by Planes, trains and cars may be the obvious and often the most cost-effective ways to get from A to B, but surprisingly, cruise ships can be too.
Repositioning sailings are the unsung bargains of the cruise world, where canny travelers can score cruises at deeply discounted rates – and give more orthodox modes of transportation a run for their money.
The key to finding such a deal is to study cruise schedules for sailings – some of which may only be a night or two – that go directly from one place to another.
Although low-cost flights are generally accepted as the cheapest way to travel internationally, global airfares are rising – and by the time you factor in baggage fees, food and drink and the cost of travel from the airport to the city center – where cruise ships are always docking – taking the sea route could turn out to be an unlikely winner (and you’ll arrive in much more style).
It can even work to travel to different parts of the UK, although the options are limited to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines when it reschedules a ship on overnight trips between the likes of Southampton and Newcastle, Rosyth or other ports further north.
Italy to Spain from £54
For city breaks in and around Europe, MSC Cruises is the one to look out for, as it enables customers to book many of its Mediterranean cruises on a port-to-port basis, rather than doing the whole trip .
For example, travelers can book one night between Genoa and Barcelona or Genoa and Marseilles for as little as £54pp, while an overnight sailing between Valencia and Marseilles costs £72pp, with meals obviously included in the prices that. The £54 figure is based on the October 11 event. For a flight from Genoa to Barcelona on the same date, Skyscanner (skyscanner.net) quotes a service with ITA Airways for £111.99pp, baggage included.
Tony Andrews, managing director of travel agency cruise.co.uk, says: “MSC doesn’t talk about this much, because these night events are a great way to experience a city break style with a cruise. as part of it. It’s a very interesting way to do that.”
The cheap way to cross the pond
Transatlantic crossings are another potential area to build a sea market, but it’s a matter of waiting until the price is right, as rates are constantly changing.
Many lines offer transatlantic repositionings in the spring and autumn, and Cunard runs the only regular crossings between Southampton and New York on its Queen Mary 2 liner.
Once several years ago, when prices had dropped to a few hundred pounds, I was sailing from Southampton on the QM2 and I met a passenger who chose to do the same because the rates were much cheaper than flying and not it was. hurry (the crossing takes a week).
Cunard’s prices have increased since then, but there are still reduced rates on some departures which makes this tactic worth pursuing if you want a safer way to cross the pond.
Alison Earnshaw, managing director of online agencies Cruise 118 and Six Star Cruises, says that when rates drop to £600 or £700, it becomes more cost-effective to take the sea route because transatlantic flights are so expensive.
Another advantage is the lack of baggage restrictions, as you can take as much as is appropriate in your cabin on cruises.
“People booked to go see family in the States with a lot of luggage that they were taking out, and then fly back lighter,” she explains. “Alternatively, we’ve had customers fly to New York for shopping and send back and they can take as much as they want.”
Swap Blighty for Barbados – for £1,129
The Caribbean is another region that comes up with value, with P&O Cruises offering a two-week repositioning cruise from Southampton to Barbados (with stops in Antigua, St Kitts and St Lucia) from £1,129. This price is for the 18th October event, and includes the return flight to Britain.
The return fare to Barbados with British Airways (including baggage) during the same period is £733pp. Inter-island flights with Caribbean Airlines (caribbean-airlines.com) between Barbados and other islands in this itinerary are around £714pp. Throw in hotel stays and it’s clear how much you can save by going to the water.
Going global
Miles Morgan, founder of Miles Morgan Travel, cited world cruises as another option for good value deals, where cruise companies cut their itineraries into parts if they are not selling well, allowing customers legs like Buy Sydney to Singapore.
“You have to look at addresses a few months in advance, because they tend to be carved up,” he says. “So look now at the autumn and Christmas launches for spring. There may be nothing going on or you may be successful.”
I booked a 17-night round-the-world cruise on Cunard’s Queen Victoria, leaving Singapore on March 26th and arriving in Cape Town on April 12th. It calls on Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Port Elizabeth in South Africa. From £1,099pp, excluding flights, it works out at £64pp per night – about the same as a Travelodge.
Flights for the same route between Singapore and Cape Town for the same time period via Skyscanner are around £1,150pp, including luggage. Another win for cruising.
