Want to Go on a Cruise for Cheap? Look for This Type of Cruise

If you've been tucking money into a savings account for a cruise, you may be able to book your voyage sooner than you expect. That is if you're interested in a repositioning cruise (sometimes called a "repo cruise"). 

A repositioning cruise is not your everyday, typical cruise, though. Here, we'll tell you what a repositioning cruise is, how much it could impact your personal finances, and what you can expect if you go aboard. 

How repositioning cruises work

Each year, cruise ships around the world relocate from one region to another. For example, a ship may spend summer months cruising waters around Europe, then spend winter cruising the Caribbean. For shipping companies, it's all about maximizing the number of months it can operate and take on new passengers.

It's when those cruise ships move from one part of the globe to another that repositioning cruises take place. Shipping companies allow passengers to book passage on these repositioning cruises, a move that saves those passengers an average of 50% compared to a typical round-trip cruise from the same port. 

Here's the catch: Let's say you sail out of Amsterdam. Since the ship is moving for the season, there will be no return trip to Amsterdam. Instead, you might end up in Jamaica or Panama, meaning you'll end up paying for an additional flight to get back home. This is when it pays to compare prices to find the lowest-cost flight. 

How a repositioning cruise is similar to a traditional cruise

Any amenities available on a cruise ship remain available to passengers on repositioning cruises. For example, if the ship you choose offers rock climbing, ice skating, or zip-lining, you can expect to have access to those features. You'll enjoy the same casino, game nights, shows, gourmet cuisine, swimming, and other activities enjoyed by typical cruisers -- you'll just do it with fewer passengers onboard. 

How a repositioning cruise is different than a traditional cruise

• Repositioning cruises typically carry fewer passengers than traditional cruises, so if you're someone who prefers to avoid crowds, this may be the right cruise for you. 
• Voyages are normally longer, sometimes weeks longer. 
• You're far more likely to cross from one sea to another on a repositioning cruise.
• There are fewer ports of call. If your jam is stopping at a new port of call every day or two, you'll find that repositioning cruises don't do that. However, the ports they do stop at tend to be a bit more exotic and off the beaten path. 
• Repositioning ships normally offer more onboard activities than a typical cruise, mostly because passengers will be spending more days at sea.
• Repositioning cruises make it easier for people to see the world without emptying their bank accounts or maxing out their credit cards. 

What's interesting about being aboard with fewer passengers is that staff size does not change during repositioning. So, if you're someone who likes to feel pampered, this may be the cruise for you. 

For some, there are a few downsides

Repositioning cruises are not for everyone. For example:

• Some cruises last for weeks, making them off-limits to people who can't get enough time off work.
• If you sail on a smaller ship, you may sometimes experience rough waters as the ship moves from one point on the globe to another. 
• Repositioning cruises take place primarily in the spring and fall, making it difficult for families with kids in school to get away. 

By the way: If you prefer a vacation with few or no children around, a repositioning cruise may become your favorite mode of travel. 

How to find a repositioning cruise

If you're interested in finding a repositioning cruise that fits your preferred itinerary and timeframe, the best place to begin looking is online. Check out online forums to pick up tips from previous repositioning cruisers. If you find a cruise you're particularly interested in, you can call the cruise line directly or work with a travel agent. 

There are all kinds of ways to save money on travel. However, if you decide that a repositioning cruise is the way to go, you're in for an experience unlike any other.