May Cruises
When you are ready to sail into May on an epic cruise, don’t forget CruiseBooking.com. We’ve got the best May cruise deals to snag awesome ships and itineraries. Make your experience have a top-notch experience, enjoy amazing facilities, and dine at quality restaurants. May is a complete sweet season for cruising— warm spring vibes, blooming scenery, and fantastic season discounts before the summer rush. Are you all for big names like MSC, Carnival, Princess, Costa, or Celestyal? Or are you dreaming of chilling in the Caribbean, exploring Mediterranean gems, or hitting the Bahamas? There’s a cruise with your name on it. Grab last-minute May cruises and make memories that’ll keep you buzzing and happy all season.
Why Cruise in May?
- Springtime Awesomeness: Perfect for soaking up sunny beaches, blooming landscapes, or cultural hotspots before the summer crowds hit.
- Shoulder Season Discounts: Pre-summer means lower prices and sweet promos from cruise lines are still available, especially early in the month.
- Chill Ports: With school still in session, ports are quieter, letting you enjoy the sights without the chaos of the crowds.
- Great Weather: From Caribbean sunshine to Mediterranean warmth, May has ideal temperatures for exploring.
- Versatile Vibes: Whether you’re into tropical islands, ancient ruins, or family fun, May has it all.
Best Cruise Destinations in May
| Region |
Why Cruising is Great in May |
Cruise Lines |
| Mediterranean |
Warm temps (60–75°F) and fewer tourists make it perfect for exploring ancient ruins, blooming hills, and chill cafes in Italy, Greece, and Spain. |
MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Celestyal Cruises |
| Caribbean |
Sunny and warm (75–85°F) with lower humidity, ideal for beach days, snorkeling, or chilling on private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay. |
MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises |
| Western Mediterranean |
Mild weather (60–70°F) and quiet ports are great for cultural hotspots like Barcelona and Rome without the summer rush. |
MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Bahamas |
Perfect weather (75–80°F), crystal-clear waters, and private islands like Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve make it a beach lover’s paradise. |
MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises |
| Eastern Mediterranean |
Warm temps (65–75°F) and fewer crowds make it great for exploring stunning islands and ancient history in Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. |
MSC Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Costa Cruises |
May Cruise Deals You Can’t Pass Up!
May Month is the last phase of the pre-peak season, after which there is going to be a rush of tourists. If you want to avoid that, then take advantage of lower prices and cruise lines tossing out promos to fill cabins. If you’re cool with last-minute plans, you’re in for some steals of deals.
- Early May: Quieter sailings with awesome deals like free upgrades or onboard credits, up for grabs before Memorial Day weekend.
- Mid to Late May: Demand picks up toward summer, but last-minute deals still pop up for unsold cabins. These can be 3–7 night trips at bargain prices.
- Hot Offers to Grab:
Pro Tip: At CruiseBooking.com, grab exclusive May deals and check real-time availability. Their crew can hook you up with the perfect trip in a snap.
Popular Cruise Ships in May
Here’s what you need to know about these amazing ships, top of their class, sailing in May, each with well-thought-out itineraries and onboard fun:
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Running 7–10 night Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean cruises from Athens and Barcelona. This ship is filled with a chill vibe thanks to live music, family-friendly pools, and epic shore trips to places like Santorini.
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Landing in the Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami and Port Canaveral. It’s got that massive promenade, water slides, and family-friendly stops like Ocean Cay for enjoying and relaxing.
Photo Courtesy: Costa Cruises
Cruising the Mediterranean and the Western Mediterranean from Italy and Spain. Italian style at the peak, with killer dining (pizza and gelato) and cultural shore trips to places like Pompeii.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Hitting the Bahamas and Caribbean with 4–5 night trips from Jacksonville. Perfect for budget-friendly family fun with water slides, comedy shows, and lively deck parties.
Photo Courtesy: Celestyal Cruises
Sailing Eastern Mediterranean routes from Athens, hitting Greek islands and Turkey. Known for cozy vibes and deep-dive cultural tours like Mykonos or Istanbul.
Tips for Booking a May Cruise
Your May cruise can be great if you just play it smart. Extracting maximum fun and savings is possible. Here’s how you can do it:
Advanced Booking for Best Cabins
May is still a part of the shoulder season. So, you have a chance to get those balcony cabins or suites (like on MSC Meraviglia) early to lock in deals and family-friendly spots.
Shoulder Season Deals are Great
Because when you book during pre-summer, you get lower fares and promotions like onboard credits or free upgrades. Check CruiseBooking.com for the freshest deals out there.
Pack Clothes for Mixed Weather
Caribbean and the Bahamas are hot and sunny, while Mediterranean ports are cool or rainy, depending on the time of day. So, pack for these changes. A rain jacket and swimwear are ideal for tropical stops.
Purchase Travel Insurance
While the early hurricane season starts in June, there might be occasional showers in May in the Caribbean or the Bahamas. So, it makes sense to get insurance for weather delays or itinerary changes.
Stay Flexible for Savings
Mid to late May is a great time for deals that come up at the last-minute, on unsold cabins. There are budget-friendly short 3–5 night cruises from Miami, Jacksonville, or Barcelona.
Plan Shore Excursions
Book tours early for snorkeling in the Bahamas, for exploring Pompeii, or maybe island-hopping in Greece. CruiseBooking.com often has deals on excursions to save you some money for more such activities.
Bonus Tip: If you are planning a romantic spring getaway, May cruises on ships have cool couple’s perks like spa packages or private dinners. It’s perfect for a sunny escape.
FAQs for May Cruises
May is the last leg of pre-peak shoulder season, bringing in sweet deals like up to 50% off MSC* or Carnival cruises, kids-sail-free promos, and onboard credits up to $500.* CruiseBooking.com has the best offers ready to go.
Mediterranean, Caribbean, Western Mediterranean, Bahamas, and Eastern Mediterranean are top picks. You’ll get great weather, fewer crowds, and a mix of beaches, culture, and history.
Yes, it is. May is perfect for pre-summer savings, awesome weather, and quieter ports, making it great for families, couples, or solo travelers.
Yes, early May’s cheaper with shoulder-season deals, though late May sees more demand around Memorial Day. Mid to late May has last-minute deals on 3–7 night trips.
Pack summer clothes and swimsuits for Caribbean or Bahamas trips, plus a light jacket and comfy shoes for Mediterranean ports. Don’t forget formal gear for fancy dinners.
It’s warm (75–80°F), sunny, and perfect for beaches or snorkeling at spots like Ocean Cay on ships like MSC Meraviglia, with occasional showers possible.
You bet! Mid to late May has some decent last-minute deals, especially on Bahamas or Caribbean trips from Miami or Jacksonville. Check CruiseBooking.com for what’s open.
Yes, MSC has specials like kids-sail-free, onboard credits, and balcony upgrades on ships like MSC Orchestra and MSC Meraviglia.
For sure! Carnival Elation and MSC Meraviglia have kids’ clubs, waterparks, and family suites. Look for kids-sail-free deals on CruiseBooking.com.
Warm and sunny (75–85°F) with occasional showers as hurricane season nears. Ships like Carnival Elation have indoor spots like theaters and arcades for rainy moments.
Yeah, Costa Smeralda in the Mediterranean offers upscale dining and cultural flair, while Celestyal Discovery brings cozy luxe vibes to the Eastern Mediterranean.
