When is the Best Time to Go on a Caribbean Cruise?
Posted: Saturday, March 05, 2011
by Lorrie Davids
The best time to do anything is when you can best afford the time and money. Beyond that, if you can meet the conditions stated below, you can custom build a Caribbean cruise that is best for your schedule and wallet. When is the best time to go? How can I get the best deal? Keep reading!
The off-season
The off season is easily defined. Most of the time the off-season is when your kids are in school. From September through May, excluding holidays and spring break, you will find the best prices and usually the best weather. The reason? Cruising has become a very popular family vacation choice. If you can take the kids away from school for a few days, go for it!
End of November through Mid May
If you are looking for an off-season cruise you want to avoid late Spring and Summer like the plague. Hurricane season begins May 15 for the Eastern Caribbean and goes through November 30. We have taken three November Carnival cruises to the Western Caribbean and have encountered stormy weather only once for just a few hours.
Another reason this time of the year is best to cruise: the temperatures are comfortable. You may leave your port in a warm jacket, but as you near your ports of call, the average temps will be in the 70s and 80s. You may encounter showers, but most will be brief. Fewer mosquitos is another plus of cruising in the dryer season.
Spur of the moment
If you discover you have a free week coming up very soon, contact your desired cruise line. They want to fill the ship and if sales are a little low, you will find some very low prices within a week or two of sailing. Usually these cabins will be in the front or rear of the ship, sometimes not the most desirable, but if you have sailed before and know you are comfortable anywhere on the ship, consider a last minute cruise. If you have cruised before, contact your cruise rep and ask to be notified of special deals. An email with information for a weekend cruise for less than $200 could be headed your way!
A year in advance
The polar opposite of the tip above is to schedule your cruise vacation about a year ahead of time. Most cruise lines offer special rates for those who book early. An added benefit is your choice of cabins. By booking early, you will be able to find a room to suit your needs and wants. Usually, with a small down payment to the cruise line, you can reserve your cruise and have months to pay it off, interest free. Since no one knows the future, you can purchase vacation insurance. Some consider it a waste. I consider it peace of mind.
A cruise is always a good choice for a quick getaway for two or a family vacation. The best cruise is one that fits your needs, wants and interests.
To book Carnival Caribbean cruises, this author contacts Bernadine Christian at 1.800.819.3902 x 82405 or BChristian@carnivalpvp.com
The off-season
The off season is easily defined. Most of the time the off-season is when your kids are in school. From September through May, excluding holidays and spring break, you will find the best prices and usually the best weather. The reason? Cruising has become a very popular family vacation choice. If you can take the kids away from school for a few days, go for it!
If you are looking for an off-season cruise you want to avoid late Spring and Summer like the plague. Hurricane season begins May 15 for the Eastern Caribbean and goes through November 30. We have taken three November Carnival cruises to the Western Caribbean and have encountered stormy weather only once for just a few hours.
Another reason this time of the year is best to cruise: the temperatures are comfortable. You may leave your port in a warm jacket, but as you near your ports of call, the average temps will be in the 70s and 80s. You may encounter showers, but most will be brief. Fewer mosquitos is another plus of cruising in the dryer season.
Spur of the moment
If you discover you have a free week coming up very soon, contact your desired cruise line. They want to fill the ship and if sales are a little low, you will find some very low prices within a week or two of sailing. Usually these cabins will be in the front or rear of the ship, sometimes not the most desirable, but if you have sailed before and know you are comfortable anywhere on the ship, consider a last minute cruise. If you have cruised before, contact your cruise rep and ask to be notified of special deals. An email with information for a weekend cruise for less than $200 could be headed your way!
A year in advance
The polar opposite of the tip above is to schedule your cruise vacation about a year ahead of time. Most cruise lines offer special rates for those who book early. An added benefit is your choice of cabins. By booking early, you will be able to find a room to suit your needs and wants. Usually, with a small down payment to the cruise line, you can reserve your cruise and have months to pay it off, interest free. Since no one knows the future, you can purchase vacation insurance. Some consider it a waste. I consider it peace of mind.
A cruise is always a good choice for a quick getaway for two or a family vacation. The best cruise is one that fits your needs, wants and interests.
To book Carnival Caribbean cruises, this author contacts Bernadine Christian at 1.800.819.3902 x 82405 or BChristian@carnivalpvp.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)Nice information Lorrie. I don't trust cruise ships anymore than I trust old out of date airplanes, so given the fact I'm too old to swim very far and still haven't grown wings, I think I shall remain on tierra firma for the foreseeable future. Nice to know should someone (wife) be able to urge me out of my comfort zone though.:-) Thanks for the info.Thanks, David. I had not gone on a cruise until 3 years ago. I thought the people singing the praises of a cruise were crazy. How could being on a vessel and seeing nothing but water all around be a good thing! But, once I went, I was hooked. I hope your wife convinces you to give it a try. You can start out on a 3 day and see what you think. Does it help to know all guest rooms are above ocean level? That made a difference for me. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for the information Lorrie I've never been on a cruise I may try it some day.David, as close as you are to a port, you really should. But, it will be a lot cheaper for you to take a friend along. The cabin rates for solo cruisers are pricey. Let me know if you go. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Give me the Caribbean ANYTIME! (Not so sure about the cruise part since I don't like being surrounded by deep water). We are plannig a trip during March break (my husband teaches and it's the only time we can go). Prices are through the roof at this time. If I could choose I would travel in April. But I will take it when I can get it. Good article Lorrie, great information for those thinking of taking off! Thanks.Brianna, I was the same way - I couldn't imagine being surrounded by water. But, after going on one, I am completely hooked. There is nothing more peaceful than looking out at all that water. I could watch it for hours, but there is so much to do on a ship that I tore myself away. The prices are higher when school is not in session, but you can still find deals. Check the websites and go through the process as if booking to see your best prices. But, even at peak times your total cost will probably be lower because with a cruise, your meals are included. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. And let me know if you ever decide to get on a big ship!
Very informative and precisely to the point. This is my kind of article. I'm sure you have helped a few people and I applaud this article. God bless.Thanks, Jesus. I hope it did help someone. I appreciate that you took the time to read and comment.
Have you ever been on a cruise? thanks for this info but we are blessed to do a road trip with some camping involved.... I think I would have a terrible time with over eating on a cruise too but maybe not. Friends have takes ones that sound wonderful - like the inland passage one to Alaska (I am a bit motion sickness sensitive as I learned back when we lives in CA and used to sail)Hi Marijo - YES! Cruising is the best vacation there is in my humble opinion. We have taken 3 cruises to the Western Caribbean and have a 7 day cruise booked for November of this year. This will be our first 7 day cruise, God-willing. There is much food available, but you are walking so much (the ships are huge) and there is so much to do that you probably wouldn't over eat. If you tend to have motion sickness, book a room that is in the center of the ship - the place of least motion. Camping, eh? I dislike camping - too much work. I'm glad you get to do something you enjoy on your vacation. Thanks for reading and commenting!
My response to reading your title was, NOW! Especially since winter's approaching here. But seriously, I think it's a great idea to book way in advance, and have all the fun of the anticipation.Hi Jennifer, I'm sorry I am so late to respond to your comment. Please forgive me. I agree with you - the anticipation is almost as good as the cruise. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!
Helpful and informational for the cruise lover. My son and wife are cruising right now - originally were headed to Ireland but Amy had a blood clot in her lung and is now on the blood thinners. She's not permitted to fly for a year or whenever they clear her. So they are taking half of their four weeks and are cruising to the Bahamas. Amy is a specialist about getting great deals. She'll have to check out your tips too. Thanks for sharing with us.Thanks, Heidi, for reading and commenting. Have you been on a cruise yet? Our next is a few months away and I can hardly wait!Love reading your pieces. I have been on 2 cruises on Norwegian each time. We chose Norwegian because the cruises are less structured and we weren't forced into a specific dinner time. There are plenty of restaurants on ship so you could dress up or go casual - we chose the finer dining and dressed up but had no forced times. In addition, we generally had our own table and the wait staff positively spoiled me. I absolutely loved cruising. Right now Mitch & Amy are on a cruise on Royal Caribbean to the Bahamas for 10 days. They've been to Alaska and most of the tropical islands. Amy loves traveling as much as my mother used to.
I'll bet you can hardly wait. It's just so much fun, has so much splendid food and entertainment, and permits heaps of leisure and sun. You'll love getting spoiled rotten and you'll find everything at your beck and call.You are so right, I can hardly wait. These are the times I have to remember not to wish my days away, for I can never get them back! Carnival now has Your Time Dining - I think it is called, so you eat in the dining room whenever you want. We still select early dining and eat at the other venues a couple nights. They definitely pamper you on a cruise. Almost every time we leave our stateroom they come tidy up or leave fresh ice...something. We also like casual - especially for a vacation - so on formal night, we eat at the grill. Not a bad thing...a table overlooking the Caribbean! I hope you get to go again soon!
Thanks very much for this. I was just asking myself this question. My wife and I have never taken a cruise. Thanks for your efforts.
I hope you will go on a cruise, Christofer. It is am amazing thing - a total getaway! Check out Carnival's website (yep, I like Carnival, but then, that is the only line I have sailed) then give Bernadine a call. I love that with the early saver I always get the lowest price. Sheesh..now I sound like a commercial. This fall we go on our 4th cruise. I was looking at a tropical map this morning - I'm glad we are going after the storm/rainy/hurricane season! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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