What are your experiences with repositioning cruises?

Suzila · May 30, 2008

Hubby and I have recently been hooked on NCL. We did the Hawaii cruise in August, and we did a Mexican Riviera last month. We are looking for some more.

The Mexican cruise was the last one of the season, and then the ship went up to Alaska for the season. There were a few people onboard who were going all the way up to Alaska.

It prompted us to think about a repositioning cruise southward...i.e.: in September of 2009, NCL Star is making it's way down from Vancouver. We're located in Los Angeles. My thought is to drive to the Los Angeles port, park our car and grab a taxi to LAX. Fly up to Vancouver (one of our favorite places), stay a few days at our timeshare, get onboard, and make our way down to Los Angeles. The ship stops in Victoria (which we love!), Astoria, Oregon (I know nothing about), San Fran (another of our favorite places), and then down to L.A.

Have you been on a repositioning cruise...what's different about it? Pros, cons? Thanks!

DebbieandJerry · May 30, 2008

Sue, no experience on a repositioning, but it is something that we always look at. I can tell you that one of my co-workers just did a Holland America repositioning; from Florida through the Canal up to Vancouver. She and her husband loved it. This was their first cruise and had no complaints (I need to get them to join this website).

I say, if the price is right and the timing works, go for it!

hazelson · May 30, 2008

Sue - we did the repostioning cruise on the Sapphire Princess and it was great - no different from any other cruise really. We stopped at Victoria, Santa Barbara and San Fransisco. It was nice to leave from home. Once in LA we were bussed to Vegas for a couple of nights then flew home.

MarcyandJames · May 30, 2008

We haven't done one as of yet. We have talked about it, and will probably do one some day

rogue · May 30, 2008

Wehaven't done one yet, but were booked on one in October. Our Caribbean Princess cruise is a repo from New York to San Juan. The first thing I found out was that it was unbelievably cheap (about $100/day for a balcony). Hopefully, everything else will be as great as usual.

DebbieandJerry · May 30, 2008

"The first thing I found out was that it was unbelievably cheap (about $100/day for a balcony)."

I think the cost of flying from one destination to another is why the cruise ships keep the repositioning cruises so affordable.

The Azamara from Europe to Caribbean is one that we are highly considering.

JoeyandDavid · May 30, 2008

Pros, cons? Thanks!

Sue consider parking at LAX and then using the cruise lines transfers to the airport

The LAX fly Away Service is awesome....

hazelson · May 30, 2008

Sue - we haven't cruised into Astoria - but we do pass through on our way to Seaside, Oregon. Not much there but they must have some shore excursions - it's pretty small and an easy wander.

jtutak · June 2, 2008

I personally love repositioning cruises, I have just returned from a 23 day Santiago, Chile to Seattle, WA trip and have done a couple of transatlantic trips also. They are really no different from any other cruise except you go someplace.