Table Of Content
You, however, could be lounging on deck sipping a frozen tropical concoction while waiting for your samba class to start. While most of the season offers moderate fares, if your cruise dates are limited to holiday breaks, be prepared for prices close to double what you'd pay during the few weeks before that. On Christmas cruises, expect holiday decorations, carolers, and visits from Santa. You’ll find Easter egg hunts and other fun activities for the whole family during spring holiday sailings.
Fall cruises to the Caribbean
While it is possible to enjoy a pleasant cruising experience in the Caribbean throughout the year, it is generally understood that cruising during a summer month is the riskiest. While there is always the risk of the occasional light rain shower when you are in the Caribbean, they tend to be fairly minimal during the late fall and early spring. During the back end of the dry season, meaning January until the end of April, average temperatures rise by a few degrees, but the skies usually remain clear.
School Holidays: Dodging the Crowds
In the cruise industry, a last-minute booking is considered any cruise purchased after final payment is due, generally 60 to 90 days before sailing. That means you have to pay the entire cruise fare at the time of booking rather than paying a deposit and the rest at a later date. All this talk of the best time to book a cruise raises the question of how far in advance you should book. The key to the answer is recognizing that cruise lines adjust pricing as cabins sell out (or fail to do so) on any given ship and itinerary. If you want to enjoy a multi-generational cruise, then cruising during school breaks and/or the summer will likely be the best option. You will just need to be aware that many other families will be doing the same thing as you.
Best time to cruise Alaska: June-August
After 13 Royal Caribbean cruises, I booked a Virgin Voyages cruise: here's what I loved and hated - Royal Caribbean Blog
After 13 Royal Caribbean cruises, I booked a Virgin Voyages cruise: here's what I loved and hated.
Posted: Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Luxury lovers should look at the smaller ships of the Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas fleets for opulent accommodations and fine dining while sailing the tropics. Oceania, Azamara and Windstar Cruises are less inclusive, but still high end. You can find departures from ports as far west as Galveston and as far north as the New York area, but the majority of true Eastern Caribbean cruises set sail from Florida or Puerto Rico. Western Caribbean itineraries are typically a week, but can be as short as four days (with just one stop in Mexico) or as long as 12 days (though these might include stops in the Bahamas, too).
When Is the Best Caribbean Weather?
The first step in deciding when to book your Caribbean cruise is to consider what kind of experience you want. Travelers don't tend to spend much time in Belize City itself, but it's a great jumping-off point for all Belize has to offer. Visit the Altun Ha Mayan ruins, go river tubing and spelunking in caves, zip line through the jungle or go snorkeling or diving along Belize's famous barrier reef (the northern hemisphere's largest). Shopping is a popular diversion, from high-end French stores in Martinique and St. Barts to crafts markets and souvenir shops. Historical attractions range from forts erected to protect against pirates to Mayan temples.
When is the best Caribbean Weather?
The weather is also still great during the months of both April and May. Highs tend to be in the 80s to low 90s, which means that the water temperature is ideal for activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. Nature lovers will also enjoy cruising to The Caribbean during April and May. You'll find abundant opportunities to see tropical fish, flamingoes, and turtles during this time of year.
Other holidays that coincide with school vacations can be busy as well. Though, historically crowds are pretty manageable during Thanksgiving week. If you want to avoid most potential hurricanes, you should consider cruises that sail to the Southern Caribbean. These “ABC islands” of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are south of the hurricane belt and therefore are least likely to be affected by these storms. With that being said, if you choose to cruise during hurricane season, you should not have your heart set on a specific itinerary because you will likely get re-routed if storms occur. The first factor you will want to consider when planning your Caribbean cruise is the weather.
In Australia, summer is the perfect season to enjoy the country's beautiful beaches, especially in the south near Sydney. However, if you plan to head north to destinations like northern Queensland, know that summer is that region's wet season. Most days are sunny, but you'll likely encounter an afternoon or evening storm. Transiting the Panama Canal from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean is a bucket-list trip for many travelers.
Bermuda Cruise Port Guide
If your Caribbean cruise takes place over Easter, Virgin Gorda (part of the British Virgin Islands) holds a weekend filled with parties and calypso music. In Jamaica, parades known as Bacchanal, take to the streets during both months. While there isn’t a particular time of year that needs to be avoided when cruising to the Caribbean, you may prefer a certain time of the year based on your schedule and cruising style. Celebrated throughout the Caribbean, the most famous Caribbean carnival is in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago is held each year on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. From street parades to calypso music, elaborate costumes, and dancing, a full port day of partying is guaranteed.
Although significant contrasts in culture and geography exist among the different countries in The Caribbean, the one feature that all these islands have in common is the weather. Thanks to reliable sunny, warm weather for many of the months out of the year, The Caribbean is a great year-round cruise destination. This fact means that the best time to cruise to The Caribbean depends on personal preference.
While several cruise ships sail in the Caribbean year-round, you will find the MOST selection during the winter season. Many cruise ships do leave the Caribbean in the summer months to sail in seasonal regions of the world. Ships may cruise the Panama Canal en route to Alaska or complete a transatlantic sailing to cruise the Mediterranean in the summer.
However, if you want a deal, the one thing that's certain is you should not sail over the holidays. Springtime will be the quietest time to visit the Aloha State, although you might find an uptick of families traveling for spring break during March and April. The summer is the busiest time for vacationers, and the winter months bring whale-watching enthusiasts and surfers. There are also two major sporting events in January, so you'll want to avoid the crowds on Oahu and Maui during that month. If you're looking for an adults-only option, Virgin Voyages caters to the young at heart with its edgy new ships.
Yes, given its location, Caribbean temperatures remain in the 70’s and 80’s most of the year. If you want more mild weather that isn’t in the rainy season, consider April to May or September to October. For the least chance of a rain shower (but the hottest temperatures), take a cruise to Hawaii in June, July, or August. For the best prices, look into voyages that sail in November and early December. Book flights that depart and arrive in time for Caribbean cruises with Holland America Line Flight Ease®. Find low prices, loads of options, and enjoy flexibility and support should plans change.
You can also avoid the crowds in late April and early May after the spring break rush but before school lets out and summer vacations begin. If you're looking for warm weather, excellent snorkeling opportunities, and beautiful beachfront destinations, then the winter months are often ideal. Winter in the Caribbean sees plenty of sunshine with temperatures ranging from 70s-80s Fahrenheit (20-30 Celsius).
If you're looking for a more low-key Caribbean cruise this time of year, look to the smaller islands of the region. A great way to dive deeper into the cultures of the Caribbean islands you visit is by experiencing local holidays and festivals. Festivals happen throughout the year and can be a unique way to experience a port during your cruise.
