Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Northern Europe cruises in November
A dark, quiet month at sea. Northern lights voyages continue along Norway’s coast, where polar night arrives in Tromsø late in the month. Toward month’s end, Christmas markets open in Hamburg, Copenhagen and other ports, and a few short festive cruises from Southampton, Amsterdam and Germany begin.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 43°F
- 7 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Europe in November: Shoulder season
A dark, quiet month at sea. Northern lights voyages continue along Norway’s coast, where polar night arrives in Tromsø late in the month. Toward month’s end, Christmas markets open in Hamburg, Copenhagen and other ports, and a few short festive cruises from Southampton, Amsterdam and Germany begin.
Across Northern Europe cruise ports, November brings average highs around 43°F (6°C) and lows near 37°F, with about 4.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 7 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
- 43°F / 37°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- About 7 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. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How November 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 November
| 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 |
November weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geiranger | 39°F | 30°F | 8.4 in | 7 h |
| Flåm | 40°F | 32°F | 6.1 in | 7 h |
| Bergen | 42°F | 37°F | 10.0 in | 7 h |
| Stockholm | 40°F | 34°F | 2.4 in | 8 h |
| Copenhagen | 47°F | 41°F | 2.4 in | 8 h |
| Tallinn | 40°F | 36°F | 2.5 in | 8 h |
| Helsinki | 41°F | 37°F | 2.9 in | 7 h |
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 48°F | 41°F | 3.3 in | 8 h |
| Dublin | 51°F | 45°F | 4.1 in | 9 h |
| Reykjavík | 39°F | 34°F | 5.2 in | 6 h |
| Honningsvåg (for the North Cape) | 37°F | 33°F | 3.1 in | 2 h |
| Southampton (London) | 53°F | 43°F | 3.6 in | 9 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 November
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in November
- Galápagos Islands in November
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in November
- Japan in November
- Australia & New Zealand in November
- Africa & the Indian Ocean in November
- Transatlantic in November
- Nile River in November
- Mekong River in November
See every destination for November, with a port weather map →
Northern Europe in November: FAQs
Is November a good time to cruise Northern Europe?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. A dark, quiet month at sea. Northern lights voyages continue along Norway’s coast, where polar night arrives in Tromsø late in the month. Toward month’s end, Christmas markets open in Hamburg, Copenhagen and other ports, and a few short festive cruises from Southampton, Amsterdam and Germany begin.
What is the weather like on a Northern Europe cruise in November?
Across Northern Europe cruise ports, November brings average highs around 43°F (6°C) and lows near 37°F, with about 4.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 7 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Northern Europe cruise in November?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. 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 November?
November is also a top month for Mexican Riviera & Baja, Galápagos Islands, Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles, Japan, Australia & New Zealand.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.