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If you're not a fan of crowds, you'll want to pass on traveling when everyone else is going during popular vacation weeks. Sorry to disappoint you, but the best time to go on a cruise is not a fixed week or month, as you might hope. The best time to take a cruise varies based on your travel preferences, including where you wish to travel. May and June are hot in the Caribbean, with highs in the 80s and 90s during the day.
When is the best time to book a cruise?
The warm weather really starts to kick in, and the average temperature is about 78 degrees F. Occasional tropical showers visit the Bahamas in April but typically don’t last long. The total rainfall is only about 2.6 inches in March and April, so you won’t need to pack your rain gear. Instead, you should pack sun protection and other beach gear to enjoy the best beaches in Nassau. You should start off your year with a warm-weather cruise because January is one of the best months to go to the Bahamas. The islands' trade winds ensure warm temperatures year-round (even for swimming).
Best time to cruise Australia and New Zealand: December-February
If you cruise to Alaska this month, you can enjoy more shop and restaurant options in port towns but expect things to be slightly more crowded. Small-ship Alaska cruise lines like American Queen Voyages and Uncruise can go further into narrow passages and get closer to shoreline wildlife like Dall sheep and bears. Summer workers (typically college students) begin to arrive for the peak tourist season, and shops and restaurants open for the summer. Because they don’t migrate, you have a great chance of viewing these 1000+ pound, 10-foot-long animals on rocks near the shorelines as you cruise. Alaska is still gaining sunlight as the Summer Solstice approaches, so you’ll experience longer days during your May cruise. Arguably, the biggest draw is the marine animals, with opportunities to see pods of humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, and more.
When to cruise Northern Europe for the best weather
If, however, you want to go in January when the temperatures are warmer, you will be paying closer to $770 per person. Canada & New England cruises are great trips to plan an extended pre- or post-cruise stay in, as many of the departure ports -- like Boston, New York, etc. -- offer a lot to see and do. One of the best reasons to visit this area in the fall is the spectacular fall foliage, with brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange. This, in combination with a number of autumn harvest festivals, can make for a unique cruising experience.
Maine and Eastern Canada are well known for their incredible nature, views of the Atlantic Ocean and plenty of seafood. The cruise season runs between the months of May through October, although many ships will visit in late summer to early autumn. For warm weather that isn’t too hot and the best chance at no rain, look to visit the Mexican Riviera during the winter and into early spring.
The Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas: A Month-by-Month Guide
This strategy is best if you plan to book early and aren't as concerned about the ship selling out immediately. Booking a cruise just days before sailing should only be attempted by travelers within an easy drive of the cruise port. You should also make sure that you have time to get any necessary documentation, as well as make related travel plans. In actuality, most cruise lines will sell available cabins through the day before sailing, but limit or deny same-day bookings. Depending on the line, you may only be able to book cruises within a day or two of departure directly with the cruise line's reservations department.
Bahamas Weather in April: Warm Weather and Low Chances of Rain
With plenty of land-based tourists during these weeks, there are more crowds and excursions can be more expensive. Although many people think of Bermuda as a warm tropical Caribbean island, it is actually located in the North Atlantic, just about 650 miles east of North Carolina. Thanks to the North Atlantic Current, it enjoys beautiful weather with an average temperature in the 70-80s during the cruise season.
Keep in mind that April and October can still be quite chilly in Scandinavian and Baltic Sea ports. Lines like Viking and Hurtigruten offer Northern Lights sailings to the region's northern reaches from January through March. If you're considering a summer or early fall Hawaii cruise, note that seas can be rough in August.Wondering if September is a good time to go to Hawaii? Well, while the islands aren't generally hit by hurricanes, they come closest in September and weather patterns can bring hot, humid weather to the islands despite technically being dry season. They can also kick up storms that lead to rough seas and less-than-ideal excursion conditions. High season is when you'll find the most cruise options, highest prices, most crowded ships and best weather.
Many cruisers enjoy heading to the Bahamas in November because there are thinner crowds. There’s little risk of hurricanes, and the sun is back out to play, so visitors can enjoy fun in the sun and hit the beach. In March, you may see a light shower during the day, but for the most part, you can expect little to no rain. The average ocean temperature is 75 degrees F, warm enough to enjoy a snorkeling and diving excursion. January is the beginning of the dry season with very little rain in Nassau. Outside of New Year's (the end of the local Junkanoo winter festival), the first few months of the year are relatively quiet, with children heading back to school.
In April, mountains will still be snowy, and high temperatures will max out in the upper 40s for most cruise ports. Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April. Norwegian Cruise Lines has the first departures of the season in early April from Seattle.
In recent years, Alaska has become an increasingly popular choice for cruisers wanting to explore the region's natural beauty and stunning landscapes. Alaska's cruise season is relatively short, generally from April to September. Royal Caribbean offers repositioning cruises to the islands from British Columbia in September. Sister line Celebrity runs repo cruises starting from Vancouver and ending in Honolulu in September and early October. Carnival offers a few one-way and round trip Hawaii cruises out of Vancouver and Long Beach in September, October and early December. Click Caribbean cruise weather for temperatures and rainfall by month.
The only way to really know the best time to book a cruise is to track fares, which is not an easy task. Luckily, rate tracking on the Shipmate app and Cruise Critic make it a bit more realistic. They'll let you know if there's a price drop, taking some of the extra work off your plate. If you're not interested in high-season travel or experiencing the latest cruise ship, you can play the waiting game and pounce as soon as fares drop.
You might feel like you aren’t getting the true Alaskan “Midnight Sun” experience this month. For cruise itineraries in Alaska, August high temperatures will be somewhere in the upper 50s and low 60s. We’ve reached the pinnacle of summer temperatures, and the rainier season has just begun.
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?.
Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Families considering a cruise with children on summer break should take advantage of June in particular because of the lower storm risk, followed by July. If you want to spot herds of caribou, book an Alaska cruise that puts you in range of Denali National Park. And with salmon runs in full force, you can catch fishing bears in the southeast. While the weather in Alaska in June brings out the flowers and even greener scenery, expect mosquitoes to be biting. Alaska temperatures can be unpredictable, so come prepared with the proper wardrobe.
As well, when winter has gripped most of North America, the Caribbean still offers a warm getaway with lots of sunshine. Many river lines also offer Christmas market cruises in November and December to Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. Because European cruises span a large geographic area, we’ve outlined our seasonal strategies separately for Mediterranean cruises and European river cruises below. Check out Hawaii cruises in May, when the weather is relatively dry as well.
As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship. Gray whales and Humpback whales begin their migration to warmer waters in October and November, so you still have a chance to see them in Alaskan waters in September. In September, the scale now tips towards later sunrises and earlier sunsets in Alaska.
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