Going on a cruise. What's a good time of year to go?

Question

I'm looking to go on a cruise sometime next year, possibly around November either the Mexican Riviera or Western Caribbean. Is this a good time to go? Is there a better/worse time of year?

Answer 1

Depends on what you're looking for.

Holidays and summers are going to be the most expensive and the most crowded, though ships are usually full any time of year [but you'll have fewer kids "off season"].  Summer through November is hurricane season, but Sept/Oct/early Nov are cheaper than summer.  After Thanksgiving and before Christmas/New Years are usually cheaper and less hectic, too.  January through mid-February, also.  Late Feb/Mar/Apr bring Spring Break and, again, lots of kids.

I've cruised in late-August, September, November, February...they all have their pros/cons.  I prefer to avoid school breaks and haven't found hurricane season to be that much of a problem.  [One year we got two free extra days in order to avoid a hurricane - would never have known there WAS a hurricane - until we came near port!]

Answer 2

For either I would recommend around May.  May is in between two very popular times to cruise (winter in the Caribbean and summer almost anywhere).  Nonetheless, weather in May is usually pretty good (hurricane season is June 1 to November 30).  Thanksgiving is a very popular time to cruise, so the prices will be higher.  Later in the hurricane season (October & November) is when hurricanes are most likely to be in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific (near Mexico).  Early in the hurricane season the hurricanes typically head up the east coast.

Answer 3

The western caribbean is tropical and therefore warm all year round. The heighth of hurricane season has past but isn't officially over. We've been to this area in February, April, May and August. August was way too hot. The other months were so nice.

Answer 4

This site has good info

http://allcruiselines.info

Answer 5

The time of the year for the cruises you have pick are fine.  The hurricane season in the Caribbean is generally over at the end of October and its rare to get a hurricane to the Mexican Rivera at that time of year.  Also, the weather for water sports will still be great and there will probably be fewer tourists in your port stops at that time of year.

Most importantly, right now is the best time to book a cruise for next November because the cruise lines do give great discounts for early bookings.