Some cruisers feel that the largest ships lack the personal service touches that have long been the hallmark of cruising. Larger numbers of passengers on board also means larger numbers of passengers in each port of call along with you and greater demand for limited-availability activities both on and off the ship. On the other hand, many cruisers feel that the largest ships offer more stability on the open sea. And greater size also means more space for a broader variety of onboard activities, and often the opportunity for more diverse specialty dining options.

Dining

All major cruise lines include at least basic dining in the cruise fare. But beyond the basics, there is a huge amount of variety from cruise line to cruise line (and even ship-to-ship) in the number of restaurants to choose from, kinds of food available, and what is included in your cruise fare versus subject to an additional charge. Some cruise lines offer primarily buffet meals, while others focus on a la carte dining. Meal times on a cruise can be a great opportunity to meet new people when seated at larger, communal, tables with fellow passengers, or opportunities to reconnect with family that have been off enjoying different activities until that point, at a private table for just your traveling party. Dining times and locations on a cruise can vary widely from line-to-line, as can the availability of adults-only fine dining alternatives (and quick service choices). Your travel professional will work with you to determine which approaches to dining are the best fit for your family’s preferences.

Travel Dates

Often, when people ask, “when is the best time to take a cruise,” what they’re really asking is when it will be least expensive to cruise. But cost is highly dependent on other considerations that all need to be balanced to figure out when the best time is to take a cruise in your unique situation. As the popularity of cruising has grown, it has become more important than ever to book your cruise as early as possible, to ensure the best stateroom selection options and (usually) to enjoy the best pricing. While some deeply discounted last-minute deals still exist, trade-offs like no ability to choose your cabin, higher last-minute airfares, and sometimes limited excursion options make them less of a value than they might seem initially.

Generally speaking, Caribbean cruise prices are lowest in January/February and September/October/November time frames. Average temperatures in the Caribbean in January and February are about 10-15 degrees cooler than average (for beach relaxers, this may be a positive, while for divers and ocean swimmers, it may be a drawback). The official Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but the peak of hurricane season is mid-September to mid-November, when the vast majority of significant tropical storms hit. While cruise lines have gotten very good at re-routing ships to avoid storms, the trade off for lower prices during this time frame is a much greater chance that your trip may be subject to cancelation or re-routing. (We always recommend travel insurance for cruises, but it’s especially important during hurricane season). Peak Caribbean cruise pricing is generally mid-March through July, due to warmer and drier weather in the Spring and a spike in the number of vacationers in the Summer. Other cruise destinations feature similar trade-offs.

Activities On Board and On Shore

Modern cruise ships offer an incredible array of activity options both on board and in port. Different cruise lines and different ships offer different activities. Your Fantastic Memories travel professional will help you identify the line and ship that is the best fit for your family, and then help you choose activities that match your preferences as well. In addition to excursions offered by the cruise lines, we work with carefully-vetted third party tour operators that can offer even more options. In many cases, our third party providers are offering the same or similar substantive experience as the cruise line, but may be offering it at a better price, with a smaller group, or a longer, more in-depth experience.

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