When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?

Table Of Content

• Is November a Good Time to Cruise the Caribbean?
• Winter: Moderate fares and quiet crowds (except during the holidays)
• The Best Months to Take a Caribbean Cruise
• Five Things I Learned in French Polynesia’s Remote Marquesas Islands
• Caribbean Cruises FAQ
• Spring: Near-perfect weather with spring break crowds

This geographical advantage means that unlike other Caribbean regions, these islands rarely experience hurricanes. This makes them great for cruisers who want to avoid the uncertainty and potential disruptions caused by hurricane seasons, which can affect other parts of the Caribbean from June to November. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

Is November a Good Time to Cruise 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]

January is the coldest month in North America and Europe, so you can expect a lot of tourists to come at this time. The warm, clear, and calm waters of the Caribbean are a significant part of the appeal of cruising south. With diverse geography, amenities, and culture throughout the Caribbean, the are different advantages to each month during the year. At the end of the day, the best time to take a cruise to the Caribbean is when you can fit it into your schedule since it is such a fantastic year-round destination. 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.

Winter: Moderate fares and quiet crowds (except during the holidays)

No longer just a winter break, sailings to southern destinations run all year long. You will not have a short window like if you were to plan an Alaska cruise, as they only run during the summer months. Keep in mind that July and August means families are taking advantage of school breaks and vacation days.

The Best Months to Take a Caribbean Cruise

As the name suggests, precipitation increases throughout the wet season, but showers are brief and sporadic during the first few months. The risk of rain is relatively low at this time of the year, though you might experience the occasional shower. Additionally, December also marks the first month outside of the hurricane season. In May, the Caribbean’s shoulder season begins, making it the perfect time for those seeking an affordable escape from the cold. As May progresses, humidity levels rise, and temperatures typically reach the mid to upper 80s.

New to cruising

Many islands also experience more comfortable temperatures in the fall. Many travelers prefer cruising to the Eastern Caribbean during the winter months, as many islands in this region stay warm and sunny throughout the winter without getting too hot and humid. On-shore excursions are also more comfortable during this time of year, which is ideal if you plan on exploring.

Cruise traffic ramps up in May and June to prepare for the influx of summer-month vacationers. That means ships may be below capacity as high season comes into swing later in the summer. Short cruises remain relatively cheap, but prices for weeklong sailings increase -- some into the four-digit range, per person. The temperatures have dropped a few degrees from summer's heat and the chance of storms has mostly passed.

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. If you’re looking for optimum weather and reduced fares, one of the best months to cruise to the Caribbean is May, the beginning of shoulder season. Shoulder season is that time just before and just after peak or high season, from December to April. Hurricane season runs between June 1 and November 30, and it is the time of year when we typically see tropical storms form in the Caribbean.

The ships are more crowded, and the festive rush means that ports are busier than usual, detracting from the relaxed atmosphere many seek. 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 off-peak season, from May to November, might be appealing for those looking to avoid crowds and find lower prices.

The summer is the Caribbean’s rainy season, which can take away from the experience of those who want to enjoy the sunny blue skies and the beautiful beaches. Windstar Cruises offers several tours through the Caribbean during March and April, allowing you to explore your favorite islands or new destinations. With smaller ships, we can stop at smaller ports to bring you to hidden Caribbean gems and avoid the peak season crowds. "Perfect weather" in the Caribbean would likely equate to sunny days with warm water, delightful breezes, and minimal rainfall and humidity. For that kind of weather, Brittney Magner, vice president of luxury travel sales at Royal Travel and a Travel + Leisure A-List Advisor, says January through May is the ideal time to visit.

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. Of course, it’s no surprise why travelers flock to the Caribbean during the early spring months. The weather is often blissful, with temperatures fluctuating between the mid-70s to low-90s. Plus, March and April are still well within the dry season, so you won’t have to worry about rain or storms during your trip down south.

The best time to cruise is usually influenced by crowd levels, weather, and prices. Taking these factors into account will ensure your next Caribbean cruise is a memorable and enjoyable experience. In other words, plenty of cruise lines offer Caribbean voyages during this period, but demand is lower than during the peak travel months.

Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean - USA TODAY

Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you’re looking for the best deals, you need to know when to book your cruise. Booking last minute will typically be more expensive, so try to book as far in advance as possible. For example, if you can commit to cruise dates a year or more in advance, do it because rates will increase the closer you get to the trip. A good portion of Magner’s clients are visiting the Caribbean for boat charters. "For example, if you go to Anguilla, you can take a boat over to St. Barts. Or you can experience all the little islands around the Dominican Republic or Turks and Caicos."

The weather on excursions and beach days will be more comfortable in the winter months. 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. Southern cruises often stop at islands like St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Aruba, Curacao, Guadalupe and more. Depending on where your cruise departs from and stops, you may have a day or two at sea. Because there are so many more Southern Caribbean islands, these cruises are typically faster-paced, stopping at a new island every day of the cruise. Because of this factor, you should choose a Southern cruise if you’re really interested in exploring and sightseeing rather than relaxing.

Fall, especially September and early October, is not a bad time to cruise to the Caribbean – unless you are a worrier or someone who can't go with the flow when travel plans go awry. That's because the autumn months are the peak season for hurricanes and tropical storms. When it isn't stormy, it might still be a bit warm and sticky for some early in the season. The summer months are significantly less busy because it’s the start of the rainy season.