April marks the beginning of spring, an explosion of color as the natural world comes alive. For cruises, this is also a good month to take a cruise that changes locations as ships move into their summer season schedules. What I share in this article is Best cruise destinations in April.
April Cruise Destinations
April is the month to change your cruise location and explore a wide variety of destinations. This is the time when the winter cruise season ends and the summer season begins. Relocation cruises start from one port and end in another. Depending on where the ship is headed, a relocation cruise can be an epic journey from Southampton to Asia, or it can be booked as a short leg from Southampton to Rome.
I especially like changing cruise locations for several reasons.
- Relocation cruises can have a variety of cruise destinations.
- There is generally a good balance between port and sea.
- Relocation cruises are great value as they visit ports during peak season.
- You can sail on a new ship that is reassigned from your shipyard port to your first homeport.
There are particularly special cruise destinations in April due to nature or special events.
Kyoto, Japan
April brings the cherry blossoms, which the Japanese have celebrated for centuries, in full bloom. Cherry blossom season varies slightly from year to year as it is tracked by forecasters each year. The weather in April is generally sunny and mild, with an average high of 17°C. Many cruise lines offer cherry blossom season cruises, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises. The closest port to Kyoto is Kobe.
Japan is one of the great cruise destinations in April because of the cherry blossoms and the perfect opportunity for cruise repositioning. As cruise ships deploy from winter to summer, a good option is a trans-Pacific cruise from Japan to Alaska.
Norwegian fjord cruise in April
With its breathtaking scenery, a trip to the Norwegian fjords is a must for every cruiser. Cruises take you close to fjords with dramatic waterfalls and majestic glaciers, stopping at ports such as Bergen to explore villages with brightly colored wooden houses. All major cruise companies offer Norwegian fjord itineraries of various lengths and ports of call. Many Norwegian fjord cruises depart from Southampton, so this is an advantage for British cruisers who want a no-fly option.
Galapagos Islands Cruise
Cruises to the Galapagos Islands tend to take advantage of small expedition cruise ships such as the Celebrity Xpedition. Expedition cruises may cost more than mainstream cruises, but they are one of the best cruise destinations in April to see legendary giant tortoises, baby sea lions, and sea turtles. If you want to see these creatures in their natural habitat, it's a good idea to plan your Galapagos cruise several years in advance, as these cruises are very popular.
See tulips in Amsterdam
Spring is the best time to see tulips in full bloom in Amsterdam. In 2022, you can book a cruise to coincide with the Floriade Expo starting in April. Floriade Expo is an international horticultural event that takes place only once a decade. In addition to the tulips, you can also explore 150 acres of themed exhibits.
Amsterdam is also one of the best cruise destinations in April as there is a national celebration commemorating the King's birthday on April 27th. Koningsdag is one of the world's largest street parties, with canals filled with markets, parties, street entertainment and boats to celebrate the National Day. If you go to Koningsdag port, don't forget to pack something orange to wear.
Rome in April
Rome was founded on April 21, and the city celebrates its anniversary every year with special events to mark the occasion. You can expect to see reproductions of Romans and Romans in traditional costumes.
Another reason to take a cruise to Rome around April 21st is because something particularly special happens at the Pantheon at noon.
The Pantheon has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome and has stood in Rome for thousands of years. The domed roof has a hole in the center called the oculus. At noon on April 21, the Sun is perfectly positioned, surrounded by the eyeball.
If your cruise starts or ends in Rome, you should also consider booking tickets for the Roman Forum Light Show, which runs from April to October. A light show brings the ancient ruins to life each evening with audio tours and projections on the ruins.
Final thoughts on the best cruise destinations in April
These cruise destinations are recommended in April when certain events occur, whether natural or man-made. It could be witnessing the beautiful cherry blossom season in Japan or a birthday celebration in Rome.
Cruises that change locations are a viable option in April and offer great value with unusual itineraries. If you choose to visit the port during the off-season, you can also avoid the huge crowds that come during the peak season.
If there are any cruise destinations you would recommend to visit in April, I would love to read about them in the comments below.