When is the best time to take a cruise and where would you suggest is the best destination?

Answer 1

You really didn't give enough information to help answer this question. But here's my opinion.

The best time to go is when you can get the cruise you want at the best price. The first rule in getting less expensive cruises is book early. The second rule is go with the same cruise line multiple times. The third rule is shop around for specials. Some lines will offer specials on a date that does not usually sell out, like Christmas week. So don't lock yourself in to one particular week of the year; be flexible.

If you have not cruised before and don't know the ropes it may be beneficial for you to use an agent; the agent does not charge a fee but is paid by the cruise line. But, also, do some home work on cruise line, itineraries, and ships. Use the cruise line web sites to look at what's being offered. Try to have in mind some of what you want to do when you talk to an agent. If you feel comfortable doing it, you can do your own booking online, the price is the same and you can do everything you need right on the web sites. The sites usually have cruises listed for this year and next.

Now most cruises are done by lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, and Disney. Carnival is the ship for young folks 20 to 35. Most of the ships for these lines are now 1500 to 2500 passenger ships. The ships are so big and things are so well managed that you really don't feel crowded on them. Prices on these ship can be as low as $800 a day for a 7 day inside cabin and about $1200 for a balcony cabin. Most of these lines go to the same places, they are just in port on different days. When you dock there may be one or two other ships there for the day and some days there may not be any where you go. You may also want to consider Cunard and the Queen Mary II. The ship is fantastic and the prices are comparable with RC, NCL and Princess.

WHERE TO GO:

If you want to see some history, do a mediterranian crusie which will give you a chance to see Rome, Pompei, and Florence, Italy; see the Acropilos in Greece, see Ephesus in Turkey, etc. Or see Europe by cruise ship. We just finished a Baltic cruise that visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Russia, Germany, and Estonia. It was a very interesting tour. Anotehr interesting and educational crusie is to the Panama Canal. That was my favorite of more than adozen cruises we have taken.

If you want fun and sun and beach and things in the water do a caribbean cruise. It will not matyter which itinerary, just pick one that goes to islands you would like to visit. Then if you would like a scenic cruise, go on a cruise tour of the inside passage to Alaska. That was a beautiful cruise also.

When I want to cruise and don't have a specific destination in mind, I do the Caribbean. You cannot go wrong there. Just stay away from the hurricane season, June through November.

Answer 2

I've taken 4 cruises, and really each cruise and destination is different and enjoyable in it's own unique way. If you're looking for an Alaskan cruise, I recommend Princess cruise line. I've also heard the train tour is quite nice on that trip as well. I would recommend this trip in July or August.

If you like the tropical paradise more, I suggest a southern Caribbean cruise. Carnival is my favorite for that destination, and really plays well to the younger crowd (<40) and also includes a variety of activities for children if you're bringing any with you. Most of the cruise lines have ships here also. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, norwegian, and others too.

My recommendation for a cruise in the Caribbean would be anytime between September and April. Otherwise, you may just be downright uncomfortable with the heat.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I think that if you add some more details you will be able to get a more accurate answer.

There are so many great destinations, but it really depends what you are looking for. Are you wanting to go to a tropical area, a historical area, are you wanting warm weather, cold weather, do you want to go somewhere in the U.S. or out of the country, do you want a one way cruise, etc.

Based on the destination you want, you can then choose the best time to go. Each destination really has a better time of the year to go. But, for the most part, if you go during the summer time, that tends to be the most popular time of the year for most destinations.

Answer 4

Depending on what you mean by "best time".
If you want a great cruise at the best price...
Traveling in November/December (first week of Dec) is the best time for carribbean or Mexican cruises.
That is because..After hurricane season, but no one wants to travel because they are saving for the holidays.

For example. I have a group on The Carnival Pride from Los Angeles for a week. Inside cabins are 607 per person. The same cabin in Jun, July might be a thousand.

Do not travel Aug/Sep/Oct for hurricanes.

Alaska is cheaper in May and Sep when it is earlier or later in season. Not a lot cheaper. The wildlife might be more abundant at that time.

Most other cruises are limited season and limited sailings so there is no right or wrong time. They sail when it is the best and most expensive (or only time) to sail.

Answer 5

I went on a cruise this year around spring break. Before that I had gone during June. I honestly didn't find it to be any more "crazy"... maybe a little but not annoyingly crazy. I was on carnival both times. In June, I went to the western caribbean and over spring break I went eastern. Whether it was just by chance or if it is always like this, the eastern caribbean was much more wavy and worse weather. Also, the Bahamas was kinda boring. St. Maarten and St. Thomas are beautiful. The western caribbean is much more interesting in terms of activities. (Jamaica, Caymans, Mexico)

Answer 6

The number one destination for cruising is the Caribbean/ Eastern Mexico. This is from a survey that CLIA (cruise line industry association) completed for the cruise industry and CLIA member agencies such as us. We just went the last week of April first week of May and the weather was absolutly perfect.

BC Travel Company

Answer 7

I think the best time to take a cruise is in the beginning of June, and go through Puerto Rico.

Answer 8

not spring break... 3 weeks before or three weeks after... (just be sure no spring breakers) makes the cruise really busy...western caribbean... i think...dont go on a cruise for its destination though... go for the ship... make it big... and cool

Answer 9

Your maximum suitable wager could be to verify what cruise strains run out of Houston, and what their places are. then you definately can choose for...i'm going to wager the Caribbean and Mexico are going to be your possibilities (from that port).

Answer 10

To put it simply, go north in the summer and south in the winter, just like the birds.