When Is The Least Crowded Time For A Cruise?

[bbaltes]

Good morning, gang!

I've heard tell that the best time to avoid the crowds on deck is late August to mid October, and then again from mid-November to mid-December.

I'm not too fond of the later option as I've read on these forums that the weather can be very iffy, and outside activities could be severely curtailed.

What say you, Disney Cruise veterans?

Ben, Jenny and Lily

 

[mommasita]

Well, my two cents is that ANYTIME there is school, the boat is a "little" less empty. Disney is primarily famlies, so this is why. Summer is definitely "peak"...I would venture to say September to Thanksgiving is the quietest. January and February also. Then spring breaks start, then easter.. Having said that, I do honestly believe that the ship sails almost at full capacity all the time..I have cruised in February, March, and September, and don't think I noticed a decrease in any age of passengers...

HTH

 

[lbgraves]

Disney pretty much sails with a full ship all the time so there aren't really times when the decks are "empty." We have sailed in November & December three times now & there were over 700 kids just in the 3-12 yo range. Most people have no problem pulling their kids out of school to cruise so there will always be kids onboard. (Not starting a debate here, just stating a fact that we have found.) There are never really crowds except at the deck parties. Also, we have never had anything but wonderful weather on our cruises in those months.

 

[atakaratemom]

We just did the Western a couple of weeks ago and I was expecting that the ship might feel less crowded. Quite the contrary. It actually seemed more crowded than our West Coast Cruise last summer. The character lines were longer and the decks were packed on our sea days. I know the ship was sold out for both cruises, but for some reason I really noticed the crowds more on this trip.

 

[itdjbw]

We spoke with our wait staff in September and he said the reason he has stayed with DCL is the ship is close to full every sailing where as other lines are not.
We have done 3 September cruises and always had full ships, lots of kids but the decks were not unpleasant.

 

[vassello]

We sailed in February both times and I believe the ship was sold out both times also. Being someone who hates crowds, the only time I noticed "too many" people was at the Pirate night deck party. Other than that, I was always comfortable. The weather was a little chilly the first day or so but it was also raining torentially in Florida when we left. CC water was cold to me but the rest of my family went swimming fine. I like going in February because winter can get very long and it's a great break with warm weather