The Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean

Table Of Content

• Caribbean Weather in December
• A Traveler’s Guide: Best Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun
• Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Diving and Boat Carters
• Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Good Weather
• When is the Best Time for a Western Caribbean Cruise?
• Cruise to the Caribbean With Windstar Cruises
• When is the best time to cruise to the Eastern Caribbean?

Ultimately, the best and worst times to go to the Caribbean depend on your island of choice and travel goals, but we think almost any time is a great time for a beach getaway. For these reasons, September is the worst month of the year to take a cruise. April and May are excellent times to go because they are outside of the hurricane season, although some Caribbean destinations see more rainfall than normal in May. If you choose to travel during peak hurricane season, there is also the risk that a hurricane or serious tropical storm will disrupt your cruise vacation.

Caribbean Weather in December

From finding small, private beaches to creating a pampered on-board atmosphere, we specialize in beyond-ordinary Caribbean experiences. Our ships carry less than 350 guests, so we can provide a more personalized trip for you. With this immersive approach to cruising, we’ll bring you closer to the cultures and destinations you visit.

A Traveler’s Guide: Best Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun

Extra ships begin arriving for their winter season and prices remain low for most of the month. Back home, everyone else is busy buying turkeys and cranberries and catering to the in-laws. You, however, could be lounging on deck sipping a frozen tropical concoction while waiting for your samba class to start. While any time of year can be enjoyable in the Caribbean, this is especially true of the Southern Caribbean. Many of these islands lie below the hurricane belt, meaning they’re less likely to be directly impacted. As such, there’s no season you’d want to avoid in this region, leaving the best time to cruise Southern Caribbean up to your preference.

Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Diving and Boat Carters

However, usually the rain does not last the entire day, and often lasts only an hour or so. 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. As such, top attractions and activities could mean wildly different things to different people." The wet interiors are a major factor in planning day-long excursions to Mayan ruins, cave tubing, zip lining, etc.

July/August

This increases the chances of scoring an amazing Caribbean cruise deal. The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) continue to offer dry conditions, making them perfect travel destinations. However, encountering a storm is more probable than facing a hurricane during this month. In the northern parts of the Caribbean, temperatures start to rise, while the southern islands experience blistering heat.

Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Good Weather

Island weather tends to be more humid during these months, with temperatures still in the 70s and 80s range, and generally rainier. Plan on early morning beach time, fun trips to water parks, swimming with dolphins or stingrays, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports. Book a June cruise to the Eastern Caribbean for a combination of warm temperatures and low rainfall. Hurricane season begins June 1st but doesn’t usually ramp up until mid-August, so you’ll usually have calm Atlantic and Caribbean seas through June.

As you’ll see below, there are trade-offs with each time of year to sail. However, many of the potential downsides are manageable in our opinion — and shouldn’t deter you from taking a cruise when it fits your schedule and budget. Book flights that depart and arrive in time for Caribbean cruises with Holland America Line Flight Ease®. Find low prices, loads of options, and enjoy flexibility and support should plans change.

While it’s mostly true, there are some modest variations in temperature from month to month. Air and water temperatures are noticeably cooler in the northern climates during the winter, which makes a Bahamas cruise less appealing from December through February. Enjoy an enriching experience, fine dining and world-class entertainment on our dream Caribbean cruises. Situated in the Atlantic hurricane belt, the Bahamas has more frequent hurricanes and tropical storms. Despite the cooler temperatures in the northerly Caribbean islands, the climate from December to May in the Eastern Caribbean is generally warm and pleasant. During this time, temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (around 24-29°C) across most islands.

The late spring and early summer months are great for enjoying the Caribbean at its relative quietest. Hot temperatures make long days near the sea enticing, though you are more likely to encounter a day or two of rain in some parts of the Caribbean in May or June. Be aware that spring break is high season for travel disruptions caused by peak demand. I was once bumped from a flight home after a spring cruise when a high school Spanish club from Wisconsin needed the seats to travel home together as a group.

Enthusiastic bird watchers should consider fall as the optimal time to see this aviary migration as they move south. Pirates Week is the national festival of the Cayman Islands, taking place in November. As you might imagine, it's a week filled with reenactments and spectacle, paying homage to the islands' rich history and cultural ties to piracy. Celebrated throughout the Caribbean, the most famous Caribbean carnival is in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago is held each year on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. From street parades to calypso music, elaborate costumes, and dancing, a full port day of partying is guaranteed.

The best deals in the Caribbean can often be found when the weather is at its worst — during hurricane season. At the same time, a small window exists in the dead of winter when good deals can be found. "The most ideal bargain period extends from early January to early February," said Bennett.

The Cayman Islands and St. Lucia are among the rainiest locations, each experiencing 20 days of downpour. In February, the Caribbean enjoys warm, sunny weather similar to January. Temperatures reach 86°F (30°C) in southern islands like Aruba, and around 78°F (25°C) in northern islands like Cuba and The Bahamas. In January, the Caribbean experiences temperatures ranging from 80°F to 85°F (27°C to 29°C).

Since hurricane season can heavily affect this region, cruising during winter is best to avoid tropical storms. December is a popular cruise month because of the holidays, though January and February are typically a bit less crowded. January also begins the dry season, so there’s less chance of rain on the islands during the winter. If you're looking for warm weather, excellent snorkeling opportunities, and beautiful beachfront destinations, then the winter months are often ideal. Winter in the Caribbean sees plenty of sunshine with temperatures ranging from 70s-80s Fahrenheit (20-30 Celsius).

Is January a good time for a cruise? - Royal Caribbean Blog

Is January a good time for a cruise?.

Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

You’ll find the southern Caribbean is generally warmer than other areas. Meanwhile, the eastern Caribbean enjoys slightly cooler temperatures, often in the high 70s. That being said, though, many cruise lines host festive events and parties onboard that can incentivize travelers to cruise during certain seasons!