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

Table Of Content

• What is the best time of year to book a cruise?
• Caribbean Cruise in January or February: Clear Skies and Perfect Temperatures
• Best time to cruise Northern Europe to avoid crowds
• Consider booking tours through third-party sites.
• Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels
• Best Time of Year to Book a Cruise
• Alaska & Pacific Northwest

The summer months of December through February offer some of the best weather for cruising in Australia and New Zealand. Major cities will have high temperatures in the 70s and 80s during that time. Summertime is busy in Canada and New England because of the optimal weather and family vacations. You can also expect more ships and crowds in town during late September and October at the height of the leaf-peeping season. A seven-night sailing from Boston to Montreal in May 2024 with Holland America starts at $779 per person.

What is the best time of year to book a cruise?

Best time to go on a cruise - The Points Guy

Best time to go on a cruise.

Posted: Tue, 02 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

For a full experience that doubles as the cheapest Bermuda vacation possible, good options are between mid-January and mid-March. The weather isn't all bad in the fall and Caribbean cruises prices are low during these months. I've been on lovely cruises in the Caribbean in September and October with calm seas and uncrowded, quiet ships, all at a fraction of the price of cruises just a handful of weeks earlier in the year. If saving money and avoiding the spring and summer crowds is your aim, and you are the kind of cruiser who will sing in a rowboat in the rain if it gets you away from home, then fall is perfect for you.

Best Time to Cruise to Cozumel: A Month-by-Month Guide - Cruise Critic

Best Time to Cruise to Cozumel: A Month-by-Month Guide.

Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Caribbean Cruise in January or February: Clear Skies and Perfect Temperatures

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. I was compensated and flew out the next day, but what if I had been bumped on my cruise embarkation day? If you plan a springtime Caribbean cruise, have a backup plan, including travel insurance, in case your travel itinerary gets rearranged at the last minute. There isn’t necessarily any “bad” time to cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas, with the region welcoming cruise ships all year-round. 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.

Best time to cruise Northern Europe to avoid crowds

When it isn't stormy, it might still be a bit warm and sticky for some early in the season. While most of the season offers moderate fares, if your cruise dates are limited to holiday breaks, be prepared for prices close to double what you'd pay during the few weeks before that. For warm weather that isn’t too hot and the best chance at no rain, look to visit the Mexican Riviera during the winter and into early spring. As long as you avoid time periods where kids are off from school (Christmas break, winter break, spring break, etc.), you’ll also encounter fewer crowds during this timeframe. Caribbean ports are open January to December, and variations in weather, cost and crowds will all factor into choosing the best time to cruise the Caribbean for you.

Cruises to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean are offered year-round, and each season comes with pros and cons. Therefore, you should weigh which factors are important to you in each season before booking a cruise. It is one of the first questions you will ask yourself when planning a cruise vacation, and truthfully, there is no right answer. The “best” time to cruise depends on your destination, budget, and travel style, and it can vary widely from person to person.

South Pacific cruises to Vanuatu, Fiji, and New Caledonia are vastly popular, although most sailings are offering during the region’s rainy season from November to March. Just like the Caribbean, though, rain showers do not last all day and should not negatively impact shore excursions and activities. Although these months may not bring the best weather (frequent rainfall and cold temperatures are to be expected), they are undoubtedly the cheapest months to cruise Alaska. As a plus, you will find far fewer crowds during the shoulder season as well.

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

Prices for big-ship cruises varied by as much as $60 per person per night between spring sailings and summer. On luxury lines like Silversea, spring cruise fares were hundreds of dollars cheaper per person per night compared to summer fares. The Bermuda cruise season generally runs from late March into early November.

The summer months bring the warmest temperatures, most wildlife viewing opportunities, and longest daylight hours. If you are hoping to participate in outdoor activities while in Alaska such as hiking or whale watching, the summer months are your best bet. Alaska has a short cruise season that lasts from late April through October. June through August is Alaska's high season, when weather is warmest and summer vacation season is in full swing. However, crowds and high fares are the norm at this time of year and rain is likely, especially in August.

Balcony cabins are always more expensive; however, they are often still less than $1,000 per person during the shoulder season. Baltic and Northern European cruises have a shorter season, running from April to October. Keep in mind that April and October can still be quite chilly in Scandinavian and Baltic Sea ports. Lines like Viking and Hurtigruten offer Northern Lights sailings to the region's northern reaches from January through March. You're likely to find discounted rates for cruises from June through November, but keep in mind that both Mexican coasts are affected by hurricanes throughout hurricane season. Cruise fares can be cheaper, though weather in the Riviera Maya and Cozumel will be oppressively humid.

Compare that with an April or November stop there, where the daily cruise passenger load tops out around 3,000. We found days in April where only one or two mid-sized ships were scheduled to be in port. If your dream is to see Venice or Santorini, or to cruise with one of the mainstream lines, you can rule out winter but should find ample choices between March and October. By the end of November, the number of ships calling at Mediterranean ports has dropped to winter levels.

That means there are eye-popping deals to be found, with thousands off your ideal floating vacation. Considering the type of passengers you prefer to cruise with can help you choose the best time for your cruise. For example, if you want to take a family vacation and hope your children or grandchildren will have company in the ship’s youth programs, a cruise during the summer or when schools are on break is best.

Booking a cruise is a lot like booking a flight (which, you may also have to do to reach your ship). There are countless resources out there to help, ranging from travel agents to booking sites like Cruisewatch and CruiseDirect. So even if you were late to wave season, you can still score an amazing deal well before November rolls around again. Doing your research beforehand can help you choose the very best time to take advantage of everything you want from your cruise vacation. While Hawaii is an extraordinary destination all year round, the two specific months of May and September are notable for the timing of Hawaii cruise itineraries.

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. When school is back in session, it’s much more difficult for many people to set sail.

A similar seven-night itinerary from Boston to Quebec City in late September starts at $1,279 per person. However, many travelers choose to cruise to Canada and New England specifically for the fall foliage. If fall colors are your goal, resign yourself to cooler temperatures on your sailing, especially in the evenings.

What are the best cruises in the world? Viking, Disney are big winners

Table Of Content

• Why Cheap Cruises Are Dead (For Right Now)
• Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels
• More In CNBC Travel
• Consider exploring during cooler months
• Caribbean
• Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024

Many golfers prefer to visit Bermuda between January and March because there are no crowds. Renowned clubs include Port Royal, Turtle Hill and Mid Ocean Club, where you can take your pick from available tee times. Water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming are very pleasant this time of year, when the water is warmest, and many sunseekers flock to Tobacco Bay, the Crystal Caves and Jobson's Cove. The months between December and April are conducive for activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and beach-hopping. Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all. Most luxury cruise lines allow kids, though they often don't cater to them the way the larger lines do.

Why Cheap Cruises Are Dead (For Right Now)

With that in mind, we've weighed factors like price and activities to help you figure out the best month for a Caribbean cruise. Between the months of December and mid-April, the weather is usually sunny and dry, with the average temperature avenging around the mid- to upper-80s. The region's rainy season begins in mid-April and extends through December. Usually, however, the rainfall does not begin to significantly increase until May. If you are planning a cruise to Southeast Asia, the most important distinction to make between seasons is the rainy season versus the dry season.

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

A 2016 study by CruiseWatch found that prices tended to rise on Wednesdays, drop on Thursdays and remain relatively consistent the rest of the week, but trends in the travel industry can change on a dime. Considering it’s been eight years and one industry-shattering pandemic since that data was collected, it may no longer be relevant. There’s very little evidence to suggest that there’s an ideal day of the week or month to book a cruise.

What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive

What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean?.

Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

More In CNBC Travel

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. If you want more mild weather that isn’t in the rainy season, consider April to May or September to October. For the least chance of a rain shower (but the hottest temperatures), take a cruise to Hawaii in June, July, or August.

Most ships sail the itinerary in the fall, winter and spring because those same ships head to Alaska for the summer. The cruise season in Alaska runs from mid-April to September, with a few cruise lines extending the season into early October. Nearly every month has something to recommend it, depending on what you're looking for. People often wonder if there is a specific day of the week when cruise prices consistently drop.

Again, the best time to take a cruise if you want the cheapest price is when school is in session. If you have to sail during the summer or holidays, expect to pay a premium. That would lead to fewer people booking throughout the year; instead they would wait until that one time a year when cruises were cheaper. That’s why there’s not a best time of year to actually buy your cruise. And the truth is that you can get the same exact cruise for hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of dollars less just by sailing during the right part of the season.

Caribbean

That’s when you’ll see the best deals emerge, whether it’s during Cyber Monday or right in the middle of wave season. 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. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. If your budget is tight when you are planning your cruise, that can also affect the best time for you to set sail. Certain times of year are low seasons for cruise vacations, and during those times, fares can be significantly cheaper – even hundreds of dollars less for the same cabin on the same itinerary.

Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024

The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy

The best time to cruise Alaska.

Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It's also a good time to find booking promotions, like free upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or onboard spending money. If you're not interested in high-season travel or experiencing the latest cruise ship, you can play the waiting game and pounce as soon as fares drop. As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship. You can also look for a last-minute Alaska cruise deal, though keep in mind that with Alaska's cruise season growing longer, interest in Alaska September cruises is rising. If you're on a budget, stick to interior rooms and look for the big cruise ships, which tend to have more inventory. Mediterranean cruises can last anywhere from seven days to two weeks, depending on the company and itinerary.

For cruises visiting ports further north, such as in Japan and China, you will want to sail during spring, summer, and early fall. Royal Caribbean’s itineraries to these destinations are currently being offered only during the peak summer months. Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, with peak season starting in mid-June and continuing until late August. During the five month season, the weather can vary considerably, so it is important to know which type of weather should be expected before you book your cruise.

For example, the same cruise isn’t automatically cheaper if you buy in January versus if you buy in July. There are rules and stipulations for each cruise line as to whether your fare is eligible to get refunded should the price goes down. You’ll want to make sure you read all the fine print of your fare before you buy.

The subtropical climate of these British islands has winter temperatures that dip down into the low 60s and high 50s. The shoulder season months are also the least crowded times to visit Alaska because kids are in school and fewer families are vacationing. Just be aware that if you head to Alaska early in the spring, some of the stores may not have opened yet. Arrive in the fall, and you may find that tour operators and shops have begun to cut back hours or have closed. If price is a major factor in choosing the perfect cruise travel date, you'll also want to look at cruises in the shoulder season, when fewer people are traveling and fares are typically lower. You might be able to find cheaper cruises on older ships or in less desirable cabin categories, especially if an abundance of ships sails to your preferred destination.

It all depends on how many cabins a cruise line has allocated for a specific fare class and whether those rooms happen to sell out or not. 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. While holding off may result in a once-in-a-lifetime deal, keep in mind that your cabin and category choices may be minimal and there's no guarantee you'll be able to book at all. This approach works best for people with flexible work schedules or retirees who can adjust their dates to snag these less expensive fares. If you want to spot herds of caribou, book an Alaska cruise that puts you in range of Denali National Park.

For the real procrastinators out there, the absolute last day you can book a cruise before its departure has changed over the years. If you want to book a solo or family cabin on a Mediterranean cruise in July, you likely want to book much earlier than January for the most availability and the best prices. As I said earlier, great sales and deals can pop up year-round, including on other holidays such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. It used to be that lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line would offer midweek sales on select cruises every Tuesday or Wednesday. These lines still offer the occasional flash sale, but they don't always fall on the same day of the week. 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.

The peak summer season in Australia offers the perfect temperatures for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the region’s breathtaking beaches and world-renowned cities. Like Australia, New Zealand is also best visited during the summer months. Short cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island are best during the summer months, when temperatures are in the mid-80s with sunny skies.

Tourists flock to Europe in the summer, but the best time for a European cruise is in the late spring and early fall. 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.