Sarah Bretz“You shouldn’t cruise during that time of year, you want to avoid [xyz]!” Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or are considering your first cruise and are seeking advice, you’ve probably heard other people’s opinions about when to sail… and when not to. This advice often does come from nuggets of truth, but deciding when to cruise is more than just a single pro or con. In this article, we’re going over whether the worst time to cruise is actually when you’ve heard it is — and some benefits to those time periods if you decide to ignore traditional advice and set sail anyway.
For a quick overview, check out this table. For a more in-depth look at why you should think twice before writing off any of these “worst time to cruise” timeframes, keep reading below.
| Timeframe | Weather Risk | Crowd Risk | Prices | Who It’s Good For |
| Hurricane season | High | Medium | Low | Those who have flexibility with their schedules and are looking for a great deal |
| Over a major holiday | Low | High | High | Those looking to make holiday memories in a new way and spend quality time together |
| Summer in a hot weather region | Medium | High | High | Those who love to be in the water, those who have a summer break (students, educators) |
| Caribbean in winter (from a northern homeport) | Medium | Medium | Medium | Those who aren’t prone to motion sickness and don’t have kids in school |
| Alaska during shoulder season | Medium | Low | Low | Those who don’t mind chilly temps and want fewer crowds, those seeking a chance to see the Northern Lights |
| Spring break | Low | High | High | Students/educators and their families, those who like to party |
| Mediterranean in winter | Medium | Low | Low | Those who don’t mind cooler temperatures but want to avoid crowds |
Myth: You shouldn’t cruise during hurricane season.
Reality: You can find some great deals during this time of year.
Many well-meaning cruisers will tell you that the worst time to cruise is during hurricane season. In the Atlantic, the hurricane season runs from June 1st through the end of November. This is when you’ll see hurricanes that hit the U.S. east coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean.
While it is true that cruise schedules can be disrupted due to hurricanes, that doesn’t mean that you should avoid cruising in the region just because it’s hurricane season. For starters, hurricanes don’t just hit out of nowhere like tsunamis or tornadoes. They form slowly out on the open water, and meteorologists are usually on alert that a storm could turn into a hurricane up to a week before it actually forms. As computer models track a potential hurricane’s potential path, you’ll usually have a few days’ notice on where it will make landfall.
This means that cruise lines generally have time to modify itineraries or cancel cruises if absolutely necessary before embarkation day. If you’re already out on a cruise, cruise lines and their ships have the technology and time to make sure that they sail out of the path of any major storms. That said, flexibility is key when cruising during hurricane season. Your original itinerary could end up looking completely different if a storm arises.
A great reason to take a cruise during hurricane season is that you can often find better deals on the cruise fare than you would many other times of the year — especially in September and October when kids are back in school and lines still want to fill their ships.
All of this is to say, don’t let the fact that it’s “hurricane season” deter you from booking a Caribbean, Bermuda, or other East Coast cruise during the summer and fall months. Just remember to purchase travel insurance, as this can come to the rescue if there are any additional charges related to a trip disruption that your cruise line doesn’t cover.
Myth: Holiday cruises should be avoided at all costs.
Reality: Cruising over a holiday can be a great way to spend time together.
While you may have never even considered taking a cruise over a big holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving, taking a peek at what others have to say about these popular times to sail will almost certainly yield warnings to steer clear. And in a way, it’s true: these are very popular times to sail, which means ships will book up faster, prices will be higher, and crowds both on board and during your travel to the homeport will likely be heavier.
However, holiday cruises are popular for a reason. While the movie Christmas with the Kranks might discourage you from booking a trip that takes you away from the to-do lists and traditions that many people have during these holidays, doing something different may be the very best way to truly spend quality time together.
Instead of worrying about whether you have enough presents for your family, the main gift for Christmas can be the trip itself. Instead of baking for days leading up to Thanksgiving and then spending half the holiday cooking, you can spend the entire day on the pool deck and then sit down to a meal you didn’t have to lift a finger to prepare — or clean up after!
If you have a tradition you just can’t bear to skip, such as new PJs for Christmas Eve or opening stockings on Christmas morning, bring that tradition along with you (you could bring mini stockings on the ship with just a few things inside so they’re easier to pack!). And don’t forget, even if you miss a tradition because you’re on a cruise, you can always do it before or after the trip.
A little planning goes a long way for a holiday sailing. Book as early as possible, since the best cabins and lowest fares go first. Plan to fly into the port city at least a day before embarkation, because winter storms and packed holiday flights make delays more likely. The upside is that cruise lines go all out for the holidays. Expect decorated atriums and Christmas trees, special holiday menus, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and New Year’s Eve parties on deck.
If you’ve been wanting to shake up your usual holiday routine, a cruise is a fun way to do it. You’ll be able to spend quality time together as a family, making new holiday memories along the way.
Myth: It’s too hot and humid to cruise during the summer.
Reality: That depends on where you go/what you enjoy doing.
When people say that it’s too hot and humid to even consider taking a cruise during the summer, we assume they must be talking about the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Mediterranean. Because there are lots of other places to cruise during these months that range from warm to chilly and have little to no humidity: Alaska, Scandinavia, and eastern Canada/Iceland/Greenland, to name a few.
But assuming we’re all on the same page, even the hottest places during the summer shouldn’t be written off completely when it comes to visiting via a cruise ship. If you love being in the water, summer might be the prime time for you. For starters, the hotter the destination, the better it can make for a beach or pool day. No one wants to dip their toes into the ocean for the first time all year just to realize it’s freezing cold and won’t be very enjoyable. Likewise, you might not want to get out of the water in the Bahamas only to be freezing because the wind is actually a bit chilly (which can happen during winter!).
During the summer, the water tends to be warm, the ocean breeze is warmer, and you never really have a chance to be covered in goosebumps going back to your beach chair. Similar applies to the ship, too. Summer is the best time to hit the onboard water park and take a refreshing dip in the pool. And while at sea, as long as you’re not in the direct sun, it’s not too hot much of the time. The ocean breeze really kicks up on the open water, and dare we say that evenings can sometimes get a bit chilly out on deck.
Plus, you get extended daylight hours during the summer, perfect for soaking up some sunshine (from the pool, of course!) while at sea.
Myth: You shouldn’t cruise to the Caribbean during the winter from a northern homeport, you’ll have rough seas.
Reality: A few chilly sea days are worth it for milder Caribbean weather and fewer kids.
On the flip side of the last point, maybe you aren’t a big water person, and you really hate being hot. In that case, winter is an excellent time to sail to a hot-weather region such as the Caribbean. Many travelers might advise against sailing during the winter, particularly from a northern homeport, as seas can be rougher which might make for a more… interesting time for those who are prone to seasickness.
While this can be true, it does NOT mean that your ship will be rocking and rolling all day and night when you’re out on the open water. We have had many sailings throughout the winter months that had very smooth seas. The specific area where you’re sailing, the weather, and even the specific ship you’re sailing can all contribute to how much you feel the motion of the ocean. Plus, even if the seas are a bit choppy departing from the northeast, it will likely only last a day or two until you’re further south.
Just know that the first and last days of the cruise may feel cold and windy on the outdoor decks. So pack a warm jacket and layers you can peel off as the ship heads south. Many ships have an indoor pool, hot tubs, or a covered solarium, which are the places to be on those days.
As always, if you’re prone to motion sickness, bring an aid so that you’re prepared. If you don’t have one and need it in a pinch, the ship’s medical center or guest services will give you Dramamine for free.
Winter is actually a great time to sail, as the Caribbean cools down a bit. It’ll still be warm, but not quite as hot or humid as it is the rest of the year. And while it is a popular time for Caribbean cruises (and those escaping the cold back home), you’ll probably encounter fewer kids on board, too. That is, of course, unless you sail during winter or Christmas break.
Myth: Don’t cruise in Alaska during shoulder season.
Reality: The very beginning and end of the season can actually be the best times to sail.
The best time to visit Alaska via ship really depends on what your top priorities are for an Alaska cruise. Many people will tell you that the best time to visit is right in the middle of summer, from around June through August. And those months are the best times for many reasons. The wildlife is most active, the temperatures are the warmest, and you’ll have the most daylight hours during that time frame.
However, there are cons to Alaska cruises in the middle of summer too, namely higher prices and heavier crowds. You also have less of a chance to spot the northern lights, and August is one of the rainiest months of the Alaska cruise season.
If you prioritize lower prices and fewer crowds, and don’t mind cooler temperatures, a shoulder season cruise in Alaska might be perfect for you. Plus, May actually has the driest weather conditions out of the entire Alaska cruise season, meaning that’s your safest bet to avoid rainy and misty conditions that might prevent you from fully seeing and enjoying the scenery. Another shoulder season pro: September, which is towards the tail end of the season, affords you the best chance at spotting the northern lights, which are most visible when there are fewer daylight hours.
Myth: The worst time to cruise is during spring break.
Reality: Some people don’t have a choice, and it can still make for a fun experience.
This one has some truth to it if you’re looking to avoid huge crowds, an extra party-like atmosphere, and higher cruise fares. Spring break is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and millions of people — especially families with school-aged kids, teachers, and those in college — flock to places like Florida, the Gulf Coast, and southern California to take advantage of their vacation by setting sail on a cruise. If you do not have the limitations that students and teachers do, you will probably want to avoid sailing during these weeks.
However, the reality is that there ARE millions of students and their families, as well as educators and their families that cannot take another vacation during the early months of the year unless it’s over spring break. If this situation applies to you, don’t let the “don’t cruise during spring break!” advice scare you away from booking a cruise during your well-deserved respite from school. Yes, it will be crowded. Yes, it will be more expensive. But those are just two factors.
If spring break is the only week you can get away during this part of the year, take advantage if you’re able. Lean into the here-for-a-good-time atmosphere. Budget for your trip so that the higher fares don’t take you by surprise and prevent you from being able to book. And enjoy your vacation away from your everyday work/school grind.
Myth: Don’t cruise the Mediterranean in the off-season, it’s too cold.
Reality: It will be cooler, but you’ll have fewer crowds.
While it’s no secret that the busy cruise season in the Mediterranean is in the summer, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fantastic voyage any other time of year. You won’t have as many options as far as ships and itineraries in this region during the fall and winter, but if you can find a sailing you’re excited about you can have just as good (or better!) of an experience during the off-season.
Sure, it will probably be a bit chilly. You’ll need a few layers to bundle up out on deck in the evenings. But the tradeoff is that there will be significantly fewer crowds in port during the winter season. While you might not find as many events — and some shops/restaurants may be closed in smaller ports, you’ll be able to actually walk around freely at major cultural and historical sites. You won’t have to fight crowds to walk along the cliffs in Santorini or along the canals in Venice. Plus, many Mediterranean cities feature festive holiday celebrations.
Visiting the Mediterranean during the off-season isn’t for those who want sunny warmth and a vibrant, busy atmosphere. But if you’re okay with cooler temperatures and a more peaceful vacation, booking during the winter (or late fall/early spring) is a great option.
Final Thoughts
The reality is that hundreds of thousands of people are on a cruise at any given time throughout the year. When you see one pro for sailing during a certain timeframe, there will be cons to go along with it. Choosing when to take a cruise comes down to which factors are most important to you — and your priorities may be different than the priorities of those around you. Choose when to take a cruise based on your own availability, your own research, and your own preferences.
Even those who are on a cruise right now during what might not be considered the “ideal time” for that itinerary are probably having the time of their lives on board, and chances are you will too.
Comments
Have you sailed during any of these “worst times to cruise”? Do you tend to prioritize weather, crowds, or price when booking a cruise? Drop us an anchor below to share your favorite time of year to set sail.
