The short answer: for sun not too far away, the Canary Islands; for real summer, the Caribbean or the Arabian Gulf; for something new, the start of the South American season. And as ships move west for the winter, November is a good month for a long Atlantic crossing.
Where to go in November
| Destination | Weather | Why this month | Where from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | About 21–24 °C | Summer warmth about four hours' flight from Northern Europe; the sea is still fairly warm | Tenerife or Gran Canaria; longer sailings from Northern Europe |
| Caribbean | About 29–32 °C | The hurricane season ends on 30 November, and the weeks before Christmas are quiet | Florida or the islands |
| Arabian Gulf | About 28–32 °C | The season opens: a warm sea while Europe turns grey | Dubai or Abu Dhabi |
| Atlantic crossing | Getting warmer every day | Ships move to the Caribbean and South America for the winter — a long, relaxed one-way trip | Mediterranean and Northern European ports |
| South America | About 20–30 °C | Start of the season, fewer people on board | Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires |
| Mediterranean | About 15–20 °C | City sightseeing without the crowds; fewer ships sail, but the season does not stop | Barcelona, Genoa, Civitavecchia |
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 November
- One of the quietest months. Between the autumn holidays and Christmas, many sailings are less full.
- Christmas comes early. From late November many ships decorate for the holidays, and Northern European cities open their Christmas markets.
- Dark nights in the Arctic. The northern lights season has begun, though November days are short and the weather changeable.
- Holiday sailings fill up. Christmas and New Year cruises are among the first to be fully booked.
No flight needed
In winter MSC sails short city cruises of 5 to 9 nights from Rotterdam and Hamburg to ports such as Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton.
Booking a November cruise with points
Every way of paying in the club also works for sailings in November 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 November, that is roughly February or early March of the same year — and you need to have accumulated enough points by then.
How booking with points works →
← October · All months · December →
Common questions
Is November a good month for a Caribbean cruise?
Yes, with one note: the hurricane season officially lasts until 30 November, so routes can occasionally change at short notice. In return, the weeks before Christmas are among the quietest of the season.
Where is it warm in November, close to Europe?
In the Canary Islands, at about 21–24 °C and about four hours' flight from Northern Europe. The Mediterranean is mild, but too cool for most people to swim.
Can I cruise in November without flying?
Yes. From Rotterdam and Hamburg there are short cruises around Northern Europe in winter, and some longer sailings to the Canary Islands start in Northern Europe too.
When do I need to book a cruise in November to pay fully with points?
To pay up to 100% with points, book at least 270 days before departure — for in November that is roughly February or early March of the same year — 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.