When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?

Table Of Content

• When to cruise to Australia and New Zealand for the best weather
• Are the seas rough on an Alaskan cruise?
• Western Caribbean Cruise Tips: Ports, Attractions, Weather
• The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: A Month-by-Month Guide
• What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in September
• How far in advance should you book a cruise?

Earlier in the month brings a lull to the islands as hurricane season has ended, though by the end of the month expect higher prices and more crowds. 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 to cruise to Australia and New Zealand for the best weather

In comparison, a 14-night cruise in April 2024 is currently priced at $1,481 per person. 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. Because of this, the spring or fall can be a wonderful time to cruise these regions of Europe. Temperatures are not nearly as warm as in the summer, making it a perfect time to sightsee in cities like Rome and Paris.

Are the seas rough on an Alaskan cruise?

While the cruise line's internal pricing logic isn't publicly known, anecdotally, there isn't any reason a price would be less on a certain day. The reality is a cruise ship is priced differently, and waiting to book is usually a mistake because of how the industry works. It's understandable why you might think there's a special or better time to book a cruise, because in other forms of travel there are inside scoops on when is the best time to book.

Western Caribbean Cruise Tips: Ports, Attractions, Weather

If you are an angler, there is nothing like hooking and reeling in a King. With an average size of 24 to 36 inches and weighing pounds, you’ll finally have a true fishing story worth telling. If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night. Packing-wise, you’ll still want to bring a raincoat, but you can probably leave your winter coat home if you are cruising in June. Rainfall slows down a bit in June, with about 13 days of the month having some precipitation.

Royal Caribbean’s itineraries to these destinations are currently being offered only during the peak summer months. The cruise season in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific runs from late October to April each year, coinciding with summer in the southern hemisphere. The most popular time of year for these cruises is in December and January, as these months coincide with school holidays. If you prefer childless cruising during the holidays, you can choose an adults-only cruise line like Viking. Once you reach July, you are at the very peak of the Caribbean’s wet season, which means you can expect high temperatures, plenty of rain, and humidity levels that can be uncomfortable.

The Best Time Of The Year To Cruise The Mediterranean

For more mild weather and less crowds than during the busy summer season, aim for a Mediterranean voyage in early May or September. Alaska, northern Europe, and Bermuda are all relatively limited for the best times to cruise, as are European river cruises. If these more limited destinations are your dream cruise itineraries, the best time to take a cruise will be when those ports of call are most available.

However, if the line sees a certain cabin category on a specific ship failing to sell as expected, it could drop rates halfway into the sale period. Within a given cruise sale's promotional period, I've seen cabin prices fluctuate daily and I've seen them stay the same for a week. It all depends on how many cabins a cruise line has allocated for a specific fare class and whether those rooms happen to sell out or not. Everyone wants to know the cheapest day to book travel — as if fares drop like clockwork on Wednesday morning and rise with the sun on Thursday.

The peak summer season in Australia offers the perfect temperatures for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the region’s breathtaking beaches and world-renowned cities. Like Australia, New Zealand is also best visited during the summer months. Short cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island are best during the summer months, when temperatures are in the mid-80s with sunny skies. During the winter, these more northerly ports can see temperatures in the 50s and 60s. The Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Greek Isles are popular throughout the entire cruise season, but summer can bring very warm temperatures. Unlike on a Caribbean cruise, you will likely spend less time at the beach and more time sightseeing in busy cities while cruising Europe.

During this time, the weather is warm and the days are long, allowing you to take advantage of all the outdoor activities the state has to offer. The loss of daylight does mean you could see the Aurora Borealis while cruising to Alaska in late August. The best time to see the Northern Lights is between late August and April, typically peaking in March. June is a smart choice for cruisers who don’t want to travel during peak season but want more opportunities. While prices in the early season are generally less expensive, your experience during a May cruise will look different from during the high season in July and August.

The Best Time to Book a Cruise for a Good Deal - AFAR Media

The Best Time to Book a Cruise for a Good Deal.

Posted: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship. Sometimes you may be forced to choose between the cheapest possible fare and one that offers a greater total value, given the included perks. Knowing when cruise lines will likely run promotions will help you strategize, but sales can pop up anytime — and not every promotion offers the cheapest fares. Regardless of when you're booking a cruise, you'll want to know if the fare you're paying for your vacation at sea is a cheap deal, average or overpriced.

You might find a cheap cruise deal or a fare packed with extras (like complimentary beverage packages, free kids fares or reduced deposits). I'd love to give you a magic date to circle in red on your calendar, so you'd know for sure that was the best time to book a cruise. The truth is there's no one best day, but knowing a few things about how cruise lines price cabins and when they tend to run promotions will help you identify high-value deals.

What time of year you're looking to sail depends on if you want to soak up the coastal sun or save a little money and avoid the crowds in the process. The best time to visit Canada and New England is highly subjective based on what your goal is in going there. If you want the warmest, sunniest weather to explore quaint coastal towns and cities on the northern Atlantic seaboard, July and August are your best bets.

The majority of these sailings visit Southeast Asian ports like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. However, there are occasionally longer itineraries offered visiting ports in Japan, China, and the Philippines. While the Mexican Riviera is a year-round cruising destination, the region sees more diverse weather patterns compared to the Caribbean side of Mexico. Ports on Mexican Riviera itineraries are located in different climates and latitudes, so the best time to cruise to one port may not be the best time for another.

The good news is that there is no wrong time of year to sail for most cruises, such as those heading to the Caribbean or Bahamas. Knowing the best time to purchase your cruise is just one part of the puzzle. When you sail has a much bigger impact on what you pay than when you buy.