The Best Time to Plan Your Cruise Trip

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A cruise can be fun, relaxing, and entertaining. However, many people ponder the best time to go on a cruise. Well, there is no right or wrong answer to this. It depends on you – when you want to go on a cruise and what you expect from the trip. Some people look to escape the freezing cold while others want a vacation without having to deal with crowds. There are still others who want to get a great cruise deal.

It is prudent to remember that the best time to cruise does not necessarily coincide with the cheapest time to go on a cruise. You should be able to separate the two. Most cruise lines have a high season, which is during the holiday season when schools are out and families look forward to going on a vacation. The shoulder season or the slow season is right before and after the high season. Many contend that this is the best time to cruise if you are looking for cruise deals and do not want to cope with extreme weather. Nonetheless, there are a few parameters that you should consider if you are trying to determine the best time to go on a cruise.

The Purpose of Going on a Cruise

Determine the purpose for taking a cruise vacation. It could be to celebrate a birthday or anniversary; or you may want to go on a cruise because you hope to do something specific during shore tours, like whale watching or grape stomping in vineyards. These activities occur at specific times of the year and hence, you will have to plan your cruise trip based on these parameters.

Your Dream Cruise Destination

When you started thinking of going on a cruise, you may have had a destination in mind. Some of the most popular cruise destinations include the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and the Mediterranean. These areas are year-round cruise destinations, but other areas, like Alaska, Bermuda and Northern Europe have a limited cruise season. The same also holds true for river cruises in Europe. You should consider the cruise destination you want to visit and determine when the ports of call that you want to explore are available. That would be the best time to go on a cruise.

Create a Budget

Budget plays a role in booking your cruise trip. During the high season, cruises are expensive. However, during the shoulder or low season, fares are relatively cheaper. If you have budget constraints, the low season is the perfect time to book a cruise. If you do a bit of research, you will figure out that from January to early part of February, late spring and early fall, cruises are cheaper. If you get a good deal, grab it, as you will be able to use the savings to enjoy memorable shore excursions, or splurge on fine dining or spa treatments.

Be Mindful of the Weather

When choosing the best time to plan a cruise vacation, keep in mind the weather. While you can face bad weather any time during your cruise, it can take a toll on you if you suffer from seasickness. Inclement weather will also prevent you from enjoying shore excursions.

Hence, make sure you know the weather of your cruise destination before you book your cruise. From the beginning of June to the end of November, the Caribbean witnesses hurricanes. So, you may want to avoid this period to cruise the Caribbean. Similarly, if you intend going to Alaska, don’t opt for early or late cruise season as the weather is cooler than usual and the weather can be unpredictable.

Make sure you also take into consideration the weather at the ports of call. The last thing you want is booking a cruise in summer for the Mediterranean and then realizing that it is too hot to go on an excursion.

The Final Words

Today, cruise companies operate cruises throughout the year. There is no longer a good or bad time to enjoy a cruise. Once you know what you want from the cruise and the activities you want to enjoy, you will automatically find the best time to head on a cruise vacation.

Also, Read:

• How many ways to save money on a cruise?
• How Many Reasons to Go on a World Cruise?