Fall and Winter Cruises: 10 Pros and Cons
There are many pros and cons to a fall or winter cruise. No matter the season, you’ll have a great time on your cruise vacation.
The shoulder season, between high and low seasons, offers lovely weather and smaller crowds. It’s an excellent time to travel if you’re looking to save money on a cruise, with benefits like fewer passengers and lower prices on cruises and airfare. However, the main drawback is that not all itineraries are available for some destinations, so you might have to wait until the high season for specific routes.
Some of the best shoulder season cruises include Alaska in September or October, the Caribbean from September to March, the Mediterranean from September to October, Asia from September to December, and Australia and New Zealand from October to April.
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While we haven’t experienced all destinations during this time, fall cruises have become our favorite time of year to cruise. Although in the past two years, we enjoyed a summer cruise to Bermuda and Alaska, which were fabulous, we still found many reasons to prefer fall cruises.
So, if you’re contemplating a vacation off-season, here are some pros and cons of a fall or winter cruise.
1. Summer is Over
Pros: Summer vacation is over! Children are back in school, which means fewer kids on the ships. Take my word for it – this makes a huge difference. The ships are quieter because there are less children running around. Families are back to work and traveling less, so the summer crowds have dispersed. You’ll have an easier time getting around and enjoying the ship, making restaurant reservations, and booking excursions. Ports are less crowded as well.
Cons: The weather is cooling off in some destinations, and while this can be a plus for hotter destinations, you still need to pack a sweater for evenings or excursions in cooler climates.
2. It Can Be Cheaper
Pros: Airfare and cruise prices are cheaper in the fall and winter. Traveling in the off-season can save you a significant amount of money. You can compare flight rates from the summer to the fall and winter seasons. Track those flights on Google.
Cons: However, prices will be higher if you take a fall or winter holiday cruise. Traveling during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s can be expensive.
3. The Weather is Better in Some Destinations
Pros: The weather is cooling off in some destinations, making it perfect for cruising. The Caribbean is warm year-round, but the humidity decreases in the fall months, making cruising more pleasant.
Cons: The weather is not as ideal in other destinations. Alaska is beautiful but much colder in September and October than in the summer. This is the time to take advantage of thermal spa passes and indoor pools. Plus, the season is coming to an end. New England is gorgeous in the fall, but you risk getting caught in a Nor’easter.
4. Newer Ships
Pros: The newest ships debut in the spring, so most of the kinks have been worked out by the fall season. You’ll likely have a smooth sailing experience on a newer ship. These ships often feature the latest amenities, such as upgraded entertainment options, advanced technology, and improved dining experiences.
Cons: You’ll find better deals on older ships if you want a bargain. While older ships may not have the latest features, they still offer excellent service and amenities. Choosing an older ship can be a cost-effective way to enjoy a cruise, especially if you’re more focused on the destinations and excursions than the ship’s amenities.
5. Experience the Magic of the Fall Season
Pros: Depending on where you’re cruising from or to (Canada or New England), you’ll be able to experience the fall foliage as the fall leaves are starting to change for the season. Think of all the beautiful colors of fall. These routes are usually available from August to October, but we suggest aiming for October for the fall foliage.
Cons: You may have to deal with some chilly weather, but it will be worth it if the leaves are changing color for the season.
6. Experience the Holidays at Sea
Pros: Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s on a cruise ship. What could be more festive than being surrounded by family and friends while cruising to amazing destinations? Imagine the magic of the holiday decor around the ship! The Christmas trees, the massive gingerbread houses, and full spreads of delicious foods without having to lift a finger in the kitchen. I don’t know about you, but not having to bust my behind in the kitchen is a plus!
Ringing in the New Year with family and a new set of friends in the middle of the ocean with some bubbly sounds like fun. After reading about the festivities on the ships, it is on my bucket list, and you should add them to yours, too. Holiday cruises also often include special events, such as visits from Santa, holiday-themed shows, and festive parties.
Cons: If you have young children, they might be disappointed not to be home for the holidays. Additionally, holiday cruises can be more expensive due to the high demand, and popular destinations may be crowded despite the off-season.
7. Fewer Crowds
Pros: Since it’s the off-season, fewer people are traveling. This means shorter lines, less waiting, and more personal attention from the staff. With fewer people on board, the vibe on the ship is more relaxed. You can take your time and enjoy the amenities without feeling rushed.
Cons: You may be disappointed if you’re looking for a more lively atmosphere. The ship may be more subdued than it is during the peak season because summer is over, and everyone is back at school and work. Depending on the cruise line, it may be an older demographic sailing.
8. Explore the Mediterranean in the Off-season
PinPros: A fall cruise is the best time for a Mediterranean sailing. The weather is still warm, but the crowds have dispersed. You’ll have a more authentic experience without the hustle and bustle of peak season.
Cons: Some ports may be closed due to the off-season. Check with your cruise line or travel agent to find out which ports will be open during your sailing.
9. Best Time to Take a Cruise to Australia and New Zealand
PinPros: The weather is perfect for taking a fall or winter cruise Down Under. You’ll avoid the crowds as the seasons in Australia and New Zealand are opposite from ours in the US. Therefore, our fall is their springtime, and our winter is their summertime. It’s an ideal time to take a winter cruise through the New Zealand Fjords. The warmer weather allows for more outdoor activities and excursions, such as hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Milford Sound.
Cons: The possible downside is the long flights required to reach these home ports. The travel time and cost of flights can be significant. Additionally, adjusting to the time difference can be challenging, and you might need a few days to recover from jet lag. However, the stunning scenery and unique experiences make the long journey worthwhile.
10. Hurricane Season
Pros: Since it’s still hurricane season until the end of November, the prices for fall cruises to the Caribbean drop due to a lack of demand. You can take advantage of excellent cruise deals. Just make sure to get “cancel at any time” cruise insurance. We learned this the hard way when we had the wrong insurance and lost a lot of money, but it was one of our favorite cruises. We still learned a valuable lesson.
Cons: The main drawback is the risk of bad weather. Hurricanes can disrupt travel plans, but having “cancel at any time” cruise insurance allows you to cancel your trip if a hurricane approaches your destination, providing peace of mind.
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
Wonderful post! Cruise is one of the things I would love to try at some point, so thanks for sharing that. Fall sounds like a perfect time for this.
Thanks so much for the comment! Right at the beginning of fall is my favorite time to travel and because of hurricane season, you can get a great deal and have a lovely vacation.
We are very similar travelers. I like traveling in the shoulder season: you start to get the better or end of the better weather and the prices still tend to be pretty low. You just beat the massive crowds, and usually, things that are seasonally closed start opening again. Heck if you visit places like Iceland off-season, you catch the northern lights and no people at all (but risk tanking off the road lol).
Prices for anything south of us Americans drop in the fall, like you said. I don’t cruise to Central or S. America because, well, boats make me feel icky, but like you mention, prices are a steal then. I definitely know part of it is hurricane season (ok, maybe not the best for cruises like you mention lol), but you save like 60-70%. And you are right, if you don’t like to gamble, going in the winter is still a good option.
Great that you point out and remind people of the different hemispheres too. We forgot this for Brazil–and it was our summer. Yup, I was very cold. Oops.
Loving the holiday decorations example–and I totally agree. Some places are way more special with decorations and foliage. I love visiting my family in NE in the fall–it’s literally the definition of fall. Disney decks out their resorts for Xmas to the nines, which are fun to see. I am sure their cruises are just as fabulous. I cannot remember. Have you cruised with Disney? I’d have to go back and look.
P.S. OMG one of your ads is showing me DRAMAMINE and Bonine spreads. I LOVE IT SO MUCH lol. It knows me so well. That, my friend, is a right on targeted ad.
This post is short, sweet, and perfect! You are definitely a cruising expert, and I will point everyone your way.
The shoulder season is the best time to travel. If I had a dog sitter during the holidays, I’d be gone for that time period too since I get 1-2 weeks off of work.
We have not done a Disney cruise because the price of a Disney cruise works out to be the amount I pay for 2 cruises in a year. We haven’t been able to justify the price yet, but one day, I will find the right price or bite the bullet and experience it.
Disney is AMAZING at Christmas. It’s the most festive place to be in Southern California, IMO. I bet in Florida too. Such a lovely time of year. They really do know how to celebrate the holiday.
You’re so funny, I put that ad there for people just like you HAHAHA.
I wouldn’t call myself a cruising expert yet as I need more cruises under my belt, however, I do like to be well informed before and after cruising. I try to learn everything I can about the most popular lines that I would personally travel. I also need some more time and money or some cruise ships to sponsor some travels so I can crank out more info. 😀
At the end of it all, I just love sharing my knowledge with people and hope to inspire someone to travel. For some, organizing a whole land vacation is intimidating and so cruising may be the gateway to seeing more of the world, it’s just an easier set-up. Yummy food, a great itinerary and luxury amenities on the ship… it’s a great start, especially if you’re looking to explore and relax at the same time.
Great comparison!
Great post Kathy! It’s so helpful to know about all this stuff and take it into consideration before planning a trip like this. A cruise around a holiday does sound like such a fun idea! It would be so festive! Love that idea! Even though I’m still hesitant about going on a cruise, I love reading all your posts on them. It would be a great way to see some cool places and have everything at your disposal. I just have to get over my fear of being on the water for an extended amount of time.???♀️
You will get on a boat with your family but not a cruise? I just don’t get it because I think you’re way safer on a cruise ship. Of course, you are normally on a lake, so yeah, I can see the difference.
I promise you will love cruising. Just have to try it!
I was on a cruise with my husband once in August and we didn’t love the experience. Maybe it’s a better idea to go in fall or winter!
Definitely give it a try and see if it makes a difference. I always say the cruise ship and cruise line can make or break your vacation, but so can the season. If you are worried about hurricane season, check out cruises to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, they are outside of the hurricane belt.
My grandparents went on so many cruises after they retired, and after they came back with so many pictures of the travels, I always wanted to do the same when I grew up! I’d love to be in England during Christmas one year, and since my dream is to get married during December, and England my honeymoon, maybe I can perfectly combine all of that together :’) I’d LOVE to go to NZ when it’s their summer as well; that’s been one of my dreams since falling in love with the LOTR movies as that’s where so much of the trilogy was filmed, and NZ is just gorgeous!
What a beautiful memory of your grandparents. Love how they shared their travels with you.
I love how you have your future honeymoon planned and I have to say, it’s a solid plan. Christmas in Europe just sounds so ideal for some reason. It’s my hope to experience something similar in the future too.
When I see photos of NZ, I am simply floored so I get it. I remember the LOTR movies and the film locations are spectacular. I’m not a campervan kind of person but that’s my dream for New Zealand to do a road trip in a campervan. It just seems like one of those countries that you’ll see more of by exploring it via road trip.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Great post, Kathy! Got a lot of travel tips for our next vacation. My hubby and I are thinking of trying a longer cruise someday. Thanks:)
Based out of NY you should look into a Bermuda cruise. Of course, they say that the best time to go there is between May and Sept as it’s the nicest weather. So that’s off from my fall and winter recommendations, haha. Still, though, it’s an easy one to take from NY or Boston. We are going to Bermuda in 2021 – yup, already booked.
Hope you get to plan that cruise soon. I think it’s a great way to get a vacation in without the pressure of having to do and see everything.
I’ve never tried cruising but your posts definitely make me consider it. Alas shoulder season is out of the question as I’m a teacher – maybe I need a new profession! ?
Oh, you can do a Christmas cruise! Then come back to tell me all about it. 😀
It’s so nice to hear from you! I hope you’re doing well. I had no idea that you are a teacher, which is so awesome! Thank you for teaching our kids.
Sounds a perfect idea! ?
Been struggling to keep up with blogging and social media – my own blog needs some serious tlc. I have a lot of admiration for the work you put in to yours.
Ah, thanks! I do love my job really and the long summer break does mean I can travel quite a bit ?
You’ll get back to blogging when you’re ready. Sometimes life happens and that’s okay.
I’ve been trying to put in more of an effort because I know consistency is key, but it’s hard sometimes with my schedule and other crazy stuff. Also, I like to sleep. Those days of me staying up all hours of the night working on projects just isn’t for me anymore, unless I really have to. It doesn’t help anyone if I’m grouchy the next day at work. HA. So I do the best I can. That’s all you can do, the best you can.
I wish I had your schedule too! Always loved that about teachers schedules.