How to Choose a Cruise Destination
Month, distance and interests: the three filters that pick a region.
Get Free Cruise QuotesHow to Choose a Cruise Destination
The best cruise destinations for you sit where three things overlap: the month you can travel, the distance you are willing to fly, and what you want to do on port days. Start with the month (our calendar on the home page narrows the map), then use this page to choose between the regions that remain.
| If you want… | Look at | Best months |
|---|---|---|
| A first cruise close to home | Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida, Texas or New Orleans | December–April for weather; any month for convenience |
| Dramatic scenery from the deck | Alaska, Norwegian fjords, Chilean fjords | May–September north; December–March south |
| History and great cities | Mediterranean, Baltic, British Isles | April–October |
| Beaches and snorkeling | Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, South Pacific | Varies by region; see the month pages |
| Wildlife | Alaska, Galápagos, Antarctica, Hawaii in whale season | By region and season |
| Something new for experienced cruisers | Japan, the South Pacific, South America, Antarctica | Spring in Japan; the southern summer elsewhere |
Who Is Traveling Changes the Answer
Families
School holidays decide the dates, so the choice is between summer in Alaska, Europe or Bermuda and the winter holidays in the Caribbean. Short sailings from a drivable port keep costs down.
Couples and adults
Shoulder months, such as May, September and October, bring fewer children and calmer ships in most regions, and longer itineraries tend to attract older travelers.
First-timers
A three- to seven-night Caribbean or Bahamas cruise is the classic starting point. First Time Cruise walks through it step by step.
Look at the Itinerary, Not Just the Region
Two cruises to the same region can feel completely different. Check the number of sea days, how many hours the ship spends in each port, whether there are overnights, and whether any calls are by tender boat. Our sister site Cruise Ship Itineraries explains how to read an itinerary, and Immersive Cruising covers voyages with longer stays ashore.
Think about the length
Three- to five-night cruises from Florida, California or Texas suit a first look at cruising or a long weekend. Seven nights is the classic length for the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean. Ten nights or more open up the Panama Canal, the southern Caribbean, the British Isles and transatlantic crossings, and two weeks or longer is typical for South America, Asia and the South Pacific. A short cruise in the right month usually beats a long cruise in the wrong one.
Then think about getting there
Flying across an ocean adds cost and at least one night in a hotel. If that is not appealing, the drivable US ports put the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and New England, Hawaii (from Honolulu) and Alaska (from Seattle) within reach. Cruise Airfare covers flying to your ship.
Help Me Choose a Destination
Tell us when you can travel, who is coming and what you want from the trip. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will shortlist the best cruise destinations for you and send free quotes.
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