One of the benefits of repositioning cruises is that the food is often better than it is on conventional cruises.  Because these cruises are less popular, the ships are rarely full.  And preparing 750 meals instead of 1,500 meals means the quality, and the service, is often of a higher standard.

Since dining is usually the highlight of a day at sea, the kitchen is under greater pressure to provide exceptional meals.  No cruise line wants a ship full of people who are unhappy with the food and have way too much time on their hands for complaining.

On most repositioning cruises, the buffet — and often the dining room — is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.   Most ships these days have alternative restaurants that are open for dinner.  And a pool-side grill for burgers and dogs, and a pizzeria.

Fixed seatings can be a hassle on a conventional cruise.  During port days, having to race back to the ship in time to get cleaned up for the early seating can feel like a real sacrifice.  And waiting until the second seating for dinner can be a drag when your alarm is set for 6AM so you can go ashore early.

On a repositioning cruise, these inconveniences are minimized.  If you have early seating, it’s easy to schedule your days at sea to accommodate it, and if you’re the late seating, you can sleep in if you are up late.

On a voyage with lots of sea days — like a transatlantic crossing — making friends also becomes more important.  So if you would ordinarily prefer freestyle dining with no fixed time and no assigned tablemates, consider choosing assigned seating for a repositioning cruises.  Most cruise lines will let you switch if you change your mind.

Another advantage is that it’s easier to get into the alternative restaurants.  On a full ship, these restaurants can be all booked up for the entire cruise after the first or second day.  On a repositioning cruise, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a reservation.    But if there’s a restaurant you really want to dine in, make your reservations early in the cruise to avoid disappointment.

Try not to eat a lot more than you usually eat, and don’t feel like you have to finish everything that you want to try.  Most cruise ships are very accommodating about serving half portions, letting dinner mates share dishes, and letting you have an appetizer as your entrée, if that’s what you want.

Pace yourself, keep up with your exercise program in the ship’s fitness center, and don’t overdo it at the bar.  You’ll eat quite well and hopefully keep your figure.