Best Time to Cruise to the Caribbean

While cruises sail worldwide, many vacationers favor the Caribbean, and for an excellent purpose. Caribbean cruises sail year-round, permitting vacationers to discover white sand seashores anytime. If you’re reserving a cruise to the Caribbean, it’s possible you’ll marvel the perfect time to go to. Since the Caribbean experiences moist and dry seasons, some months of the yr are preferable to others. If you’re spending the money and time to cruise down South, be sure you go when it’s finest for you.

Learn about the perfect occasions to cruise to the Caribbean earlier than planning your journey.

In This Article

What Is the Best Month to Cruise the Caribbean?

The winter months are sometimes thought-about to be the perfect months to journey the Caribbean due to the perfect climate. While winter is the height season, the islands may have extra open alternatives for guests due to the excessive quantity of vacationers throughout this time. When planning your journey to the Caribbean, you will discover the perfect eating places and retailers to discover throughout your stops on the islands. 

Winter will be ultimate as a result of the climate is much less humid and wet, so you may optimize your time exterior for extra time within the water and solar. Out of the winter months, January and February are extra generally thought-about the perfect as a result of they’re much less in style than December. Many individuals journey to the Caribbean in December to have fun the winter holidays or as a result of it aligns with their winter breaks. You can expertise fewer crowds however nonetheless profit from the height season climate and sights by getting in January and February. 

Visiting throughout any month has benefits and drawbacks, so it in the end relies on what kind of climate and crowds you need. 

Is October a Good Time to Cruise the Caribbean?

Hurricane season within the Caribbean runs from June by means of November. During this time, August to October usually has an elevated threat of inclement climate. Because there’s the potential for tropical storms, October could have fewer accessible cruise choices. However, temperatures are nonetheless heat in lots of areas of the Caribbean all through October, and the solar will probably shine more often than not. If you think about Caribbean cruises throughout hurricane season, keep versatile, as periodic rain showers are probably between occasions of solar.

Most cruise ships will do the whole lot doable to keep away from crusing by means of or close to a hurricane or tropical storm. Your itinerary could change to keep away from a storm, although many cruise strains will solely cancel a visit if a storm makes it too tough to cruise in or out of the house port.

Is November a Good Time to Cruise the Caribbean?

Despite closing out the wet season, November is a perfect month to take a Caribbean cruise. November cruises come earlier than the busy winter season, so it’s sometimes much less hectic with good climate. With hurricane season dying down in November, you’ll probably expertise nice climate in the course of the day. Additionally, you should still discover good offers in your journey when reserving a November cruise. 

The Regions of the Caribbean

The Caribbean will be separated into totally different areas, together with the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. When contemplating when to take your cruise, you must also think about which area or areas it’s crusing to. For instance, some areas of the Caribbean are much less affected by hurricane season, which can be extra fascinating for you. Cruises to every area differ relating to departure factors, ports of name and the variety of stops alongside the journey.

Eastern

The Eastern Caribbean contains a number of islands inside the British Virgin Islands like St. Maarten and St. Thomas, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Haiti. Most of those islands are shut sufficient for cruise itineraries to incorporate a number of stops inside a number of days, providing a lot of selection. The snug temperatures are nice for any exercise, from snorkeling to lounging on the seaside to exploring the islands on a hike. Cruises provide varied excursions all through the stops on this area, permitting you to get the total expertise.

Eastern cruises sometimes embrace a day or two at sea when leaving from Florida ports, making this area ultimate for vacationers in search of extra sightseeing. The Eastern area can be in style for shorter cruises and cruises leaving from extra Northern ports, because the journey will be comparatively quick whereas nonetheless reaching a number of stops.

Many vacationers favor cruising to the Eastern Caribbean in the course of the winter months, as many islands on this area keep heat and sunny all through the winter with out getting too scorching and humid. On-shore excursions are additionally extra snug throughout this time of yr, which is good in the event you plan on exploring. Since hurricane season can closely have an effect on this area, cruising throughout winter is finest to keep away from tropical storms.

Western

The Western Caribbean contains Mexican stops like Cozumel and Cancun, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Belize. Some Western cruises might also cease within the Bahamas. Cruises into this area sometimes depart from Florida ports, although cruises additionally generally depart out of Gulf Coast states like Alabama and Texas. You’ll sometimes have a number of totally different stops on Western cruises, with not less than eight hours at every port. You also can anticipate a few full days at sea for the reason that islands are extra unfold out within the Western area.

Western cruises are in style for vacationers in search of out of doors journey. Whether climbing waterfalls in Jamaica, jungle ziplining in Cozumel or exploring the Mayan ruins, Western cruise excursions provide quite a few alternatives and thrilling actions to take advantage of your time on shore. This area can be in style amongst first-time cruisers, as these cruises provide a pleasant mixture of on-shore and at-sea days.

The climate within the Western Caribbean is much like that of the Eastern area. You’ll expertise balmy situations, excellent for out of doors excursions and enjoyable within the solar. Because hurricane season additionally impacts this space, the winter months are the perfect time to cruise to this area of the Caribbean. 

Southern

Numerous islands make up the Southern Caribbean, giving it probably the most number of the three areas. Because this space is farther from any U.S. ports and there are such a lot of potential islands to cease at, Southern Caribbean cruises are sometimes longer than cruises to the opposite areas. Many cruises to the Southern Caribbean may also make stops within the Eastern islands on their approach by means of — the distinction right here is that the place Eastern cruises flip round, Southern cruises proceed on.

Southern cruises usually cease at islands like St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Aruba, Curacao, Guadalupe and extra. Depending on the place your cruise departs from and stops, you’ll have a day or two at sea. Because there are such a lot of extra Southern Caribbean islands, these cruises are sometimes faster-paced, stopping at a brand new island each day of the cruise. Because of this issue, it’s best to select a Southern cruise in the event you’re actually enthusiastic about exploring and sightseeing quite than enjoyable. 

While any time of yr will be satisfying within the Caribbean, that is very true of the Southern Caribbean. Many of those islands lie beneath the hurricane belt, that means they’re much less prone to be instantly impacted. As such, there’s no season you’d need to keep away from on this area, leaving the perfect time to cruise Southern Caribbean as much as your choice. 

What Is the Best Time of Year to Go to the Caribbean?

Each season provides totally different benefits and drawbacks within the Caribbean. While there’s not essentially a nasty time to cruise to the Caribbean, the perfect time for it’s possible you’ll depend upon what sure seasons provide. Here is what every season is like within the Caribbean.

Spring

Spring months, like March and April, are a part of the dry season, in order that they’re nice occasions to cruise the Caribbean. Spring is a well-liked time for many individuals to go on a cruise, as they make the most of spring breaks and ideal Caribbean climate. Many hometowns have but to heat up by this time of yr, making a trip to the Caribbean the proper technique to heat up and begin working in your summer season tan. From the seashores to the tropical delicacies, a spring cruise to the Caribbean will get you within the excellent temper for summer season. 

While spring is a part of the Caribbean’s excessive season, it is without doubt one of the finest occasions to go to as a result of the climate is ideal. You have minimal threat of hurricanes and may keep away from the wet season, so you may optimize your time on the yacht deck admiring the view or exploring the varied islands. 

Windstar Cruises provides a number of excursions by means of the Caribbean throughout March and April, permitting you to discover your favourite islands or new locations. With smaller ships, we are able to cease at smaller ports to carry you to hidden Caribbean gems and keep away from the height season crowds. 

Summer

The summer season months are considerably much less busy as a result of it’s the beginning of the wet season. Many individuals and households take their holidays in the summertime as a result of faculty is out, although Caribbean summer season cruises will not be your best option due to the potential for rain. While it’s possible you’ll expertise transient rain storms within the afternoons, the remainder of the day will be good and sunny.

If it’s not raining, anticipate the climate to be scorching and humid, particularly in late summer season when the potential for tropical storms will increase. If you keep versatile and pack appropriately, you may nonetheless take pleasure in a fantastic summer season cruise with a bit rain.

Fall

Fall is the height of hurricane season, particularly for the Eastern and Western areas. Despite fall having the next threat of tropical storms, some islands are nonetheless value crusing to throughout this time. Southern islands like Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire grow to be in style cruising locations in the course of the fall as a result of they’re exterior the hurricane zone. Many islands additionally expertise extra snug temperatures within the fall.

Also, understand that the next storm threat doesn’t essentially imply there’s a assure for a storm. And even when there’s a storm, not each island shall be affected. With this in thoughts, most cruise strains provide important financial savings and offers on cruises in the course of the fall season as a result of fewer individuals need to sail. Early November is usually a nice time to discover the Caribbean by means of a late fall cruise. 

Winter

Many individuals cruise to the Caribbean throughout winter months to flee the chilly climate. You can depart the ice and snow behind and exchange it with countless seashores, scuba diving and vibrant sunsets over the ocean. 

Early December begins the height journey season within the Caribbean. December is a well-liked cruise month due to the vacations, although January and February are sometimes a bit much less crowded. January additionally begins the dry season, so there’s much less probability of rain on the islands in the course of the winter. The solar and heat temperatures make for a soothing winter escape. 

Windstar Cruises excursions the Caribbean all through the winter, providing ample getaways and excursions for passengers. You can take a January journey to kick off the brand new yr someplace recent and thrilling or go in February for a romantic Valentine’s in a major vacation spot. 

Caribbean Cruises FAQ

If you’re enthusiastic about cruising or are planning your cruise, you probably have extra questions. Doing your analysis to find out the perfect cruising time for you is the easiest way to determine when to e book a Caribbean cruise. Here are the solutions to some extra widespread questions on Caribbean cruises.

What Months Should I Avoid When Cruising to the Caribbean?

While there are benefits to cruising throughout every month, some months are simply higher to keep away from. For instance, many vacationers prefer to keep away from cruising from August to early November to keep away from the worst of hurricane season. The summer season is the Caribbean’s wet season, which might take away from the expertise of those that need to benefit from the sunny blue skies and the attractive seashores.

When Are Cruises the Cheapest?

If you’re searching for the perfect offers, you could know when to e book your cruise. Booking final minute will sometimes be dearer, so attempt to e book as far prematurely as doable. For instance, in the event you can decide to cruise dates a yr or extra prematurely, do it as a result of charges will enhance the nearer you get to the journey. 

Additionally, keep away from dates round main holidays, as demand is greater throughout these occasions and charges will mirror that. For instance, think about the primary week or two in January quite than reserving a cruise between Christmas and New Year’s. Rates enhance for the vacations and reduce once more after they cross.

What Are the Greater and Lesser Antilles?

The Greater Antilles refers back to the greater islands within the Caribbean, together with Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Hispaniola, which incorporates Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Lesser Antilles refers to a lot of the smaller, Southern islands.

Are Bigger or Smaller Cruise Ships Better?

Depending on the cruise line you e book a visit with, it’s possible you’ll be crusing on an enormous business cruise ship or a small personal yacht. While each choices provide nice alternatives for Caribbean cruises, a smaller cruise could also be higher for you in the event you’re searching for a extra intimate journey. Large cruise ships can really feel cramped with the variety of individuals on board. Additionally, smaller ships can sail into smaller ports, permitting you to find hidden gems within the Caribbean.

Cruise to the Caribbean With Windstar Cruises

At Windstar Cruises, we provide a extra intimate and unique cruise expertise from November to April. From discovering small, personal seashores to making a pampered on-board environment, we focus on beyond-ordinary Caribbean experiences. Our ships carry lower than 350 company, so we are able to present a extra personalised journey for you. With this immersive method to cruising, we’ll carry you nearer to the cultures and locations you go to. 

Explore our cruises to the Caribbean and e book your journey as we speak.