The Best Cruise Destinations, Month by Month
Pick your month first. We will show you where the ships are going and why.
Get Free Cruise QuotesThe Best Cruise Destinations Depend on the Month
Ask ten cruisers for the best cruise destinations and you will hear Alaska, the Caribbean, the Greek islands and the Norwegian fjords. They are all right, but only in the right month. A glacier cruise in late October is not on offer, and a Mediterranean cruise in August means heat and crowded old towns. Cruise Destination Guides starts with the calendar: tell us when you can travel and we will show you where the ships are going and why.
Cruise lines move their ships with the seasons. In spring, many ships that spent the winter in the Caribbean cross the Atlantic to Europe or sail up the Pacific coast to Alaska. In autumn they come back. Knowing that rhythm explains most of what you see in the brochures, from short repositioning voyages to the sudden rush of Caribbean sailings each November.
Where to Cruise, Month by Month
| Months | Strongest choices | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| January–March | Caribbean and Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Panama Canal, South America, Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand | Dry season in the Caribbean; whale season in Hawaii; summer in the southern hemisphere. |
| April–May | Caribbean, Mediterranean (season opens), Japan in spring, transatlantic crossings, first Alaska sailings in May | Ships reposition to Europe and Alaska, so one-way voyages are common. |
| June–August | Alaska, Norway and the Baltic, British Isles, Mediterranean, Bermuda, Canada and New England | Peak season in the north; Caribbean hurricane season has started. |
| September | Alaska (last weeks), Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and New England | Fewer families; school is back. |
| October | Canada and New England foliage, Mediterranean, transatlantic crossings, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera | Hurricane season continues in the Caribbean until 30 November. |
| November–December | Caribbean and Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Panama Canal, South America, Antarctica, Arabian Gulf | Holiday weeks fill early; the Caribbean dry season begins. |
Each row has its own page: where to cruise in October, where to cruise in December, January through May and summer. Two regions get a page of their own because they are the ones people time most carefully: the best time to cruise Alaska and the best time to cruise the Caribbean.
A Few Favorites, and When They Shine
Hawaii
Sailings all year; humpback whales in the winter months. Our sister site goes island by island.
Cruise Hawaii →
Mexican Riviera
A short hop from California ports, at its most reliable from late autumn to spring.
Mexico Cruising →
Bermuda
A late-spring to autumn destination from the US Northeast, with ships docking for more than one day.
Summer destinations →
South Pacific
Tahiti and the islands are cruised year round; Australia and New Zealand peak in the southern summer.
December ideas →How We Handle Each Region
This site is about timing. For the regions themselves, we send you to the guide that covers them in depth rather than repeat it here. Our sister site Cruise Destination Guide compares the world’s regions one by one. For ports and shore excursions, use Caribbean Cruise Ports, Alaska Port Excursions, Europe Port Excursions and Asia Shore Excursions. Regional specialists in our network include Eastern Caribbean Cruises, Western Caribbean Cruises and Southern Caribbean Cruises for the islands, Mexico Cruising, Cruise Hawaii, British Isles Cruises, Adriatic Sea Cruising, Scandinavia Cruises, Maritime Voyages for Canada and New England, Cruising South America and Cruising Antarctica.
Three questions that pick a region
- When can you go? The month rules out half the map before anything else.
- How far will you travel to the ship? Driving to a US port opens up the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico and Alaska from Seattle; Europe and Asia add flights and jet lag.
- What do you want from the days? Beaches, scenery from the deck, historic cities or wildlife each point to different regions.
Before you choose
Read how an itinerary is put together on Cruise Ship Itineraries: sea days, port times and overnights matter as much as the region. When a destination is decided, the best fares usually appear in the January-to-March promotions; Wave Season gathers them, and Cruising for Less shows the discounts you may qualify for.
Questions About Cruise Destinations
What is the most popular cruise destination?
The Caribbean, together with the Bahamas, is the busiest cruise region in the world, because it is close to the big Florida and Gulf homeports and has ships sailing every month of the year. In the northern summer the Mediterranean and Alaska draw the biggest crowds.
Which cruise destinations are good all year?
The Caribbean and Bahamas, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera and the Canary Islands have sailings in every month. The trade-off is weather: the Caribbean has hurricane season from June through November, and Hawaii is wetter in the winter months.
How far ahead should I pick a destination?
For peak months, such as Alaska in July or the Caribbean at Christmas, many travelers book a year or more ahead to get the cabin they want. Shoulder months are usually easier to book at shorter notice.
Do you list cruise prices here?
No. Fares change daily, so we explain when and where to go, and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise send live quotes for the sailings you are considering.
Who Is Behind This Site
Cruise Destination Guides is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Seasonal offers for the destinations on this site go out first on the Mister Cruise cruise newsletter. You can browse cruise lines and specialists in the Official Cruise Directory, every kind of trip in the Official Travel Directory, and places to see at home on Best of the USA. If planning other people’s trips sounds like fun, Be a Travel Agent explains how to start.
Tell Us Your Month, We’ll Find the Cruise
Share your travel dates, how long you can be away and the kind of trip you want. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest the best cruise destinations for those dates and send free quotes.
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