The best time to visit Puerto Rico on a cruise, according to a travel expert

Cruising is a convenient way to visit Puerto Rico and enjoy its rich culture. The port of San Juan is tucked away in a harbor protected from the sometimes harsh Atlantic Ocean, which fronts the entire northern coast of the island. Entry into and exit from the port take your ship past the walls of the 16th-century Castillo San Felipe del Morro , a stunning reminder of the wealth of history to be explored here. But when should you go?

Heat, hurricane season, crowds, and cost are all things to consider before locking in your dates. As a frequent cruiser to (and from) Puerto Rico, I've visited during a range of seasons — and have answers to your biggest questions. 

When's the best weather for cruising to Puerto Rico?

Temperatures in Puerto Rico rarely fall below 69 degrees or rise above 90, but when you factor in the high humidity, temperature is something to consider when you plan your visit. Summer, naturally, brings the highest heat. Fall comes with the possibility of hurricanes, while November and December tend to have the highest rainfall potential.

The coolest, driest months are usually February and March. I've visited Puerto Rico on cruises three times in February and found the weather perfect. 

When are there the most cruise ships to choose from?

A quick check of the port schedules on the Cruise Timetables website can answer this question. Between October and February, the number of cruise lines and cruise ships visiting Puerto Rico expands greatly, as ships return to the Caribbean from Europe, the Mediterranean and Alaska.

Lines that only call on Puerto Rico in these months include Emerald , Explora Journeys , Crystal , Azamara , Windstar , Silversea , Viking and Cunard .

When is the cheapest time of year to visit?

The experts at Vacations To Go turned up amazing deals, including budget-friendly cruise fares for visiting Puerto Rico almost year-round. The key is avoiding holidays like Thanksgiving, all December holidays and New Year's. And don't forget spring break in March — fares are always higher when school-age children and young adults are part of the customer base.

The overall lowest cruise fares are in September and October, when hurricane season lowers demand. There's also an affordable gap before each holiday period (think early December or late February), with fares often $100 or more per person lower.

When can you avoid the crowds?

If your goal is to enjoy the beauty of Puerto Rico without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the summer months are your target — so long as you don't mind the heat. July marks the start of the low season in Puerto Rico, making it the least crowded month, both for other cruise ships and for fly-in tourists.

Per Cruise Timetables, the number of cruise lines calling on San Juan drops to a handful, and most days during July, only one ship is in port at a time. September is another quiet choice. The traditional start of the school year means low ship counts leading into fall.

The best times to visit Puerto Rico by cruise, month by month

• January to February:This is when you'll have many cruise lines to choose from, including some that only offer Caribbean cruises during a handful of months. The weather is reliably comfortable, and while cruise fares are higher than true offseason months, they're considerably lower than months when schools are not in session. 

• March to April:Cruise fares spike a bit in March, but ease back down in April between spring break and graduation season. Puerto Rico's weather is pleasant during these months, but expect crowds on the pier and in the streets, since ship counts average between two and five ships in port on many days. 

• May to June:Skip this time of year if you want to avoid the worst of the summer heat and the mid-summer spike in prices. But, cruise line choices at this time are ideal for families, and crowds are still modest, with usually no more than two ships in port at a time.

• July to August:Prices are at their non-holiday peak, but options are plentiful, and crowds are small. If you pick July or August, plan excursions that get you wet or help you escape the heat.

• September to October:The lower fares during these months are a welcome surprise if you've been shopping for summer cruises. Kids are back in school, so ships feel a tad quieter, and barring a hurricane, so does the weather. Fall rains haven't arrived yet, and winter crowds are still months away. This is actually my favorite time to visit Puerto Rico.

• November to December:Celebration is the theme of these months, and ship choices are astonishing — you'll have options you may never have considered. Outside of the actual holidays, fares are reasonable. Crowds in the city and on excursions can be challenging, so book tours early and pack rain gear, because your chances of needing it are high during these months.