Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Transatlantic cruises in March
Spring repositioning gets underway late in March, with the first eastbound ships leaving Florida for Barcelona, Rome and Southampton. Southern routes are mild, with Bermuda and the Azores in the 60s °F, though breezy sea days call for a jacket. Lines are keen to fill these one-way voyages, so per-night fares are among the lowest of the year.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 62°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: Oceanhistory46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic in March: Good time to go
Spring repositioning gets underway late in March, with the first eastbound ships leaving Florida for Barcelona, Rome and Southampton. Southern routes are mild, with Bermuda and the Azores in the 60s °F, though breezy sea days call for a jacket. Lines are keen to fill these one-way voyages, so per-night fares are among the lowest of the year.
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, March brings average highs around 62°F (17°C) and lows near 54°F, with about 2.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.
- Average high / low
- 62°F / 54°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.5 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights on Queen Mary 2; 12 to 16 nights for repositioning voyages
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How March 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 March
| 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 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton (London) | 51°F | 39°F | 2.8 in | 12 h |
| New York City | 47°F | 31°F | 4.2 in | 12 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 78°F | 72°F | 1.7 in | 12 h |
| Barcelona | 66°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 12 h |
| Ponta Delgada, Azores | 62°F | 59°F | 1.5 in | 12 h |
| Funchal, Madeira | 65°F | 62°F | 1.0 in | 12 h |
| Tenerife | 68°F | 64°F | 0.8 in | 12 h |
| Lisbon | 61°F | 54°F | 2.3 in | 12 h |
| Reykjavík | 37°F | 30°F | 5.7 in | 12 h |
| Miami | 78°F | 72°F | 1.7 in | 12 h |
| Rome | 59°F | 50°F | 3.1 in | 12 h |
| King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) | 67°F | 64°F | 3.6 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
Transatlantic in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Transatlantic?
Yes, it's a good month. Spring repositioning gets underway late in March, with the first eastbound ships leaving Florida for Barcelona, Rome and Southampton. Southern routes are mild, with Bermuda and the Azores in the 60s °F, though breezy sea days call for a jacket. Lines are keen to fill these one-way voyages, so per-night fares are among the lowest of the year.
What is the weather like on a Transatlantic cruise in March?
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, March brings average highs around 62°F (17°C) and lows near 54°F, with about 2.5 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 Transatlantic cruise in March?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed 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 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.