Whether you are a pro at cruising, or this will be your first voyage, here is a list of places to visit during ideal times (to experience the best weather) and during their off-season (to help you save a few dollars.
) There is nothing worse than cruising at locations where you can't see anything because of inclement weather.
What's worse than that is if you had a choice and knew better, you would have picked a different, more appropriate time to sail that area.
The more popular destinations tend to book quickly, but because they are popular, there are more cruise lines to choose from to explore that region.
For example, if you want to travel to the Caribbean, the months December though April (with January being the peak month) are a busy time as northerners are escaping the cold.
You can get good deals from April to June, but be cautious of cruises from June to November, as that is usually their rainy, hurricane season.
The Mediterranean is a destination that can be travelled virtually year round.
Its main travel season is from May to September and its peak times are during the spring and fall when the temperatures are ideal.
You can expect great crowds and higher prices during this time due to its popularity.
However, if you want to save some money and don't mind an increase in storm probability, you can cruise throughout the rest of the year (September to May).
If you want to tour Great Britain and Ireland, summer is the best time, as it is warmer.
If you don't mind the cold, feel free to go in the winter (unless you are trying to escape cold weather in your own area!).
You can visit the Atlantic Islands, Portugal, and Western France year round, though the peak season is late spring and early fall.
You will want to tour Northern Europe or Alaska during the summer months, when you will experience the Midnight Sun (because they are so far north).
There is nothing like watching the sun circle the horizon and disappearing for 2-4 hours - depending upon how far north you are during the height of summer! If you want to see the dazzling northern lights, Norwegian Coastal voyages operate year round along the western coast of Norway.
And in Alaska, you may not be able to find a full-fledged winter cruise where you can stay aboard the ship, but you can find tours that will take you out to explore glaciers and wildlife in the winter months.
Alaska gets pretty rainy after Mid June.
If you have your heart set on seeing Mt.
McKinley (formerly Mt.
Denali), you must visit from May to mid-June.
The mountain is so high that when the sky is cloudy it is completely obscured and there is no chance to see it.
The chance of rain increases as summer progresses - the earlier you can get in, the better.
If you are planning a fishing trip, you can't go wrong anytime in the summer, but for more details and types of fish to catch go to http://www.
alaskangamefisher.
com (no, I do not receive a commission from them).
Cruises to Antarctica are for the more adventurous.
You can expect to visit from November to March, as it is Antarctica's summer.
Heavy ice flows and ice blocks prevent travel during its winter months.
Its peak season is from December to February, where wildlife sightings are plenty.
Mid-February to March allows you the best time to whale watch.
You can find the best deals at the beginning or end of the season, but access to the continent may be more limited.
Cruising Africa is a great, safe way to tour the continent, especially due to political unrest in various parts of the country.
You can visit Africa year round, but there are better times to visit when the weather is more agreeable.
A North Africa cruise, especially along the Mediterranean, is best during the spring (April) or fall (September) months, when temperatures are cooler and crowds are fewer.
South Africa and Southern South America cruises are best during September to March.
After you choose where you would like to cruise, during the peak season or off-season, you will have no trouble finding a cruise line to meet your needs.
If you are worried about the cash expenditure on all your travel and vacations, there is a way to save you money.
You can visit the link below to learn more.
) There is nothing worse than cruising at locations where you can't see anything because of inclement weather.
What's worse than that is if you had a choice and knew better, you would have picked a different, more appropriate time to sail that area.
The more popular destinations tend to book quickly, but because they are popular, there are more cruise lines to choose from to explore that region.
For example, if you want to travel to the Caribbean, the months December though April (with January being the peak month) are a busy time as northerners are escaping the cold.
You can get good deals from April to June, but be cautious of cruises from June to November, as that is usually their rainy, hurricane season.
The Mediterranean is a destination that can be travelled virtually year round.
Its main travel season is from May to September and its peak times are during the spring and fall when the temperatures are ideal.
You can expect great crowds and higher prices during this time due to its popularity.
However, if you want to save some money and don't mind an increase in storm probability, you can cruise throughout the rest of the year (September to May).
If you want to tour Great Britain and Ireland, summer is the best time, as it is warmer.
If you don't mind the cold, feel free to go in the winter (unless you are trying to escape cold weather in your own area!).
You can visit the Atlantic Islands, Portugal, and Western France year round, though the peak season is late spring and early fall.
You will want to tour Northern Europe or Alaska during the summer months, when you will experience the Midnight Sun (because they are so far north).
There is nothing like watching the sun circle the horizon and disappearing for 2-4 hours - depending upon how far north you are during the height of summer! If you want to see the dazzling northern lights, Norwegian Coastal voyages operate year round along the western coast of Norway.
And in Alaska, you may not be able to find a full-fledged winter cruise where you can stay aboard the ship, but you can find tours that will take you out to explore glaciers and wildlife in the winter months.
Alaska gets pretty rainy after Mid June.
If you have your heart set on seeing Mt.
McKinley (formerly Mt.
Denali), you must visit from May to mid-June.
The mountain is so high that when the sky is cloudy it is completely obscured and there is no chance to see it.
The chance of rain increases as summer progresses - the earlier you can get in, the better.
If you are planning a fishing trip, you can't go wrong anytime in the summer, but for more details and types of fish to catch go to http://www.
alaskangamefisher.
com (no, I do not receive a commission from them).
Cruises to Antarctica are for the more adventurous.
You can expect to visit from November to March, as it is Antarctica's summer.
Heavy ice flows and ice blocks prevent travel during its winter months.
Its peak season is from December to February, where wildlife sightings are plenty.
Mid-February to March allows you the best time to whale watch.
You can find the best deals at the beginning or end of the season, but access to the continent may be more limited.
Cruising Africa is a great, safe way to tour the continent, especially due to political unrest in various parts of the country.
You can visit Africa year round, but there are better times to visit when the weather is more agreeable.
A North Africa cruise, especially along the Mediterranean, is best during the spring (April) or fall (September) months, when temperatures are cooler and crowds are fewer.
South Africa and Southern South America cruises are best during September to March.
After you choose where you would like to cruise, during the peak season or off-season, you will have no trouble finding a cruise line to meet your needs.
If you are worried about the cash expenditure on all your travel and vacations, there is a way to save you money.
You can visit the link below to learn more.