Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Northern Europe cruises in March
Late-winter northern lights cruises from the UK and Hurtigruten’s coastal voyages remain the main choices. Lengthening days, deep snow and frequent aurora activity around the equinox make March a favorite for winter voyages. Baltic and British Isles cruising hasn’t started, apart from an occasional early repositioning sailing.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 41°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Europe in March: Shoulder season
Late-winter northern lights cruises from the UK and Hurtigruten’s coastal voyages remain the main choices. Lengthening days, deep snow and frequent aurora activity around the equinox make March a favorite for winter voyages. Baltic and British Isles cruising hasn’t started, apart from an occasional early repositioning sailing.
Across Northern Europe cruise ports, March brings average highs around 41°F (5°C) and lows near 32°F, with about 3.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- May to September for most lines; Norway’s coast year-round, with northern lights voyages in winter
- Average high / low
- 41°F / 32°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights for Norway; 9–14 for the Baltic and British Isles; 12–16 with Iceland
What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Northern Europe weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 362 | 383 | 415 | 468 | 5513 | 6217 | 6619 | 6619 | 6016 | 5111 | 436 | 394 |
| Low °F (°C) | 29-1 | 30-1 | 320 | 362 | 446 | 5111 | 5513 | 5513 | 5110 | 436 | 373 | 330 |
| Rain in (mm) | 5.0126 | 4.3108 | 3.9100 | 2.973 | 2.975 | 3.383 | 3.998 | 4.5113 | 4.4112 | 5.0127 | 4.5114 | 5.3134 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geiranger | 39°F | 25°F | 7.3 in | 12 h |
| Flåm | 40°F | 27°F | 5.4 in | 12 h |
| Bergen | 41°F | 32°F | 8.2 in | 12 h |
| Stockholm | 40°F | 29°F | 1.7 in | 12 h |
| Copenhagen | 43°F | 35°F | 3.3 in | 12 h |
| Tallinn | 35°F | 28°F | 1.7 in | 12 h |
| Helsinki | 35°F | 29°F | 2.0 in | 12 h |
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 47°F | 38°F | 2.6 in | 12 h |
| Dublin | 49°F | 40°F | 3.5 in | 12 h |
| Reykjavík | 37°F | 30°F | 5.7 in | 12 h |
| Honningsvåg (for the North Cape) | 32°F | 27°F | 3.0 in | 11 h |
| Southampton (London) | 51°F | 39°F | 2.8 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Northern Europe in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Northern Europe?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Late-winter northern lights cruises from the UK and Hurtigruten’s coastal voyages remain the main choices. Lengthening days, deep snow and frequent aurora activity around the equinox make March a favorite for winter voyages. Baltic and British Isles cruising hasn’t started, apart from an occasional early repositioning sailing.
What is the weather like on a Northern Europe cruise in March?
Across Northern Europe cruise ports, March brings average highs around 41°F (5°C) and lows near 32°F, with about 3.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Northern Europe cruise in March?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Northern Europe?
May to September for most lines; Norway’s coast year-round, with northern lights voyages in winter. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.