Do you think they'll ever leave a DAM ship in the Caribean in the summer?

[sail7seas]

Might add that it's not a whole lot cooler in the Med during the summer than in the Caribbean yet summer is high season in the Med. Now we've been to Santorini, Greece four times in the last three years and it's always been pleasant. Typically it's been in the high 70's to mid 80's but last year in June, during an early season heatwave that hit much of Southern Europe, it was 100F.

 

Personally I think HAL's decision is based more on revenues than weather. The larger Carnival Corporation maintains at least some presence in the Caribbean year around with a number of Carnival Cruise Line ships sailing pretty much all summer long. Carnival Corporation probably has a pretty good idea how much the Caribbean market can bear during the summer and they can do better with HAL in other parts of the world.

 

 

 

Rome and Athens are extremmely hot and humid in July/August

Edited June 14, 2016 by sail7seas

[Fouremco]

We live in west-central Florida, and every day from June through late September we have mid-day temps around 93-95 and humidity close to that number. That's why we head to the Caribbean. In July in St. Maarten, the mid-day temp is around 85 and the continuous trade winds keep the humidity much lower. Yes, of course you can get badly sun-burnt, even in the water, but the "feels-like" temperature rarely gets close to 87-88. But, as others have said, it all depends on what you are used to. If you live in the northern tier of the US or in Canada, yes, 85 degrees (30 C) will feel very hot, especially if your cabin AC is not functioning.

Here in the Ottawa Valley, 30*C summer temperatures are pretty common and we have high humidity in both summer and winter, so heading to the Caribbean in summer wouldn't offer a great change from what we enjoy at home. But when it's -20*C, before adding wind chill, those Caribbean temperatures are so-o-o-o inviting. :)

[maxie99]

here in the ottawa valley, 30*c summer temperatures are pretty common and we have high humidity in both summer and winter, so heading to the caribbean in summer wouldn't offer a great change from what we enjoy at home. But when it's -20*c, before adding wind chill, those caribbean temperatures are so-o-o-o inviting. :)

 

- -so agree- :d-

[AnnieBelle]

We loved it when HAL had a ship in the Caribbean during the summer months. We were on them every year.

 

And there was also a time when HAL had a ship still doing the Caribbean in May.

 

Now they leave the Caribbean earlier and earlier and return later and later.

 

We looked into taking a cruise over my spring break in April of 2017 and there are no HAL ships in the Caribbean at that time. Very disappointing but we decided to go over Thanksgiving instead.

[CaveDiving]

Was just writing about how much I love the Westerdam and it go me thinking - would HAL please leave at least one Dam ship here in South Florida for the summer. We can only vacation for one week at a time right now - but we can do trips every two or three months. Right about now I start wishing there was a HAL ship to sail on down here. Oh well, have to wait for the Konigsdam in November - life's tuff.:rolleyes:

 

IMHO,The Caribbean tends to be awfully hot and uncomfortable during the summer.

 

Scott & Karen

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Why not have a shorter get-away type cruises out of Fla. in the Summer? The emphasis could be on a quick escape and simply going on a cruise as opposed to the Caribbean destination, and people could take advantage of off-season airfare. Or, why not Bermuda, out of Fla.? I may be in the minority, but after just several Caribbean cruises, I don't see the ports of call having much allure for the upcoming generation. The shopping areas, already looking passé, compete with Amazon etc. More of the overall experience can be shipboard - whether dining and socializing, or simply being at sea.

[KAKcruiser]

I would love to see the ships come back to the Caribbean for the summer. And, I would really be excited if they did a round trip Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda or Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans.

[sail7seas]

Why not have a shorter get-away type cruises out of Fla. in the Summer? The emphasis could be on a quick escape and simply going on a cruise as opposed to the Caribbean destination, and people could take advantage of off-season airfare. Or, why not Bermuda, out of Fla.? I may be in the minority, but after just several Caribbean cruises, I don't see the ports of call having much allure for the upcoming generation. The shopping areas, already looking passé, compete with Amazon etc. More of the overall experience can be shipboard - whether dining and socializing, or simply being at sea.

 

 

The upcoming generation will either like the cruise ship board experienceinence or theyw on't. They sure like the beaches/ bars/restaurants int he ports. Do they like the resort hotel vacation more than a cruise.

[Randyk47]

The upcoming generation will either like the cruise ship board experienceinence or theyw on't. They sure like the beaches/ bars/restaurants int he ports. Do they like the resort hotel vacation more than a cruise.

 

My son is fast approaching the age I was when I took my first cruise and he'd probably rather have multiple root canals than take a cruise. He travels extensively for business and pleasure so it's not like he'd rather stay at home. He appreciates and understands we like cruising but it's just not a vacation mode he or his same aged group of friends are interested in taking. Like Sail7seas commented he and his friends prefer resorts pretty much all over the world.

[michmike2]

Wish HAL would position a ship in San Juan for 7 day eastern itineraries. Tired of the same old HMC, San Juan, Grand Turk, St Maarten itinerary. Been there, done that.

[sail7seas]

We sailed Stagrnfam from San Juafgfvrvveaan hrf Inauburffalal ssrson panartoma canal. Greeat cruise. I werell remember ifvcv t.

[serendipity1499]

No,

 

Years ago the Zuiderdam sailed the Caribbean during the summer and was pulled.

 

Too hot, stormy, humid. We were on the Zuiderdam in June in the Caribbean and the major obstacle was surviving the muster drill in 90 degree heat and 70% humidity :eek:

 

 

Agree! We live on water & it's not even 90 degrees here yet, but still too hot to be outside except in the very early morning or evening..:D It's the humidity which gets you & we've lived here for over 25 years..

 

Our Hurricane season is June through Nov. & we are taking a chance sailing in October this year..Only saving factor is we now live in an apartment complex & put in Hurricane proof windows & shutters on our Patio, which are rated for about 125 MPH winds.. But we are in the flood zone & still could be flooded out..LOL

Edited June 22, 2016 by serendipity1499

[sail7seas]

We sailed from San Juan twice and loved it. Sure enjoyed our pre and post cruisestays I liv e in boston and June throughgh Novrember is our hurricane season was well :) Funny how thwagt ggoes.

Edited June 22, 2016 by sail7seas

[blizzardboy]

We sailed from San Juan twice and loved it. Sure enjoyed our pre and post cruisestays I liv e in boston and June throughgh Novrember is our hurricane season was well :) Funny how thwagt ggoes.

 

My bride decided she wanted a Surf-n-Turf vacation next January. That's a 7-day cruise aboard the Eurodam, then we're scooting over to San Juan to the Renaissance La Concha Resort and Casino for 7 days.