If you thought all cruises were round-trip, think again. There are plenty of creative ways get from point A to point B, and still get the cruise-ship experience.

For starters, fall and spring are traditionally repositioning season.

That’s when cruise lines move their ships from one location to another.

Instead of sailing empty, cruise lines often offer longer itineraries with fewer port stops for a reduced price.

For example, in October, NCL’s Norwegian Spirit offers an easy, 16-night cruise from Boston to New Orleans via the Caribbean.

Best of all, the domestic departure and arrival means you can save on airfare.

If your budget can handle it, how about a transatlantic cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary II?

It makes trips between New York and Southampton, England.

You can also take one segment of a round-the-world cruise.

For example Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offers a winter round-the-world trip starting and ending in London, but if you want to take it only as far as Los Angeles, you can do that.

And then there are cargo freighter ships, which allow a few passengers travel to some very exotic ports.

The drawbacks are that there are few amenities, and the journey can take a long time.

But if you’re into adventure, it might work for you. Learn more about traveling by freighter with Taking the Slow Boat: Freighter Trips.

For more info, check out our Cruises section.

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