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A great way to dive deeper into the cultures of the Caribbean islands you visit is by experiencing local holidays and festivals. Festivals happen throughout the year and can be a unique way to experience a port during your cruise. Ocean conditions tend to be fairly calm as well, and it's the reason why winter is the peak season for the Caribbean cruise market.
When is the Caribbean’s dry season?
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. From January through March, The Caribbean has near perfect weather for all types of activities. The weather provides a nice contrast to the blustery winter temperatures that dominate much of the United States during these months.
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The Norwegian Cruise Line website allows you to easily reserve your onboard activities, shore excursions, and more in one convenient place. Discover why Norwegian has been The Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line for six consecutive years. 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. Large cruise ships can feel cramped with the number of people on board. Additionally, smaller ships can sail into smaller ports, allowing you to discover hidden gems in the Caribbean.
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If sunny weather is your top priority and you don’t mind dealing with larger crowds, the dry period from December to April is ideal. This time offers the best weather conditions, though it also comes with higher prices due to its popularity. The peak season also avoids the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, ensuring smoother sailing and safer travel conditions. However, it’s also when prices are highest and crowds can be larger due to increased demand. Additionally, it’s worth noting that December to May coincide with the Caribbean’s peak tourist season.
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The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Northwest Puerto Rico, and Turks and Caicos are some of the best spots to see these incredible creatures during this time. You will also want to ensure that you purchase travel insurance and give yourself enough time to get to the embarkation port should any weather-related travel issues arise. The weather is not the only factor as to why these sailings are cheaper-- since most American schools are back in session, the demand for cruising decreases compared to the peak in June and July. Weather is drier and warm in December, making the early part of the month a great relaxing getaway.
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Cruises continue to operate; remember, this is still the tropics and even if you get more rain than in high-season months, the weather will be balmy. As such, these months can be a good time of year to visit the Caribbean islands — and as July and August are school holidays, there are bargains to be had for family cruises. Although cruises around the holidays tend to be more expensive, they provide excellent opportunities to enjoy holiday festivities away from home.
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Winter
This is because demand increases, which usually translates to higher prices for cruise ship tickets. 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.
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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. While cruises sail worldwide, many travelers favor the Caribbean, and for a good reason.
Caribbean Cruise in March or April: Great Weather and Spring Break
Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know to book your Caribbean cruise at the time that’s best for you. Here's how the entire year stacks up so you can identify the best time for your travel party to cruise the Caribbean. For the super adventurous cruisers who want to swim with sharks, there are plenty of excursions, especially in the Bahamas. While temperatures rise in many places across the U.S. during the height of summer, July and August temperatures in the Caribbean are in the upper 70s and 80s. While there isn’t a particular time of year that needs to be avoided when cruising to the Caribbean, you may prefer a certain time of the year based on your schedule and cruising style. Celebrated throughout the Caribbean, the most famous Caribbean carnival is in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean are generally during the peak hurricane season months, lasting from August to October. During this time, the Caribbean is more susceptible to hurricanes, leading to potentially rough seas, bad weather, and possible itinerary disruptions or cancellations. Winter, including major holidays like Christmas, New Year's Eve and spring break, see a significant increase in demand for cruising, and prices reflect this. You can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars more on the same cruise and itinerary if you opt to cruise over New Year's instead of in May or October.
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A few years ago, I cruised the Western Caribbean near the end of October and it poured the whole time. That's where I learned the meaning of the word "torrential." Even with all that rain, it wasn't a bad cruise. You'll also need to plan for mosquitos in port and for serious sun protection.
Fall, especially September and early October, is not a bad time to cruise to the Caribbean – unless you are a worrier or someone who can't go with the flow when travel plans go awry. That's because the autumn months are the peak season for hurricanes and tropical storms. When it isn't stormy, it might still be a bit warm and sticky for some early in the season.
You can expect the highest level of rainfall in the Caribbean between the months of May and November. 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. Late November and early to mid-December are also shoulder season and can be a fantastic time to travel. Americans tend to celebrate Thanksgiving, their biggest annual holiday, at home with family, so cruises falling over the fourth Thursday in November can be a real bargain. Early December, too, is perfect for avoiding the darkest nights of the British winter and working on a pre-Christmas tan.
Budget, crowds, weather and activities can all play a role in deciding the optimal time to set sail. Keep in mind that spring break -- for both younger kids and college students -- can mean things are crowded and lively on board and on land at this time of year. Expect an atmosphere that matches the celebratory annual ritual and rite of passage.
Fall is the peak of hurricane season, especially for the Eastern and Western regions. Despite fall having a higher risk of tropical storms, some islands are still worth sailing to during this time. Southern islands like Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire become popular cruising destinations during the fall because they’re outside the hurricane zone. Many islands also experience more comfortable temperatures in the fall. May and June are also great months to look for deals on Caribbean cruises because they fall during the shoulder season.
