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Summer cruises in the Caribbean make that easy with plenty of options, both on board and in port. Prices during the first week of March aren't too high before they edge up throughout the rest of the month. If your aim is to cruise with your own children while they are on break, there are plenty of ships with age-appropriate facilities. You'll have options like splash zones for the little ones, monster slides for the adventurers and kids clubs for all ages. If I had to pick based on weather, cost and crowds, I'd vote winter as the best time to cruise the Caribbean.
Best Month To Book a Cruise
For mild weather, cheaper cruise fares, and fewer crowds, try to sail right at the beginning of the season in April or May. If you don’t mind spring break crowds, Good Friday and Easter is a fun time to visit Bermuda as there are lots of fun treats to eat and a Good Friday kite flying event at Horseshoe Bay Beach. Tourists flock to Europe in the summer, but the best time for a European cruise is in the late spring and early fall. Temperatures are more pleasant and the crowds of tourists tend to much smaller than the peak summer months. You'll also find the lowest Europe cruise prices during these two shoulder seasons, which run from April through early June and September into October.
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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. Though cruises are available in northern Europe year-round, you’ll find the largest amount of voyages during the warmer months in spring, summer, and the beginning of fall. The best season to take a cruise in northern Europe weather-wise is in the summer from June through August. If you’re okay with cooler weather and want fewer crowds, opt for a sailing in September or October.
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The Panama Canal cruise season picks up at the end of the rainy season, so you'll find fewer tourists during October and November when the weather is still wet. You'll find moderate temperatures (in the mid-70s to low 80s) and drier weather in January and February. During those months, it's more pleasant to engage in outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking, which are a highlight when visiting places like Panama and Costa Rica.
A few years ago, I cruised the Western Caribbean near the end of October and it poured the whole time. That's where I learned the meaning of the word "torrential." Even with all that rain, it wasn't a bad cruise. Some ships will have naturalists onboard, particularly in Glacier Bay. Conditions can sometimes prevent ships from reaching the glaciers, particularly in Tracy Arm Fjord. Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next.
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Wave Season Is the Best Time to Score Cruise Deals—Here's How - Condé Nast Traveler
Wave Season Is the Best Time to Score Cruise Deals—Here's How.
Posted: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Shoulder season in the Caribbean is May through November, the months just before peak season, which is December through April. This is the time when you'll typically find better deals on pricing, especially in May and September to November. The advantage of traveling in the shoulder season is that you can experience the towns without the summer crowds and with cooler temperatures. The best time of year to visit is typically when warm, sunny days are plentiful and rain is scarce. The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March.
If you are cruising in Alaska during the Northern Lights season, note that the Gulf of Alaska is choppiest in September and not recommended for travelers who get seasick. Also, certain sections of the access road to Denali National Park may close in September due to snow, so check your itinerary if that's your preferred Northern Lights viewing spot. September offers the best possibility for cruisers to catch the Northern Lights in Alaska. They are generally visible across the state, so any itinerary will likely do, though you'll have the best show in less populated areas like Denali National Park.
Culinary experiences
You'll want to book well in advance for an Alaska cruise between June and August, as itineraries tend to sell out quickly. 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.
You'd also do well to look at the moon cycles, as a full moon can drown out the Aurora Borealis. Due to unpredictable weather, though, there’s a risk of shore excursions being cancelled -- especially boat and helicopter tours. July brings rain to the Eastern Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and August is wet in the Bahamas, Martinique and Dominica.
Just look for cruise line promotions -- fare sales and extra-perk offers -- and book when you see a good offer. To prepare for all conditions, you should plan for temperatures ranging from the 40s to 70s, both on and off ship. For your on-shore day excursions, be sure to pack layers of clothing and rain gear so that you can be comfortable.
Keep in mind that July and August means families are taking advantage of school breaks and vacation days. If you're looking for a more low-key Caribbean cruise this time of year, look to the smaller islands of the region. For the lowest crowds, look for one of the few voyages sailing in the winter or early spring.
Embarking and disembarking in Seattle or Vancouver can make air travel easier and cheaper than one-way Alaska cruises, which require flights to smaller, more expensive airports in Alaska. If you're happy with a couple of historic tours and a guided hike, you could likely budget $500 or less per person for shore excursions in Alaska. But if once-in-a-lifetime Alaska experiences like helicopter rides and flightseeing in Ketchikan are more your speed, you'll need to triple that amount -- or more. An Alaska cruise costs anywhere from $500 to $8,000 or more during high season. Cheaper fares can be usually found on mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean and NCL, while Cunard, Disney and Seabourn will be more expensive.
It's also the best month for wildlife viewing, especially for humpback whales, brown and black bears and migrating shorebirds and puffins. However, you should know that you'll have to deal with pesky mosquitos in late June and July, especially in the interior part of the state. If you have your sights set on a high-demand sailing — on a new ship or during school holiday dates — the best time to book a cruise will be as soon as fares are released. This is the only way to guarantee a spot (and secure a particular cabin location).
The ideal time to book a cruise is between Black Friday and March 31st. That’s when you’ll see the best deals emerge, whether it’s during Cyber Monday or right in the middle of wave season. First, they’re looking to capitalize during cold winter months when more consumers are fantasizing about a tropical, toes-in-the-sand vacation.
For the best prices, look into voyages that sail in November and early December. Hurricanes are always of interest to the Caribbean, and hurricane season runs from June through November. For cruise passengers, the risk of being caught in a hurricane on a ship is low.
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