Where to cruise in January
January is dry season in the Caribbean and peak summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so it is a strong month for warm-weather cruising and for Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand. It is also the start of what the industry calls wave season, when many lines launch their biggest promotions of the year.
Prime season in January
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Caribbean
Average in San Juan, Puerto Rico: high 83°F, low 72°F. Dry season, breezy and least humid
Warm water, short flights and the widest choice of ships and itineraries anywhere in cruising.
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Mexican Riviera
Average in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: high 80°F, low 62°F. Dry season, whale watching
West Coast sunshine: Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan on easy round trips from Southern California.
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Eastern Caribbean
Average in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands: high 84°F, low 74°F
Beach-hopping through the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico, with some of the calmest sailing in the region.
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Western Caribbean
Average in George Town, Grand Cayman: high 83°F, low 74°F
Maya ruins, barrier reef snorkeling and jungle adventures in Mexico, Central America, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
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Southern Caribbean
Average in Oranjestad, Aruba: high 87°F, low 77°F
The far islands: Aruba, Curacao, Barbados and St. Lucia, with more port days and drier weather in the south.
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Hawaii
Average in Honolulu, Hawaii: high 81°F, low 67°F
Four islands in a week from Honolulu, or a long Pacific crossing from the West Coast.
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Panama Canal
Average in Panama City, Panama: high 90°F, low 71°F
A full day rising through the locks between two oceans, with Caribbean and Central American ports along the way.
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Australia & New Zealand
Average in Sydney, Australia (Sydney Airport): high 82°F, low 68°F. Peak of the southern summer
Sydney Harbour, Tasmania and New Zealand's fiords on a cruise timed for the southern summer.
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Antarctica
Average in Esperanza Base, Antarctic Peninsula: high 40°F, low 30°F. Warmest month of the cruise season
Penguins, icebergs and the White Continent on expedition voyages during the brief southern summer.
Shoulder season: fewer crowds, mixed weather
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Bahamas
Average in Nassau, Bahamas: high 79°F, low 65°F. Cool fronts can bring breezy, cooler days
The quick escape: short cruises from Florida to Nassau, Freeport and the cruise lines' private islands.
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Asia
Average in Singapore: high 87°F, low 76°F
Japan, Southeast Asia and beyond: big cities, temples and food, with the ship as your moving hotel.
Cruises run, but it is off-peak
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Mediterranean
Average in Barcelona, Spain: high 58°F, low 47°F
Rome, Barcelona, the Riviera and the Adriatic: the most history you can see in one week at sea.
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Norwegian Fjords
Average in Bergen, Norway: high 40°F, low 33°F
Sheer cliffs, waterfalls and tiny villages on some of the most scenic sailing in the world.
What to watch in January
- The week after New Year can be calmer and better value than the holidays.
- Wave season promotions usually run from January into March; compare them against regular fares rather than assuming they are cheaper.
- Northern ports like New York and Seattle see few or no departures this time of year.
Usually no or very few cruises in January: Alaska, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Northern Europe & Baltic, the Greek Isles, the British Isles, Transatlantic.
Seasons and temperatures come from our destination guides, which cite their climate sources. Averages are long-term and any given week can differ.
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