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How to book a Caribbean cruise starts with choosing the right time of year, best length and ideal itinerary.

Booking a cruise is easy, thanks to cruise line and travel booking websites. Booking the right cruise at a great price is harder. It takes time, effort and patience.

People who have been on multiple cruises book them easily and know intuitively when and how to go.

The process of planning and booking a cruise may feel intimidating for first-timers. The following tips will make it all easier.

1) Time of Year

Deciding when to go is the most important part of all because the time of year determines the location, cruise lines and especially the price. Weather also is a major factor in timing the cruise.

For example, few people would recommend a Caribbean cruise in September because that month is the high point of the Caribbean hurricane season. Weather is risky because of frequent heavy rains and the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Few people want to cruise in rain and heavy winds. Winter, spring and early summer are better times to go. March is especially poppular. Then again, September prices are often cheaper because of risky weather. People who travel then either don’t know about the weather risk or watch the weather forecast and book at the last minute.

If the time of year is important because of children in school or work schedules, choosing when to go is limited and as a result there are fewer options for where to go.

If there are no such restrictions, the options are wide open.

2) Length

When to go is related to the length of the cruise. Some cruises, such as Florida to the Bahamas, may last only three days. Others that go around the world last for months.

But the most common length for the Caribbean is usually around seven days and six nights with some a little longer and others a little shorter.

The length of the cruise also is a factor in how much it will ultimately cost. A great way to figure out the value is by dividing the total price by the number of days or nights. More often than not, a shorter cruise will cost more on a per-day basis, so longer cruises usually are a better value.

3) Itinerary

When Caribbean cruise planners have decided on the time of year and length of the cruise, where to go becomes the next choice.

Eastern Caribbean cruises are popular during the summer, but they also tend to be more expensive then for the same reason. Cruise lines raise their prices in response to higher demand. Popular destinations include San Juan, U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.

Western Caribbean cruises are usually more popular in the winter and early spring because it’s the dry season for that region. Popular destinations include Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Jamaica.

4) Cruise Line

What are the best cruise lines? There is no easy answer to that common question because all of the major cruise lines try to find a niche based on price and amenities.

Carnival Cruises is the most popular cruise line, but it is largely the result of having lower prices and fewer amenities than, say, Royal Caribbean.

Instead of worrying about which cruise line is best, focus instead on setting a budget and finding a cruise line, location, itinerary and time of year that fits the budget.

5) Ship

It is no exaggeration to say that some people cruise dozens and even hundreds of times in their lifetimes. These people develop a great knowledge about individual ships.

First time cruisers should not be as concerned about which ship to take with possibly one exception.

It does make sense to see what each ship for a particular cruise line and itinerary has to offer for entertainment while onboard ship. Some offer unique experiences such as a climbing wall or wave pool while others do not. But keep in mind that ships with special amenities tend to be newer and have higher prices.

6) Cabin

© 2023 Scott S. Bateman

Choosing a cabin is the next step in the process of planning a cruise. For some people, it is extremely important and for others not important at all.

The price of a cabin within a particular ship and on a particular cruise is mostly based on its size and location.

Four typical sizes or types of cabins are interior, ocean view, balcony or suite with each type costing more. Interior cabins don’t have windows or even portholes and cost the least for that reason.

Because ships have multiple levels, the higher the level of the cabin, the higher the price because higher-level cabins are closer to restaurants, the sun decks and other amenities. Likewise, the lower the level, the lower the price.

Cruisers on on a tight budget will want to get an interior cabin on a lower level for the best possible price.

7) Onboard Amenities

Most major cruise lines offer pools (usually small ones), libraries, casinos, theaters, snack bars, shops, restaurants and other common amenities.

What really stands out from one to the other is the entertainment and the quality of the food, both of which are reflected in the price.

The less expensive cruise lines will have entertainment that is mostly provided on ship by cruise employees. Better cruise lines will often bring in professional entertainment.

Likewise, the better cruise lines will offer great food, especially at dinner, but nearly all of them have restaurant-quality meals. Most cruise lines have casual buffet-style restaurants, more formal sitdown restaurants and fee-based specialty restaurants.

8) Excursions

Cruise ships have plenty to do on board, but it’s the destinations and especially the excursions that often are the most memorable part of cruises.

Docking at a Caribbean island usually involves: a) walking into town to shop; b) finding a good place to eat; and c) doing something fun with the remaining time.

Cruise lines offer planned excursions for every port for an extra fee. Some of the excursions are routine, such as touring a town or island with a guide. Others are more extreme, such as climbing a volcano, snorkeling among reefs or swimming with sea creatures.

When getting ready to book the cruise, take a few minutes to see what excursions the ship offers and note the appeal. Some aren’t worth the money while others can generate lifetime memories.

9) Vendor

Cruisers can book their trips three ways online:

• The cruise website such as Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity
• A general travel site such as Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity
• A cruise specialty site

If the itinerary and dates are set, do visit multiple sites as early as possible and track them for what they have to offer.

Don’t hesitate to call them and ask questions. They are eager to sell, and so they will be eager to offer help and information.

10) Price

Anyone who has followed most or all of the previous nine steps will find that booking a cruise based on a fair price will be much easier as a result.

Visiting any of the booking options on a regular basis will make it clear that prices change often depending on supply and demand.

Another factor in pricing may be a difference simply in one week to the next. So it is helpful to have at least a little flexibility on the time to go.

Finally, keep in mind that early bookers often will find good deals. But last-minute bookers may find even better ones.

To get a better sense of timing, look at some cruises that will take place within a matter of weeks. Compare their prices to other cruises going to the same location months or even more than a year ahead.