Easter cruises are a lovely way to make the most of the spring bank holidays. Two days off at the start and end of the Easter weekend stretch a week’s annual leave into a proper break, the school holidays make it easy for families to get away together, and by spring the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands are warming up nicely while Britain is still deciding whether it is winter.
Because so many people have the same idea, Easter is also one of the busiest times of year to cruise. This guide covers where to go, the best no-fly options from Southampton, how the school holidays affect your choices, and why booking early matters so much.
When is Easter and how does it affect cruising?
Easter moves every year, falling anywhere between late March and late April. In 2027, Easter Sunday is on 28 March, which makes it an early Easter, while in some years it lands well into April. That matters for two reasons:
- Weather: an early Easter means slightly cooler temperatures in the Mediterranean, so the Canary Islands become a more reliable choice for sunshine.
- School holidays: Easter school holidays in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not always line up with Easter weekend itself, and they vary between local authorities. Check your own school dates before you choose a sailing.
Easter cruises from Southampton: the no-fly options
Easter cruises from Southampton are hugely popular with families, as there are no flights to book and no luggage limits. The main choices are:
- Short breaks: two to five nights to ports such as Bruges (Zeebrugge), Amsterdam, Le Havre for Paris, Guernsey or Cherbourg. Ideal for a first cruise or a long weekend over the bank holiday.
- Spain, Portugal and France: seven-night sailings calling at places like Lisbon, Vigo, A Coruna and Bilbao, with milder spring weather than the UK.
- The Canary Islands: 12 to 14 nights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma, often with Madeira on the way. The most reliable no-fly spring sunshine. Our Canary Islands cruise from Southampton guide goes into more detail.
- The Mediterranean: 12 nights and up, sailing round Spain and Portugal into the Med for Barcelona, the Balearics or Italy. See our Mediterranean cruise from Southampton guide for routes and lines.
Lines including P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess, MSC, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Fred. Olsen typically have ships based in or sailing from Southampton in spring, though exact deployments change each year. Our no-fly cruises from the UK guide covers all the departure ports.
Fly-cruise ideas for Easter
If you only have a week, flying out to join a ship gets you to the sunshine straight away. Popular Easter fly-cruises include:
- Western Mediterranean: seven nights from Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Genoa or Palma, with calls in Italy, France and Spain.
- Canary Islands: seven nights round trip from Tenerife or Gran Canaria, with temperatures usually in the low to mid 20s.
- The Caribbean: still in its dry season at Easter, and a great way to make the most of a fortnight off.
- Dubai and the Arabian Gulf: warm and sunny, with the season usually running into spring.
- River cruises: tulip time sailings in the Netherlands and Belgium are a beautiful, more relaxed spring option, with the Keukenhof gardens a highlight.
Easter cruises for families
Easter is one of the few times outside summer when the big family ships are full of children, so kids’ clubs run at full capacity and there is a real holiday atmosphere onboard. A few things to think about:
- Family cabins, connecting cabins and suites that sleep four or more are limited and go first.
- Many lines run Easter activities onboard, from egg hunts to special menus and themed entertainment.
- Ships such as those from MSC, Royal Caribbean and P&O Cruises have water parks, kids’ clubs by age group and family-friendly dining.
- A no-fly sailing from Southampton takes away the stress of airports with children and lets you pack everything you need.
When to book Easter cruises
The honest answer is as early as you can. Easter cruises are a short window with high demand from families, couples and retirees alike, and the best cabins go first. Booking early gives you:
- the widest choice of ships, itineraries and departure dates
- first pick of balcony cabins, family cabins and suites
- access to early booking offers and package promotions when the lines run them
- time to plan parking, hotels and excursions without a rush
Searches for Easter cruises climb sharply from January, so starting your planning in the autumn or over the Christmas period puts you ahead of the crowd. Our Exclusive Deals page is the place to see what the team is recommending right now.
Easter cruise FAQs
Where is warm for an Easter cruise?
The Canary Islands, the Caribbean and Dubai are the most reliable for warm weather at Easter. The Mediterranean is pleasant and mild, especially later in April.
Can you do an Easter cruise from Southampton?
Yes, there is a wide choice of Easter cruises from Southampton, from two or three night short breaks to 12 to 14 night Canary Islands and Mediterranean sailings.
Are Easter cruises more expensive?
Easter is a peak period because of the school holidays, so demand is high. Booking early and being flexible on dates, ship or departure port are the best ways to get good value.
How far in advance should I book an Easter cruise?
Ideally a year or more ahead, especially if you need a family cabin or a suite. Many people book the following Easter as soon as itineraries are released.
Are there short Easter cruises over the bank holiday?
Yes. Several lines run two to five night mini cruises from Southampton over the Easter weekend, usually to Belgium, the Netherlands, France or the Channel Islands.
Do cruise ships celebrate Easter onboard?
Most do, with Easter menus, children’s activities such as egg hunts, and on many ships a church service on Easter Sunday.
Planning your Easter cruise with Need That Cruise
Whether you fancy a quick bank holiday break, two weeks in the Canaries or a family adventure on one of the big new ships, Easter cruises book up quickly, so it pays to talk to us early. Our team will match the sailing to your school holiday dates, find the right cabin for your group and take care of the details. Give us a call on 01724 808800, we are here seven days a week.
