity to unwind fully - whether it’s curling up with a book on the sun deck, joining an informative port lecture, or sharing lazy lunches with fellow passengers as the clocks are slowly adjusted as you sail westward. The time zone changes are gentle and well-paced, adding to the overall relaxation of your journey rather than disrupting it, helping you to avoid the harsh effects of jet lag.
So what is the best part I hear you say? The value. Because repositioning cruises don’t follow the traditional round-trip itineraries, prices often deliver far lower cost per night than on standard voyages. In fact, you often can secure a longer cruise (14 nights) for the price of a shorter cruise (10 nights). Yet the experience is no less luxurious. On the contrary, the longer sailing distances can create a unique sense of camaraderie among the passengers. Gala nights and excellent on board entertainment combined with great food delivers a real sense of occasion. The onboard atmosphere on these longer cruises is particularly special - slower-paced, normally higher staff to passenger ratio and ideal for travellers who enjoy immersing themselves in shipboard life allowing you to learn new skills like cooking or dancing. We can already visualise spending long afternoons on deck, watching the horizon shift from the Mediterranean’s golden light to the deep azure blues of the Caribbean.
With the significant growth in cruise demand over the last few years, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of repositioning cruises to/from the Americas and the Caribbean - so there is one waiting for you! Whether you are looking for 5 star ocean luxury, a sailing ship experience or yacht based cruises there are a bewildering array of itineraries on offer with a range of exciting port calls. The good news is that a wide selection of cruise lines now offer repositioning ocean voyages including Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, Explorer Journeys, P&O Cruises, Azamara, Viking, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Oceania Cruises and Star Clipper; all delivering their own twist on the transatlantic experience.
So if you are already contemplating how best to escape the UK next winter, we highly recommend booking a repositioning cruise. Whether you're drawn to the romance of crossing oceans, the appeal of extended relaxation, or are looking to explore new regions, repositioning cruises offer unbeatable value for money combining the true spirit of travel that feels like a real indulgence.
After all, what could be better than swapping frost for sun, and the grey skies for sapphire blue seas? Happy sailing - see you on board!
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