Cruise Destinations and Timings (Peak Seasons, Popular Itineraries and Weather)

Choosing a cruise can be hard – there are so many places to choose from. Then you want to make sure you travel at the right time of the year, to make the most of your experience.

In this article, we will explore the most popular destinations that cruises visit – so that you can make the right choice for you.

What are the Main Cruise Destinations?

The Caribbean

Caribbean cruises are very popular, particularly for those cruising out of the U.S.A.

There are many itineraries to choose from.

• The Caribbean
  • Over 30% of cruises are to the Caribbean
  • Caribbean cruises are split into Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean
  • Many cruise lines have private islands in the Caribbean
  • Peak Season: December – April

I have cruised the Caribbean with multiple cruise lines, most recently with MSC, and you can find that video here:

​I Took The Cheapest Cruise in The Caribbean (Only 23% Full)​

The Mediterranean

Mediterranean cruises are very popular, as you can visit a great many different countries in quite a short period of time.

There is lots of culture and history, and many places can be explored by foot, rather than with expensive cruise line excursions.

• Mediterranean
  • Can sail from the UK, or fly
  • The average cruise length is 7 nights
  • Peak Season: May – September

I have cruised to the Mediterranean many times and it’s one of my favourite destinations to visit.

Check out this video where I visited some of the most popular Mediterranean ports with Costa Cruises:

The Baltics

• Baltics
  • Typically visit Estonia, Finland, and Sweden
  • Lots of history, culture and walking tours

Peak Season: May – September.

Check out my top Baltic travel tips if you are planning a Baltic cruise:

​15 Baltic Cruise Tips You NEED to Know​

Norwegian Fjords

The Norwegian Fjords are a place I would visit again and again!

They are absolutely stunning, and can easily be reached on a seven day cruise from the UK.

• Norwegian Fjords
  • A very popular destination to sail to from the UK
  • Hurtigruten and Havila are the only lines that sail to Norway in winter
  • In summer, some parts of Norway have sunshine 24 hours a day
  • Peak Season: May – September

I recently took a Norwegian fjord cruise with Royal Caribbean and also visited with Fred Olsen to find the Northern Lights (we did see them!)

Summer cruise here:

Winter, Northern Lights cruise:

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a great place to visit for a bit of winter sun.

Both week-long fly-cruises and two-week cruises that sail down to the Canary Islands are available from the UK.

• Canary Islands
  • Includes places like Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote
  • Warm year-round
  • Peak Season: May – September

I recently sailed around the Canary Islands (In February) and had a wonderful, relaxing cruise.

Find out all about that here:

Northern Europe

It is often possible to get really cheap Northern Europe cruises from Southampton.

If you just want to get away for a week and don’t mind unpredictable weather, it can be a great way to visit some new countries and ports.

• Northern Europe
  • Includes places like the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain
  • Some ports are industrial and require transfers
  • Peak Season: May – September

I introduced my friends to cruising for the first time on the MSC Preziosa on a Northern Europe cruise. It was a very cheap week: a balcony cabin cost under £500 each.

Find out more about that cruise here:

Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

• Often visited on repositioning itineraries
• Most cruises are 7-10 days in length
• Peak: October – April

I’m yet to visit Australia – but I’d love to!

Alaska

• Popular places to visit include Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway
• Weather can be unpredictable
• Peak: June – August

My first cruise was to Alaska. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a YouTube channel when I was 11, so you’ll just have to trust me on this one—it was a fantastic cruise!

I have since visited Alaska on Norwegian’s biggest ship, Norwegian Encore. Find out about some of the amazing places we visited here:

Hawaii

• Round trips from the US are available as well as cruise/fly itineraries
• Many repositioning cruises visit Hawaii
• Peak Season: December – March

I’m hoping to visit Hawaii again soon. It’s a long way from the UK – but worth it, I’m sure!

Asia

• Vaccinations may be required and the cruise line may keep your passport when you are onboard.
• Popular destinations include Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.
• Peak: November – March

Have a look at my most recent trip to Japan, on my all-time favourite ( and first!) cruise ship, Norwegian Spirit:

It is a little complicated with the VISA requirements, so check out my tips here:

​7 Asia Cruise Tips, Packing, Visas & More​

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding on a Cruise:

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding on a Cruise:

• Do I need to cruise during the school holidays? (If you can avoid it it’ll reduce the cost a lot!)
• Are there certain times you can’t take off work?
• Is there a limit on how much time you can take off work in one go?
• Is good weather important to you?
• Do you want to cruise over a specific date?
• Do you mind cruising at popular times when the ports will be busiest?

Is The Cruise You Want to Take Available Year-round?

Some cruises mostly happen at certain times of the year, like repositioning cruises and Transatlantic crossings.

These usually happen in Autumn and Spring.

There Are a Few Things You Can do to Find a Cheaper Cruise:

• Avoid the school holidays if at all possible.
• Sometimes moving a cruise just by a week can have a dramatic impact on the price. The cruise maybe £200 per person cheaper just by going a week earlier!
• Consider cruising midweek – midweek instead of weekend to weekend as this is often cheaper.
• Look out for identical sister ships, sometimes one will be cheaper than the other even for the same itinerary.
• The more flexible you can be on location the better chance you have of finding a bargain!

Before You Go

Not all cruise ports are what you would imagine – sometimes you are docked in a container port, far from the city. Find out more about that here:

Don’t Be Fooled: These 16 Cruise Ports Are FAR From The City

Find out whether cruising is more or less affordable now than it was decades gone by here:

Was Cruising More Affordable in the 1990’s? Or Is It More Affordable Today?