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Cruise calendar - By month and region



We are all captive to allocate leave and to make the most of our hard earnt time off you need to understand the seasons in the industry. Too often people see a super low price and book a cruise and don't discover they have booked slap bang in the middle of the wet season. Don't be that person. Plan your holidays around our recommendations to ensure you cruise in the optimum months for each destination.




October to April - Prime for Australia/NZ

Europe all but shuts down from November to March except for Christmas Market River Cruises. The world fleet returns to Australian waters during this period in late October with our local season running until April.


NOTE that a few brands, namely Carnival, P&O and Princess have transferred a few ships to their bare-bones Australian fleet that operates year-round. These are almost universally substandard dirty old ships and should be avoided, even if some of the deals look attractive. To avoid disappointment wait for the world fleet to return.


Avoid 2/3/4 night cruises that attract the Kuta beach crowd, buck, and hen nights.


Transpacific: March/April - October/November


Ships are like migratory birds and follow the sun. They head south to our waters from either the Med, Hawaii, or Asia every year in October/November and return north again every March/April.


And as such these are the only months that transpacific voyages to and from Hawaii operate. These go via exotic pacific islands such as Bora Bora or the Cook Islands. They used to be incredibly cheap, but as Australians are now savvy cruises, these routinely sell out. So don't expect any last-minute discounts - you need to lock these in well in advance.


Hawaiian Cruises


There is only one ship based in Hawaii due to the archaic Jones Act requiring that all cruises between U.S. ports be on ships that are U.S. flagged, built, and mostly owned and crewed by Americans. Only one line can meet that criteria and they use a dirty old ship which is to be avoided. This is such a shame as everyone wants to cruise the Hawaiian islands. The next best options are Trans-Pacific voyages to and from Australia or LAX/SFO. These we highly recommend, however they are not really ideal for first-time cruises due to a large number of sea days - which many love, but some do not. As they have to cover such a large body of water they are also generally longer at up to 16 - 18 nights.


Suez Transits: April - October/November


The ships repositioning to the Mediterranean from Australia will generally go via the Middle East and Suez canal which are exotic adventures I can't recommend more highly.

Repositioning cruises offer some of the best value deals, these are when cruise ships reposition from one part of the world.

River Cruising

Europe - April to December

The Nile - October, and April

Mekong - November to May

River cruises are the next big thing in the industry and these should be on your radar as they are not just amazing experiences - There is no better, cheaper or stress-free way to see Europe. Unpack once and say goodbye to days wasted at airports. The Christmas market voyages are as unique as they are sensational.


They are inclusive of all meals, beer/wine, and all shore excursions.

Bucket List Adventure Cruising


Antarctica - November, January, and February

Kimberely - June to October

Galapagos Islands - December to May

The Nile - October, and April

Mekong - November to May


If you want something truly epic, look to the expedition segment which is hurting big time as almost a dozen new ships have created an oversupply. As such we have pricing we have never seen before. These can sell at full retail for $78K per person but we currently have over a dozen options at about $10000, and even cheaper for airline employees.

Europe - March to November

This is the prime Mediterranean and Northern cruise window. If you travel during the shoulder period at either end, both the ships and ports will be less busy and prices will be lower. August and September will generally have the highest prices.


If the Kimberley region is on your bucket list, our waitlist for interline rates is also now open.

Tahiti - March to October


Tahiti should be on everyone's bucket list and is almost a year-round destination, provided you avoid the brutal wet season which runs from November to February. The shoulder season months of March and early October offer the best chance for heavy discounts. If you are keen to cruise in March we should have great discounts available in early 2023.


Alaska - May to September


Alaska has a very short cruising season; ships traverse its northern waters only between May and September. The months of June through August offer the warmest weather (10 to 20 degrees Celcius) in this chilly state and are therefore the best and most popular times to cruise. In May and September, you'll find some closures and a bit more chill in the air (between 10 and 15 degrees Celcius), but you'll also find the best prices. In addition, May is the driest month of the Alaska cruise season, so you're less likely to be rained out of your flightseeing tour, glacier walk or other shore excursions.

To minimize joining the masses, select a ship that sails during the week. For a pricing advantage, northbound glacier routes tend to be cheaper than southbound.


Canada/New England: September and October


Canada and New England sailings depart from May through October. You've got a better chance for warm weather if you travel from late June through early September. However, if you prefer more crisp weather or you're interested in fall foliage viewing, you'll need to go from late September to mid-October.


May and late-October sailings will offer the lowest rates, but don't expect to be using the onboard swimming pool much. Meanwhile, the summer months are ideal for exploring some of Canada's most intriguing cities in milder temperatures.


Caribbean: December Through Mid-April


You can sail to the Caribbean year-round, but the best time to go is when it's coldest in the Northern Hemisphere. Not only is the warm Caribbean climate a welcome respite from bad weather, but December through April are the driest months in the islands as well.

The cheapest times to cruise are typically in the late summer and fall because of hurricane season, but you can often find patches of bargain sailings, especially during the early weeks of December and in the spring. The timing of spring discounts isn't always consistent, so it's best to keep an eye out and book when you see a low rate. If you dislike crowds or large numbers of children, avoid sailing late June through August or during school break times (late December, early January and March through mid-April).


Mexican Riviera: February Through Mid-April


You can cruise to Mexico year-round, either as part of a Western Caribbean itinerary or as a dedicated Mexico voyage. The best time to visit Mexico is during its dry season, November through May. However, it's a popular destination even during the rainier summer months. You'll find the best deals in the fall, between the two high seasons and during hurricane season.


In early spring, the weather is dry, with temperatures in the late 20s and early 30s, making it a popular escape for Northerners, and February and March are prime whale-watching months. On the negative side, college-age youths often cram into port destinations like Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta at this time, creating a wild and boisterous atmosphere. During off-peak months, there are fewer crowds and a more adult atmosphere, but the weather can also be unpredictable, with temperatures dropping as low as 5 degrees Celcius.

South America: November - March


The high season (November through March) occurs during South America's summer but be prepared for varied climates that can change rapidly wherever you go. The warm mid-20s temps you're enjoying could drop down to windy, rainy single digits in the blink of an eye. Plus, when it's steamy in Buenos Aires, it can be quite chilly in ports like Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. Although you can expect crowds of South Americans on vacation, you can find high-season bargains in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

High season is pretty much year-round in the Galapagos Islands, where the warm and tropical climate is relatively unchanging. However, those prone to seasickness should avoid August and September, when waters can be choppier.


Read the next post in this series. The cheapest cruise may not be the best value



FAB - Step by step guide to find your perfect cruise

FAB Last Minute and Interline Cruises






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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why choose nib?
    nib has 24-hour support with call centre staff based in Australia and international phone numbers you can access around the world. Many online insurance providers have no call centres or anyone you can speak to before your policy commences or during the claim process. Other providers may require you to purchase cover more than 21 days prior to departure otherwise any Covid event will not be covered. Other providers have specific cruise coverage, but if you read the fine print, they may not cover Covid once you board a cruise ship or any time after that. Credit card insurance may not provide the cover you expect, ask us for our Credit Card Myths Flyer and a checklist you can use to check your level of protection. We offer policies with no age limits and single trips in excess of 60 days. Our multi-trip annual policies are now offered by very few providers. Often times our annual multi-trip policy will work out cheaper than a single-trip policy.
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    When you are operating a pattern and staying in a company provided hotel you are considered to be at work. While carrying out your duties as an employee, you should be covered by your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance. That is if you become unwell or injured, while on an aircraft, in company provided transport, within the crew hotel and what is considered reasonable proximity to the crew hotel. There are limitations, and crew that choose to leave the city where they are staying might not be covered by worker’s compensation. The problem has been that for crew who choose to go "Off-Station", (for example a trip from LA to Las Vegas), up until now there have been no options available to provide insurance protection in the event of an accident, lost luggage, or if medical assistance is required. As we all know, in the USA especially, public liability and medical costs can be crippling. The good news is nib’s Annual Multi Trip Plan can offer protection for cabin crew and pilots. Even snow sports can be covered for an additional premium. The details of exactly what situations are and are not covered are laid out in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Continue reading below for a quick summary of key features of this cover but it is critical that you read and understand the PDS in full. What is covered? When you go "Off-Station", you are not considered to be at work, and provided you abide by all the terms and conditions of the policy, the cover includes: Rental vehicle insurance excess Overseas medical expenses (including for COVID-19) Repatriation Cover for certain COVID-19 related events Accidental loss, theft or damage to luggage By paying an additional premium other options can be added to a policy such as: Snow sports cover option Specified items option for high value items over $1000 such as: Personal Electronics Sports and other leisure equipment Other luggage Travel within Australia too This same protection is also applicable to Domestic Crew patterns, or for travel undertaken on days off, with the proviso that the trip: starts and ends at your home in Australia is more than 200 kms from your home in Australia. includes travel by either pre-paid scheduled public transport or hire car, or include at least one night of pre-booked publicly available accommodation "Off-Station" Insurance cover for cabin crew and pilots Save up to 30% Annual cover from $466 (Single policy - Age 59) For the same low price you also get: unlimited annual leave + leisure trips that are less than 45 days international and domestic for trips more than 200kms from home children can be added for free Pay a higher premium to add: your spouse/partner if single, a fellow single traveller cover for snow sports or high-value items like jewelry and laptops In a nutshell nib’s Annual Multi Trip Plan provides cover when you are not at work. When you go "Off-Station' you are considered not to be at work. This is premium coverage that will cover you for holidays as well. Always refer to PDS for coverage details >
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  • Interline rules - Ts and Cs #
    INTERLINE CONDITIONS: In addition to all standard conditions of carriage of the operator you and all members of your travelling party must abide by the following: 1/ You must not disclose to any other guest on your cruise the nature of the discounts you have received. 2/ Any such breach can see the cruise operator, at their discretion, convert your fare to full commercial rates and you will be liable for the difference. 3/ As with staff travel on the airline of your employment, your behaviour must always be above reproach. Unruly and unacceptable levels of intoxication and abuse of staff are strictly forbidden and the operator has the right to offload you at any time. 4/ The operator can at any time revoke your ability to purchase future interline discounts. 5/ Interline rates are a privilege, not a right. You are entitled to them solely through the relevant interline agreement, which is a benefit directly related to your employment. Any unacceptable behaviour will be reported back to your employer which could result in the loss of airline staff benefits, and/or further disciplinary action. 6/ Eligible staff members need to realise that these rules apply to any beneficiary who books interline rates under their name. These rules must be clearly communicated to all passengers travelling under their benefit entitlement. INTERLINE RATES: You must provide us proof of employment in aviation for an Interline Rate. Unless otherwise advised, Interline bookings are non-refundable. Prices may change before departure. A price drop does not entitle you to any refund of your fare, (either deposits or full payments). We will always endeavour to get a price adjustment but understand that this is unlikely. FAB does not guarantee or warrant cruise itineraries. Itinerary changes are at the discretion of the cruise lines. Changes to itineraries are governed by the T&Cs of the cruise lines. Where we act as an agent, our quotes and itineraries will include a statement that advises you: • We act as an Agent; and • That our Terms and Conditions are in addition to the Terms and Conditions of each Travel supplier listed on the quote/itinerary; and • That it is the Terms and Conditions of the Travel supplier that determine the terms of • cancellation and refunds, if any INSURANCE: As most interline fares are 100% non-refundable, we urge you to consider the advice of the Australian Government that recommends everyone should purchase Travel Insurance. As a 6 Star 4 Less customer, you can get up to 30% off nib Travel Insurance. We have policies with no age limits that cover both cruises and covid related events (many do not). Our Annual multi-trip options may be cheaper than a single-trip policy. Read our guide on how insurance policies are priced when to buy, and how to save money: www.fabinterlinecruises.com/insurance If you have not already taken out Travel Insurance with us, please read the following carefully: If you become ill with Coronavirus If you are cruising and become ill with Coronavirus If you lose your luggage If you become ill or have an accident If you suffer the pain of a toothache or damage your teeth through an accident If you lose your tickets, travellers cheques, passport etc. If your transport is delayed If a relative at home becomes sick or dies If any of these things happen to you and you have no Travel Insurance, it will probably ruin what should have been a wonderful experience. Fab Interline Cruises, ABN 19610361025 is a distributor of NIB Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and receives a commission for nib products purchased through Fab Interline Cruises. Fab Interline Cruises acts as an agent for NIB and not as your agent. FAB Interline Cruises cannot give advice about nib products, and any factual information provided is not intended to imply a recommendation or opinion about nib products. Before you buy, please read the Product Disclosure Statement, Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. If you have a complaint about a nib product, see the Product Disclosure Statement for the complaints process. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193. Please contact me to arrange your Insurance cover. DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: You have the sole responsibility to ensure all payments are made by the stated deadlines. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and money paid will be lost if deadlines are missed. PASSPORTS: It is your responsibility to ensure your passport and travel documents are valid and in good order. Most countries and cruise lines require a minimum of 6 months of validity and some require that you have a completely blank page in your passport. VISAS: You must understand the VISA requirements for each port are. You are responsible to ensure that you obtain all required VISAS prior to departure. Failure to do so may see you denied boarding at the port of departure. We can not be held responsible for any problems or delays with the issuing of passports or the correct validity of Visas. VISIT https://smartraveller.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
  • Eligibility + Verification
    All interline rates are fares are strictly controlled - closed rates. To obtain a quote and to book we must first verify that you are eligible. Our contracts with the cruise lines require us verify everyone who requests access to interline fares, at time of booking and potentially onboarding on request. There are some grey areas. Technically the rules refer to current and 'retired' staff. Sometimes benefits can be extended to people who have worked for an airline for some time and have left prior to retirement age. All of our contracts are different and if in doubt it is critical that ask us before making any deposit payment. As a general rule if you still have access to airline staff discounts you will automatically be accepted by the cruise lines. Your parents can travel without you, and in almost all cases you can book a second cabin at interline rates even for people that don't work for an airline, The only requirement is that you travel on the same cruise. Your parents may also be able to book two cabins as well. If you want to book. ore than two cabins, ask us, as some lines will permit us to book several with just one ID. If your service was some time ago, the cruise lines with automatically ask for a statement of service. This must detail start and end of years of service. A training certificate or similar will automatically be rejected. If you were at Ansett at the time of the collapse refer to our separate section especially for you.
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