The best cruise for you depends less on the ship than on the month. Alaska in October is closed. The Mediterranean in August is crowded and hot. The Caribbean in September is cheap for a reason. If you are planning a cruise from Nashville, start with when you can travel, and the destination nearly chooses itself.

Winter (December to March): the Caribbean

This is the Caribbean’s best season: dry, warm and well clear of hurricane season. It is also the easiest cruise to reach from Nashville. Western Caribbean itineraries to Cozumel, Roatan, Belize and Grand Cayman sail from Gulf ports you can drive to, and Eastern Caribbean itineraries leave from Florida, a short nonstop from BNA.

• Best value: the first two weeks of December and the second half of January, between the holiday peaks.
• Book early for: Christmas, New Year and spring break weeks.

Not sure which side of the Caribbean suits you? Read Eastern vs. Western Caribbean, then see our Caribbean cruise packages from Nashville.

Spring (April and May): the Bahamas, Panama Canal and repositioning bargains

After spring break the crowds thin and prices drop. Short Bahamas cruises of three to five nights are ideal for a first taste of cruising. April is also when ships move between regions, which produces “repositioning” cruises: longer one-way voyages, often through the Panama Canal or across the Atlantic, at a low price per night. They suit retirees and anyone with flexible time.

Summer (May to September): Alaska and Europe

Alaska has a short season, roughly May to September, and it is the trip our clients most often call their best. June and July bring the longest days; May and September are cooler, quieter and cheaper. You fly from Nashville to Seattle or Vancouver to board. Our Alaska cruises from Nashville page explains the choice between a round trip and a one-way cruise-tour.

The Mediterranean is at its best in May, June and September, either side of the August heat. Italy, Greece, Spain and Croatia in one trip, unpacking once. Northern Europe, including the Norwegian fjords and the British Isles, has a summer-only season and suits travelers who dislike heat.

Closer to home, summer is when ships sail to Bermuda and to Canada and New England from East Coast ports such as Baltimore, New York and Boston.

Autumn (September to November): fall colors, rivers and low prices

• Canada and New England in late September and early October, for the foliage. It sells out early.
• European river cruises on the Rhine, Danube and Douro, in mild weather and harvest season. Late November and December bring the Christmas-market sailings. We compare the two styles in river cruise vs. ocean cruise, and you can see Viking river cruises from Nashville.
• The Caribbean at its cheapest. September and October are the peak of hurricane season. Ships simply sail around storms, so cruises rarely cancel, but itineraries change. If you are flexible and insured, the savings are real.

Year-round options

The Western Caribbean from New Orleans sails all year. So do Hawaii inter-island cruises and the Mexican Riviera from California. If your dates are fixed by work or school, one of these will usually fit.

Matching the cruise to the traveler

• Families with school-age children: Caribbean at spring break or in summer, or Alaska in June and July.
• Couples and honeymooners: the Mediterranean in May or September, or a quieter Caribbean week in January.
• Retirees: Alaska in May or September, a river cruise in autumn, or a repositioning voyage.
• First-timers: a five- to seven-night Caribbean sailing from a port you can drive to.

Tell us your dates and who is traveling, and we will suggest two or three sailings that fit. Start with cruise planning from Nashville or call (615) 889-1886.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month for a Caribbean cruise?

January to April for weather. Early December and late January are the best mix of good weather and lower prices.

When is the Alaska cruise season?

Roughly May to September. June and July are warmest with the longest days; May and September are quieter and cheaper.

Is it safe to cruise during hurricane season?

Yes. Ships are routed around storms and sailings are rarely cancelled, though ports of call may change. Travel insurance is sensible for cruises between August and October.