The 2012-2013 Caribbean cruise season is picking up as cruise lines reposition ships for the high season. While cruise ships visit the Caribbean year round, there are far more ships that stop there in the winter months.
Just this past week, Norwegian Cruise Line had two ships reposition to Miami. The Norwegian Epic had been in Europe for the past 6 months but will now spend 6 months sailing 7 night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean. The Norwegian Pearl which had been sailing cruises to Alaska, will now be sailing 7 night cruises to the Western Caribbean with a few cruises going to the Eastern Caribbean.
The winter is the most popular time to sail to the Caribbean as most cruisers like to get away from the cold, snowy winters and escape to a tropical island. While it is busiest time of year, it is not the most expensive. Terrific cruise deals can usually be found in November, January and February. Prices tend to be much higher when school is out and on or near holidays.
While most ships have already repositioned for the winter cruise season, the Disney Wonder will be the last ship to be repositioned. The Wonder is scheduled to make the 14 night voyage from Los Angeles, California through the Panama Canal to Miami on December 9, 2012. The ship will then sail 4-7 night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean out of Miami.
Cruise lines reposition ships to maximize revenue and demand. After all, not many would want to or would enjoy a cruise to Alaska in the middle of January. These repositioning cruises provide unique opportunities for one-way cruises through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Carnival Breeze is scheduled to make its Transatlantic cruise on November 6 as the ship heads to Miami for her first season. The Breeze, Carnival’s newest cruise ship, will offer 6 and 8 night cruises to popular Caribbean ports such as St Thomas, San Juan, Aruba, Nassau, Jamaica, and Grand Turk.
The 2012-2013 Caribbean cruise season heats up just as the hurricane season comes to a close. Hurricane season ending, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, is a nice relief for cruise lines after Hurricane Sandy caused many cruises to be altered and a few to be canceled this past week.
