Why 'Repositioning' Cruise Deals Are One Of The Best To Save You Money

Stretching your budget doesn't have to mean sacrificing experiences, especially if you know where to look for cruise deals. While Costco's travel portal can provide huge savings on cruises, booking a repositioning cruise can offer some of the best per-night costs, and is one of the industry's best-kept secrets. A repositioning cruise is a one-time trip taken when a ship needs to relocate to a new seasonal destination. If a ship sails in the Mediterranean during summer, it may reposition to the Caribbean for autumn. Instead of sending these ships across the Atlantic empty, cruise lines will offer lucrative discounts in an attempt to fill the cruise.

While prices vary significantly, repositioning cruises tend to be longer – between 13 to 19 nights – and can be booked for less than standard cruises. By comparison, a typical cruise lasts around seven days and ranges from $400 to $1,400. Longer voyages at sea might appeal to some travelers, but there are factors worth weighing. Since repositioning cruises traverse large bodies of water, there are less stops, which means fewer land-based excursions. Unlike the circular itinerary of a standard cruise, repositioning cruises are one-way trips, which could make travel and logistics a bit more complicated and potentially more expensive.

Finding a repositioning cruise isn't difficult, but knowing where and when to search can make a big difference in overall costs. Repositioning cruises typically take place in the spring and fall when ships move between seasonal ports. Just like airfare, it's best to book tickets in advanc.e Major cruise lines and online travel agencies like Celebrity Cruises and Vacations To Go maintain updated lists of repositioning cruises, making it easy to compare itineraries and prices. For those who like to plan far in advance, sites like Cruise Mapper specialize in finding these trips and often know about them years ahead.

While repositioning cruises can often be the best way to stretch your vacation dollars, they aren't the only option for saving at sea. Many of the same strategies, like booking early, being flexible with dates, and hunting for a deal, apply to traditional cruises as well. It can also help to book another cruise while onboard one, as many cruise lines offer exclusive discounts and extra onboard credit to returning travelers.