The best time to go on a cruise

Quick insights

• The best time to go on a cruise depends on a variety of factors, from local wildlife patterns to the destination’s peak season.
• Caribbean cruises in May tend to offer temperatures in the 70s and 80s, smaller crowds and lower prices.
• If you’re cruising the Mediterranean, you may like spring or fall travel dates for the relatively lower prices, fewer tourists and sunny, warm weather.

When should you go on a cruise? There’s no set date that is the best time for everyone. Ultimately, it depends on your travel destination and preferences.

Price-conscious travelers who want to avoid the crowds may find that the shoulder season—the time between a destination’s peak season and its offseason—is the best time to travel. Travelers who want warmer weather may prefer the peak season.

Let’s break down the best time to go on a cruise to several destinations, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Alaska.

Choosing when to go on a cruise

Looking to find the best time to go on a cruise? When planning a cruise, the best travel dates often come down to your travel preferences and destination. Here are some factors travelers may consider when selecting a cruise travel date:

• Weather
• Cost
• Crowd size
• Wildlife patterns
• Seasonal attractions
• Personal schedule

Keep in mind that some warmer destinations like the Caribbean may not have an offseason, meaning that cruise lines operate throughout the year. That could potentially mean you have more travel dates to choose from for these destinations. Destinations with cold winter weather generally have an offseason when there are no or a limited number of cruise lines operating.

Best time to cruise the Caribbean

Here are the best times to cruise based on what you can usually expect in terms of weather, crowd size and affordability:

Weather: December through May

Generally, you’ll find temperatures in the 70s and 80s and less humidity during these months. This timeframe also includes the region’s dry season.

Note that the Atlantic’s hurricane season takes place from June 1 to November 30, and there’s a risk a storm could impact your trip if you travel during this time.

Avoiding the crowds: November and December

Opting for a Caribbean cruise during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays could help you avoid the crowds. The period between spring break and the end of the school year is also generally less crowded.

Price: May through November

You’ll often find the best prices when you travel outside of the peak season. The deepest savings often occur during the shoulder and offseason when fewer people are taking family vacations—usually in May or from September through November when children are still in school.

Of course, it’s possible to find deals on cruise ships all year long. The desirability of the cabin and age of the ship are other factors that typically impact pricing.

Best time to cruise the Mediterranean

If you’re looking to cruise the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll find a range of cruise itineraries. Depending on your cruise, you could have stops in France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, Turkey and more.

Whether you value perfect weather or less crowded museums and restaurants, here are few considerations as you plan your Mediterranean cruise.

Weather: April, May September and October

These months are typically times when there are sunny, warm days. The busy season is in July and August, but some travelers may find the temperatures uncomfortably warm during these months.

Price and avoiding the crowds: Spring and fall

Many European cities draw their biggest crowds of tourists during the summer months, especially in popular destinations like the Greek islands or some cities in Italy and France.

Price: April, May and September through October

Cruise prices may vary based on a variety of factors, but generally, a higher chance of rain, cooler weather and a decline in family vacations result in lower prices during these months.

Best time to cruise Northern Europe

The cruise season is limited in Northern Europe, lasting from April until October. This region has two shoulder seasons, one from April to early June and another from September to October. The peak season is mid-June through August.

Winter is typically considered the offseason, but you may find some cruise lines that provide itineraries designed to help you chase the northern lights. Here are a few other things to keep in mind if you’re trying to time your Northern European cruise.

Weather: June to August

These months tend to be the time when Northern Europe gets its warmest weather. Note that even in summer, temperatures can vary and tend to be on the cooler side, which can make packing for your cruise a challenge.

Keep in mind that northern Norway and a few other spots in Northern Europe have 24-hour sunlight from early June to mid-July.

Price and avoiding the crowds: September through May

The shoulder seasons and winter offseason are typically the least busy and may offer the best prices.

Best time to cruise Alaska

You can typically find cruise lines operating in Alaska from mid-April to September. A few cruise lines may extend their season into October.

Below, you’ll find a few factors to consider when choosing travel dates for an Alaskan cruise.

Weather: April through July

April and May often have temperatures in the 50s—relatively warm for Alaska—and plenty of sunny days. May tends to be the driest month. July is usually the warmest month and has longer daylight hours, but mosquitoes are often at their peak in late June and July.

Price and avoiding the crowds: April, May, September and October

These shoulder season months coincide with the time when children are in school, so fewer families are typically traveling. Travelers can generally experience Alaskan towns without the summer crowds during this time.

Wildlife sightings: May through July

If you’re cruising Alaska, you may be interested in catching a glimpse of the local wildlife. During the early to mid-summer months, brown and black bears, humpback whales, gray whales, Dall sheep, moose, puffins and more abound. May is the time when many of these animals emerge from hibernation, with July being the peak time for spotting wildlife.

In summary

There’s no perfect travel date for a cruise. The best travel date for your cruise may depend on several factors, including your personal schedule, the destination’s peak season, affordability and other factors.

A Caribbean cruise in May usually offers warm weather, relatively low prices and smaller crowds. For a mediterranean cruise, some travelers prefer the spring and fall months when there are usually sunny days, fewer travelers and more affordable options.

For a cruise of Northern Europe, travelers tend to choose the summer months—the peak season—if warm weather is their top priority, but for those who value smaller crowds and lower prices, September through May could be the better choice. In April or May, Alaskan cruises may be more affordable while also offering travelers opportunities to spot wildlife and explore Alaskan towns outside of peak travel times.