When is the best time to take a cruise?

Question

Me and my boyfriend are looking at taking a cruise sometime in 2008 or maybe 2009, I was wondering when the the best time of year was to go? We were looking at either go to Hawaii or to the bahamamas.

Answer 1

I think the best time is December through February.  The prices are the lowest and the weather is beautifully warm but not boiling hot.  In March, the prices seem to take a huge hike going into the remainder of the year.

Answer 2

I've been on 2...Alaska and Eastern Caribbean, so i've been to the same climate as you.

Here's my rule of thumb:

Cold location: SUMMER

warm location: mid-late FALL...I went on the Caribbean during Thanksgiving, and it was still warm enough to go to the beaches, and cool enough at night to wear a light jacket.  It was perfect.

Answer 3

For Bahamas or Caribbean, the best time as far as price is during Hurricane season which is the cruise line's off-season which would be October through Mid-December. Note: if you do pick the Hurricane season because of price, the likelyhood of the cruise being cancelled or changed is minimal, but it's a wise idea to get cruise insurance so your investment is covered if it does get cancelled. Be aware also that they usually don't cancel but change the ports or take days off the cruise so you have to be aware of that possibility and in that case they give you shipboard credits and not cancel so insurance doesn't cover that.

As far as Hawaii, there really isn't a price off-season so the time I would recommend a cruise then would be for the whale migration season which is from December through Mid-March for lots of whale sightings.

Answer 4

The answer is you can go cruising any time during the year and have a great time.  I have been on cruises just about every month of the year and had a great time on each cruise.  I suggest that you peruse the cruise line web sites (I listed some below) to see what is offered and then narrow your search.  Then if you still cannot decide contact a travel agent to find some cruise options for you.  The agents do not charge for booking cruises as they are paid commission by the cruise line

If you want to go to the Bahamas try to stay away from the hurricane season which is officially June through the end of October.  

There are two types of cruises of Hawaii.  One type leaves the US West coast and sails to Hawaii and visits several inslands and then you fly back hame.  The other lets you get on ship in Hawaii and cruise the islands.  Hawaii sometimes has storms but generally has year around good weather.

Answer 5

Probably winter. Please be aware of all of the sickness that has been reported from cruise ships lately. Use caution.

Answer 6

Well if you want to go to the caribbean I would say the best time ot get a great deal would be during Hurricane season and its really safe even though their is the chance of hurricanes they take the necessary precautions. I would really recommend going to Hawaii but those cruises are highly exspensive so go whenever you can get the best deal and work that into your budget.

Answer 7

I would avoid hurricane season.

For the Bahamas, that is June-November.  

We took a RC cruise in mid-June 2005 and got caught in between storms Cindy and Dennis.

We had to miss one of our ports and run down to Progresso and hide out.

We had a really bumpy night but everything turned out OK.

Reminder...beginning in 2008, you will need a passport to sail to the Bahamas, Carribean, and Mexico.  Allow plenty of time to get your passport.

Check out www.vacationstogo.com

There are some great deals for departures in Nov. 2007 and beyond right now.

Answer 8

When is the best time to take a cruise?

When you can afford it.

Depending on which cruise, different times of the year are better.

Ask the travel agent regarding what will give the best weather and also be least crowded.  Peak of the season is always the most expensive.

Answer 9

As the other answer said, after 2008 you will need to have a passport to cruise outside of the U.S. So, if you can go before than that would save you $200 if you don't already have them.

Generally, Hawaii costs more than the Bahamas for cruising. It isn't quite as common, generally the cruises are longer, etc. If you are wanting to save some money, than you could go during hurricane season, more for the Bahamas than Hawaii (Hurricanes can bring in hot and humid weather and some tropical storms for Hawaii, but the hurricanes generally don't get too close to the islands). But, if you go during hurricane season you will get lower rates and it also may not be as crowded during this time of the year. The biggest downfall is that you may miss a port or two if the weather gets too bad that the ship can't go there. But, the cruise line will avoid the hurricane, so you will still be safe. Also, the waters can be a little worse during hurricane season, but that just depends. A lot of times, you will not be affected at all by hurricane season, but there is the chance. If you do plan to go during this time, just get the travel protection in case you would miss a flight or anything, but I would recommend you get that for any cruise.

Now, the best time to go to Hawaii, you have two different season. The high season and the low or shoudler season.

High season runs in March through April, June through August and then all holiday times. Some of the bad things about this time is that it will be more crowded and there will be more kids since school is out. But, you are more likely to see a lot of the things because it is the tourist season, things won't be closed, etc.

The low season is in late August, late November, February and May. But, any holidays that fall in there will still be in high season. Generally in the low season you will see fewer passengers onboard. While there were still be a lot of people, there will be fewer people and fewer kids, with the majority of your fellow passengers being adults. Also, the weather is very nice during the low season. The weather is a cooler than the rest of the year, though it can get pretty rainy, but if you plan to do any whalewatching, the winter months are the best.

For the Bahammas, the high season is the holiday weeks, late June through August and February though about mid-April. Again, when you go during high season, there will be more kids out of school and onboard, so it isn't always the best time if you are wanting to avoid kids or anything like that. Also, any time you go during a peak season for travel, your going to have to pay a higher price.

The low season is the end of April through May and September through the beginning of January. Again, any holidays that fall in there will be high season. As with Hawaii, you have smaller crowds and generally better weather in the low season. And since you are traveling in an off season, your rates will cost less than going during the peak season. You can also find really good rates during this time for the Bahamas, lots of specials help bring costs way down. But, hurricanes can alter your cruise somewhat if you travel during hurricane season.

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

In the winter time is the best cause its so warm and nice in Bahamas and Mexico and rates are a little lower