March vs. September?

[MelissaE1]

Having just returned from the 1/25 Eastern cruise I would love to book a Western cruise for 2004. (Need time to save!)

We thought a birthday cruise might be nice. My birthday is in mid-March, and my DD's birthday is late September. There is a $500+ difference favoring the September sailing. My DH remembers our honeymoon cruise in August to the Western Caribbean and how miserable we were because of the excessive heat and humidity and really doesn't want to go then. Also he does not like the hurricane season idea.

Would the March sailing be that much better than late September weather-wise? Saving the money seems attractive to me, as much as I would love to sail in 13 months vs. 19, but it would also be fun to celebrate my (40th) birthday onboard.

Any pros/cons for either date?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The March sailing is priced higher because of the laws of supply and demand. There's a higher demand for the March cruises because of Spring Breaks from various school systems. The September cruises have lower demand because 1) kids have just gone back to school, and 2) September sees the highest probability of itineraries being altered due to hurricanes. The weather should be <b><i>very</i></b> pleasant in September, so as long as you don't mind the possibility of a "mystery" cruise with an altered itinerary due to possible hurricanes, and as long as you don't have kids' school schedules to worry about, I'd go with September.

 

[westjones]

We have cruised in September for the last 3 years (and have one booked this year). Our twin DD's have their birthday in September and it has been a wonderful way to spend their birthday!

Good thing you are looking at the Western in 2004, on the opposite weeks when the Eastern is to run, they don't have anything offered now (rumors say they may offer a different itenary in July, August and September and that is why no Eastern cruises are listed now).

I have been waiting and waiting for them to update the information for 2004, there is NO cruise offered on my twin's birthday that year, so we have a Christmas cruise booked instead, but if the new 7 itenary looks good and falls on their birthday (and it should), we may switch to that.

Anyway, September has been good for us, but I understand it can change, the one right after us last year had to change their scheduled stops based on the weather. Personally, I just love the ship so much that I don't mind not stopping at the ports. The captain seems to be able to take the ship around most of the storms so you aren't in bad weather too much. I would be sad, though, if we had to miss Castaway Cay, so far, we have had great weather all three times we have stopped.

Good Luck picking a date!
DJ