Repositioning Cruise - Question

[e11e2]

I've looked through about 10 pages of threads on this list and can't find any info on repositioning cruises. I'd appreciate any web links, any links to threads on CC or advice.

 

My fiancee and I are looking for a good repositioning cruise in the end of Sept 07, leaving from the west coast of NA (getting married in Vegas so we'd like to stay on that side and can fly to any ports along the coast) We can take up to a month off of work. We found a few going to Hawaii and NZ and thought that they sound great, however, I'm concerned that they'll be full of seniors. I have nothing against seniors but would like to have people in our age group (30s) to socialize with.

 

Also, we'd like to know if these cruises are fun or if people get tired/bored with that many days at sea.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

[wwinfl91]

Repositioning cruises are when cruise lines move ships from one set of ports to another. One set in the fall occurs as ships move from Alaska cruises to usually Caribbean cruises and often involve a Panama Canal transit. Several cruise use that time to also do 14-15 day cruises from the USA west coast to Hawaii before they send the ships to the Caribbean. In the spring these ships come back to the west coast to do Alaskan cruises again.

 

Another group of ships come back from Europe and Med in the fall to the Caribbean and then go back across the Atlantic again in the spring to do European and Med cruises in the spring and summer.

 

Because most repositioning cruises are 2 weeks long or longer the percentage of older cruisers will be higher than on a one week carib or Mexican riveria cruise. The good thing is there are also usually fewer kids and teenagers running amok as these should be in school.

 

We have done several of these cruises and have another one planned for this fall but we fall in the older cruiser age range. We enjoy the cruises for a variety of reasons but one of the main reasons is the days at sea. During that time you really get some time to use all the facilities of the ship that often get minimal usage on shorter and more port intensive cruises. The days at sea are also extremely relaxing times to just chill out.

 

We have done the Island Princess to Hawaii in Oct of 2004 and had a great time on that cruise. Generally I would say that cruise had more middle age than senior citizen passengers. We have also done the Panama Canal on Hal's Veendam from SF to Ft Lauderdale and that cruise definitely had a majority of senior citizens. Our transatlantic on the Jewel of the Seas last year in the spring from Ft Lauderdale to Harwich England has a very mixed passenger list that included all ages but still had pretty few children and teenagers.

 

One site to search specifically for repositioning cruises is *****.com. The option is probably also available on other web sites.

 

Prices on repositioning cruises vary depending on their popularity. We have been able to get some good prices by booking a guarantee (outside, balcony, suite, etc.) and then seeing where we end up. Neither of us is susceptible to sea sickness so we don't worry too much about where our cabin ends up.

 

Hope this is the kind of input you were looking for.

 

Have a great next repositioning cruise.

[critterchick]

We have taken quite a few repositioning cruises up and down the West Coast from LA to Vancouver or the reverse itinerary, and have great fun on them. As wwinfl91 said, anything over 7 days tends to attract an older crowd.

 

As a suggestion, there are two boffo-looking cruises from Vancouver to LA in September 07 that might suit you - Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Sea are doing 14 and 13 nights cruises, 7 days to Alaska and then down the coast to Los Angeles (Serenade may be going to San Diego, I can't remember). We're on the Radiance cruise, and our Roll Call has a pretty "mature" crowd (i.e. over 50) sailing, but that doesn't mean there aren't some in your age group, too. Although there are 6 or 7 sea days on the Radiance trip, they are spread out so that you don't have 2 in a row. That's a plus for me, although I understand that many passengers like consecutive days.

 

We booked as soon as the cruise opened up in April, and the prices were amazing - 14 nights for the price of the 7 night itinerary the week before!

 

As for how to find them, do a search looking for "Pacific Coastal" or "Alaska" cruises. I don't think that many website have "repositioning" as a destination. Or look for cruises originating in Vancouver or a western US city. Happy hunting!