These beautiful autumn cruises are perfect for avoiding the summer crowds

Looking to soak up the season on a cruise between late September and early December? Our pick of the best autumn cruises allow you to witness one of the most beautiful seasons while travelling outside of the peak holiday period for a more relaxing escape.

From luxury European river cruises to adventures along the UK's romantic canals, we've rounded up some of the best autumn cruises to inspire your next sailing.

While summer is a popular time for a cruise holiday, autumn cruises are a great way to avoid the soaring temperatures in mainland Europe while dodging the summer hordes. The good news is, in many places, the weather is still sunny and warm in autumn, so you can spend plenty of time exploring the great outdoors during an October or November sailing.

Autumn cruises are a great way to explore a destination that you've always dreamed of visiting. It's a cost-effective way to explore a lot of different locations on one trip, too. A cruise is a stress-free solution to packing more into your autumn holiday itinerary as you kick back and relax with a drink on the deck or a dip in the pool as you travel from one destination to the other while soaking up the delights of this photogenic season.

Travelling in autumn brings a host of unique charms. The forests, vineyards, and gardens along the rivers put on dazzling displays of fiery foliage to make already stunning landscapes even more breathtaking.

It's also the harvesting season in many European locations, so there are opportunities to participate in local festivals, get involved in the harvesting process yourself at vineyards, and of course, sample the mouthwatering seasonal produce.

So if we've got you dreaming of an unforgettable autumn cruise, you'll want to read on for our pick of some of the best ones available to book.