Best time of year and destinations for optimal weather (Caribbean/Bahamas)

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Our last Disney cruise was in January of 2014 on a 4 night Magic to the Bahamas. Weather was so cold and rainy we didn't enjoy it at all. (Our Alaska cruise on RC last year in May was sunnier and warmer!!!) The year before we sailed on the Dream the exact same time in January and same itinerary and the weather was PERFECT! I realize that January could be hit or miss with the weather so I'm thinking our next cruise be another time of year, maybe in the fall October or November??? We don't want to do summer because it would be way too hot and I'm assuming prices the highest. We would be open to Spring time as well. Should we also factor in the intinerary? Would an eastern or southern Caribbean be better than a Bahamas or Western Caribbean? I realize that weather is unpredictable so you never know 100% but just want to plan for the best chance at good weather. I'm also thinking a longer cruise would be better because you have more days and even if a few are crappy maybe the rest would be nice. Thanks!

 

[Quellman]

A longer cruise does increase your chances of having good weather for part of the voyage for sure. Just remember Hurricane Season as well can pick up later in the year.

We find the Jan-Mar have generally colder temperatures which makes lounging on deck to get sun more chilly than other times of the year. Our first week of October cruise was excellent in terms of weather as was April. Not too hot for sure. This is why seasoned Panama Canal cruisers have particular dates, if it is too late in the spring or too early in the fall, they simply wont travel because it may be uncomfortable for much of the voyage.

The closer you get to the equator the warmer it gets as well, so that may influence as well. Bahamas in February isn't the same as Western Caribbean, much less southern.

 

[Jess_S]

I remember cruising the Caribbean in March as a child and having consistently hot weather. Much to my surprise, my last March Caribbean cruise was mostly gray and chilly. In chatting with locals about the weather, I was told that climate change has made March a wetter month than it used to be in the Caribbean. It was suggested to me that I would enjoy April or May more. (After that, you get into the super hot weather plus hurricane season).

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Any time we have been to Florida/Bahamas in Nov/Dec/Jan the weather has been cool. Too cool for swimming and beach. If it's Caribbean cruise, then those ports are hot enough.
I hear May is best for nice weather in the Bahamas, similar to October but without the chance for a hurricane. Still, our friends always cruise in October and love it best.

 

[Dug720]

October/November you're still in hurricane season. And seemingly the storms that pop up that late in the season are the stronger ones... (Sandy ring a bell anyone? I know it's not always that way because Katrina was relatively early. But especially the ones that stay on the Atlantic side of things seem to trend stronger later in the season.)

 

[Woodmnky]

We like April and May for nice weather and decent prices. We used to cruise in January and lot and it was really hit or miss with weather. I've never been brave enough to try September through November because of hurricane season

 

[tee11]

If you don't want to chance bad weather do NOT cruise during hurricane season! So count out October and November.
We did a cruise in October and had great weather, and one in November and the ocean was choppy and it was cool. Can be hit or miss - which is what you don't want. For the best chance possible of consistently good weather choose Spring. But it can get hot. You kind of have to figure out what's more important to you, weather wise.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I feeling like April/May might be the best choice. Avoiding spring break of course! Well I'll be waiting on the 2018 spring itineraries to become available to check on prices.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I came upon this article that confirms what most of you have said: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/months-caribbean-cruise-17609.html

 

[Happy100]

We have cruised August, October, December, January and 2 April cruises. Even though we loved our October cruise, it was a risk we were fortunate and had great weather. But April is now our chosen month. Weather perfect not too hot and water warm enough to swim and snorkel in.