Cheap Cruises in September

September sits right at the turning point of the travel year — the summer crowds are thinning, the light is still long, and the cruise itineraries are some of the most varied you will find. The September cruises available through Cruise1st span the Western Mediterranean, Alaska, Japan, transatlantic crossings and a handful of no-fly sailings from England. Trips run from short breaks of 4 nights through to extended voyages, with a median length of 9 nights — long enough to genuinely get somewhere, short enough to keep costs manageable.

Where Do September Cruises Go?

The shape of September cruising splits neatly into three directions: southern Europe and the Mediterranean, further-afield destinations in the Pacific and the Americas, and a smaller number of sailings closer to home. Here is what is actually on offer, in the order the sailings are concentrated.

Southern Europe and the Mediterranean

The Western Mediterranean accounts for the largest share of September sailings. Itineraries in this group typically combine ports in Italy, Spain and Greece, embarking from hubs such as Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona and the wider Mediterranean basin. If the Mediterranean is your destination, Barcelona and Piraeus (Athens) are both well served as disembarkation ports too, so one-way sailings are common in this direction — worth bearing in mind if you are planning your flights home. We can book the return leg, the hotel and the transfers as part of a single Cruise1st Package.

Alaska and North America’s Pacific Coast

September is a popular month for Alaska cruises, with sailings running along the Pacific coast of North America. Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington both feature as embarkation and disembarkation ports in this region. Many Alaska sailings in September are one-way, ending at whichever port is the opposite end of the coastline from where they started, so you will need a flight home — something we can arrange alongside the cruise itself.

Japan and Southeast Asia

For something further east, Japan cruises in September offer port-hopping itineraries along the Japanese coast, often sailing into or out of Tokyo or Shanghai. Southeast Asia is also represented, with itineraries that combine multiple countries across the region. These are longer sailings by nature and typically require a fly-cruise approach — we handle the flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and transfers so the whole trip arrives in one booking.

Transatlantic Crossings

A meaningful number of September sailings are transatlantic crossings — repositioning voyages that move ships between the Atlantic seaboards. These are by definition one-way, so one end of the journey requires a flight, but they offer some of the most dramatic sailing available: long sea days, a sense of occasion, and ships such as Queen Mary 2 — the world’s only purpose-built ocean liner — doing exactly what she was designed for.

The Caribbean and Polynesia

The Caribbean and Polynesia also feature in the September mix, alongside Sydney, Australia appearing as a port for transpacific itineraries. These are typically longer voyages aimed at travellers combining the cruise with a wider trip — and the full holiday package, with flights and hotels, is where Cruise1st’s expert advice adds most value.

Round Britain and No-Fly Sailings

A smaller but genuinely useful share of September sailings depart from Southampton or nearby UK ports, sailing the English coast or heading into the North Atlantic without a flight in sight. Most of Britain can reach Southampton by road or rail, making these departures a real option for travellers who prefer to avoid airports altogether. Bear in mind that if you join a one-way sailing that ends abroad, you will need to arrange a flight home — something we can add to your booking.

Which Cruise Lines Sail in September?

The range of lines operating in September covers mainstream, premium and luxury categories, so there is genuine choice at every budget. Here is who is sailing, in order of how well represented they are this month.

MSC Cruises leads the field this month with the widest choice of departures, mostly in the Mediterranean. Royal Caribbean follows closely, offering itineraries across multiple regions. Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises both have strong September programmes, with Princess particularly well represented in Alaska. Costa Cruises focuses on southern European routes, while Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line round out the broader choice.

It is also worth knowing that AmaWaterways has a significant number of river cruise departures in September. If you are looking at river itineraries, these are a distinct product from ocean cruises — typically smaller ships, different ports and a more intimate experience. Worth keeping that distinction in mind as you browse.

Featured Ships Sailing in September

Several ships with standout features operate in September 2027. Here is a closer look at the ones with the most sailings available.

Sun Princess — Princess Cruises

For a ship this new, the onboard experience is worth knowing about. The Dome — a multi-level, glass-enclosed deck inspired by Santorini terraces — houses an indoor-outdoor pool that shifts into an evening entertainment venue after dark. With 29 dining and bar options (the most on any Princess ship), including the three-storey Horizons Dining Room, there is genuine variety at every meal. Check the Sun Princess cabins and deck plans to see how the new layout affects cabin placement across the ship.

Princess Cruises offers different fare tiers for September sailings. The Princess Standard fare covers the cruise itself; the Princess Plus package adds 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15 each (up to 15 per day), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. It is the kind of bundle that simplifies what you spend onboard, and our advisors can walk you through which tier suits your travel style.

Queen Mary 2 — Cunard

Queen Mary 2 is genuinely different from every other ship on this list: purpose-built for the North Atlantic crossing rather than converted from a cruise ship design. She is the world’s only true ocean liner, and sailing her across the Atlantic in September is the experience she was made for. The Illuminations venue is the first planetarium at sea — stargazing presentations alongside cinema screenings and lectures. Six speciality restaurants, a Royal Court Theatre with West End-calibre productions, and nightly ballroom dancing in the Queens Room complete the picture.

Cabin grades on Queen Mary 2 cover a wide range:

• Britannia Inside cabin HB with atrium view — 14.8 m², sleeps 2. The only inside cabin with a view into Queen Mary 2’s impressive atrium, brighter and more open than a standard interior room.
• Britannia Solo cabin outside KB — 16.5 m², sleeps 1. Designed for solo travellers with no single supplement, offering full Britannia comfort for one person.
• Britannia Balcony cabin BU, covered loggia — 25 m², sleeps 2. A sheltered loggia rather than an open balcony, giving covered outdoor space in any weather.
• Queens Grill Grand Duplex Suite Q1 — 208.9 m², sleeps 2. A maisonette suite across two storeys, with more than twice the space of any other Queens Grill suite on board.

See the full Queen Mary 2 cabins and deck plans for deck-by-deck positions and cabin layouts.

MSC Magnifica — MSC Cruises

MSC Magnifica’s wellness credentials are a genuine draw: the MSC Aurea Spa includes a salt grotto and a Kneipp circuit — a combination unmatched in this ship class. For evenings, the Royal Theatre seats 1,200 guests for Broadway-calibre shows, and there is a 4D cinema for film nights. Travellers who want something more exclusive can book into the MSC Yacht Club — a private enclave with its own sundeck, pool, dedicated restaurant and 24-hour butler service.

Cabin grades on MSC Magnifica range from compact to generous:

• Inside cabin Bella I1 — 13 m², sleeps up to 4. A practical base, 1 m² larger than the standard inside grades.
• Ocean-view cabin O1 — 14 m², sleeps up to 4. Sea-view window and 1 m² more space than the standard inside cabins.
• MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite with Balcony — 32 m² plus a 12 m² balcony, sleeps up to 4. Full Yacht Club access with generous outdoor space.
• Suite Aurea SP3 — 35 m², sleeps up to 4. The largest suite in its category on board.
• Super Family cabin FLA — 30 m², sleeps up to 5. Twice the size of a standard balcony cabin — room to breathe for families.

Full layout details are in the MSC Magnifica cabins and deck plans.

Costa Serena — Costa Cruises

Costa Serena is the only Costa ship with the Fiorentina Steak House — an authentic Florentine steakhouse concept you will not find on any other ship in the fleet. The Samsara Spa spans 6,000 m² across 2 decks, and Samsara suite guests have direct cabin access to it. Evenings centre on a three-storey theatre with musicals and cabaret, and 4 pools include one covered by a retractable glass roof.

Costa Cruises offers multiple fare types on September sailings, including All Inclusive (drinks and dining bundled in), Comfort Plus (full board, unlimited drinks and room service), and Last Minute fares for spontaneous bookings. Fare types such as these change regularly, so our advisors can confirm what is current when you call.

Cabin grades on Costa Serena:

• Inside cabin I4 — 10 m², sleeps 2. A practical choice, 1 m² larger than the standard inside grade.
• Ocean-view cabin E1 — 13 m², sleeps 2. Sea-view window, with daylight and views from your bed.
• Balcony cabin B3 on the upper decks — 14 m², sleeps 2. 1 m² larger than B1 and B2, on the upper decks.
• Suite S — 21 m², sleeps up to 4. Considerably more space than the mini suite option, including a separate living area.

See the Costa Serena cabins and deck plans for the full layout.

MSC Splendida — MSC Cruises

At 137,936 tonnes, MSC Splendida is a Fantasia-class ship with 5 swimming pools, a Top 18 Solarium, and 20 bars and lounges — including The Purple Jazz Bar and Club 33 disco. The Strand Theatre delivers variety shows nightly. As on MSC Magnifica, the MSC Yacht Club here offers a ship-within-a-ship: a private pool deck, 24-hour butler service and exclusive access to the L’Etoile gourmet restaurant. Browse the MSC Splendida cabins and deck plans if you want to compare grades.

Seabourn Ovation — Seabourn

Seabourn Ovation sits at the luxury end of the September programme. The ship offers 5 dining venues, including the Earth & Ocean al fresco restaurant, alongside a spa with thermal suites. For travellers who want a premium, small-ship experience, the Seabourn Ovation cabins and deck plans are worth a look before you call.

Royal Caribbean Fare Options in September

Royal Caribbean has one of the widest ranges of fare types available in September. The standard Cruise Fare covers the sailing itself; there are also Solo Fares for single-occupancy cabins. Fare types such as Last-Minute and early-booking offers also appear on Royal Caribbean sailings — the kind of promotions where timing your booking can make a real difference. Our advisors track what is current and can tell you which fares apply to the departure you are considering when you get in touch.

All-Inclusive Cruises in September

A large proportion of September sailings are bookable as all-inclusive options — drinks packages, dining and gratuities bundled into the fare rather than paid separately onboard. This is particularly common on Costa Cruises sailings, where the All Inclusive and Comfort Plus tiers cover full board, unlimited drinks and room service. For families or couples who prefer a fixed holiday spend, all-inclusive fares remove most of the uncertainty. Ask our team which sailings in your preferred region carry this option.

What Does It Cost to Sail in September?

September prices vary considerably depending on the region, the ship and the cabin grade. Short sailings in the Mediterranean at inside-cabin grades sit at the accessible end; luxury-ship suites on longer transpacific or transatlantic crossings are at the other. Because prices are per person based on 2 sharing and move with availability, the clearest thing we can say is that the range is genuinely wide — there are sailings here for travellers at many different budgets. Our advisors can pull current pricing for the specific departure you have in mind, compare cabin grades, and tell you whether a bundled fare saves money versus booking extras onboard.

Sailing from Southampton in September

If you want to avoid airports entirely, September cruises from Southampton are the starting point. Southampton is reachable by train or car from most of the UK, and for sailings that end back there, the whole holiday is door-to-door without a flight. For one-way departures that end elsewhere, you will need to arrange a return flight — something we can add to your booking as part of a Cruise1st Package. If you want more options from this port across the year, 2027 cruises from Southampton lists all the departures, and August sailings from Southampton show what is available in the month before.

Why Book September Cruises with Cruise1st?

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists — which means our team knows the ships, the cabin grades and the fare types across all the lines, not just the headline prices. When you call, you are speaking to someone who can tell you the difference between a Princess Plus fare and a standard booking, or explain why the MSC Yacht Club on Magnifica is a different experience from the rest of the ship.

For most September sailings — which depart from ports in the United States, Italy, Canada, Spain and beyond — we build Cruise1st Packages that put flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers and the cruise itself onto a single booking. That means one call, one confirmation, and no loose ends. For the sailings that leave from Southampton, we can arrange parking, a hotel the night before, or a rail connection.

We are also ABTA and ATOL protected, and rated 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews — so you have the financial protection and the independent reassurance behind the booking.

What Are the Departure Ports for September Cruises?

The embarkation ports with the most September sailings are Vancouver, British Columbia, Barcelona, Southampton and Rome (Civitavecchia). Piraeus (Athens) is also a major departure point, particularly for Mediterranean itineraries. On the US side, Port Canaveral in Florida has a strong roster of departures — and it is worth knowing that Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) is around half an hour from Miami, so if you are flying to Florida, either port is worth checking for dates and prices.

Planning Around September 2027 — and the Months Either Side

If you are looking at September 2027 specifically, the September 2027 cruises page covers the full programme for that year. For the broader September picture across years, September 2026 cruises gives a useful comparison, and the autumn cruises hub covers the whole season if you have flexibility either side of the month.

September sits between August and October in the cruise calendar, and both neighbouring months carry strong programmes of their own. August cruises from Southampton are worth a look if you want to travel earlier in the summer, and October cruises are the natural next step if September dates do not quite work. Southampton specifically has a full October sailing schedule from Southampton for those keeping their options open.

For MSC Cruises fans in particular, MSC Virtuosa September 2027 cruises and MSC Virtuosa September 2026 cruises narrow the search to that specific ship across both years.

P&O Cruises travellers will want to check P&O Cruises September 2027 and the P&O September 2026 programme for their dedicated options.

Looking for Something More Specific?

If September cruises in a particular region or at a particular price point is what you are after, it helps to narrow things down. cheap cruises around the British Isles is worth a look for no-fly options closer to home, while cruises under £599 pp* covers the full range of value options available. For the September cruise deals specifically, September 2027 cruise deals rounds up the promotions available for that departure window.

If you are ready to talk through the options, our cruise experts are on hand to help — whether you know exactly which ship and sailing you want, or whether you need help working out which line suits you best. All of our cruises can be booked as a cruise-only fare or as part of a full Cruise1st Package with flights, hotels and transfers arranged around it.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.