Along with all the other signs of approaching winter comes fall’s march of the cruise ships across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe. I am a passenger on one of them, the Azamara Journey, headed for Miami.

From late September into December, a majority of the American-based  cruise ships that plied the waters of the Mediterranean, as well as the seas of Northern Europe from spring through early fall, head for the better weather of the Caribbean and South America.

Some ships do remain in the Mediterranean for winter cruising. But most move south for the tens of thousands of vacationers who themselves will be making escapes from the frozen parts of North America.

The repositioning cruises from Europe to South Florida attract a seasoned, veteran crowd of passengers (bundled up a bit in the pictures above and below, while still in the Med).

Wondering about the weather

On my cruise aboard Azamara Journey, I have met dozens of repeat repositioning passengers. These are mostly middle-aged and older adults who have been on as many as a dozen voyages, people who specifically choose repositioning cruises over more typical port-to-port-to-port trips because they like the atmosphere, the bargain price, and a bit of adventure.

Daily life aboard ship is more casual than normal, and centered on sailing instead of stopping at ports, as a majority of the time is at sea. Of our 13 full days from Rome to Miami, nine will be at sea, while four will include at least part of the day in ports.

Weather is a daily topic of conversation as we sail west.

Part of the adventure of crossing the Atlantic is its uncertainty. You wouldn’t choose a November voyage across the ocean if your primary goal were a suntan, or if you need to be assured of calm seas.

While the ship’s captain sets a course designed to provide the best weather possible, nature often offers a surprise or two.

Next: We lose several stacks of plates to rolling waves.

David Molyneaux is editor of TheTravelMavens.com