The Perks: Passengers on this sailing will appreciate the recent upgrades to Celebrity Constellation

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Though some ships spend 365 days a year sailing the same itineraries discount disney world ticket prices or sticking to the same regions, many relocate a few times a year, depending on the season, from Canada and New England to the Caribbean or Alaska discount disney world ticket prices to Mexico , for example. Cruise lines sell these one-way routes (usually at a discount), rather than sail the ships without passengers. These voyages known as repositioning cruises often feature discount disney world ticket prices themes with subjects ranging from theater to wine, or are enhanced with enrichment options, such as guest lecturers.
As world voyages and ocean crossings grow in popularity, interest discount disney world ticket prices has piqued in this unique style of cruising, too. The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about repositioning cruises: How do I find a repositioning cruise?
Look to regions discount disney world ticket prices that have very specific seasons, year after year. For example, ships that spend summertime in Alaska have no choice but to relocate come September or October, and often offer unique itineraries along the California coast to Hawaii or through the Panama Canal . The opposite happens in the springtime. discount disney world ticket prices Also look for transatlantic cruises as ships reposition from East Coast ports (like New York and Fort Lauderdale) to Europe for a season of Mediterranean or Northern Europe sailings; this often happens in fall and spring. Other repositioning itineraries will journey to Asia , the Middle East , and Africa .
You can visit broad swaths of the Caribbean or an entire coastline all at once; cross the Atlantic with pit stops in off-the-beaten-path places like Greenland , or hit several cruise regions and continents on one trip. Repositioning cruises discount disney world ticket prices often incorporate tons of sea days, offering a more relaxing vacation without hectic, back-to-back port calls. Finally, when ships reposition, you save: Per-diem rates for repositioning cruises are often much lower than for "regular" sailings. (We've seen 16-night transatlantic cruises from $599!) However, this brings us to our next point ...
Because repositioning cruises begin in one city and end in another sometimes many, many miles away the passenger is responsible for picking up generally expensive, one-way or open-jaw flights. Browse diligently for the best deals , and keep your eye out for airfare sales . For some passengers, spending days on end in the middle of nowhere particularly on ocean crossings is more claustrophobic than it is relaxing. Plus, repositioning voyages tend to be long (some nearly a month!), which limits them to retired seafarers and the lucky few with a decent amount of vacation time.
The Perks: Carnival cruises are known for a wide variety of entertainment options, and Elation is no different. discount disney world ticket prices It features plenty of live bands, elaborate stage shows, a piano bar, karaoke, and daily poolside games. Plus, passengers can choose between dining at prearranged times with the same tablemates and flexible dining at their preferred times with tablemates and waiters changing each evening. The itinerary is port-intensive for a repositioning cruise, with port calls almost every other day.
Who Should Go: Fun-loving cruise travelers of all ages, looking to cross a Panama Canal transit off their bucket list, should book. Carnival Elation is one of Carnival's older and smaller ships carrying just over 2,000 passengers, and it won't receive the enhanced Evolutions of Fun outdoor recreation areas until later in 2010. So, a cruise on this ship is best for travelers who prefer discount disney world ticket prices a more intimate cruise experience to a larger ship with the most modern bells and whistles.
The Perks: Princess has turned a simple repositioning of the ship from Los Angeles to Vancouver for the start of the Alaska cruise season into a sea-going party for those who want to pay for ship-sponsored shore excursions. discount disney world ticket prices The call at Santa Barbara offers an excursion to four wineries, discount disney world ticket prices the stop in Astoria offers tours of three micro-breweries, and for something more sedate, passengers can take high tea at the regal, discount disney world ticket prices 102-year-old Empress Hotel in Victoria. The ship has plenty of balconies and a wide variety of dining venues, including an Italian trattoria, a steakhouse, a pizzeria, and a grill.
Who Should Go: This might be the perfect discount disney world ticket prices first cruise, especially for West Coast residents. The ship stays close to shore, offering five port calls in the six days after leaving L.A. including a generous 13 hours in both San Francisco discount disney world ticket prices and Seattle. And, a week is plenty of time to enjoy the ship's onboard amenities and feel like you've had a real vacation.
The Perks: discount disney world ticket prices The itinerary includes several port calls on either side of the Atlantic, allowing discount disney world ticket prices passengers to access European cities like London and Paris, as well as the quaint discount disney world ticket prices seaside towns in Maritime discount disney world ticket prices Canada and New England. When you're not busy exploring these ports, take advantage of Costa's innovative onboard activities, such as an Italian discount disney world ticket prices street festival at sea (complete with bocce, Italian karaoke, and Tarantella dancing) and a toga party, where the rules are "no sheet, not eat!"
Who Should Go: You'll find mostly Europeans onboard, as well as many Americans of Italian descent. Costa passengers tend to be fun-loving and enthusiastic, regardless of age. Plus, Italian discount disney world ticket prices movie buffs will enjoy the photos of Italian movie stars on each of the 12 passenger decks, which are named for films directed by Federico Fellini.
The Perks: Explore Central America from both the Pacific and Caribbean sides with seven port calls in Mexico , Guatemala , Nicaragua , Panama , and Colombia plus one in San Francisco, discount disney world ticket prices just for kicks. If you can afford it, this is the perfect cruise for an upgrade 66 percent of cabins have balconies (which make great spots to take in the scenery as you cross the Panama Canal), and the top-grade balcony cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows. For even more exclusivity, discount disney world ticket prices book one of the highest-level suites and get access to a private lounge with concierge service. No matter which cabin you choose, you'll benefit from a 2008 update that brought such cabin upgrades as flat-screen TV's, DVD players, and superior mattresses and bed linens.
Who Should Go: Although Holland America has been making an effort discount disney world ticket prices to attract more families and younger travelers, its multi-week repositioning cruises tend to see a more mature, traditional set of passengers.
Itinerary: Athens, Monemvasia, Pilos, Siracusa , Valletta , Pantelleria , Hammamet , Tunis , Mahon , Cartagena , Motril , Malaga , Tangier , Cadiz , Casablanca , Safi , Arrecife , Santa Cruz de Tenerife , Las Palmas , St. Maarten
The Perks: This exceptionally long cruise sails from Athens through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic, visiting ports in Italy , Spain , Tunisia , Morocco , and the Canary Islands before ending in the Caribbean's discount disney world ticket prices St. Maarten. Star Clipper discount disney world ticket prices is unique because it's a four-masted, tall sailing ship, but it does have and use engines in addition discount disney world ticket prices to wind power. Onboard amenities are not elaborate, and cabins are small, but passengers can enjoy two pools, a library, an indoor/outdoor bar, and complimentary water sports in appropriate ports from the ship's onboard marina.
Who Should Go: This sailing is for hearty sailors who can handle 17 days crossing the ocean in a small vessel that rolls with the seas and those who can easily entertain themselves. Of course, the ship's staff does host activities that include regular discount disney world ticket prices presentations on navigation and nautical history, as well as a daily lecture by the captain. Passengers discount disney world ticket prices will also have a chance to help hoist the sails and climb the mast. For those with less time, there are options for shorter crossing segments.
The Perks: The ship is full of light and features acres of glass, an airy nine-deck atrium, elevators that glide vertically along the ship's exterior, a glass-domed solarium, and floor-to-ceiling windows in the Champagne bar. It offers plenty of active options, including an expansive fitness center, sports court, rock-climbing wall, and jogging track. This cruise is a special sampling of Eastern and Southern Caribbean ports, offering calls in six nations in addition to six relaxing days at sea.
Who Should Go: This sailing is great for anyone and everyone with two weeks free for vacation! Royal Caribbean cruises typically attract a wide range of North Americans, especially active travelers who appreciate discount disney world ticket prices the ship's sporty onboard offerings.
The Perks: Passengers on this sailing will appreciate the recent upgrades to Celebrity Constellation (coming in April 2010). New culinary additions include the Tuscan Grille Italian st