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While there’s not necessarily a bad time to cruise to the Caribbean, the best time for you may depend on what certain seasons offer. Perhaps the most important thing to know when planning to cruise the Southern Caribbean is that December through April is peak season. Also, summers are warmer, though there aren't huge seasonal temperature fluctuations. The best deals in the Caribbean can often be found when the weather is at its worst — during hurricane season. At the same time, a small window exists in the dead of winter when good deals can be found.
What is the Best Time to Avoid Crowds?
Trinidad and Tobago, along with the ABC islands, are great destinations year-round, even in the height of hurricane season. The Caribbean weather is mid-to-upper 80s and June is one of the wettest months in the islands. In general, September and October are considered the worst months to cruise the Caribbean, as it is peak Hurricane Season. 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. If you're considering a summer or early fall Hawaii cruise, note that seas can be rough in August.Wondering if September is a good time to go to Hawaii?
Are Bigger or Smaller Cruise Ships Better?
April and May are also wonderful months to cruise if you are looking for a great deal on a Caribbean cruise. You'll discover plenty of bargains from mid-April until the end of May. Situated in the Atlantic hurricane belt, the Bahamas has more frequent hurricanes and tropical storms. Despite the cooler temperatures in the northerly Caribbean islands, the climate from December to May in the Eastern Caribbean is generally warm and pleasant. During this time, temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (around 24-29°C) across most islands.
Best Eastern Caribbean Ports
The Southern Caribbean is a fantastic destination to visit at any time of the year. Thanks to its consistently pleasant weather, you don’t have to worry about picking the “right” time to enjoy your vacation. This region, especially the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), offers sunny skies and comfortable temperatures no matter when you decide to go. Cruisers can swim, snorkel and scuba dive, of course, but they can also kayak, snuba, Jet Ski, sail and parasail. Sometimes you can do these things right from whatever beach is your destination for the day.
If you book any shore excursions with a third party, make sure the company offers a refund if your ship misses the port. More specifically, you will want to favor the months of November and April when booking your trip. If you want to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms, we recommend April over November, but remember that November can be a pleasant time to enjoy a cruise in the region.
From vibrant costumes to rhythmic dancers, this parade of artists trots through the crowd-lined streets, appearing as one kaleidoscope of color. In other words, plenty of cruise lines offer Caribbean voyages during this period, but demand is lower than during the peak travel months. This increases the chances of scoring an amazing Caribbean cruise deal. As the name suggests, precipitation increases throughout the wet season, but showers are brief and sporadic during the first few months. While cruise lines are usually prepared to sail away from storms, it's always a good idea to supplement low fares with travel insurance for incidentals like flight changes.
What about the summer?
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Or, book a leisurely sunset sail or high-octane party cruise to get on the water, not necessarily in it. White sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters are the biggest attractions for most Caribbean cruisers. You'll be hard-pressed to find a Caribbean cruise port that does not offer beach access.
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. Popular cruise islands such as St. Maarten have average high temperatures rise into the upper 80s Fahrenheit or more than 30 degrees Celsius. If you're not interested in high-season travel or experiencing the latest cruise ship, you can play the waiting game and pounce as soon as fares drop.
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Luxury lovers should look at the smaller ships of the Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas fleets for opulent accommodations and fine dining while sailing the tropics. Oceania, Azamara and Windstar Cruises are less inclusive, but still high end. 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. If you're seeking a slightly cheaper river cruise in Europe, spring can mean flowers in glorious bloom and milder temperatures.
Highs tend to be in the 80s to low 90s, which means that the water temperature is ideal for activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. Nature lovers will also enjoy cruising to The Caribbean during April and May. You'll find abundant opportunities to see tropical fish, flamingoes, and turtles during this time of year. The weeks between Thanksgiving and mid-December are another budget-friendly opportunity for Caribbean cruises. This period sees a dip in cruise fares as it’s a transitional period between the post-Thanksgiving holiday rush and the busy Christmas and New Year season.
This Caribbean cruise guide gives you the lowdown on everything you need to know to plan the perfect island getaway. Many river lines also offer Christmas market cruises in November and December to Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. Because European cruises span a large geographic area, we’ve outlined our seasonal strategies separately for Mediterranean cruises and European river cruises below. Check out Hawaii cruises in May, when the weather is relatively dry as well.
Swimsuits and warm-weather clothing should top your Caribbean cruise packing list, but don't forget the sunscreen. The sun is stronger than you might expect in this part of the world, and you can easily burn during a long day at the beach if you don't apply and reapply plenty of sunscreen. Hats, sunglasses, moisture-wicking athletic clothing and your favorite cover-ups and sundresses are all must-pack items. The shortest Southern Caribbean cruises are five or six days and leave from places such as Barbados, San Juan and St. Thomas. You can find weeklong sailings from Florida, but more commonly, they're eight nights or longer.
If you're looking for affordability without the hurricane risk, late April and early May can be a good choice. This period marks the transition from the high season to the off-peak season, and you may find deals before the summer crowds arrive. The Bahamas is located in the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea, but it's a popular cruise destination. The best time to cruise the Bahamas is also during the dry season, from December to April. If you're retired and can drive to a port, you can likely find an inside cabin to book just a few weeks prior to sailing. Known for its lush green twin peaks known as the Pitons, St. Lucia entices travelers with postcard-perfect beaches set against jungle scenery.
Expect the best deals in late summer and early fall after kids have gone back to school, but before winter kicks in and cold-weather denizens seeking sunshine fill the cabins. The Southern Caribbean harbors the lion's share of the region's islands. But, because many are smaller and less developed than more easily accessible northerly islands, they tend to be less traveled. And that's a big plus for been-there, done-that cruisers eager to experience new ports of call. Panama offers a blend of historical marvels and tropical biodiversity just waiting to be explored. Take in the stunning sights during a scenic cruise across Gatun Lake, immerse yourself in Costa Rica's lush woodlands, and revel in the refreshing waters of Jamaica's waterfalls.
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. Sun, sand and sea are what most travelers want when they book a cruise to the Caribbean. If you want to trade chilly weather at home for warm, sunny days spent relaxing on a beach or swimming in clear blue waters, a Caribbean cruise is an ideal vacation. Unlike a resort stay, you can sample multiple beaches in various destinations, as well as the pool life on board the ship. Cruises continue to operate; remember, this is still the tropics and even if you get more rain than in high-season months, the weather will be balmy. As such, these months can be a good time of year to visit the Caribbean islands — and as July and August are school holidays, there are bargains to be had for family cruises.
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