A ‘repo’ or repositioning cruise could revolutionise the way you travel

If you’ve yet to learn about the world of repositioning cruises, get ready to jump on board this popular cruise trend!

Known as a ‘repo’ cruise, these often-longer journeys take place when a vessel is being relocated to a new port from where its next official voyage will depart.

This usually occurs at the beginning or end of a season as the vessel relocates to warmer destinations or returns to seasonal ports.

Want to give it a go? Check out this great Singapore-Sydney fly, stay and cruise package, curated especially for the Travel at 60 community!

Regular cruiser Patrick Burke, 68, has been on more than 74 cruises over the years and says there are so many benefits to taking a repositioning cruise.

“We like the fact that we can tack on a land break at the beginning or end of a cruise, and there’s just one flight involved,” says Patrick. “At the beginning or end of a repositioning cruise to Singapore, we love to spend a few days at the Shangri-La resort and explore the city.”

Read more: 8 secrets for first-time cruisers

If you’ve yet to jump aboard a repositioning cruise, then take note because here are five reasons it’s the perfect way to enjoy your next holiday.

1. It’s great value

Daily rates per person can be much more economical on a repositioning cruise and Patrick couldn’t agree more. “Repositioning cruises are also great value,” he said. “They are much cheaper per day compared to most round-trip cruises.” At the moment, Australians can pay less than $120 per person per day for a repositioning cruise with Royal Caribbean from Seattle on Explorer of the Seas’ 21-night trip. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for cruise packages that include airfares or airfare discounts, to increase the value of your trip even further.

2. Uncommon routes

Repositioning cruises are often longer journeys and you may even be able to pass through several continents on one voyage. This gives passengers the opportunity to pass through regions they wouldn’t have necessarily visited otherwise. Celebrity Solstice, for example, traverses the Pacific from Honolulu to Australia stopping in Tahiti, Bora Bora and New Zealand along the way. “You get to see a wider variety of ports in different countries along the way,” shares Patrick, who has been on 12 repositioning cruises, visiting the likes of San Francisco, Hawaii, Singapore and Thailand on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess cruises.

3. International guests

Longer cruises mean more opportunities to make friends and since ‘repo’ cruises often visit several international locations, they usually attract people from a mix of backgrounds and nationalities. “We find there’s a greater variety of people from different countries on repositioning cruises and you really have time to get to know them,” says Patrick. “I’ve made many friends on repositioning cruises over the years that I still keep in touch with to this day, and who I often see on the same cruises again!”

4. Airfare deals

Often there will be discounted flight options in conjunction with repositioning cruises, either to meet the cruise, or to get back home. Royal Caribbean will sometimes release special flight deals for less than $100 to Singapore from selected Australian destinations for repositioning cruises. 

5. Relaxing cruise option

Generally, repositioning cruises are quite long journeys, meaning you’ll likely spend quite a few days out at sea. For some, that might not be ideal, while for others it is the perfect opportunity to relax by the pool with a cocktail in hand. If you do prefer to keep active on your cruise holidays, be sure to choose a company that suits your cruising style, with all the activities you’d like to enjoy, including shows, classes, shopping facilities and food options. Regular cruiser Patrick, though, can’t get enough of long days out at sea. “We find you can do as little or as much onboard, and larger ships like Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas offer plenty to do, along with the space to do it in. We never get bored, and we find the sea breeze really helps us to tune out and relax.”

Read more: How to choose the right cruise cabin for you