Six of the best repositioning cruises where holidays are MUCH cheaper with free drinks and tips thrown in
WANT to get the best value out of your cruise – and explore gems on both sides of the pond?
Transatlantic repositioning cruises offer just that.
As cruise companies relocate their ships from Europe to the Caribbean and beyond for winter warmth, you can get some amazing deals.
Combining a few ports of call on each side of the Atlantic, as well as some extended sea days, these one-way sailings offer the best of both worlds, with port days and plenty of time to relax at sea.
And cruise lines often offer really competitive prices – or throw in extras such as free drinks or tips – to tempt holidaymakers on board.
Lisa Minot has the lowdown on six great transatlantic sailings.
DEFINITELY KNOT YOUR AVERAGE CROSSING
You’ll get a free all-in package, with alcoholic drinks, wifi and tips, worth more than £1,000pp on Windstar Cruises’ Knot Your Average Crossing from Lisbon to Barbados.
Departing Portugal on November 10, 2026, on this 14-night non-stop voyage on the 148-guest sailing ship Wind Star, guests can step up to the flying bridge to take the helm, and learn age-old seamanship skills.
There are talks on legendary explorers and pirates and you can learn to read charts, tie sailor’s knots and even navigate the vessel alongside the ship’s officers.
Prices start from £2,682pp, including all meals, drinks and activities.
See windstarcruises.com.
MIAMI SPICE
You can save 50 per cent off the original fare sailing on Oceania Marina’s transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Miami.
Departing November 25, 2026, the 15-day sailing offers the chance to enjoy port days in Spain and the Caribbean.
You will enjoy calls at Valencia, Alicante, Malaga and Funchal in Madeira before crossing the Atlantic and calling at San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Oceania cruise fares include speciality dining, tips, free wifi plus a choice of wine and beer by the glass or shore excursion credits.
This sailing is now on sale from £1,415, down from £3,629.
Book by September 8 at oceaniacruises.com.
GOING SOUTH
Transatlantic sailings don’t have to end in North America.
With Celebrity Cruises’ sailing onboard Celebrity Equinox you’ll enjoy calls in Brazil and Argentina after your ocean adventures.
Departing Barcelona on November 19, 2026, you’ll explore Tangier in Morocco before your South American odyssey, calling at Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
You’ll visit Montevideo, Uruguay before arriving in Buenos Aires.
Popular excursions include a Moroccan Tea and Bread experience in Tangier, Carnival Behind the Scenes with Dance Lesson in Rio and a birdwatching trip in the Wetlands west of Montevideo.
Prices start from £699pp, including full-board and entertainment.
See celebritycruises.com.
FIT FOR A QUEEN
This cracking transatlantic deal on Cunard’s Queen Anne includes a stay in Miami and return flights.
Departing Southampton on January 10, 2027, this 15-night trip includes 12 nights onboard as well as a two-night hotel stay in Miami.
It includes calls at Hamilton, Bermuda, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale before you dock in Miami for your 4H hotel stay.
Onboard, all meals, afternoon tea, theatre shows and gym are included.
It’s from £1,159pp.
See seascanner.co.uk.
THE MIGHTY QUINN
Enjoy shows by actor, singer and dancer Ray Quinn, on P&O Cruises’ flagship Arvia as it sails from Southampton to the Caribbean.
The X Factor finalist and Dancing On Ice winner will be performing in The Limelight Club throughout the sailing, which departs October 23.
The 15-night sailing includes calls at Santa Cruz, Tenerife, before the delights of Philipsburg in St Maarten, St Kitts, Castries in St Lucia and finally Barbados.
The fare, from £945pp, includes return flights. See iglucruise.com.
HOMEWARD BOUND
With Holland America, you can sail to Blighty from Florida.
The 12-night sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 4, 2027 and calls at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, before a relaxing seven days sailing.
There’s plenty to do on the Nieuw Statendam, with its Music Walk district featuring sophisticated live venues including BB King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.
The ship will call at Portland for Weymouth before arriving in Dover.
Prices are from just £819pp.
With their Have It All package, from £1,599pp, you also get a drinks package, wifi, tips, speciality dining and two shore excursions.
See hollandamerica.com for details.