Where Should Canadians Cruise in March: The Smart Picks
In March, your school calendar matters more than the weather. The Caribbean is warm all month, but March break concentrates Canadian family demand into a few specific weeks, and those weeks are priced accordingly. Sail outside them and March is one of the easiest months of the winter.
When is March break in your province?
Dates differ by province and sometimes by school board, which is why sailings across the whole month feel busy. The pattern below is typical only; confirm with your own board before booking.
| Province | Typical spring break timing |
|---|---|
| Quebec | Late February or early March, varying by school service centre |
| Ontario | One week in mid-March |
| British Columbia | Two weeks, mid-to-late March in most districts |
| Alberta | Late March or early April, depending on the board |
| Manitoba | Usually the last week of March |
| Atlantic provinces | Varies, from early to late March |
Because the US has its own spring breaks through March, the whole month is busy on Florida sailings, and the overlap weeks are the most expensive.
Where to cruise in March
- Western and eastern Caribbean: still dry season, with the widest choice of family ships from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa. Eastern vs western vs southern Caribbean compares the routes.
- Bahamas: short three- to five-night sailings suit a one-week break without using every day on the ship.
- Mexican Riviera: an easier flight from Vancouver or Calgary than Florida, with warm, settled weather.
- Japan: for couples, cherry blossom season usually runs from late March into early April, and spring sailings are popular. See Japan cruises for Canadians.
Alaska, Norway and most of the Mediterranean are still closed or only just opening.
The cost of the break week
Break-week fares can sit close to Christmas levels, while the week before or after the same family-heavy period is often much cheaper on the same ship.
Couples and retirees can take advantage of this directly. Early March, before the Ontario and BC breaks, and April once Easter has passed, are often quieter and fairer value. Kids Sail Free promotions can help families who have no choice, but read the catch first.
Booking a March break cruise
Families have one shot at these dates, so the order matters:
- Book during wave season, from January at the latest, and ideally the autumn before for connecting cabins or suites.
- Check every passport. Children need their own valid passport to fly to the US.
- Carry a consent letter if one parent is travelling alone with the children.
- Fly in the day before. March storms can still disrupt flights from Winnipeg, Toronto or Montreal.
- Reserve kids club extras, specialty dining and popular excursions as soon as booking opens, because family weeks sell these out first. The kids clubs guide covers ages and costs by line.
Wave season wraps up around the end of March, so promotions are still running, but the best family cabins on break weeks are usually gone by then. Wave season explained shows what is typically on offer.
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Ask a cruise expert →Getting March right
If you are tied to March break, lock in your exact week early and budget for peak pricing. If you are not, avoid the overlap weeks and enjoy the same sunshine for less. Couples who want quieter value can compare this month with the February guide, where demand is usually softer.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time for a family cruise from Canada?
Yes for timing, since March break lets kids sail without missing school. The trade-off is that break weeks carry near-holiday pricing and fill early, so book during wave season and confirm your school board's exact dates first.
Does Alaska cruise season start in March?
No. Alaska sailings start in late April or May and run to late September, so March options are the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, Hawaii and a few longer voyages further afield.
Do children need passports for a March break cruise?
If you fly to the departure port in the US, yes: everyone, including children, needs a valid passport to fly to the United States. If only one parent is travelling, carry a consent letter from the other parent, as the Government of Canada recommends.
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