If you’re getting ready to embark on your dream vacation, you want to choose the best time to go on a cruise to balance travel with weather and availability of the activities and sights that most excite you.
From balmy summers in the Mediterranean to winter escapes in the Southern Hemisphere, these are the best times to take a cruise all around the world.
Alaska
May – September
Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward, Alaska
The best time to go on a cruise to Alaska is May through September. As a seasonal destination focusing on sustainable tourism, Alaska has a defined high season when tours are most readily available, businesses are open and energy is high, and many of the major water sightseeing activities (like whale watching) are accessible.
Summer in Alaska is also prime time for King, Sockeye, and Silver salmon fishing, which means it is not unreasonable to expect that you’ll be dining on the best wood-grilled, wild Alaskan salmon of your life.
Juneau, Alaska
The months of May through September also present the best opportunities for wildlife spotting, since winter sends many into hiding or hibernation. Whether you are inside a national park or just outside a bar in Ketchikan, keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready to catch guillemots, bald eagles, moose, harbor seals, mountain goats, and bears out and about during your Alaska cruise.
Caribbean
Year-round
Antigua
There’s a good reason that ships sail the Caribbean all year. Whether cruising the Eastern, Western, or Southern Caribbean, you are guaranteed the warm temperatures needed for activities like exploring an ancient Mayan ceremonial site in Belize, or glass-bottom kayaking above colorful corals in Bonaire.
November through April is the dry season, and these months are marked by unbelievably clear days when almost any plans you make are safe from the weather’s interruption. For this reason, the dry season is one of the best times to go on a cruise to the Caribbean islands.
Restaurant in Antigua
Short rainstorms are common from May through October, and though they may send diners at alfresco restaurants rushing inside to finish their meals, quick downpours are often what’s needed to take the edge off steamy days, not to mention that they are a perfect excuse to take a break from the sun and browse for souvenirs in air conditioning.
Even during the Atlantic hurricane season from June into October, the weather can be perfect. When it’s not behaving and a storm threatens, meteorological agencies like NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) provide advance warning enough to allow for the postponement of plans.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean brings smaller crowds at top attractions, though having travel insurance is recommended for peace of mind.
Mediterranean
Year-round
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Increasingly, the Mediterranean is becoming a year-round destination as visitors embrace the “quiet season” of the winter months, when museums and galleries are open with no crowds.
Imagine enjoying Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia with nobody there, or having the Parthenon in Athens to yourself on a gloriously clear and sunny winter day.
Summer continues to be peak Mediterranean cruise season, though the entire season begins in May and lasts into November, with lesser crowds at either end.
What is most important, really, is that businesses are open and the sun has sufficiently warmed up the clear waters that make the Mediterranean playground ports of the rich and famous so picturesque.
Mykonos, Greece
Take a clue for the Mediterranean’s perfect cruise season from the Italians, who observe the “Ferragosto,” an entire summer month off work to enjoy beaches, seaside trattorias, and sightseeing up and down the cobblestone lanes and yacht-ringed harbors of island towns around the region.
Swim the famous beaches of Mykonos, go cannoli tasting in Sicily, or admire the crimson-topped buildings in Dubrovnik–it’s all best done with the sun heating your shoulders and a cool drink at the end.
Bahamas
Year-Round
CocoCay, Bahamas
Cruises to the Bahamas operate all year round, making this the perfect destination for a short getaway. The weather is always warm, as you would expect in the tropics; the only real variation is in the humidity.
Peak season is December to April, the driest months, when the days are generally hot and sunny. This is a great time for exploring wrecks and coral reefs, swimming with wild sharks off Bimini, and playing on the waterslides at the award-winning private island, CocoCay. The islands are busy during this season, with North Americans escaping the chill of winter.
Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas
April, May, and June are shoulder season months, as the weather becomes more humid. The Bahamas is a popular spring break destination, and sees a surge in younger visitors in spring.
Official hurricane season in the Caribbean, to the south of the Bahamas, runs from June to November; and if a storm is building, there is plenty of warning. You’re more likely to encounter rain in these months, but there are still plenty of sunny days, and rain showers clear the humidity when they do come.
Northern Europe
May – October
Geiranger, Norway
As many of Northern Europe’s most picturesque and historic city centers have harbors at their center, the winter months whip freezing winds off the ocean and into the streets, driving the communities indoors. The best time to go on a cruise to Northern Europe is when the landscape and local hospitality thaws in anticipation of a summer filled with friendly faces and fresh air.
In addition to the extended hours of sun that summer in the northern latitudes brings, the temperatures warm enough for you to leave thick coats out of your luggage and instead focus on using that space to pack a pair of binoculars and all the SPF you’ll need for sparklingly sunny days and, if you’re in the Norwegian Fjords, more waterfalls in sight than you ever thought possible.
In fact, Northern Europe and the Baltics truly awaken from their winter slumber for the months of May through October, and alfresco dining and drinking is practically mandatory.
Tallinn, Estonia
June cruises to this region are particularly splendid, as the first taste of summer heightens the energy and festivals bring the communities together to celebrate the arrival of the season. In Sweden, for example, June holds the “Taste of Stockholm” food festival, the Archipelago Boat Day (with boat parades), Sweden’s National Day, and the two-day stretch of traditional dancing and feasting that is Midsommar.
Just across the water, Estonia is similarly celebrating. The capital of Tallinn is all music and parades during June’s Old Town Days, plus their own flavor of Midsommar festivities.
Asia
Year-round
Ha Long Bay in Hanoi, Vietnam
Asia covers a vast area and has climatic variations that make it a year-round cruise destination.
The best time to go on a cruise to Southeast Asia is autumn and winter. You’ll find the lowest humidity levels and the highest chances of ideal weather for outdoor activities, like snorkeling off Ko Samui, Thailand or kayaking in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Kyoto, Japan
But if you want to see Japan, the seasons are different. The season here extends from April, when the famous cherry blossom is in full bloom, to October, when the trees are taking on their fall colors.
South Korea also has a temperate climate. Spring and early summer, as well as September, are the ideal time to visit Seoul and Jeju Island, although August can bring intense humidity.
Read: Best Winter Cruises
South America & Antarctica
December – March
Petrohue waterfall, Chile
From the December holiday season through March, South America is at its best for weather and events, making it the best time to take a cruise. These months are sunny but temperate, with seemingly every other week hosting major celebrations.
Chile and Peru enjoy long summer days, ideal for making the most of visiting their top attractions on a cruise to South America. From beaches and archaeological sites to wineries and national parks, opening hours are at their longest and the sites at their lushest.
Speaking of extra-long hours for sightseeing, the Antarctica cruise season is short, lasting only a few months during the height of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, but for good reason.
It is during the months of December through March that ships can sail across the famous Drake Passage—the open water between the southernmost tip of South America and the northernmost tip of Antarctica—and into the archipelago of the Antarctic Peninsula. Ice floes and rough weather rule the rest of the year.
Paradise Bay, Antarctica
Visiting Antarctica during the southern summer means enjoying more than its best weather; it’s also peak season for whale migration in the region, and whale spouts or the flukes of humpbacks are easily spotted in nearly every direction, keeping curious penguins and giant petrels company in the spectacular natural scenery.
Perhaps the only challenge is coming to terms with the 24-hour daylight. When you understand that a stroll on deck at 2 a.m. may lead to a solo moment spotting a nearby elephant seal snoozing in the silence of “night,” it becomes difficult to make the decision to come inside, close the curtains, and not see the incredible scenery just outside for at least another several hours.
Galapagos
All year
Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos
The goal of a Galapagos cruise vacation is seeing and experiencing the best of the destination’s varied wildlife and dramatic scenery, which is possible all year round.
Temperatures don’t wildly fluctuate in the Galapagos; the islands are usually a balmy 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Even during rainy season, you’ll often encounter sunny skies perfect for hikes and photography, ocean conditions that attract more marine animals, and breeding seasons that have species like flamingos, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies showing off their best sides.
Hawaii
April, May, and September
Oahu, Hawaii
While Hawaii is an extraordinary destination all year round, the months of April and May, as well as September are notable for the timing of Hawaii cruise itineraries.
In particular, May is “Mele Mai,” a month-long festival of Hawaiian music celebrated across the islands, providing a soundtrack for the end of the winter trade winds, which bring cool air across the islands from the north. Though this can mean rainy conditions in mountainous areas, like Oahu’s Ko’olau Range and the coffee-growing highlands of the Big Island, the beaches and cities are kissed by cool breezes that keep you comfortable at all hours.
September sees another period of transpacific crossings, and cruises often sync up with Honolulu’s hosting of the Aloha Festivals, block parties and parades held in Hawaii’s capital that showcase traditional dances, music, costumes, crafts, and cuisine.
Spinner dolphins in Hawaii
Visiting in either month means the chance to spot spinner dolphins off the coast, sea turtles basking on beaches, and seabirds diving for their lunch. With Hawaii’s position in the Pacific Ocean making it one of the more remote destinations in the world, there are plenty of rare and only-spotted-here varieties of bird, bug, and sea creatures to delight.
Bermuda
May – September
Jobson’s Cove Beach, Bermuda
Bermuda is on the same latitude as North Carolina. While it’s often mistaken as a Caribbean island, it’s actually 900 miles north of the Caribbean and has a completely different climate.
The best time to cruise to Bermuda is the summer months when the island basks in hot sunshine under clear blue skies. This is the best time to enjoy those famous pink sand beaches, or play a round of golf on the island’s world-class courses.
Catamaran cruise in Bermuda
The pubs and bars around the Royal Naval Dockyard are buzzing. Conditions are perfect for a romantic catamaran cruise at sunset, or a hike along the picturesque Railway Trail.
Conditions get a little more humid as August progresses into September, which is storm season further south, but you should still enjoy plenty of sunshine.
Australia & New Zealand
October – April
Sydney, Australia
The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, making the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months the best time to go on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand. October and November are spring, while April is fall.
December, January, and February are the peak summer months, the perfect time for enjoying beaches, exploring vineyards, and soaking up outdoor life in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Spring and fall are also wonderful times to visit Australia, when you won’t be subjected to the extreme heat that summer can bring. You won’t encounter cold weather, although places like Melbourne are famous for having variable weather, which can range from rainy to hot and sunny in a matter of minutes.
Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand has a much shorter summer. December to March is the best time to visit for cruising the beautiful Bay of Islands, sitting in a sunny outdoor café in Auckland, and hiking lush coastal trails.
New England
August – September
Fort Williams Park, Maine
Late summer and early fall is a wonderful time to visit New England. In August, summer is still in full swing. The temperature is perfect for enjoying the beach, dining al fresco on lobster rolls, and hiking and cycling in the coastal hills.
In September, the trees begin to take on their brilliant autumn hues of scarlet, yellow, and gold. This is a spectacular time to cruise the coast of New England, photographing the contrasts of the lighthouses that guard the coast against the turning trees and still-blue skies.
Quebec City, Canada
New England cruises also visit Quebec City, Canada, which is in the midst of harvest season in September. You’ll see produce stalls piled high with apples, peppers, and late-season berries.
Panama Canal
December – April, and September
Panama
The magnificent Panama Canal, one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements, is open for business year-round and is always busy with commercial shipping.
For a cruise vacation, though, the best time to go to the Panama Canal is to coincide with the main Caribbean season, from December to April, when the weather is hot and relatively dry.
As well as the thrill of transiting the canal, for which you’ll certainly want to be on deck, your cruise could visit the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), as well as Grand Cayman and the lovely old city of Cartagena in Colombia.
Celebrity also visits the Panama Canal in September on a voyage that begins in Los Angeles and ends in Fort Lauderdale, taking in the best of the West Coast before entering the Canal.
Now that you’ve discovered the best times of the year for visiting the destinations of your dreams, it’s time to book the sailings that take you there. Visit CelebrityCruises.com to browse cruise itineraries, shore excursions, and staterooms, and book your next unforgettable cruise today.
