September cruises 2027 up to -48%

September is one of the most varied months in the cruising calendar. The Alaska and West Canada season is in full swing, the Mediterranean is at its most active, and itineraries stretching across the Pacific or into Japan give travellers something genuinely different to aim for. Voyages range from a short 4-night taster to an epic 79-night journey, with a median of 9 nights — enough to feel truly away.

Where do September cruises go?

The sailings available in September spread across the globe, but the strongest concentration is in Alaska and the West Canada coastline, followed by the Mediterranean in both its western and eastern reaches, transpacific crossings, Japan and the British Isles. Here is how that plays out region by region.

Close to home — Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

For travellers based in Australia, sailings around Australia and through Southeast Asia mean the journey to the ship is a domestic flight or, for those who live near the port, no flight at all. These shorter-haul options are a genuine alternative if you want a cruise without a long-haul lead-in. Cruises from Sydney in September are a popular starting point, and if you are based further north, cruises from Brisbane in September are worth exploring too.

The long haul — Alaska, the Mediterranean and beyond

Alaska and West Canada is where September cruising is most concentrated. Ships sail the dramatic coastline with Vancouver featuring prominently as a disembarkation port — and for those flying in from Australia, a short domestic connection or an international flight makes it reachable as part of a broader North American trip. If you are positioned near the port, it is simply a matter of boarding.

The Mediterranean is the next major draw, covering both the western arc — where Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) serve as key departure and arrival points — and the eastern reaches. Mediterranean cruises in 2027 cover an enormous range of itineraries at this time of year, from short round trips to longer voyages that finish in a different port entirely.

Transpacific crossings are a standout option in September. These are typically one-way voyages that bridge continents — finishing in a different city from where they started — so a domestic or connecting flight at one end is part of the plan, and our team can arrange that alongside the cruise itself. Transpacific sailings suit travellers who want to combine a cruise with a broader trip rather than returning to the same port.

Cruising around Japan in September brings a distinctive itinerary into the mix, with Tokyo featuring as a disembarkation point. The British Isles round out the picture for those drawn to the UK and Ireland, with Southampton as the main hub — a classic embarkation point for longer European voyages.

Which cruise lines sail in September?

Viking Ocean Cruises and MSC Cruises are among the most active lines in September, alongside Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. AmaWaterways and Celebrity Cruises also sail this month, and the full range covers river as well as ocean itineraries — though the overwhelming majority of sailings are ocean voyages. Holland America Line rounds out a strong selection for travellers comparing lines.

It is worth knowing that a meaningful share of September departures are one-way itineraries — so the ship finishes in a different city from where it departed. That is part of the appeal for travellers who want to combine the cruise with time at both ends, and CruiseAway can put the connecting flight or return leg on the same booking so there is nothing left to arrange independently.

What are the ships like in September?

Several well-regarded ships sail in September, ranging from large resort-style vessels to intimate luxury ships. Here are some of the highlights.

Sun Princess — Princess Cruises

New in 2024, Sun Princess is the biggest and most innovative ship Princess Cruises has ever launched. The Dome — a striking architectural feature at the heart of the ship — shifts from a Santorini-inspired pool deck by day into a lively South Beach entertainment venue as evening falls. With 29 dining options and 5 pools, there is always something new to find aboard. Our cruise experts can walk you through the cabin options, and the full Sun Princess cabin and deck plans are available if you want to choose your exact position before booking.

Enchanted Princess — Princess Cruises

Each night, Enchanted Princess puts on a WaterColor Fantasy LED light show at the stern — a signature spectacle that is unlike anything else at sea. During the day, The Sanctuary adults-only retreat offers al fresco massages, private cabanas and dedicated serenity stewards high above the waterline. For a special evening, the immersive 360 dining experience weaves seven courses, live music and visuals into one memorable sitting. Cabin grades aboard Enchanted Princess include:

• Inside cabin IA (15.4 m², sleeps 4) — centrally located on middle to upper decks, with quiet surroundings and easy lift access to restaurants and entertainment.
• Premium Sea-view cabin O6 (16.0 m², sleeps 4) — floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows bring in natural daylight and open sea views that an inside cabin simply cannot offer.
• Deluxe Balcony cabin DA (23.4 m², sleeps 4) — an extended corner balcony gives you more outdoor space than a standard balcony cabin, ideal for spending time in the fresh air.
• Sky Suite S0 (160.4 m², sleeps 5) — two separate bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, delivering a level of privacy no other suite on the ship can match.

See the full Enchanted Princess cabin and deck plans to compare positions across the ship.

Queen Mary 2 — Cunard

Queen Mary 2 is the world’s last true ocean liner, and crossing an ocean aboard her is a genuinely different experience from a standard fly-cruise. The only planetarium at sea sits aboard QM2 — you can lie back under a star-filled dome while the oceans pass beneath you. Ballroom dancing, White Star Service and the elegance of the Queens Room make this a ship that is, in many ways, a destination of its own. The Queen Mary 2 cabin and deck plans are worth a look if you want to find the right position for your crossing.

Queen Elizabeth — Cunard

Step aboard Queen Elizabeth and the Art Deco splendour — from the chandeliers to the promenade deck — sets the tone immediately. Cunard’s White Star Service means dining in the Britannia, Princess or Queens Grill restaurants is exactly as you would hope. The Royal Court Theatre hosts live shows, the Queens Room ballroom invites you to dance, and a game of deck croquet on a sunny afternoon is entirely possible. Queen Elizabeth cabin and deck plans help you find exactly where you want to be.

MSC Magnifica — MSC Cruises

MSC Magnifica carries something genuinely unusual in its Aurea Spa: a salt grotto for halotherapy, unique to this class of ship. The 1,200-seat theatre stages Broadway-scale productions, and a 4D cinema adds another dimension to the entertainment offering. At the top of the ship, the MSC Yacht Club provides an exclusive enclave with its own pool, private restaurant and butler service. Cabin grades aboard MSC Magnifica include:

• Premium Balcony Fantastica (18 m², sleeps 4) — a generous living space with seating area and sofa, larger and more comfortable than a standard balcony cabin.
• Premium Suite Aurea (25 m², sleeps 4) — positioned exclusively on Deck 14, the highest suite level, with the finest views and the shortest walk to upper deck facilities.
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite with Partial View — access to the exclusive Yacht Club enclave, with personalised concierge service and enhanced privileges throughout the voyage.

Full details are available on the MSC Magnifica cabin and deck plans page.

Seabourn Ovation — Seabourn

Seabourn Ovation is built around classical, luxury experiences, with elegant dining included as standard throughout the voyage. The standout cabin is the Grand Wintergarden Suite GR (approximately 115 m², sleeps 4), which comes with its own private hot tub, a separate bedroom, a generous living area and a full kitchen with bar — nearly twice the footprint of the Owner’s Suites. Seabourn Ovation cabin and deck plans show the full layout.

What fare options are available in September?

Royal Caribbean sailings in September come with a range of fare structures. The BOGO promotion offers the second guest up to 60% off, making it a strong option for couples or friends travelling together. A Last-Minute Fare provides discounted pricing for those booking close to departure. A third and fourth guest offer is also available on select sailings — the cruise fare for the extra guests is reduced, though taxes, fees and port expenses apply to all guests regardless. Our cruise experts can confirm which promotions apply to the sailing you are considering.

Princess Cruises offers 2 main fare tiers across its September sailings. The Princess Standard fare is the base cruise fare, covering the voyage itself, with packages available to add. The Princess Plus fare builds in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each with a daily limit of 15 drinks, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating — a meaningful bundle for guests who want most things sorted before they board.

Norwegian Cruise Line gives you a straightforward choice: book just the cruise at the lowest brochure fare, or step up to a package that adds a premium beverage package, a speciality dining package, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits per port. A premium tier adds the dining package for all guests in the stateroom and extends the shore excursion benefit further.

Are there all-inclusive sailings in September?

Yes — a substantial number of September sailings are all-inclusive or carry fare bundles that cover drinks, dining and more. Looking at the broader range of cruise deals can help you compare what each line includes at the fare level you are considering. Our cruise experts are also well placed to explain what each tier actually covers in practice, so you know exactly what you are getting before you commit.

Are September cruises good for families?

September can work well for families, particularly those with flexibility around school terms. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are among the lines with the broadest family-friendly programming at sea. The range of durations — from 4 nights upward — means it is possible to find a sailing that fits a shorter break, and round-trip itineraries returning to the same port keep logistics straightforward for families travelling with children. Our cruise experts can help match the right ship and the right itinerary length to your family’s needs, and point you toward the cabin configurations that work best for groups travelling together.

What should I pack for a September cruise?

What you bring depends almost entirely on where you are going. September sailings span Alaska (where layers and waterproofs are essential), the warm Mediterranean (light clothing with a smarter option for evenings), transpacific crossings (variable, so layers work well) and Japan (comfortable walking shoes and layers for changeable temperatures). Check the specific itinerary you are booking and pack for the ports as well as the sea days — our cruise experts can advise on what is typically expected on board each line.

How do I get to my September cruise?

The vast majority of September sailings depart from ports in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. For travellers flying from Australia, that means an international flight is part of the journey — and CruiseAway can put the whole thing on one booking. Through our DreamAway Packages, we can add flights, hotels before and after the cruise, transfers and tours, so you arrive at the ship with everything already arranged. For one-way itineraries that finish in a different city from where they started, we handle the return leg in the same way.

If you happen to be based near one of the embarkation ports — Vancouver, Southampton, Rome (Civitavecchia) or Barcelona — the ship is even more accessible, and you may need no flight at all.

Why book September cruises with CruiseAway?

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every booking we make is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive holiday, which means our team knows these ships, these fares and these itineraries in real depth. Our Best Price Guarantee means you are not paying more by booking through us. Our cruise experts will help you choose the cabin grade and the fare inclusions that actually suit your trip, not just the cheapest option on the list. And when a flight is involved — as it is for most September sailings — we wrap everything into a DreamAway Package so flights, hotels, transfers and the cruise itself sit on one booking.

September 2027 sailings start from A$349 pp*. Whether you are looking at a short Pacific escape, a Mediterranean voyage or a transpacific crossing, our team is ready to help you put it together. You can also explore the full range of cruises available to Australians, browse cruises from Sydney in September 2027 or take a closer look at cruises from Brisbane in September 2027. If Princess Cruises is on your radar, the Princess September promotion is worth checking before it closes. And for a broader look at the Princess Cruises Australia 2026/2027 season, that page covers the full programme.

*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.