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At first, despite our guide’s insistence, I didn’t see anything.
There were about ten of us in the small group who opted for this excursion into the Curú Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica. All of us were hoping to set eyes on the variety of creatures promised—everything from scarlet macaws to howler monkeys. But not one of us could see the baby crocodiles that he swore was right in front of our eyes.
This was our first excursion on this sailing aboard Windstar’s Star Seeker—which after its inaugural season in the Caribbean was making its way to Alaska by way of Seattle. Ours was a repositioning cruise, an out-of-the-ordinary itinerary that allows passengers to hop on board the ship as it switches locations for a new season. Which meant we’d spend time in ports to which the Star Seeker might never return.
All the more reason to make sure we were seeing all there is to see. But why this man was pointing at brown leaves in the water and insisting they were something more, I had no idea. Until. Movement!
I zoomed in with my camera for a closer look. And there they were. At least a dozen baby crocodiles resting on the water’s edge. Small enough to be more cute than dangerous—but not worth sticking a finger in the water to test the theory. Our little group bubbled with joy at the sight. Each of us wondering what other new experiences might lay ahead.
It may be a while, if ever, before other Windstar guests are able to duplicate this cruising experience. Our route was chosen by the cruise line for its ability to get the ship from Point A to Point B as efficiently as possible. The lush beach landscapes and cultural experiences we enjoyed along the way are secondary. But that doesn’t mean they were less exciting. Many of our port stops and excursions were one-offs, never to be repeated, which makes passengers feel more like intrepid explorers than tourists.
This was my first time on a repositioning cruise, and I discovered there are some very good reasons I’d do it again. If you’ve never done one, here are five things you should know before you commit:
They can be less expensive
Unlike typical cruise segments, repositioning cruises aren’t designed for their attractive ports or popular routes. The goal here is to get the ship from one region to another. Cruise lines don’t want to sail empty so, to attract guests, cabins often go for a fraction of the cost. It works. Many of my fellow passengers told me they often choose these sailings which give them more bang for their buck. However, they are one-way sailings. This can add to costs since you’ll need to fly in and out of different destinations. And longer sailings may also mean extra add-on expenses like Wi-Fi and cocktails.
