Best Time to Cruise?

[CorbsVWL]

Hi,

We are planning our first Disney Cruise and were wondering if there is a more recommended time of year to cruise?
I assume Aug-Nov. might be a bit risky due to hurricane season but is there a more preferential time to cruise due to weather, etc?

We are planning on one of the 7 day cruises.
Does anyone recommend one versus the other (Eastern versus Western Caribbean)?

Thanks!

 

[KevinC]

Hi, I think anytime is the best to cruse. We have done 3 Disney's all in mid-December. The boat is all decorated, the staff & passengers are all in a holiday mood. Going to St. Thomas & seeing Christmas trees is entertaining. Done the Eastern twice, going on the Western in June. School prevents us this year from doing December.

 

[JungleCruiser]

Our first cruise was the week after thanksgiving and the weather was wonderful. We are hoping for the same weather next year. So, December get's my vote!

 

[rundogrun]

For best pricing, avoid school vacation weeks!

Personally, I'm a middle of winter cruiser in search of someplace warm. But we've also sailed in August with no problems. The biggest risks with hurricanes is an altered itinerary, but I wouldn't let hurricane worries keep you from cruising that time of year.

Planning on flying in a day early is also a good way to alleviate weather concerns.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Personally, we stay away from hurricane season even though weather is never completely predictable. We also try to avoid the really expensive times such as summer months & holidays. We like December/January.

***Ideally***, if we had the money to spend, we would like to cruise for our birthdays -- July or August. OR => our first cruise was our honeymoon and that was a 7-day through Christmas. It was incredibly expensive, but like I said, if I had the money I would do that without hesitation. Christmas was so magical onboard the Magic!

 

[natdencro]

Been on the Magic twice in February: weather was very hot all the time and the seas were as flat as glass. Was great to leave snow behind at home, and arrive to clear blue skies and warm sunshine. Bliss. Nat

 

[alexandrew]

first 2 weeks of December...

Why?

1) ship is beautifully decorated for holidays
2) special events like tree lighting ceremony and Mrs Claus reading to children
3) Overall festive mood
4) cooler, less humid weather
5) value season pricing

 

[AnnMorin]

This will be the third year we have done the second week in december (this year we are actually the third week) I LOVE cruising in December. Why??
1. The ship is just beautiful!!
2. With all the commercialism back home at this time of year it is so nice to go "back in time" to simple elegance and simple pleasures-like the caroling, gingerbread house etc..
3. It is SO cold and snowy back home
4. It's my birthday
5. It gives you a break from all the Christmas Craziness, yes you have to get a lot done early but then you can just "walk away"

we have cruised in April too but I will always prefer December!!

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

Guess I'm the odd man out. I love September. You still have the summer like temperatures and the water at Castaway Cay is still nice. It's also the time you can get really good pricing. We've taken 4 cruises in September and had beautiful weather on all but 1 day of 1 cruise. We were avoiding a tropical storm.

My 2nd favorite would be mid/late May. Schools not out yet, and temps are nice.