At a glance
- October means shoulder season in a wide range of destinations; think lower fares and fewer crowds
- Itineraries range from week-long, no-fly cruises timed to coincide with half term to long-haul, once-in-a-lifetime voyages
- Some of the world's best leaf peeping happens in October, making it a great time to cruise New England, Canada or Japan
- Wine regions and culinary hotspots come alive during harvest season, making it an excellent time for foodies to sail
What makes a cruise ‘the best’?
Here at World of Cruising, we know that ‘best’ is a relative term, depending on what you’re looking for. That’s why instead of going for a one-size-fits-all approach, our travel experts research those if-you-know-you-know, insider details so they can help you find exactly what suits your preferences.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly half-term escape to sunnier climes, a bucket-list voyage to Asia or a wine-focused river sailing, we’ve got something for you.
Is October a good time for a cruise?
Yes, October is one of the best times to sail, depending on what you're after. Keen to squeeze in a little more sunshine before winter sets in? You'll find plenty of destinations offering warm, sun-dappled days, including no-fly options and itineraries that fit neatly into October half term.
Another major advantage? In many regions, October falls during shoulder season, which means three key things: better prices, fewer crowds and more temperate temperatures. These factors matter more than ever, with extreme summer heat and overtourism increasingly reshaping when we travel.
Best of all, October brings its own seasonal highlights. It's harvest time in many parts of the world, making it a brilliant month for food lovers. Leaf peepers, meanwhile, can watch landscapes blaze with colour as woodlands turn crimson, gold and amber.
Best cruise for autumn sun: Greek Islands
Why here, why now: With summer heatwaves increasingly becoming the norm, savvy cruisers are turning to October sailings to escape extreme temperatures. After all, even the dreamiest olive groves and archaeological sites are hard to enjoy at 45 °C.
By autumn, the Greek Islands are warm but not oppressively hot. Crucially, the sea, having absorbed the summer sun, stays invitingly warm well into October, making it comfortable for swimming and snorkelling.
Another key advantage? Fewer crowds. You can soak up Santorini sunsets, enjoy leisurely meals at seafood restaurants or stretch out (like the many, many cats you’ll encounter) on powdery beaches without feeling rushed or hemmed in.
Weather: The heat has mellowed into golden, autumnal warmth. Daytime highs hover in the low to mid 20s °C, depending on the island.
Top ports: These include Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Patmos, Paxos, Naxos and Milos. Some ships also sail to Limassol, Cyprus.
Who to sail with:Marella Cruises is a top-notch choice, with a wide range of all-inclusive sailings in October. For ultra-luxury, Windstar Cruises impresses with standout excursions; think five-course feasts among ancient ruins.
Price: At the time of writing, you can snag a week-long Greek Isles cruise for under £1,000, thanks to lines like Marella Cruises. For top-of-the-market experiences from the likes of Windstar, however, expect prices to start at around £2,500, excluding flights.
Best cruise for autumn colours: New England and Canada
Why here, why now: New England and Canada serve up some of the most spellbinding autumnal colours in the world, as landscapes transform into a tapestry of copper, ruby and gold. From late September to mid-October, the foliage is at its most dazzling. Think fiery maples, golden birches and bright aspens that have leaf peepers oohing and ahhing.
Foodies are also in for a treat. October brings excellent crab and clam harvests, and any gourmet worth their salt knows the cardinal rule of oysters: they’re best in months ending in ‘R’. Expect freshly shucked shellfish in characterful maritime towns, home to storybook streets, quaint lighthouses and fishing wharfs.
Wildlife lovers aren’t left out either: October means the tail end (pun intended) of whale watching season, offering a final chance to spot these migrating giants before winter sets in.
Weather: This is what North Americans call ‘sweater weather’. In Canadian ports, temperatures dip below 10 °C, while New England tends to hover in the mid-teens.
Top ports: Sailings frequently start in New York and head to ports such as Boston in Massachusetts, Newport and Providence in Rhode Island and Bar Harbor and Portland in Maine. In Canada, expect stops like Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Québec City and Prince Edward Island (of Anne of Green Gables fame).
Who to sail with:Holland America is a top pick, thanks to its seasoned experts and long-running presence in the region, while Norwegian Cruise Line offers wide-ranging itineraries at competitive prices.
Price: At the time of writing, NCL fares start from under £600 for a week, while Holland America fares start at around £1,200 (both excluding flights).
Best no-fly cruise for October: Western Mediterranean
Why here, why now: If you’re looking to take advantage of the benefits of shoulder season – fewer crowds and better prices – the Western Mediterranean in October is a compelling choice. Even better, it’s reachable on no-fly cruises departing directly from Southampton, so you can skip the hassle of airports entirely.
Unlike longer no-fly itineraries that sail, for instance, to the Canaries, Madeira or further south, many Western Mediterranean cruises run for just a week. That makes them especially appealing if you’re tight on annual leave or planning a holiday that needs to fit neatly into October half term.
Sailings to Spain, Portugal and the South of France offer mild weather, which is often slightly too cool for swimming in the sea, but just right for exploring. Picture port days spent seeing Gaudí’s surreal architecture in Barcelona, time-travelling through the ruins of Pompeii or following in the well-heeled footsteps of cinema’s greats along the Côte d’Azur.
Weather: Daytime highs typically sit in the low to mid-20s °C. Light layers will see you comfortably through sunny days and breezy evenings.
Top ports: These include Barcelona, Valencia, Cádiz, Málaga, Vigo, Alicante, Getxo (Bilbao) and La Coruña in Spain; Lisbon and Leixões (Porto) in Portugal; Marseille, Toulon and Cannes in France; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Livorno and Genoa in Italy.
Who to sail with:P&O Cruises is a strong pick for UK travellers, offering plenty of no-fly itineraries and great kid-friendly facilities. Cunard, meanwhile, leans into heritage, making it a top choice if you’re looking for a more classic cruising experience.
Price: This is one of the best-value times of year to book. At the time of writing, P&O Cruises offers no-fly Western Med sailings from under £600 per person. For Cunard, fares begin at under £800 for a week-long sailing.
Best autumnal river cruise: Douro River
Why here, why now:The Douro River winds through northern Portugal and Spain, carving through one of Europe’s oldest wine regions. Early October is widely considered the best time to sail it, not just for the golden light, but because it’s harvest season.
This is vindima, when the terraced vineyards flanking the river blaze with autumn colour and hum with activity. At quintas (wine estates), time-honoured methods are still used, including the traditional practice of grape-stomping by foot.
Tasting port and other local wines is a highlight of any Douro cruise, but the appeal extends beyond vineyards and cellars. The mild weather is ideal for outdoor excursions, whether that’s cycling through olive groves, climbing to hilltop pilgrimage sites or walking the cobbles of medieval towns.
Weather: It’s the sweet spot after the summer heat and before winter sets in. Expect temperatures in the upper teens and low 20s °C.
Top ports: Discover Porto, Régua, Pinhão and Barca d’Alva in Portugal, plus Vega de Terrón (with excursions to Salamanca) in Spain.
Who to sail with:Viking Cruises offers upscale adults-only sailings. CroisiEurope is a good-value option, with family-friendly discounts on select cruises. Riviera Travel suits solo travellers especially well, with dedicated sailings for those cruising independently.
Price: Lines like CroisiEurope have fares starting under £1,000 per week, while luxury brands like Viking offer sailings from around £3,600 for eight days.
Best for a bucket-list October cruise: Japan
Why here, why now: Thinking of pushing the boat (or shall we say ship) out this October? This is arguably the best time to visit Japan, especially if you want to avoid the sky-high prices and overwhelming crowds of cherry blossom season and the heat and humidity of summer.
Japan’s foliage rivals New England’s, thanks to Japanese maples (momiji) and ginkgo trees that transform forests, national parks and temple gardens into wonderlands of scarlet and gold. The changing colours even inspired momijigari, the centuries-old tradition of ‘leaf hunting’ during autumn.
Other seasonal highlights include soaking in an onsen while enjoying autumnal views, or sampling seasonal delights like chestnut-flavoured treats, intensely flavourful mushrooms or sweet potato snacks. And nothing beats a soul-warming bowl of ramen on a crisp autumn day.
Time your cruise right, and you might also catch one of Japan’s many autumn festivals, such as the Kobe Port Fireworks Festival and Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages). Halloween, too, while newly adopted, is hugely popular.
Weather: By early October, typhoon season is largely over. Expect mild days and crisp evenings, with average temperatures in the upper teens or low 20s °C in most ports.
Top ports: Highlights include Yokohama (Tokyo); Hakodate; Shimizu (for Mt Fuji); Niigata; Hiroshima; Nagasaki; Akita; and Osaka (for Kobe and Kyoto). Some itineraries also include Busan or Incheon (for Seoul) in South Korea.
Who to sail with:Seabourn offers an ultra-luxury experience, with autumn sailings designed to showcase Japan’s spectacular foliage in style. Celebrity Cruises is another excellent choice, offering varied itineraries and a good level of service at a more accessible price point.
Price: At the time of writing, Celebrity Cruises sailings start from £1,500 per person for 14 nights. Seabourn fares typically begin at between £6,000 and £7,000 for a 12-day circumnavigation of Japan.
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