In fall 2011 many cruise lines are relocating their ships from one itinerary to another. Some cruise ships that spent their summers in Europe offer repositioning cruises to the Caribbean. On the other hand, some ships that spent the summer cruising in Alaska will relocate to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and beyond. Here are a few repositioning cruises for fall 2011.
Transatlantic Repositioning Cruises from Europe
Carnival Cruises from Barcelona, Spain – After its Europe 2011 summer cruising season, the Carnival Magic will reposition to Galveston, Texas. The Carnival Magic is scheduled to depart Barcelona, Spain on October 28, 2011 for a 16-day transatlantic cruise. Stops will include the ports of Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Marseilles (France), Monaco, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Naples and Messina.
Disney Cruises from Barcelona, Spain – After a summer of Europe cruises, the Disney Magic is scheduled to depart Barcelona, Spain on September 10, 2011 for a 14-night repositioning cruise to Port Canaveral, Florida. The itinerary includes the ports of Gibraltar (UK), Madeira (Portugal), St. Maarten, Tortola, Castaway Cay and eight sea days.
Princess Cruises from Europe – Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Grand Princess and Crown Princess offer Europe cruises during 2011. In the fall 2011, all of these cruise ships leave Europe in order to offer Caribbean itineraries out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the winter. The Emerald departs Copenhagen, Denmark on September 11, 2011. The Ruby departs Venice, Italy on October 18, 2011. And, the Grand departs Southampton, England on November 4, 2011.
Royal Caribbean Cruises from Europe – Royal Caribbean will have ten cruise ships in Europe during 2011. The ships will offer repositioning cruises from Europe to the Caribbean on the Grandeur of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas. Alternatively, Royal Caribbean will relocate Splendor of the Seas, Vision of the Seas to South America.
Repositioning Cruises from Vancouver, Canada
Royal Caribbean Repositioning Cruises from Vancouver – The Radiance of the Seas is scheduled to depart Vancouver, Canada on September 16, 2011 for an 11-night Hawaii cruise. Additionally, Rhapsody of the Seas departs Vancouver on September 9, 2011 bound for the Hawaiian Islands for a 12-night cruise. The main difference is that the Rhapsody of the Seas includes the port of Hilo with an evening sail past Mount Kilauea (volcano).
Holland America Cruises from Vancouver – Five of the Holland America cruise ships cruising in Alaska in 2011 will offer coastal repositioning cruises from Vancouver when the season is complete in late September. The Zuiderdam (September 24), Westerdam (September 25), Statendam (September 25) and Oosterdam (October 4) are all scheduled to depart Vancouver with the cruise ending in San Diego, California. Alternatively, the Volendam will depart Vancouver on September 7, bound for Los Angeles, California.
Princess Cruises Repositioning Cruises from Vancouver – When the Alaska season ends in late September a handful of repositioning cruises will depart from Vancouver. Although Princess Cruises has six cruise ships in Alaska for 2011, only the Golden Princess, Sapphire Princess, Island Princess and Coral Princess will offer coastal cruises from Vancouver for fall 2011.
Disney Cruises from Vancouver – After the summer of 2011 in Alaska, the Disney Wonder is scheduled to depart Vancouver on September 20, 2011, bound for Los Angeles. The five-night cruise will include a stop in Victoria, BC and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. The Disney Wonder will offer seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles starting September 25, 2011.
Other more exotic itineraries for fall 2011 include repositioning cruises to Asia or Australia. One example includes Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess that will depart Vancouver on a 22-day cruise to Beijing China. Alternatively, Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas offers a 17-night Tahiti and Auckland cruise departing Honolulu, Hawaii on September 27, 2011 and concluding in Sydney, Australia.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
