Ever Thought about Switching Positions

Like major cattle drives across the American southwest, soon cruise ships sailing the waters of the Caribbean will begin steaming from their home ports in Florida, Texas, Louisiana and others to such far flung places as Alaska, the Baltic & the Mediterranean. With that in mind, I have one question for you. Have you ever thought about switching positions?

Before you run off thinking I am talking about something far too inappropriate for Holly Springs Patch, I hope you will stick with me. When ships move from one home port to another, it must sail on what is known as a repositioning cruise. Dollar for dollar, these cruises offer the best value you will find when pricing your a vacation. Don't believe me? Price out a seven day cruise and then take a look at a fifteen day repositioning cruise. To figure out how much of a value you get with a repositioning cruise, divide the total cost of the cruise per person by the number of days of the cruise itself. With very little exception, a repositioning cruise is going to be the best "deal" be being the lowest per person/per day dollar amount.

I know not everyone can be away from work for the two weeks or more it takes for a repositioning cruise. Do consider the benefits of sailing on a reposition cruise before you drop the thought of taking one from your mind. You will rarely find school age children onboard unless they are homeschooled. For those who prefer to travel when less children are present, this is a bonus! With the ability to keep in contact by email and if necessary via cell phone, it is possible to take many offices mobile. In addition, as I have been writing again and again the past few weeks, taking the time to RELAX is probably one of the best benefits you can take for your mind, body and soul. With up to six days at sea on a repositioning cruise, there is more than enough time to relax.

Besides the cost savings and the fact that there will be less children on board, here a few other items to consider when thinking about a repositioning cruise:

• You will need two one way tickets: One for the port of embarkation and one for the port of disembarkation.
• You will get to visit ports of call that are not normally visited by cruise ships. For those who like to "collect" ports of call, this offers truly unique destinations and a great benefit.
• There will be many sea days in a row. Depending on the route, it could be as many as six days at sea before stopping at a port.
• You may find specials in the shops as they try to sell the last of the previous ports' tchotchkes, shirts, etc.
• You can cruise from almost any part of the world to another during repositioning season; from Florida through the Panama Canal to Alaska, across the Atlantic from Texas to Rome, even from Australia to Florida.
• There are a few cruises that are "dead-head" cruises where only crew is allowed on board because they be sailing between two U.S. ports without a stop at a foreign port.

Cruise lines do not make it easy to find when their repositioning will sail. This is where the use of an cruise expert will come in handy. We know where to look!  We know which ships will be moving from what ports and when they will start their journey. So if you have ever thought about switching positions and the many benefits from doing so, give us a call and let us help your thoughts and dreams become reality!

Chuck and Laura Flagg are fee-based travel consultants.

We own The Flagg Agency in Canton, and our number is  770-355- 9569

We help people make better travel decisions so they may find an experience

that matches both their wants AND their needs.