September is many cruisers' favorite month: summer weather without summer crowds, warm seas, and prices falling everywhere except on foliage routes. If you can travel after school starts, this is your month.
Mediterranean: the perfect month
September delivers 24–29°C, the warmest sea of the year, thinning crowds and fares easing to $900–1,500 for seven nights. Greece and Croatia are at their best; the Greek Isles route shines with warm water, and Greek islands matched to the traveller picks your island mix.
Alaska: the finale
The season closes in mid-September with fares down to $700–1,200, golden tundra, salmon runs and real aurora chances on clear nights. Rain and cold — 8–14°C — are the price. Alaska: May, July or September makes the case for September; the Inside Passage route runs its last sailings.
New England and Canada: foliage begins
Late September opens foliage season from Boston and New York up the coast to Quebec: 14–22°C, harvest towns, first color at elevation. Ten-night fares run $1,000–1,800. The fall foliage route is the classic loop; fall foliage timing predicts the peak weeks.
Transatlantic repositioning: westbound deals return
Ships cross back from Europe to the Caribbean and Florida in September and October: 12–16 nights at $600–1,100, the year's best per-night value again. Sea-day lovers only — and note that September crossings sit on hurricane season's statistical peak (September 10, per NOAA): lines reroute around storms rather than cancel, so keep the disembarkation end flexible. The repositioning guide explains the format; the transatlantic crossing shows the route.
Norwegian fjords: last sailings
Early September offers the fjords' final month: 9–16°C, golden light, emptying ports, fares easing to $1,100–1,800. After mid-month most ships head south. The fjords route runs into mid-September.
The five-minute version
- Mediterranean: warmest sea, 24–29°C, $900–1,500, the perfect month.
- Alaska: finale at $700–1,200, aurora possible, cold and wet.
- New England: foliage starts late month, $1,000–1,800.
- Transatlantic: westbound repositioning $600–1,100.
- Norway: last sailings early month, $1,100–1,800.