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If you do plan to cruise over the holiday break in December, make sure that you book your cruise early. Booking early will ensure that you get your pick of the best stateroom categories on the ship. Make sure you also reserve specialty restaurants and shore excursions early, too.
What is the best month to book a cruise?
Christmas and New Year's cruises, top suites and limited specialty cabins (such as solo and family cabins) also tend to sell out early. With advancements in technology and hurricane tracking, the cruise ships usually still sail. Most times, they are able to avoid storms and find the tropical weather you are looking for during your vacation. For warm weather that isn’t too hot and the best chance at no rain, look to visit the Mexican Riviera during the winter and into early spring.
Holland America Line's 7-day Tropical Caribbean
Why I left Royal Caribbean for MSC Cruises - Cruise Blog
Why I left Royal Caribbean for MSC Cruises.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The top reason to cruise during hurricane season is it will cost you a lot less to cruise during this time of year, and the likelihood of a storm directly impacting your cruise is low. One advantage of cruising in the summer is that the ocean temperatures tend to be warmer than in the winter. While the water in the Caribbean usually stays quite comfortable, the water temperature can get chilly in more northerly Caribbean destinations during the winter. This is something that you will not have to worry about by selecting a cruise in the summer.
Best weather in the Southern Caribbean
As you may have guessed, these two seasons revolve around the amount of precipitation the region experiences during different times of the year. Island weather tends to be more humid during these months, with temperatures still in the 70s and 80s range, and generally rainier. Plan on early morning beach time, fun trips to water parks, swimming with dolphins or stingrays, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports. Another perk of winter cruises (outside of December) is that the high-peak holiday cruise season has just wrapped up. Cruises sailing during early January and February dates are often offered at a great price point since most travelers have headed back to work. Therefore, cruise lines often offer their best fares when bookings open to incentivize travelers to book early.
Which itinerary is best for you will depend primarily on which port you want to depart from and how long a vacation you can take. Once you see the options that fit your parameters, you'll want to look at how many port stops versus sea days an itinerary has and which specific islands you'll visit. As schools close for spring break, the whole family can join in on this cultural celebration.
of the Most Unique Caribbean Beaches
The majority of the cruise line private islands are located in the Bahamas, and these appear regularly on all Caribbean itineraries. The Bahamian ports of Nassau and Freeport, even Florida's Key West, may appear on Caribbean-centric cruises. The shortest Southern Caribbean cruises are five or six days and leave from places such as Barbados, San Juan and St. Thomas.
Best time to cruise the Panama Canal: December-March
This experience provides a great learning opportunity for kids of all ages. Take an adventure catamaran tour and snorkel among the marine life that occupies a shipwreck below the sea. Since the Caribbean Sea averages about 81 degrees during May and June, this time of year is great for water activities as well. From January through March, The Caribbean has near perfect weather for all types of activities.
Kids are out of school for a week and taking a short break to explore the Caribbean is a perfect reward for keeping those grades up. Whether you're new to cruising or a hardy sailor, the Caribbean is the perfect place for a cruise vacation. If you've sailed before, there's always some destination you've never visited or an activity you haven't tried. If you're retired and can drive to a port, you can likely find an inside cabin to book just a few weeks prior to sailing. As with the Western Caribbean, seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises are the most common itinerary length.
Benefits of Cruising During the Off-Peak Season
This period marks the transition from the high season to the off-peak season, and you may find deals before the summer crowds arrive. The Southern Caribbean, encompassing destinations such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, has a more stable climate throughout the year. You can visit the Southern Caribbean year-round, but the peak season is still during the drier months from December to April.
While the official hurricane season spans from June to November, it is typically mid-August to late October when the frequency and severity of storms reach their peak. Although modern cruise ships are engineered to handle rough seas and divert away from tropical storms, itinerary changes and rougher sailing conditions may still arise. By avoiding this period, you can mitigate any potential disruption and enjoy a more serene cruise experience. The cruise season in the Mediterranean usually begins in April and ends in November, with peak season falling between June and September. Caribbean cruises sail year-round, so you can plan your trip for the winter holidays, spring break or summer vacation. However, more ships sail this region of the world in the winter, when other destinations (such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canada/New England and Bermuda) are too chilly for vacations at sea.
The key is knowing which area to cruise to and when to get full enjoyment out of every moment of your cruise vacation. The best time to cruise the Caribbean for you can depend on your schedule, whether school or work, your travel budget, and your travel desires. Are you guaranteed to find the cheapest, most freebie-laden pricing during these months? Cruise lines sometimes inflate prices before a sale, so deals for 30% or 50% off may not be as good as you think. Or, the cruise line may offer its best fares in a one-off sale at another time of year.
As long as you avoid time periods where kids are off from school (Christmas break, winter break, spring break, etc.), you’ll also encounter fewer crowds during this timeframe. Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt and doesn’t have a monsoon season. The best time to cruise the Western and Southern Caribbean is winter, as the waters are warm, and the temps are comfortable. Spring is a great time to take an Eastern Caribbean cruise as the cooler waters near the Bahamas heat up. The shoulder seasons, when temperatures are warming up or cooling off, are a less busy time to cruise Australia and New Zealand and offer slightly lower fares. Summer is peak season with family vacations and honeymooners, so prices will be higher then.
For example, as of March 2023, I can book a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line through spring or fall of 2025, depending on the ship. Additionally, late August through early October cruises are historically cheap as well. During this time frame, most kids across the United States are already back in school and it is also the peak of hurricane season in the region. If you are willing to take this risk, you can score some amazing deals during this time frame. The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations, with all major cruise lines offering cruises to this region.
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