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To avoid crowds in port, try not to cruise during the Panamanian festivals that take place in early spring and from November into the winter. These festivals can also affect the opening of attractions, restaurants, banks and other venues you might want to visit ashore. You'll find moderate temperatures (in the mid-70s to low 80s) and drier weather in January and February.
When is the best time to cruise to the Southern Caribbean?
From pirate hideouts to mountain peaks, Cruising The Caribbean offers a range of experiences for travelers. Additionally, the Southern Caribbean is known for having less rain compared to the rest of the Caribbean. Aruba, for example, receives about 18 inches of rain per year, while Curaçao averages slightly higher, with about 22 inches annually. In contrast, other Caribbean islands like Jamaica and Puerto Rico experience a much wetter climate, with average annual rainfall reaching up to 78 inches. The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) continue to offer dry conditions, making them perfect travel destinations.
New to cruising
Don’t forget the bug spray either, as high humidity and rain typically mean there are more mosquitoes, too. Cruising to the warm, sunny Caribbean during the winter months, when the weather up north can be cold, gray, and snowy, is a terrific way to beat the winter blues. I also recommend that all passengers bring a passport on their Caribbean sailing. Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean just offshore from Playa del Carmen and just south of Cancun.
Norwegian Cruise Line Kicks off European Season With New Options
The weeks between Thanksgiving and mid-December are another budget-friendly opportunity for Caribbean cruises. This period sees a dip in cruise fares as it’s a transitional period between the post-Thanksgiving holiday rush and the busy Christmas and New Year season. The Southern Caribbean is a fantastic destination to visit at any time of the year.
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean - Cruise Blog
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean.
Posted: Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
When to cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas for the best weather
Yearly Carnival celebrations also draw crowds across the Caribbean, and the dates vary by island, but many happen in February and March or July and August. There is no wrong way to do the Caribbean, whether your interests are above or under the waves, onshore or off. But one of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to head to the Caribbean during a time that aligns with your interests, budget, and vacation style. The Western Caribbean is usually hotter and more humid than other parts of the Caribbean. Places such as Jamaica, Cozumel, and Belize often have high humidity and can see temperatures reaching as high as 90°F (32°C).
Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Foodies
Plan on early morning beach time, fun trips to water parks, swimming with dolphins or stingrays, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports. May weather on Mexico’s east coast, where the island of Cozumel sits, is also still hot and dry with temperatures in the 80s and over 11 hours of sunlight daily. Sunbathe on pristine white-sand beaches or get active with watersports like jet skiing and parasailing over the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea. The key is knowing which area to cruise to and when to get full enjoyment out of every moment of your cruise vacation.
Caribbean Vacations June Through August
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. One advantage of cruising in the summer is that the ocean temperatures tend to be warmer than in the winter.
Best weather in the Southern Caribbean
These festivals attract talented musicians from around the world, providing an unforgettable experience for music lovers. Whether you’re into international stars or local artists, attending a music festival during your Caribbean cruise promises to elevate your vacation to a whole new level. Check the schedules and plan your cruise accordingly to make the most of this incredible musical experience.
Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean – FAQ
If you've sailed before, there's always some destination you've never visited or an activity you haven't tried. However, if you'd rather not share the beach with several ships' worth of cruisers, take the ferry to nearby St. John for the day and find a U.S. national park and a more chill beach experience. Take the kids to the Coral World Ocean Park, your sweetie on a catamaran sail or snorkel trip and your crazy friends on a helmet dive or BOSS underwater scooter adventure. Cruisers can swim, snorkel and scuba dive, of course, but they can also kayak, snuba, Jet Ski, sail and parasail. Sometimes you can do these things right from whatever beach is your destination for the day.
If you’re looking to book your vacation at a specific time of year, here are some of the highlights of traveling to the Caribbean during different seasons. If you're retired and can drive to a port, you can likely find an inside cabin to book just a few weeks prior to sailing. You'll be hard-pressed to find a cruise line that does not sail to the Caribbean at least for a few months a year. The big-ship lines will station multiple ships in this region year-round, with additional ships swinging by during the colder months. Another popular itinerary for first-timers is the Eastern Caribbean, with visits to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Grand Turk, the Dominican Republic and/or San Juan, Puerto Rico.
There are also two major sporting events in January, so you'll want to avoid the crowds on Oahu and Maui during that month. The shoulder season months are also the least crowded times to visit Alaska because kids are in school and fewer families are vacationing. Just be aware that if you head to Alaska early in the spring, some of the stores may not have opened yet. Arrive in the fall, and you may find that tour operators and shops have begun to cut back hours or have closed. With school out for the summer, and a slower pace in general, families are increasingly taking advantage of this time to travel together.
However, more ships sail this region of the world in the winter, when other destinations (such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canada/New England and Bermuda) are too chilly for vacations at sea. Given how the wet and dry seasons pan out, you are always better off booking your Caribbean cruise vacation during the calendar’s shoulder seasons, meaning late fall and early spring. Atlantic hurricane season generally runs from June through November, but late summer and early fall can be a tempting time for travelers who want to avoid the crowds, says Bennett.
