Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Caribbean cruises in December
The dry season settles in during December, with comfortable low-80s days and steady trade winds. Early December is quiet and fairly priced, with holiday decorations already up on board. The Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive sailings of the year and sell out many months ahead, so lock in a cabin early if you need those dates.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 82°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: Clavius66, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Caribbean in December: Best time to go
The dry season settles in during December, with comfortable low-80s days and steady trade winds. Early December is quiet and fairly priced, with holiday decorations already up on board. The Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive sailings of the year and sell out many months ahead, so lock in a cabin early if you need those dates.
Across Caribbean cruise ports, December brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 79°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Year-round; driest and busiest December to April. Hurricane season June 1 to November 30, most active August to October.
- Average high / low
- 82°F / 79°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.7 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 4 to 7 nights; 8 to 12 nights for most Southern Caribbean routes from Florida
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Caribbean weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8027 | 8027 | 8127 | 8228 | 8329 | 8429 | 8529 | 8530 | 8630 | 8529 | 8328 | 8228 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7725 | 7725 | 7825 | 7926 | 8127 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8328 | 8228 | 8127 | 7926 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.154 | 1.334 | 1.334 | 1.435 | 2.460 | 4.0101 | 3.179 | 3.793 | 4.1104 | 5.6143 | 5.3136 | 2.769 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozumel | 81°F | 77°F | 3.7 in | 11 h |
| St. Thomas | 82°F | 80°F | 1.5 in | 11 h |
| St. Maarten | 81°F | 80°F | 1.1 in | 11 h |
| Grand Cayman | 82°F | 80°F | 2.3 in | 11 h |
| Roatán | 81°F | 80°F | 9.9 in | 11 h |
| Costa Maya | 82°F | 79°F | 3.7 in | 11 h |
| San Juan | 83°F | 77°F | 2.3 in | 11 h |
| Aruba | 83°F | 81°F | 1.4 in | 11 h |
| Curaçao | 83°F | 81°F | 1.9 in | 11 h |
| Barbados | 82°F | 81°F | 1.7 in | 11 h |
| St. Lucia | 83°F | 81°F | 1.2 in | 11 h |
| Perfect Day at CocoCay | 77°F | 75°F | 2.1 in | 11 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
- Southeast & East Asia in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Caribbean in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Caribbean?
Yes, it's one of the best months. The dry season settles in during December, with comfortable low-80s days and steady trade winds. Early December is quiet and fairly priced, with holiday decorations already up on board. The Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive sailings of the year and sell out many months ahead, so lock in a cabin early if you need those dates.
What is the weather like on a Caribbean cruise in December?
Across Caribbean cruise ports, December brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 79°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Caribbean cruise in December?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Caribbean?
Year-round; driest and busiest December to April. Hurricane season June 1 to November 30, most active August to October.. The best months are usually January, February, March, April, December.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja, Panama Canal & Central America.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.