| Whether you are a pro at cruising, or this will be your | | | | voyages operate year round along the western coast |
| first voyage, here is a list of places to visit during ideal | | | | of Norway. And in Alaska, you may not be able to find |
| times (to experience the best weather) and during their | | | | a full-fledged winter cruise where you can stay aboard |
| off-season (to help you save a few dollars.) There is | | | | the ship, but you can find tours that will take you out to |
| nothing worse than cruising at locations where you | | | | explore glaciers and wildlife in the winter months. |
| can't see anything because of inclement weather. | | | | Alaska gets pretty rainy after Mid June. If you have |
| What's worse than that is if you had a choice and | | | | your heart set on seeing Mt. McKinley (formerly Mt. |
| knew better, you would have picked a different, more | | | | Denali), you must visit from May to mid-June. The |
| appropriate time to sail that area. | | | | mountain is so high that when the sky is cloudy it is |
| The more popular destinations tend to book quickly, but | | | | completely obscured and there is no chance to see it. |
| because they are popular, there are more cruise lines | | | | The chance of rain increases as summer progresses - |
| to choose from to explore that region. For example, if | | | | the earlier you can get in, the better. If you are planning |
| you want to travel to the Caribbean, the months | | | | a fishing trip, you can't go wrong anytime in the |
| December though April (with January being the peak | | | | summer, but for more details and types of fish to |
| month) are a busy time as northerners are escaping | | | | catch go to (no, I do not receive a commission from |
| the cold. You can get good deals from April to June, | | | | them). |
| but be cautious of cruises from June to November, as | | | | Cruises to Antarctica are for the more adventurous. |
| that is usually their rainy, hurricane season. | | | | You can expect to visit from November to March, as |
| The Mediterranean is a destination that can be | | | | it is Antarctica's summer. Heavy ice flows and ice |
| travelled virtually year round. Its main travel season is | | | | blocks prevent travel during its winter months. Its peak |
| from May to September and its peak times are during | | | | season is from December to February, where wildlife |
| the spring and fall when the temperatures are ideal. | | | | sightings are plenty. Mid-February to March allows you |
| You can expect great crowds and higher prices during | | | | the best time to whale watch. You can find the best |
| this time due to its popularity. However, if you want to | | | | deals at the beginning or end of the season, but |
| save some money and don't mind an increase in | | | | access to the continent may be more limited. |
| storm probability, you can cruise throughout the rest of | | | | Cruising Africa is a great, safe way to tour the |
| the year (September to May). | | | | continent, especially due to political unrest in various |
| If you want to tour Great Britain and Ireland, summer is | | | | parts of the country. You can visit Africa year round, |
| the best time, as it is warmer. If you don't mind the | | | | but there are better times to visit when the weather is |
| cold, feel free to go in the winter (unless you are trying | | | | more agreeable. A North Africa cruise, especially along |
| to escape cold weather in your own area!). You can | | | | the Mediterranean, is best during the spring (April) or fall |
| visit the Atlantic Islands, Portugal, and Western France | | | | (September) months, when temperatures are cooler |
| year round, though the peak season is late spring and | | | | and crowds are fewer. South Africa and Southern |
| early fall. | | | | South America cruises are best during September to |
| You will want to tour Northern Europe or Alaska during | | | | March. |
| the summer months, when you will experience the | | | | After you choose where you would like to cruise, |
| Midnight Sun (because they are so far north). There is | | | | during the peak season or off-season, you will have no |
| nothing like watching the sun circle the horizon and | | | | trouble finding a cruise line to meet your needs. |
| disappearing for 2-4 hours - depending upon how far | | | | If you are worried about the cash expenditure on all |
| north you are during the height of summer! If you want | | | | your travel and vacations, there is a way to save you |
| to see the dazzling northern lights, Norwegian Coastal | | | | money. You can visit the link below to learn more. |