What time of year are cruises less crowded?


What time of year are cruises less crowded? The best time to cruise to the Caribbean without all the tourists is typically in late fall and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. 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.


Why are cruises cheaper in September?

September is a month when many schools are back in session and the summer vacation season is over. This means that demand for Caribbean cruises drops, and cruise lines lower their prices to attract more customers.


Is October a bad time to cruise?

Taking a Cruise in October While the humidity is always a factor, October sees the start of a cooling trend in the weather. As well, while hurricanes can occur in October, the season is largely over so you don't have to worry about them disrupting your trip as much.


How crowded are cruise ships now?

Florida-based Royal Caribbean said earlier this month that the load factor, or percentage of seats filled, of its cruise ships rose to an average of 102% in the first quarter of 2023. By comparison, the occupancy rate was 57% a year ago and 107% in 2019 just before pandemic lockdowns.


What is the quietest place on a cruise ship?

Light sleepers, take note: The best place to be if you want the best chance of not being bothered by noise is a cabin that is surrounded by other cabins. This means a cabin that has a cabin directly above it and a cabin directly below it, as well cabins on both sides.


What is the quietest room on a cruise ship?

If You Want a Quieter Space If you plan on your cruise being a peaceful experience, you'll want to seek a cabin on the quietest side of the ship. This tends to be the aft or the rear of the ship. The aft is away from the hustle and bustle of midship, where all the action tends to happen.


What month is the best month to book a cruise?

Beyond during holiday periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Labor Day when there may be some flash sales, January and February are particularly good times to book a cruise, as the first two months of the year are considered “wave season” in the cruising industry.


What is the most expensive month to go on a cruise?

The summer months, especially June, July, and August, are the peak travel season for cruises. This is primarily due to families taking advantage of school holidays and vacation time. With increased demand, cruise prices tend to be higher during these months.


How much money should a person bring on a cruise?

The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences.


What time of year is least busy to cruise?

To avoid crowds and experience cooler temperatures, consider traveling in the shoulder months of May and September or early October. Most Mediterranean cruises sail in the summer months, when the sun and sand in coastal ports are at their peak and cities come alive with activity.


Do cruise prices drop last minute?

You may find cheaper cruise fares if you're able to book a last-minute cruise departing in the spring or fall when most families with children in school can't travel. As such, cruise lines typically have more availability and lower pricing during these times.


How can I get a better cruise rate?

13 Tips for Finding Cheap Cruise Deals
  1. Don't Wait for Last-Minute Cruise Deals on High-Season Sailings. ...
  2. Hunt Down Shoulder Season and Repositioning Cruise Deals. ...
  3. Use Cruise Critic's Deal Score to Know When a Deal is Really a Deal. ...
  4. Bundle Up for the Best Cruise Deals. ...
  5. Ask for a Price Drop Credit When Cruise Fares Change.


How do you avoid cruise crowds?

Here are some of the best ways to avoid the crowds on a cruise.
  1. Make priority boarding a priority. ...
  2. Check in on the exact date check-in opens. ...
  3. Pick a smaller ship or more premium cruise line. ...
  4. Book the ship-within-a-ship experience. ...
  5. Enjoy some of those comfy lounges during off-peak hours. ...
  6. Get up early.


What is the least busiest cruise month?

To save some money on a Caribbean cruise, it is best to sail in off peak times such as January, May, and early fall. With kids back in school, there is less demand for cruising during these periods.


What is the off season for cruises?

You can often land deals if you travel during the early weeks of December and in the later spring, when weather is still mostly calm and dry. The cheapest time for Caribbean cruises runs from late summer into fall, when hurricane season is at its peak.


How much money should I bring on a 7 day cruise?

So how much money do you need? The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.


Is it cheaper to book a cruise while on a ship?

The price of a cruise is the same whether you book onboard or at home, but Royal Caribbean will give you extra onboard credit for booking onboard. It's a bonus on top of other promotions the cruise line has, and is one of the best ways to rack up onboard credit.


What day of the week do cruise prices drop?

According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise. Prices associated with travel are always in flux due to supply and demand, so the prices of a cruise can change daily. Prices could spike on a Wednesday and drop, well, on a Thursday.


Do cruises get cheaper closer to the date?

As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship.


Are cruises cheaper in the winter or summer?

Prices. Summer cruises tend to be the most expensive, even for the Caribbean during hurricane season. Winter cruises can be a great deal, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is a slow travel period.


When should you avoid cruising the Caribbean?

But for the most part, the best time to cruise the Caribbean is January through April during the dry season, especially in April when temperatures are warmer. The worst time is September and October during the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season. May is a brief rainy season for some destinations.