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If the ship docks in a secondary location and you have to travel to the big tourist destinations, I always book excursions through the cruise line. For instance, the day my family and I explored Rome, the ship docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we had to take a two-hour bus ride into the city. Mediterranean cruises can last anywhere from seven days to two weeks, depending on the company and itinerary. Booking every excursion through the cruise line can add up, but luckily, there are typically more affordable options through third-party companies. Going early or late in the season usually means you'll have more tolerable weather and smaller crowds in some of the big destinations like Athens. As someone who's taken over 50 cruises all over the world, I know firsthand how popular cruising is this year.
Spring Cruises
The least rainy month is May, while the warmest (and busiest) will be July and August. Certain times of the Alaska cruise season also increase your chances of seeing wildlife and/or the Norther Lights. There isn’t necessarily any “bad” time to cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas, with the region welcoming cruise ships all year-round. However there are things to take into consideration, such as hurricane season which runs from June through November. Prices tend to be a bit cheaper from September through November, because of this and because kids are back in school.
September – April
But one seabound itinerary people often forget to add to their bucket lists is a Mediterranean cruise. On clear nights, you could have a chance to spot the northern lights — though they won't shine as brightly as they do in winter. Rather than stay up all night, see if your ship or pre- or post-cruise hotel has a sign-up sheet for people who want a wake-up call should the lights appear. National park facilities and some tourist businesses will switch to winter hours.
When to cruise to Bermuda for the best weather
Now, it might be the itinerary I'm looking at won't be popular, and the cruise line will lower the fare closer to sailing. Or, the itinerary will sell well, and prices will only go up from the original price. I can't know for sure, though I can guess that peak-season trips to popular destinations on a newer cruise ship are more likely to sell quickly.
Construction on Second Chinese-Built Cruise Ship Well Underway
What is the best time to go on a cruise? - Cruise Blog
What is the best time to go on a cruise?.
Posted: Thu, 20 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Rain is generally limited to the Southern Caribbean, including islands like Aruba. Ocean temperatures in the winter hover around a pleasant 79 degrees and average highs and lows in St. Kitts, for example, are 85 and 74 degrees, respectively. Most Caribbean cruises in March and April run close to $100 per person, per night. Spring break is a popular time to cruise and fares can fluctuate during that time.
Northern Europe
There’s also a chance to see the start of the leaves changing towards the end of the month, though it varies from year-to-year and is never guaranteed. Because fall weather in the Caribbean is unpredictable, you'll find some of the best cruise deals of the year. As the end of November transitions to the holidays, though, Caribbean cruise prices begin to increase again. July and August can be the most expensive months to cruise the Caribbean, but there are plenty of exceptions.
More arid ports, such as Cabo San Lucas, will receive little rainfall year-round. This time of year is extremely popular, so many itineraries can book up quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to book an Alaska cruise during the peak season as early as possible. Finally, there is shoulder season, where you will find lower cruise fares and fewer crowds along with relatively comfortable temperatures. The weather at home can be unpredictable in the winter, possibly affecting your departure travel plans and preventing you from reaching your Caribbean cruise.
September is also a great month to explore the Seychelles by boat, as its summer winds have subsided, and sea life is in abundance. In India, water levels are ideal for cruising along the Ganges toward Varanasi. In the Galapagos Islands, drier conditions are expected from June onward, though the weather is cooler and the waves choppier. In China, riverboats begin to ply the waters of the Yangtze toward the end of the month and look to India for good wildlife sightings as you cruise along the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Perhaps the only challenge is coming to terms with the 24-hour daylight.
Fall: Low prices, low occupancy, risky weather
Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean - USA TODAY
Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Western cruises also become popular in the later part of winter because they go to places that usually have a dry season combined with warmer temperatures. They include Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya and Belize. 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. It’s not just high temperatures that are a reason to avoid Asia in summer; typhoon season begins in May, bringing dangerous deluges of rain and wind. Instead, aim for the dry, cooler seasons of autumn or winter, and most definitely spring.
Unless you're interested in a high-demand sailing, be patient and look out for flash sales. Summer is the height of the Alaska cruise season, which means crowds in port towns, especially when several ships are in port at the same time. You might have to wait hours for a table at Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau. Each month has its advantages, not the least of which is discounted pricing in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. Bermuda's cruise season might not be as long as the one in the Caribbean, but the beaches are still top-notch. From the famous pink sands of Horseshoe Beach to snorkeling off Elbow Beach, there are enough places on the island for you to spend a full three days splashing around.
Bears will be hunting for the last of the berries and salmon, and caribou, deer and moose will be mating. While early May often carries a chill in the air, by the end of the month, you might encounter temperatures in the 60s. The warmer weather means glaciers begin shedding ice more frequently, so you have a better chance of experiencing the sight and sound of a house-size chunk of ice calving into the sea. There's also the bonus that Alaska's large mosquito population has yet to emerge.
Prices for similar cruises with MSC between June and August range from $649 to $799. The best time to cruise to Europe is between spring break and summer vacation (April/May) and in early fall (September/October). Prices are lower and crowds are smaller compared to peak summer months, and temperatures are cool without being simmering or frigid. The late season (September and October) is also a nice time to visit the island. Temperatures are still warm during these months, but there are far fewer tourists. This makes the island’s pace much more relaxed than the peak summer season, although you do have to remain flexible with your itinerary since September and October fall in hurricane season.
This approach works best for people with flexible work schedules or retirees who can adjust their dates to snag these less expensive fares. Some of the major European tourist destinations have strict dress codes — typically everyone must at least cover their shoulders and knees out of respect. Keep an eye out for seabirds and songbirds, seals, Steller sea lions and humpback whales. Marine life is so prolific that some small-boat shore excursions guarantee you will see animals.
Tons of music and jazz festivals take place around the Caribbean this time of year, including the Pure Grenada Music Festival in May and the St. Kitts Music Festival in June. If your Caribbean cruise takes place over Easter, Virgin Gorda (part of the British Virgin Islands) holds a weekend filled with parties and calypso music. In Jamaica, parades known as Bacchanal, take to the streets during both months.
If, however, temperature is a concern, you should know that summer in New England brings temperatures in the 80s, but you should not be surprised if they extend into the high 90s. Cruises to Mexico from Los Angeles sail to the Mexican Riviera, a name coined for the country’s picturesque towns along the Pacific Coast and Baja California. Ports like Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Catalina Island are found on Mexican Riviera itineraries. 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.
Many food and wine cruises have excursions centered on local specialties and vineyards. What's even better is that you can bring your finds back on the ship with you; feel free to uncap that Burgundy and drink it on your balcony. You can also book discounted cruises through Costco, USAA, your credit card rewards page or CruiseCompete, where travel agents compete to offer you the best deal on your ideal cruise.
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