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Tickets for cruises that set sail between January and March are usually among the most affordable. This is because these months and those between them are when demand is high enough to warrant an increased number of cruise voyages, but they miss the most pleasant months of November and April. While it may surprise you, some of the most affordable months of the year to cruise the Caribbean are some of the most pleasant months to travel in the region. While it is possible to enjoy a pleasant cruising experience in the Caribbean throughout the year, it is generally understood that cruising during a summer month is the riskiest.
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A Caribbean cruise vacation conjures up images of swaying palm trees, sun-warmed beaches, aqua waves, and frosty tropical drinks. The holidays offer even more reasons to celebrate in the Caribbean this December. Trade the snow-filled driveways and icy roads for warm white-sand shores and refreshing ocean waters on a holiday cruise. You can still enjoy a white Christmas on board with life-like snow in the Atrium.
What happens to your Caribbean cruise vacation if you book during hurricane season?
Extra ships begin arriving for their winter season and prices remain low for most of the month. Back home, everyone else is busy buying turkeys and cranberries and catering to the in-laws. You, however, could be lounging on deck sipping a frozen tropical concoction while waiting for your samba class to start. Winter, including major holidays like Christmas, New Year's Eve and spring break, see a significant increase in demand for cruising, and prices reflect this. You can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars more on the same cruise and itinerary if you opt to cruise over New Year's instead of in May or October. While temperatures remains steady in September, October and November (70s and 80s), sunny days might be tempered by winds and rains during stormy conditions.
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If you’re traveling to the Caribbean in August, expect warm and humid weather, typically in the high 80s to low 90s. In Cozumel, the average high is around 91°F (33°C), while places like St. Lucia and Barbados are a bit cooler, averaging highs of 87°F (30°C). Although you may encounter occasional rainfall during this month, it typically clears up quickly. In the northern parts of the Caribbean, temperatures start to rise, while the southern islands experience blistering heat. The only exception is Bermuda, which experiences an average of 4.3 inches of rain during this month.
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Avoiding religious holidays and the school vacation calendar is a good start. Royal Caribbean will absolutely, positively, avoid the path of any hurricane. Itineraries will be flipped, swapped or completely changed to avoid going anywhere near the storm. The cruise line has said time and time again that the safety of its guests, crew and ships are vital, and they will not send their vessels near any hurricane. There are pros and cons to certain months of the year that might make you pick one over another, as the winter months are definitely a favorite and when you'll find the most Caribbean cruises offered. There really isn't a bad time to cruise around the Caribbean given that it is a year-round destination and plenty warm every month.
Expect an atmosphere that matches the celebratory annual ritual and rite of passage. If your Caribbean cruise takes place over Easter, Virgin Gorda (part of the British Virgin Islands) holds a weekend filled with parties and calypso music. In Jamaica, parades known as Bacchanal, take to the streets during both months. First and foremost, Royal Caribbean employs a Chief Meteorologist to track every disturbance and storm out there, and provide guidance to each cruise ship on how to best avoid the storm. Looking at a weather forecast in the summer can initially be a bit disappointing, as you will often see that the forecast shows rain every day.
If your goal is to avoid crowds of kids and partiers, skip the cheapest and shortest cruises, as well as cruise ships with water parks and thrill rides. While most of the season offers moderate fares, if your cruise dates are limited to holiday breaks, be prepared for prices close to double what you'd pay during the few weeks before that. Further along into spring, May is an ideal time to cruise as many students are still in school, the weather is not too hot, and the rainy season has not peaked.
Disney Cruise Line, for instance, is known for their "Halloween on the High Seas" and "Very Merrytime Cruises." For cruisers wanting to explore the local culture through culinary tours or sampling the region’s famous rum products, there are a variety of cultural events throughout the year. Summer can be a great time to enjoy these types of excursions with fewer crowds. However, do note if you are doing a DIY activity that some businesses close during September, the low season. Budget, crowds, weather and activities can all play a role in deciding the optimal time to set sail.
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The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Northwest Puerto Rico, and Turks and Caicos are some of the best spots to see these incredible creatures during this time. Outdoor activities like hiking, ATV tours and ziplines are all great in the winter months, which tends to experience the least amount of rain. Images of palm trees, white powdery beaches, crystal clear and warm ocean waters are why so many people choose a Caribbean cruise. Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. June, July, and August are the most popular months to cruise to the Caribbean, and cruising in the summer comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
You’ll find the southern Caribbean is generally warmer than other areas. Meanwhile, the eastern Caribbean enjoys slightly cooler temperatures, often in the high 70s. 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. Even though modern cruise ships are all designed for stability and passenger comfort, it is always more pleasant to be a passenger when traveling through calm seas. As you can tell from our breakdown of the wet and dry seasons, conditions tend to be at their most pleasant and calm right before the start of the wet season and shortly after it has concluded.
The warmest period is September and October, after the hot summer months. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos can see ocean temperatures in the winter months in the 70s due to their more northern location, something to keep in mind. This can mean skipping a port or other deviations in the itinerary, as the ship sails around bad weather. No longer just a winter break, sailings to southern destinations run all year long.
January also marks the beginning of the Caribbean dry season, which greatly minimizes the chance of rain during your cruise vacation. During this time, you’ll experience the best weather and some of the most entertaining holidays and festivals. The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) stand out as excellent spots to cruise to during the hurricane season, thanks to their dry climate and low hurricane risk. When it comes to the rest of the Caribbean, it’s best to avoid visiting during the peak hurricane season unless you are prepared for itinerary changes and frequent downpours. If you’re considering a cruise to the Caribbean, the best time to go is during the dry season, which lasts from December to May.
Families considering a cruise with children on summer break should take advantage of June in particular because of the lower storm risk, followed by July. Go biking around Duval Street in Key West with a stop for a refreshing key lime pie ice cream cone. Watch the sunset from your ship after a day of hanging in a hammock on a Cozumel beach. Rainfall is rare in January, and when it does occur, it is likely to clear up fast. January is the coldest month in North America and Europe, so you can expect a lot of tourists to come at this time. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing.
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