Carefully choose what season you cruise
Before you book your cruise, know what times of year are best and worst, weather-wise. Credit: AP Photo
Last month, a cruise ship heading to Antarctica was caught in the violent waters of the Drake Passage, which tossed the ship around like a toy in a bathtub. A few days later, a cruise liner in the Mediterranean off Alexandria, Egypt, was hit by giant waves that tilted the ship.
Does it mean cruising is unsafe? No.
It means you should be careful in choosing when to cruise. Sailing off-season might be cheaper, but there's a reason for that - you are risking bad weather.
"Where we are hearing rumbling of concerns is that the cruise lines are definitely pushing the season in the Mediterranean," says Carolyn Spencer-Brown, editor of CruiseCritic.com.
"When people think of the Mediterranean, they think of it as the Caribbean of Europe. But it snows." In past years, the Mediterranean cruise season lasted from April to October. Then it was March to December. Now, ships such as Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas are cruising even in January and February, when ports like Southampton, England; Dubrovnik, Croatia, or Venice, Italy, can hit 30 degrees.
Ports in winter can be quiet and crowds blessedly thin. But bad weather can affect a ship's ability to stick to its itinerary.
Still, as long as travelers know the risks, they can get good deals.
"There is a reason why you are seeing a $500 deal for a 12-day cruise," she says. "There's a downside. It's a trade-off."
The cruise lines won't exactly advertise it, but here are some guidelines for the best and worst months to cruise, weather-wise:
CARIBBEAN Season is year-round. Best is December to April. Worst is August to October, hurricane season.
MEDITERRANEAN Best is June or September (August is most crowded). Worst is December to February. Watch out for England departures in winter.
NORTHERN EUROPE Season runs May to September. Best is June through August. Worst is very early May.
ALASKA Season runs May to September. Best is July and August. Worst is May or September - winter is lurking.
NEW ENGLAND Season runs April to October. Best is July to October. Worst is April to May.
TRANS-ATLANTIC Season runs March to November with most repositioning cruises in spring and fall. Best is June to August. Worst is March or November.
