When you’re contemplating a vacation in any destination around the world, one of the factors that goes into your decision-making process is the season you’ll be traveling. Some destinations are better at certain times of the year than others. The “when” factor should also be part of your decision-making process when you’re thinking about a cruise, too, but it’s a little more complicated to know when the best and worst seasons for cruises are – after all, a cruise ship moves.
It’s not just about the fact that a cruise ship will visit several different ports of call, however, although that’s definitely part of what should be considered. It’s also partly about what part of the world you’re hoping to take a cruise vacation in. Determining when it’s the best time to take an Alaska cruise is going to be different than determining when is the best time to take a Caribbean cruise, for instance.
Below, you’ll find a rundown of the various cruise destinations and the best and worst times to take a cruise to each one. But keep in mind that when we say “best” and “worst,” we’re talking more about “high season” and “low season.” There are great reasons to take a cruise during the low season – what some might consider the worst time – including lower prices and smaller crowds. Typically, desginations of “best” and “worst” have to do with weather. So if you don’t mind a chance of inclement weather, you don’t get seasick, and you’ve got travel insurance in case a hurricane cancels your trip, going on a cruise during what’s considered a “worst” time isn’t a terrible idea.
>> Shop for cruise deals and vacation packages