Top 10 October Cruise Destinations in 2024
October Cruising is all about scenic journeying.
The Best Cruises in October 2024
Where to travel in October 2024 , and why
If, like me, you are a last-minute traveller, or have just had an unexpected travel window open, you may be looking for a quick getaway. Here is a round up of the best cruise regions for an October voyage. I have also found a selection of sample cruises currently on offer with Iglu Cruise for each region. Prices correct at time of writing September 2024. (This is not an affiliate link - check out your favourite travel agent or cruise line for their latest offers).
Bon Voyage!
Is October a Good Time to Cruise?
October is a great time to cruise if you’re looking for lower prices, fewer crowds, and more temperate weather in many regions. However, it’s important to choose your destination carefully to avoid potential downsides like hurricanes or cold weather in certain areas.
Challenges of Cruising in October
Hurricane Season in the Caribbean
October falls within the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November), so there’s a risk of storms in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. However, cruise lines monitor weather closely and often reroute ships to avoid affected areas. Cruises to the southern Caribbean (e.g., Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) are less likely to be impacted.
Colder Weather in Some Regions
In destinations like Alaska and Northern Europe, October can be quite chilly, and many tourist attractions may close for the season. If you don’t mind bundling up, this can still be a beautiful time to visit, but you should prepare for colder temperatures and shorter days.
Where is Good to Cruise in October?
October is a fantastic time for cruising, offering a mix of autumn scenery and fewer crowds. Here are some of the best regions to cruise during this time:
1. Mediterranean
Image: Santorini by Alexandre Chambon, Unsplash
Offering a break from the searing summer heat with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists October is an ideal time to explore Mediterranean destinations like Italy, Greece, Spain, and the French Riviera. The seas are calmer, and ports are less crowded.
Top cruise destinations include Rome, Santorini, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Venice.
Highlights
Explore iconic cities like Rome and Athens, and witness historic landmarks such as the Colosseum and Acropolis without the summer crowds. Santorini’s sunsets are particularly beautiful in the cooler October air, and the Adriatic coasts of Croatia offer scenic beauty.
Example Cruise Offer:
Italy, France & Greece from Athens 27 October 2024 9 nights Norwegian Dawn From: £624 pp Inside Cabin
Itinerary: Athens (Piraeus) / Mykonos Town, Mykonos / Thira, Santorini / Messina, Sicily / Naples / Rome (Civitavecchia) / Florence & Pisa (Livorno) / Cannes / Barcelona
2. Caribbean
Image: Caribbean Beach by Christian Lendl, Unsplash
Whilst it’s still hurricane season, many parts of the Caribbean experience milder weather in October. You can find great deals, and southern Caribbean itineraries (e.g. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao which are at the edge of the hurricane belt) are often less affected by storms.
Top Caribbean destinations include St. Lucia, Barbados, and Aruba.
Highlights
Experience tropical islands like Aruba or St. Thomas with fewer tourists. Snorkelling and diving are excellent during this time, especially in the warm, crystal-clear waters of Cozumel and Jamaica.
Example Cruise Offer
Great Deal! Transatlantic from Southampton to Barbados 25 October 2024 14 nights P&O Arvia £876 pp Inside
Itinerary: Southampton / Santa Cruz, Tenerife / Philipsburg, St. Maarten / St. Kitts / Castries, St. Lucia / Bridgetown, Barbados / Fly to the UK
3. New England & Canada
Image: New England Fall Foliage - Unsplash
October is prime time for “leaf-peeping” as the autumn/fall foliage is at its peak. A cruise through New England and Eastern Canada offers stunning views and cool weather.
Top Destinations: Boston, Bar Harbor, Quebec City, Halifax, Prince Edward Island.
Highlights
Marvel at the peak of the fall foliage in Quebec City and Bar Harbor. Visit charming coastal towns, enjoy fresh seafood, and explore historical landmarks like Boston’s Freedom Trail.
Example Cruise Deal:
Canada & New England from Boston 20 October 2024 7 nights Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas Balcony £929 pp
Itinerary: Boston / Sydney, Nova Scotia / St. John, New Brunswick / Halifax / Portland, Maine / Boston
4. Hawaii
Image: Hawaii by Kirsten Winegeart, Unsplash
October is part of Hawaii’s shoulder season, meaning fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. You’ll also avoid the heavy rains of winter and hurricane season.
Top Destinations include Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Big Island.
Highlights
Explore the active volcanoes of Big Island, surf the famous beaches of Maui, and enjoy the lush rainforests of Kauai. Honolulu’s Pearl Harbor is another must-see, blending history and stunning landscapes.
Example October Deal
Hawaii from Vancouver with Stay 2 October 2024 12 nights Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas £2049 pp Inside including flights, hotel stays and transfers
Itinerary: Flight departs / Vancouver Hotel Stay - 2 Nights / Vancouver - Overnight / Honolulu, Oahu - Overnight / Honolulu, Oahu / Flight departs
5. S.E Asia & Japan
Image: Japan by su-san Lee, Unsplash
October brings pleasant temperatures to parts of Asia like Japan, making it a great time for cruises. It’s also outside of the region’s rainy season.
Top options include Tokyo, Osaka, Bali, Singapore, Vietnam.
Highlights
Experience the beauty of autumn foliage in Japan’s Kyoto and Seoul’s palaces. The cultural heritage of Halong Bay with its limestone cliffs offers a dramatic natural landscape, while Tokyo is an ideal blend of modern and traditional experiences.
Example Cruise Deal
Shanghai Stay, Osaka, Kobe & Tokyo 29 October 2024 12 nights Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas £2249 pp Balcony including flights, hotel & transfers.
Itinerary: Flight departs / Shanghai Hotel Stay - 3 Nights / Shanghai (Wusongkou/Baoshan) / Kobe - Overnight onboard / Osaka / Tokyo / Shanghai (Wusongkou/Baoshan) / Flight departs
6. Australia & New Zealand
Image: Sydney Harbour & Opera House by photoholgic, Unsplash
This month marks the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere, offering beautiful landscapes and moderate temperatures in both Australia and New Zealand.
Top Destinations include Sydney, Auckland, Great Barrier Reef, and Melbourne.
Highlights
Sydney’s Opera House, the beautiful beaches of Melbourne, and the stunning natural landscapes of New Zealand’s fjords are must-sees. October marks the start of spring, making it a great time for outdoor activities like hiking in Fiordland National Park.
Example Cruise Deal
New Zealand Explorer from Melbourne with Stay 21 October 2024 20 nights Diamond Princess £2749 pp Inside including flights, hotels and transfers.
Itinerary: Flight departs / Melbourne Hotel Stay - 3 Nights / Melbourne - Great Ocean Road Adventure Tour / Melbourne / Auckland / Tauranga / Wellington / Christchurch (Lyttelton) / Dunedin / Fjordland National Park (Scenic Cruising) / Melbourne / Flight departs
7. Northern Europe & Norwegian Fjords
Image: Norwegian Fjords by Admiratio, Unsplash
Northern Europe in October offers cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, making it an ideal time for cultural exploration. Cities are rich in history, and the scenery is wonderful.
Top Destinations include cities such as Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Amsterdam or and scenic cruising in the fjords.
Highlights
Autumn colours enhance the already breathtaking scenery of the fjords. The quaint villages of Bergen and the steep cliffs of Geiranger make for unforgettable landscapes, and you may catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Example Cruise Deal
NEW SHIP! Norway & Northern Lights from Southampton 15 October 2024 12 nights Cunard Queen Anne £1499 pp Inside
Itinerary: Southampton / Alesund / Tromsø, Norway / Narvik / Stavanger, Norway / Southampton
8. Canary Islands
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Image: Puerto de Morgan, Gran Canaria by Denise Jan’s, Unsplash
The Canaries offer warm weather year-round, making it a great October destination with sun and pleasant temperatures.
Popular Ports: Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria.
Highlights
Explore the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife and Lanzarote, hike in Teide National Park, or relax on the black sand beaches. Gran Canaria offers a mix of scenic beauty and vibrant local culture.
Example Cruise Deal
Half-Term Canary Islands Fly Cruise from Tenerife 25 October 2024 7 nights P&O Azura from £904 pp Inside
Itinerary: Fly from the UK / Santa Cruz, Tenerife - Overnight onboard / Funchal, Madeira / La Palma, Canary Islands / Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura / Santa Cruz, Tenerife / Fly to the UK
9. Galápagos Islands
9. Galapagos Islands
Image: Galapagos Iguana by Simon Berger on Unsplash
Cooler water temperatures and fewer tourists make October ideal for visiting the Galápagos to become one with nature and explore this unique ecosystem.
Popular Ports: San Cristóbal, Isabela Island, and Santa Cruz Island.
Highlights
October is perfect for that bucket-list cruise spotting unique wildlife like the Galápagos penguins, sea lions, and giant tortoises. The waters are cooler, making it an ideal time for snorkelling with marine iguanas.
Example Cruise Deal
Galapagos Islands - In Darwin's Footsteps with Stay 9 October 2024 8 nights Hurtigruten MS Santa Cruz 2 £5018 pp Outside including Flights, Hotel, All-Inclusive Cruise
Itinerary: Quito Hotel Stay - 2 Nights / Fly Quito/Baltra / Baltra, Galapagos / San Cristobal / Santa Fe Island / Santa Cruz Island / Gardner Bay, Española / Eden Island / Baltra, Galapagos / Fly Baltra/Guayaquil
10. Dubai and Arabian Gulf
10. Dubai & Arabian Gulf
Image:: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates by Damian Kamp, Unsplash
Whilst the region experiences blistering temperatures during summer months, in October more moderate temperatures return, making the Arabian Gulf perfect for cruising. You can explore luxurious cities and ancient cultures, as well as enjoying the beaches.
Popular Ports: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat.
Highlights
Explore modern Dubai, with its towering Burj Khalifa, luxurious shopping malls, and desert safaris. Abu Dhabi’s stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the ancient forts of Muscat offer a blend of luxury and tradition.
You may need to put this one on hold until next year as it appears that there is no availability for October 2024 - but you can book for 2025. Don’t miss out!
Enjoy An Off-Peak Cruise This October
Each destination offers its own cultural richness, scenic beauty, and a more peaceful cruising experience during October compared to peak summer months.