11 Repositioning Cruises and When They Occur

2. Fall Transatlantic: Caribbean/North America → Europe (October–November)

Fall transatlantic repositionings move ships back to European homeports for the northern winter and typically run in October and November. Departure ports commonly include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and other eastern U.S. hubs, and arrival ports often list Lisbon, Southampton, Barcelona, or Rome. These sailings can vary widely in length; short transatlantic hops last about seven to ten days, while classic transatlantic crossings reach 12–16 nights. Weather in the North Atlantic during autumn can be rougher than spring, so lines plan routes and schedules conservatively to minimize risk.