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Visit Grenada during the first week of June and you could join the annual Chocolate Festival. Book an early shoulder season cruise in May to take advantage of the best weather with fewer crowds. Explore Fort Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Willemstad, Curacao, then shop the vibrant open-air markets and sample the Dutch take on waffles. 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.
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High Season Rates
If you are looking for a sailing free from a lot of kids, these are probably not the best times to cruise. Likewise, if you have children and are wanting them to be around a lot of other kids or teens, these times of the year can be a good choice. While we recommend cruising to the Caribbean in the winter months, don’t expect to find the cheapest fares around the holidays. Cruises around Christmas and New Year’s will, unsurprisingly, come with higher prices.
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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. Beginning at the very end of April and into May, Antigua Sailing Week is globally known for its prestigious sailing races and parties. Tons of music and jazz festivals take place around the Caribbean this time of year, including the Pure Grenada Music Festival in May and the St. Kitts Music Festival in June.
When to cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas for the best weather
(Yes, even you can learn to salsa.) Active travelers will find plenty of hiking, biking, zip lining and ATV tours. 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. Cruises to Hawaii will be less expensive in the fall when school is in session. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
It's hard to determine the best time to cruise the Panama Canal at the lowest prices. Many cruise lines offer short seasons or mix up itineraries, so there's not much grounds for comparison. However, if you want a deal, the one thing that's certain is you should not sail over the holidays. The best time to cruise to the Caribbean without all the tourists is typically in late fall and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. You can also avoid the crowds in late April and early May after the spring break rush but before school lets out and summer vacations begin. You can usually find the best prices for an Alaska cruise during the shoulder season months of April, May, September and October.
Which itinerary is best for you will depend primarily on which port you want to depart from and how long a vacation you can take. Once you see the options that fit your parameters, you'll want to look at how many port stops versus sea days an itinerary has and which specific islands you'll visit. Carnival is a widely celebrated festival in the Caribbean, with each island having its own unique version of the event. This vibrant and colorful festival features parades, music, dancing, and elaborate costumes.
One of the best parts about the Southern Caribbean, and particularly the ABC Islands, is their location outside the hurricane belt. This geographical advantage means that unlike other Caribbean regions, these islands rarely experience hurricanes. This makes them great for cruisers who want to avoid the uncertainty and potential disruptions caused by hurricane seasons, which can affect other parts of the Caribbean from June to November. During these months, temperatures can dip to the lower 70s°F (21-24°C) during the day and even lower at night. While still pleasant for many, if you’re looking for consistently warm weather you might find these temperatures a bit on the cooler side. 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.
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With temperatures dancing throughout the 80s, the soft sands and refreshing waters always welcome visitors. Whether you wish to float down transparent rivers on a bamboo raft or zipline through lush rainforest canopies, the wonders of the Caribbean are ready for your arrival. Most experienced Caribbean cruisers will tell you to avoid the middle of the wet season. We tend to agree with this advice, as it helps you avoid the most unpleasant Caribbean weather.
Hurricane Season
Plus, winter storms in the U.S. can increase wave action in the Atlantic and in the Gulf of Mexico. The farther north your departure port, the more likely you are to experience a rough ride until your ship sails south into calmer water. One advantage of cruising in the summer is that the ocean temperatures tend to be warmer than in the winter. While the water in the Caribbean usually stays quite comfortable, the water temperature can get chilly in more northerly Caribbean destinations during the winter. This is something that you will not have to worry about by selecting a cruise in the summer. That said, temperatures tend to be much higher during these months reaching up into the 90s (30s Celsius).
Itineraries will be flipped, swapped or completely changed to avoid going anywhere near the storm. The cruise line has said time and time again that the safety of its guests, crew and ships are vital, and they will not send their vessels near any hurricane. There are pros and cons to certain months of the year that might make you pick one over another, as the winter months are definitely a favorite and when you'll find the most Caribbean cruises offered. There really isn't a bad time to cruise around the Caribbean given that it is a year-round destination and plenty warm every month. The weather in the Caribbean is still warm during October, reaching average highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Beach, beach and more beach — Aruba is definitely a port to be in, on or near the water. Animal lovers might want to check out its ostrich farm — not something you usually find in a Caribbean cruise port. White sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters are the biggest attractions for most Caribbean cruisers. You'll be hard-pressed to find a Caribbean cruise port that does not offer beach access.
Now we're back where we started – with you booking a Caribbean cruise that works for you and your travel group. Each season has something to offer someone, which is what makes this whole year-round Caribbean cruise thing work. If we all thought early December was truly the best time to cruise to the Caribbean, it would cease to be so.
The best time of year to visit is typically when warm, sunny days are plentiful and rain is scarce. These are the months when you rarely need to worry about weather shutting down onboard water attractions or causing cancellations of your in-port fun. Summer months are also perfect for multi-generational cruising, as they are often the only months when everyone's schedules align. And when you have a group to manage, you need as many activities as possible to keep everyone entertained. Summer cruises in the Caribbean make that easy with plenty of options, both on board and in port. The weather at home can be unpredictable in the winter, possibly affecting your departure travel plans and preventing you from reaching your Caribbean cruise.
While September might not sound like the ideal month for traveling, you can still visit the Caribbean if you choose the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). These islands enjoy dry conditions and a lower risk of hurricanes, making them a popular destination in September. To minimize the chance of encountering bad weather, consider traveling to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). Although don’t let this scare you from cruising, as the chance of experiencing a hurricane this month is still low. Don’t forget that June is still part of the shoulder period, so expect great deals on resorts and cruises. In May, the Caribbean’s shoulder season begins, making it the perfect time for those seeking an affordable escape from the cold.
