Table Of Content
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Caribbean Weather January Through March
- When are the best festivals in the Caribbean?
- Winter: Moderate fares and quiet crowds (except during the holidays)
- Cruise to the Caribbean With Windstar Cruises
- Ports of Call in the Southern Caribbean Are Determined by Ship Size, so Choose Your Ship Carefully
- When is the Best Time for a Western Caribbean Cruise?

The farther north your departure port, the more likely you are to experience a rough ride until your ship sails south into calmer water. 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.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Each cruise season during the year has a different combination of weather, prices and crowds. The weather is a major factor because rainfall is often quite heavy in the Caribbean during certain times of the year. The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly. It's also a good time to find booking promotions, like free upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or onboard spending money. In places like Curacao, St. Martin and Martinique, you’ll find good deals on imported goods from the Netherlands and mainland France.
Caribbean Weather January Through March
While still pleasant for many, if you’re looking for consistently warm weather you might find these temperatures a bit on the cooler side. The best time to cruise is usually influenced by crowd levels, weather, and prices. Taking these factors into account will ensure your next Caribbean cruise is a memorable and enjoyable experience.
When are the best festivals in the Caribbean?
However, temperatures are still warm in many areas of the Caribbean throughout October, and the sun will likely shine most of the time. If you consider Caribbean cruises during hurricane season, stay flexible, as periodic rain showers are likely between times of sun. The winter months are often considered to be the best months to travel the Caribbean because of the ideal weather. While winter is the peak season, the islands will have more open opportunities for visitors because of the high volume of travelers during this time. When planning your trip to the Caribbean, you can find the best restaurants and shops to explore during your stops at the islands. The Caribbean hurricane season is a period of the year when hurricanes are most likely to occur in the Caribbean.
Traveling during the shoulder seasons can offer a balance between affordability and favorable weather conditions. The Caribbean dry season is mid-December through mid-March and the high tourist season is from mid-December to mid-April. Caribbean weather is at its peak, and many are trying to escape brrr-utal winters. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Regarding our top picks, we almost always point towards November and April, as they provide the least precipitation, the calmest waters, and plenty of sunshine.
Cruise to the Caribbean With Windstar Cruises
Mistakes Made on First Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Blog
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Posted: Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Tulip-viewing itineraries in the Netherlands and Belgium are especially popular. Keep in mind that heavy rains and early-spring flooding can make the rivers swell and the locks impassable. West Indians know how to party, and they let loose at festivals throughout the year that showcase their vibrant traditions and culture. Almost every island hosts an annual event to celebrate its heritage with music, dance, food or sailing, often in the form of an exuberant pre-Lent carnival. Consider yourself lucky if you can plan your visit to coincide with one of these lively events. Sample Creole specialties in the French islands, such as boudin noir (blood sausage) and crabes farcis (stuffed crabs).
Ports of Call in the Southern Caribbean Are Determined by Ship Size, so Choose Your Ship Carefully

While most of the European flair will be obvious as you walk around, islands that are still part of European kingdoms or republics offer some of the same products you’d find there. The region, which includes islands lying east and south of St. Maarten/St. Martin, has always been a bit more exotic than its Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean counterparts. January in the Cayman Islands offers some of the best diving in the Caribbean. However, March is the best time to encounter humpback whales in the Dominican Republic. Overall, the best diving in the Caribbean can be found between November and May.
That's where I learned the meaning of the word "torrential." Even with all that rain, it wasn't a bad cruise. Carnival and similar festivals are also celebrated in other Caribbean islands. Exact dates may change depending on the year, so be sure to check if you will be sailing to these islands during Carnival. There are always exceptions, but the key to finding the best price on a Caribbean cruise is to try to go when most others cannot cruise.
When is the Best Time for a Western Caribbean Cruise?
I spent $3214 on a 10-night Royal Caribbean cruise. Here's what everything cost, from my $1273 flight to $230 ... - Royal Caribbean Blog
I spent $3214 on a 10-night Royal Caribbean cruise. Here's what everything cost, from my $1273 flight to $230 ....
Posted: Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
From the beaches to the tropical cuisine, a spring cruise to the Caribbean will get you in the perfect mood for summer. Those months coincide with peak season in the Caribbean, though, so crowded ports and beaches plus higher cruise fares are the norm. However, the vast number of cruise lines plying the Caribbean Sea mean you can find a massive spread of cruises for almost every budget. You can often land deals if you travel during the early weeks of December and in the later spring, when weather is still mostly calm and dry. Winter can be ideal because the weather is less humid and rainy, so you can optimize your time outside for more time in the water and sun.
Tuck into chicken or goat curry, India's popular contribution to menus regionwide, and feast on Caribbean spiny lobster, freshly grilled seaside. The result is a mouthwatering gastronomy bursting with flavor as intense as the tropical sun. Tempt your taste buds with mouth-searing hot sauces, aromatic marinades and fiery spice rubs. Pocket beaches and intimate coves are among the prized secrets of the Caribbean. While most passengers beeline for the popular show-off strands, seek out a less-visited stretch of sand for a more intimate experience.
Scattered downpours — known locally as "liquid sunshine" — are common during the wetter months of July to November, but they pass quickly. This can mean your itinerary can be disrupted, or the cruise line will be forced to cancel the voyage entirely. While this outcome is fairly unlikely, it can be a concern for those who cannot delay their trip due to work commitments. 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. 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.
Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. The Greater Antilles refers to the bigger islands in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Some destinations are known for their relaxed tipping culture (some parts of Europe, for example), while others are quite the opposite.
This time offers the best weather conditions, though it also comes with higher prices due to its popularity. There isn’t a single answer to what the cheapest time to cruise the Caribbean is, as pricing changes often based on many factors. However, the off-peak season—spanning from late August through early November—is generally the cheapest time to book a cruise. Despite this, the showers are usually short-lived and often occur in the afternoon, making it still possible to enjoy most of the day outdoors. This period also coincides with the hurricane season, with the highest risk of hurricanes from August to October. Temperatures during the dry season are warm but comfortable, usually ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 24°C to 29°C), and the sea breeze keeps the evenings pleasant.
"If your definition of good weather constitutes clear skies and warm temperatures, then anytime is a great time to visit the Caribbean," he notes. "That is, of course, unless you're opting for a hillside mountaintop retreat somewhere in the Caribbean's many rainforests,” which he says can get chilly during the winter months. September through mid-December is the best time of the year to cruise to The Caribbean for budget-conscious travelers. Plus, taking a warm weather vacation is a great way to beat the winter doldrums. One of the best parts about the Southern Caribbean, and particularly the ABC Islands, is their location outside the hurricane belt.
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