2025–2026 School Break Calendar for Teachers: When to Travel for the Best Deals

Regional timing notes (so you can predict demand)

• South & Southwest: Earlier start (early August), so summer begins in late May; spring breaks skew earlier (early/mid-March). We Are Teachers

• Northeast/New England: Many districts favor a late-March/early-April spring recess (often called April vacation). NYC, for example, lists Apr 2–10, 2026 as spring recess. NYC Schools

• Midwest/West: Mix of early- and mid-March spring breaks; a number of districts also take a midwinter (February) break, sometimes a long weekend, sometimes a full week. MDR Education

Best-value plays by break. Winter holidays (late Dec–early Jan)

• Great for: Caribbean cruises with private-island stops; Mexico all-inclusives in Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Jamaica.

• Value tip: Prices drop immediately after New Year’s—the week starting the first or second Monday in January is a sweet spot.

Call to action: Browse our Educator-Verified Winter Holiday options (cruise & all-inclusive).

Presidents’ Week (around Feb 17, 2025 / Feb 16, 2026)

• Great for: 4–7-night Caribbean sailings from Florida/Port Canaveral/Miami; quick resort stays in Cancún/Riviera Maya or Punta Cana.

• Value tip: Hold space 6–9 months out; drive-to homeports keep air costs down.

• Anchor date: Third Monday in February (officially Washington’s Birthday). U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Call to action: See Presidents’ Week picks for teachers (family-friendly ships & resorts).

Spring Break (early Mar–mid Apr; peak mid-March)

• Great for: 7-night Southern Caribbean from San Juan (port-intensive), mega-ship Eastern/Western Caribbean, and family all-inclusives.

• Value tip: Early March weeks (before many states break) and late March/early April after Easter can price better, depending on your district. The most common 2026 week is Mar 16–22, but windows span early March–mid April. CalendarCute

Call to action: Compare our Spring Break cruises vs. all-inclusive deals for your exact dates.

Summer (late May/June–mid Aug/early Sept)

• Great for: Alaska (June–July prime), Caribbean value weeks (early June, late August), and destination resorts with kids’ clubs.

• Value tip: If your district returns late, last 10–14 days of August are often cheaper and less crowded. U.S. schools average ~180 days, so the earlier your district starts, the earlier your summer shoulder savings appear. Pew Research Center

Call to action: Explore Summer for Teachers (Alaska, Caribbean, and more).

Booking timeline (teacher-friendly)

• Cruises: Book 6–12 months ahead for Presidents’ Week/Spring Break; 4–8 months for early-June or late-August summer weeks.

• All-Inclusive resorts (Mexico/Caribbean): 4–8 months ahead for peak weeks; earlier if you need family suites.

• Flights: Domestic 2–4 months ahead; Caribbean/Europe 4–7 months.

• Deposits: Many educator-focused offers allow refundable deposits—grab space early, then fine-tune later.

Quick FAQs

Do college breaks line up with K–12?
Not usually. Colleges skew more to March (one week), while many K–12 districts break late March to early April—a gap families can exploit for better pricing. TeachingIsTheFuture1

Why is February so busy?
Because it’s anchored by a federal holiday that creates long weekends/full-week breaks in many districts. In 2025 and 2026 that’s Feb 17 and Feb 16, respectively. Federal Reserve

How long is summer, really?
Most U.S. schools break 10–12 weeks, but exact timing varies; many end in late May/mid-June and resume early/mid-August or early September. We Are Teachers

What to do next

• Pick your window: Winter holidays, Presidents’ Week, Spring Break, or Summer.

• Tell us your district’s dates: We’ll match you to educator-verified cruise or all-inclusive options that fit your exact week.

• Lock it in: Hold space with a refundable deposit and secure your teacher-exclusive perks. Contact us today, and we will help you with every step of the process and find you the perfect vacation.