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As a plus, you will find far fewer crowds during the shoulder season as well. The summer months bring the warmest temperatures, most wildlife viewing opportunities, and longest daylight hours. If you are hoping to participate in outdoor activities while in Alaska such as hiking or whale watching, the summer months are your best bet. This is because demand increases, which usually translates to higher prices for cruise ship tickets. March break should also be avoided, as many families with children try to book during this week. December can be the best time to cruise the Caribbean or a slightly less awesome one, depending on you.
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If I were to narrow it down even further, I'd say the best time to cruise to the Caribbean is early December. It's a fun way to create a break between Thanksgiving and the December holidays. Given the unpredictability of Caribbean weather, the dry season does not have a specific start and finish date, but it generally runs from early November until late April. During this stretch, temperatures tend to be relatively mild, while precipitation is at an annual minimum.
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Hurricanes are always of interest to the Caribbean, and hurricane season runs from June through November. For cruise passengers, the risk of being caught in a hurricane on a ship is low. While temperatures remains steady in September, October and November (70s and 80s), sunny days might be tempered by winds and rains during stormy conditions.
When is the best time to book a cruise?
The risk of rainfall rises as the summer advances, so anyone planning a cruise will find that early summer has a lower chance of rain in many destinations than later summer. March as well as June through August are popular with families on spring and summer breaks. June is the best time to cruise the Caribbean in the summer because it has a lower risk of rain than July or August. For the most part, the best time to cruise the Caribbean is January through April during the dry season, especially in April when temperatures are warmer. The worst time is September and October during the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season. By late spring, summer and fall, there are more festivals, sporting events and golf tournaments that bring visitors to the islands.
Best Times of Year to Go on a Cruise
Many destinations experience a high point of tourism from December through February because of people fleeing the northern winters. But that period also has the lowest average temperatures for the Caribbean, especially in the islands lying closest to the United States. It is especially true during the Caribbean hurricane season, which lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November. During that period, total rainfall rises until it reaches a high point in September and October.
Winter: Moderate fares and quiet crowds (except during the holidays)
May and June are hot in the Caribbean, with highs in the 80s and 90s during the day. Humidity will also be higher this time of year, and nighttime temps won't fall lower than the 70s. Caribbean cruises in January and February can be extremely budget friendly, with sailings available from $50 per person, per night.
Caribbean and Bahamas
In other words, if you can sail at the least expensive time, your cruise can be a sharp discount off the peak price. We’ve charted the per-person cabin prices for both a balcony and interior room. Specifically, these prices were for a 3-day cruise aboard Carnival from Miami that sailed regularly throughout the year. Say there was a month or two out of the year when cruises were drastically cheaper for you to book, no matter when you sailed. If that were the case, passengers would catch on and wait until then to book.
Best and Worst Times to Cruise the Caribbean
Fares for seven-night cruises in May 2024 are as low as $499 per person on an MSC cruise sailing round-trip from Miami and even less expensive at $399 per person come September. January is the beginning of the dry season, so the humidity is lower, and the temperatures are in the 70s and 80s. Some of the Caribbean's nicest weather is in May, at the start of shoulder season.
Holland America Princess, and Royal Caribbean have Alaskan Inside Passage cruises departing from Vancouver at the end of April. Carnival has 14-day Alaskan cruises departing from Seattle and Long Beach in late April. Weather, ocean conditions, and limited sunlight make winter cruising to Alaska impossible. Since I grew up in Alaska, I’m a fan of just about everything in the Land of the Midnight Sun. I also know that your experience can vary widely depending on the month you choose to visit Alaska. October is one of the wettest months in Alaska, so prepare for low clouds and rain.
They can also kick up storms that lead to rough seas and less-than-ideal excursion conditions. Wave season may be a popular time to find cruise deals, but not every company releases its best deals and promotions during that period. If a cruise is filling up quickly, the company has no reason to release a sale to entice customers. But if a cruise's departure date is fast approaching and the ship is only partially booked, prices will drop and complimentary add-ons will increase, resulting in some happy customers. In actuality, most cruise lines will sell available cabins through the day before sailing, but limit or deny same-day bookings. Depending on the line, you may only be able to book cruises within a day or two of departure directly with the cruise line's reservations department.
You can enjoy snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach during these months. The early season in Bermuda (April and May) sees some of the lowest prices and has comfortable temperatures in the 70s. The water temperature, however, can be cold at this time of year, so it is not the best time to visit for those hoping to enjoy beach activities. Finally, there is shoulder season, where you will find lower cruise fares and fewer crowds along with relatively comfortable temperatures.
Summer workers (typically college students) begin to arrive for the peak tourist season, and shops and restaurants open for the summer. The average rainfall in Juneau during the month of April is 2.77 inches. Although the rain isn’t convenient, it is the reason for the lush vegetation you enjoy.
During this time, you’ll be able to explore destinations such as Nassau and Freeport and enjoy activities like snorkeling, beach-hopping, and island exploring. The Canary Islands and Croatia, Greece, and Turkey will see cruisers from April to December. These months are also good times to go, as rates are cheaper and there are fewer kids onboard, which can make for a quieter cruise. These months are the best time to explore destinations such as Barcelona, Rome, and Santorini, and enjoy the local culture, food, and history.
Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. January through March is often the region's busiest season, as the weather is most ideal and offers passengers an escape from colder temperatures throughout the United States. You can find 9-night cruises priced around $750 per person or 13-night cruises that begin at $1,165 each. As fall rolls around, prices will begin to increase due to the peak foliage opportunities, and while many families may not be onboard, you can expect crowds in port.
You can also expect more ships and crowds in town during late September and October at the height of the leaf-peeping season. However, many travelers choose to cruise to Canada and New England specifically for the fall foliage. Peak leaf season begins around mid-September and runs through October. If fall colors are your goal, resign yourself to cooler temperatures on your sailing, especially in the evenings. The Mexican Riviera (i.e., the Pacific coast of Mexico) is a year-round cruise destination. Most ships sail the itinerary in the fall, winter and spring because those same ships head to Alaska for the summer.
Each season has something to offer someone, which is what makes this whole year-round Caribbean cruise thing work. If we all thought early December was truly the best time to cruise to the Caribbean, it would cease to be so. Cruise fares are higher overall in summer than in the other three seasons. Shops and attractions will overflow with passengers from other ships and land-based vacationers. If you don't mind spring break crowds, spring is a wonderful time to cruise. The weather in the Caribbean in March, April and May is idyllic, and the seas are likely to be calm.
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