Why Cruising is Safe During Hurricane Season

hurricane on cruise ship

In the days before the cruise, my mind was put at ease that we'd be able to sail thanks to his updates. During the cruise, we got information about what the storm was doing and how our ship was dealing with track changes. "There were cheers onboard, so most people seemed to be pretty excited for two extra day," she said of the reaction after the cruise was to be extended. Unfortunately, no one knows the answers of what exactly will happen when you're many days before the storm is set to hit.

What Happens to Your Cruise When Natural Disasters Strike? - Cruise Critic

What Happens to Your Cruise When Natural Disasters Strike?.

Posted: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

My Advice for Cruising in Hurricane Season

► Disney Cruise Line canceled a Friday sailing on its Disney Wish ship, according to its website. Passengers booked on the cruise, which was scheduled to leave from Port Canaveral, "will automatically receive a full refund back to their original form of payment," a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson said in an email. "Additionally, we’re providing each guest with a 20% future cruise discount." ► Royal Caribbean International has adjusted plans and its ships have skipped several ports as a result of the storm. Mariner of the Seas' Thursday sailing from Port Canaveral – which is currently closed – will now depart on Saturday, the cruise line said on its website. The ship will not visit Nassau, but will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay on Sunday.

Be careful booking shore excursions during hurricane season

To avoid cruising during hurricane season, choose a destination other than the Caribbean or other regions of the world that are prone to storms. Consider luxury cruises to Alaska from May to September or European cruises from August to November. Going on a cruise ship during hurricane season means there's a chance a storm could impact your vacation, and when it does, there's all sorts of possibilities. However, where a cruise itinerary may be rescheduled days in advance, the time frame for cancelling flights is often much shorter. Also note that to make any claim under a travel insurance policy related to a cruise marred by a hurricane or tropical storm, you have to have bought the policy before the storm formed and was officially named.

What you need to know if you’re doing a hurricane season cruise

He also talks about various ships, and demonstrates where the ship is located, what to expect, and most importantly, how they are keeping safely away from the hurricane. Cruise ships can sail faster than hurricanes can move, which gives them the ability to out run the changing path of any storm. Jodi Grundig is a writer for our sister site Cruise.Blog (and she has her own blog at Family Travel Magazine) was on the Disney Wish when the sailing had to be extended by a couple days. It was supposed to be a 4-night cruise, but at the time of writing will end up being 6-nights. The summer months are perhaps the most active time for hurricanes in popular cruising destinations, as the summer sees a number of storms throughout the Caribbean. However, hurricanes are also active on the other side of the globe during this time in the Indian Ocean.

Nearly 1K passengers stuck in Portland while cruise ships dock for safe harbor during Hurricane Lee - WMTW Portland

Nearly 1K passengers stuck in Portland while cruise ships dock for safe harbor during Hurricane Lee.

Posted: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

As the tropics heat up following what’s been a record-hot summer for much of North America, the impact on cruises ramps up as well. Carnival Valor cancelled a stop in Costa Maya today, but will visit Cozumel tomorrow. Tropical Storm Idalia is now near hurricane strength with sustained winds of 70 miles per hour. The storm is expected to pick up speed as it moves north and continue strengthening.

Hurricane Ian disrupts major cruise line itineraries. Here are the major changes so far.

As mentioned, Royal Caribbean will do everything that they can to guarantee a safe voyage, even if it means that the port order is swapped or changed altogether. So long as the embarkation port is not closed, your cruise will almost certainly sail. And while tropical storms are notoriously unpredictable, there are usually around a dozen or so storms in a given year, with some being stronger and weaker than others.

hurricane on cruise ship

"They made an announcement and told us to close out of the Disney Cruise app and reopen it to see the new schedule of activities," he said. Mickey and his friends still wore their island outfits to greet guests, even if everyone had to stay on board. Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian resulted in hundreds of itinerary changes, and some cancellations as well. Hurricanes can have an impact on a wide range of itineraries across numerous destinations. During Hurricane Fiona in September, for instance, some ships were rerouted away from Puerto Rico, others away from Bermuda, and still others away from Canada. Of course, you can also avoid hurricanes by choosing a cruise in a different part of the world, such as Alaska, Canada and New England, or the Mediterranean.

What happens if you have no choice but to take a cruise in a region during its hurricane season? The good news is that the chances of encountering a hurricane are extremely small. Nowadays, modern technology and expert navigators can almost always successfully predict the development and movement of tropical storms. By using 24-hour meteorologist tracking services, captains and ship navigators are constantly updated and informed about changing weather patterns. This gives them ample time to route the cruise away from any storms or hurricanes without impacting the safety of their passengers. As a general rule, cruise line passengers are not entitled to compensation for storm-related itinerary changes.

Can I cancel my cruise if a storm threatens my sailing?

We were nervous wrecks in the days leading up to the cruise, but we honestly had a great time (and have done more than 20 cruises since lol). Something to keep in mind is that due to the fact that this is a cruise ship, it can move around. Contrary to an island, where if a hurricane is coming, you can’t move off that island. Cruise lines work with meteorologists and have technology to predict storm locations and they do their best to avoid being in a hurricane’s path. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about hurricane season.

Whether or not to sail on a cruise during hurricane season is a very personal decision. But note that having your cruise impacted by a hurricane is rare, even at the height of the season. Hurricane season is a good time of year to build an extra day or two into your vacation. If you're having trouble getting into your port of embarkation, however, make sure you contact the cruise line (carry the toll-free emergency number). Most will do everything possible, even if they are not obligated, to help you get to the ship, but there's no guarantee.

For instance, the northeast Pacific hurricane season runs from mid-May through late November (it peaks in late August/early September) and can affect Mexican Riviera cruises. Asia can experience cyclones (same as hurricanes) year-round, with the main hurricane season in the northwest Pacific from July to November. Statistically speaking, the chances that your particular cruise is going to be affected by a hurricane are very slim, but your travel plans might be changed.

Van Fleet and the crew make it a point to keep everyone in the loop as much as possible so that guests know what to expect when it comes to updates and possible rerouting. Royal Caribbean uses sophisticated technology, from computers and satellites to radars and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), to track and monitor weather around the world. Great vacations are made up of adventures, memorable moments and ideal weather. What if we told you there’s a vacation you could take and have zero worries about the forecast literally raining on your parade?

Weather forecasters have knowledge of where a hurricane is heading up to a week before it gets there. This gives cruise ships ample time to move out of the path and into calmer waters. It’s normal for our imaginations to run wild when thinking about cruising during a hurricane. But, luckily, the reality is much less cinematic than the fears swirling around our heads. In this blog, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about cruising during hurricane season so you can go on your vacation without any stress whatsoever. Cruises that take place in the Caribbean and the Bahamas during the height of hurricane season can be an incredible deal, and many are completed with nary a problem.

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