Summer is winding down and the temperatures are finally starting to drop. For many families, this new season means putting their noses to the grindstone. No more vacations, no more trips to the beach.
For some families, the cooler temperatures are a signal to pack their bags. Winter vacations, and specifically winter cruises, can be even more relaxing than the typical summer trip away. If you’re still looking to get away in the next few months, consider getting away via boat.
Why Go on a Winter Cruise
A winter cruise can be a good change of pace, but there are also practical reasons to set sail in December-March.
The Perks of The “Low Season”
The kids are back in school during the colder months, and parents may be hesitant to pull them out for seven days in the Cayman Islands. Take advantage of the low season and get a cheaper cruise during December, January, or February. Fewer families on board often means that fewer children are on board – so you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the winter months.
Get Away for the Holidays
Is there anything more exciting than surprising your family with a cruise for the holidays? Give your family the present of a lifetime for, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, or even Valentine’s Day. Prices will certainly spike up during these big dates, but it will be worth seeing the look on your family’s face when they open up their stocking and see their tickets.
An Extra Special Vacation
Your Christmas will be even more memorable if you celebrate it with Mickey or head to the Bahamas for the holiday. Even if you don’t go during the holidays, a winter cruise can help to make extra special memories. Nothing makes the winter workdays more bearable than knowing that your cruise is right around the corner!
Where to Go on a Winter Cruise
So you’ve decided to take that winter cruise. Summer does have one advantage over winter each year – the temperature. Luckily, many cruise destinations still stay warm even in December-March.
Galapagos Islands
The average sea temperature in December is a lovely 73 degrees in the Galapagos Islands. Winter is special in the Galapagos Islands, not just for the lovely weather, but also for the opportunity to see the island’s most famous critters.
Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch in December, but you can still catch a glimpse of this miracle throughout April. (In April, sea turtle eggs begin to hatch!) Land birds like flamingos begin nesting during this season and penguins start to make their descent to cooler waters.
There is a lot happening in the Galapagos, and this doesn’t even include excursion opportunities and all the fun on your boat!
Australia
Want to head off on a longer journey? December-April are summer months down under. Australia isn’t just a continent. It’s an island with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From the Whitsundays to the beaches off of Perth, there are plenty of opportunities to say g’day to this wonderful country.
Cruises to Australia leave out of Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, and various ports in California. These cruises often have additional stops in New Zealand, Fiji, and other gems throughout Oceania.
Cozumel
Cozumel’s weather is arguably much better in the winter months. Summertime is sticky and humid. During the winter months, Cozumel visitors can enjoy temperatures in the 80s without the heavy humidity.
This beautiful weather brings a lot of travelers to Mexico from January-March, but December can be pretty slow throughout the area. Enjoy cheaper prices and less crowded cruises with Carnival, Royal Carribean, and other large cruise lines.
The Bahamas
Temperatures rarely drop below the 70s in the Bahamas. Beautiful weather and thinner crowds make the Bahamas a great choice for winter 2020. The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian has not affected some of the more popular cruise destinations, including Nassau and Castaway Cay. Cruise ships, as well as the tourists bringing money to the Bahamas, are helping the Bahamas recover from the disaster. There’s no better time to support this beautiful country.
Do Your Research Before You Book
The low prices and holiday getaway opportunities tempt many cruisers to book winter adventures. Whether you’re going to Belize in summer or Hawaii in the winter, do your research before you book. Read reviews of different cruise lines and their top winter destinations. Pay special attention to reviews left at the end of the winter season to get the best idea of what you’re in for as you escape the cold.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2017 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – and was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite” and as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015, 2016, and 2017.
