Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Transatlantic cruises in April
April is the busiest month for eastbound repositioning, as dozens of ships leave the Caribbean for a European summer. Madeira’s spring Flower Festival can fill Funchal with floral carpets and parades if your timing lines up. Seas are usually moderate, and you’ll step off in a Mediterranean that’s warming up but not yet crowded.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 65°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Oceanhistory46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic in April: Best time to go
April is the busiest month for eastbound repositioning, as dozens of ships leave the Caribbean for a European summer. Madeira’s spring Flower Festival can fill Funchal with floral carpets and parades if your timing lines up. Seas are usually moderate, and you’ll step off in a Mediterranean that’s warming up but not yet crowded.
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, April brings average highs around 65°F (19°C) and lows near 57°F, with about 2.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.
- Average high / low
- 65°F / 57°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.5 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights on Queen Mary 2; 12 to 16 nights for repositioning voyages
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How April compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: Good time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Transatlantic weather in April
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5915 | 6015 | 6217 | 6519 | 7021 | 7524 | 7926 | 7926 | 7625 | 7122 | 6519 | 6116 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5211 | 5211 | 5412 | 5714 | 6116 | 6619 | 7021 | 7122 | 6820 | 6418 | 5815 | 5513 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.872 | 2.462 | 2.564 | 2.563 | 2.769 | 2.974 | 2.358 | 2.770 | 3.487 | 3.793 | 3.282 | 3.179 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
April weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton (London) | 57°F | 41°F | 1.8 in | 14 h |
| New York City | 59°F | 40°F | 4.3 in | 13 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 80°F | 75°F | 3.2 in | 13 h |
| Barcelona | 70°F | 52°F | 2.3 in | 13 h |
| Ponta Delgada, Azores | 63°F | 60°F | 1.7 in | 13 h |
| Funchal, Madeira | 67°F | 63°F | 0.9 in | 13 h |
| Tenerife | 70°F | 65°F | 0.3 in | 13 h |
| Lisbon | 64°F | 57°F | 2.2 in | 13 h |
| Reykjavík | 43°F | 35°F | 4.6 in | 15 h |
| Miami | 80°F | 75°F | 3.2 in | 13 h |
| Rome | 64°F | 54°F | 2.1 in | 13 h |
| King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) | 69°F | 66°F | 3.0 in | 13 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 April
Transatlantic in April: FAQs
Is April a good time to cruise Transatlantic?
Yes, it's one of the best months. April is the busiest month for eastbound repositioning, as dozens of ships leave the Caribbean for a European summer. Madeira’s spring Flower Festival can fill Funchal with floral carpets and parades if your timing lines up. Seas are usually moderate, and you’ll step off in a Mediterranean that’s warming up but not yet crowded.
What is the weather like on a Transatlantic cruise in April?
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, April brings average highs around 65°F (19°C) and lows near 57°F, with about 2.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Transatlantic cruise in April?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Transatlantic?
Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.. The best months are usually April, May, October, November.
Where else can I cruise in April?
April 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.