Transatlantic and Repositioning Cruises: What to Know Before Booking
A transatlantic or repositioning cruise is a one-way ocean passage with ports at both ends and a run of sea days in between. Budget the flight or the hotel on the far side, because those costs are Not listed in the cruise fare.
It’s All Cruises · October 25, 2026
Treat a repositioning as a one-way trip with a ship in the middle, not as a week that brings you home. The three soonest recorded transatlantic samples run 13 or 14 nights, with several calls flagged as sea days, and starting fares dated in October 2026.
Quick facts
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Samples | Celebrity Ascent, Legend of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas |
| Nights | 14, 13, 14 |
| One-way airfare | Not listed |
| Hotel on the night before | Not listed |
| What the cruise fare still excludes on a standard fare | Drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, shore excursions |
| Sea-day flags | 9 of 15 calls flagged sea day / 9 of 14 calls flagged sea day / 8 of 15 calls flagged sea day |
Three recorded transatlantic sailings
| Route | Ship | Nights | From | Ports | Sea-day flags | Starting fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-Night Italy & Bermuda Transatlantic | Celebrity Ascent | 14 | Rome (Civitavecchia) | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Cagliari, Sardinia, Malaga, Spain, Funchal (Madeira), Portugal, Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 9 of 15 calls flagged sea day | $1,068 starting cruise fare, as of October 14, 2026 |
| 13-Night Spanish Transatlantic | Legend of the Seas | 13 | Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain, Palma De Mallorca, Spain, Málaga, Spain, Seville (Cadiz), Spain, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 9 of 14 calls flagged sea day | $1,624 starting cruise fare, as of October 4, 2026 |
| 14-Night Spain & Portugal Transatlantic | Odyssey of the Seas | 14 | Rome (Civitavecchia) | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Florence / Pisa (La Spezia), Italy, Barcelona, Spain, Cartagena, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey | 8 of 15 calls flagged sea day | $1,108 starting cruise fare, as of October 4, 2026 |
The ships
| Ship | Class | Built | Refurbished | Gross tonnage | Guests (double) | Space ratio | Crew ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Ascent | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Legend of the Seas | Icon | Not listed | Not listed | 250,800 | 5,628 | 44.6 | 2.39 |
| Odyssey of the Seas | Quantum Ultra | Not listed | Not listed | 167,704 | 4,198 | 39.9 | 2.60 |
Before you book the one-way
- You need a plan at both ends. Rome's cruise port is Civitavecchia, and Barcelona and Fort Lauderdale have their own terminals. The transfer is part of the trip.
- Legend of the Seas lists 250,800 gross tons and space ratio 44.6, close to Icon of the Seas, with a specs date of October 9, 2026. A long sea passage on that ship is a different week from a short Caribbean hop.
- Celebrity Ascent's year built, tonnage and space ratio are whatever the ship row shows in the table. If a cell says Not listed, it is unknown.
- Pack for sea days. The entertainment row on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity's main shows is included. A special event at sea is Not listed.
- Medical and travel documents for a crossing are your own. They are Not listed here.
- Compare the dated cruise fare with the cost of getting home. A low cruise fare can sit next to an expensive one-way flight, and that flight is Not listed.
Fares are marketing prices, confirmed when you book. Port arrival notes: Barcelona dock, confirm the terminal, guide checked October 6, 2026. Civitavecchia dock, confirm the berth, guide checked October 5, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is a repositioning the same as a transatlantic?
Among these sailings the recorded one-way ocean crossings are labeled transatlantic. A repositioning that is not transatlantic is Not listed here.
Why is the fare sometimes lower than a short cruise per night?
These are different products and different lengths. Compare the full quote, including the one-way travel home, which is Not listed.
Are there many sea days?
Yes on these three: 9 of 15 calls flagged sea day; 9 of 14 calls flagged sea day; 8 of 15 calls flagged sea day.
Does the fare include Wi-Fi for the crossing?
Not on Royal Caribbean's standard fare. Wi-Fi is extra. Celebrity's suite chart includes premium Wi-Fi for suite guests, and the non-suite fare is Not listed.
Filed under ocean, repositioning, supporting guide