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Western Caribbean itineraries are typically a week, but can be as short as four days (with just one stop in Mexico) or as long as 12 days (though these might include stops in the Bahamas, too). You'll find two main types of Western Caribbean cruises, and both are fabulous introductions to Caribbean culture and attractions. The classic Western Caribbean itinerary visits Mexico (typically Cozumel or Costa Maya), Jamaica, Grand Cayman and a cruise line's private island, which is typically in the Bahamas. For a destination with warmer winter temperatures, consider Jamaica in the Western Caribbean, where temperatures average 84℉ (29℃).
Caribbean cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
March break should also be avoided, as many families with children try to book during this week. More specifically, you will want to favor the months of November and April when booking your trip. If you want to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms, we recommend April over November, but remember that November can be a pleasant time to enjoy a cruise in the region. Be aware that spring break is high season for travel disruptions caused by peak demand. I was once bumped from a flight home after a spring cruise when a high school Spanish club from Wisconsin needed the seats to travel home together as a group. I was compensated and flew out the next day, but what if I had been bumped on my cruise embarkation day?
Pick Your Ideal Destination: Where Do Western Caribbean Cruises Visit?
This is one of the reasons why Caribbean cruises during the summer tend to be relatively affordable. Not only is there a higher risk of rainfall and high humidity levels, but you also risk trip disruptions due to storms and hurricanes. With that said, due to the lack of demand, fewer Caribbean cruises set sail during this time of year, which can increase costs and level them out. Given how the wet and dry seasons pan out, you are always better off booking your Caribbean cruise vacation during the calendar’s shoulder seasons, meaning late fall and early spring.
Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Smaller Crowds
Many locals find the weather too cold for swimming, but sun seekers fleeing frigid locales embrace the balmy days. For a relatively rainproof summer vacation, consider Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (the ABC Islands) located below the hurricane belt in the Southern Caribbean. Instead of the traditional motorcoach ride to the falls, consider a shore excursion that arrives at the falls via sea kayak. If you've done that, take the family to the Mystic Mountain rainforest adventure park for zip line swings, bobsled rides and twisty waterslides. If you're planning to spend much of your cruise underwater, consider bringing some of your own gear (snorkel, mask and flippers), and check if your cruise line offers some sort of dive program. However, keep in mind that some Southern Caribbean cruise destinations, such as Bonaire, Aruba and Barbados are rarely threatened by hurricanes as these islands are closer to the equator.
Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa and Miami; though you might find a few other U.S. embarkation ports such as Bayonne and Baltimore further up the east coast. Because of the region's relative distance from North America, Southern Caribbean itineraries are typically at least seven days. Embarkation for shorter cruises tends to be from San Juan, Puerto Rico and Barbados. Travelers, with British-based cruise line P&O and the Italian Costa calling there. In conclusion, if you’re wondering about the best time to cruise the Caribbean, don’t worry. Any time is great to embark on a Caribbean cruise and we hope we answered all of your questions above.
May and June
As the name suggests, precipitation increases throughout the wet season, but showers are brief and sporadic during the first few months. Now we're back where we started – with you booking a Caribbean cruise that works for you and your travel group. Each season has something to offer someone, which is what makes this whole year-round Caribbean cruise thing work. If we all thought early December was truly the best time to cruise to the Caribbean, it would cease to be so. Cruise fares are higher overall in summer than in the other three seasons.
The islands themselves tend to be more exclusive, with fewer ships visiting on any given day. Plus, cruise ships can change course to avoid bad weather, such as hurricanes, so you can salvage your beach vacation when a storm is headed toward a particular island by cruising to a different one. If you booked a land-based stay, you'd be forced to cancel — or hunker down and wait for the rain and winds to pass.
As events occur throughout the year, anytime can be considered the best time to travel to the Caribbean. With year-round opportunities to sail through the teal-blue waters, any of our Caribbean cruises can transport you to a state of total relaxation and bliss. But some months are better than others, especially late winter, spring and early summer when temperatures are warm and the risk of rain is low.
Southern Caribbean
With so much to love, we want to ensure you’re taking advantage of everything Western Caribbean cruises have to offer. In places like Curacao, St. Martin and Martinique, you’ll find good deals on imported goods from the Netherlands and mainland France. Keep an eye out for Dutch cheeses, Delft ceramics and perfume and other French luxury goods when visiting these islands. Large ships call at islands with enough tourism infrastructure to keep shore excursion throngs satisfied and amused. By going on your Caribbean cruise in the spring, you can be sure to best position yourself to discover and navigate everything the region and its culture have to offer. During the summer, the chance of rain also increases, so make sure to bring a rain jacket or poncho in case you happen to get caught under some showers.
It’s the driest season, is warmer than winter and doesn’t have the hotness of summer. Depending on the cruise line you book a trip with, you may be sailing on a big commercial cruise ship or a small private yacht. While both options offer great opportunities for Caribbean cruises, a smaller cruise may be better for you if you’re looking for a more intimate trip. Additionally, smaller ships can sail into smaller ports, allowing you to discover hidden gems in the Caribbean. Also, keep in mind that a higher storm risk doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a guarantee for a storm.
Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas: A Month-by-Month Guide - Cruise Critic
Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Many people think of the Caribbean as one big collection of islands, but the fact is that the region is so large that it’s often split up in the Western and the Eastern Caribbean. The Western Caribbean encompasses the islands south of Florida and the east coast of Mexico and Central America. This is where you’ll find places like Jamaica, Honduras, Belize and Cozumel.
Bennett adds that full days of rain are rare in most parts of the Caribbean and consecutive rainy days are even more unheard of. "If your definition of good weather constitutes clear skies and warm temperatures, then anytime is a great time to visit the Caribbean," he notes. "That is, of course, unless you're opting for a hillside mountaintop retreat somewhere in the Caribbean's many rainforests,” which he says can get chilly during the winter months. Aruba, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and St. Thomas often have average high temperatures of more than 90 degrees during the day. The heat can make time on the beaches or shopping in the cruise ports uncomfortably hot. Recreational land activities on arid islands such as Aruba are even more uncomfortable.
It is especially true during the Caribbean hurricane season, which lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November. During that period, total rainfall rises until it reaches a high point in September and October. Most experienced Caribbean cruisers will tell you to avoid the middle of the wet season. We tend to agree with this advice, as it helps you avoid the most unpleasant Caribbean weather. You can book a Caribbean cruise any time of the year, but what is the best time to cruise Caribbean waters? You'll also need to plan for mosquitos in port and for serious sun protection.
With this in mind, most cruise lines offer significant savings and deals on cruises during the fall season because fewer people want to sail. Early November can be a great time to explore the Caribbean through a late fall cruise. The summer months are significantly less busy because it’s the start of the rainy season. Many people and families take their vacations in the summer because school is out, though Caribbean summer cruises may not be the best choice because of the potential for rain. While you may experience brief rain storms in the afternoons, the rest of the day can be nice and sunny. This region is also popular among first-time cruisers, as these cruises offer a nice combination of on-shore and at-sea days.
June and November are the least risky months during the hurricane season because they usually have the fewest tropical storms and hurricanes. March as well as June through August are popular with families on spring and summer breaks. June is the best time to cruise the Caribbean in the summer because it has a lower risk of rain than July or August. For the most part, the best time to cruise the Caribbean is January through April during the dry season, especially in April when temperatures are warmer.
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