Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas

When is the absolute best time to take a cruise to the Bahamas? The short answer is whenever you can afford it is the best time.

The long answer depends on what’s most important to you. Are you planning on being on the water? Are you afraid of the risk of having to change your itinerary or cancel your trip? Are you traveling to the Bahamas because it’s cheap? Do you want a party atmosphere or quiet? The answers to these questions will determine the best month or season for your Bahamas cruise.

Considering the weather, prices and crowds, I think November is the best time to visit. cruise to the Bahamas. This is how I came to that conclusion. However, you may decide that a month from now is the best time for you to sail to the islands.

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Best time based on weather

While some travelers will tell you that January is the best month to cruise to the Bahamas, I have personally experienced cold weather there in both December and January. Remember, the Bahamas are in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean. They are not truly tropical islands, and most are located at latitudes northerly than Key West. Winter temperatures are not always warm.

I had to cancel two private island stops due to strong winds and temperatures in the 50s and 60s. One ship I was on stopped in Freeport, which was still cold, but at least the ship was able to dock. It was a wasted day for those hoping to enjoy water sports or the beach. Only shoppers were undisturbed by the chill in the air.

Don’t get me wrong: January is usually a great time to cruise to the Bahamas, as long as you’re prepared for the relatively rare cold front blowing south.

Related: Best time to go on a trip

Some travelers will advise you to avoid cruising to the Bahamas at the time the Atlantic Ocean is at its peak. storm seasontakes place from August to October. The point is: The cruise line will not endanger you or their ship.

Is it possible for the cruise line to cancel your trip or change your itinerary? Sure. But if you can go with the flow and not visit a particular port, you can often get a lower price at that time of year.

The best month to cruise to the Bahamas, weather-wise, depends on your travel style. Are you stressed about the possibility of a hurricane cancellation or a change of port due to a sudden cold front? Skip January, December, August, September, and maybe even October.

Are you only cruising for water sports like diving, snorkeling or sailing? Then rule out December, January and maybe February.

Do you avoid high temperatures and humidity like the plague? Then don’t book a cruise to the Bahamas in July, August, or September.

The months we haven’t mentioned are March, April, May, June, and November. If weather is your biggest concern, those are the best months to take a cruise to the Bahamas.

Related: 6 ways to get a cheap cruise

Best time based on price and traffic

It’s no secret that cruising to the Bahamas can be cheap, but that’s not always the case. Here are the average prices we found per person, per night, on the major cruise lines, along with the kind of crowds you can expect to find on board. There can always be exceptions to these averages, especially on odd-length cruises like four- and five-night trips.

Fall

The fall months can be a great time to cruise to the Bahamas if you’re looking for cheaper fares and fewer crowds—especially if you don’t mind the increased risk of hurricanes. (September 10 is the official start of hurricane season.)

October tends to be the cheapest month to cruise to the Bahamas, with many inside, outside, and balcony cabins priced under $100 per person, per night. Even suites tend to be a good deal. October sailings don’t typically have many kids or college-age partygoers, but the lower fares attract business travelers looking to decompress, especially on three-night sailings.

September is second only to October, with ticket prices a few dollars higher per night. Expect similar crowds. The shorter the cruise, the louder the party.

November (before the holidays) is probably the ideal time to cruise. We found suite rates in early to mid-November were typically under $200 per person, per night, with other room types only slightly higher than hurricane season rates. You may find fewer children on board, with the exception of homeschoolers and preschoolers. With the holidays approaching, ships tend to be a little less crowded than usual, making for a quieter cruise.

Related: From Alaska to the Panama Canal: Here Are TPG’s 9 Favorite Fall Cruise Itineraries

Winter

Cruises in early December are only slightly more expensive than cruises in November. If you like holiday decorations (both on board and in tropical settings) and dressing up for the holidays, you can enjoy a relatively quiet cruise in early December. As the month progresses, the crowds get bigger.

The most expensive cruises to the Bahamas we found were the week between Christmas and New Year’s when you can expect to pay more than double what you would in the fall months. This is peak cruise time. The best news for those looking for a floating holiday party is that you’ll find people cruising during that week.

Cruises to the Bahamas in January and February are almost always a bargain, with standard cabins costing about the same as they do in early fall—under $100 per person, per night. You can find a suite for under $200. These are the months between holiday parties and spring break, so you can usually sit back and enjoy smaller, quieter crowds.

Spring

In March, April, and May, you’ll have to shop around for deals or hope for a last-minute deal, but you can find lower prices if you look around. March cruises will always include spring breakers of all ages, so be prepared to have kids on board—but not as many as in the summer.

You may also find yourself sharing a ship with a spring break cruise ship in March. Even if your ship is quiet, the ports you visit may be packed with college kids on vacation, so be prepared for a lively crowd.

Summer

In June, July, and August, you can find a standard cabin—inside, outside, or balcony—for $150 per person, per night or less. Suites start around $250 per person, per night.

The ship will be packed with families. Expect kids of all ages, and the onboard kids club is full. Fares typically start to drop in late August, when school starts back up and hurricane season begins.

Last line

Major cruise lines sail to the Bahamas year-round, so no matter what season or month fits your schedule, you’ll find plenty of options departing from multiple ports, including four in Florida; two in New York City; Bayonne, New Jersey; and Galveston, Texas. Even better, the abundance of options means there are deals to be had year-round.

The best time to visit the Bahamas may vary from traveler to traveler, but rest assured that you won’t regret choosing an island vacation, no matter which month you choose.

Have questions about Bahamas cruises? TPG has the answers.