March Cruises – Spring Sailings at Sea

What Makes March Such a Good Month to Cruise?

March sits in that sweet spot between the January rush and the Easter peak — school holidays haven’t quite arrived, prices across many sailings are keener than in summer, and the world’s biggest cruise regions are all open for business. The Caribbean is in full swing, Japan is at its most rewarding for a sea visit, and the Mediterranean is stirring back to life. Sailings run from short breaks of just a few nights through to voyages of several weeks, with a median around 9 nights — long enough to properly unwind, short enough to suit those with limited annual leave.

The vast majority of March departures fly-cruise — embarkation ports span Florida, Barcelona, Sydney and beyond, so a flight is part of the journey for most travellers. A small number of sailings do depart from UK ports such as Southampton, meaning no flight is needed at all — you can travel by road or rail straight to the ship. Cruise1st can book the flights, hotels either side, transfers and tours for fly-cruise trips, all on one booking, so the whole holiday is handled.

Where Do March Cruises Go?

The breadth of itineraries in March is one of its real selling points. Here is where the cruising is concentrated, and what each direction offers.

The Caribbean and Southern Caribbean

The Caribbean is the standout destination in March, and it is easy to see why it draws so many sailings. The region is well into its dry season and the trade winds keep things pleasant on deck. Most Caribbean departures leave from Florida — Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) are the two main embarkation points, and they are only about half an hour apart, so it’s worth checking both for dates and prices that suit you. Port Canaveral is a third Florida option, especially popular with families.

The Southern Caribbean adds another flavour — longer itineraries that push further into the island chain, with San Juan among the common starting points. If you want warm water, colourful ports and the kind of sailing that feels genuinely different from a European trip, March in the Caribbean delivers it. Caribbean 2027 cruises with New York stays are also available if you want to combine the cruise with time in the city.

Japan

Japan is the second-biggest draw in March, and it represents something genuinely different in the world cruise calendar. Itineraries explore Japan’s coastline from ports including Tokyo and Yokohama, with some sailings also calling at ports along the way from Shanghai. A fly-cruise is the standard approach from the UK, and Cruise1st can arrange flights and hotels around the cruise as a Cruise1st Package. Browse Japan cruises to see the full range of itineraries.

Southeast Asia

March brings a solid selection of Southeast Asia sailings, many sailing through or from Singapore. These are typically longer voyages — ideal if you want to cover real distance and take in a genuinely varied part of the world on one trip. They suit experienced cruisers looking for something beyond the familiar Mediterranean circuit.

Southern Europe and the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean begins to wake up in March. The Western Mediterranean leads within the region, with Barcelona among the common departure and turnaround points. 7-night Mediterranean itineraries are a popular length here, giving a proper taste of the region without overstretching a fortnight’s holiday. The Canary Islands also feature in March — a reliable option for those who want reliably warm weather without flying too far.

Transatlantic

March is one of the key months for Transatlantic crossings, as ships reposition between regions for the coming season. These one-way sailings suit those who want a longer, more contemplative voyage — days at sea, time to read, time to think — and they are often keenly priced. Bear in mind that a one-way itinerary means you’ll need a flight for either the outbound or homeward leg; Cruise1st can arrange this alongside your booking.

Australia and Central America

Australia cruises sail from Sydney in March, typically covering the South Pacific. Australia cruises from the UK pair well with a few days in Sydney either side if you’re making the journey from Britain. Central America itineraries round out the picture, often sailing from Florida and heading south through the Panama Canal region — a bucket-list route for many.

Which Cruise Lines Sail in March 2027?

March attracts a wide range of lines, from the world’s biggest operators to more specialist fleets. MSC Cruises leads the way by volume, followed by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line also have sailings in the month. Whatever line you favour, Cruise1st’s expert advisers can talk you through the differences in cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary shape so you book the right one for your circumstances.

What Are the Benefits of Cruising in March?

March cruises sit outside the main school holiday window (Easter moves year to year, but often falls in April), which means ships tend to be less busy than in July and August. Prices on many sailings reflect this. The discounts available in March can reach up to 53% off that cabin grade’s previously listed price on individual departures, though that is the maximum on a single sailing — most reduced sailings are discounted by around 10%. It’s still worth comparing fares carefully, and Cruise1st’s advisers can help you identify where the genuine savings are.

Fare types vary by line. Royal Caribbean offers fare types such as last-minute and early-booking options, while Princess Cruises runs its Princess Plus package — which bundles 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15 each, MedallionNet Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation and reserved theatre seating — alongside a standard base fare. Costa Cruises offers All Inclusive and Comfort Plus fare tiers that include full board, unlimited drinks and reserved dining. Understanding which fare tier suits your style of holiday is exactly where a specialist adds value.

Which Ships Are Sailing in March?

Several well-regarded ships operate across March itineraries. Here is what stands out on a selection of them.

Azura — P&O Cruises

Azura went through a bow-to-stern refresh in 2025, with new restaurants, bars, cabin décor and corridor carpets throughout — so this is a significantly smarter ship than the one that launched. Specialty dining options include Sindhu for modern Indian cuisine and the Glass House, curated by TV wine expert Olly Smith. The 800-seat Playhouse theatre delivers West End-quality aerial acrobatics and shows, with the SeaScreen open-air cinema on deck for something more relaxed. Azura departs from Southampton on some sailings, which means you can board without a flight — travel by road or rail and be at sea the same afternoon. See cruises from Southampton for the full range of UK-departure options.

Cabin grades on Azura run as follows:

• Larger Inside Cabin OB — 15 m², exclusively on Riviera Deck, making it straightforward to find your bearings on board.
• Sea View Cabin LB — 15 m², natural light and an unobstructed sea view onto the water.
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin DA — 29 m², with a private balcony for open-air sea views.
• Penthouse Suite A1 — 69 m², the largest suite on board, with a full separate lounge area.

MSC Musica — MSC Cruises

Launched in 2006 and renovated in 2024, MSC Musica is a 294-metre ship whose centrepiece is a three-tiered waterfall in the atrium — the kind of detail that makes it feel different from a generic cruise ship interior. La Scala Theatre seats 1,200 guests for Broadway-style productions featuring song, dance and acrobatics nightly. The Kaito Sushi Bar and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse (arriving November 2026) join the MSC Yacht Club for those wanting elevated dining. Check the MSC Musica cabins and deck plans before you book.

Cabin grades on MSC Musica:

• Inside Cabin Bella I1 — 14 m², sleeping up to 4 guests, noticeably more space than the smallest inside cabins without the window surcharge.
• Ocean-View Cabin Bella O1 — 16 m², with a partially obstructed view — a practical choice for those who want natural light at a lower price.
• Aurea Suite S3 — 28 m², sleeping up to 5 guests.
• Super Family Balcony Cabin FLA — 40 m², more than twice the size of a standard balcony cabin, well suited to families or longer sailings.
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite — 47 m², with a separate living and dining area, sleeping up to 4 guests.

MSC Seaview — MSC Cruises

If outdoor space matters to you, MSC Seaview is built around it — over 13,000 sq metres of open deck gives it the highest ratio of outdoor space in the MSC fleet. A 360° glass-railed Waterfront Promenade wraps the entire ship on Decks 7 and 8, and the Aqua Park runs 5 waterslides plus a 120-metre zip line — described as the longest onboard zip line at sea. Review the MSC Seaview cabins and deck plans to find your ideal grade.

Cabin grades on MSC Seaview:

• Premium Inside Cabin Fantastica — 28 m², sleeping up to 5 guests — twice the size of the standard inside cabins, giving genuine living space rather than just a place to sleep.
• Ocean-View Cabin Bella — 17 m², sleeping up to 4 guests, with a window and more space than standard ocean-view grades.
• Grand Suite Wellness SEW — 58 m² with a 21 m² balcony, sleeping up to 5 guests.
• Super Family Cabin Plus FLP — 84 m², sleeping up to 10 guests, the largest family cabin on the ship with separate sleeping zones.
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite — 62 m² with a separate bedroom and living room, sleeping up to 4 guests.

Costa Smeralda — Costa Cruises

Costa Smeralda is home to the world’s first Frescobaldi wine restaurant at sea — Osteria Frescobaldi is exclusively on this ship, making it a genuine draw for food and wine lovers. The Solemio Spa stretches to 4,500 m² and features a rare snow grotto, while the Colosseo Theatre spans 3 decks for evening shows. A Food Lab cookery school rounds out the onboard offer for those who want something to do beyond the pool. Check the Costa Smeralda cabins and deck plans for more detail.

Costa Favolosa — Costa Cruises

Costa Favolosa’s interiors take their cue from gothic fairy-tale design — Versailles-inspired décor flowing through 3 decks of crystal and mirror makes this one of the most visually distinctive ships in the Costa fleet. The Samsara Spa covers 6,000 m² across 2 decks, with a thalassotherapy pool and an ocean-view fitness centre. The Archipelago restaurant is helmed by 3 Michelin-starred chefs. Browse Costa Favolosa cabins and deck plans for cabin options.

Costa Fascinosa — Costa Cruises

Costa Fascinosa takes a cinematic approach to its interiors — think gold leaf, deep ruby décor and design references to Fellini and Visconti throughout the ship. The Samsara Spa again runs to 6,000 m² across 2 decks and includes over 100 spa-access cabins, a genuine rarity. A 3-deck theatre and the Archipelago restaurant with 3 Michelin-starred chefs are the headline onboard features. See the Costa Fascinosa cabins and deck plans before booking.

What Do March Cruise Deals Look Like?

March is a genuinely competitive month for deals. Discounts are measured from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing — not from a brochure figure — so comparisons are meaningful. On the sailings with reductions, discounts of up to 53% are available on individual departures (that is the maximum, on a single sailing), with most reduced sailings sitting around 10% off. The broad range of lines and regions means there is usually something that fits most budgets, and Cruise1st advisers can help you identify the fares that represent real value rather than headline figures that don’t hold up on inspection.

If you’re looking at an all-inclusive sailing, those are well represented in March too. Costa’s All Inclusive and Comfort Plus tiers cover full board and drinks; Princess Plus covers casual dining, Wi-Fi, beverages and gratuities. Which tier makes sense depends on how you holiday — Cruise1st’s advisers know the detail of each one.

Sailing from Southampton in March

A small number of March sailings depart from Southampton, which remains one of the most convenient embarkation ports in Britain. You can reach it by road or rail from most of the country without a flight. Cruise1st can add a hotel the night before if you’d rather not travel on departure day, plus parking or a transfer to the port. For everything available from this port, see cruises from Southampton — or if you fancy a shorter trip, 3-night mini cruises from Southampton are also an option. For a broader look at 2027 departures from this port, 2027 cruises from Southampton covers the full year. P&O also has a strong programme from the port — see P&O cruises 2027 from Southampton for those sailings specifically.

Is March a Good Time to Book an Easter Cruise?

Easter falls in late March some years, which means March departures can occasionally overlap with the school holiday period. If Easter 2027 falls within the month, expect that week to be busier and book early to secure your preferred cabin grade. For sailings specifically timed around the bank holiday, Easter cruises 2027 brings together the options across that window.

How to Make the Most of Your March Cruise with Cruise1st

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, Cruise1st is set up to handle more than just the sailing itself. For the majority of March itineraries — which embark abroad — we can arrange flights from your nearest airport, hotels on either side of the cruise, transfers between airport and port, and tours at your ports of call, all as a single Cruise1st Package. If you prefer to build something bespoke, our cruise experts can do that too — call before you book and they’ll walk you through cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary options until you’re confident you have the right trip. We’re ABTA and ATOL protected and rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews.

Looking at Other Months or Seasons?

If March doesn’t quite work for your diary, the options either side are just as broad. February cruises offer many of the same Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries with slightly fewer crowds, and February cruises from Southampton covers the UK-departure options specifically. P&O fans heading out in February should check P&O February cruises 2027. For a broader seasonal view, spring cruises covers the full March-to-May window across all lines and regions. You can also browse the full cruises listing to search by line, region, duration and price — it’s the quickest way to see what’s available across the whole year.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate.