If you’re dreaming of a cruise this year, the right timing could save you a bundle. Each cruise destination has its own off-season and peak season, and fares can vary dramatically throughout the year. That’s according to pricing data provided to NerdWallet by Cruise Critic, a cruise ship review site owned by Tripadvisor.
Cruise Critic looked at average fares for one person, pulled on April 24, 2025, for five- to seven-night cruises in 2025 on mainstream cruise lines in four major regions: the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda; the Mediterranean; the Mexican Riviera; and Alaska. Here are the cheapest and most expensive times to cruise to these destinations between May and December 2025.
The Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda
Cheapest month: September.
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Average inside room fare: $758.
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Average balcony fare: $1,117.
Most expensive month: July.
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Average inside room fare: $1,186.
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Average balcony fare: $1,630.
The Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda are popular places for cruising because of their warm weather and natural beauty. Many cruise operators have their own private islands — a trend Norwegian Cruise Line led the way on when it acquired Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise industry’s first, in 1977. These islands can appeal to cruisers because meals on land are typically included with cruise fare, and the islands tend to be well-staffed with lifeguards. Private islands can also eliminate much of the hassle of international travel, such as exchanging currency.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay. (Photo by Sally French)
Fares for cruises to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda are the highest in July. If you can wait just a few months until September, you’ll score the lowest average fares to the region, saving more than 30% compared to peak July prices.
But sailing then comes with risks. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is mid-September, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If you do sail then, have a good travel insurance policy and a strong backup plan.
Cheapest month: November.
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Average inside room fare: $721.
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Average balcony fare: $962.
Most expensive month: August.
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Average inside room fare: $1,295.
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Average balcony fare: $1,614.
Mediterranean cruises cover a large area that includes countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Travelers often choose these sailings as an efficient way to see multiple countries without having to unpack multiple times.
November is an ideal time to cruise the Mediterranean as you’ll avoid the peak travel crowds that tend to hit during the summer. Unsurprisingly, summer — when most kids are out of school — is the most expensive cruise season, with August having the highest fares, followed closely by June and July.
November will also be cooler, with daytime highs generally in the high 60s and low 70s, allowing you to avoid daytime temperatures in the 80s and 90s that are typical of August.
Puerto Vallarta. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
Cheapest month: September.
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Average inside room fare: $414.
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Average balcony fare: $647.
Most expensive month: December.
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Average inside room fare: $793.
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Average balcony fare: $1,133.
The Mexican Riviera is a region that lines the western coast of Mexico and includes cities such as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. December is pricey in the Mexican Riviera, as snowbirds seek warmer temperatures. For the cheapest fares, sail in September, which is generally considered a shoulder season.
Lower fares in September are also due in part to the region’s peak hurricane activity. Again, travel insurance can be especially useful for cruises during this time.
A Disney Cruise Line ship in Alaska. (Courtesy of Disney/ photo by Kent Phillips)
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Average inside room fare: $840.
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Average balcony fare: $1,235.
Most expensive month: July.
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Average inside room fare: $1,071.
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Average balcony fare: $2,103.
Alaska cruises are a great way to see breathtaking landscapes, including mountains and glaciers. Summer months are the most popular given their nicer weather and longer daylight hours.
But July is the priciest month for Alaska cruises, with fares for a balcony stateroom averaging 70% higher in July than in October (Cruise Critic did not include data for Alaska cruises between November and April because there are so few itineraries that sail then). The tradeoff? In October, the days are shorter, it’ll likely be colder and the seas can be rougher.
How to save on cruise fares
Watch for lower prices
In the cruise world, “wave season” — typically January through March — is an ideal time to book a trip, as cruise lines offer deals to fill ships for the year ahead. But even outside of that window, prices can vary widely.
“Check different times of the year, and be flexible with the date you sail,” says Matt Roseboom, publisher of Attractions Magazine, a print and digital media outlet that covers vacationing. “Sometimes prices might be different even a week apart.”
Compare package deals and add-ons
Cruise fares can be tough to compare because they tend to vary in terms of costs for additional guests, kids, alcohol packages and services 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.”
