The worst time to cruise to Bermuda
In:Bermuda is a beautiful cruise destination, but not every month is a good time to sail the region.
Bermuda is a popular cruise destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, delicious food, friendly culture, and English-speaking background.
Although many travel materials imply that Bermuda is part of the Caribbean, Bermuda is actually located solo in the Atlantic Ocean (around 650 miles east of North Carolina).
This also means that the weather is different than in the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean's cruises from the Northeast to Bermuda offer North American guests a convenient escape from wintery North American weather.
The region is well-known and loved for its warm ocean waters and pink sand beaches.
Cruisers love this destination because it's easy to explore, mixing English tradition with a unique local culture.
Because of its distance, itineraries to the archipelago often include an overnight stay.
Royal Caribbean usually sails to the archipelago between April and October, but—as with any destination—certain months are better to sail than others.
The summer months are the busiest time to visit
The high season in Bermuda falls between May and October, when the weather remains warm and breezy, with sunny days to lounge on the beach.
Cruisers love visiting Bermuda when the ocean water is warm. It's the perfect time to enjoy snorkeling, boat tours, jet skiing, kayaking, and beachgoing.
The capital city, Hamilton, throws a huge Bermuda Day party during the Friday before the last Monday in May.
Read more: Why you should take a cruise to Bermuda
Plus, Bermuda's Carnival—a four-day festival of live music, feathered costumes, and dancing—usually falls in June.
Because of these popular time frames, the region is most crowded during the summer months. Not only does this increase the risk of large crowds, but it will also raise cruise and hotel prices between June and September.
The fall can bring hurricanes and bad weather
The hurricane season in Bermuda falls during the summer and fall—from May to November.
Hurricanes are most common during September and October.
Although direct hits to the archipelago are rare, hurricanes threaten to change or even cancel cruise ship itineraries.
For example, Royal Caribbean had to cancel a Liberty of the Seas sailing to Bermuda in August due to Hurricane Ernesto.
A cruise ship is one of the safest places you can be during a hurricane, but not every traveler appreciates their plans changing.
Spending your money on a sailing that might change due to a hurricane is only a good idea if you're able to remain flexible.
Plus, even smaller tropical storms come with their own set of bad weather, like torrential rains and strong winds.
Despite the risk of hurricanes, summertime is the most popular season to cruise to Bermuda.
The winter has colder weather but lower prices
Depending on your preferences, the winter could be a better time to cruise to Bermuda.
December through February are the slowest months in terms of visitors.
These months are great times for an inexpensive, peaceful cruise to the region. Tourism slows during the winter, leading to cheaper prices and fewer crowds.
You'll find cheaper deals on cruises, hotels, airfare, and tours alike.
However, unlike the Caribbean, Bermuda's weather does cool down during the winter months, and Royal Caribbean usually sail to the region from November to April.
You could expect temperatures between the middle 60s and the low 70s, with chilly ocean water. Nevertheless, cruisers will experience less humidity, especially as the months turn to spring.
Read more: Unexpected perks of cruising during the off-season
April and November for example—the shoulder season of the region—offer warmer temperatures at lower dew points.
The shoulder season is in April and November
In general, one of the best times to cruise to any destination is during the region's shoulder season.
The shoulder season happens in the sweet spot of lower cruise fares, fewer cruises, but relatively nice temperatures.
For Bermuda, the shoulder season falls between mid-October and November, and then between late March and April.
April and May are considered Bermuda's early season, and these months see the lowest cruise prices and comfortable, breezy weather.
Temperatures usually sit in the 70s, with cooler ocean water. If you're sensitive to cold water, an early cruise might not be the best time for beach activities, but there's plenty more to enjoy in Bermuda.
Cruisers can enjoy local celebrations, horseback riding, world-class golf, and famous rum.
These months come with lovely weather—warmer temperatures, balmy ocean breezes, and low humidity.
As a bonus, nature and wildlife lovers should consider sailing to Bermuda during March and April.
Thousands of humpback whales migrate towards Canada during these months, passing by Bermuda. Whale-watchers can find incredible tours—or simply stay on the cruise ship for a great view!
Plus, crowds tend to die down when school is in session, usually between August and May.
Fewer crowds mean lower prices for both cruise sailing and shore excursions, as well as other onboard add-ons.
However, Royal Caribbean doesn't always offer cruises during the entire shoulder season, sometimes beginning its Bermuda season in June and ending it in October.
How much is a cruise to Bermuda?
Cruise prices also range depending on the season, which requires you to balance your weather preferences with your budget.
Sailings around the shoulder season (October or May) come at cheaper prices than sailings in the peak of summer (July and August).
A 5-night Liberty of the Seas sailing departing from Cape Liberty (New York), for example, varies hundreds of dollars depending on the month.
A May 10-15th sailing in 2025 costs as little as $677 per person (or $135.50 per person, per night).
The beginning of the cruise season to Bermuda is one of the cheapest times to buy a cruise.
In contrast, prices rise over the summer as more travelers start flocking to the region.
A high-season sailing from August 2nd to 7th jumps to $1,007 per person (over $200 per person, per night).
Nearing the end of the season, a Liberty of the Seas cruise from October 11th to 16th starts at about $813 per person (that's $162 per person, per night).