Table Of Content
- When is the cheapest time of year to book a Caribbean cruise vacation?
- Caribbean Weather in September
- Western Caribbean
- When to cruise the Mediterranean for the best weather
- Fall cruises to the Caribbean
- Best time to cruise Canada and New England: September-October
- When is the Best Time for a Western Caribbean Cruise?
December can be the best time to cruise the Caribbean or a slightly less awesome one, depending on you. Earlier in the month brings a lull to the islands as hurricane season has ended, though by the end of the month expect higher prices and more crowds. The most popular times to cruise, such as spring break and summer break from schools, usually have higher cruise prices and more crowded cruise ports. For budget-conscious travelers, avoiding the busier season can help you save some extra bucks. During this period, the increase in demand often leads to higher cruise fares and airfares.
When is the cheapest time of year to book a Caribbean cruise vacation?
Almost any time of year is a good time to sail to the Caribbean or Bahamas, with year-round sunny skies, warm temperatures and glistening turquoise blue waters. San Juan is both a popular departure port and port of call on Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries. A single cruise line might call at 20 to 30 different ports in the Caribbean.
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?.
Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Caribbean Weather in September
This can mean your itinerary can be disrupted, or the cruise line will be forced to cancel the voyage entirely. While this outcome is fairly unlikely, it can be a concern for those who cannot delay their trip due to work commitments. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Pirates Week is the national festival of the Cayman Islands, taking place in November.
Western Caribbean
Although don’t let this scare you from cruising, as the chance of experiencing a hurricane this month is still low. Don’t forget that June is still part of the shoulder period, so expect great deals on resorts and cruises. 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.
When to cruise the Mediterranean for the best weather
Oftentimes, however, the length of a cruise can have a bigger impact on the ship’s atmosphere even more than the time of year. Shorter, 3 and 4-night cruises are likely to have a bigger party vibe and more families onboard, whereas longer cruises tend to skew quieter. There are always exceptions, but the key to finding the best price on a Caribbean cruise is to try to go when most others cannot cruise. Avoiding religious holidays and the school vacation calendar is a good start. With kids out of school in the summer, you should expect to see more families onboard.
Trinidad, known as one of the rainiest islands in the Caribbean, receives an average of 7.6 inches of rain with approximately 21 rainy days in July. Although you may encounter occasional rainfall during this month, it typically clears up quickly. If you’re planning a cruise to the Caribbean, expect temperatures of around 80°F (27°C), with daytime highs of up to 90°F (32°C). The climate also tends to be quite humid, particularly during the wet season. New Zealand's beaches are also a top attraction in the summer, along with outdoor activities and water sports.
While temperatures rise in many places across the U.S. during the height of summer, July and August temperatures in the Caribbean are in the upper 70s and 80s. Beginning at the very end of April and into May, Antigua Sailing Week is globally known for its prestigious sailing races and parties. Tons of music and jazz festivals take place around the Caribbean this time of year, including the Pure Grenada Music Festival in May and the St. Kitts Music Festival in June. 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.
These lines offer a range of itinerary lengths, port combinations and departure cities from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast. These lines cater to all ages, including older couples and families with children. They're close to the U.S. and cruise lines use these ports to break up the multiple days at sea needed to sail farther south into the Caribbean proper.
The worst time is September and October during the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season. May to early June experiences warmer weather and slightly higher rainfall, but it’s also the period just before hurricane season kicks in, which means you’ll avoid the extreme weather conditions. However, while cruising during hurricane season can offer significant savings, it also comes with a risk.
During those months, it's more pleasant to engage in outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking, which are a highlight when visiting places like Panama and Costa Rica. If you want to avoid rain, May is typically the driest month, with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 50s. It's a great month for nature lovers to cruise to Alaska because May is when you'll see much of the wildlife emerging, including migrating gray whales, Dall sheep, moose and migratory birds. One of the highlights of taking a cruise to the Caribbean during the holidays is celebrating with Celebrity Cruises on board.
Crop Over is a summer festival in Barbados that celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest. During July and into early August, expect special markets, parades and celebrations. In Grenada, Spicemas, held during the second Monday and Tuesday in August, celebrates the island's multicultural heritage with live music and festivities. Keep in mind that spring break -- for both younger kids and college students -- can mean things are crowded and lively on board and on land at this time of year.
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. The Caribbean is a group of more than 7,000 different islands and 26 different countries.
March break should also be avoided, as many families with children try to book during this week. If you choose to travel during peak hurricane season, there is also the risk that a hurricane or serious tropical storm will disrupt your cruise vacation. The spring break rowdies start in March and often continue well into April. If your goal is to avoid crowds of kids and partiers, skip the cheapest and shortest cruises, as well as cruise ships with water parks and thrill rides. Cruise traffic ramps up in May and June to prepare for the influx of summer-month vacationers.
While the pink-sand beaches and glistening, turquoise waters offer a slice of paradise, the archipelago in the western North Atlantic Ocean does not stay warm year-round. The subtropical climate of these British islands has winter temperatures that dip down into the low 60s and high 50s. Summer is from May to October, and winter falls between November and April. Since the temperatures are similar during both seasons, the best time to cruise the islands is when there's less chance of precipitation, which is during the summer months of June, July and August.
While every cruise journey offers intimate experiences, expeditions during this time will allow you to take in quieter beaches or more in-depth tours of Mayan ruins. Not to mention, November and December offer various voyages to help you escape the frosty Fahrenheits at home and dip your toes into the warm waters of a Caribbean winter. Revel in seasonal activities on board – like an elaborate Thanksgiving feast or a magical gingerbread house-making contest – and experience the holiday season like never before. As a result, both months are the least popular times of the year to vacation in the Caribbean. June and November are the least risky months during the hurricane season because they usually have the fewest tropical storms and hurricanes. 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.
