Cruise pricing and weather move together, but not always how you'd expect. Here's the honest calendar for the Caribbean and Alaska in 2026.
Caribbean by month
- January: peak demand, peak prices, gorgeous weather. Book by October prior.
- February-March: still peak, slightly better deals on shorter sailings
- April: spring break weeks (very expensive); after Easter prices drop sharply
- May: sweet spot for value and weather (low 80s, dry)
- June: warm, calm, before hurricane season ramps. Family-heavy.
- July-August: hot, humid, school break peak prices
- September-October: peak hurricane season. Cheapest pricing of the year. Risk is real.
- November: hurricane risk drops mid-month. Excellent value through Thanksgiving.
- December: pre-Christmas (first 2 weeks) is one of the cheapest weeks of the year
Alaska by month
- May: shoulder season, fewer crowds, snow still on peaks. Cooler weather.
- June: long days (19+ hours of light), warmer weather, wildlife active. Peak pricing.
- July: warmest, most crowded, most expensive. Salmon runs in full swing.
- August: still warm, slightly fewer crowds, bears at peak activity
- September: shoulder season returns. Cooler. Northern lights start appearing.
- Outside May-September: no cruises. The season is what it is.
Hurricane season truth
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Peak risk is August through October. Modern cruise ships reroute around storms successfully; you almost never miss a sailing entirely. But itineraries change with little notice. If you book September-October, be okay with a flexible itinerary.
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Written by Marissa Wright
Cruise & Beach Vacation Specialist
Marissa is a cruise specialist focused on Royal Caribbean and a lifelong cruiser. In her first year as an advisor she booked 300+ cruises across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Disney. Her planning service is always free.