Monday, April 1, 2024

What's the Best Month to Cruise? Pros & Cons of Sailing Each Month of the Year

is december a good time to cruise

Western cruises also become popular in the later part of winter because they go to places that usually have a dry season combined with warmer temperatures. They include Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya and Belize. Most cities and towns along any of Europe's rivers will be crowded. In some cases, heat waves and low rainfall can cause European rivers to be too low for ships to sail. Additionally, depending on where you're sailing, July and August may mean some local cafes and restaurants are closed for summer holidays.

When to cruise the Mediterranean for the best weather

Beginning at the very end of April and into May, Antigua Sailing Week is globally known for its prestigious sailing races and parties. Tons of music and jazz festivals take place around the Caribbean this time of year, including the Pure Grenada Music Festival in May and the St. Kitts Music Festival in June. 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. Water temperatures in the Caribbean can be cool in January and February, depending on how exposed your destination is to the chilly waters of the open Atlantic. The occasional winter storm and breezy conditions can make waters a bit rougher in January and February as well.

Can I book a cruise at the last minute?

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. Nonetheless, April and May are excellent times to enjoy Bermuda outside of just beaches, from cycling the historic Railway Trail to horseback riding and celebrating local holidays.

Cruises

is december a good time to cruise

Along the coastal areas in Maine and Canada, you'll find highs in the 70s in July. The shoulder seasons will also have fewer passengers and tourists — and you may even have some attractions to yourself in the cities and towns. If your heart is set on traveling to Hawaii in the summer, or you want to escape the winter's snow at home in February, look for deals with an early booking.

Best Time to Cruise to Cozumel: A Month-by-Month Guide - Cruise Critic

Best Time to Cruise to Cozumel: A Month-by-Month Guide.

Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The best time to cruise the Bahamas might vary per traveler, but feel confident that you can't go wrong with an island vacation, no matter which month you choose. If you love holiday decor (both on board and in the islands) and dressing up in holiday clothes, you can enjoy a relatively quiet cruise early in December. Though I found several blogs promoting January as the best month to cruise to the Bahamas, I personally have experienced chilly weather in the Bahamas in both December and January. Remember, the Bahamas are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean. They're not truly tropical islands, and most are at more northern latitudes than Key West. Even if the weather is lovely during an off-season cruise to Mediterranean beaches, you're still not likely to get many sunbathing opportunities.

Best Eastern Caribbean Ports

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. Fares for seven-night cruises in May 2024 are as low as $499 per person on an MSC cruise sailing round-trip from Miami and even less expensive at $399 per person come September. For the real procrastinators out there, the absolute last day you can book a cruise before its departure has changed over the years. If there's no best day to book a cruise for the best deal, you might think there's a best month. While you can find cheap cruises any month you look, I can give you some pointers about which months are most likely to feature cruise sales with value-added promotions.

Best time to cruise Bermuda to avoid crowds

The best time to cruise to the Caribbean without all the tourists is typically in late fall and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. You can also avoid the crowds in late April and early May after the spring break rush but before school lets out and summer vacations begin. Now, it might be the itinerary I'm looking at won't be popular, and the cruise line will lower the fare closer to sailing. Or, the itinerary will sell well, and prices will only go up from the original price. I can't know for sure, though I can guess that peak-season trips to popular destinations on a newer cruise ship are more likely to sell quickly.

Best Time for a Canada & New England Cruise: Mid-September - Mid-October

This island nation is a treasure trove of natural wonders, from its lush jungles to its pristine beaches, making it a perfect winter getaway for any cruise line itinerary. People often wonder if there is a specific day of the week when cruise prices consistently drop. Unfortunately, fares don't rise and fall on a set schedule, and it's impossible to predict when they'll change.

While the beach chairs in Cannes may be more available, you’ll likely be more inclined to bundle up on your stroll along Nice’s Cote D'Azur. A sophisticated British cruise line, Cunard takes an elevated approach to the holidays. Here, champagne is served in elegant crystal, and afternoon tea is accompanied by stollen and other traditional European Christmas cakes. Soak up the splendor of the onboard gingerbread village or sip eggnog as you enjoy deckside traditions like Christmas carolers, mince pies, and visits from Santa. With sailings to six different continents, Norwegian Cruise Line gives guests plenty of options for a relaxing holiday, wherever they want to spend it.

April is the driest month for southern islands like Aruba and Curacao. If you don't mind spring break crowds, spring is a wonderful time to cruise. The weather in the Caribbean in March, April and May is idyllic, and the seas are likely to be calm.

Cruises in December provide an onboard experience that’s infused with joy, warmth, and festivity. The blend of traditional holiday celebrations with the unique offerings of each cruise line ensures that every day is packed with delightful surprises. Cruise activity takes a big drop in September during the most active month of the hurricane season. It then begins to climb in October and November as weather becomes colder up north and average rainfall begins to lessen. They reach the destinations with the warmest temperatures, such as Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cartagena Colombia. The best time to cruise in the Caribbean depends on personal preferences for weather, prices and crowds.

Swim the famous beaches of Mykonos, go cannoli tasting in Sicily, or admire the crimson-topped buildings in Dubrovnik–it’s all best done with the sun heating your shoulders and a cool drink at the end. These cruises also call at ports in Spain, where the North African Moorish culture is still evident, especially in glorious Seville. The city’s historic center is packed with exquisite palaces built by the Moors, and narrow alleys where the sounds of flamenco music are carried on the breeze. Basking in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa, the Spanish-owned Canary Islands enjoy year-round sun and make the perfect winter escape. A December cruise to Southeast Asia will take you to the best ports in the region. Explore the wonders of Hanoi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cruise on a traditional junk boat among the limestone rock stacks of Halong Bay.

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. Some cruise lines do offer solo cabins or reduced single supplements, especially if cabins aren’t filled as the cruise date approaches. Always inquire directly with the cruise line or check their promotions. Most cruise lines cater to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more.

Summer is peak Mediterranean cruise season, though the entire season begins in May and lasts into November, with lesser crowds at either end. What is most important, really, is that businesses are open and the sun has sufficiently warmed up the clear waters that make the Mediterranean playground ports of the rich and famous so picturesque. That said, with our experiences having sailed seemingly every month on the calendar, we have found there are definite advantages and disadvantages to sailing each month of the year.

Royal Caribbean cruises in December 2022: What to expect - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean cruises in December 2022: What to expect.

Posted: Wed, 30 Nov 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Panama and the bordering countries in Central America have a tropical climate with lush landscapes and rainforests, so you can expect wet weather at certain times of the year. The height of the Panama Canal cruise season is between October and April. The spring (April and May) and the fall (September and October) afford some of the best weather in the Mediterranean, with sunny days and comfortable temperatures. Though the busiest season for Mediterranean cruises is typically July and August, the temperatures can be unbearably hot (85 degrees and higher). Rainfall is minimal in places like Puerto Rico or the Cayman Islands.

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