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Repositioning Cruise Schedule for Fall 2009
Repositioning Cruise Suggestions for Fall 2009

By , About.com Guide

The most popular fall repositioning cruises are those from the Europe to the Caribbean or from Alaska to the Caribbean through the Panama Canal. Some cruise ships also reposition to Asia from the Mediterranean by sailing through the Suez Canal, while others cross the Atlantic to South America. All of these repositioning cruises are usually 10 days or longer, and most feature numerous days at sea. Most represent excellent bargains for the cruising public. They also represent a good opportunity to try a new ship for a relaxing sea voyage. (Note that these lists may not be all-inclusive. Check with your travel agent or favorite cruise line for more repositioning cruises.)

Starting in September 2009, the following ships will reposition from Europe to the Caribbean or to the eastern coast of North America for fall "leaf peeping" cruises:

  • Azamara Journey
  • Carnival Dream
  • Celebrity Century
  • Celebrity Constellation
  • Celebrity Equinox
  • Celebrity Solstice
  • Celebrity Summit
  • Costa Atlantica
  • Costa Concordia
  • Costa Fortuna
  • Crown Princess
  • Crystal Symphony
  • Crystal Serenity
  • Emerald Princess
  • Fred Olsen Balmoral
  • Fred Olsen Braemar
  • Grand Princess
  • HAL Eurodam
  • HAL Maasdam
  • HAL Noordam
  • HAL Oosterdam
  • HAL Rotterdam VI
  • MSC Armonia
  • MSC Lirica
  • MSC Musica
  • MSC Opera
  • MSC Orchestra
  • MSC Poesia
  • Norwegian Gem
  • Norwegian Jewel
  • Oceania Insignia
  • Oceania Regatta
  • P&O Oriana
  • Regent Seven Seas Navigator
  • Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Splendour of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas
  • Royal Clipper
  • Ruby Princess
  • Seabourn Legend
  • Seabourn Odyssey
  • SeaDream I
  • SeaDream II
  • Star Clipper
  • Silversea Silver Cloud
  • Windstar Cruises' Wind Spirit
  • Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf
Since the Alaska cruise season ends in September, ships from Alaska will start moving south to the Panama Canal or Asia. The following ships will be moving from Alaska to points south in September:
  • Celebrity Mercury
  • Celebrity Millennium
  • Coral Princess
  • Island Princess
  • Norwegian Pearl
  • Norwegian Star
  • Regent Seven Seas Mariner
  • Sapphire Princess
  • HAL Veendam
  • HAL Volendam
  • HAL Zaandam
  • HAL Zuiderdam
  • Silversea Silver Shadow
In addition to the large numbers of ships sailing from Europe back to North America or from Alaska south to warmer climates, ships also move to Asia or Africa from the Mediterranean. For example, the Silver Wind will move to Africa from Europe and the Silver Whisper will reposition to Asia. The Azamara Quest will move to Asia for the winter from the Mediterranean in November.

The Costa Magica, Costa Victoria, and Costa Concordia will reposition from the Mediterranean to South America in November/December, where they will spend the winter of 2009-2010. The Star Princess also will sail to South America, but from Alaska. She repositions in the fall of 2009, sailing down the western coast of the Americas before wintering in South America and Antarctica.

The Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas will reposition from Alaska in mid-September and sail to Australia on two legs, with the first ending in Hawaii and the second in Sydney. The ship will spend the winter of 2009-2010 in Australia and the South Pacific. The Holland America Amsterdam will circle the Pacific in the fall of 2009, also leaving Alaska in September and visiting some of the islands of the South Pacific and Australia before returned to the USA at Los Angeles in early December.

Some ships take "the long route" from Europe back to North America. In October 2009, the Regent Seven Seas Voyager will sail from the Mediterranean to India through the Suez Canal, south to Cape Town, and cross the Atlantic to Brazil before ending up in Fort Lauderdale in mid-December. Several legs of this cruise have multiple sea days.

Another interesting unusual repositioning cruise is the Royal Princess, which sails from Athens in mid-November. After stopping over in several ports of call in the Mediterranean, she heads across the south Atlantic to Brazil and heads up the Amazon to Manaus before ending up in Fort Lauderdale on January 2. Like the Seven Seas Voyager, this lengthy cruise has several legs, most with several sea days.

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