Once you arrive in the Caribbean, seasons matter very little.
Yes, summer is a little hotter than winter. But not much.
With the very notable exception of hurricanes, the weather in October is usually not a great deal different than March or June, especially if you come from a northern climate.
The seas become rougher from September to November, so diving and cruising can be affected. But for those seeking warm sun and tropical pleasure, the back-to-school time is as good as any other time.
Deals based on season in the Caribbean are largely supply-and-demand oriented.
Unlike Florida, you won't notice as many price drops at Caribbean resorts -- in fact, some might even increase. The reason: these places do not cater to families on the same scale as the Florida resorts.
So if you want the Caribbean, it might be best to look for a cruise. Summer cruises are family-oriented. They also make a lot of adjustments that don't relate to families during this period.
Carnival offers fall deals on seven-night cruises starting at $539 USD per person.
Norwegian Caribbean Lines has seven-night Caribbean itineraries from $479. Prices vary by sailing date and accommodation.
There are also plenty of repositioning cruises available during this time. These trips are designed to move ships from summer service (perhaps Alaska or Scandinavia) to warmer climes for the winter season. Accordingly, they tend to be longer in duration. If they're not always cheaper in total price, the per-day or per-mile costs do come down. And many of these trips take passengers to seldom-visited ports.
Interested? Be sure to check About Cruises Repo Update for available trips.
Important tip: Be certain to check the hurricane policy of the line you choose. At this time of year, itineraries can be cancelled or altered quickly.
Most of America's national parks are less susceptible to hurricanes, and very quiet once school starts. Click "next" for more.
