You're sure to find sunny paradise in the Bahamas, even in the Fall.

With children back in school and an increased chance of weather-related diversions, autumn is off-peak season for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. But with modern nautical technology allowing ships to avoid seasonal hurricanes, and cruise lines offering deep discounts to fill cabins, this is a great time of year to enjoy an impromptu vacation at sea.

When to Go

Except for popular Thanksgiving departures, most lines operating in the region offer discounted rates and last-minute deals through mid-December. In return for these heavily discounted fares, travelers might be forced to contend with weather-related flight delays, changes in cruise itinerary, even cancellations. Considering that official hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, it might be wise to shoot for the period between hurricane season's end and Christmas, when fares shoot up.

What it Costs

Fall cruisers should look for fares well below typical high-season rates, in some cases 20% to 40% off peak. Cruise rates generally include all meals, but additional costs apply, including taxes and port fees, tipping, shore excursions and adult beverages. Most cruise lines offer discounted airfare to the city of embarkation and transfers from the airport to the ship.

How to Book

Find a travel agent specializing in cruises to help you narrow down your choices (a searchable database of cruise specialists is available at Cruise Lines International Association), or simply search for deals online. Most cruise lines publish last-minute offers on their own websites, and many allow travelers to register for free e-mail updates. Travel booking sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and Priceline also offer discounted cruises, making it easy to compare prices. Before you put any money down, make sure you read the fine print (typically, cruise lines will offer refunds only for cancellations, not for weather-related delays or diversions). Consider paying extra for travel insurance, which runs between 5% and 9% of the cost of the cruise vacation.

Cruise Lines

• Carnival Cruise Line, 888-CARNIVAL
  Carnival operates more than a dozen vessels sailing two- to eight-day Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. Ports of embarkation include San Juan, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, New Orleans, Norfolk, Va., and New York City.

• Celebrity Cruises, 800-722-5941
  Celebrity operates numerous ships sailing four, five, seven and 14-day Caribbean and Bermuda voyages out of San Juan, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Baltimore and Cape Liberty, N.J.

• Disney Cruise Line, 800-951-3532
  Disney offers three, four and seven-night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from Port Canaveral aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Also, seven-night land-and-sea vacations combine short cruises with visits to Walt Disney World Resort.

• Holland America Lines, 877-932-4259
  Various seven- to 14-day Caribbean itineraries aboard any of six elegant vessels departing from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.

• Norwegian Cruise Line, 866-234-7350
  Eight ships offering various Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas itineraries departing from San Juan, Miami, Port Canaveral, Charleston, New Orleans, Houston, Baltimore and New York. Most voyages last seven days, with some as little as five days and as long as 16 days available.

• Princess Cruises, 800-PRINCESS
  Various ships offering Caribbean cruises in lengths from seven to 16 days. Voyages embark from Fort Lauderdale, San Juan, Barbados and Montego Bay.

• Royal Caribbean, 866-562-7625
  Four to 11-night Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean voyages, with more than a dozen ships operating in the region during the fall-winter season. Embark from Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, San Juan, Baltimore or Cape Liberty, N.J.

Insider Tip

Avoid high mark-ups on shore excursions by making your own arrangements once you get off the ship. At most ports it's easy and affordable to hire a taxi and explore on your own.

Click below for more autumn alternatives.

Foliage by Canoe: Shenandoah Valley
Visit a Cider Mill
Early-Bird Skiing
California Wine Country
Fly Fishing in Michigan
Festuve Southwest Drive
Central Park in New York
Bird Watching in Texas
Apple Season in Washington
Cranberry Bogs in Wisconsin