If you happen to’re dreaming of a cruise this 12 months, the correct timing may prevent a bundle. Every cruise vacation spot has its personal low season and peak season, and fares can range dramatically all year long. That’s in accordance with pricing knowledge offered to NerdWallet by Cruise Critic, a cruise ship evaluate web site owned by Tripadvisor.

Cruise Critic checked out common fares for one individual, pulled on April 24, 2025, for five- to seven-night cruises in 2025 on mainstream cruise strains in 4 main areas: the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda; the Mediterranean; the Mexican Riviera; and Alaska. Listed here are the most affordable and costliest occasions to cruise to those locations between Could and December 2025.

The Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda

Most cost-effective month: September.

• Common inside room fare: $758.

• Common balcony fare: $1,117.

Most costly month: July.

• Common inside room fare: $1,186.

• Common balcony fare: $1,630.

The Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda are standard locations for cruising due to their heat climate and pure magnificence. Many cruise operators have their very own personal islands — a development Norwegian Cruise Line led the way in which on when it acquired Nice Stirrup Cay, the cruise trade’s first, in 1977. These islands can attraction to cruisers as a result of meals on land are sometimes included with cruise fare, and the islands are typically well-staffed with lifeguards. Non-public islands can even remove a lot of the effort of worldwide journey, corresponding to exchanging forex.

Fares for cruises to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda are the very best in July. If you happen to can wait only a few months till September, you’ll rating the bottom common fares to the area, saving greater than 30% in comparison with peak July costs.

However crusing then comes with dangers. The height of the Atlantic hurricane season is mid-September, in accordance with the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If you happen to do sail then, have a great journey insurance coverage coverage and a robust backup plan.

Most cost-effective month: November.

• Common inside room fare: $721.

• Common balcony fare: $962.

Most costly month: August.

• Common inside room fare: $1,295.

• Common balcony fare: $1,614.

Mediterranean cruises cowl a big space that features nations corresponding to Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Vacationers usually select these sailings as an environment friendly option to see a number of nations with out having to unpack a number of occasions.

November is a perfect time to cruise the Mediterranean as you’ll keep away from the height journey crowds that are inclined to hit through the summer time. Unsurprisingly, summer time — when most children are out of faculty — is the most costly cruise season, with August having the very best fares, adopted intently by June and July.

November will even be cooler, with daytime highs usually within the excessive 60s and low 70s, permitting you to keep away from daytime temperatures within the 80s and 90s which can be typical of August.

Most cost-effective month: September.

• Common inside room fare: $414.

• Common balcony fare: $647.

Most costly month: December.

• Common inside room fare: $793.

• Common balcony fare: $1,133.

The Mexican Riviera is a area that strains the western coast of Mexico and contains cities corresponding to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. December is costly within the Mexican Riviera, as snowbirds search hotter temperatures. For the most affordable fares, sail in September, which is usually thought-about a shoulder season.

Decrease fares in September are additionally due partly to the area’s peak hurricane exercise. Once more, journey insurance coverage may be particularly helpful for cruises throughout this time.

• Common inside room fare: $840.

• Common balcony fare: $1,235.

Most costly month: July.

• Common inside room fare: $1,071.

• Common balcony fare: $2,103.

Alaska cruises are a good way to see breathtaking landscapes, together with mountains and glaciers. Summer season months are the preferred given their nicer climate and longer daylight.

However July is the priciest month for Alaska cruises, with fares for a balcony stateroom averaging 70% greater in July than in October (Cruise Critic didn’t embrace knowledge for Alaska cruises between November and April as a result of there are so few itineraries that sail then). The tradeoff? In October, the times are shorter, it’ll seemingly be colder and the seas may be rougher.

The way to save on cruise fares

Within the cruise world, “wave season” — sometimes January by way of March — is a perfect time to e book a visit, as cruise strains supply offers to fill ships for the 12 months forward. However even exterior of that window, costs can range extensively.

“Check different times of the year, and be flexible with the date you sail,” says Matt Roseboom, writer of Sights Journal, a print and digital media outlet that covers vacationing. “Sometimes prices might be different even a week apart.”

Cruise fares may be robust to match as a result of they have an inclination to range by way of prices for extra company, children, alcohol packages and companies like Wi-Fi.

“Oftentimes value-add deals — like third and fourth guests sail free, complimentary Wi-Fi and onboard credit — can outweigh the savings you might find from strictly lower fares,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “You may be able to save thousands on the final cost of your trip by taking advantage of those offers.”

But if you don’t drink a lot, or you need a vacation from the internet, you can easily skip that unlimited drink package or Wi-Fi add-on — they might not be worth the extra cost. The same goes for your cabin choice.

“Don’t get a bigger cabin than you need, as most people aren’t there that much,” Roseboom says. “Sure, some people like to sit on a balcony. But if you don’t care, then get a room without a balcony, as you’ll save a lot of money.”