Thursday, April 11, 2024

When is the best time to book a cruise?

best time of year to cruise

The region's rainy season begins in mid-April and extends through December. Usually, however, the rainfall does not begin to significantly increase until May. Summer is also a popular time to cruise the Caribbean, and many guests appreciate more hours of daylight during this time of year.

Best Time to Cruise Alaska: June - August

best time of year to cruise

For the uninitiated, wave season is when most of the major cruise lines run their best sales of the year. “Think of wave season as the best sale day ever that just happens to last for three months—like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Presidents’ Day all rolled into one,” writes Celebrity Cruises. That may sound like a great reason to wait to book onboard, but waiting to book a cruise until you get on a ship is a mistake. The bigger issue is there may simply not be a last-minute cruise deal to be had. Cruise ships are sailing full, and people are booking cruises earlier and in more numbers than ever before.

Caribbean Cruise Weather Forecasts - Monthly Tips

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. And the truth is that you can get the same exact cruise for hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of dollars less just by sailing during the right part of the season. February just might be the best time of year to cruise the Caribbean, as blue skies and warm temperatures are the norm throughout the region. You can expect highs in the mid-80s in the Southern Caribbean, with lows typically no cooler than the mid-60s in more northern destinations like the Bahamas or Puerto Rico.

t Caribbean Cruise Tips

The name comes from the fact bookings in this period are what carry the cruise industry for the rest of the year. The typical cruise season lasts from September to April, with a break in the summer due to the region's rainy season. The Mexican Riviera also has a dry and rainy season, with the dry season from November to June and the most precipitation expected in August and September. More arid ports, such as Cabo San Lucas, will receive little rainfall year-round. If you choose to travel during peak hurricane season, there is also the risk that a hurricane or serious tropical storm will disrupt your cruise vacation.

You’ll also have more hours to look for wildlife from your room window or veranda. In the Lower 48, temperatures in June start to heat up, not so much in Alaska. Expect less activity and fewer shop openings in some smaller port towns in May since most summer workers are in college and won’t arrive until June. There are exciting marine animals that you can see this early in the Alaskan springtime. A hat, gloves, and a winter coat would be a good idea to pack for an Alaskan cruise, especially if you depart in April, May, or September. September weather in Alaska may be unpredictable but with the right preparation you can enjoy all the exciting events.

Best Day of the Week to Book a Cruise

best time of year to cruise

Doing your research beforehand can help you choose the very best time to take advantage of everything you want from your cruise vacation. No matter the month you sail, it is recommended to bring a jacket, sweater, or other warm layers. It can be chilly as your ship sails down the coast of Baja California, so it’s common to need a light jacket during the mornings and evenings while onboard. 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.

What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April

While Australia's weather varies, winter temperatures between June and early September are rarely as extreme in North America. Crowds are fewer, and there are bargains to be had, especially on larger ships and Great Barrier Reef cruises that are available year-round. The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly. It's also a good time to find booking promotions, like free upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or onboard spending money. 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.

When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?

Book a fare, and if you see it drop later, you can call the cruise line and get the price difference either refunded or get the difference back as onboard credit. However, if every cruise line slashed prices last-minute, people would catch on and wait to book their trip. Weather is drier and warm in December, making the early part of the month a great relaxing getaway. Rain is generally limited to the Southern Caribbean, including islands like Aruba. Ocean temperatures in the winter hover around a pleasant 79 degrees and average highs and lows in St. Kitts, for example, are 85 and 74 degrees, respectively.

Best Time to Sail for Cheap: Go When School Is in Session

Cruise fares can be cheaper, though weather in the Riviera Maya and Cozumel will be oppressively humid. While it will still be dry in the Mexican Riviera, weather in Cabo and other Pacific Coast destinations will be incredibly hot. High season is when you'll find the most cruise options, highest prices, most crowded ships and best weather. The shoulder season coincides with moderate demand and relatively nice weather, and fares will be lower. Low season is the cheapest season -- and least busy -- but may mean sacrifices in what you can see and possible cancellations due to weather.

Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024 - Forbes

Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The summer is the busiest time for vacationers, and the winter months bring whale-watching enthusiasts and surfers. There are also two major sporting events in January, so you'll want to avoid the crowds on Oahu and Maui during that month. Summer is peak season with family vacations and honeymooners, so prices will be higher then. Even though January, February and March bring more rain, the winter months are also peak season for tourists … and whales. In this post, I share a month-by-month guide about the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise. I’ve included tips on the weather, wildlife, daylight, and the general experience you’ll have each month of the Alaska cruise season to determine when to set sail for the 49th state.

When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive

When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?.

Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Whether the winter months are the best time to book a cruise depends on which itinerary you're hoping to book and how popular that sailing is that year. In a year when Alaska cruises are popular, the wave season promotions in January and February might not be especially good because the lines don't need to discount to fill cabins. But if Alaska cruise bookings are soft, the wave season specials could be the best of the year as cruise lines pull out all the tricks to fill ships. You can usually find the best prices for an Alaska cruise during the shoulder season months of April, May, September and October.

Cruise traffic ramps up in May and June to prepare for the influx of summer-month vacationers. That means ships may be below capacity as high season comes into swing later in the summer. Short cruises remain relatively cheap, but prices for weeklong sailings increase -- some into the four-digit range, per person. Summer also is a popular time to cruise for families because children have a summer break from school.

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. Peak season for Western Mediterranean cruises runs from April through November, with stops generally in Spain, France, Italy and Malta. May and late-October Canada and New England cruises are the cheapest times to cruise, but don't expect to be using the onboard swimming pool much.

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