Caribbean Cruising At a Glance
When to Go
The Caribbean is a fantastic year-round cruising destination, offering nearly ideal weather conditions all the time. The most popular time to visit the Caribbean is between December and April, but temperatures are only slightly warmer in the summer than the winter. Highs rarely fall outside of the 80s and humidity is generally around 70% throughout the year.There are excellent cruise deals available to the Caribbean all calendar long. If your schedule is flexible, you can take advantage of the very best bargains on cruises – sailings departing between September and early December, all January, and during the late spring.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but history has shown that the greatest concentration of hurricane and tropical storm activity tends to occur between late August and mid-October. Cruise ships can generally avoid most storms and are rarely canceled, but it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance if you plan to travel during this period. You should also plan to be flexible, since storms will occasionally require cruise lines to alter itineraries, change ports of call, or spend some extra days at sea.
When to Book – How do you find the best deal?
You may be wondering whether you’ll be able to find a better deal to the Caribbean by booking early or by waiting until the last minute. Over the past few years, the growing popularity of cruising has far outpaced the launching of new ships, making inventory scarce as sailing dates approach. While it’s still possible to find some great last-minute bargains on Caribbean cruises, generally the best idea is to book early to guarantee the lowest rates and the broadest selection of sailings and staterooms. And, if you’re traveling during peak season or holidays, every expert will recommend that you book your cruise three to six months in advance. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule and CruisesOnly has some tools available to help you uncover some amazing last-minute cruise deals.Travel Documents
The U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security has announced that U.S. Citizens will soon be required to present a valid passport to exit or re-enter the United States. The requirement will be implemented in stages, subject to change, as follows:December 31, 2005: U.S. citizens will now be required to present a valid U.S. passport for all air and sea travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central and South America.
December 31, 2006: U.S. citizens will now be required to present a valid U.S. passport for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007: U.S. citizens will now be required to present a valid U.S. passport for all air, sea, and land border crossings.
Please keep in mind that you will need to allow 6-8 weeks for your passport to be processed. For further details regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, as well as further information regarding obtaining a passport, please consult: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Non-U.S. citizens should contact the consulates or embassies of the countries to be visited regarding the proper documentation necessary for travel. We recommend all travelers confirm the entry requirements for all countries prior to departure. The following website may assist you in verifying the required documentation for travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html. Please be advised that knowing, securing, and bringing the required identification is solely the responsibility of the passengers. We are unable to provide refunds for clients who do not possess the necessary documentation.
