Should i cruise in july

Out of action cruise ships laid up in the waters around Cyprus. Right now, most of the world's major cruise lines remain out of action. Both cruise companies ran Italian voyages with strict Covid protocols, but sailings were canceled when a second wave of Covid hit Europe over winter months. Meanwhile, Costa Cruises intended to restart its Italian sailings on March 27, , but pushed the date back to May following a new surge in Covid cases in Italy. In the US, the CDC no-sail order was lifted in October and detailed regulations were subsequently announced for how cruising could return to US waters, including running " simulated voyages " designed "to replicate real world on board conditions of cruising.

The October CDC rules were announced before the vaccine rollout gathered speed, so focused on preventive measures including pre-boarding testing. Reliance on testing came under question when seven passengers tested positive for Covid aboard the guest SeaDream 1 cruise ship , the first vessel to sail in the Caribbean since the pandemic began. The CDC's official guidance is still that " all people " should avoid travel on cruise ships.

Its regulations for cruising's return remain in effect until November 1, They said there was no date for when simulated voyages would begin. On April 2, the CDC issued its next phase of cruise ship guidance, once again highlighting plans for trial voyages "that will allow crew and port personnel to practice new COVID operational procedures with volunteers before sailing with passengers" but not outlining when these will take place.

The new guidance also addresses vaccinations, calling them "critical" to the safe resumption of cruising and recommending, but not stipulating, that cruise goers and crew get vaccinated before travel. Following this announcement, the CDC faced further pressure from the cruise industry to confirm a date for cruising's US return. On April 5, Norwegian Cruise Line submitted a letter to CDC, advocating for the recommencing of US cruising for vaccinated travelers and detailing plans for keeping travelers safe.

And I think that's why it's really important for us to build up public perception of what we're doing," he told a press conference. Meanwhile Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy issued a statement on April 6 asking "that the cruise industry be treated on par with the approach being taken with other travel and tourism sectors, as well as US society at large. In the UK, a government "global travel taskforce" is working to determine when international travel to and from the UK can restart, with the official roadmap stipulating it should be no earlier than May The voyages will depart from the southern port of Southampton, England from June until September, and navigate the UK coast.

Princess Cruises has said its longer cruises departing the UK are canceled until the end of September, and instead will launch a series of "new short cruises" departing from the UK port of Southampton on its Regal Princess and Sky Princess vessels. Disney has not yet announced if vaccinations will be a requirement for these voyages. MSC has confirmed its Virtuosa voyages will be open to vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, but those who haven't been vaccinated will need to show a negative Covid test before travel.

Royal Caribbean has also announced UK summer sailings for vaccinated adults and children under 18 with negative test results. The cruise line has also pledged to offer free staterooms on these voyages to UK residents working in the emergency services, the National Health Service, social care sector and armed forces. Canada and New England sailings depart from May through October. You've got a better chance for warm weather if you travel from late June through early September.

However, if you prefer more crisp weather temperatures in the 50s or you're interested in fall foliage viewing, you'll need to go from late September to mid-October. May and late-October sailings will offer the lowest rates, but don't expect to be using the onboard swimming pool much. Meanwhile, the summer months are ideal for exploring some of Canada's most intriguing cities in milder temperatures usually in the 70s.

You can sail to the Caribbean year-round, but the best time to go is when it's coldest in the Northern Hemisphere. Not only is the warm Caribbean climate a welcome respite from bad weather, but December through April are the driest months in the islands as well.

The cheapest times to cruise are typically in the late summer and fall because of hurricane season, but you can often find patches of bargain sailings, especially during the early weeks of December and in the spring. The timing of spring discounts isn't always consistent, so it's best to keep an eye out and book when you see a low rate. If you dislike crowds or large numbers of children, avoid sailing late June through August or during school break times late December, early January and March through mid-April.

Europe is so big that you can't lump all its cruises together. The Western Mediterranean cruise season runs from April through November, with a few European lines staying the course through the winter. The warmer Eastern Mediterranean and Greek islands, as well as the Canary Islands, see cruise ships between April and December, with a sprinkling of winter cruises from select lines.

Most tourists come to Europe in the summer, but the late spring and early fall have more pleasant temperatures and not as many crowds. You'll find the lowest cruise prices at the beginning and end of each season; prices rise dramatically for the summer months. You might find restaurants and other establishments closed in August, which is when much of Europe goes on holiday. September is a popular time to cruise the Western Mediterranean because you can avoid the school kids and still enjoy warm temperatures.

Note that March and November can be rainy. Europe's main river cruise season runs April through October, but peak sailings are May through September. Spring can mean flowers in glorious bloom.

Favorites are the spring Tulip Time cruises through the Netherlands and Belgium. However, keep in mind that heavy rains and early-spring flooding can make the rivers swell and the locks impassable.

Conversely, summer temperatures can cause the rivers to dry up, making it impossible for boats to move. If these weather events happen, you'll be taken to the sights by motor coach. River cruise itineraries are not weather dependent, so an offseason sailing means you get to enjoy the castles, cathedrals and quaint shops without the summer crowds.

High season in Hawaii is late December through April, but with Norwegian's Pride of America based there, you can explore the islands year-round. The best time to go is during the summer and fall, when the island gets the least amount of rain. Summer tends to be popular because of school vacation and honeymoon season. Hawaii cruises are cheapest from November through February, with the exception of holiday cruises. If you're considering a summer cruise, note that seas can be rough in August.

Buffets will be no more and entertainment may be limited, as cleanliness takes center stage. Meanwhile, passengers can expect new technologies, from virtual queues and contactless payments to thermal temperature checks and UV sanitization, to reduce in-person contact on board.

With new measures in place and more routes being announced, holidaymakers appear to be gaining confidence. The route ahead looks clearer still. Advanced U. The majority of those bookings continue to come from regular cruisers, said Movable Ink's Kross. Still, many are doing so with caution, said Jeanie Johnson of Minnesota tour operator Jeanie's Journey, who noted that most holidaymakers are opting for suites and balconied cabins. Skip Navigation. The Caribbean, however, is full steam ahead — so long as passengers depart from the isles.

A cruise ship approaches the harbor in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The limited capacity and need for reservations is another reason to book now, says Gray Faust, to ensure you can get reservations for the experiences you want onboard.

Plus, she said, some cruise lines are implementing mandatory cruise line shore excursions, in order to keep the travel bubble in place on land. As always when booking a cruise, travelers have the flexibility to just pay an initial deposit at the time of booking. But if it goes up, your lower rate is locked in. For example, cruisers are able to cancel their cruises much closer to a sail date than before.

And cruise lines are offering cruise credits worth more than the value of your originally booked cruise. These apply to sailings that have been canceled. In fact, many lines are offering cruise credits worth around percent of the originally booked cruise. Along with more relaxed cancellation policies, most cruise lines are flexible about rescheduling, says Jonathan de Araujo, owner of The Vacationeer Travel Agency.

Travis Blanchard, founder of Splash Bytes recommends the following:. There are many reasons to consider travel insurance. From flight delays that prevent you from arriving on time to your embarkation port to lost luggage.

Look for policies that cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and lost, damaged, or stolen luggage. TravelingMom Tip: Protect yourself while traveling with Medjet. Learn more about how to become a Member he re. Some lines are already sailing and others hope to resume in the coming months. Major cruise lines like Carnival, Disney, and Celebrity Cruise are in a pause for the next few months.

Others, like Norwegian and Princess Cruises have delayed sailings until June 30, Cunard extended its pause for Queen Victoria to May 16, That means for now, forget about sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale. The 5,passenger Mardi Gras will be the first ship in the industry with an onboard roller coaster.