Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo

5 Mistakes Cruisers Regret Making on Repositioning Cruises

Optimal Cruising
Optimal Cruising
🥈Expert
👁️ 53K views📅 11 months ago⏱️ 13:50

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creator explains the unique characteristics and potential pitfalls of repositioning cruises, which are used by cruise lines to move ships between different global regions. While these cruises offer significantly lower nightly rates than standard voyages, the creator warns that travelers must account for hidden costs such as expensive flights, increased gratuities for longer durations, and more costly drink packages. Practical advice is provided regarding flight timing to avoid missing the ship or rushing to catch a return flight after potential weather delays. The video highlights how cabin selection is critical on unidirectional routes because sun exposure remains constant on one side of the ship. Additionally, the creator notes that passengers should prepare for cooler ocean temperatures, potentially lower tier entertainment, and more sea days compared to circular cruises. The video concludes by suggesting that travelers can save significant money by waiting for last minute deals, as many repositioning cruises are not fully booked months in advance.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsTips & Advice🥈Expert Creator
Transatlantic · Spring · 13 nightsFrom FloridaVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

The very first time I went on a repositioning cruise, I was super excited at the great deal I was getting.

I failed to consider all of the real costs involved with this kind of cruise.

If you're going transatlantic, that sun is going to be hitting on the southern facing side of the cruise ship for the entire ride.

If you wait to book these cruises until it gets close to the date of departure, you are going to save a lot of money.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Fly in the day before your repositioning cruise to avoid missing the ship.
Budget for extra gratuities and drink packages due to longer cruise duration.
Book a balcony cabin on the shaded side of the ship to avoid constant sun exposure.
Wait until close to departure to book repositioning cruises for better deals.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Unexpected costs beyond cruise fareBudget for flights, gratuities, and drink packages for longer cruises.
Cabin selection affecting comfortChoose a cabin on the shaded side to avoid constant sun exposure.
Cooler weather on transatlantic routesPack warmer clothes and be prepared for jackets and blankets.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are repositioning cruises and why are they cheap?
QWhat are the hidden downsides of repositioning cruises?
QHow can you avoid common mistakes on repositioning cruises?

Topics Covered

Itinerary RouteMehCrowd Capacity2½ Happy BaconShip Condition1½ Sad BaconValue Pricing2 Sad BaconBooking Process3 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Miami
Rome
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube