Am I Crazy to Cruise Carribean in July??

[poffles]

Hi all ...

 

I know people cruise in the summer due to their kids being out of school, but for those that don't have this reason is it crazy to cruise the Carribean in July? I can take vacation other times of the year but next year July has become the only time that a cruise would fit in and I so want to cruise but I keep questioning if I would be crazy to do this? My one and only cruise was a short one in October and as luck would have it a cold front hit and the weather was cold and windy.

 

I've mentioned it to a few of my friends and they think I'm crazy, perhaps, but I think in a good way :rolleyes:

[cruisinreunion]

Sure, there will be kids, but there are places kids aren't allowed...casino, bars, etc. Plus the kids are usually well occupied in the kids programs, most of the time anyway. Plus if the kids aren't your kids, you won't have to worry about watching over them. My concern with cruising to the Caribbean in July would be the temperature. Way too hot for me..I'd rather go in October...just my two cents.

[Atty]

I've done both. It is hot and stuff but living in Las Vegas, the heat doesn't bother me. The only concern I always have are hurricanes in the summer. However, sometimes, the summer is the only time it can be worked in because of work issues and child care issues (we usually leave our 2 DDs with family so DW and I can have some alone time once a year).

 

In reality, I've never noticed a huge temperature difference between my sailings in July and my sailings in March. I know there has been a difference, but I guess I'm just so used to the heat in the summer that I don't notice. So no, I don't think you're crazy. Just remember there is always the chance of a change/cancellation because of hurricanes.

[cb at sea]

There are kids on EVERY cruise...and they really don't bother anyone (except, perhaps, the parents!!!). As long as YOU don't have to take care of them, it shouldn't affect your vacation at all!

[Guest TropicOne]

No more or less "crazy" than all the others which cruise then. Just be prepared for the heat and to live in tees and shorts day and night. I went last year at the end of August and it was HOT, even at night up on deck.

[eandj]

Being from Nova Scotia (one of my all time favorite places) the July heat might either surprise you or it will be welcome. ;)

Since you will always be near water and ocean breezes, it will be hot but not like the Panama Canal hot. certainly you can limit physical activities on shore if you need to. We did a late June cruise years ago, and altho hot, weren't ever doing all day activities away from ac or the ship. plan your outings on shore in the mornings.

 

Kids will abound anytime in the summer. They generally don't bother the adults...except their parents. :D There is plenty to do for them and separate play and pool areas in most cases. Cruise on one of the lines that doesn't promote families and kids programs. SOme are less popular because they are smaller (or older) ships that don't have all the bells and whistles that draw the families.

[hubofhockey]

Hi all ...

 

I know people cruise in the summer due to their kids being out of school, but for those that don't have this reason is it crazy to cruise the Carribean in July? I can take vacation other times of the year but next year July has become the only time that a cruise would fit in and I so want to cruise but I keep questioning if I would be crazy to do this? My one and only cruise was a short one in October and as luck would have it a cold front hit and the weather was cold and windy.

 

I've mentioned it to a few of my friends and they think I'm crazy, perhaps, but I think in a good way :rolleyes:

 

The tradewinds in the NA (Aruba, Bonnaire, Curacao) keep those island at a decent temperature even in the summer. On the other hand, some islands, like St Maarten, are considered offseason for that time of year and are opprressively hot.

[ger_77]

We took our very first cruise in the month of July because it was the only time we could get vacation days. We thoroughly enjoyed it and became hooked on cruising. We loved the humid heat - as opposed to our dry heat - and would do it again if it was the only time we could cruise. There will be children onboard practically any sailing at any time of the year, even on longer cruises. Go in the summer and enjoy your cruise!

 

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[Martini Mom]

We cruised the Caribbean in July (to celebrate my birthday on the actual date). It was definitely hot and humid, but we had a GREAT time and I couldn't be happier with the cruise. If there were a lot of kids, I didn't notice. It was never a problem. Besides, if they aren't mine, I tend to tune them out. ;)

[Langley Cruisers]

We have cruised the Caribbean in August, only because it was the only time to take a family cruise with our kids, and it was HOT. If it doesn't bother you, then by all means book the cruise. As stated, there will always be kids (except not so many on itineraries such as Canada/New England which tend to be longer and draw a somewhat older crowd).

 

Is there a "bad" time to cruise? Methinks not. :p

[RetireeWannabee]

Not crazy at all. You may wish to buy trip insurance in case a hurricane makes it impossible to reach your cruise port.

 

How big of a deal would it be for you to miss a port? That's one thing I'd have to be very flexible about in cruising during H season - don't get too obsessed with the ports cuz you might not see em.

 

If that's when you can take the trip, take the trip. The alternative is to wait another year, or two? Well, I've been waiting for Mom to move to Houston, then we could come "visit her" (drop off dog) and take a cruise out of Galv. That was the plan 3 years ago, before the housing market tanked. Sigh. Maybe another 3 years, maybe not gonna happen.

[Coolmama_1]

Our first cruise was in July 2004 out of San Juan on a 7 day southern itinerary. The only place I remember being too hot was Aruba! Other than that, it was much nicer and not as hot as Tennessee in the summer!

I also don't remember the ship being overrun with kids. It was a nice mix of families.

[dkjretired]

Have cruised several times in July with no problem. Go when you can, the only downside is the possible hurricane but they go around them for the most part so to me that is not a big deal..

[Martini Mom]

Have cruised several times in July with no problem. Go when you can, the only downside is the possible hurricane but they go around them for the most part so to me that is not a big deal..

 

There were a couple of hurricanes when we went, but like the other poster said, we just went around them. We got a spectacular lightening show that we watched from our balcony. It was one of the things we really remember about the cruise. It was cool.:D