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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. May weather on Mexico’s east coast, where the island of Cozumel sits, is also still hot and dry with temperatures in the 80s and over 11 hours of sunlight daily.
When to cruise to Mexico for the best weather
Yes, I know that the Bahamas is technically located in the Atlantic, but it's an easy mistake to think the balmy islands are found in the Caribbean. 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. 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). You'll find two main types of Western Caribbean cruises, and both are fabulous introductions to Caribbean culture and attractions.
Caribbean Cruise in January or February: Clear Skies and Perfect Temperatures
Although summer excursions don larger price tags, you can never truly place a value on the treasures of the Caribbean. Bermuda's cruise season runs between April and November, with a few ships calling on Royal Naval Dockyard in December. 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.
July/August
The Caribbean is blessed with gorgeous beaches that are wonderful year-round. In the rainy season, visibility might not be so good for snorkelling off the beach, so look at snorkel excursions that take you out on a boat over one of the many reefs. Low season — May to September — is a cheaper time to travel to the Caribbean. Outside peak season, there’s still plenty of choice and this is a good time to look out for bargains like cabin upgrades or free, all-inclusive drinks packages. “Repositioning cruises” are long sea voyages as ships move from one sailing area to the next. As the seasons change in April and October/November, ships move between Europe and the Caribbean, selling these sea passages at competitive prices.
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. With kids out of school in the summer, you should expect to see more families onboard. Summer can be a great time for families to cruise because they do not have to rely on a school schedule, giving them more flexibility in cruise itinerary and length.
Mistakes Made on First Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas - Business Insider
Mistakes Made on First Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best time to cruise Alaska: June-August
I've been on lovely cruises in the Caribbean in September and October with calm seas and uncrowded, quiet ships, all at a fraction of the price of cruises just a handful of weeks earlier in the year. If you prefer childless cruising during the holidays, you can choose an adults-only cruise line like Viking. If you’re considering a cruise to the Caribbean, the best time to go is during the dry season, which lasts from December to May. Keep in mind that this period is also the peak season, potentially resulting in higher costs.
Numerous snorkeling and diving excursions are available at various ports of call, catering to all experience levels. Whether you choose to snorkel in shallow reefs or embark on a thrilling dive, the Caribbean’s underwater world will leave you in awe. Even though modern cruise ships are all designed for stability and passenger comfort, it is always more pleasant to be a passenger when traveling through calm seas. As you can tell from our breakdown of the wet and dry seasons, conditions tend to be at their most pleasant and calm right before the start of the wet season and shortly after it has concluded.
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean - Cruise Blog
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean.
Posted: Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This month falls just outside the peak tourist season and before the start of the hurricane season, offering a sweet spot with less crowded beaches, affordable prices, and generally pleasant weather. With the rainy season not yet in full swing, visitors can enjoy warm, sunny days perfect for exploring the islands’ natural beauty and sunswept beaches. In conclusion, the best time to cruise the Caribbean depends on various factors such as weather preferences, budget, crowd preferences, and desired activities. The peak season from December to April offers ideal weather conditions and a vibrant atmosphere, but prices are higher, and the crowds can be overwhelming.
The classic Western Caribbean itinerary visits Mexico (typically Cozumel or Costa Maya), Jamaica, Grand Cayman and a cruise line's private island, which is typically in the Bahamas. While it may surprise you, some of the most affordable months of the year to cruise the Caribbean are some of the most pleasant months to travel in the region. Temperatures can be warm and enjoyable, but many people find that the humidity can be unpleasant. Rain is also more frequent, which can make excursions and exploring ports of call far less enjoyable. 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. The Caribbean Sea is usually relatively calm during late fall and early spring.
If you prefer warm and dry weather, the dry season is the ideal time to plan your Caribbean adventure. During these months, the weather is at its best, with warm temperatures and low chances of rain. This is the perfect time for those looking to escape the winter cold and soak up the sun on beautiful sandy beaches. The Caribbean islands are bustling with tourists during this period, as it coincides with winter vacations in many countries.
Sailing east, you’ll often enjoy a few days exploring Caribbean islands before crossing the Atlantic. Westbound crossings, in November, can be a good time to add on a few nights in a hotel before flying home. Official hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, with September and October the most likely months for hurricanes to develop. Hurricanes are not, however, a reason to dismiss a Caribbean cruise in these months. The Caribbean is a vast region and some areas tend to be far less prone to hurricanes than others. Barbados and St Lucia, for example, which are a long way east, or the southern islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, or Trinidad and Tobago, which tend to be out of the hurricane belt.
Temperatures during December reach average highs in the mid 80s, though it can reach the low 70s during night. The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) continue to offer dry conditions, making them perfect travel destinations. Temperatures in The Caribbean during the fall usually stay within the mid-70s to 80s range. Although the rainy season occurs in The Caribbean during the fall, the rain often lasts a short time. Ocean temperatures are in the 80s, which is still ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and boating. To get the best price on a cruise, it’s generally recommended to book several months to a year in advance.
Summer cruising in the Caribbean is ideal for lovers of sun, sea and sand looking for a fun escape with their kids or grandchildren while school is out. June, July and August temperatures average near 90 degrees throughout the region. While there's a possibility of tropical storms or hurricanes, the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't peak until late August through October. Late November and early to mid-December are also shoulder season and can be a fantastic time to travel.
The summer and fall seasons are the best times to avoid the throngs of tourists throughout the Caribbean. This may be the perfect season for you if you prefer not only less crowded Caribbean islands, but possibly a less crowded onboard cruise experience as well. Common destinations on Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries include Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and Grenada.
I was once bumped from a flight home after a spring cruise when a high school Spanish club from Wisconsin needed the seats to travel home together as a group. I was compensated and flew out the next day, but what if I had been bumped on my cruise embarkation day? If you plan a springtime Caribbean cruise, have a backup plan, including travel insurance, in case your travel itinerary gets rearranged at the last minute. Sailings that occur during spring break, holidays, and the peak of summer will have more kids and families onboard.
In Grenada, Spicemas, held during the second Monday and Tuesday in August, celebrates the island's multicultural heritage with live music and festivities. Caribbean cruises in January and February can be extremely budget friendly, with sailings available from $50 per person, per night. 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. If you're not a fan of crowds, you'll want to pass on traveling when everyone else is going during popular vacation weeks.
