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If you prefer warm and dry weather, the dry season is the ideal time to plan your Caribbean adventure. 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.
Winter cruises to the Caribbean
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. If you prefer childless cruising during the holidays, you can choose an adults-only cruise line like Viking. Late November and early to mid-December are also shoulder season and can be a fantastic time to travel.
Day Caribbean Round-trip New Orleans: Harvest Caye, Cozumel & Roatan
Itineraries will be flipped, swapped or completely changed to avoid going anywhere near the storm. The cruise line has said time and time again that the safety of its guests, crew and ships are vital, and they will not send their vessels near any hurricane. There are pros and cons to certain months of the year that might make you pick one over another, as the winter months are definitely a favorite and when you'll find the most Caribbean cruises offered. There really isn't a bad time to cruise around the Caribbean given that it is a year-round destination and plenty warm every month. It also is a good time of year to look for a last-minute cruise deal if the seven- or 10-day weather forecast shows a low chance of rain.
When to book a Caribbean cruise
Luckily, you will likely have nice weather no matter what time of the year you sail to the Caribbean. Certain times of the year may be more warm, humid, or rainy than others, but in general, the weather in the Caribbean is warm and breezy. 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.
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. Spring — late April and most of May — is regarded as shoulder season, with competitive pricing. Be aware, though, that April is spring break for American university students and cruises out of Florida’s ports, in particular, can be packed with partying students. While we recommend cruising to the Caribbean in the winter months, don’t expect to find the cheapest fares around the holidays. Cruises around Christmas and New Year’s will, unsurprisingly, come with higher prices. That being said, the holidays can be a fun time to set sail with special dining menus, decor, and events throughout the ship.
As you can imagine, the worst time to visit the Caribbean is when it has the "worst" weather during hurricane season. Bennet says while he does not think there is a "worst time" to visit the Caribbean, he prefers to visit when the crowds have gone away. Ultimately, the best and worst times to go to the Caribbean depend on your island of choice and travel goals, but we think almost any time is a great time for a beach getaway.
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. It’s rare for cruise ships to be caught in hurricanes as they simply move out of the path of the storm. The most likely inconvenience for cruisers is missing ports or having itineraries modified to dodge storms.
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Like all cruise destinations, shoulder season is the best time to sail for those looking to save money. Some of the cheapest fares are found in October and April when school is in session. The Mexican Riviera also has a dry and rainy season, with the dry season from November to June and the most precipitation expected in August and September.
Best Months to Cruise the Caribbean
While spring is part of the Caribbean’s high season, it is one of the best times to visit because the weather is perfect. You have minimal risk of hurricanes and can avoid the rainy season, so you can optimize your time on the yacht deck admiring the view or exploring the various islands. The weather in the Western Caribbean is similar to that of the Eastern region. You’ll experience balmy conditions, perfect for outdoor excursions and relaxing in the sun. Because hurricane season also affects this area, the winter months are the best time to cruise to this region of the Caribbean. Deciphering the best and worst times to cruise the Caribbean isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
During the months of January through March, you’ll find idyllic tropical weather with temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s and low humidity. January also marks the beginning of the Caribbean dry season, which greatly minimizes the chance of rain during your cruise vacation. A Caribbean cruise vacation conjures up images of swaying palm trees, sun-warmed beaches, aqua waves, and frosty tropical drinks.
Cruises to Mexico from Los Angeles sail to the Mexican Riviera, a name coined for the country’s picturesque towns along the Pacific Coast and Baja California. Ports like Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Catalina Island are found on Mexican Riviera itineraries. Cruises to Hawaii will be less expensive in the fall when school is in session. Travelers don't tend to spend much time in Belize City itself, but it's a great jumping-off point for all Belize has to offer.
These months are also the beginning of the dry season, so you can expect abundant sunshine throughout the day. Tourists flock to Europe in the summer, but the best time for a European cruise is in the late spring and early fall. Temperatures are more pleasant and the crowds of tourists tend to much smaller than the peak summer months. You'll also find the lowest Europe cruise prices during these two shoulder seasons, which run from April through early June and September into October. If you're looking for warm weather, excellent snorkeling opportunities, and beautiful beachfront destinations, then the winter months are often ideal.
Whether you’re walking around Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, lounging in a beach chair in St. Thomas, or going hiking in St. Lucia, you won’t feel as hot as you would in the peak of summer. As the weather gets warmer, eastern Caribbean cruises start to become a better choice. Many eastern cruises begin in Florida and include the Bahamas as a port of call. The Bahamas and the nearby Turks and Caicos islands are among the coolest in the region during the winter. Each season offers different advantages and disadvantages in the Caribbean.
However, by the peak summer season in late June and July, the starting price is $921 per person. Caribbean cruises sail year-round, so you can plan your trip for the winter holidays, spring break or summer vacation. However, more ships sail this region of the world in the winter, when other destinations (such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canada/New England and Bermuda) are too chilly for vacations at sea. Atlantic hurricane season generally runs from June through November, but late summer and early fall can be a tempting time for travelers who want to avoid the crowds, says Bennett.
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. Many people would agree with me that a Caribbean cruise is the perfect antidote to the winter doldrums and work stress, plus a wonderful way to reconnect with friends and loved ones. The ship takes care of everything -- transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment – so you can skip much of the daily planning drama and simply enjoy your vacation and travel companions. Every day you wake up to warm weather and sunny skies (well, most of the time) and a new destination promising white sand beaches, fun activities and memories to be made.
The summer is the busiest time for vacationers, and the winter months bring whale-watching enthusiasts and surfers. There are also two major sporting events in January, so you'll want to avoid the crowds on Oahu and Maui during that month. Many cruise lines also run sales at the end of the summer or during Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and Caribbean sailings are almost always included. Sun, sand and sea are what most travelers want when they book a cruise to the Caribbean.
