What month is best to take a cruise?

To avoid crowds and experience cooler temperatures, consider traveling in the shoulder months of May and September or early October. Most Mediterranean cruises sail in the summer months, when the sun and sand in coastal ports are at their peak and cities come alive with activity.



People Also Ask

The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. 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.

MORE DETAILS

January to March is typically the most cost-effective time to cruise, but there is a better chance of inclement weather and ships may have to change course to steer clear of storms.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Northern Europe - May or October In other words, going during shoulder season while the temperatures and demand are lower will help you lock in some of the lowest prices of the season.

MORE DETAILS

If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

MORE DETAILS

If a cruise is filling up quickly, the company has no reason to release a sale to entice customers. But if a cruise's departure date is fast approaching and the ship is only partially booked, prices will drop, and complimentary add-ons will increase, resulting in some happy customers.

MORE DETAILS

Aside from the prices, summer is the worst time for most people to visit the Caribbean. The weather can be uncomfortably hot and muggy at the best of times. More important, summer is also the hurricane season. The risk of hurricanes is especially high in August and September.

MORE DETAILS

September is the cheapest time to book a Caribbean holiday as it falls in the middle of hurricane season. However, don't let that put you off, as this usually just means there's a greater chance of showers at that time. Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30.

MORE DETAILS

Ship size and capacity: Carnival operates some of the largest cruise ships in the world, which allows them to accommodate a larger number of passengers. The higher passenger capacity spreads operational costs over more people, leading to potential cost savings.

MORE DETAILS

Booking a cruise one to two years in advance is not practical for many families, so a great time to book a cruise is between six and 12 months before sailing. In addition to the lower prices, booking well in-advance of a cruise assures you of the ship and stateroom you want to reserve.

MORE DETAILS

The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

MORE DETAILS

The price of a cruise is the same whether you book onboard or at home, but Royal Caribbean will give you extra onboard credit for booking onboard. It's a bonus on top of other promotions the cruise line has, and is one of the best ways to rack up onboard credit.

MORE DETAILS

Typically the most popular cruise length is a seven-day long cruise, but there are many other varieties worth considering when you want to take a cruise, and many different lengths that will help you plan the cruise that best fits with your schedule. Many people cite that the shortest cruises are three days long.

MORE DETAILS

If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

MORE DETAILS

Most cruise lines charge between $400 and $4,000 for a 7-night Caribbean trip in a balcony stateroom. Remember that these cruise costs are only estimates, and that prices can vary greatly based on the cabin style, time of year, number of individuals in the room, as well as cabin placement.

MORE DETAILS

The cruise lines are like department stores — they constantly run sales and special offers. Sometimes it is 50% off the second fare. Sometimes it's lower deposits. Sometimes it's onboard credit.

MORE DETAILS