Thursday, April 11, 2024

Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean

best time to travel to the caribbean on a cruise

Swimsuits and warm-weather clothing should top your Caribbean cruise packing list, but don't forget the sunscreen. The sun is stronger than you might expect in this part of the world, and you can easily burn during a long day at the beach if you don't apply and reapply plenty of sunscreen. Hats, sunglasses, moisture-wicking athletic clothing and your favorite cover-ups and sundresses are all must-pack items.

Caribbean Weather January Through March

The Greater Antilles refers to the bigger islands in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Call at tiny Nevis during the first week of July and you’ll come across a gathering of celebrity chefs, here for the annual Mango Festival. Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, is regarded as second in the world only to the festivities in Rio de Janeiro. Finally, Semana Santa, the week before Easter, is the biggest annual holiday in the Dominican Republic, with parades in every town. Travelers don't tend to spend much time in Belize City itself, but it's a great jumping-off point for all Belize has to offer.

When to book a Caribbean cruise

Furthermore, temperatures are also ideal during this time and are a great mix of mild and comfortable conditions that can make way for a range of opportunities to explore. Book an early shoulder season cruise in May to take advantage of the best weather with fewer crowds. Explore Fort Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Willemstad, Curacao, then shop the vibrant open-air markets and sample the Dutch take on waffles. One of the highlights of taking a cruise to the Caribbean during the holidays is celebrating with Celebrity Cruises on board.

Caribbean Cruise Destinations

So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced water sports enthusiast, be sure to pack your swimsuit and dive into the endless adventures awaiting you. Although cruises around the holidays tend to be more expensive, they provide excellent opportunities to enjoy holiday festivities away from home. Instead of spending your winter break shoveling snow, why not enjoy a week or two at sea sipping margaritas poolside? If you do plan to cruise over the holiday break in December, make sure that you book your cruise early. Booking early will ensure that you get your pick of the best stateroom categories on the ship. Make sure you also reserve specialty restaurants and shore excursions early, too.

Don’t forget the bug spray either, as high humidity and rain typically mean there are more mosquitoes, too. Aside from the great weather, low pricing is another reason to choose a Caribbean cruise during these months. Foodies in particular will find that each island has its own unique flavors (and loves to celebrate them).

Cruise to the Caribbean With Windstar Cruises

Coast -- make Western Caribbean cruises a popular choice for first-time cruisers. Whether you’re looking to spend a few days exploring the beaches, snorkeling and diving, or shopping, you’ll find it in the Southern Caribbean. Beyond the colonial influences of each island, their landscapes and their shore excursions offered are as varied as they get. You don’t have to do a lot of research to find the right Southern Caribbean itinerary, as the vast majority of U.S.-based cruise lines offer them. Perhaps the most important thing to know when planning to cruise the Southern Caribbean is that December through April is peak season. Also, summers are warmer, though there aren't huge seasonal temperature fluctuations.

March/ April

best time to travel to the caribbean on a cruise

The Eastern Caribbean islands include such awesome vacation destinations as the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Tortola and St. Lucia. So, take some to contemplate what it is that you want out of your cruise. It’s the very purpose of your cruise that determines how important the two factors below are. I also recommend that all passengers bring a passport on their Caribbean sailing.

What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive

What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean?.

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

The weather may be more humid during these months, with the possibility of early storms passing through from the beginning of June, but this is still a good time to visit. The Caribbean weather is mid-to-upper 80s and June is one of the wettest months in the islands. In general, September and October are considered the worst months to cruise the Caribbean, as it is peak Hurricane Season. A Caribbean cruise vacation conjures up images of swaying palm trees, sun-warmed beaches, aqua waves, and frosty tropical drinks. The months of June through August are a great time to plan a family cruise to The Caribbean.

Spring in the Caribbean is a great time to swim, stroll gardens, enjoy paddleboarding, windsurfing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Some of the most popular destinations and activities in the Western Caribbean are listed below for you to consider. The Western Caribbean is an ideal spot for a getaway any time of the year with temperatures that seldom vary from highs in the 80s to lows in the 70s. The Western Caribbean variety of itinerary options also lets repeat cruisers enjoy the area again and again while still discovering new places. Explore the scenic wonder of navigating the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake, explore Aruba and Half Moon Cay for a double dose of excitement, and luxuriate on the blushing beaches of Bonaire.

For something a little different, try SeaDream Yacht Club for a super-small ship that feels like a private yacht, complete with an emphasis on alfresco recreation and dining. Star Clippers appeals to sailing enthusiasts with its masted ships, simple entertainment and emphasis on water sports. You'll be hard-pressed to find a cruise line that does not sail to the Caribbean at least for a few months a year. The big-ship lines will station multiple ships in this region year-round, with additional ships swinging by during the colder months. Carnival is a widely celebrated festival in the Caribbean, with each island having its own unique version of the event. This vibrant and colorful festival features parades, music, dancing, and elaborate costumes.

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. While cruises sail worldwide, many travelers favor the Caribbean, and for a good reason.

The spring is a uniquely fun time to choose to visit the Caribbean, with the region’s festival season being at its peak. From Carnival in the Cayman Islands to Bacchanal in Jamaica, there are a plethora of opportunities to explore and enjoy the experiences brought about by Caribbean cultures. October, the later part of shoulder season, is also one of the best months to cruise if you’re looking for special offers.

best time to travel to the caribbean on a cruise

The farther north your departure port, the more likely you are to experience a rough ride until your ship sails south into calmer water. There's never a bad time to cruise to this giant blue fishbowl with a bazillion beaches to explore. Parents traveling with children are most likely to find summer the best time to cruise the Caribbean while other vacationers might take advantage of the smaller crowds and excellent weather in spring.

To understand the best time to enjoy a cruise in the Caribbean, you first need to know how the seasons in the region work. Essentially, this tropical climate experiences two noticeably different seasons – the dry season and the wet season. As you may have guessed, these two seasons revolve around the amount of precipitation the region experiences during different times of the year. The temperatures have dropped a few degrees from summer's heat and the chance of storms has mostly passed. 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.

Westbound crossings, in November, can be a good time to add on a few nights in a hotel before flying home. Official hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, with September and October the most likely months for hurricanes to develop. Hurricanes are not, however, a reason to dismiss a Caribbean cruise in these months. The Caribbean is a vast region and some areas tend to be far less prone to hurricanes than others.

September and October are peak hurricane seasons, so there’s a higher chance of disruption and some ports of call may be cancelled or changed. The Caribbean is one of the world’s most popular vacation and honeymoon destinations and is celebrated for its diverse offering of cruise experiences. Whether you need a romantic retreat or a family excursion, the Caribbean offers it all. As one of the most enjoyed vacation destinations for a reason, there are a multitude of reasons for visiting this sublime location. Island weather tends to be more humid during these months, with temperatures still in the 70s and 80s range, and generally rainier. Plan on early morning beach time, fun trips to water parks, swimming with dolphins or stingrays, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports.

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