best time to buy a repositioning cruise

[Brenditaa]

Can anyone tell me when is the best time to buy a ticket on a repositioning cruise and what website is the best deal to purchase from?

[travelnap]

23 hours ago, Brenditaa said:

Can anyone tell me when is the best time to buy a ticket on a repositioning cruise and what website is the best deal to purchase from?

Brenditaa, we are not allowed to list websites for cruises on the CC forums as per their rules so I can't help you there, but as far as timing, if you are retired and have a flexible travel schedule I have found the best deals to be found after the final payment dates for the cruise, so usually under 80 days before the cruise departs.  Of course though you may not get the cabin you prefer by waiting that long.  If you are not real fussy about the cabin then the shorter term offers can be very good, especially for a solo, as the supplement is usually less so they can fill the ship.  I have done a couple of solo TA's and I think I booked them both about 60 days prior to sailing so I got some really good rates on them.  Of course though you also have to look at flight costs as well, unless you are able to use mileage tickets.  I am not fussy about my cabin and found good flight rates so I enjoyed both trips.  Location makes a difference too, since I live in the Midwest I need to look for two flights, one to the departure port, and one back home again.  People that live near a port only have to worry about one flight.  

[Brenditaa]

Thanks for the good info I am lucky as I live in Ft Lauderdale so I dont need a flight ticket. I appreciate all the comments and great info.

[Lois R]

Good morning, glad you posted on here, I saw your other post on the other forum.

 

I agree with Neil, we can't name Travel Agents on here but my suggestion would be to find a local TA and go to talk to them in person (or on the phone) and see if you can find one who specializes in cruising. Let them know you are flexible with your time frame too.  I have not done a crossing yet but I have sailed solo for the past 16 years and I love it  Hope you will too!

 

Hey Neil, Happy New Year!

[Lois R]

2 minutes ago, Brenditaa said:

Thanks for the good info I am lucky as I live in Ft Lauderdale so I dont need a flight ticket. I appreciate all the comments and great info.

 

Hi, you will need a flight home from Europe though.  Unless you are planning to take a crossing back home too

[CanadaGuyEh]

17 hours ago, Lois R said:

 

Hi, you will need a flight home from Europe though.  Unless you are planning to take a crossing back home too

they go in april and november do they or is there a way to get them b2b and get home?

[Lois R]

Good morning...….yes, they go twice a year......I was being a bit silly...she could stay in Europe for a few months and take a crossing back home.

[bob brown]

Instead of doing a repositioning, another option would be to do a roundtrip crossing on the QM2.  Sometimes they do a European cruise between some crossings.   Or...do a repo one way, and try to match it up with a return crossing on the QM2.  Or vice versa.  Still another, but rather expensive option, is to do HAL's annual "Voyage of the Vikings",  round trip out of Boston to Europe in the summer.

[CanadaGuyEh]

4 hours ago, bob brown said:

Instead of doing a repositioning, another option would be to do a roundtrip crossing on the QM2.  Sometimes they do a European cruise between some crossings.   Or...do a repo one way, and try to match it up with a return crossing on the QM2.  Or vice versa.  Still another, but rather expensive option, is to do HAL's annual "Voyage of the Vikings",  round trip out of Boston to Europe in the summer.

I saw QM2 does a lot of back and forth to Southhampton  - out of NY I think - will check now if its a fancy type line or not - sounds fancy 😃

[dswallow]

22 minutes ago, CanadaGuyEh said:

I saw QM2 does a lot of back and forth to Southhampton  - out of NY I think - will check now if its a fancy type line or not - sounds fancy 😃

 

The Queen Mary 2 has one of the strictest dress codes at sea. Daytime wear ranges from smart casual to stylish, and the dress code shifts to formal after 6 p.m. Passengers tend to dress to the nines for dinner even on non-formal nights, with men wearing a suit with a jacket (tie optional) and women in cocktail dresses or slacks and a blouse. Formal nights are frequent and extravagant, with typical seven-night Atlantic crossings containing four formal or themed nights. On these evenings, men are expected to wear a tuxedo or suit and tie, and women wear formal dresses or evening gowns. Many passengers use these nights as an excuse to go all-out and don gloves, sequins and extravagant jewelry.

 

Inspiration for Daytime.

 

• Daytime for her.

  Days on our ships are for relaxing and we want you to feel comfortable and at home. So feel free to dress as you please, whether you’re out on deck or inside. Polo shirts, T-shirts and casual tops, such as a kaftans, paired with shorts, a skirt or casual, lightweight trousers are a great choice or day dresses for a slightly more elegant alternative. Even if it’s likely to be hot and sunny, it’s usually sensible to pack a few cardigans or lightweight sweaters too for on deck and around the ship. Footwear ideas include plimsolls, sandals and open-toed shoes, such as espadrilles.
• Daytime for him.
  Days on our ships are for relaxing and we want you to feel comfortable and at home. So feel free to dress as you please, whether you’re out on deck or inside. For days at sea, or ashore, you might opt for a casual long or short sleeve shirt, a polo shirt, a T-shirt or a sweater paired with shorts, lightweight or cargo trousers. Footwear can be equally relaxed, so you might wish to bring sandals, deck shoes or espadrilles.

 

Evening style guide.

 

• Smart attire for her.
  Every night on board in most venues we ask that you wear smart attire. You can still feel free to dress to impress, yet with less formality than during our Gala celebrations. For these nights, you might pick out an elegant dress, flowing maxi skirt and top or combine a blouse and trousers. Complete your outfit with low or high heels, court shoes or flat shoes such as pumps.
• Smart attire for him.
  On those evenings when we’re not hosting Gala celebrations in most venues we ask that you wear smart attire. We request that you wear a jacket or blazer in the main bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, paired with trousers, chinos and a shirt with a tie or an open collar, or even just over a crew neck jumper. You might complete the outfit with brogues, loafers or boots.
   
• Gala nights for her.
  Two or three times during every seven nights on board our Gala evenings (sometimes themed) encourage you to be at your most glamorous from when the clock strikes 6pm. These are the sparkling occasions with a celebratory atmosphere for which you pack your favourite evening dress, that flowing ball gown or a statement cocktail dress. Then again, you may feel more comfortable in a formal combination, such as a jacket, blouse or shirt and trousers.
• Gala nights for him.
  Our Gala evenings (sometimes themed) are the time for you to dress to impress as the celebratory atmosphere is heightened. So from 6pm, don your dinner jacket (or tuxedo, if you prefer to call it that) – which you’re more than welcome to wear with a kilt. Many choose to finish the look with a bow tie, perhaps even a cummerbund. A dark two-piece or three-piece suit is perfectly acceptable too, whether with a regular tie or a cravat. Your choice of smart shoes will complete the look.

 

Relaxed Evenings.

 

From time to time, not least after a rewarding discovery ashore, you might wish to round off the day in a more relaxed style. You’ll be pleased to know that many of our bars and lounges welcome you to unwind in more casual outfits during the evening but we do ask that guests refrain from wearing torn or tattered clothing, shorts, sandals or sleeveless t-shirts. Casual venues include: King Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club and G32.

 

 

Edited January 2, 2019 by dswallow

[mef_57]

Yes, the Cunards are expensive and 'fancy'. I just got off the Queen Elizabeth, but I love 'fancy'. The only place a dress code matters is at dinner time.  A dress code is required for all public spaces - but that may be a little lax for say the Lido buffet - or order in room service. I had to chuckle about the occasional man in a tuxedo with crocs or slip on deck shoes...clearly comfort over formal footwear.  It just seemed that dress code mattered for what was seen above the tablecloth.

 

[emmak8]

Too much dressing up for me. One or two nights is enough. Thanks for posting the info dswallow.

[CanadaGuyEh]

1 hour ago, mef_57 said:

Yes, the Cunards are expensive and 'fancy'. I just got off the Queen Elizabeth, but I love 'fancy'. The only place a dress code matters is at dinner time.  A dress code is required for all public spaces - but that may be a little lax for say the Lido buffet - or order in room service. I had to chuckle about the occasional man in a tuxedo with crocs or slip on deck shoes...clearly comfort over formal footwear.  It just seemed that dress code mattered for what was seen above the tablecloth.

 

Atlantic crossings this time of year on QM2 are reasonable for fancy line - $900 pp for 7 nights   NY to Southhampton sails Jan 3 but if was free I wouldn't go - don't have the wardrobe 😃 

[Brenditaa]

Thanks for the good info I am lucky as I live in Ft Lauderdale so I dont need a flight ticket. I appreciate all the comments and great info.

[Brenditaa]

Thanks for all the great comments on repositioning cruises. I finally decided to go with Norwegian from Miami to Tarragon, Spain in April.

I got a great price and I prefer the casual dress code. Once I get to Tarragon I will take a train to Barcelona and stay there a few nights after that I have not yet planned where I want to go but who cares it's the journey not the trip. Life is about taking one day at a time and just enjoying it.

 

[kochleffel]

If you'll need a flight back to FLL and you're concerned about the cost of a one-way flight, there are some potential low-cost options. From Barcelona, TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon is a one, although TAP flies to Miami, not Fort Lauderdale. Norwegian Air (not affiliated with the cruise line) flies from Paris to FLL.