Best Time to Book a Cruise When to Book and When to Wait

Table Of Content

• What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in September
• Best Time to Cruise Europe: April - Mid-June and September - October
• Final Thoughts on the Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise
• The best time to cruise to the Caribbean
• What is the best time of year to see the northern lights on an Alaska cruise?
• Bahamas Weather in November: Sunny Skies and the End of Hurricane Season
• Alaska Cruise in October: Chilly Weather and Cruise Deals When You Cruise Alaska in October

Shoulder season in the Caribbean is May through November, the months just before peak season, which is December through April. This is the time when you'll typically find better deals on pricing, especially in May and September to November. If you want to avoid rain, May is typically the driest month, with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 50s. It's a great month for nature lovers to cruise to Alaska because May is when you'll see much of the wildlife emerging, including migrating gray whales, Dall sheep, moose and migratory birds.

What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in September

By the end of September, there are less than 12 hours of daylight in Juneau. The warmer the weather, the better your chance to view a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence called “calving.” This is when a large chunk of the glacier separates in a giant icy landslide. Not only is it your best shot for warmer weather, but you’re also sure to see a good amount of the wildlife Alaska is famous for. By the end of August, the sunrise and sunset times in Alaska are pretty close to “normal” times for most states in the USA.

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Best Time to Cruise Europe: April - Mid-June and September - October

If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night. Packing-wise, you’ll still want to bring a raincoat, but you can probably leave your winter coat home if you are cruising in June. Rainfall slows down a bit in June, with about 13 days of the month having some precipitation. May is an excellent cruising month for birdwatchers as migratory songbirds start to arrive in Alaska and seabirds gather in their nesting spots or rookeries. Keep an eye out for my favorite, the ever-adorable puffins, Arctic terns, cormorants, and bald eagles. If you purchase a balcony cabin, you can take advantage of the long days in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Final Thoughts on the Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise

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. The temperatures have dropped a few degrees from summer's heat and the chance of storms has mostly passed. 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.

The best time to cruise to the Caribbean

During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is June, though it is historically not an active month for storms. You may find cruise deals on Bahamas sailings, encouraging vacationers to spend their summer holidays at sea. For sunny skies and hot days in many parts of the continent where cruise ships sail, take a cruise during the austral summer. Since the seasons are flipped for the northern and southern hemispheres, that means during our winter season, from around December through March.

Weather in Alaska in August may keep some cruisers away, but there are still many excursions and experiences to enjoy. On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer. Ships are filled with stylish, adult-oriented bars promising a hopping scene late into the night as well as hipster venues like a colorful karaoke lounge. Onboard entertainment is inventive and often edgier than what you might see on traditional-style cruises.

Western Caribbean ports of call include Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel; Roatan, Honduras; Nassau; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. When picking the best cruise in the Caribbean, as with choosing the best cruise anywhere, a lot comes down to tastes and preferences. Some people demand (and are willing to pay for) the highest levels of luxury. The best cruise for a family with kids isn't necessarily the same as the best cruise for a couple looking for romance. Weather happens -- and in the Caribbean, it happens a lot in September and October. A few years ago, I cruised the Western Caribbean near the end of October and it poured the whole time.

Caribbean cruises in January and February can be extremely budget friendly, with sailings available from $50 per person, per night. As well, if you’re headed to the Caribbean, March can be warm — but not too warm compared to the heat of the summer months. Summer into early fall is the best time to cruise Hawaii especially June and July. June through September is also the cheapest time to go to Hawaii on a cruise and coincides with some of the nicest weather in Hawaii. Regardless of when you're booking a cruise, you'll want to know if the fare you're paying for your vacation at sea is a cheap deal, average or overpriced. If it's the latter, that's when you get last-minute deals on cruise ships with unsold cabins.

You, however, could be lounging on deck sipping a frozen tropical concoction while waiting for your samba class to start. Summer cruising in the Caribbean is ideal for lovers of sun, sea and sand looking for a fun escape with their kids or grandchildren while school is out. June, July and August temperatures average near 90 degrees throughout the region. While there's a possibility of tropical storms or hurricanes, the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't peak until late August through October. The cruise season is short if you want to sail to Northern Europe, the Baltic or the Scandinavian fjords; itineraries run from April through October.

However, you should know that you'll have to deal with pesky mosquitos in late June and July, especially in the interior part of the state. Cruise traffic ramps up in May and June to prepare for the influx of summer-month vacationers. That means ships may be below capacity as high season comes into swing later in the summer. Short cruises remain relatively cheap, but prices for weeklong sailings increase -- some into the four-digit range, per person.

This approach works best for people with flexible work schedules or retirees who can adjust their dates to snag these less expensive fares. From coast to coast, Mexico is packed with incredible landscapes, flavorful food, and rich, vibrant history. Head west to the Mexican Riviera to explore deserts, go wine tasting and kayak through epic rock formations. Or take on the Yucatán in the east and soak up the sun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. There is a chance you will see some snow, so a winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a smart addition to your packing list. With lows in the 50s, you don’t need to pack a winter coat and hat, but be sure to include warm, wicking layers to keep your temperature steady.

Temperatures are more pleasant and the crowds of tourists tend to much smaller than the peak summer months. You'll also find the lowest Europe cruise prices during these two shoulder seasons, which run from April through early June and September into October. Those months coincide with peak season in the Caribbean, though, so crowded ports and beaches plus higher cruise fares are the norm.

In summer, the ocean temperatures in Hawaii rise to maybe even 82 by the end of August. This makes this time period ideal for travelers who want to swim or snorkel, but don't want to brave Hawaii's winter water temps in the 70s. Western cruises in particular are known for heavy rainfall in the interiors of the Central American countries that lie along the Caribbean coast, such as Costa Rica and Belize.

Keep in mind that heavy rains and early-spring flooding can make the rivers swell and the locks impassable. From February onward, the number of visitors swells, as U.S., European and Canadian residents flee the cold. In March and April, spring break revelers descend on destinations like the Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. But if your version of fun is a little more mature, opt for the November through January time frame. Everyone wants to know the cheapest day to book travel — as if fares drop like clockwork on Wednesday morning and rise with the sun on Thursday. South Pacific cruises are the perfect way to embrace exotic island life.

If I had to pick based on weather, cost and crowds, I'd vote winter as the best time to cruise the Caribbean. This month marks the start of the Nile cruising season, with slightly cooler temperatures making onshore tours comfortable. The best month to cruise the Mediterranean depends on what you're looking for in a vacation. We took a look at factors like weather and sea conditions, festivals and, of course, pricing, to determine which travel dates are right for you. For example, Celebrity Cruises has an 11-night cruise sailing round-trip from Sydney in March for $1,320. As you get closer to the holidays in December, a 13-night round-trip itinerary from Sydney with the line costs $2,231.