Alaska

The cruise season for Alaska is May through mid September, although a couple cruise lines are going into October now.  When it comes to Alaska cruises, its not just about the weather though.  There are a wide variety of itineraries that also affect when you should go.  

Peak Season (Mid June - Mid July) - This is considered the peak season by some only because of the optimum weather and so much day light.  This season also has the least amount of rain.  Combine this with kids being out of school it makes for the highest cruise fares and they sell out far in advance.  

Pre-Peak Season (May - Mid June) -  The shoulder season can be less expensive for cruises but it also means less crowds.  The better reason for going during this season though is the wildlife.  All of the wildlife is having babies at this time so you have a better chance of seeing nature at it’s best.  Wildlife is unpredictable though so don’t plan your whole cruise around this opportunity.  

Post-Peak Season (Mid July - Oct) - The second shoulder season has less families, less crowds in general and often times great deals if you go later in the season.  The weather is starting to cool again and there is a greater chance of rain.  For those looking to see the Northern lights, it’s a long shot during the normal cruise season but there is a chance on the extended September and October sailings.  

Off Season (Oct - Apr) - There are no cruises during the off season. 

Average Monthly Temperature - Juneau AK

Our Tips: the cruises offer quite a few itineraries throughout the cruise season and its important to pick the one that will make your cruise everything you are hoping for.  For those limited on time or just looking for an easy embarkation and disembarkation, the round trip from Seattle are great options.  If you have the time and money, it’s best to do a one way starting from Seattle or Vancouver and traveling deeper into Alaska.  Even better is to do a land extension with one of the cruise lines that offer a few nights in Denali.  

For those wondering about Whale Season.  That one is pretty easy.  It runs from May - September so the whole cruise season is whale season.  

Australia

Australia’s seasons are opposite our own so for a lot of people it makes for a good break from the cold.  It also often surprises visitors that don’t think to look at the expected weather before making their plans.  I have listed the average temperatures below but every time we have been there it seemed hotter than the actual numbers.

Mid Dec - Mar - Australia’s summer is the peak season for the Australian/New Zealand cruises, especially the holidays. Most Australia cruises visit one or two ports in Australia and spend the rest of their days in New Zealand. Because New Zealand tends to be slightly cooler than Australia, Summer is a good time for those cruises. The days may be hotter in Australia but you will have just about perfect weather in New Zealand during the same time.  If you are planing to visit The Great Barrier Reef, this is not the time to go.  The wet season in Cairns makes diving cloudy and less visible.

Apr - May -  If your cruise is mainly Australia, including Sydney and Melbourne, this is a great time to come.  The weather is more moderate, the tourists are fewer and flight prices can be much lower.  

Jun - Oct - If your cruise is mainly Australia and includes Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef, this is a great time to cruise.  The dry season in Cairns brings cooler weather, calmer, clearer waters and underwater visibility is the best this time of year.  If you aren’t a big fan of the heat, this is your time across Australia and don’t worry, it won’t be freezing, just a little cooler.  

Nov - Mid Dec  - The beginning of their summer brings warmer weather, without being extreme heat.  Its a great time to cruise whether you are cruising just Australia or Australia and New Zealand.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Sydney

Average Monthly Temperature - Cairns

Our Tip: the heat in Australia can be intense so if your plans don’t include beaches and is going to be more exploring the sites, stick to the cooler months of April and May or September and October.  More and more cruise lines are branching out and exploring more of Australia so make it two cruises, one for exploring Australia and one for exploring New Zealand.  There is plenty in both to make this two vacations.  

New Zealand

Peak Season (Dec-Feb) - This is their summer and the peak season for New Zealand which means more visitors from overseas, as well as more locals vacationing.  Although the temperatures are higher, they are still fairly mild compared to other destinations.  Because there are so many cruise ships sailing this time of the year you can get the best rates during this season.  

Post-Peak Season (Mar-Apr) -  Their Autumn brings cooler temperatures but fewer crowds.  Being the shoulder season, you can find better rates on flights and accommodations.  By May only a few cruises are still happening so the prices may be heading up.

Pre-Peak Season (Oct - Nov) - Spring can be unpredictable with the rain but if you are into outdoor activities, this can be a great time to come as the weather is just starting to warm up.  The second shoulder also offers better rates on flights and accommodations.  

Off Season (May - Sep) - Their winter can bring a light dusting of snow in parts of New Zealand.  The weather is less reliable and never our first choice of times to visit, There will only be a few options for cruises, if any, during this time.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Aukland

Our Tip: If you are looking for a little warmer holiday experience, these cruises can be a great option because they are long enough to span over both Christmas and New Years.  

Although most of the cruises have one or two stops in Australia and the rest are in New Zealand, there are more and more coming on that cover more Australia spots, including Cairnes where the Great Barrier Reef is located.

Pacific Islands

Peak Season (Jul - Aug) - the peak season in Greece is due to the high temperatures, beautiful beaches and sparkling sea.  With peak season though comes all of the tourists so everything will be much busier and if you are looking to do something other than the beach, it can be a little hot.  You will also be paying peak prices for cruises, hotels and flights.  

Pre-Peak Season (Apr-Jun) -  Although it may be a little chillier, (not always a bad thing), this time of year is great if you are looking for great weather and less crowds.  Cruises also tend to be a little cheaper so bonus.  

Post-Peak Season (Sep - Nov) - September and October tends to be considered “little summer” in Greece.  It’s a great time if you are looking for slightly cooler temperatures and less crowds.  It is also a great time to visit the vineyards or sample the local olives or other delicacies.  Cruise prices can be slightly better but flight prices can be considerably less.  

Off Season (Dec - Mar) - The weather is less reliable and never our first choice for times it visit, it can be a great time to visit some of the sites around Greece, especially the museums.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Fiji

Our Tip: the Greece cruises can begin and end in quite a few different ports.  Some leave from Greece ports which allow for shorter cruises, but choosing a slightly longer cruise and leaving from Rome or Barcelona, could add another amazing destination but the flight prices can be much more reasonable.  If you have the time, definitely check them out.  

Western Mediterranean

Peak Season (Jul - Aug) - the peak season in the Mediterranean offers warmer beach weather, dry days and smooth seas.  They also bring more tourist, both on land and sea, so you will be paying more for the prime season.  

Pre-Peak Season (Mar - Jun) -  The months prior to the peak season bring warmer weather, less chance of rain, few crowds and some amazing deals.  Combine this with the spring colors and you have the opportunity for a great cruise.    

Post-Peak Season (Sep - Oct) - Cruising after the busy peak season can be a win win.  Cooler weathers, less crowds and slightly less expensive prices. The earlier in September you can travel the better but the whole season is a great opportunity. This does tend to be the rainiest season though so pack your rain jacket and umbrella.    

Off Season (Nov - Feb) - If you are looking to cruise the Mediterranean during the office season you will need to look at European cruise lines like MSC or Costa.  Cold weather, plenty of rain and rough seas drive away the popular American cruise lines from this area until late February.   

Average Monthly Temperature - Rome, Italy

Average Monthly Temperature - Barcelona, Spain

Average Monthly Temperature - Paris, France

Northern Europe

Also known as the Baltic or Scandinavian cruises they are almost always longer and visit a lot of different countries.  They are not cheap, but they are a great way to sample a lot of countries in one trip. Russia (St Petersburg) is typically one of the key stops on a Baltic cruise and most cruises port here for at least 2 days, some over 2 nights.  This is a great port to have an extended stay but be aware if you are traveling on the ships visa, your only option to leave the ship is with a guided tour.  This isn’t really a bad thing though.  If you don’t know the language, getting around and meeting people would be very difficult anyway and the tour options are endless.  A few other common stops are Finland, Estonia, Denmark and Germany.  

Peak Season (Jun - Aug) - In the case of Northern Europe, the peak season is really a good time to go.  Especially June with its warming weather.  Yes, you will be paying a premium and there will be more people visiting but the great weather in this case can be worth it.  

Pre-Peak Season (Apr-May) -  The cruise options are limited and the air can be very cold but you will have less tourists and the prices can be amazing.  

Post-Peak Season (Sep - Oct) - The cruise season begins to wind down in September but if you can find a cruise, you should be able to get a great deal.  The weather will be cooler, but at least in September, its nothing a light jacket won’t take care of.  Less crowds can also allow you to see more of the sites you are going there to see as well. October will mostly be European cruise lines but if you are a fan of the colder weather, this is a great time to visit.  

Off Season (Nov - Mar) - Other than a couple stragglers on each end of the season you won’t find any of the popular cruise lines sailing during these months.    

Average Monthly Temperature - St Petersburg, Russia

Average Monthly Temperature - Helsinki, Finland

Average Monthly Temperature - Berlin, Germany

Greece - Eastern Mediterranean

Peak Season (Jul - Aug) - the peak season in Greece is due to the high temperatures, beautiful beaches and sparkling sea.  With peak season though comes all of the tourists so everything will be much busier and if you are looking to do something other than the beach, it can be a little hot.  You will also be paying peak prices for cruises, hotels and flights.  

Pre-Peak Season (Apr-Jun) -  Although it may be a little chillier, (not always a bad thing), this time of year is great if you are looking for great weather and less crowds.  Cruises also tend to be a little cheaper so bonus.  

Post-Peak Season (Sep - Nov) - September and October tends to be considered “little summer” in Greece.  It’s a great time if you are looking for slightly cooler temperatures and less crowds.  It is also a great time to visit the vineyards or sample the local olives or other delicacies.  Cruise prices can be slightly better but flight prices can be considerably less.  

Off Season (Dec - Mar) - The weather is less reliable so this is not our first choice to cruise but it can be a great time to visit some of the sites around Greece, especially the museums.  

Average Monthly Temperature

Our Tip: the Greece cruises can begin and end in quite a few different ports.  Some leave from Greece ports which allow for shorter cruises, but choosing a slightly longer cruise and leaving from Rome or Barcelona, could add another amazing destination to your cruise. The flight prices can also be much more reasonable.  If you have the time, definitely check them out.  

Caribbean / Bahamas

Peak Season (May - Jul) - this is the peak season mainly due to the kids being out of school and guests looking for that summer break.  Although there are always good deals for the Caribbean and Bahamas, you may need to book a little further out to get a good location or cabin category.  

Pre-Peak Season (Dec - Apr) -  This season may not be the peak season, but it is the best time to cruise the Caribbean.  The weather tends to be in the mid 70s to low 80s, the rain is minimal and it isn’t the hurricane season.  Because there are a lot of people that can’t go this time of year, the deals tend to be pretty good.   

Post-Peak Season (Aug - Sep) - The post peak season coincides with the hurricane season, the weather is warmer with more humidity and the kids are back in school.  These all combine to create great deals for those that want to cruise.  

Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weeks) -   There is nothing better than cruising for the holidays, especially if you can get the whole family to join in but they are very busy and reservations need to be created pretty far in advance.  

Off Season (Dec - Mar) - Unlike other destinations that are off season mainly due to the weather, the Caribbean doesn’t have that issue.  It’s gorgeous all year round.  The only times that could be considered close to the off season is the weeks just before Thanksgiving and the weeks just before Christmas.  You can get some of the best rates of the year and still have great weather.  

Hurricane Season - Runs from June 1st through November 30th.  This is a concern for some people but in reality, you’re not in any danger going at this time.  The cruise lines have their own meteorologists that track storms and hurricanes and guide the ships to avoid them.  There are times when the itinerary will need to be changed or a port skipped, and in very extreme cases, cruises have been cancelled, but rest assured, you are safe.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Nassau, The Bahamas

Average Monthly Temperature - Jamaica

Our Tip: There are so many cruises that sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas, do you research.  Not all cruises are the same and the ports can be wildly different depending on what you are looking to enjoy on your cruise.  Reach out to a cruise consultant and tell them what kind of vacation you are looking for and who will be going and they can point you in the right direction. 

Hawaii

Peak Season (Jul - Sep) - the peak season brings in the tourists from just about everywhere during this time so expect everything to be busier.  It also brings hotter temperatures.  Some people like that but be aware that Hawaii sun is harsher than mainland sun and August and September can be very humid.  

Pre-Peak Season (Apr-Jun) -  The temperature is starting to rise and the rain becoming less, although in Hawaii you should expect rain just about any time.  Its slightly cooler, the crowds haven’t started arriving and prices are somewhat reasonable.  (It’s still Hawaii after all). It’s a great time to visit if you want to hike Diamond Head or do a lot of outdoor activities not involving water.  

Post-Peak Season (Oct - Nov) - The post-peak season brings lower temperatures and less humidity so if you are good with that, you also get lower air and accommodation fares and less people.  The water temperature is still nice so you can still swim, surf, snorkel and everything else water related.    

Off Season (Dec - Mar) - The weather is less reliable with more rain but its also whale season so if that is something you are looking to see, this is the time to visit.  The temperatures during the day are still warm with cool nights.  You also won’t have to fight for space because other than the holiday season, you will have much fewer visitors and can get some great deals.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Oahu (Waikiki)

Average Monthly Temperature - Maui

Our Tip: we visit the islands a couple times each year and have always loved it, but prefer the cooler times.  The cruises, specifically, NCL Pride, is a great way to see a lot of the islands in one trip.  The biggest mistake people make is thinking all of the islands are all the same. The NCL Pride also allow you to travel in and out of Oahu which is the least expensive flights.  

Mexico

Peak Season (Nov - Mar) - Mexico’s dry season spans half of the year. It is dry and the humidity is lower.  November through March is also the best time for whale watching so if you go at this time, keep an eye out while on the ship.  With the great weather though also comes tourists so expect higher flight prices and less discounts on cruises especially in December, their busiest month.  Cruises are also more likely to sell out in advance so book early to get a good deal.

Pre-Peak Season (Sep - Oct) -  You may catch some residual off season weather, but if that chance won’t ruin your vacation, you can get better deals on cruises and flights and won’t have the crowds to deal with.  Being that most of the cruise ships come to Mexico after the Alaska season ends, it may be difficult to find cruises during this time.  

Post-Peak Season (Apr - Jun) - Coming off the busy season can be an amazing time to cruise and for those that like it a little warmer, this is a great time to go. A lot of the ships departing from California are leaving Mexico to head to Alaska for the season but the ones that are left will be less crowded and you can get some good deals on flights.   

Off Season (Jul - Aug) - The off season is also hurricane season.  You may get torrential rain and wind and because it is also the hottest months, the humidity will be intense.  Most cruise lines departing from California don’t travel this time of year and the ones that do will mostly be shorter cruises that stay closer to California.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Cabo San Lucus

Our Tip: even with it being the peak season, you can still get some good deals if you book in advance so we recommend taking advantage of the better weather if it fits in your schedule.  The nicest part about Mexico is it is easily accruable from so many parts of the US that flights are rarely an issue or you can you just drive which makes it a great option.  Years ago, Mexico got a bad reputation for not being safe but the nice part about cruising is they stay in the safe areas and the ports are well protected.  

Panama Canal

Peak Season (Jan - Feb) - this is the peak season for the Panama Canal due to the dry weather, moderate temperatures and its a good time to do active adventures like hiking and kayaking.  You can still get good deals during this time as well.  The cruise prices are the highest during the peak seasons but this is probably a once in a lifetime trip so why not make it good.  

Peak Season 2 (Mar - May) - Most places don’t have multiple peak seasons but this one does.  We consider this the second peak because it’s still pretty dry, the weather is still good for outdoor activities but you may see a little more rain than in the first peak.  

Pre-Peak Season (Dec) -  December is heading into the dry season which makes it a good time to go because you can still get some good deals but still have good weather and lower crowds.  

Post-Peak Season (Jun - Aug) - Sailings are very limited during these months because it is the wet season and hurricane season.  The ships typically begin transitioning to other sailings during this time.  If you do find them, they will typically be higher than normal.

Off Season (Sep - Nov) - Cruise lines do not typically sail the Panama Canal during this time. 

Holidays - Panamanians take their holidays seriously so we recommend you don’t visit during these times.  You find Panama businesses completely closed while you are there.  Try to avoid Easter month, Christmas and New Years if possible.  

Average Monthly Temperature

Our Tip: There are two types of cruises that sail the Panama Canal, half trips and full trips. The half trips sail half way through and then return to the same port they departed from. The second type goes all the way from Florida to LA or vice versa. If you are on a tight timeframe doing the half cruise does cut the cruise time in half but if possible, we recommend the full cruise.

The cruise prices aren’t going to fluctuate much throughout the seasons because they almost always sell out so go for the time that fits your preferences instead of price. Just make sure you book early because the best cabin locations go quick.  

South America

Peak Season (Jul - Aug) - the peak season in Greece is due to the high temperatures, beautiful beaches and sparkling sea.  With peak season though comes all of the tourists so everything will be much busier and if you are looking to do something other than the beach, it can be a little hot.  You will also be paying peak prices for cruises, hotels and flights.  

Pre-Peak Season (Apr-Jun) -  Although it may be a little chillier, (not always a bad thing), this time of year is great if you are looking for great weather and less crowds.  Cruises also tend to be a little cheaper so bonus.  

Post-Peak Season (Sep - Nov) - September and October tends to be considered “little summer” in Greece.  It’s a great time if you are looking for slightly cooler temperatures and less crowds.  It is also a great time to visit the vineyards or sample the local olives or other delicacies.  Cruise prices can be slightly better but flight prices can be considerably less.  

Off Season (Dec - Mar) - The weather is less reliable and never our first choice for times it visit, it can be a great time to visit some of the sites around Greece, especially the museums.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Buenos Aires

Our Tip: the Greece cruises can begin and end in quite a few different ports.  Some leave from Greece ports which allow for shorter cruises, but choosing a slightly longer cruise and leaving from Rome or Barcelona, could add another amazing destination but the flight prices can be much more reasonable.  If you have the time, definitely check them out.  

Danube River

There is nothing like traveling through 5 or more countries in a floating luxury hotel but that is exactly what it is like when you are on a river cruise.  Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Netherlands are the most common countries visited. Although all the times they sail are good times, depending on your preferences, there may be a better time for you.  

Peak Season (Jun - Aug) -  Warm, long days with less rain always brings more travelers but are more consistent weather wise.  Because this is the dryer season, you do have a chance of the waters not being high enough to sail in spots and needing to be relocated by bus.  

Pre-Peak Season (Apr - May) -  Cooler weather with higher chance of rain, but if you don’t like the heat and want less crowds this is an excellent time to sail. With spring comes the beautiful colors blooming back to life.  Bring a rain jackets just in case.  

Post-Peak Season (Sep - Oct) - As summer ends the heat falls away into cooler days and cold nights but the autumn colors as you sail the river is breathtaking and worth the jacket.  

Christmas Markets - (Nov - Dec) - The towns all along the Danube come to life with old town Christmas Markets offering crafts, festivals, celebrations and recipes passed down for generations that will surely make this one of your best Christmases.  Just be prepared because it can be very cold so bundle up.  

Off Season (Jan - Mar) -  Although the cruises do start up in March and offer incredible deals, Jan and Feb tend to be too cold for cruising and most river cruise companies completely shut down at this time.  

Looking at the charts below you at first may think it never gets hot and summer has a lot of rain, but that isn’t the case.  Those temperatures are averages.  The summer months can be extremely hot at times, reaching 100 degrees and although it looks like more rain, those numbers reflect the number of days that had rain, not how much rain they had.  With that said, it is always a good suggestion to bring a rain coat and an umbrella no matter what time of year you visit.  

Average Monthly Temperature - Germany (Vilshofen)