What is off-season for cruising?

Was just wondering what is considered off-season for cruises? What time of year would you get the best rates?

Was just wondering what is considered off-season for cruises? What time of year would you get the best rates?

Hurricane season, especially September, and the 1st week of December are normally the lowest fare times.

Sales and casino rates come and go with no apparent reason to us cruisers.

Generally speaking, anytime that is not summer, a holiday or spring break.

To break it down a bit further, off season tends to be early January to early March; late April to around Memorial Day and late August/early September to mid-November and early December.

Higher fares abound around spring break, summer when all the kids are out of school, and Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years. New England/Canada cruises may be the exception to this rule since the peak season for New England and Canada is in the August to October time frame.

Thanks for the replies

stobe1 is correct. We like to go in May, before Memorial weekend. The weather is just about perfect, most kids are still in school, and the prices are typically lower between the end of Spring Break and Memorial weekend. On the other hand, trying to find low airfare can be a real challenge.

Was just wondering what is considered off-season for cruises? What time of year would you get the best rates?

It of course depends where in the world you are cruising. Close to North America for example, the Caribbean and Alaska have a VERY different 'off-season'. ;) Then there are the different regions of Europe, South America/Antarctica, Australia, Asia.... You need to be more specific in your question.

I consider "off season" any time I am not ON a cruise ship.

It of course depends where in the world you are cruising. Close to North America for example, the Caribbean and Alaska have a VERY different 'off-season'. ;) Then there are the different regions of Europe, South America/Antarctica, Australia, Asia.... You need to be more specific in your question.

This post was originally on the "Carnival" board, and was moved here. Although the OP didn't specify, I'm guessing the question was in relation to Caribbean cruises.

Yes I should have specified Caribbean leaving from Baltimore. Thanks for all replies.

Yes I should have specified Caribbean leaving from Baltimore. Thanks for all replies.

In that case, the Caribbean is on season in our northern winter. Hurricane time = summer through fall is off season.

High season in the Caribbean is Christmas through Mid-Spring. :)

There is no off season. Ships move and if a cruise line doesn't wish to sail the Caribbean in the summer, they reposition their ships to Canada/New England, Alaska, Europe and Bermuda. There is almost always some ship just about any 'major' location you may wish to cruise. It might not be your first choice of cruise line but even in summer you can find ships sailing the Caribbean.

MY DH and I loved when HAL had their new ship their summers and we always sailed throughout the summer. I wish HAL would return at least one ship to Caribbean 12 months.

As to Hurricanes in summer, the only cruise that was totally messed up on us because of a hurricane was a Canada/NE cruise and we sailed many times during the summer.

Cruising is a year-round activity, with no "off season". That said, there are certain itineraries which are season-oriented. Alaska would be May through September; the Caribbean primarily November through April, with some year round activity. The Med primarily May through October - again with some year round. Trans-Atlantics eastbound largely April through May, westbound October through November. World cruises general January to April.

Cruising is a year-round activity, with no "off season". That said, there are certain itineraries which are season-oriented. Alaska would be May through September; the Caribbean primarily November through April, with some year round activity. The Med primarily May through October - again with some year round. Trans-Atlantics eastbound largely April through May, westbound October through November. World cruises general January to April.

Well said above and explains perfectly! :)

LuLu

Our favorite time to sail is September to October. The prices are lower and the weather is perfect. We have never worried bout hurricanes.

There is no off season. Ships move and if a cruise line doesn't wish to sail the Caribbean in the summer, they reposition their ships to Canada/New England, Alaska, Europe and Bermuda. There is almost always some ship just about any 'major' location you may wish to cruise. It might not be your first choice of cruise line but even in summer you can find ships sailing the Caribbean.

 

MY DH and I loved when HAL had their new ship their summers and we always sailed throughout the summer. I wish HAL would return at least one ship to Caribbean 12 months.

 

As to Hurricanes in summer, the only cruise that was totally messed up on us because of a hurricane was a Canada/NE cruise and we sailed many times during the summer.

 

That's it no real off season.

Nowadays we sail pretty much exclusively in Australia, peak season is October to April, but cruises go year round

Cruising is a year-round activity, with no "off season". That said, there are certain itineraries which are season-oriented. Alaska would be May through September; the Caribbean primarily November through April, with some year round activity. The Med primarily May through October - again with some year round. Trans-Atlantics eastbound largely April through May, westbound October through November. World cruises general January to April.

Yep.

I tend to think of off-season as anytime schools are in session.

Hurricane season, especially September, and the 1st week of December are normally the lowest fare times.

 

Sales and casino rates come and go with no apparent reason to us cruisers.

Not true. Hurricane season is from June through November, and June through August is the highest cruise fare season due to summer break from school which typically has most families cruising. While September and October typically are lower fares, it is due to school being back in session and less families cruising.

But the fare basis has absolutely nothing to do with hurricane season. It is strictly supply and demand, and the fall period is typically a lower demand time frame.

Where are you looking to cruise.

This varies by location and time of year for that location.

Keith

Yes I should have specified Caribbean leaving from Baltimore. Thanks for all replies.

The off-season aka cheapest time to go for the Caribbean is when the kids even college students are in school. Best times are when there's no holiday during the week, its not summer month (June, July or August) nor spring break in some part of the US/World. Look at Sept - May for the cheapest rates especially the months of December, January, February when there's no holiday during the week (even Valentine's day makes the week of Feb 14th too expensive).

Cruising is happening all over the world -- ships reposition.

No off season.

Cruising is happening all over the world -- ships reposition.

No off season.

What he said.

Was just wondering what is considered off-season for cruises? What time of year would you get the best rates?

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