Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Western Caribbean cruises in December
The dry season is underway, with comfortable mid-80s days, and Mexico celebrates Las Posadas, nightly processions in the nine days before Christmas. Holiday sailings from Galveston and Florida fill early and cost the most of the year. An early cold front can still bring a cool, breezy day to Progreso or a lumpy Gulf crossing.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 82°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: AMAPO, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Caribbean in December: Best time to go
The dry season is underway, with comfortable mid-80s days, and Mexico celebrates Las Posadas, nightly processions in the nine days before Christmas. Holiday sailings from Galveston and Florida fill early and cost the most of the year. An early cold front can still bring a cool, breezy day to Progreso or a lumpy Gulf crossing.
Across Western Caribbean cruise ports, December brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 78°F, with about 4.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Year-round; driest December to April. Rainy season and hurricane risk June to November, peaking August to October.
- Average high / low
- 82°F / 78°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.8 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 4 to 5 nights for short trips; 7 nights for the classic route
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
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
Western Caribbean weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8027 | 8127 | 8228 | 8429 | 8530 | 8530 | 8630 | 8630 | 8630 | 8529 | 8328 | 8228 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7624 | 7625 | 7725 | 7926 | 8127 | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8228 | 7926 | 7825 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.897 | 2.358 | 2.565 | 2.769 | 5.5140 | 9.1231 | 6.0151 | 6.8172 | 7.0177 | 9.1231 | 8.8224 | 4.8121 |
| 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 |
| Costa Maya | 82°F | 79°F | 3.7 in | 11 h |
| Roatán | 81°F | 80°F | 9.9 in | 11 h |
| Belize City | 81°F | 76°F | 5.6 in | 11 h |
| Grand Cayman | 82°F | 80°F | 2.3 in | 11 h |
| Progreso | 80°F | 75°F | 2.3 in | 11 h |
| Falmouth | 85°F | 78°F | 2.1 in | 11 h |
| Ocho Rios | 83°F | 79°F | 2.2 in | 11 h |
| Key West | 76°F | 74°F | 2.5 in | 11 h |
| Harvest Caye | 81°F | 78°F | 7.3 in | 11 h |
| Montego Bay | 85°F | 79°F | 2.6 in | 11 h |
| Puerto Limón | 83°F | 78°F | 12.9 in | 12 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
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern 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 →
Western Caribbean in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Western Caribbean?
Yes, it's one of the best months. The dry season is underway, with comfortable mid-80s days, and Mexico celebrates Las Posadas, nightly processions in the nine days before Christmas. Holiday sailings from Galveston and Florida fill early and cost the most of the year. An early cold front can still bring a cool, breezy day to Progreso or a lumpy Gulf crossing.
What is the weather like on a Western Caribbean cruise in December?
Across Western Caribbean cruise ports, December brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 78°F, with about 4.8 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 Western 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. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Western Caribbean?
Year-round; driest December to April. Rainy season and hurricane risk June to November, peaking 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 Caribbean, Eastern 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.