The short answer: the Mediterranean for quiet ports and comfortable walking; the Canary Islands for summer warmth; a long Atlantic crossing for a trip with many sea days towards the Caribbean or South America.
Where to go in October
| Destination | Weather | Why this month | Where from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | About 19–24 °C | Quieter ports, comfortable for walking | Barcelona, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Marseille |
| Canary Islands | About 23–28 °C | Summer warmth while autumn starts in the north | Tenerife or Gran Canaria; longer sailings from Northern Europe |
| Atlantic crossing | Getting warmer every day | Ships move west for the winter; the clocks go back, an extra hour of sleep on many nights | Mediterranean and Northern European ports |
| Caribbean | About 29–32 °C | The quietest period, before the high season | Florida or the islands |
| Northern Europe | Cool and changeable | Short city cruises along the North Sea instead of the fjords | Rotterdam, Hamburg |
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 October
- Autumn holidays. Mid-October brings school autumn holidays in the Netherlands and Belgium — a good moment for a short cruise.
- The winter programme starts. In winter 2026/27 MSC Preziosa switches to city cruises from Hamburg on 18 October, with calls such as Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton.
- The ships head west. The first crossings leave Europe for the Caribbean and South America.
- Still hurricane season. In the Caribbean the season lasts until 30 November; routes can change at short notice.
No flight needed
In October the summer routes end and the winter programmes begin: short Northern Europe cruises from Rotterdam and Hamburg, and longer voyages from Northern Europe to the Canary Islands.
Booking an October cruise with points
Every way of paying in the club also works for sailings in October 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 October, that is roughly January or early February of the same year — and you need to have accumulated enough points by then.
How booking with points works →
← September · All months · November →
Common questions
Is October a good month for the Mediterranean?
Yes, for sightseeing: about 19–24 °C, quieter ports and comfortable walking. The weather becomes more changeable and there are fewer sailings to choose from.
Where is it warm in October?
In the Canary Islands, at about 23–28 °C. In the Caribbean it is hot, but still the hurricane season.
Can I cruise in October without flying?
Yes. From Rotterdam and Hamburg the winter programme of short Northern Europe cruises starts in October, and some longer voyages to the Canary Islands start in Northern Europe too.
When do I need to book a cruise in October to pay fully with points?
To pay up to 100% with points, book at least 270 days before departure — for in October that is roughly January or early February 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.