Canadian carrier Porter Airlines is expanding out of California’s largest airports, debuting new connections to Montréal this summer.
29.02.2024 - 08:35 / forbes.com
Transatlantic and other lengthy, ocean crossings once defined sea travel, but in modern times only one true ocean liner remains. Aside from Cunard’s Southampton to New York service, travelers seeking a transatlantic cruise are mostly left with world cruises or lengthy grand voyages, but there is another option.
Embarking on a repositioning cruise offers a travel adventure far removed from the traditional cruising experience. Sailing across vast oceans from one continent to another at a reduced fare is a tempting prospect, but such trips are not for everyone.
The concept of a repositioning cruise is simple. Most cruise lines spend parts of the year in different regions, for example Alaska or the Mediterranean in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter.
Rather than sail between the regions empty, cruise lines maximize usage of their ships by selling one-way trips known as repositioning cruises, often at big discounts on their usual fares.
Often overlooked by the casual traveler, repositioning cruises present an opportunity for those seeking a blend of relaxation, extended days at sea, and the excitement of ports of call less commonly found on itineraries, all at a reduced price.
But before rushing in to book one, look carefully at the details of what’s on offer.
When comparing price per day, repositioning cruises offer some of the cheapest fares at sea.
For example, Celebrity’s 14-day Tampa to Barcelona itinerary in March 2024 is available from approximately $750 per person. Going in the other direction, this 12-day Southampton to Miami itinerary from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) sets sail in December 2024, starting at under $1,000 per person.
Repositining can mean more than just transatlantic routes, too. Royal Caribbean’s 7-day Boston to Puerto Rico itinerary in November 2025 is also available for under $100 per person, per day.
Although the fares are lower than comparable cruises, the one-way nature of the trips means additional travel costs. One-way flights are rarely a bargain, so be sure to factor in the cost of air travel (if required) before assessing the value of a deal.
Cruise lines may offer flights as part of a repositioning cruise deal. Even so, it’s worth consulting with a cruise-specialist travel agent who may be able to find a better deal.
Even if you find a great deal on flights, a low fare might not be reason enough to book a repositioning cruise. The most common issue for some people is the high number of consecutive days with no port calls, known as sea days.
The beauty of endless ocean views comes with the reality of limited port calls and land excursions. If you prefer frequent stops and exploring new cities daily, this might be a drawback.
That’s not to say you’ll be bored. From
Canadian carrier Porter Airlines is expanding out of California’s largest airports, debuting new connections to Montréal this summer.
Fast-growing Porter Airlines is expanding its footprint on the U.S. West Coast.
A rainy day can ruin a long-planned vacation, but a new company is aiming to provide some peace of mind. WeatherPromise, a tech company that launched February, offers travel protection services and full vacation refunds if it rains for a pre-specified duration of a trip with the help of artificial intelligence. The company will refund everything from hotel reservations, theme park and sports tickets, activities, and other purchases made around a vacation. “I realize how big an investment travel is and the worry that every trip needs to be perfect — that's where WeatherPromise comes in,” WeatherPromise co-Founder Dan Price told Travel + Leisure. “Every WeatherPromise is custom-created and selected for you and your trip...Our AI engine looks at where you are going, when you will be there, and what we expect the weather to be.” While each WeatherPromise guarantee can differ depending on the trip duration and location, Travel + Leisure spotted packages available for between $262 and $307 to cover a 7-day $5,000 trip, which provides a refund if there are several days of measurable rain.
Cruise travel has never been more popular as the industry is expected to achieve record levels in 2024.
Oceania Cruises wants you to spend at least $59,700 — and 180 days — living on its newest cruise ship while it sails 360 degrees around the globe.
Randy and Kit Cassingham sold everything for a dream: to live out their retirement years on a residential cruise ship.
Passengers aboard the Silversea Silver Nova have been informed, more than a week in advance, that their disembarkation time in Fort Lauderdale would be delayed by four hours. The reason offered for this change was a photo opportunity with the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas and the Celebrity Ascent two days before disembarkation.
High-speed rail company Brightline will add a brand-new stop along Florida’s Treasure Coast in the company’s latest expansion.
WHY IT RATES: Sea Cloud Cruises is offering a new round-trip Miami itinerary for 2025, allowing travelers to enjoy a fun private yacht-style cruise onboard a brand-new, three-masted ship unlike any other. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse
Tourists and residents alike can take advantage of the many cruises that depart from New York City, offering easy access to warm weather getaways, family vacations, expeditions, and more. After all, nothing screams adventure like sailing away from the Big Apple with the Statue of Liberty and iconic city skyline in your wake.
Just in case this comes off as harsh, let me preface this by saying that I love children. I have two boys of my own, and I’m having a hard time letting them be adults as they turn 24 and 20.
Southwest Airlines and Omni Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to offer a special "Solarbration" sweepstakes ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.The sweepstakes—which can be entered now through March 11—will reward two lucky winners with a prize package that includes air travel on a flight predicted to be in the direct path of the eclipse.The flight options include Southwest Flight 1252, which departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:40 p.m. CT for Pittsburgh, and Southwest Flight 1721, which departs Austin at 12:55 p.m. CT for Indianapolis.Omni will do its part by putting the winners up in custom-designed guest rooms inspired by the celestial event. The special accommodations will be located at Omni Hotels in the departure cities of Dallas and Austin and the arrival cities of Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.In addition to roundtrip flights and accommodations for two nights, winners will receive exclusive solar eclipse viewing glasses and fun inflight experiences aboard their eclipse flights.