Spring break is a popular time for travel. Many university students use this time of year as their time to relax, escape the pressures of college living, and travel and have fun with friends. And while it may be an ideal getaway for the college crowd, it can make your springtime travel plans a bit more difficult. Many of the more popular cruise destinations are also popular destinations for college students on spring break. So, if you’re looking for a springtime cruise without a spring break crowd, keep reading to learn more about some ideal cruise destinations to consider.
Alaska
When going on a spring break trip, most people head south for sunshine and sandy beaches. Florida, Mexico, and certain ports in the Caribbean can get exceptionally crowded during the spring break rush, so if you’re looking to avoid all that, your best bet is to head the opposite direction. Take your travel plans northward and consider going on an Alaskan cruise.
You may not get sandy beaches, but you will get some of the most stunning wilderness in the country. Spring is a great time to cruise to Alaska, as it’s early in the Alaskan cruise season and cruises are rarely sold out—which means even fewer crowds for you to worry about. It’s also a great time of year to enjoy the incredible Alaskan wildlife. In spring, many animals are just coming out of hibernation, bringing them to the seashore to feed. Others—such as certain birds and even whales—are migrating at this time as well.
Europe
While Europe is a stunning cruise destination, and popular ports will still draw a crowd, you’re not likely to find college students on spring break cruising to Europe. As you may guess, that spring break crowd is going to be on a budget, so if you really want to avoid these large groups of young cruisers, consider going for a more exotic destination. While it may come with a higher ticket price, you won’t have to worry about your cruise ship or the ports you’re stopping at being overwhelmed by university-aged vacationers.
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is a very popular cruise destination, so you can’t expect it to be completely free of crowds at this time of year. However, much of the spring break crowd sticks to destinations that can be reached by car, putting this tropical getaway out of reach for a chunk of those college students.
If you still find the crowds here to be too much, try getting out of George Town and away from Stingray City—the island’s most popular attraction. Drive out to Seven Mile Beach or to Rum Point to get away from the worst of the crowds while still enjoying all the beauty and fun that Grand Cayman has to offer.
St. Maarten
Again, this is an island destination, so you’re less likely to see hordes of college kids enjoying their spring break vacation here. Front Street in Philipsburg is the most popular area for cruisers to explore simply because it’s nearest to the cruise port, so if you want to get away from the crowds there, grab a taxi to the French side of the island.
St. Martin’s Marigot has a charming cluster of cafes and shops to enjoy. Go a bit farther north, and you’ll find the town of Grand Case, which features an array of beachside food shacks you can enjoy. Friar’s Bay is a clean, family-friendly beach that typically isn’t too crowded, and there are a few bars and restaurants on site to enjoy while you soak up the sun.
Booking for the Right Time
Of course, it’s important to be aware that springtime is a popular time to travel—not just for college students, but for families and adult travelers as well. So, if you’re really hoping to avoid crowds on your cruise, talk to one of our agents about the best time of year for you to travel. Our expert agents can also work to find a cruise that docks at ports with as few other cruise ships as possible so that you can enjoy your destinations without feeling overwhelmed or overcrowded.
Call Cruise Elite today to speak to our award-winning agents—who just happen to be seasoned travelers as well. We’ll help you to find a cruise that provides you with the experience you desire at the best value possible. Give us a call today to find out why we’re “The Seasoned Traveler’s Choice.”
