The best time to cruise to the Caribbean

Table Of Content

• Learn About Credit Cards
• Should you book your next cruise on the ship?
• What is the best month to take a cruise? We broke it down by region.
• Caribbean Cruise in July or August: Chances of Rain and Lots of Families
• When to cruise to Canada and New England for the best weather
• Best time to cruise Alaska: June-August

I can't know for sure, though I can guess that peak-season trips to popular destinations on a newer cruise ship are more likely to sell quickly. Christmas and New Year's cruises, top suites and limited specialty cabins (such as solo and family cabins) also tend to sell out early. The best time to book a cruise is when you've done your planning, picked a ship and found a cruise fare that fits your budget and offers good value. But that doesn't stop vacationers from wondering if they'd find a cheaper price if they wait to book tomorrow, next week or next month. The spring break rowdies start in March and often continue well into April.

Learn About Credit Cards

Certain destinations, like Alaska and Antarctica, have limited cruise seasons. In other regions, like the Caribbean and the East Coast, hurricane season may impact your decision. Like birds and whales, cruise ships also migrate to specific locations based on the seasonal weather patterns. This is why Alaskan cruises are in the summer and not at Christmas time. All cruise lines have these and they will offer you extra incentives to book your next cruise now. You don’t have to know the exact dates or pay in full and they will add your travel agents name to the reservation so they get credit and can help you with the cruise when you get back home.

Should you book your next cruise on the ship?

Frankly, cruise lines are similar to clothing stores in that they are always running sales. Sometimes it might be an incentive to book and receive onboard credit, or a sale where additional passengers sail for a discount, or a percentage off the total cruise. Where there is a difference during winter months is with your departure port.

What is the best month to take a cruise? We broke it down by region.

It's understandable why you might think there's a special or better time to book a cruise, because in other forms of travel there are inside scoops on when is the best time to book. These are the months when you rarely need to worry about weather shutting down onboard water attractions or causing cancellations of your in-port fun. Summer months are also perfect for multi-generational cruising, as they are often the only months when everyone's schedules align. And when you have a group to manage, you need as many activities as possible to keep everyone entertained. Summer cruises in the Caribbean make that easy with plenty of options, both on board and in port.

Summer Cruises vs. Winter Cruises: 6 Things to Know - Cruise Critic

Summer Cruises vs. Winter Cruises: 6 Things to Know.

Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Caribbean Cruise in March or April: Great Weather and Spring Break

Alaska’s cruise season is seven months long, from April to October. During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. Truth is, there rarely seems to be a difference in what you end up paying for a cruise based on sales.

When to cruise to Hawaii for the best weather

You will, however, want to avoid booking a cruise around the holidays at the end of the year and during spring break (March and early April). If you don’t have kids and want to avoid traveling during peak family time, then plan your cruise outside of school breaks, especially in July and August. If you’re itching for an end-of-winter getaway, find out when school districts let out for spring break and book your cruise a week or two beforehand. Regardless of the reasons, cruise lines realize not many people are booking cruises during these times so you can often find the best deals of the year. Cruise lines typically provide good sales in January to encourage potential cruisers to fill their ships.

As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship. If there are any good deals, the choices are going to be limited in terms of dates, ships, and cabin choice. Generally speaking, the best prices for a cruise are when a new sailing is put on sale and all the cabins are open to book. Inventory is at its highest, and prices only go up as rooms get booked. "There isn't a best day of the week to book a cruise, as prices change often," said Sharla Manglass, Travel Planner with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel.

Cruises to Hawaii will be less expensive in the fall when school is in session. Weather in Alaska in August may keep some cruisers away, but there are still many excursions and experiences to enjoy. On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer.

Best time to cruise Alaska: June-August

The best time to cruise Australia is from late November to March, when late spring crests into Australia's summer months. Major ports of call like Sydney, Adelaide and Perth will be quite warm and sunny, while Cairns in the northeast -- the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef -- will be steamy and hot. Now, it might be the itinerary I'm looking at won't be popular, and the cruise line will lower the fare closer to sailing. Or, the itinerary will sell well, and prices will only go up from the original price.

For example, orcas are often found in the waters near Vancouver, which is where many Alaska cruises depart. If you cruise when transient orcas are expected in the area, you’ll increase your chances of seeing the ocean’s largest apex predator. Where you go in the Caribbean also plays a part in choosing the best time of year to go. For example, the ABC Islands are known for having some of the sunniest days in the Caribbean throughout the year. Sail there in July or August and you’ll still likely have a forecast of sunshine.

Summer is peak season with family vacations and honeymooners, so prices will be higher then. Even though January, February and March bring more rain, the winter months are also peak season for tourists … and whales. The weather isn't all bad in the fall and Caribbean cruises prices are low during these months. Wave Season is the sales period that historically takes place between January and March since a large percentage of cruisers book their trips in the early months of the year. The new year, an empty calendar plus the cold winter months get travelers thinking about vacations and because of this cruise lines and travel agents often offer extra incentives. July and August can be the most expensive months to cruise the Caribbean, but there are plenty of exceptions.

During shoulder months, there are fewer crowds and the weather is mild. On the flip side, there’s a higher chance of encountering rainy days during your cruise. Spring is another favorite time to sail, especially for families who want to take advantage of their children’s spring break from school. If you want to plan your trip when there is the largest percentage of summer sunshine versus tropical rain, plan to go right when school gets out in June. The online booking experience is getting better all the time, especially with our expert vacation planners on call.

Then price these yourself or ask a travel agent to put together the options for you. Sometimes you can rent a limo to and from the port for less than transfers from the cruise line. Also, you can get some great deals on pre and post-cruise hotel nights close to the port and eliminate the worry of missing the ship. Early January is a particularly good time to book a fall cruise because many others have not booked these cruises. Many people are not yet thinking about fall vacations in January, and you can use this time to snag some of the best cabins on the ship, often at lower fares. There isn’t really a “bad” time to cruise to Mexico’s west coast, as the weather ranges from balmy to hot the majority of the year, and cruise ships sail there year-round.

Since it is after the holiday season, most people have either finished a holiday vacation and have no intention of booking another one soon. Curious to know the best time to book a cruise and your flight, or if there are surefire ways to score upgrades. Weather is drier and warm in December, making the early part of the month a great relaxing getaway. Rain is generally limited to the Southern Caribbean, including islands like Aruba. Ocean temperatures in the winter hover around a pleasant 79 degrees and average highs and lows in St. Kitts, for example, are 85 and 74 degrees, respectively. 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.

Cruises sail Down Under year-round, and there is no cut-and-dry answer as to when the best season is to sail. Different parts of the region experience different weather in relation to the seasons, and it comes down to what’s most important to you. The best time to visit Canada and New England is highly subjective based on what your goal is in going there.

If enjoying the fanfare of a yacht racing event is more your speed, try to plan your cruise for the end of April at the beginning of the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. “Like, if you go to Venice in July, you're gonna be sweating.” If you’re looking for milder temperatures, consider visiting as early as April or in October after fall rolls around.