The short answer: for a party, a carnival cruise; for reliable sun, the Caribbean or the Arabian Gulf; for sun close to home, the Canary Islands. And for couples, a Valentine's cruise on 14 February.
Where to go in February
| Destination | Weather | Why this month | Where from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | About 27–30 °C | The most reliable weather of the year: dry and sunny | Florida or the islands |
| Arabian Gulf | About 22–27 °C | Still the most comfortable weather for city walks | Dubai or Abu Dhabi |
| Canary Islands | About 19–22 °C | Reliable sunshine; in 2027 the Tenerife street carnival runs 19–28 February | Tenerife or Gran Canaria |
| South America | Often 26–34 °C in Brazil | Carnival in Rio and Salvador on 6–9 February 2027 | Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires |
| Cape Horn | About 5–15 °C, windy | Still full season with long days | Buenos Aires or Chile |
| Northern lights | About −5 to 0 °C | Snow everywhere and daylight returning — a good balance | Northern European ports |
Temperatures are typical daytime values and vary from year to year. Ships and routes are based on cruise line announcements for 2026–2027 and may change; always check the specific sailing.
What is special about February
- Carnival in three cruise ports. In 2027: Rio and Salvador on 6–9 February, Madeira with its main parade on 5–6 February, Tenerife's street carnival on 19–28 February. More in our guide to carnival cruises.
- Valentine's Day at sea. Many ships celebrate 14 February with a special evening. Ideas in our guide to a Valentine's cruise.
- School holidays in Europe. Spring half-term falls in February in many countries, and family sailings fill up.
- The last cold weeks in the north. For northern lights cruises February combines dark nights with more daylight for the scenery.
Booking a February cruise with points
Every way of paying in the club also works for sailings in February that are available in the club. You choose one per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price; they do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, the booking must be made at least 270 days before departure — for a cruise in February, that is roughly May or early June of the year before — and you need to have accumulated enough points by then.
How booking with points works →
← January · All months · March →
Common questions
When is carnival in 2027?
In Rio and Salvador on 6–9 February. In Madeira the festivities run from 3 to 14 February, with the main parade on 5–6 February. In Tenerife the street carnival is on 19–28 February.
Where is it warm in February?
In the Caribbean (about 27–30 °C), the Arabian Gulf (about 22–27 °C) and the Canary Islands (about 19–22 °C). In South America it is high summer.
Is February a good month for the northern lights?
Yes. Nights are still long and dark, and there is more daylight for the snowy landscape. As always, the lights themselves cannot be guaranteed.
When do I need to book a cruise in February to pay fully with points?
To pay up to 100% with points, book at least 270 days before departure — for in February that is roughly May or early June of the year before — and have enough points accumulated by then. Points can also cover up to half of the cruise price.
Weather figures are typical values; ships, routes and dates are based on cruise line announcements for 2026–2027 and may change. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.