Table Of Content
- Spring: Near-perfect weather with spring break crowds
- Summer: Fewer storms, many families and prices that may beat land-based trips
- When are the best festivals in the Caribbean?
- Summer cruises to the Caribbean
- The Best Months to Take a Caribbean Cruise
- Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
Caribbean cruises sail year-round, allowing travelers to explore white sand beaches anytime. If you’re booking a cruise to the Caribbean, you may wonder the best time to visit. Since the Caribbean experiences wet and dry seasons, some months of the year are preferable to others. If you’re spending the time and money to cruise down South, make sure you go when it’s best for you. The Caribbean is blessed with gorgeous beaches that are wonderful year-round. In the rainy season, visibility might not be so good for snorkelling off the beach, so look at snorkel excursions that take you out on a boat over one of the many reefs.
Spring: Near-perfect weather with spring break crowds
You can book a Caribbean cruise any time of the year, but what is the best time to cruise Caribbean waters? There’s a year-round party spirit in the Caribbean but if your cruise coincides with a festival, all the better. In Barbados, Crop Over, celebrating the sugar cane harvest, extends from May to August, with parties, concerts, dancing and arts and crafts festivals. Visit Grenada during the first week of June and you could join the annual Chocolate Festival.
Summer: Fewer storms, many families and prices that may beat land-based trips
When cruising during this time, guests can expect a lot of hot and humid weather, as well as the occasional rain shower. Hurricanes also impact the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean side of Mexico and Central America, potentially affecting popular ports like Cozumel and Roatan. Of course, it varies year to year, but recent storms have affected the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten to name a few. This can mean skipping a port or other deviations in the itinerary, as the ship sails around bad weather. Because fall weather in the Caribbean is unpredictable, you'll find some of the best cruise deals of the year. As the end of November transitions to the holidays, though, Caribbean cruise prices begin to increase again.
When are the best festivals in the Caribbean?
Many people travel to the Caribbean in December to celebrate the winter holidays or because it aligns with their winter breaks. You can experience fewer crowds but still benefit from the peak season weather and attractions by going in January and February. This month falls just outside the peak tourist season and before the start of the hurricane season, offering a sweet spot with less crowded beaches, affordable prices, and generally pleasant weather. With the rainy season not yet in full swing, visitors can enjoy warm, sunny days perfect for exploring the islands’ natural beauty and sunswept beaches. Like many warm destination getaways, the last week of December, including the Christmas holiday, is one of the busiest times to book a cruise. However, you're bound to find amazing deals if you choose to travel during the first two weeks of December, says Smarter Travel.
This means that while you’ll be enjoying the best weather conditions, you’ll also be sharing the islands with more visitors. The increase in tourists can lead to crowded beaches, higher prices for accommodations and activities, and the need for reservations at popular spots. To avoid the busy season, the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise is from November to early December. While every cruise journey offers intimate experiences, expeditions during this time will allow you to take in quieter beaches or more in-depth tours of Mayan ruins. Not to mention, November and December offer various voyages to help you escape the frosty Fahrenheits at home and dip your toes into the warm waters of a Caribbean winter. Revel in seasonal activities on board – like an elaborate Thanksgiving feast or a magical gingerbread house-making contest – and experience the holiday season like never before.
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska
Easter, which is often in April, is also a major holiday, with many businesses being shut down on both Friday and Sunday. Guests can participate in the activities on both December 26th and New Year's Day. Music, dancing, and vibrant costumes are all part of the festivities that happen during the Christmas season. Enthusiastic bird watchers should consider fall as the optimal time to see this aviary migration as they move south.
Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas: A Month-by-Month Guide - Cruise Critic
Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Besides the tropical scenery, the Caribbean also boasts an alluring culture. If cruising during the holidays, join in the celebration of Jamaica’s Junkanoo – a Caribbean Christmas tradition. From vibrant costumes to rhythmic dancers, this parade of artists trots through the crowd-lined streets, appearing as one kaleidoscope of color. As the name suggests, precipitation increases throughout the wet season, but showers are brief and sporadic during the first few months.
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Blog
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean.
Posted: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. 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. Keep an eye on the weather, buy travel insurance, and book hotels that offer hurricane guarantees.
Another factor to consider during this time is that most schools are in session so there will be fewer children onboard resulting in an overall quieter environment. The winter months are often considered to be the best months to travel the Caribbean because of the ideal weather. While winter is the peak season, the islands will have more open opportunities for visitors because of the high volume of travelers during this time.
This fact means that the best time to cruise to The Caribbean depends on personal preference. Explore the following guide to help you choose the best time for your Caribbean cruise. Additionally, avoid dates around major holidays, as demand is higher during these times and rates will reflect that. For example, consider the first week or two in January rather than booking a cruise between Christmas and New Year’s. Whether you want to have a summer vacation or a winter getaway, the weather somewhere in the Caribbean is always warm and welcoming.
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. In addition, cruises during spring break may see an influx of college-aged students, thus leading to a bigger party atmosphere. Cruise pricing during this time in March or April can also be higher than choosing to cruise in February or May instead.
However, if we had our pick, we would suggest either April or October if you need to fly into a cruise port. The generally good weather and low prices combine to make it a cheap and easy time to sail. The summer and fall seasons are the best times to avoid the throngs of tourists throughout the Caribbean.
December is a popular cruise month because of the holidays, though January and February are typically a bit less crowded. January also begins the dry season, so there’s less chance of rain on the islands during the winter. Spring months, like March and April, are part of the dry season, so they’re great times to cruise the Caribbean.
The northernmost islands in the Caribbean-- the Bahamas-- have some cooler temperatures in late fall and winter when the thermometer can dip into the 70s. However, this also corresponds to the driest season, which is great for outdoor activities. The late summer and fall can reach into the 90s with high humidity and a greater chance of rain.
One advantage of cruising in the summer is that the ocean temperatures tend to be warmer than in the winter. While the water in the Caribbean usually stays quite comfortable, the water temperature can get chilly in more northerly Caribbean destinations during the winter. This is something that you will not have to worry about by selecting a cruise in the summer.
No comments:
Post a Comment