Cruises in January 2027: where to go and what to expect
January is one of the best months of the year for a warm-weather cruise: the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and the Panama Canal are all in their best season, and fares drop after the New Year peak. Alaska, Northern Europe and most of the Mediterranean are out of season.
Book it if
- You want the Caribbean at its most settled.
- You'd like Hawaii in whale season.
- Your dates are flexible outside the MLK weekend.
Skip it if
- You need a Europe or Alaska itinerary.
- You can only travel over the MLK long weekend and want a deal.
- Cold sea days put you off: departures from the Northeast start in winter weather.
Where to cruise in January 2027
Best this month: The Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal. Each region below links to its full guide, with the lines that sail there and the ports they leave from. Ratings follow the “best time to go” advice in our destination guides.
Best this month
- The CaribbeanMost settled weather of the year, after the holiday price peak.From $139 per personChecked October 2026
- HawaiiMain season for mainland round trips, and humpback whale season.Fares change daily; check current prices
- MexicoDry season on the Mexican Riviera; Western Caribbean at its best.From $275 per personChecked October 2026
- Panama CanalDry season: less rain on canal day, busiest and priciest.From $3,053 per personChecked October 2026
Possible, with trade-offs
- Mediterranean and EuropeVery few ships; western Med and Canary Islands only.From $120 per personChecked October 2026
Holidays and school breaks
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 18, 2027, so sailings around that long weekend fill first. The rest of January has no federal holiday, and most schools are back after the New Year break, which is why fares usually drop once the New Year week is over. For the holiday weeks just before, see our Christmas and New Year cruise picks.
Hawaii in whale season
Humpback whales are usually in Hawaiian waters from November to April, and NOAA puts the peak from January through March. A January Hawaii cruise lands in the middle of it. Our Hawaii cruise guide covers the round trips and the longer sailings from the West Coast.
Sample January 2027 sailings
| Departs | Line and ship | Nights | Itinerary | From | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2027 | Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy | 3 | 3 Night Bahamas Cruise (from Port Canaveral, Florida) | $840 | Check price |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Royal Caribbean, Legend of the Seas | 6 | 6 Night Caribbean & Perfect Day (from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida) | $1,044 | Check price |
| Jan 4, 2027 | Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Paradise | 5 | 5 Day Western Caribbean (from Tampa, Florida) | $289 | Check price |
| Jan 4, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Joy | 4 | 4 Night Bahamas (from Miami, Florida) | $119 | Check price |
| Jan 6, 2027 | Oceania Cruises, Oceania Vista | 180 | 180 Night World Cruise (from Miami, Florida) | $88,799 | Check price |
| Jan 7, 2027 | MSC Cruises, MSC Seashore | 3 | 3 Night Bahamas Cruise (from Port Canaveral, Florida) | $152 | Check price |
| Jan 8, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Joy | 3 | 3 Night Bahamas (from Miami, Florida) | $139 | Check price |
| Jan 9, 2027 | MSC Cruises, MSC Lirica | 4 | 4 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise (from Bari, Italy) | $272 | Check price |
| Jan 9, 2027 | MSC Cruises, MSC Lirica | 2 | 2 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise (from Bari, Italy) | $120 | Check price |
| Jan 9, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Star | 7 | 7 Night Mexican Riviera (from San Diego, California) | $289 | Check price |
| Jan 9, 2027 | Royal Caribbean, Freedom of the Seas | 5 | 5 Night Caribbean Getaway Cruise (from Miami, Florida) | $192 | Check price |
| Jan 10, 2027 | Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Liberty | 7 | 7 Day Western Caribbean (from New Orleans, Louisiana) | $414 | Check price |
January cruise FAQ
Is January a good time to cruise?
Yes, for warm-weather routes. It’s dry season in the Caribbean, on the Mexican Riviera and along the Panama Canal, and fares usually fall after New Year.
Where is the best place to cruise in January?
The Caribbean for most people, Hawaii for whale season, and the Panama Canal for a longer trip in the dry season.
Other months: February. See every month on our cruises by month page.