When do I cruise to certain locations?

I am often asked “when is the best time to go to the Caribbean, or Alaska, or Europe.” Well, that all depends! Sure there are “seasons” for certain locations. But that doesn’t mean you cannot go outside of those times. As a matter of fact, you can usually get a good deal cruising to a location in an off season, but there are some things to be aware of. For example, cruising to the Caribbean during Hurricane season may mean some rough weather, perhaps a canceled port or a changed itinerary. But if you are willing to go with those understandings and don’t mind, than the deals are out there.

So here is a little guide to cruising certain locations.

Caribbean Cruises: The season is really year round. The best time to go is December through April. The least desirable time to go is August through October due to hurricane season. However, with that said, I have cruised during this time. Cruise Lines and their captains are masters at reading the weather. If there is a storm out there, they know what to do. Yes, it may mean your trip gets cut short or you miss that stop in Jamaica, but hey, safety first!

Mediterranean Cruises: The season typically runs from April through October. Some lines are now cruising year round. The best time to cruise is June or September. August is the most crowded. The least desirable time to go is December through February due to winter.

Northern Europe: The season runs from May through September. The best time to go is June through August.

Alaska: The cruising season here runs from May through September. The best time to go is July and August. May and September are the least desirable, as winter is around the corner on both ends.

New England: The season goes from April to October. The best time to go is July through October. If you are looking for the Fall colors, late August and September are good. April through May is the least desirable.

Trans-Atlantic: The season runs from March to November, with most repositioning cruises in the spring and the fall. The best time to go is June through August. The least desirable time to do a Trans-Atlantic is March or November. The Queen Mary 2 is built to do Trans-Atlantic crossings, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel any waves during certain crossings!

Antarctica: The season here runs from November through March. The best time is mid December through February. The least desirable times for this voyage would be November or March. Antarctica is one trip in which you have to expect rough weather, even during peak season. Ships have to cross the Drake Passage off the coast of South America, and this is an unpredictable, tricky stretch of water.

A travel agent is a good resource to help you plan your vacation at the right time of year. CruiseOne Freer & Associates is all you need to get going! Give us a call anytime at 888-882-5793 or visit us on the web at www.kfreer.cruiseone.com. Let us help you turn your dream vacation into reality!