Certain times of year may seem like no-brainers for travel, like spring break or summer vacation.
But the best times to take a cruise can vary depending on where you’re going.
Mike Harris, director of sales at online travel agency The Cruise Web, said there are “a lot of factors that go into any vacation, but especially one where you're traveling overseas, or if you're going to a destination that does have varying weather patterns.”
Other aspects like wildlife activity and pricing can also change throughout the year. Some places even have set seasons when cruise ships visit. We break down the best times to visit some of the most popular cruise destinations below.
When is the best time to take an Alaska cruise?
The Alaska cruise season runs from May through September, but the optimal window depends on your priorities, according to Harris.
“So, if you really wanted to see wildlife, which is a big reason why people want to go to Alaska, usually July is going to be the best for that,” he said. “It's when the bears are really active.”
Late June and August can also make for good wildlife viewing, said Deborah Banks, a travel adviser and franchise owner at Cruise Planners with her husband Isaiah.
May and September feature lower prices and colder temperatures, in the 50 to 60-degree range compared to the mid-60s to low 70s Harris estimated (though it can vary depending on where in Alaska you are). September is also “fantastic” for viewing fall foliage. “(There’s) colder weather, but you're getting some really cool, unique scenery later in the year too,” he said.
Banks warned that there can be drawbacks to going on the early or late side. “(The) early season may see some icy conditions, and late season may increase the chance of rougher seas and less predictable weather,” she said in an email. Some tourist services may not be fully operational.
When is the best time to take a Caribbean cruise?
While the Caribbean is a year-round cruise destination, December through April is the best time to go, according to Banks. “This is the dry season with calmer seas and more comfortable weather,” she said.
Harris echoed that, noting that winter is a particularly good time to take those sailings. “Chances are where you're coming from, it's very cold, so it's a good change of temperature,” he said.
The Caribbean is also popular with families, so going outside of the summer months can mean more availability and better fares – though ships are likely to be crowded during other school holidays like spring and winter breaks.
Banks also recommended avoiding hurricane season, which runs from June through November.
But operators can monitor for bad weather in advance, and ships have stabilizers that reduce the impact of rough waters, Harris noted. And unlike resorts on land, ships can reroute as needed. “The nice thing about cruising is that they can sail somewhere else,” he said.
When is the best time to take a Mediterranean cruise?
Banks said May through September offers “warm weather, calm seas, and plenty of sunshine.” That said, some of those months may not be your best bet if you don’t like the heat.
“It can definitely be super hot,” Harris said. “Like, if you go to Venice in July, you're gonna be sweating.” If you’re looking for milder temperatures, consider visiting as early as April or in October after fall rolls around.
But if you have your heart set on a voyage outside those months, don’t worry: ships cruise the Mediterranean the whole year. The region may see less predictable weather and rougher seas from November through March, but that “can vary by exact location,” Banks added.
Cruise line guide:From family trips to adventure travel
When is the best time to take an Antarctica cruise?
Antarctica is an increasingly popular destination, but cruise ships only visit for about half the year.
The destination’s cruise season runs from October or November through March, encompassing its summer.
Even then, the weather can be highly unpredictable and the environment changes throughout the season. Travelers have a better shot at seeing penguin chicks starting in December.
“Outside of these months, the region is largely inaccessible to cruise ships because of extreme cold and ice buildup,” Banks said.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
