Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Transatlantic cruises in October
October is the heart of fall repositioning, with westbound voyages from Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon and Southampton to Florida via the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. The southern route is warm, often in the 70s °F, while the North Atlantic turns stormier. With so many ships crossing at once, fares are excellent.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 71°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: Oceanhistory46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic in October: Best time to go
October is the heart of fall repositioning, with westbound voyages from Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon and Southampton to Florida via the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. The southern route is warm, often in the 70s °F, while the North Atlantic turns stormier. With so many ships crossing at once, fares are excellent.
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, October brings average highs around 71°F (22°C) and lows near 64°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 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
- 71°F / 64°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- About 11 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 October 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 October
| 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 |
October weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton (London) | 62°F | 49°F | 3.7 in | 11 h |
| New York City | 67°F | 49°F | 4.4 in | 11 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 83°F | 79°F | 5.1 in | 12 h |
| Barcelona | 76°F | 61°F | 3.0 in | 11 h |
| Ponta Delgada, Azores | 71°F | 68°F | 3.0 in | 11 h |
| Funchal, Madeira | 75°F | 71°F | 1.6 in | 11 h |
| Tenerife | 77°F | 72°F | 0.8 in | 11 h |
| Lisbon | 70°F | 63°F | 2.8 in | 11 h |
| Reykjavík | 44°F | 38°F | 5.9 in | 10 h |
| Miami | 83°F | 79°F | 5.1 in | 12 h |
| Rome | 72°F | 63°F | 3.1 in | 11 h |
| King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) | 78°F | 76°F | 5.4 in | 11 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 October
Transatlantic in October: FAQs
Is October a good time to cruise Transatlantic?
Yes, it's one of the best months. October is the heart of fall repositioning, with westbound voyages from Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon and Southampton to Florida via the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. The southern route is warm, often in the 70s °F, while the North Atlantic turns stormier. With so many ships crossing at once, fares are excellent.
What is the weather like on a Transatlantic cruise in October?
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, October brings average highs around 71°F (22°C) and lows near 64°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Transatlantic cruise in October?
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 October?
October is also a top month for Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles, Japan, Douro River.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.