The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler
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You can also cruise the Caribbean during the wet season (June to November) as long as you’re prepared for rainfall and possible itinerary changes. From August to October, during the hurricane season’s peak, it’s best to avoid cruising the Western and Eastern Caribbean and cruise to the Southern Caribbean (especially the ABC Islands) instead. 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.
Seasons in the Caribbean: Dry Season and Wet Season
Shoulder season is that time just before and just after peak or high season, from December to April. To minimize the chance of encountering bad weather, consider traveling to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). During the first half of the dry season, you can expect daily average temperatures to range somewhere between 70° F and 80° F. This means you can enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine without risking the sweltering intensity of the summer heat. The temperatures have dropped a few degrees from summer's heat and the chance of storms has mostly passed.
What months should you not go on a Caribbean cruise?
Sip and savor your way through the Barbados Food and Rum Festival in October where local chefs prepare culinary treasures that give you a taste of island life. In the Grand Cayman, don your tricorn hat and line the streets to watch pirates invade George Town during Pirates Week Festival. Enjoy rhythmic music, family-friendly competitions and local cuisine alongside locals and visitors.
Which Caribbean island is most affected by hurricanes?
December is a popular cruise month because of the holidays, though January and February are typically a bit less crowded. January also begins the dry season, so there’s less chance of rain on the islands during the winter. Spring months, like March and April, are part of the dry season, so they’re great times to cruise the Caribbean. Spring is a popular time for many people to go on a cruise, as they take advantage of spring breaks and perfect Caribbean weather. Many hometowns have yet to warm up by this time of year, making a vacation to the Caribbean the perfect way to warm up and start working on your summer tan.
How to Choose the Right Time to Cruise the Caribbean
The farther north your departure port, the more likely you are to experience a rough ride until your ship sails south into calmer water. Ships that sail seasonally in Alaska and Europe often call the waters of the Caribbean home for a few months in winter. If I were to narrow it down even further, I'd say the best time to cruise to the Caribbean is early December.
What about the summer?
What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive
What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean?.
Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
However, usually the rain does not last the entire day, and often lasts only an hour or so. Visiting during any month has advantages and disadvantages, so it ultimately depends on what type of weather and crowds you want. January in the Cayman Islands offers some of the best diving in the Caribbean. However, March is the best time to encounter humpback whales in the Dominican Republic. Overall, the best diving in the Caribbean can be found between November and May.
What is the Cheapest Time to Cruise the Caribbean?
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean are generally during the peak hurricane season months, lasting from August to October. During this time, the Caribbean is more susceptible to hurricanes, leading to potentially rough seas, bad weather, and possible itinerary disruptions or cancellations. The peak season also avoids the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, ensuring smoother sailing and safer travel conditions.
Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Low Prices
Places such as Jamaica, Cozumel, and Belize often have high humidity and can see temperatures reaching as high as 90°F (32°C). Easter, which is often in April, is also a major holiday, with many businesses being shut down on both Friday and Sunday. Guests can participate in the activities on both December 26th and New Year's Day. Music, dancing, and vibrant costumes are all part of the festivities that happen during the Christmas season. Enthusiastic bird watchers should consider fall as the optimal time to see this aviary migration as they move south.
Caribbean Cruise Weather by Month
Look particularly at last-minute options and those first two weeks in December. When cruising during this time, guests can expect a lot of hot and humid weather, as well as the occasional rain shower. Hurricanes also impact the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean side of Mexico and Central America, potentially affecting popular ports like Cozumel and Roatan. Of course, it varies year to year, but recent storms have affected the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten to name a few. Keep in mind that July and August means families are taking advantage of school breaks and vacation days.
Nighttime temperatures are also pleasant during these months, rather than muggy and humid. Given how the wet and dry seasons pan out, you are always better off booking your Caribbean cruise vacation during the calendar’s shoulder seasons, meaning late fall and early spring. To understand the best time to enjoy a cruise in the Caribbean, you first need to know how the seasons in the region work. Essentially, this tropical climate experiences two noticeably different seasons – the dry season and the wet season. As you may have guessed, these two seasons revolve around the amount of precipitation the region experiences during different times of the year. Be aware that spring break is high season for travel disruptions caused by peak demand.
In Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, you can take an exciting ATV tour through the lush backcountry. Carnival ships are packed with fun-focused attractions, including multiple pool areas, water parks with waterslides, basketball courts, miniature golf courses and even roller coasters on select ships. Additionally, many cabins on Disney's ships feature extra pull-down bunks and pull-out sofas that will allow four or even five people to stay in a single cabin. Most cabins have two bathrooms — one with a sink and a toilet, and one with a sink and a shower or tub. This is rare in the cruise world, and it's designed to make it easier for families sharing a room to get ready. Royal Caribbean offers seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings departing from Miami aboard Icon of the Seas through April 2026.
Americans tend to celebrate Thanksgiving, their biggest annual holiday, at home with family, so cruises falling over the fourth Thursday in November can be a real bargain. Early December, too, is perfect for avoiding the darkest nights of the British winter and working on a pre-Christmas tan. In general, the cheapest time of the year to cruise to the Caribbean is during hurricane season, which offers the best prices of the year and the lowest crowds. During this time, cruises can be priced 50% lower than other more popular times of the year-- a significant saving! You will be able to use the money saved on other cruise add-ons to help make the most out of your time onboard. December can be the best time to cruise the Caribbean or a slightly less awesome one, depending on you.
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