Best Things to Know Before Booking a Mediterranean Cruise, Travel Tips
Table Of Content
As someone who's taken over 50 cruises all over the world, I know firsthand how popular cruising is this year. But one seabound itinerary people often forget to add to their bucket lists is a Mediterranean cruise. During this time, you’ll be able to explore destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, and enjoy local culture, food, and history. The hottest times of the year are between March and May when the temperatures can be hot and oppressive. You will be able to find Mediterranean cruises from April through November, but June to September are the peak months for travelers.
How far in advance should you book a cruise?
If it's the latter, that's when you get last-minute deals on cruise ships with unsold cabins. However, even if that last-minute cruise is cheap, the 11th-hour airfare or pre-cruise hotel booking could eat into your savings. In the cruise industry, a last-minute booking is considered any cruise purchased after final payment is due, generally 60 to 90 days before sailing. That means you have to pay the entire cruise fare at the time of booking rather than paying a deposit and the rest at a later date.
Best time to cruise Australia and New Zealand to avoid crowds
While there can be bad weather at any time and there is always plenty to do onboard in case of inclement weather, if you’re sensitive to the motion of the ship you may want to avoid any risk of rough seas. Chile and Peru enjoy long summer days, ideal for making the most of visiting their top attractions on a cruise to South America. From beaches and archaeological sites to wineries and national parks, opening hours are at their longest and the sites at their lushest. You'll also need to plan for mosquitos in port and for serious sun protection. Most of the Caribbean averages a UV index of 7 (considered a high risk) during the summer months, holding at a high or extremely high level for long stretches of the day. These are the months when you rarely need to worry about weather shutting down onboard water attractions or causing cancellations of your in-port fun.
Prices Behind Buying a Cruise Earlier Instead of Later
May and late-October Canada and New England cruises are the cheapest times to cruise, but don't expect to be using the onboard swimming pool much. The Bermuda hurricane season lasts from June through November, as it does for the Caribbean and U.S. But the island is generally far less likely to be struck than either of those regions, and a strike is most common between late August and October. While Australia's weather varies, winter temperatures between June and early September are rarely as extreme in North America.
The Best Time Of The Year To Cruise The Middle East
It’s not uncommon to see 2-for-1 fares, heavily discounted fares (sometimes as high as 70%), free excursions, cabin upgrades and much more. For the uninitiated, wave season is when most of the major cruise lines run their best sales of the year. “Think of wave season as the best sale day ever that just happens to last for three months—like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Presidents’ Day all rolled into one,” writes Celebrity Cruises. Temperatures don’t wildly fluctuate in the Galapagos; the islands are usually a balmy 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also avoid the crowds in late April and early May after the spring break rush but before school lets out and summer vacations begin. The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. The best time to cruise to the Southern Caribbean is from July to September when the weather is warm and sunny. During this time, you’ll be able to explore beautiful island destinations, such as Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, and enjoy water sports, beach activities, and more.
The tours are usually led by locals, which means the guides can also give you some good recommendations if you have time before you need to return to the ship. If you're looking for a unique excursion that still gives you the highlights of a European city, I recommend booking a food tour. I've done tours in places like Amsterdam, Budapest, and Paris, and I've never been disappointed. Even though it means paying for lodging and likely a few meals before boarding the boat, getting a good night's sleep before a jam-packed vacation is worth it to me. No matter when you come, plan to order a couple of these cocktails for a memorable toast to a fabulous vacation. Before the pandemic, about 10% of people that had never cruised said they "never" would.
Alaska Cruise in October: Chilly Weather and Cruise Deals When You Cruise Alaska in October
Caribbean Sea temperatures are at their warmest in August, reaching 83 degrees on average. Keep in mind that spring break -- for both younger kids and college students -- can mean things are crowded and lively on board and on land at this time of year. Expect an atmosphere that matches the celebratory annual ritual and rite of passage.
Best Time to Cruise Europe: April - Mid-June and September - October
Wi-Fi, tips and drinks — like cocktails, wine and specialty coffees — are included in most Celebrity cruise bookings, however the cheapest rates can be purchased without them. Right now, a four-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas is around $440 per person, including taxes, for an inside state room. Finally, the cruise lines are simply looking to fill rooms faster so they can maximize revenue, plan berths and coordinate other logistics a little earlier in the year.
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean? - Cruise Hive
When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?.
Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
During April and May and September to November, the combination of cooler temperatures, a higher chance of rain and a lack of family vacations leads to more availability and lower prices for cruises. July is the height of peak season, with the warmest weather of the year and long daylight hours. It's also the best month for wildlife viewing, especially for humpback whales, brown and black bears and migrating shorebirds and puffins. However, you should know that you'll have to deal with pesky mosquitos in late June and July, especially in the interior part of the state. Are you guaranteed to find the cheapest, most freebie-laden pricing during these months? Cruise lines sometimes inflate prices before a sale, so deals for 30% or 50% off may not be as good as you think.
The farther north your departure port, the more likely you are to experience a rough ride until your ship sails south into calmer water. Ships that sail seasonally in Alaska and Europe often call the waters of the Caribbean home for a few months in winter. If I were to narrow it down even further, I'd say the best time to cruise to the Caribbean is early December. It's a fun way to create a break between Thanksgiving and the December holidays.
For more mild weather and less crowds than during the busy summer season, aim for a Mediterranean voyage in early May or September. The cheapest cruise fares to Alaska are found during the shoulder season months of May and September. In September 2024, for instance, you can book a 7-night one-way cruise on Radiance of the Seas for less than $450 per person for an inside cabin.
Like many other regions, there isn’t really a “bad” time to visit Hawaii. Certain times of year are preferable than others based on one factor, but another time of year will be more desirable based on another factor. Now that you know the best time to book a cruise, there is one final thing to mention — cruise line sales. You might wondering if they have an impact on the best time to take a trip. While it might be cold in North America, the weather stays fairly consistent in the Caribbean.
Crowds are fewer, and there are bargains to be had, especially on larger ships and Great Barrier Reef cruises that are available year-round. I've been to Santorini when four mid-sized ships (approximately 5,000 passengers) were in port and found it challenging to walk through the narrow maze of shops, restaurants and hotels. It was crowded enough that I was concerned about returning to the ship on time because the lines at the cable car that takes cruise passengers down the cliffs to the tender dock were so long.
To qualify for this category, at least 62% of a cruise line's online traveler reviews must be made by couples. Just be sure to do your due diligence early, set email alerts and have the right travel rewards card ready. Offering a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility, this card is a dream for frequent spenders on travel & dining – while charging a modest annual fee. Back in 1844, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) offered the world’s first leisure cruise, taking passengers from Southampton to Gibraltar, Athens or Malta. The concept caught on, and in 1867, Mark Twain himself boarded the first cruise out of North America. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website.
Comments
Post a Comment