What is a repositioning cruise​? Complete guide & best itineraries

Repositioning cruises can be a super getaway option for travellers looking to escape during the autumn and spring to a far-flung land.

These one-way trips see cruise lines move their ships across the globe in order to offer the best cruising seasons to their customers. In short, when it stops being warm in Europe, many cruise ships wend their way across the Atlantic to warmer climes where they will carry out Caribbean sailings until it’s warm enough to return to Europe in the spring. It’s not just the Atlantic on offer though – these repositioning cruises can occur all over the world.

As Jo Rzymowska, ex-Vice President and Managing Director of Celebrity Cruises, previously told Sailawaze: “In the late autumn, Celebrity’s transatlantic cruises sail from Europe to North America, whilst in the early spring, they depart from the United States and head back across the Atlantic.

“Both offer a wealth of stunning destinations to explore from the sun-soaked Mediterranean, the Azores and the Canary Islands, majestic Iceland and Greenland and the exotic Caribbean. The itinerary travellers choose will depend on what sort of holiday they’re looking for.”

The perks of repositioning cruises are bountiful too: they generally come with impressive savings so you can score yourself a bargain break on many cheap repositioning cruises. Some cruise lines – like Marella repositioning cruises – also automatically include flights, which makes life easier. Moreover, if you book with a travel agent like Iglu Cruise, you can ensure flights are always baked in, plus you can include hotel stays to make the most of your time away with a cushy cruise and stay jolly.

We’ve rounded up some of the best repositioning cruises 2025 and beyond – whether you’re after P&O repositioning cruises or repositioning cruises from Southampton – and answered all your burning questions about this sailing type.

What is a repositioning cruise​?

A repositioning cruise is a type of one-way cruise where a ship moves from one homeport to another, typically to reposition for a different cruising season. They often cross the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean as well as the Suez and Panama Canals.

For example, Alaska cruises operate between May to September so, before and after this time, ships doing that route will sail elsewhere – for instance, Asia – to make the most of the on-season there while Alaska is too cold for tourists. The journey when the ship moves between the two destinations is called a repositioning cruise.

Lines prefer to get guests onboard for these voyages to maximise usage of the vessel so often heavily slash fares and offer perks to tempt travellers.

Repositioning cruises tend to occur during the transition between seasons — for instance, moving a ship from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean for the European summer or vice versa for winter sun. They usually feature longer itineraries, fewer port stops and can be more affordable than regular cruises.

A wide range of cruise lines offer repositioning cruise​s, from Oceania Cruises and Cunard to Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Holland America Line.

Is a repositioning cruise cheaper?

Yes, repositioning cruises are often significantly cheaper than regular cruises, with prices sometimes dropping by up to 50 percent per person, per night! Because these itineraries typically have fewer port stops and are longer in duration, cruise lines often offer discounted rates to attract passengers. You could end up holidaying with all food and drink included for well under £100 a day.

What months do cruise ships reposition?

Cruise ships typically reposition during the spring and autumn. The spring repositioning usually occurs from late April to early June as ships move from winter itineraries in warmer regions (like the Caribbean) to summer destinations (like Alaska or Europe).

In the autumn, the repositioning takes place from late September to mid-November, as ships return to warmer areas after the summer season.

How does a repositioning cruise work?

A typical repositioning cruise can see you board your ship from a port of call in the UK in the autumn shoulder season and cross the Atlantic, often via the Azores or Canary Islands, and stops in the Caribbean, to your final North American destination. You will then need to fly back to the UK when you reach your end port.

If you chose to sail during the spring shoulder season you would fly out to the other side of the Atlantic and then cruise back to Europe in reverse order of the above.

Other repositioning cruises may require you fly to the starting point – perhaps other major European cities such as Barcelona or Rome before making the trip across the ocean.

While transatlantic repositioning cruises appeal to Britons for obvious reasons, there are also repositioning cruises across the Pacific, down to South America, the Middle East via the Suez Canal or East or West North America through the Panama Canal.

Do repositioning cruises include flights?

No, repositioning cruises won’t automatically include flights – unless you book with such all-inclusive lines as Marella Cruises which throws in flights as standard on its TUI repositioning cruises.

You may not need a flight both ways (if the cruise departs or arrives in the UK) but you’ll definitely need at least one. Booking with a travel agent like Iglu Cruise can take the stress out of this for you, with plenty of fly cruise offers up for grabs.

Do repositioning cruises have entertainment?

Repositioning cruises offer exactly the same amenities and entertainment that are available on ‘regular’ sailings. If anything, they’ll put extra on because there are more sea days on these longer voyages.

Your ‘repo’ cruise may also be a themed cruise – from music to food – in which case you can expect lots of fun based around that theme to prevent any possible boredom.

Do repositioning cruises include food?

Yes, they operate just like every other cruise, with food always included. You may have to pay extra for speciality dining options though, just as you would on a standard sailing with the line. Check out what dining your cruise line offers before you book. If you’re prone to getting bored with the same-old you may want to sail on a ship with a wide range of culinary options to avoid repetition.

What are the benefits of a repositioning cruise?

As well as coming with discounted fares these sailings present you with a unique opportunity to really get stuck into everything the ships has to offer and settle into a more relaxed way of seafaring life.

Yes, you will need to relish days at sea to enjoy these cruises but the good news is, rather than feeling guilty about not heading ashore, you can truly put your feet up onboard and enjoy everything the ship has to offer, from the spa and deck games to the casino and cinema.

Travel writer Caroline Gladstone told Sailawaze of her experience of repositioning cruises: “They are definitely for those with time on their hands and who like many sea days; I really enjoyed mine. It’s a chance to get to know the ship, do the onboard classes (I got really into daily yoga and meditation) try out all the restaurants, learn a craft and sleep in!”

Fellow journalist Danielle Langer agrees. “Repositioning cruises can be a great way to get more for your money because it gives you a totally different embarkation and debarkation port to explore, sort of like a bonus port visit,” she explained.

Rzymowska told Sailawaze: “Repositioning cruises allow guests to become immersed in distinct cultures all in one trip, stopping at some of the world’s most coveted ports, across oceans. Additionally, with more days at sea, there’s more opportunity to relax, restore and make the most of industry-transforming ships.”

Do you need a passport for a repositioning cruise?

Yes, as with any cruise holiday, you will need a passport – even if you don’t intend to disembark or you’re travelling with a British line on, for instance, on one of P&O’s repositioning cruises.

What is the difference between a repositioning cruise and a transatlantic cruise?

Transatlantic cruises refer to voyages that only take place via the Atlantic Ocean while repositioning cruises can take place all over the world, with transpacific cruises also popular among this type of sailing.

Are repositioning cruises one way?

Yes, repositioning cruises are, by their very nature, one-way. The cruise ship has travelled to the final destination in order to operate a season there and will likely not be returning until the season has ended.

If you’re after a round-trip cruise, a repositioning cruise will not suit but there are countless other standard cruise options out there to suit your needs. Discussing your requirements with a travel agent will ensure you book the right holiday for you.

– READ MORE: Best ocean cruises for Christmas holidays 2024 –