Sunday, March 31, 2024

Caribbean Weather by Month: The Best Time for a Caribbean Cruise

best time to cruise caribbean

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. It's a fun way to create a break between Thanksgiving and the December holidays.

When is the Hurricane Season in the Caribbean?

Many destinations experience a high point of tourism from December through February because of people fleeing the northern winters. But that period also has the lowest average temperatures for the Caribbean, especially in the islands lying closest to the United States. That said, the weather can vary between islands due to their geographical locations. In conclusion, timing is a crucial factor when planning a Caribbean cruise.

Spring Cruises

In addition, cruises during spring break may see an influx of college-aged students, thus leading to a bigger party atmosphere. Cruise pricing during this time in March or April can also be higher than choosing to cruise in February or May instead. Royal Caribbean will absolutely, positively, avoid the path of any hurricane. Itineraries will be flipped, swapped or completely changed to avoid going anywhere near the storm. The cruise line has said time and time again that the safety of its guests, crew and ships are vital, and they will not send their vessels near any hurricane. There are pros and cons to certain months of the year that might make you pick one over another, as the winter months are definitely a favorite and when you'll find the most Caribbean cruises offered.

The Off-Peak Season: An Alternative Choice

This is also the Land of the Midnight Sun, where you'll have nearly 24 hours of sunlight in places like northern Norway from early June to mid-July. In the end, the best time to cruise may come down to where you can go for the right price when your schedule allows a vacation. We've compiled the best times to cruise to the most popular cruise destinations based on the weather, lowest prices and fewer crowds.

Day Caribbean Round-trip San Juan: Curacao, Aruba & St. Kitts

Experience world-class dining on our cruise ships with a variety of restaurants led by celebrity chefs. From casual poolside bites to Pan-Asian flavors at Tamarind and fine dining at Pinnacle Grill, our menus offer a culinary adventure. 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. Our Caribbean cruises offer plenty of options, from three-day and week-long voyages to holiday cruises and ambitious expeditions. And we offer cruise deals year-round, so rest assured that you can find great value at any time.

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]

best time to cruise caribbean

Call at tiny Nevis during the first week of July and you’ll come across a gathering of celebrity chefs, here for the annual Mango Festival. Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, is regarded as second in the world only to the festivities in Rio de Janeiro. Finally, Semana Santa, the week before Easter, is the biggest annual holiday in the Dominican Republic, with parades in every town. Adam's goal is to enhance your cruising adventures with practical tips and insightful advice, making each of your journeys unforgettable.

The worst months to cruise the Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Blog

The worst months to cruise the Caribbean.

Posted: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Caribbean Weather January Through March

During these months, the warm sea temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions make it possible for hurricanes to develop. It’s a time when people planning to visit need to be prepared for possible weather-related disruptions. Keep in mind that the off-peak season brings more rainfall, humidity, and higher temperatures, especially in the Western Caribbean.

There really isn't a bad time to cruise around the Caribbean given that it is a year-round destination and plenty warm every month. It also is a good time of year to look for a last-minute cruise deal if the seven- or 10-day weather forecast shows a low chance of rain. They reach the destinations with the warmest temperatures, such as Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cartagena Colombia. The weather is a major factor because rainfall is often quite heavy in the Caribbean during certain times of the year.

At the Batabano Festival, taste local delicacies including macaroni pie, fresh-caught seafood and flaky pastries filled with tender meat. Temperatures can be warm and enjoyable, but many people find that the humidity can be unpleasant. Rain is also more frequent, which can make excursions and exploring ports of call far less enjoyable.

January is the coldest month in North America and Europe, so you can expect a lot of tourists to come at this time. If your heart is set on traveling to Hawaii in the summer, or you want to escape the winter's snow at home in February, look for deals with an early booking. You can also take a chance and wait for last-minute specials if you're flexible.

For example, Celebrity Cruises has an 11-night cruise sailing round-trip from Sydney in March for $1,320. As you get closer to the holidays in December, a 13-night round-trip itinerary from Sydney with the line costs $2,231. The summer months of December through February offer some of the best weather for cruising in Australia and New Zealand. Major cities will have high temperatures in the 70s and 80s during that time. The two shoulder seasons – from April to early June and September to October – offer comfortable temperatures, but you'll need to dress in layers.

Longer cruises or smaller-ship itineraries might stop elsewhere in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Barts, Antigua or St. Kitts. Which itinerary is best for you will depend primarily on which port you want to depart from and how long a vacation you can take. Once you see the options that fit your parameters, you'll want to look at how many port stops versus sea days an itinerary has and which specific islands you'll visit. As events occur throughout the year, anytime can be considered the best time to travel to the Caribbean.

The Best Cruise Lines for Kids & Families

best cruise ships for kids

Aside from the usual swimming pools and hot tubs, you won’t find many family activities outside of the kids’ clubs. However, the offering here is very good for those aged three to 17 and has a particular focus on education, thanks to partnerships with Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. Because there’s not a huge amount to do onboard, A-ROSA river cruises are better suited to older children who don’t mind a bit of quiet time where they can entertain themselves. Family-friendly shore excursions are probably more targeted at older kids too. Don’t expect anywhere near the facilities that you would get on an ocean cruise ship.

Where kids can play while you're away

The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise - Cruise Critic

The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise.

Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

As the sun floats down, families can enjoy quality time together in the movie under the stars experience. Where passengers recline out on deck wrapped up in a warm blanket and delving into bags on popcorn. Since those days the cruise line has excelled incorporating some of the best family-themed facilities at sea. Interactive experiences don’t finish there; Disney cruises also created the idea of a ‘virtual window’.

The Family-Focused Entertainment on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy

As cruisers seek more immersive programming, cruise lines are responding with longer shore stays and shore excursions. Go to the local produce market and shop for supper with a Regent Seven Seas chef. Take a Greek cooking class with a local in Mykonos, as we did on a Celebrity shore excursion.

best cruise ships for kids

Caribbean Cruise Destinations

The line's oldest and smallest ships don't offer much more than that — while the newest and biggest ships in the fleet have many more amusements. These include splash parks and waterslides, ice skating rinks, bumper cars, zip lines, laser tag and fast casual restaurants serving Mexican food and Johnny Rockets burgers and milkshakes. MSC World Europa is one of the most futuristic-looking cruise ships in the world, both inside and out. And there are some seriously cool features which the family will love as part of that, including interactive games in the kids’ clubs, and a stunning futuristic dry slide inside the ship for the thrill-seeking teens. Many children dream of space travel, exploring the moon and planets as an astronaut.

Holland America Line’s Family Perks

Royal Caribbean has a whopping 27 cruise ships in its portfolio with another, Utopia of The Seas, scheduled for delivery in 2024. With all of that in mind, here are the best cruise lines for families and kids. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out.

VACATION WITH THE FAMILY

Celebrity Cruises features large ships but aims to provide a more high-end experience than you’ll find on cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises. It also does a great job of catering to multi-generational cruisers. Luxury cruise lines come with a higher financial investment than the cruise lines listed above, but in return, you’ll find more inclusions, often better food, and far fewer onboard guests.

Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean comparison - Royal Caribbean Blog

Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean comparison.

Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

best cruise ships for kids

The line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is a sterling example of how hard work and money transformed a Bahamian waste dump into a tropical paradise and coral reef research center. Additionally, many of the public health protocols put into place during the pandemic not only help cruisers stay healthy but enhance the family cruise with kids experience. Choose among new family cruise itineraries with a focus on cultural and culinary experiences. Some mega ships have new programming for kids (even toddlers) and teens. Choose an itinerary that lets you cruise for a few days or a few weeks. Cruise holidays especially appeal now to multigenerational travelers, according to the Cruise Line International Association’s newest State of the Cruise Industry Report.

Remy’s French menu is planned by two different, high-caliber chefs while Palo features Northern Italian cuisine. The chocolate soufflé at Palo is simply to die for and the perfect ending to your unlimited meal. Disney Fantasy also features several pubs and cocktail lounges for parents to enjoy adult time together while the kids are at play. The kids’ clubs, for those aged 3-17, have great facilities, including lots of Lego for the younger ones and Wii, Xbox and PS3 tournaments for older children. The kid’s clubs are tucked away in the lower parts of the ship, with Camp at Sea aimed at tweens and The Basement for teenagers.

FAMILY TIME

Whether it’s high-energy play areas that spark imagination or serene oases that provide solace from the excitement, these vessels recognize and address the dynamic needs of every family. We give the nod to Carnival when it comes to cruising on a budget because we believe they offer more things for families with kids to do on the ship. That said, there’s still plenty of kid-friendly activities aboard MSC, including an arcade with full bowling lanes on some ships, waterslides, and a kids waterpark. The cruise line is well known having the largest cruise ships at sea. Onboard those ships it packs the most activities and amenities — for adults and kids — meaning that no one will ever be bored.

Certain twin balcony cabins sleep three, and suites sleep four to accommodate kids, with connecting cabin options for families who need more space. Unlike many river ships, AmaLea has a pool, as well as a surprise kid hit — giant outdoor chess. Before setting foot on the Icon of the Seas, my anticipation buzzes with images of its expansive water parks and high-tech amenities. Imagining the elation on the faces of children as they explore this floating paradise, it’s clear why cruise ships for kids and families are more than mere transportation – they’re transformative experiences. Sailings feature character experiences just like at the Disney theme parks. Each ship also has various kids’ clubs for passengers as young as 3 years old (a fee-based nursery is available for kids under 3), as well as pools with waterslides and aqua play areas.

And drinks on-board are fairly priced too – expect to pay a similar amount to what you’d pay in a pub at home. Once on board, almost all the activities and entertainment are included, but you will have to budget for money to buy drinks, and also for gratuities (tips), which are added to your bill. You can sail on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton to a variety of destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean. The rest of the year she sails out of New York to the Bahamas and Caribbean. While P&O have Wallace & Gromit, and Carnival have Dr Seuss, Costa has partnered with one of the biggest names for younger kids – Peppa Pig.

It hasn't even launched yet, and we're already confident that Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas, soon to be the largest ship afloat, will be one of the top cruise ships for kids. When setting sail with little ones, what truly transforms a ship into a floating wonderland are the activities and amenities on offer. Here’s a comprehensive list of what makes the Royal Caribbean cruise ships the best for kids and the perfect family vacation. Quasar Expeditions offers specific family cruises on small yachts with special discounts for kids, child-friendly menus and guides who make every activity an adventure for all ages.

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