Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Transatlantic cruises in May
May brings the final spring repositioning voyages and steady Queen Mary 2 crossings, with milder air and lengthening daylight on deck. In iceberg season, liners follow a more southerly track to stay well clear of ice drifting off Newfoundland. Arriving in Southampton, Lisbon or Barcelona in May means pleasant weather and fewer crowds than in summer.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 70°F
- 15 hrs daylight
Photo: Oceanhistory46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic in May: Best time to go
May brings the final spring repositioning voyages and steady Queen Mary 2 crossings, with milder air and lengthening daylight on deck. In iceberg season, liners follow a more southerly track to stay well clear of ice drifting off Newfoundland. Arriving in Southampton, Lisbon or Barcelona in May means pleasant weather and fewer crowds than in summer.
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, May brings average highs around 70°F (21°C) and lows near 61°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 15 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
- 70°F / 61°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.7 in
- Daylight
- About 15 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 May 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 May
| 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 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton (London) | 63°F | 47°F | 2.0 in | 16 h |
| New York City | 69°F | 51°F | 3.9 in | 14 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 82°F | 78°F | 5.3 in | 13 h |
| Barcelona | 78°F | 59°F | 1.7 in | 15 h |
| Ponta Delgada, Azores | 65°F | 62°F | 1.7 in | 14 h |
| Funchal, Madeira | 69°F | 65°F | 0.6 in | 14 h |
| Tenerife | 72°F | 67°F | 0.2 in | 14 h |
| Lisbon | 68°F | 60°F | 1.1 in | 14 h |
| Reykjavík | 47°F | 40°F | 4.6 in | 18 h |
| Miami | 82°F | 78°F | 5.3 in | 13 h |
| Rome | 70°F | 61°F | 2.2 in | 15 h |
| King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) | 73°F | 71°F | 3.7 in | 14 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 May
Transatlantic in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Transatlantic?
Yes, it's one of the best months. May brings the final spring repositioning voyages and steady Queen Mary 2 crossings, with milder air and lengthening daylight on deck. In iceberg season, liners follow a more southerly track to stay well clear of ice drifting off Newfoundland. Arriving in Southampton, Lisbon or Barcelona in May means pleasant weather and fewer crowds than in summer.
What is the weather like on a Transatlantic cruise in May?
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, May brings average highs around 70°F (21°C) and lows near 61°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 15 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Transatlantic cruise in May?
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 May?
May is also a top month for Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Galápagos Islands.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.