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Where there is a difference during winter months is with your departure port. If you are sailing from a port in the United States (outside of South Florida), then the winter months can be cold. That means the first day of your cruise during the winter can be chilly as the ship heads south. Again, the best time to take a cruise if you want the cheapest price is when school is in session. If you have to sail during the summer or holidays, expect to pay a premium. Many last-minute cruise fares (those sold within days from the sail date) have their prices locked.
How to Choose a Cruise Cabin
Summer is also a popular time to cruise the Caribbean, and many guests appreciate more hours of daylight during this time of year. However, summer brings some of the highest crowds and temperatures, so it is not necessarily the best time to sail for all guests. Winter is one of the best times to cruise the Caribbean, especially if you are looking to trade out blizzards for beaches. Finally, there is shoulder season, where you will find lower cruise fares and fewer crowds along with relatively comfortable temperatures. That would lead to fewer people booking throughout the year; instead they would wait until that one time a year when cruises were cheaper.
Traveling on Cruises in June - July
January is the coldest month for Bahamas cruises, although temperatures can be unpredictable. One week may have lows in the mid-50s with high winds and rain, whereas the following week can be 75 degrees with sunny skies. Like airfare, cruise fares can move up and down over time (though not near as drastically). If you book a cruise and see the price drop later, you should call the cruise line and request a refund of the difference. This would be disastrous for the cruise lines, who want you to book as soon as possible.
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?
During these mid to late summer months, the Caribbean is also at the greatest risk of experiencing tropical storms, multi-day rainfalls, and even hurricanes. Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, with peak season starting in mid-June and continuing until late August. During the five month season, the weather can vary considerably, so it is important to know which type of weather should be expected before you book your cruise. The late season (September and October) is also a nice time to visit the island. Temperatures are still warm during these months, but there are far fewer tourists.
Best time to cruise the Panama Canal to avoid crowds
If you want to book a solo or family cabin on a Mediterranean cruise in July, you likely want to book much earlier than January for the most availability and the best prices. As I said earlier, great sales and deals can pop up year-round, including on other holidays such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The best overall credit card for booking a cruise may be the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for a few reasons. First, it comes with a healthy 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. If you book a cruise via Chase Travel℠, the redemption rate rises to 1.25 cents per point, making these bonus points worth $750. Each of those points also gets a 25% value multiplier when used to book travel through Chase.
Cobranded Cards
As you might imagine, it's a week filled with reenactments and spectacle, paying homage to the islands' rich history and cultural ties to piracy. While temperatures rise in many places across the U.S. during the height of summer, July and August temperatures in the Caribbean are in the upper 70s and 80s. Swim the famous beaches of Mykonos, go cannoli tasting in Sicily, or admire the crimson-topped buildings in Dubrovnik–it’s all best done with the sun heating your shoulders and a cool drink at the end.
Best time to cruise Mexico to avoid crowds
The best time to cruise in the Caribbean depends on personal preferences for weather, prices and crowds. You'll also need to plan for mosquitos in port and for serious sun protection. Most of the Caribbean averages a UV index of 7 (considered a high risk) during the summer months, holding at a high or extremely high level for long stretches of the day. Prices during the first week of March aren't too high before they edge up throughout the rest of the month.
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]
May – October
For ships that sell out more slowly, or unexpectedly encounter a rash of cancellations before final payment, cruise lines may slash rates at the last minute to fill empty cabins. That's when you might find inside cabins for $50 per person, per night, on a weeklong cruise, and great deals on outside and balcony cabins. The weather isn't all bad in the fall and Caribbean cruises prices are low during these months. I've been on lovely cruises in the Caribbean in September and October with calm seas and uncrowded, quiet ships, all at a fraction of the price of cruises just a handful of weeks earlier in the year.
Norwegian Cruise Line Kicks off European Season With New Options
Waiting until at least February or March is a good idea for avoiding crowds, as Australian and New Zealander kids’ summer break generally runs from mid-December through January. For a voyage in northern Australia, consider March or later, as the cyclone season runs through February. Cruise ships sail in the Mediterranean all year long, but the primary season runs from April into early November. For more mild weather and less crowds than during the busy summer season, aim for a Mediterranean voyage in early May or September. Look at the first week or two of the month if you're after a bargain.
National park facilities and some tourist businesses will switch to winter hours. September is also a great time to get deals on souvenirs, as merchants sell off this year's goods at the end of Alaska's tourist season. Mid-to-late September is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Alaska. Bears will be hunting for the last of the berries and salmon, and caribou, deer and moose will be mating. At the beginning of the month, you might still be able to find some early season pricing; the peak season for Alaska cruising begins in late June.
If there's no best day to book a cruise for the best deal, you might think there's a best month. While you can find cheap cruises any month you look, I can give you some pointers about which months are most likely to feature cruise sales with value-added promotions. The only way to really know the best time to book a cruise is to track fares, which is not an easy task.
This usually means there are no or limited balcony rooms, and the locations of available rooms are often less desirable. As you’ll see below, there are trade-offs with each time of year to sail. However, many of the potential downsides are manageable in our opinion — and shouldn’t deter you from taking a cruise when it fits your schedule and budget. Keep an eye out for seabirds and songbirds, seals, Steller sea lions and humpback whales. Marine life is so prolific that some small-boat shore excursions guarantee you will see animals.
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