Cruising From January to March

Where Ships Sail in the First Quarter

From January to March the big fleets concentrate in warm water. The Caribbean and Bahamas are in their drier season, with steady trade winds and some of the year’s most dependable sunshine. Mexico’s Pacific coast, Hawaii and the Panama Canal are busy too. Further south it is summer: South America and Antarctica have their short season, roughly November to March, and Australia and New Zealand cruising is in full swing. January is also when many world cruises set off, with segments that can be booked for a few weeks rather than months.

Ports are covered region by region on Caribbean Cruise Ports and South America Shore Excursions.

Weather to Expect

• Caribbean: warm and generally drier; occasional cool, breezy days in the northern islands and Bahamas.
• Florida departure ports: mild, sometimes chilly early mornings.
• Hawaii: warm, with winter swell on north shores.
• Antarctica and Patagonia: cold, long daylight, weather that can change itineraries.
• Mediterranean: quiet, cool and often rainy; few big-ship itineraries.

School Breaks and Crowds

January after the New Year week is one of the quieter stretches for family travel, which is why it is a favourite with couples and retirees. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day create long weekends, and many districts take a winter break around Presidents’ Day in February. Spring breaks begin in some areas in March. Those weeks fill fastest on short Caribbean sailings from Florida and Texas ports.

The Price Pattern

As a pattern rather than a promise: the first weeks of January after the holidays are often softer, while February break and March spring break weeks are often in higher demand. These months are also when many lines run their biggest promotions for later sailings, the period known as Wave Season, so January to March is a busy time to book as well as to sail.

Who This Quarter Suits