At a glance
- February is often Carnival month, with destinations like Rio and Trinidad bursting with colour and rhythm
- Peak season across the Indian Ocean brings pristine beaches and postcard-perfect weather
- Mid-summer in New Zealand means a chance to experience fjords, vineyards and dazzling glowworm caves looking their finest
- Northern Norway is all about those eye-catching aurora displays aimed at more intrepid winter cruisers
- Valentine’s mini cruises make Europe a romantic option for shorter getaways
Why trust us?
World of Cruising, along with our sister publication, Cruise Trade News, has one of the UK’s most experienced teams of cruise journalists and contributors. Our experts have racked up hundreds of nights at sea and sailed with most cruise lines. Most weeks, one of our writers will be at sea or on a river. Here, that expertise informs our list of the five best cruise destinations for February.
Is February a good time for a cruise?
Absolutely. February is one of the most versatile months to cruise, with options spanning tropical heat, snowy adventures and cultural highlights.
For winter sunseekers, February is prime time for the Caribbean and Indian Ocean, with warm, dry weather and calm seas. Over in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is in full summer mode, while February also marks peak aurora season in Norway for those craving something extra wintry and memorable.
Better yet, February often delivers quieter ships and post-peak pricing. After the Christmas rush, fares are competitive, especially on itineraries in the Med. And with Carnival in full swing in Brazil and Trinidad, this month also brings some of the year’s most colourful cultural events. Plus, with most families holding off until Easter for their next holiday, many ships feel quieter, creating a calmer onboard atmosphere and better cabin availability.
Best cruise for Carnival: Caribbean & Brazil
Why here, why now: February is often the month of Carnival, though in some years, it falls in March instead. In Brazil, the city of Rio de Janeiro erupts into a whirlwind of samba parades and sequinned costumes, while in the Caribbean, islands like Trinidad host exuberant celebrations filled with steel drums, dance troupes and dazzling floats.
Cruising offers the best way to join the party, allowing you to dock right in the heart of the action before retreating to the comfort of your ship. Enjoy island-hopping beach days, rainforest treks and laid-back sailing in warm, calm waters between festivities.
Some itineraries include Rio overnights, allowing time for after-sunset parades and Sambadrome shows before returning to your ship.
Weather: Expect highs of 28-32 °C across Brazil and the Caribbean, with dry, sunny conditions perfect for parades and beach time alike.
Top ports: Rio de Janeiro takes centre stage, often paired with Búzios or Salvador. Caribbean itineraries include Port of Spain (Trinidad) and Bridgetown (Barbados).
Who to sail with: MSC Cruises shines with Brazilian itineraries steeped in local flavour and festive timing. Meanwhile, Silversea provides ultra-luxury, small ship experiences timed around Carnival, including overnight stays and complimentary excursions.
Price: At the time of writing, MSC’s week-long Brazil sailings start from around £850 per person, excluding flights. For Silversea’s level of luxury, you can expect to pay from around £6,000 for a 12-night voyage timed around Carnival, excluding flights.
Best cruise for winter sun: Indian Ocean islands
Why here, why now: February is peak dry season in the Indian Ocean, bringing postcard-perfect weather to the Maldives, Seychelles and parts of Sri Lanka. Calm seas and long, sunny days make this region ideal for snorkelling, diving and lazy beach escapes, all with a dose of island culture.
Cruising here means you can enjoy a seamless way to hop between secluded atolls and lush spice islands without multiple flights or transfers, pairing barefoot luxury with stress-free travel. Snorkelling is another big highlight here, from spotting manta rays in the Maldives to drift diving amid Seychelles’ coral reefs.
Weather: Expect highs of 28-31 °C and bath-warm seas around 28 °C, with low humidity and minimal rainfall.
Top ports: Mahé (Seychelles), Malé (Maldives), Port Louis (Mauritius) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) are standout stops, often linked with smaller, uninhabited islands.
Who to sail with: Ponant excels at boutique luxury, combining small ships with private island experiences and expert-led excursions. You can also find ultra-luxury options from Emerald Cruises.
Price: Ponant’s seven-night voyages start from around £3,200 per person, excluding flights. For Emerald, you can expect to pay around £5,000, including flights.
Best cruise for adventure: New Zealand
Why here, why now: February is prime time for New Zealand cruising, with long, sunny days perfect for exploring the country’s diverse landscapes. From the towering peaks of Fiordland to glowworm caves and rolling wine country, this is nature at its most photogenic.
Cruises here blend adventure and culture, often pairing bustling cities like Auckland and Wellington with quiet coves and remote fjords, plus the bonus of smooth summer seas.
Weather: Warm and settled, with highs of 22-26 °C and low rainfall, ideal for outdoor excursions and scenic cruising.
Top ports: Fiordland National Park (Milford and Doubtful Sounds), Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Akaroa are highlights, often combined with Tasmania or Sydney.
Who to sail with: Holland America Line specialises in in-depth New Zealand itineraries, often with expert naturalists on board. Viking delivers a premium experience, blending elegant ships with immersive excursions.
Price: Holland America sailings start around £1,700 per person for 14 nights, while Viking’s luxury itineraries begin at around £3,800, excluding flights.
Best cruise for couples: Mediterranean mini cruises
Why here, why now: While the summer crowds are still months away from descending on the Med, February offers mild Mediterranean weather perfect for romantic escapes. Short sailings from iconic ports near Barcelona, Rome and Athens let you explore all the classic cities, cosy trattorias and waterfront promenades without having to put up with any of the hectic peak-season bustle.
These itineraries are ideal for starry-eyed couples who are seeking a quick getaway, taking a few days of culture, fine dining and sweeping sea views without the stress and hassle of a long-haul flight.
Weather: Expect highs of 13-16 °C in southern Europe, which is cool for sightseeing without summer’s swelter.
Top ports: Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Marseille, Athens (Piraeus), Venice and Valletta (Malta) are popular on these shorter routes.
Who to sail with: MSC Cruises provides Med mini cruises all year round, including in February.
Price: MSC Cruises provides three-day mini cruises in February for under £300 per person, reaching ports near Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Naples. Flights are excluded. Of course, you can expect to pay more if you want to celebrate in style with MSC Yacht Club, with fares starting from just under £850.
Best cruise for Northern Lights: Norway
Why here, why now: February is prime aurora season, with long frosty polar nights creating the perfect backdrop for Northern Lights displays. Add in photogenic snow-capped peaks, beautifully frozen waterfalls and charming Arctic towns, and you’ve got the perfect setting for a truly magical winter voyage.
The tried and tested coastal routes combine impressive wildlife spotting opportunities – think sea eagle sightings – with an authentic chance to immerse yourself in Nordic culture, making it a brilliant pick for adventurous travellers who want to try out something just a little bit different to the norm.
Optional winter excursions range from dogsledding and snowmobiling to soaking in steaming outdoor spas under the aurora.
Weather: Expect highs of -2°C to 2°C in northern Norway, with crisp, dry air and snowy landscapes.
Top ports: Tromsø, Alta, Kirkenes and Bodø are aurora hotspots, while Bergen and Ålesund add historic charm.
Who to sail with: Hurtigruten is the gold standard for voyages along Norway’s coast, with regular departures and an authentic, expedition-style feel from start to finish. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers no-fly sailings departing from the UK, complete with scenic fjord cruising and expert talks woven into the itinerary as standard.
Price: Hurtigruten’s six-night Northern Lights voyages start around £1,000 per person, while Fred. Olsen’s longer UK departures begin at around £1,400.
Looking for some more inspo for your February cruise?
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