‘Repositioning cruises’ are the secret to bagging a deal – you could save over £1,500 on your holiday
Repositioning cruises are one way but even factoring in flights, you could make big savings
REPOSITIONING or ‘repo’ cruises are the industry’s best kept secret, and if you’re fairly flexible and know what to search for, you can secure a brilliant deal.
In some examples Sun Online Travel has found, you could save over £1,500 when compared to a regular cruise with a similar itinerary.
Repositioning happens when a ship needs to relocate to another homeport during spring or autumn for more sun.
Unlike a conventional cruise, which tends to be round trip, passengers sail one way on a one-off route at a discounted price.
However, while the actual cruise can be a bargain, voyages are often longer than usual, you’ll spend more time at sea and may need to factor in the cost of a one way flight.
But choose the right ship and you’ll be able to take full advantage of the facilities and activities on board, while having more cash to splash in the bar and spa.
The best way to find the right cruise for you is by checking cruise line websites or talking to a travel agent.
Sun Online Travel managed to find some great deals in the coming year.
MSC’s repositioning cruises are called Grand Voyages and their website is a good place to find them - select ‘MSC Grand Voyages’ in the destination search.
The ship will be sailing from Havana and calling at St Maarten, Antigua, Funchal and Malaga before disembarking in Alicante.
In comparison, a 14-night round trip Caribbean, Cuba and Antilles cruise on MSC Seaside, sailing from Miami in the same month, costs from £1,099pp on a cruise only basis.
costs from £999pp for an inside cabin, including flights.
Departing March 8, 2019, from Barbados, it calls at St Lucia, Antigua, St Maarten and Ponta Delgada, Azores, before disembarking in Southampton.
In comparison, a regular costs from £1,399pp. Departing February 22, 2019, the price includes round trip flights to and from Barbados.
Fancy a touch of luxury with butler service to boot? Try cruise on Silver Shadow.
Departing on November 21, 2019, it calls at Funchal Madeira, Hamilton Bermuda (overnight) and disembarks in Fort Lauderdale. From £2,970pp including flights and suite accommodation.
In comparison, an costs from £3,870 including flights and suite accommodation.
Departing on November 11, 2019, ports of call include St Thomas, Gustavia (St Barts), St John’s, and Key West (Florida).
Windstar offers luxury small ship sailing at its best. , departing on April 9, 2019, from Philipsburg, St Maarten, to Lisbon starts from just £599pp for a 14-day voyage.
It calls at Ponta Delgada, Azores, only.
In comparison, an from Venice to Rome on board Wind Surf costs £2,499pp for travelling in May 2019.
Got time on your hands? on the all-inclusive Marella Explorer from £1,635pp, including flights.
Departing from Bridgetown, Barbados, there are 11 ports of call with disembarkation in Southampton. Flights depart on April 28, 2019, from Birmingham airport.
In comparison, a from Bridgetown, Barbados, on Marella Explorer costs from £1,791pp including return flights.
You can also sail on the newly renovated ship Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas for less.
from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing on October 26, 2019, costs from £1,099pp, based on two people sharing an interior stateroom.
Ports of call include Philipsburg, St Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Flights are not included.
In comparison, an round trip onboard Anthem of the Seas, departing from Cape Liberty, New York, on January 4, 2021, costs £1,424.47pp, including flights and one night in a hotel.
Why not join Celebrity Cruises for a on Celebrity Silhouette, departing Fort Lauderdale on April 14, 2019.
It sails via Nassau, Bahamas; Kings Wharf, Bermuda; and Lisbon, Portugal, with disembarkation in Southampton.
Prices start from £789 for two staying in an Oceanview room, excluding flights.
In comparison, a on Celebrity Reflection, round trip from Fort Lauderdale on April 11, 2019, costs from £1,469 for two staying in an Oceanview room, excluding flights.
Jump onboard Holland America Line’s new ship Nieuw Statendam.
The departs on September 15, 2019, and sails from Amsterdam to Civitavecchia (Rome) via Lisbon, Cadiz (Seville), Gibraltar and Malaga. Prices start from £1,499pp cruise only.
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In comparison, a on Nieuw Statendam, round trip from Amsterdam on August 25, 2019, costs from £2,099 cruise only.
Earlier this month, Sun Online Travel revealed that Carnival Cruises will be launching the first rollercoaster at sea.
It will be on board their new ship, Mardis Gras, and will be sailing in 2020.