What is the best time of year to take a Disney Cruise?

[ptcbass]

Ok, So if work, school or money didn't limit the time of year you would take a Disney cruise when would you go? What is the best time of year to you?

When is the best weather conditions (less storms and rain) and the water warm enough to enjoy without being cold? Are there months that are less crowded? What matters to you and what would you pick?

 

[lbgraves]

I miss cruising in early December. The ship is beautiful and the weather was always lovely on the cruise. We were able to do four 7-night cruises before seeing the ship without the Christmas decorations. Now with the kids older that's just not possible because of school. We found cheaper fares then also.

 

[ludari]

Ok, So if work, school or money didn't limit the time of year you would take a Disney cruise when would you go? What is the best time of year to you?

When is the best weather conditions (less storms and rain) and the water warm enough to enjoy without being cold? Are there months that are less crowded? What matters to you and what would you pick?

I am a solo cruiser and I don't have to worry about work (my employer is very flexible), school (I don't have kids) or money (I plan ahead) so when I look at booking my cruises the most important thing for me is the destination and not time of year. I also prefer the longer cruises over the shorter cruises and from my experience the longer crusies are less crowded. I hope my opinion is helpful.

 

[Ofinn]

I would say pick May, Oct, Nov or Dec. May is moderating pricing, great weather, and long days. Oct-Nov have the best pricing, and great weather(small risk of tropical storm or hurricane). Dec for the Christmas decorations. The only negative I can see for Dec is the short days. Overall I think May would be my first choice.

 

[heavenlybubbles]

For me, February. This is when I am so flicking sick of the Canadian winter that I NEED to go someplace nice. And 65F anywhere is so much nicer than -10F at home. The cruise is sweeter for me when I am getting away from weather, not just home. it's nice here in May etc. so I don't appreciate the cruise as much as in February -- appreciation makes the cost worth it!

 

[NancyIL]

The "when" depends on where I am cruising. If it's to the Bahamas or Caribbean, then December or Feb./March. It's pretty hot in the Caribbean by April, and I don't like hot. If I am cruising in the summer, I want a cooler destination like Alaska, Canada, or northern Europe.

 

[ptcbass]

The "when" depends on where I am cruising. If it's to the Bahamas or Caribbean, then December or Feb./March. It's pretty hot in the Caribbean by April, and I don't like hot. If I am cruising in the summer, I want a cooler destination like Alaska, Canada, or northern Europe.

Yeah I was thinking more of tropical destinations.
But others may also want to know about the northern destinations.
Thanks!

I have been surprised at reading other threads of how many pick the fall. I would think with the risk of hurricanes and rough seas people would want more of the spring. I was just curious as to when people would pick and why, not necessarily because I need advise for when to pick.

Great answers so far!

 

[NancyIL]

Yeah I was thinking more of tropical destinations.
But others may also want to know about the northern destinations.
Thanks!

I have been surprised at reading other threads of how many pick the fall. I would think with the risk of hurricanes and rough seas people would want more of the spring. I was just curious as to when people would pick and why, not necessarily because I need advise for when to pick.

Great answers so far!

The fall is a cheaper time to cruise because it's hurricane season and the kids are in school. However, September and October are still hot in FL, and even hotter in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Spring is great weather-wise, but the prices are higher due to spring breaks and Easter.

 

[Ofinn]

Yeah I was thinking more of tropical destinations.
But others may also want to know about the northern destinations.
Thanks!

I have been surprised at reading other threads of how many pick the fall. I would think with the risk of hurricanes and rough seas people would want more of the spring. I was just curious as to when people would pick and why, not necessarily because I need advise for when to pick.

Great answers so far!

We have taken three cruises in September. We had great weather, smooth seas and super warm water, but yes it was on the hotter side. We did one cruise in May also perfect weather, but the water was on the cool side. Our last cruise was in January. This was my least favorite weather. It was very windy and cool on the sea days. Our port days were very nice, but still on the breezy side. The cm's told me strong winds are pretty common in the winter months. I would cruise again in January, but only with a really good GT rate.

 

[ptcbass]

We have taken three cruises in September. We had great weather, smooth seas and super warm water, but yes it was on the hotter side. We did one cruise in May also perfect weather, but the water was on the cool side. Our last cruise was in January. This was my least favorite weather. It was very windy and cool on the sea days. Our port days were very nice, but still on the breezy side. The cm's told me strong winds are pretty common in the winter months. I would cruise again in January, but only with a really good GT rate.

We are taking ours in May and I am worried the water will be on the cool side. I am sure it will be fine but I would rather it be warmer. Next time we may shoot for September. Sounds so nice! Especially with the weather now (cold, raining and I am sick).

Dreaming of the Caribbean

 

[Ofinn]

We are taking ours in May and I am worried the water will be on the cool side. I am sure it will be fine but I would rather it be warmer. Next time we may shoot for September. Sounds so nice! Especially with the weather now (cold, raining and I am sick).

Dreaming of the Caribbean

Don't worry the water is plenty warm enough for swimming. It's just not hot tub temps like September. Overall our May cruise was my favorite. The weather is perfect. I can't wait until my son is done with little league, and we can cruise in May again.

 

[ptcbass]

So no takes on June or July yet?

 

[tweis]

So no takes on June or July yet?

I've sailed in May, June and we are about to cruise in April. I loved my June cruise. We had 2 stops at CC and the weather was gorgeous. The water was a little chilly to us at CC when we first got in but after a little while it was fine. Understand, we are from GA and prefer the warm waters of the FL Panhandle so I'm sure they were perfect for everyone else. The pool deck was HOT (mid June) and when there was not a breeze, it was very warm on deck.

When we sailed in May (May 30-June 2) the temps were great but unfortunately, we had a lot of rain. Now this wasn't because it was May, it was simply because a storm was passing through. It was still very warm and gorgeous on CC until the storm blew in. The water was very cool to us but laying in a hammock on CC with a DoTD in our hand lovely.

I would definitely sail in May or June again and plan to very soon. I am a little worried about April simply because I know that if the water was cool to us in June then it will definitely be cool in April.

I think my ideal month for weather would be the beginning of September but I would love to cruise in December to see the ships decorated for Christmas.

 

[krlilienthal]

we have only been on 4 cruises on DCL, but always go first or second week in December, this has always been our choice for going to the parks in FL or on the cruises, we enjoy the break from the midwest winters, always seemed to be less crowded and LOVE the Christmas decorations! a plus is that the fares always seem to be at the low end during that time.

 

[tinkmom2]

We come from cold weather and like to go when it's horrible here. So far we have been in Oct. November and two times in March. (one next March) The weather in the Bahamas is hot pretty much all of the time.(every time we have gone, thanks Nancy) I found November to be more humid than any of the other times though. March was comfortable (thought water was cold though) October and November was the tail end of hurricane season and we had a overcast Castaway day and a rainy at sea day.

 

[NancyIL]

We come from cold weather and like to go when it's horrible here. So far we have been in Oct. November and two times in March. (one next March) The weather in the Bahamas is hot pretty much all of the time. I found November to be more humid than any of the other times though. March was comfortable (thought water was cold though) October and November was the tail end of hurricane season and we had a overcast Castaway day and a rainy at sea day.

The weather in the Caribbean will be warm yearround, but the Bahamas can be chilly. Castaway Cay isn't that far south of Florida, so if Florida is cold, the Bahamas will be cool, too.

 

[jlemieu1]

No kids coming from MN, late Fall or early Winter.
1/2 the price of summer. Leave the polar vortex for the warmth of FL.

 

[ptcbass]

So fall is cheaper? I am guessing summer is the highest.
Is sping cheaper too or just fall/winter?

 

[tweis]

So fall is cheaper? I am guessing summer is the highest.
Is sping cheaper too or just fall/winter?

Fall is less expensive than the peak sailings (spring break, summer, holidays, special cruises). SOME spring sailings are less expensive. We are sailing the last week of April and it was much less than the spring break cruises and the summer cruises. We did have a cruise booked for the end of May but changed it to April but it was a lot less expensive than the summer cruises.

If kids are out of school then chances are the rates are higher.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Any time October through early December, except over Thanksgiving. In December the water can feel cool when first going in but once your moving around it's not bad.