The travel industry refers to the ideal conditions as "peak season" regardless of locale. In the Caribbean, peak season runs from mid-December to mid-April. This coincides with the northern climes winter, adding to the Caribbean's attraction as a destination. Although there is little temperature variation over the course of the year, peak season tends to be drier and is well outside the annual hurricane season.
Plan to book your cruise early if you choose to travel during peak season. This is especially true if you plan your vacation during the Christmas holiday season. As you would expect, more travelers book Caribbean cruise vacations during this time because of ideal conditions and often coordinate vacations with Christmas holiday breaks from work and school. Don't expect to find great savings during peak season.
On the other hand, travelers will find reduced rates and fewer fellow travelers during the off-peak season. Cruise lines tend to reduce prices to fill their staterooms. Be aware that some ships that cruise the Caribbean during the peak season are often re-located to other parts of the world during the Caribbean's off-season. If you've got a favorite ship, be sure its itinerary includes off-peak Caribbean ports. Additionally, not all shops and restaurants in ports are open year-round. Some close during off-peak times or operate on a much more limited schedule. You may find your favorite shop closed the day you happen to be in port during the off-season.
Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 each year with the height of the season occurring in mid-August through September. Keep in mind that this represents the historical average, and some years, like 2005, saw tropical storms and hurricanes throughout the entire season. In planning an off-peak cruise, May is a good choice as it falls outside both the peak season and hurricane season. The same is true of month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cruise lines that sail the Caribbean are prepared to alter course as needed to avoid inclement weather and rough seas. Your trip may be a bargain; however, depending on the unpredictability of the weather, your ports of call may change.
