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If you’re planning a cruise to the Caribbean, expect temperatures of around 80°F (27°C), with daytime highs of up to 90°F (32°C). The climate also tends to be quite humid, particularly during the wet season. Once the calendar is closer to the holidays, winter break increases the demand and prices can spike to reflect that.
Caribbean Cruise in March or April: Great Weather and Spring Break
January is the coolest month in the Caribbean, a time when the region experiences a mild and more temperate climate. Destinations like Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, The Bahamas, and Roatán are known for a subtle drop in temperature, offering a refreshing change from their typically warmer weather. The peak occurs during the months of August, September and October, accounting for 96% of major hurricanes.
Air and Water Temperatures
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. For example, cruises in August offer the ability to sail when the kids are out of school (meaning entire families can travel together). On the other hand, August is also notorious for hurricanes disrupting travel to Caribbean ports. Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt and doesn’t have a monsoon season.
Eastern Caribbean
One of the highlights of taking a cruise to the Caribbean during the holidays is celebrating with Celebrity Cruises on board. On Thanksgiving cruises from Florida, you’ll get a traditional feast with all the trimmings. When you cruise the Caribbean during June, July, and August, you’ll enjoy less crowded beaches and restaurants.
In fact, there was less than one small hurricane per year in July between 1851 and 2006. There is an especially low chance of hurricanes hitting your islands if you're traveling to the Southern Caribbean islands like Aruba, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago. While spring is part of the Caribbean’s high season, it is one of the best times to visit because the weather is perfect. You have minimal risk of hurricanes and can avoid the rainy season, so you can optimize your time on the yacht deck admiring the view or exploring the various islands. The weather in the Western Caribbean is similar to that of the Eastern region.
When considering when to take your cruise, you should also consider which region or regions it’s sailing to. For example, some areas of the Caribbean are less affected by hurricane season, which may be more desirable for you. Cruises to each region differ regarding departure points, ports of call and the number of stops along the trip. As you can imagine, the worst time to visit the Caribbean is when it has the "worst" weather during hurricane season. Bennet says while he does not think there is a "worst time" to visit the Caribbean, he prefers to visit when the crowds have gone away.
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]
Embark on a Heritage Cruise to Half Moon Cay, Curaçao, and Oranjestad, where you can explore ports steeped in historical significance. Enjoy nostalgic games and a Retro Happy Hour featuring early menu pricing. That said, if you are planning a family cruise, our Club Hal youth activities program can keep the kiddos entertained so parents can relax. The Western Caribbean is usually hotter and more humid than other parts of the Caribbean. Places such as Jamaica, Cozumel, and Belize often have high humidity and can see temperatures reaching as high as 90°F (32°C).
The Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Beautiful Weather, Fewer Crowds, and Lower Prices
Traveling during the shoulder seasons can offer a balance between affordability and favorable weather conditions. If you're looking for affordability without the hurricane risk, late April and early May can be a good choice. This period marks the transition from the high season to the off-peak season, and you may find deals before the summer crowds arrive. The Caribbean dry season is mid-December through mid-March and the high tourist season is from mid-December to mid-April.
December can be the best time to cruise the Caribbean or a slightly less awesome one, depending on you. Earlier in the month brings a lull to the islands as hurricane season has ended, though by the end of the month expect higher prices and more crowds. The spring break rowdies start in March and often continue well into April. If your goal is to avoid crowds of kids and partiers, skip the cheapest and shortest cruises, as well as cruise ships with water parks and thrill rides.
The southern Caribbean and the ABC islands, also referred to as the Dutch Leeward islands, have a semi-arid climate, which unlike most of the Caribbean, has its rainy season October through January. In general, the cheapest time of the year to cruise to the Caribbean is during hurricane season, which offers the best prices of the year and the lowest crowds. During this time, cruises can be priced 50% lower than other more popular times of the year-- a significant saving! You will be able to use the money saved on other cruise add-ons to help make the most out of your time onboard.
February is also a popular month to book a romantic couples’ cruise, thanks to Valentine’s Day, which falls on February 14th. Here is a look at what to consider when deciding the ideal month for your cruise vacation. Images of palm trees, white powdery beaches, crystal clear and warm ocean waters are why so many people choose a Caribbean cruise. July brings rain to the Eastern Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and August is wet in the Bahamas, Martinique and Dominica.
Ships that sail seasonally in Alaska and Europe often call the waters of the Caribbean home for a few months in winter. Except for the weeks that include holidays, ships aren't likely to be at capacity or filled with screaming children. Fares in winter are a bit below the yearly average (excluding the holiday weeks, which are often the highest of the year). Look particularly at last-minute options and those first two weeks in December. If I were to narrow it down even further, I'd say the best time to cruise to the Caribbean is early December.
Don’t forget that June is still part of the shoulder period, so expect great deals on resorts and cruises. When cruising during this time, guests can expect a lot of hot and humid weather, as well as the occasional rain shower. Hurricanes also impact the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean side of Mexico and Central America, potentially affecting popular ports like Cozumel and Roatan. Of course, it varies year to year, but recent storms have affected the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten to name a few.
"Essentially from the time that all the New Year's Eve confetti is swept up until President's [Day]." When it comes to picture-perfect island getaways, the Caribbean consistently tops the list as one of the world’s best regions to visit. As schools close for spring break, the whole family can join in on this cultural celebration.
To beat the summer rush, plan a visit in May or early June, and book a private rum distillery tour or a cinematic Jeep safari ride. If you prefer to float through the most refreshing waters of the year, wait until June when the azure ocean has warmed to perfection. Although summer excursions don larger price tags, you can never truly place a value on the treasures of the Caribbean. Summer cruising in the Caribbean is ideal for lovers of sun, sea and sand looking for a fun escape with their kids or grandchildren while school is out.
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. As you can tell from our breakdown of the wet and dry seasons, conditions tend to be at their most pleasant and calm right before the start of the wet season and shortly after it has concluded. May tends to be the informal beginning of the wet season, so temperatures increase alongside humidity levels.
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