December is one of the best times to take a cruise. Whether you're looking to escape the winter cold or just prefer to celebrate the holiday season at sea, the end of the year is the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind on a ship.
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Weather is drier and warm in December, making the early part of the month a great relaxing getaway. Rain is generally limited to the Southern Caribbean, including islands like Aruba. Ocean temperatures in the winter hover around a pleasant 79 degrees and average highs and lows in St.
Best Time to Take a Holiday CruiseThanksgiving cruises are slightly cheaper, but the best holiday cruise bargains fall between Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas. These are also the best dates for cruisers looking to celebrate without quite so many children onboard.
Taking a Cruise in DecemberPros: The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the absolute cheapest times to sail. With many people not looking to travel between these two major holidays, cruise lines slash fares. It's not unusual to see a trip costing 50% less than a comparable trip during the summer.
What months should you not go on a Caribbean cruise? You can expect the highest level of rainfall in the Caribbean between the months of May and November. September and October are peak hurricane seasons, so there's a higher chance of disruption and some ports of call may be cancelled or changed.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean typically runs from June 1 to November 30. However, it's important to know that hurricanes can occur outside of this time period. If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean, it's a good idea to check the latest weather forecast and hurricane warnings before you travel.
If you're out on deck at night in Alaska, it's likely to be cold. In the Caribbean, it can be chilly after the sun goes down, thanks to the ocean breezes, but chances are good that you won't ever need a down parka to stay warm.
And if you're starting and ending your cruise at different ports within the U.S. — or flying in to or out of a Caribbean country — you will need a passport. However, while many cruise lines may not require passengers to bring their passports, plenty recommend it, as does the U.S. Department of State.
To save some money on a Caribbean cruise, it is best to sail in off peak times such as January, May, and early fall. With kids back in school, there is less demand for cruising during these periods.
Cruise lines go all-out with seasonal decor (generally from Thanksgiving through New Year's), holiday activities, religious services and festive food and drink. Even better, you don't have to cook, clean or make nice to your least favorite relatives. Of course, every cruise line puts its own spin on holiday cheer.
Vacations can be expensive, so naturally, whenever there's a study that suggests ways to travel cheaper, it's worth digging into. According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise.
The summer months, especially June, July, and August, are the peak travel season for cruises. This is primarily due to families taking advantage of school holidays and vacation time. With increased demand, cruise prices tend to be higher during these months.