Best Months to Cruise the Caribbean (2024)

The best time to cruise the Caribbean isn't as clear cut as you might think at first. Yes, the winter is warm and sunny and the region is an incredible year-round cruise destination. For the most part sun and mild conditions are the norm, so deciding what month is best for you can be a challenge.

Caribbean ports are open January to December, and variations in weather, cost and crowds will all factor into choosing the best time to cruise the Caribbean for you. With that in mind, we've weighed factors like price and activities to help you figure out the best month for a Caribbean cruise. Read on and get planning your next cruise vacation.

January/February

**Why: **Come for Carnival, and to replace wintry conditions in Blighty with tropical sunshine in the Caribbean.

Pricing: January and February can be extremely budget-friendly with cruises from as little as £50 per person, per night, for US-based lines (think Carnival and Royal Caribbean). It’s a little more costly for UK favourites P&O Cruises and Marella, because flights are included in the price of your fare. Expect to pay in the region of £1,500 - £1,600 for a seven-night sailing with flights and transfers included and £1,700 - £1,900 for a 14-night voyage with P&O Cruises. Marella offers slightly cheaper fares -- starting from £1,283 for a seven-night sailing -- and with all-inclusive sailings (tips and alcohol), the overall cost of your cruise can be substantially less.

**Temperature: **Highs in the late 20s in the Southern Caribbean, with lows typically no cooler than the 15-16C in places like theBahamasorCuba. February is one of the best times of year to travel to the Caribbean, as temperatures are generally pleasant and rainfall is low, especially for the Eastern Caribbean.

Rainfall/sea conditions: January is the beginning of the dry season, with very little rain in Nassau, Bahamas or Kingston, Jamaica.

What to pack: Despite alluringly warm forecasts for the islands you're visiting, don't forget to dress and pack for the weather you're sailing away from (and travelling back into once you return).

Festivals: Carnival, like Mardi Gras, is celebrated across many islands on Ash Wednesday, which typically falls in February, but depending on the year it could be in March. Check your calendar. (It's also worth noting that some islands celebrate Carnival during other times of year.)

Watch out for: Even though hurricane season has officially ended, winter storms in the Atlantic can roll out to sea causing rough waters. Have remedies on hand if you're easily seasick.

March/ April

Why: The weather is excellent, and many ships maintain a party-like atmosphere. Now is also a good time to go if you’re looking to escape traditional Brit lines like P&O and and Marella, which reposition back to Europe at this time of year, and experience true American cruise culture.

Pricing: Most sailings run close to £100 per person, per night. Spring break is a very popular time to cruise and fares could fluctuate during that time.

Temperature: Temperatures creep higher in northern islands like Bahamas or Cuba and can get hot in southern islands like Trinidad and Tobago (30s).

Rainfall/sea conditions: March is still the middle of dry season; you'll notice very little rainfall in places like Puerto Rico or the Cayman Islands. April is the driest month for southern islands like Bonaire and Curacao. Water temperatures are an average of 25 degrees.

What to pack: If crowds aren't your thing, be sure to bring headphones or earplugs to tune them out.

Festivals: If you're sailing over Easter (March or April, depending on the year), Virgin Gorda (part of the British Virgin Islands) holds a weekend filled with exciting activities and calypso music. In Jamaica, wild parties and parades, known as Bacchanal, take to the streets during both months.

Watch out for: Spring breakers! College kids and families alike take to the seas during these months, with their sights set on the inviting shores of the Caribbean. Expect a bustling atmosphere.

May/June

Why: Less crowded than many other months, the early summer season is a prime time to enjoy the Caribbean on the quieter side.

Pricing: Cruise traffic ramps up to prepare for the influx of summer-month holidaymakers. Short cruises remain relatively cheap, but prices for weeklong sailings increase -- some into the four-digit range, per person.

Temperature: Expect the thermometer to reach the high 20s during the day and not fall below 20 at night.

Rainfall/sea conditions: May and June continue to be dry months for theSouthern Caribbean, but May brings peak rainfall for ports in Antigua, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, while June can be the wettest month in Havana and Nassau. The Caribbean Sea averages 27 degrees for most islands during this time of the year.

What to pack: If you're travelling to any ports experiencing a rainy season, be sure to bring some rain gear, like a light poncho and shoes that will dry out easily. Bug spray is also very handy to prevent Zika and other diseases any time of year, but especially during wet months.

Festivals: Beginning at the very end of April and into May, Antigua Sailing Week is globally known for its prestigious sailing races and parties. Tons of music and jazz festivals take place around the Caribbean this time of year, including the Pure Grenada Music Festival in May and the St. Kitts Music Festival in June.

Watch out for: June is the official start of hurricane season, but it is rare that a major hurricane forms this early into the season. Colleges and other schools finish up beginning in May, so you might find yourself on a graduation sailing.

July/August

Why: The weather is hot, and the prices can be, too. Summer is occasionally a cheap time to sail the Caribbean.

Pricing: Some say that due to demand, summer can be the most expensive months to cruise to the Caribbean, but that's simply no longer true. Because of increased capacity (more and more ships) in the region, all fighting for your holiday money, cruise pricing can be downright competitive for families, couples and friends planning their summer getaway. Travel agents can help locate these deals.

Temperature: While temperatures rise in the UK during the height of summer, temperatures in the Caribbean usually stay within the desirable mid to high 20s range and cap at 32.

Rainfall/sea conditions: July brings rain to the Eastern Caribbean, but a lull to destinations in the west like Dominican Republic and Jamaica, where this is their driest month. August is wet in the Bahamas, Martinique and Dominica. Ocean temperatures are at their warmest in August, reaching 28 degrees on average.

What to pack: As with any cruise to the Caribbean, it's important to stay hydrated and protected from the sun. Be sure to pack plenty of high-SPF sunblock (waterproof if you plan to partake in swimming or water sports), a hat and a reusable water bottle you can refill for free on the ship.

Festivals: Crop Over is a summer festival inBarbadosthat celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest. During July and into early August, expect special markets, parades and celebrations. In Grenada, Spicemas, held during the second Monday and Tuesday in August, celebrates the island's multicultural heritage with live music and festivities.

Watch out for: It's the full swing of summer, and families are taking advantage of school breaks and holidays. If you're looking for a more low-key Caribbean cruise this time of year, head to smaller exotic islands. In July and August, tropical storms can reach places like Puerto Rico and islands to the east, most commonly affecting Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas come August.

September/October/November

Why: Because of hurricane concerns, Caribbean cruises can be deeply discounted this time of year.

Pricing: You will find some of the best deals of the year cruising the Caribbean during the fall, simply because it's unpredictable. Reduced cruise fares can drop below £50 per person, per night, with US cruise lines (you won’t find any UK lines in the region at this time of year). As the end of November transitions away from hurricanes and into the holidays, with the US Thanksgiving holiday, fares begin to increase again.

Temperature: The temperature in the Caribbean remains steady, within the mid 20s range. However, this weather might be tempered by winds and rains during stormy conditions.

Rainfall/sea conditions: The rainy season kicks in by September for most of the Caribbean, continuing until November. October is the rainiest month for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. Ocean temperatures stay around 28 degrees, but due to hurricane season, sea conditions can quickly become choppy and rough.

What to pack: Even if the forecast looks clear for your cruise, we all know that the weather can turn on a dime. If you're sailing during hurricane season, it's smart to pack a windbreaker, some seasickness remedies and a good attitude about being flexible.

Festivals: Pirates Week is the national festival of the Cayman Islands, taking place in November. As you might imagine, it's a week filled with reenactments and spectacle, paying homage to the islands' rich history and cultural ties to piracy.

Watch out for: Hurricane seasonis most active during September and October, and officially ends in mid-November. While cruise lines are usually prepared to sail away from storms, it's always a good idea to supplement low fares withtravel insurancefor incidentals like flight changes.

December

Why: The family is on holiday, and you all want a break from doing the dishes after a holiday meal.

Pricing: December fares depend on how close you are to theholidays-- winter break increases the demand and prices can spike to reflect that. Look at the first week or two of the month.

Temperature: Average highs and lows in St. Kitts, for example, are 29 and 23 degrees, respectively.

Rainfall/sea conditions: December officially marks the end of hurricane season, and ocean temperatures in the winter hover around a pleasant 26 degrees. It's dry in places like Barbados, Cuba and Jamaica, while remaining rainy in Curacao, which is in the south.

What to pack: Some early stocking stuffers or Hanukkah gifts can be a fun way to celebrate onboard, if you observe. Otherwise, pack your favourite swimsuit, as December temperatures are generally excellent.

Festivals: The Bahamian and Jamaican street parade known as Junkanoo is held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day each year.

Watch out for: Even with hurricane season at a close, winter storms can be equally disruptive to flight and travel plans getting to or from your cruise. Budget your time, and travel insurance, accordingly.