cruise during hurricane video

Bonus vacation or choppy nightmare? Here's what it's like on a cruise ship stuck at sea during a hurricane

There's always a possibility of bad weather and rough seas when you go on a cruise, but cruise lines are well prepared to change course if an approaching storm could be too dangerous to navigate. There are also contingencies if they are unable to return to port as scheduled. Right now, all those playbooks have been dusted off and are in use.

On Monday, Sept. 26, as Hurricane Ian was closing in on Florida, Disney Wish left Port Canaveral for a four-night Bahamas cruise with planned stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island, before a planned return to Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 30.

But with Hurricane Ian a dangerous Category 4 storm making landfall in Central Florida, Port Canaveral closed and has ceased all operations until further notice.

Without the option to return to Florida as originally scheduled, Disney Wish — along with other cruise ships — is (temporarily) "stuck" at sea.

While staying at sea and away from the storm is the safest decision, travelers still have a lot of questions, concerns and general curiosity about the change of course. The Points Guy spoke with passengers currently on board Disney Wish to learn what it's like being out at sea for a few extra days during a hurricane.

You'll get frequent updates from the captain

When Disney Wish set sail on Sept. 26, the captain made an announcement that the ship might return to Port Canaveral later in the day than originally planned based on the projected forecast at that time. Matt Roseboom, editor and publisher at Attractions Magazine , is on board the sailing and captured video footage of the initial announcement.

The captain notified guests with flights leaving before 3 p.m. on Sept. 30 to contact their airline to depart later in the day, if possible. He also advised that they were watching Hurricane Ian carefully and would continue to keep passengers updated on the weather throughout the voyage.

Lizzie Meeks, a Disney travel advisor in Nashville, is also on the sailing and explained to TPG that the captain told guests "the port authority will need to assess any damage before giving the ship the green light to move into port and the cruise terminal."

Your itinerary might be adjusted

A cruise ship's schedule of port visits and sea days can be adjusted midcruise for a number of reasons. The weather is certainly one of those reasons — even absent a full-fledged hurricane. But when a hurricane is churning, it is very possible that the ship's itinerary will change.

Related: When will cruise ports in Florida reopen?

For Disney Wish, a port change announcement came on the morning of Sept. 28 when the ship was scheduled to dock at Castaway Cay for the day. Rather than head toward Disney's private island, and toward the storm, the ship turned toward the eastern edge of the Atlantic Ocean where seas would be calmer.

Meeks shared that the winds near Castaway Cay were too strong, with little hope for improvement, so the captain made the decision to sail away from the area.

A day at port became a day at sea, but Disney conjured a bit of its famous "Disney magic" and added more activities throughout the day, according to Roseboom. "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.

"They've really made an effort to make it a special day," Meeks said. "There have been a ton of new character meet and greets throughout the day, including Marvel, 'Star Wars' and Halloween characters that are typically reserved for special event cruises. New group games and trivia themes have been added, as well as additional times for drink tastings like Champagne, bourbon, gin and more," she added.

Related: What happens when a hurricane hits Disney World

Your cruise might be extended

If a hurricane strikes while you are at sea, it's also possible that you may end up with an extended sailing and extra days on the ship.

That's currently the situation for Carnival Paradise, Carnival Elation, Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Getaway, MSC Cruise's MSC Divina and Disney Wish. With several Florida ports closed due to the storm, the ships cannot return to disembark passengers on schedule.

In such cases, cruise lines have two options: head to a different port up or down the coast to disembark passengers or remain at sea until the ship's home port reopens. Docking at a different port creates a whole new set of issues for passengers who need to return to cars, homes or airports near the originally scheduled port — so that option is rarely used.

Related: At least 5 cruise ships stuck at sea as Hurricane Ian closes Florida ports

In the case of Disney Wish, the first announcement came on the evening of Sept. 27 as the storm moved closer to shore. Based on updated forecasts, the captain announced the ship would not return to port until Saturday or Sunday, after the storm had passed and they could better assess the situation at Port Canaveral. That meant passengers would remain on board one or two days longer than expected.

Before he could even complete the announcement, cheers erupted through the ship, as seen in the below video.

In a subsequent announcement on the afternoon of Sept. 28, the captain updated guests that Disney Wish would return to Port Canaveral on Sunday instead of Friday and that the ship should be able to dock at Castaway Cay on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Even before the extension of this sailing was formally announced, Disney Cruise Line canceled the upcoming Disney Wish sailing that was set to depart Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 30, as a safety precaution.

Extra days are generally a good thing

As that announcement was made, audible cheers confirmed that most guests were thrilled that their vacation was just extended indefinitely. "The general sentiment is that people are content and happy about the extra day(s)," Roseboom said.

Cruise ships can easily avoid storms by sailing away from them and chasing better weather. For Disney Wish, at least, the weather has been fairly calm. "The current weather is sunshine with some humidity. We had choppier waves this morning [when the ship was closer to the storm], but from where we are now, you wouldn't even know there was a hurricane in the distance," Meeks said.

Plus, the crew is prepared to innovate to accommodate the extra days. The entertainment staff will schedule more sea-day activities, just as they did when Castaway Cay got canceled.

Guests don't need to worry about running out of food, as cruise ships carry more than just one sailing's worth of food on board. In a pinch, the cruise ship can find a way of picking up provisions in the islands. With two extra days at sea, the ship might run out of specific perishables, like berries, but passengers will still have plenty of choices at every meal.

Because Disney Wish employs a rotational dining schedule, in which passengers are assigned nights at each of the ship's main restaurants, guests must now wait to be told which restaurants they should dine in on the additional nights of the sailing. "Since Disney Cruise Line uses rotational dining, they simply assigned us two more nights of a restaurant. It's really operating like normal in many ways," Meeks said.

You'll have to rearrange travel plans

Roseboom, who resides in Central Florida, is enjoying the extra day or two of vacation, but is equally worried about his house and friends and family back home in the wake of Hurricane Ian. "For cruisers who live outside of Florida, they seem to be mostly happy, but they do have to figure out how to change their flights," he shared.

For Meeks, reality set in as the cheers subsided.

"Some people, including myself, found the news concerning because of travel logistics — changing transfers and flights, booking a hotel room just in case our flights are canceled and communicating with family back home are all stressful and you could feel the tension late last night," she said.

Not only is Port Canaveral closed until Hurricane Ian passes and the wind calms, but Orlando International Airport (MCO) has also shuttered during the storm .

Even once the airport reopens after the storm has passed, it will take some time for planes and crews to get back into position, and longer still to accommodate all of the passengers who have been temporarily stranded in the Central Florida area.

This is one of the reasons why when cruising during hurricane season, it's very important to seriously consider travel insurance, or at least book your trip using a credit card that conveys some built-in trip protections to help minimize the financial impact.

Bottom line

"There are certainly worse places to be 'stuck,'" Meeks told us. "A lot of people have the perspective that we are safe and have much to be thankful for," she added. Crew and passenger safety is the reason cruise lines make the decision to stay at sea past the end of their scheduled itinerary. Yes, it can be inconvenient, but cruise lines do go out of their way to make the most of the experience for their guests, and safety is always the top priority.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Cruising During Hurricane Season: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated: August 5th, 2021

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If you think it’s best to avoid booking a cruise vacation during hurricane season, there are certain factors to consider that may change your mind. In fact, cruising during hurricane season may actually be an advantageous time to cruise.

When is hurricane season for cruises?

Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and early November.

The Eastern Caribbean tends to see more hurricanes toward the beginning of the peak season, while peak season in the Western Caribbean islands stretches throughout the entire period. Some East Coast cruises might be affected by a hurricane in the Northern Atlantic.

Booking your Caribbean cruise vacation before peak time, say in June or July or at the end of November, is one way to cruise during hurricane season.

Hurricanes, or similar types of storms that go by different names, can affect cruises in other parts of the world, too. If cruising Australia or other areas of the South Pacific, for instance, be aware its peak cyclone season is from January to March. Parts of Asia are also susceptible to typhoons during monsoon season, lasting from May to October.

Is it dangerous to cruise during hurricane season?

Only a very small portion of cruises that sail to the Caribbean during a storm season are actually affected by these storms. Though you may encounter slightly rougher water on a cruise during hurricane season, there are many systems in place to detect any hurricane weather along your cruise route, ensuring your ship’s captain and crew will be able to chart a path around any bad weather or make modifications to the itinerary to keep you safe.

Can my cruise itinerary change if there’s a hurricane?

You may have heard or read that there were some cruises that were canceled in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017, but the fact is that it’s actually extremely rare for a cruise to be canceled during Caribbean hurricane season.

Typically, it’s still safe for cruise ships to depart the home port while a hurricane is occurring in the Caribbean, as long as the hurricane is not impacting the embarkation (home) port – and if the home port is impacted, a cruise departure may only be delayed by a day or two rather than being canceled.

So what happens when you do embark on time, but there’s a hurricane happening in the region? Most likely a hurricane will not impact your cruise, but you might incur an itinerary change if a hurricane is in the path of a port of call on your cruise itinerary.

Thanks to an incredible arsenal of weather equipment onboard the ship, including everything from weather maps and satellite images to computer-generated storm models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), your captain and crew are always on top of where a hurricane is headed and have the experience and means to stay out of its path.

One of the ways your captain might avoid a hurricane’s path is to make a last-minute schedule change to your cruise itinerary. If, for example, your Caribbean cruise itinerary had a scheduled stop in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but the route there is impacted by a hurricane, your cruise ship will reroute, and you’ll skip that port of call.

This will result in an additional day at sea, during which you’ll continue to enjoy your ship’s many luxurious amenities. With an extra sea day, you can treat yourself to that herbal body wrap at the spa, spend some quality time with the kids, or participate in one of the many onboard classes offered during your cruise. Depending on your ship’s proximity to the storm and its severity, the captain may find it necessary to order the pool to close.

Another hurricane cruise scenario might involve a substitution of one port of call for a skipped one. There are a number of factors at play here, including weather patterns and cruising time to the substitute port that captain and crew will be constantly monitoring.

You may find yourself completely charmed by the opportunity to visit a different Caribbean port and think of those captivating stories you’ll have to tell about the time your cruise ship was diverted during a storm.

If you’re flexible about timing and open to itinerary changes, you should have no worries when booking a cruise during hurricane season. If you choose to cruise during hurricane season, the fact that you likely booked a luxury cruise at an excellent price should make any itinerary changes easier to handle.

Are there special offers during hurricane season?

Now that you know cruising during hurricane season is unlikely to ruin your vacation, you can begin to plan your cruise strategy. Since many people don’t realize it’s possible to cruise during hurricane season safely, fewer people book cruises during peak hurricane months. Cruise fares are often lower during this time as Caribbean hurricane season occurs just after the peak summer travel season ends.

Where can I cruise to avoid 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.

Read: Best Places to Visit in September

If you’re dreaming of a Caribbean cruise vacation and can only cruise during peak hurricane season, think about booking a cruise itinerary with ports of call on islands that are considered outside the hurricane zone. Islands in the Southern Caribbean are statistically less affected by hurricanes. These islands, nicknamed the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), generally lie outside of the path for most hurricanes.

Will a cruise be canceled because of a hurricane?

It is unlikely that your cruise during Caribbean hurricane season will be canceled, but it is not guaranteed. That’s why it’s a smart move to purchase travel insurance (for any cruise vacation), and most necessary if you choose to cruise during hurricane season.

When you’re looking for travel insurance, don’t pick one based solely on the lowest price. Read a policy’s fine print carefully before you purchase, as many travel insurance policies won’t cover trip cancellations or delays due to hurricanes.

Look for policies that include coverage for trip interruptions or cancellations due to severe weather or a hurricane. Travel insurance policies should also offer medical coverage and non-medical evacuation. Some will even cover delayed flights and travel delays in general. If a policy doesn’t include hurricane coverage, you may be able to add optional “cancel for any reason” coverage, but your best option is to purchase a policy that has specific hurricane coverage.

Just as important, you should purchase your travel insurance immediately after booking your cruise. Most insurance companies set time limits on purchasing policies that include hurricane coverage. Generally, you must have purchased a travel insurance policy before the hurricane is named in order to be covered. There are also travel insurance policies that require you to purchase within a certain timeframe (usually 14 to 21 days) of making your initial trip deposit. These conditions make it well worth your time to research and purchase a travel insurance policy not hastily, but certainly with haste.

For complete peace of mind about flights to and from your cruise, book your airfare with Flights by Celebrity. Flights by Celebrity offers cruise travelers a wealth of benefits and protection for your airfare investment with its points, price, and protection platform. First, you can use any applicable airline points to book your flight. Next, you’re guaranteed the lowest available price for the flights you book. Dedicated specialists are available 24/7 to work on your behalf should you experience a flight delay or interruption. They will work to get you on the next available flight so you can still get to your cruise ship on time, or get back home as quickly as possible if your return flight is affected.

What happens if there’s a storm during my cruise?

When cruising during hurricane season, you might encounter stormy weather, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that you’ll have to contend with rocking and rolling onboard your ship. Celebrity Cruises’ ships are conceived by master engineers, built exceptionally strong by the world’s most expert shipbuilders, and are equipped with advanced onboard technology that keeps them stabilized so you won’t typically feel even light rolling.

That built-for-strength stability and advanced on-board technology, coupled with the fact that Caribbean waters are quite calm in the summer and fall months, are another reason why it’s most likely that your Caribbean sailing, even during hurricane season, will be smooth and worry free.

Passenger safety in adverse weather (and in fair weather, as well) is so important that Celebrity Cruises’ parent company, Royal Caribbean International, employs a Chief Meteorologist who mans a Fleet Operations Center that monitors weather around the globe, wherever Celebrity Cruises’ ships travel.

It is the Chief Meteorologist’s job to keep a close eye on weather patterns and monitor any brewing storms that may affect a ship’s route. If a storm develops, the Chief and his team do everything in their power to avoid a ship being in harm’s way.

One advantage that cruise ships have in severe weather is that, unlike land destinations, ships are mobile. If a hurricane or other severe weather appears to be developing while you’re enjoying your cruise vacation, you can be sure the marine operations team is at work assessing when it might arrive, how severe the weather event may be, and how the ship’s captain can maneuver around it or change course.

How do I keep safe if there’s a hurricane while I’m on a cruise?

Now that you know how Celebrity Cruises works to ensure your safety with expert engineers, meteorologists, and experienced captains and crews, you should know what you can do to be safe if a hurricane situation occurs during your cruise vacation.

First, even the most seasoned cruisers might find themselves in need of stomach-calming assistance when cruising during hurricane season, so be sure to pack over-the-counter medication to prevent seasickness or, if necessary, a prescription for a patch that will prevent motion sickness.

It’s equally important that you stay calm and continue to enjoy as much cruise activity as you would like. Be sure to pay attention to the captain’s daily messages about sea conditions, and always heed crew members directions.

Book your cruise

Now that you understand the ins and outs of cruising during hurricane season, browse our cruise itineraries online and find the perfect cruise for you, or call one of our vacation specialists at 1-800-852-8086.

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What It’s Like To Cruise During A Hurricane

Cruise vacations offer a unique blend of relaxation and adventure, attracting numerous travelers seeking unforgettable experiences. However, despite their growing popularity, there are several reasons why people express fear when embarking on a cruise ship. While concerns about being in the middle of the vast ocean without any sight of land or the fear of shipwrecks are commonly discussed, one specific worry that often remains unnoticed is the potential encounter with a hurricane while at sea.

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. 

When Is Hurricane Season?

If you are concerned about running into hurricanes on your cruise vacation, you should first know which regions of the world experience hurricanes and when. Luckily, hurricane patterns are fairly regular year in and year out, meaning you can rest assured that cruising during the hurricane off-season is a surefire way to avoid running into these storms on vacation. So, without further ado, here is a tentative calendar of hurricane seasons around the world:

January – March

During this time of year, hurricanes tend to sweep through the South Pacific islands towards New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and other parts of Southern Asia. 

April through June sees hurricanes forming on the other side of the Pacific, usually developing off the western coast of Mexico and traveling west towards the islands of Hawaii. 

July-September

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. 

October-December

Lastly, the winter months of the year see hurricanes start to form back in the Southern Pacific near Australia. Yet it is also expected to see them hit the eastern coasts of Africa and certain Southeast Asian regions. 

If you are concerned about encountering hurricanes on a cruise, use this calendar to guide your cruise vacation. Avoid a Caribbean cruise during the summer months and opt instead for a trip up the coast of Australia. With this knowledge, you can ensure you will never experience a hurricane on a cruise ship. 

Is It Dangerous to Cruise During a Hurricane?

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. 

This is one reason why being on a cruise ship during hurricane season might be safer than on land. If a cruise captain notices a hurricane obstructing their ship’s route, they can simply reroute away from the storm. On land, however, you’re stuck with limited evacuation options. 

Furthermore, cruise ships are specifically designed and engineered to withstand rough weather and choppy seas. Expertly designed and rigorously tested features such as ship stabilizers allow cruises to safely sail through rougher weather. These stabilizers are so effective that, often, passengers onboard don’t even realize they’re sailing through rough water. These safety features and modern weather tracking technology make encountering a storm or hurricane during your cruise vacation extremely uncommon. 

How Can Cruise Passengers Stay Safe?

With all that being said, let’s dive into some quick, practical tips for finding yourself on a cruise ship during a hurricane. The most important thing you can do for your safety is to stay informed. Your captain and crew will ensure you have updated safety information throughout the experience. Be sure to pay attention to these updates and follow any instructions given to you and your family. 

The ship’s crew members undergo rigorous safety and emergency training. They have expert knowledge of the ship and its safety procedures. If you feel unsure or anxious about a situation, the best thing you can do is ask them for guidance. It is also important to personally review any safety information about the ship, usually found in your cabins. By staying informed on emergency procedures and evacuation protocols, you can ensure that you will be well-equipped to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in any emergency. 

One last thing you can do in advance to prepare for the possibility of your cruise being impacted by hurricanes is to buy travel insurance. While often overlooked, buying travel insurance is a fantastic way to protect yourself in the event of any unforeseen changes to your itinerary due to emergency weather. Suppose your captain reroutes your cruise, revises the itinerary, or cancels the voyage altogether in the worst-case scenario. In that case, travel insurance guarantees you don’t lose any money you’ve already spent on the vacation. 

While it’s unlikely you will need to submit a claim to your travel insurance provider, knowing that you have the option in emergencies is a great way to give yourself some peace of mind. 

As you can see, cruises are extremely uncommon to sail through a storm, and even less so for a hurricane. This is the case even during the peak of hurricane season, as cruise ships are well-equipped with weather tracking technology that allows cruise captains to navigate any bad weather. If you’re still nervous about experiencing a hurricane during your cruise, it can be helpful to avoid certain cruise destinations while they’re in peak hurricane season. But if you find yourself onboard during a weather emergency, the most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to stay informed and listen to your captain and crew. Other than that, your only responsibility is to sit back, relax, and enjoy everything your cruise vacation offers!

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How Cruises Navigate the Rough Seas of Hurricane Season

After devastating hurricanes struck the caribbean and florida this fall, travelers may wonder what to expect in terms of sailing conditions and itinerary changes when cruise lines encounter serious storms..

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When it comes to monitoring weather and hurricane season, this is not the cruise industry’s first rodeo.

Photo by Shutterstock

As hurricanes Fiona and Ian devastated the Caribbean and Florida last month, heading as far up the eastern Atlantic coast as Newfoundland, Canada, and leaving a trail of destruction behind, cruise ships were left unscathed. How did they avoid calamity?

Today’s modern cruise ships are built to withstand storms, avoid them, and even outrun them. Cruise companies follow the weather very carefully, changing itineraries, canceling sailings, and working hard to keep passengers and crew out of harm’s way.

Millions of cruisers are in the Caribbean on dozens of ships during the hurricane season, which roughly runs from the start of June until the end of November. In addition to the Caribbean, storms can impact the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada and along the Mexican Riviera on cruises out of California that sail to such ports as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

The largest storms tend to hit the eastern Caribbean in August through October and the western Caribbean from September through November. These late summer and fall periods are also when you are likely to find some of the best cruise deals of the year.

For those temped by the savings, it’s worth noting that most cruises are not physically impacted by hurricanes. But if you book a cruise that takes place during hurricane season, be prepared for possible last-minute itinerary changes and cancellations should there be storms. If you have your heart set on your cruise visiting a particular island, you may be better off avoiding hurricane season sailings—no matter how good the deals are.

How cruise ships monitor for hurricanes and severe weather

Major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean , Celebrity Cruises , Carnival Cruise Line , and Princess Cruises , continuously monitor weather patterns around the world.

The captain and officers on each ship have access to weather maps and satellite images and storm models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And they get updates from teams on the ground monitoring storms.

Royal Caribbean Group , which includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and luxury line Silversea , hired its own meteorologist, James Van Fleet , in 2017; during hurricane season, he is based in Miami in a storm monitoring center with a 25-foot wall of weather screens. The rest of the year he trains cruise ship crew on how to deal with weather conditions.

He provides public reports on forecasts and conditions on his Instagram account . It’s fascinating reading for weather enthusiasts and includes very practical information for those who have a cruise coming up.

Carnival similarly monitors weather conditions from its fleet operations center, which opened in 2018 at the company’s Miami headquarters and runs 24/7. The center keeps in touch with ship captains as weather systems develop.

Thankfully, when storms and hurricanes do develop, cruise lines often have time to plan. Most storms appear on weather radars 7 to 10 days before they hit. And when it comes to cruise ships and storms, cruise lines leave nothing to chance.

How cruise lines handle rerouting ships during a hurricane

Hurricanes may cause ships to miss ports as they seek calmer seas, and in some cases, itineraries are changed more drastically. You may find your eastern Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten is changed to a western Caribbean cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, or the opposite.

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.

Passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway out of New York thought they were heading to Bermuda, but ended up instead visiting Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; and St. John in New Brunswick, Canada, due to Hurricane Fiona.

That ship was hardly alone. Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian resulted in hundreds of itinerary changes, and some cancellations as well.

Leading up to Hurricane Ian, the Florida ports of Key West, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral were shut down, leaving some ships at sea.

Passengers on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Disney Wish had their four-night sailing out of Port Canaveral extended by a day when the ship could not return to port and instead found calmer seas to hang out in. A video was posted on Twitter of passengers cheering when they learned they would have more time on the ship. Passengers on the next sailing weren’t as lucky. Their cruise was canceled due to the late arrival of the incoming sailing.

Staying at sea is often a safer bet for ships during a hurricane, as they are not in danger of hitting any structures or rocks as they might be in port.

How rough do cruise ship sailings get during hurricanes?

While your ship can avoid the brunt of a storm, you shouldn’t assume you won’t feel some rocking and rolling. If you are cruising in hurricane season, it’s best to be prepared with a seasickness remedy .

You’ll know rough seas are expected not only based on the captain’s daily briefings but also by actions by the crew—such as dampening tablecloths so that dishes don’t fall off. If the ship’s pools and water park close, time to take some seasickness medication if you’re prone.

Should you set sail during a hurricane?

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. You may actually find little to no impact on your cruise vacation.

Whatever you decide, you are certainly not going to find yourself sailing right into a major storm, so deciding whether to cruise or not is a matter of comfort and convenience—not safety. At worst, you may experience some rough seas. And you should be prepared to be flexible in terms of any possible itinerary changes.

It’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers trip disruption for weather-related changes, so that you are covered for any flight changes or hotel stays should your cruise be changed or delayed.

If ports are missed, the cruise line may compensate passengers with onboard spending credit to use for drinks and Wi-Fi and other purchases, but that’s totally at its discretion. If the cruise is canceled due to a hurricane you can expect a full refund, and some lines will also provide a discount on a future sailing in addition to the refund, the cruise line’s effort to sweeten the pot so you will rebook.

If you are cruising in hurricane season, it makes sense to keep track of the weather prior to your cruise so you aren’t blindsided should changes occur. Check with your cruise line if you have concerns and to stay up to date on any announcements made by the company.

A METEOROLOGIST SHARES

Why cruising is safe during hurricane season, james van fleet, the first chief meteorologist in the cruise industry, gives us five reasons why it's still a good time to cruise during hurricane season..

Wave Season is the time to plan an escape to warmer weather or anywhere with Royal Caribbean—and for a great deal.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Great vacations are made up of adventures, memorable moments and ideal weather. However, we all know the weather can be unpredictable. What if we told you there’s a vacation you could take and have zero worries about the forecast literally raining on your parade? That vacation is a cruise —yes, really.

No matter the weather that’s brewing, you can count on catching perfect waves on the FlowRider surf simulator and braving the tallest slide at sea when you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Cruise ships easily travel from one place to the next, meaning they can conveniently ditch bad weather at a moment’s notice. Take it from James Van Fleet, Royal Caribbean’s chief meteorologist and the first in the cruise industry . He keeps an eye on our 25-plus ships and two private destinations around the clock, so that you can keep the good times rolling.

Read on for five reasons why it’s safe to cruise during hurricane season, according to Chief Meteorologist Van Fleet:

Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist Van Fleet records frequent weather updates during hurricane season.

1.  Cruise Ships Are a Safe Place to Be

One of the best parts about taking a cruise vacation is that you can easily head to better weather—think sun, sand and a cocktail in hand. And as you’re headed toward clearer skies, there are plenty of ways you and the whole family can enjoy yourselves—like watching jaw-dropping shows across air, water, ice and stage to roller skating, laser tag and bumper cars.

Van Fleet: A common misconception is that the open water is the most dangerous place to be in inclement weather. It’s actually the total opposite: If a storm is coming your way on land, you have fewer options. Your home is a potential target that can’t be moved. On a cruise ship, captains can sail out of the way—and quickly. Having a dedicated meteorologist working with the teams on board to look at weather patterns and make real-time decisions makes all the difference, too, because we’re able to get in front of what’s developing and immediately communicate that to our crew and guests.

2.  The Ocean Is Actually Calmer During Hurricane Season

When asked if the seas are rougher during  hurricane season , Van Fleet said there’s no need to worry.

Van Fleet: That’s actually a myth. In fact, the high-pressure and humid temperatures associated with hurricane season settle the seas. The Atlantic Ocean, the  Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are all much calmer in the summer than they are in the winter. So, it’s actually still a good time to take a cruise.

3.  Ships Have Stabilizers For Smooth Sailing

Even if the conditions do happen to get choppy, every Royal Caribbean ship has features and capabilities to help things go as smoothly as possible so that you’ll hardly notice .

Van Fleet: For example, all Royal Caribbean cruise ships have stabilizers that act like airplane wings. When you think about it, air is water vapor, so these stabilizers essentially lift the ship over waves the same way a wing lifts a plane over rough air. This keeps the “rise and fall” from being too noticeable.

Van Fleet normally monitors the weather from Royal Caribbean’s Miami headquarters.

Credit: Royal Caribbean Press Center

4.  There’s ‘Round the Clock Weather Tracking

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. Van Fleet even keeps portable tracking devices with him at all times.

Van Fleet: What’s more, there are  officers on board always monitoring information provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They’re stationed throughout the ship to make sure everyone is safe should inclement weather arise.

5.  You’ll Get Frequent Updates

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.

Van Fleet: The captain will make weather announcements, and I record forecast videos that play in every stateroom. I also rely on social media to give updates—it’s one of the fastest ways to connect with everyone. If you follow me on Twitter , you’ll get the latest and greatest directly from me, too.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, the forecast is always smooth sailing. Whether you’re looking to kick back by the pool with a cocktail and live music, take on thrills like the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator or get a taste of the world of flavors on board, the weather will be an afterthought.

Ready to experience all the adventure, entertainment, dining, nightlife and more on your next vacation (rain or shine)? Head here to find your cruise.

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5 Things to Know about Cruising During Hurricane Season

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

Have you booked or are you considering doing a cruise during hurricane season?

In this article, we go through 5 things that are important to know if you are planning a cruise during hurricane season, so you can be prepared and know what to expect.

When is Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is actually from June through November, although typically we see more hurricane and tropical storm activity from mid-late August, and throughout September and October.

Is it safe to cruise during hurricane season?

The most common and understandable concern many cruise passengers have is, how safe is it to cruise during hurricane season?

We actually booked and took our very first cruise during hurricane season, so I’ve dealt with this first hand and totally get the worries! (September 2004 – If you google it, it was the “year of the hurricanes”!!)

Firstly, yes it’s safe to cruise during this time. The reality is that cruise lines will not bring their passengers, their crew and even their ships into harm’s way.

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.

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. You’re a little bit stuck.

Cruise lines can do things do keep away from the storms and hurricanes, such as change itineraries or even shorten, lengthen or even cancel a cruise altogether (which rarely happens).

What itineraries can be affected?

Itineraries most affected by hurricanes are Caribbean itineraries, Bahamas and Bermuda cruises. Obviously if you are cruising to Alaska, the Mediterranean or somewhere else, this will not be an issue for you.

What can happen if a hurricane occurs during your cruise?

If a hurricane or even a severe tropical storm looks like it will affect any of your cruise ports, the most likely thing to happen is that the cruise line will make a decision to change the itinerary.

Itinerary changes – cruise ports

When a hurricane is expected to affect an island, or even the nautical route at sea, cruise ships often change up the itinerary.

As an example, if your cruise was going to the Western Caribbean with ports of call in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Falmouth planned, the itinerary may be switched for an Eastern Caribbean route and head to St. Thomas, St. Marteen and Nassau.

Cruise ships may also simply replace one cruise port stop, or they may even switch up the order of the cruise port days. They may skip a port and have an extra sea day .

Cruise ships will not be knowingly taken into the path of a hurricane and cruise lines monitor closely to make changes ahead of time, as much as possible.

Itinerary changes – length of cruise

Sometimes the cruise will be shortened or lengthened to avoid a hurricane.

When might this happen?

As an example, if a cruise is leaving out of Florida and a hurricane is forecast, your scheduled embarkation day can be affected. Of course, things like this can happen when leaving from other ports as well.

Cruise lines will sometimes make a decision to make a cruise shorter, or even longer by adding days, to avoid bringing a cruise ship into a storm. A ship can even stay out at sea for extra days.

Our first cruise was actually affected by a hurricane, and this is what happened to us. Our 7 day Caribbean cruise became a 5 day cruise!!!

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).

If you’d like to hear our story and have even more information, including how the cruise line dealt with compensation, you can watch this video below.

*If you liked this video and found it helpful, please consider sharing it on Facebook with others that might be cruising.

How to prepare if you’re cruising during hurricane season

There are definitely things you can and in preparation (just in case), if you’re cruising during hurricane season.

1. Be Flexible

The reality is that a cruise itinerary can change at any time of the year, that’s actually in the fine print when you book a cruise. However, when booking a cruise during hurricane season, it’s especially important to be flexible.

When researching ports and even booking excursions, just remember that it may change up. If booking with the cruise line, they’ll refund any charges for excursions you don’t take if you don’t make it to that port. However, if booking private excursions, do make sure that they have that in their policy as well.

It’s important to remember, that no matter where you go on your cruise, you’ll have fun and there will be great things to see and experience.

2. Purchase cruise travel insurance

At any time of year, cruise travel insurance is important. The fact is, unpredictable things can happen.

However, check your policy to make sure that you’re covered if you can’t get to your cruise due to a hurricane. That happens sometimes if a hurricane actually affects your flights. Make sure you’re covered so you don’t have to worry!

3. Keep an eye and ear on upcoming weather forecasts

This goes without saying, but keep informed so that you know if an itinerary change is likely. Be prepared with any changes of clothing needed.

In the recent past, we’ve seen cruises that were supposed to be going to Bermuda, have a itinerary change to avoid a storm. Those cruises went to Canada and New England.

Now those are amazing places, and people book Canada/New England cruises all the time, but, if you were planning on Bermuda beaches, and end up at Peggy’s Cove…. well, let’s just say you definitely would need warmer clothes.

This isn’t typical, and rarely happens, but is an example of just keeping an eye on things so that you can be prepared.

Is it cheaper to cruise during hurricane season?

You may have noticed, that cruises are generally much cheaper during hurricane season. Typically, Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda cruises will be less expensive from September-November.

There are advantages:

It’s a great opportunity to try out a new and amazing ship for much less that you’d pay during January or February. You can pick up some incredible cruise deals!

It’s also quieter. Kids are in mostly back at school, so it’s so much less busy than during the summer.

If you want to cruise without many kids on board, or even if you have kids but have flexibility in vacation time, and prefer to avoid crowds, this can be ideal. It’s a great time to take advantage of lower pricing and Kids Sail Free deals which are a huge money saver for families .

Finally, the weather can be beautiful. Although a cruise can be affected by a hurricane and need to make changes, the weather outside of those storms is often nice, hot and sunny.

Recap: 5 Things to Know about Cruising During Hurricane Season

Cruising during hurricane season is something thousands of cruisers do every year, and enjoy it! It’s important to remember that if there is an itinerary change, the cruise lines are doing this to keep everyone safe.

Having a good attitude and trying to be flexible if there is a change, will help you to have the the very best cruise. Plus, you’ll have a fun cruise story to tell ;-).

Have you cruised during Hurricane season? Do you have a cruise coming up that will sail during hurricane season? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!!

If you’ve enjoyed this or found it helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Shares on Facebook and Pinterest are much appreciated.  

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I had a cruise in September that was to go to CoZumel We ended up staying in the Gulf. Ok, but near as much fun.

Oh, you were affected – that’s too bad. Certainly not as fun if you don’t get to a port.

Thanks for taking time to share your experience!

Me and my wife are going this September and hoping that we have no hurricane shows up

Hi Micheal,

Hopefully there won’t be any hurricanes. Just be prepared to enjoy your cruise and be flexible if an island is affected, that you will likely sail somewhere else.

Wishing you a great cruise!

We have our first cruise coming up early next week. We are headed to Cozumel and Progresso.. I’m a bit nervous since I’m hearing in the news that a tropical depression is developing and might hit the Gulf late next week, which we will still be there. I even asked our congregation to keep us on their prayers.

I hope all is going well on your cruise!

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Cruising During Hurricane Season: What You Need To Know

Cruising during hurricane season can be risky but also cheaper and less crowded. It’s important to take precautions for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Cruising during hurricane season requires careful consideration of geographical factors. Since areas like the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico are more prone to hurricanes, it’s important to research your destination and choose a flexible cruise line for unexpected weather events.

What is Hurricane Season?

Hurricane season is the time of the year when tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely to occur because of mild weather.

In the Atlantic, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the season’s peak occurring in August and September. During this period, the Atlantic Ocean is warm enough to fuel the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes. In the peak of hurricane season, the water in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico can be as warm as 90 degrees.

The Atlantic hurricane season typically produces 12 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes and three becoming major hurricanes. However, the number of storms and their intensity can vary yearly, depending on factors like ocean temperatures, wind patterns, and atmospheric conditions.

During the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, 16 tropical cyclones formed, Out of those, 14 intensified and were given names.

When planning a cruise during hurricane season, it is essential to keep an eye on the weather and to be prepared for the possibility of itinerary changes or cancellations. Cruise lines have contingency plans for dealing with storms, but it is always a good idea to have travel insurance and be flexible with your plans.

Understanding hurricane season and the risks associated with cruising during this time can help you make informed decisions and stay safe while enjoying your vacation.

Cruising During Hurricane Season

If you plan to cruise during hurricane season, keeping an eye on the weather forecasts before and during your trip is essential. Cruise lines have established procedures to deal with adverse weather conditions, and they will typically monitor the weather closely to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew.

When booking a cruise during hurricane season, purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellations and interruptions due to weather-related issues is also a good idea. Some cruise lines may also offer their own insurance policies that provide additional coverage.

If a hurricane is forecasted to affect your itinerary, the cruise line will typically make necessary changes to the route to avoid the storm. This may include changing ports of call, altering the duration of the trip, or canceling the cruise altogether.

Suppose a hurricane is expected to impact your vacation directly. In that case, the cruise line directly will likely email you before embarkation day with details about the trip or ports of call changes.

Cruising during hurricane season can be an exciting adventure, but being well-prepared and aware of the risks is essential. By keeping an eye on the weather forecasts, purchasing travel insurance, and understanding the procedures of the cruise line, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise vacation.

Geographical Considerations

The Caribbean is a popular destination for cruises, but it is also one of the areas most impacted by hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November, with the peak season being from August to October.

When planning a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season, choose your itinerary carefully. Some areas of the Caribbean are more prone to hurricanes than others, and it is important to avoid these areas during hurricane season.

Western Caribbean cruises, which typically include destinations such as Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, are more likely to be affected by hurricanes than Eastern Caribbean cruises, which usually include destinations such as St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Puerto Rico.

It is also important to note that storms can affect other areas of the Caribbean, such as the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), the Bahamas, and Bermuda.

Safety Measures and Precautions

When cruising during hurricane season, safety is always the top priority. Fortunately, cruise ships are equipped with advanced technology and highly trained crews to ensure the safety of all onboard. 

One of the most critical safety measures is the captain’s decision-making process. Captains are trained to monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions about the ship’s route and itinerary. If a hurricane is predicted to be in the ship’s path, the captain may alter the course or cancel the trip.

Cruise ships also have advanced safety technology, including radar, sonar, and satellite communication systems. These tools enable the crew to monitor weather conditions and communicate with other ships and emergency services if necessary.

RELATED: Are Cruise Ships Safe?

Cruise ships have extensive emergency procedures in place in the event of an emergency. All passengers must participate in a safety drill at the beginning of the trip, which includes instructions on evacuating the ship in an emergency. Crew members are also trained to handle various emergencies, from medical emergencies to fires and floods.

Passengers can take additional precautions to ensure their safety during hurricane season. It is recommended that they pack a basic emergency kit, including a flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit. They should also stay informed about weather conditions and follow the captain’s instructions.

The Benefits of Cruising During Hurricane Season

Before we go one step further, it’s important to note that planning a cruise during hurricane season can be a gamble. It also comes with several risks, which we’ll discuss in the next section. But definite pluses make this a time of year worth considering.

For one thing, the latter part of the hurricane season falls when most kids are back in school. You still have the tail-end of summer, meaning cruising out of ports like New York City in still-gorgeous weather but with fewer families. Given that many clans try to fit four or five people into a stateroom, the fewer families on any sailing, the lower the overall number of people aboard. And that means more room for you.

Impact on Itineraries

Cruising during hurricane season can significantly impact itineraries, causing port stops, missed ports, and ship rerouting changes. It is essential for passengers to understand the potential itinerary changes that may occur due to hurricanes and to be prepared for such changes.

Possible Itinerary Changes

Cruise lines have established procedures to monitor weather conditions and make necessary itinerary changes to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. If a hurricane is forecasted to impact a port of call, the cruise line may cancel the port stop and replace it with an alternative port.

In some cases, the ship may need to reroute to avoid the hurricane entirely, resulting in a change of itinerary. These changes may occur before embarkation day or while you’re sailing on your cruise.

Missed Ports and Rerouting

Cruise lines typically offer compensation in the form of onboard credit or a refund of the port fees in case of a missed port. Passengers may also participate in an alternative activity onboard the ship. If the ship needs to reroute, the cruise line will typically provide updates and keep passengers informed of any changes to the itinerary.

Passengers must understand that itinerary changes can occur anytime during the cruise, even after the ship departs from its home port. Passengers should remain flexible and be prepared for potential changes to their itinerary due to hurricanes.

How to Deal with Delays and Cancellations

When cruising during hurricane season, it’s essential to know that delays and cancellations are possible. The safety of passengers and crew is the top priority, and cruise lines will take necessary precautions to avoid any potential danger.

If a storm or hurricane is approaching, the cruise line may alter the itinerary or even cancel the cruise altogether. In this case, passengers will typically be notified as soon as possible and given the option to reschedule or receive a refund.

It’s important to note that cruise lines are not responsible for any additional costs incurred due to delayed or canceled cruises, such as flights or hotels. Passengers should always purchase travel insurance to cover any unexpected expenses.

In the event of a missed port due to weather conditions, the cruise line will typically offer compensation. This may include a refund of port fees or a credit towards a future cruise.

It’s important to review the cruise contract and reservation details carefully to understand the policies and procedures in case of delays or cancellations. By being prepared and informed, passengers can confidently navigate any unexpected situations.

It’s a good idea to print out the Ticket Contract before you accept the terms and conditions for your cruise.

Travel Insurance and Compensation

Cruising during hurricane season can be risky, and travelers are often concerned about what will happen if their cruise is cancelled or delayed due to weather conditions. Fortunately, many cruise lines offer insurance and compensation options to protect travelers from unexpected events.

Travel insurance is one of the most important things to consider when booking a cruise during hurricane season. 

RELATED: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can cover various issues, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost or stolen luggage. In case of a cruise cancellation due to weather or other reasons, most cruise lines offer a full refund or rescheduling option.

However, outside costs of the cruise, such as non-refundable hotel rooms or airfare with hefty change fees and booked tours or shore excursions outside of the cruise line, are not covered.

It is important to buy insurance during hurricane season, and it should be done promptly. 

Why? Two reasons. 

First, if you want a policy with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) clause (which we highly recommend), it usually needs to be purchased within two weeks of the initial deposit. 

Secondly, to make any hurricane-related claim, the policy has to have been purchased before the storm is named. 

In other words, you cannot wait until the last minute to learn about the hurricane, buy an insurance policy, and attempt to file a claim.

It’s essential to carefully read the cruise line’s ticket contract and the travel insurance policy’s explanation of benefits before agreeing to the terms and conditions.

Some cruise lines may also offer compensation for inconveniences caused by weather-related delays or cancellations, such as additional hotel stays or transportation costs. It’s important to check with the cruise line to see what compensation options are available.

Port taxes and fees are another consideration when booking a cruise during hurricane season. If a port is closed due to weather conditions, cruise lines may be required to refund these fees to travelers.

Travelers should also watch for special offers and lower prices for cruising during hurricane season. While booking a cruise at a lower price may be tempting, it’s important to consider the potential risks and understand the cruise line’s cancellation policy.

Tips for Cruising During Hurricane Season

Cruising during hurricane season can be daunting, but it can still be a great vacation with the proper preparation and attitude.

Here are some tips to help you navigate the potential challenges of cruising during hurricane season:

1. Choose Your Destination Wisely

When planning a cruise during hurricane season, choosing your destination wisely is important. Some areas are more prone to hurricanes than others, so do your research and select a destination that is less likely to be affected.

For example, cruises to Alaska or Europe are less likely to be impacted by hurricanes than cruises to the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico.

2. Be Prepared for Seasickness

The seas can be rough during hurricane season, so preparing for seasickness on a cruise is important. Bring any necessary medication or remedies, such as ginger or motion sickness bands, and consider booking a cabin in the middle of the ship, where the motion is less noticeable.

3. Have the Right Attitude

When cruising during hurricane season, having the right attitude is essential. Understand that the weather is out of your control and that the ship’s crew is doing everything possible to keep you safe. Stay positive and enjoy the other aspects of your cruise, such as the onboard activities and entertainment.

4. Have a Backup Plan for Travel

Be flexible. If a hurricane does impact your cruise, it’s essential to have a backup plan for travel.

Purchase travel insurance covering weather-related cancellations and delays, and have a plan for alternate travel arrangements, such as flights or hotels.

Following these tips and being prepared, you can still enjoy a fantastic cruise during hurricane season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the atlantic hurricane season for cruises.

Hurricane season for cruises typically runs from June 1 to November 30. During this time, tropical storms and hurricanes are more likely to occur in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.

Can cruise ships go around hurricanes?

Cruise ships can change their itinerary and route to avoid hurricanes. They can also speed up or slow down to stay ahead of or behind a storm. However, it’s important to note that rerouting a ship can cause changes in the ports of call and itinerary.

What happens on a cruise if a hurricane is coming?

If a hurricane is approaching, the captain and crew will closely monitor the storm’s path and adjust the ship’s route as necessary. Passengers may experience changes in the itinerary, such as skipping ports of call or spending more time at sea. The ship may also encounter rough seas and high winds, causing some discomfort for passengers.

Is it safe to cruise during hurricane season?

Cruising during hurricane season can be safe, but knowing the risks and potential changes to the itinerary is important. Cruise lines have extensive safety protocols in place to ensure the safety of passengers and crew during storms.

How often do cruise ships get caught in storms?

While cruise ships do their best to avoid storms, they can get caught in bad weather. However, this is relatively rare; cruise lines have protocols to keep passengers safe during these situations.

This article was original published in 2019 and updated in 2023.

The post Cruising During Hurricane Season: What You Need To Know appeared first on Cruise Radio - Daily Updates On The Cruise Industry.

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By: Richard Simms Title: Cruising During Hurricane Season: What You Need To Know Sourced From: cruiseradio.net/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hurricane-season-cruises/ Published Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2023 01:42:38 +0000

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Everything You Need to Know If You Go on a Cruise During Hurricane Season

By Madison Owens Leave a Comment

It’s still hurricane season on the East Coast of the U.S., and those storms can definitely affect your Disney vacation.

Disney Wish

We’ve seen hurricanes impact things in Disney World before , and they’ve even been so bad as to shut down the parks for a day or two . While Disney World is super prepared for these kinds of events , there’s another type vacation you might be worried about — Disney cruises or cruising in general . So, let’s talk about how cruises can be impacted by hurricanes .

Cruising During Hurricane Season

You might think it’s unsafe to cruise during hurricane season, but that’s not necessarily true . Hurricanes are very well tracked and researched, so they don’t just pop up out of the blue while you’re on a cruise. Meteorologists know about them well in advance and can usually predict the general path of a storm.

Disney Magic

The good news is it’s pretty simple for cruise ships to avoid a hurricane since they know where they’re going to be. They can reroute the ship to go around the storm, wait a few days for the storm to pass, or take a completely different route that doesn’t go near the storm.

Disney Cruise Line

In fact, you might even notice that rates are lower for cruises during the peak of hurricane season (around mid-August to mid-October). This is probably partially due to summer vacation being over, but less people could also be choosing to cruise during this time due to the potential of hurricanes.

Castaway Cay (Disney’s Private Island)

Cruising during hurricane season is generally safe, because your captains aren’t just going to sail you right into the eye of the storm. They have the technology and info that allows them to take any actions they need to in order to avoid a hurricane.

An Overview of EVERY Disney Cruise Line Restaurant

Will your cruise get canceled.

It’s very rare for a cruise to be canceled due to a hurricane, and that’s for a number of reasons that we’ve already mentioned a bit. Cruise lines can simply change the itinerary, route, or departure port in order to avoid a storm instead of canceling a cruise. They can also just delay your trip so that it won’t be impacted by the hurricane in question.

Disney Dream

So, while your trip might not be canceled, it can definitely be changed . You might have to travel to a different port in order to leave or leave a few days later in order to still go on your cruise. So, if this does happen, you will want to look at the cancelation or rescheduling policies for your airline, hotel, rental car, or any other plan you have that isn’t covered by the cruise line.

However, in rare situations, cruises can be canceled , so know that there is a small possibility that it could happen. In this situation, cruises will usually offer guests a full refund and sometimes even offer a discount on your next cruise. Disney Cruise Line will give you a refund if your cruise is canceled .

But remember, if this does happen, you will also need to check out the cancelation policies for your airfare, hotel, rental car, etc. because they can all be different. Make sure you look at these ahead of time! This is also a reason you might want to get some travel insurance for your trip.

What It Costs to Take a Disney Cruise

Cancelation policies.

If Disney Cruise Line cancels your cruise or delays your cruise for more than three calendar days (and you do not accept an alternative cruise or choose not to travel on a delayed cruise), you can request a refund or a cruise credit by emailing Disney Cruise Line at  [email protected] .

These requests must be made within 90 days of the original scheduled sail date and must include a copy of the cruise confirmation, proof and amount of payment, and cancellation or delay notice.

Castaway Cay

If YOU decide to cancel your cruise because you’re worried about a hurricane (meaning you do this before anything has actually changed with the cruise), the normal cancelation policies for that cruise line should apply.

You can cancel your reservation online by signing into your account and going to My Reservations , then select “ Modify Reservation .” From there, you can change your sail date, edit your travel party, modify your stateroom, or cancel your reservation.

Cancellation fees can apply in certain situations . If you have already paid for your cruise in full, booked it with a Future Cruise Credit, or booked it under a restricted rate or concierge category, it’s recommended that you call the Disney Cruise Line Contact Center at  (800) 951-3532 for assistance.

If you booked your cruise through a travel agency, contact your travel agent. And, if you’ve booked it through Disney Vacation Club, contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 to make modifications.

Here’s a closer look at the cancelation policy :

So, there you have it! That’s what you need to know about cruising during hurricane season. We’d suggest keeping an eye on the weather around the are where you’ll be cruising before your cruise just to stay in the loop. And remember, your cruise itinerary can be changed or the dates could be delayed , so keep that in mind when you’re booking during hurricane season.

Want more about Disney cruises? Check out more about Disney cruises sailing to Australia and New Zealand for the first time , the name and theme for the NEW Disney Cruise Line ship , and  how the COVID-19 testing policy has changed for Disney Cruise Line .

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney Cruise Line news, info, and updates.

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What Happens To Cruise Ships During Hurricanes

Published: December 14, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Tatiania Quintero

Introduction

Cruise vacations are designed to whisk travelers away to stunning destinations where they can relax and indulge in luxury. However, one factor that can disrupt the serenity of a cruise is the occurrence of hurricanes. These powerful and unpredictable storms have the potential to impact cruise ships and their itineraries, causing inconvenience and potential safety concerns for both passengers and crew.

Understanding how cruise ships navigate through hurricanes and the measures taken to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on board is crucial. In this article, we will explore what happens to cruise ships during hurricanes and how the industry prepares for these natural disasters.

First, let’s take a brief look at what hurricanes are and how they form. Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, are massive rotating storms that develop over warm ocean waters. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges, posing significant risks to coastal areas and maritime activities.

When a hurricane threatens an area where cruise ships operate, cruise lines must take swift action to mitigate any potential dangers. This often involves closely monitoring the storm’s progress and making timely decisions regarding itinerary changes, delaying departures, or even canceling trips altogether.

Weather conditions can change rapidly, making it vital for cruise lines to stay in constant communication with meteorological agencies and utilize advanced weather forecasting technology. These tools help in predicting the path and intensity of hurricanes, providing valuable data that allows cruise lines to make informed decisions for the safety of their passengers and crew.

Understanding Hurricanes

Hurricanes are powerful tropical cyclones that form over warm ocean waters. They are characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds rotating in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere, and heavy rainfall. These dangerous storms can cause widespread destruction and have a significant impact on maritime activities, including cruises.

Several factors contribute to the formation and intensification of hurricanes. Warm ocean waters provide the energy needed for a hurricane to develop and strengthen. Typically, the sea surface temperature needs to be around 80°F (27°C) or higher to fuel the storm. As warm, moist air rises from the ocean’s surface, it creates an area of low pressure. As more warm air is drawn into this low-pressure area, it begins to rotate due to the Coriolis effect, a result of the Earth’s rotation.

The rotation of the storm causes wind speeds to increase, creating a distinct eye in the center of the hurricane. The eye is a calm region with clear skies, surrounded by the eyewall, which is the most intense part of the storm. The eyewall contains the hurricane’s strongest winds and heaviest rainfall, which can cause devastating damage to coastal areas and structures.

The intensity of a hurricane is measured using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies hurricanes into five categories based on their sustained wind speeds. Category 1 hurricanes have wind speeds between 74 and 95 mph (119-153 km/h), while Category 5 hurricanes have wind speeds exceeding 156 mph (251 km/h).

Hurricanes are typically tracked using sophisticated technology, including satellites, weather buoys, and radar systems. Meteorological agencies closely monitor these storms and provide regular updates on their position, intensity, and predicted paths.

It’s important to note that hurricanes can be highly unpredictable. Even with advanced forecasting techniques, their precise path and strength can vary. This uncertainty presents a challenge for cruise operators, who must make decisions based on the best available information to ensure the safety and comfort of their passengers and crew.

Preparation Measures for Cruise Ships

When a hurricane is approaching, cruise lines take several precautionary measures to ensure the safety and security of their ships, passengers, and crew. These preparations begin well in advance to minimize the potential impact of the storm.

One crucial step is to stay informed about the latest weather updates and forecasted path of the hurricane. Cruise lines maintain close communication with meteorological agencies and utilize advanced weather tracking systems to monitor the storm’s progress. This allows them to make informed decisions and take necessary actions in a timely manner.

One of the first steps taken by cruise lines is to modify the ship’s itinerary. This may involve altering the route to avoid the hurricane-affected areas or changing the scheduled port calls. Cruise lines prioritize the safety of their passengers and crew, and it’s not uncommon for destinations to be replaced with alternative ports that are considered safer during the storm.

In addition to itinerary changes, cruise ships are designed to withstand rough weather conditions, including hurricanes. These floating resorts are equipped with state-of-the-art stabilization systems that help minimize the impact of rough seas and high winds. Stabilizers are retractable fins located beneath the waterline, which help counteract the ship’s movement and reduce the rolling and pitching motion.

Cruise lines also conduct thorough inspections of the ship’s equipment to ensure it is in optimal working condition. This includes checking the integrity of the hull, navigation systems, and emergency equipment, such as lifeboats and life rafts. Any necessary repairs or maintenance tasks are carried out to ensure the ship is seaworthy and ready to handle any potential challenges.

Another crucial aspect of hurricane preparedness is stocking up on essential supplies. Cruise ships have a vast inventory of food, water, and medical provisions to sustain passengers and crew for an extended period if needed. This ensures that everyone on board has access to necessary resources, even in the event of prolonged disruption caused by the hurricane.

Furthermore, cruise lines have comprehensive emergency response plans in place to handle various scenarios that may arise during a hurricane. These plans include protocols for communication, passenger and crew safety, evacuation procedures, and coordination with local authorities and emergency services.

Overall, cruise ship operators place a high priority on the safety and well-being of their passengers and crew during hurricanes. Through meticulous planning, advanced technology, and proactive measures, they strive to minimize the impact of these powerful storms and provide a secure environment for everyone on board.

Ship Evacuation Plans

While cruise lines take extensive precautions to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew during hurricanes, there may be rare situations where evacuation becomes necessary. Ship evacuation plans are carefully crafted to handle such scenarios, ensuring a swift and organized process to get everyone to safety.

Ship captains and crew receive specialized training to effectively manage emergency situations and facilitate evacuation if required. These plans include clear protocols and procedures that outline evacuation routes, assembly areas, and the allocation of life-saving equipment.

Evacuation plans prioritize the needs of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities. Crew members are assigned specific roles and responsibilities to assist passengers during the evacuation process, aiding those who may require additional support or assistance.

Lifeboats and life rafts, which are regularly inspected and maintained, play a key role in the evacuation process. These vessels are designed to provide a safe means of transport for passengers and crew if they need to abandon the ship. They are equipped with essential supplies, such as water, food, and emergency equipment, to sustain those on board until rescue operations can be conducted.

In the event of an evacuation, passengers and crew are typically instructed to gather at designated assembly areas or embarkation stations. From there, they are directed to the assigned lifeboats or life rafts in an organized and orderly manner. Crew members provide guidance and assistance, ensuring that everyone understands the evacuation procedures and remains calm throughout the process.

Communication is a vital aspect of ship evacuation plans. Public address systems, onboard emergency alerts, and crew announcements are used to inform passengers about the situation and provide clear instructions. It’s important for passengers to listen to these instructions carefully and comply with crew members’ directions to ensure a safe and efficient evacuation.

It’s worth noting that ship evacuations are rare events and are typically reserved for extreme circumstances where remaining on board becomes unsafe. Cruise lines prioritize keeping passengers and crew on the ship whenever possible, as it is the safest place during a hurricane due to the ship’s size, stability, and resources.

Ship evacuation plans are comprehensive and designed to handle a range of potential scenarios. By implementing thorough training, clear protocols, and effective communication, cruise lines strive to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone on board, even in the most challenging situations.

Sheltering in Port

During hurricanes, when it may not be safe to sail or continue with the original itinerary, cruise ships often seek refuge in nearby ports. This is known as “sheltering in port” and is done to protect passengers, crew, and the vessel itself from the dangerous conditions associated with the storm.

Before deciding to shelter in port, cruise lines closely monitor the storm’s progress and work closely with port authorities to assess the safety of the chosen port. Ports that have adequate facilities, such as deep-water berths and proper infrastructure, are preferred for sheltering. These ports should be located at a safe distance from the hurricane’s projected path to minimize the risk of heavy winds, storm surges, and other potential dangers.

While in port, cruise ships utilize various measures to secure the vessel and protect it from the effects of the storm. This includes dropping anchor and utilizing tug boats to provide additional stability and prevent any drifting or movement of the ship due to strong winds and currents.

Furthermore, cruise lines take steps to ensure the comfort and well-being of passengers and crew during the sheltering period. Facilities and amenities on board remain operational, including food service, entertainment, and access to medical facilities. This helps maintain a sense of normalcy and provides essential services to those on board.

Passengers may be allowed to disembark in the port for a period of time, depending on the circumstances and local regulations. However, this is at the discretion of the cruise line and port authorities, as ensuring the safety of individuals remains a top priority. When passengers are permitted to disembark, they may have the option to explore the port or participate in organized activities ashore until it is safe to resume sailing.

Sheltering in port allows cruise ships to wait out the storm in a secure location, keeping everyone on board away from the potentially hazardous conditions at sea. Once the storm passes and it is deemed safe, the cruise line will reassess the situation and make decisions regarding the continuation of the voyage, potential itinerary changes, or a delayed departure.

It is worth noting that while sheltering in port provides a safer alternative to sailing through a hurricane, conditions within the port may still be affected by the storm. Passengers should follow the instructions of the cruise line and local authorities, remaining in designated safe areas until the all-clear is given.

Overall, sheltering in port allows cruise ships to protect passengers, crew, and the vessel itself from the dangers of hurricanes. By carefully selecting ports and implementing safety measures, cruise lines prioritize the well-being of everyone on board, ensuring their safety during these turbulent weather events.

Changing Itineraries

When faced with the threat of a hurricane, one of the most common measures taken by cruise lines is to change the ship’s itinerary. This decision is made to avoid the storm’s path and ensure the safety and comfort of passengers and crew.

Cruise lines closely monitor the storm’s progress and work in coordination with meteorological agencies to assess its projected path and intensity. Based on this information, they make informed decisions regarding itinerary changes, seeking alternative routes that steer clear of the hurricane-affected areas.

Changing itineraries allows cruise lines to provide passengers with a safe and enjoyable experience, even in the face of adverse weather conditions. Instead of visiting the original ports of call, the ship may divert to alternate destinations that are outside the storm’s path or offer a safer environment.

While itinerary changes can be disappointing for passengers who were looking forward to specific destinations, cruise lines strive to provide alternative options that are equally appealing. This may involve visiting nearby ports, extending stays in other ports, or exploring new and exciting destinations that were not part of the original itinerary.

Communication is key during these situations, and cruise lines make efforts to keep passengers informed about the changes and the reasons behind them. Timely announcements, updates via shipboard communication systems, and informational sessions with the ship’s staff help keep passengers aware of any modifications to their planned schedule.

It’s important to remember that itinerary changes are made with the safety and well-being of passengers at the forefront. While adjusting plans can be inconvenient, it is necessary to avoid potential risks associated with hurricanes, such as rough seas, high winds, and unsafe port conditions. By altering itineraries, cruise lines aim to minimize disruptions and maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all on board.

In some cases, itinerary changes may result in missed ports or a shortened duration in certain destinations. In such instances, cruise lines often provide compensation or alternative arrangements to ensure passenger satisfaction. This may include refunds, onboard credits, future cruise discounts, or additional onboard activities and entertainment options to enhance the guest experience during the modified voyage.

It is important for passengers to approach itinerary changes with flexibility and understanding. While the situation may not be ideal, the priority is always to prioritize safety and provide the best possible experience given the circumstances. By adapting to the changes and maintaining a positive outlook, passengers can still create cherished memories and enjoy their cruise vacation, even with a modified itinerary.

Communication with Passengers

Effective communication with passengers during hurricanes is paramount for cruise lines. Clear and timely information helps to keep passengers informed, alleviate concerns, and ensure their safety and well-being. Cruise lines employ various channels to communicate with passengers and provide updates regarding the status of the storm and any necessary changes to the itinerary.

One of the primary means of communication is through onboard announcements. Cruise lines use the ship’s public address system to relay important information to passengers. These announcements may occur at scheduled times, such as during mealtimes or before daily activities, to ensure maximum visibility among guests. Crew members also provide verbal updates and instructions during muster drills, ensuring that passengers are aware of emergency procedures in the event of a hurricane.

In addition to verbal updates, cruise lines leverage technology to keep passengers informed. Ships are equipped with various communication systems, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) channels and in-room televisions, where important messages and advisories can be broadcasted. Some cruise lines also offer mobile apps or online portals that provide real-time updates, itinerary changes, and emergency contact information.

Passenger communication also extends to written sources, such as daily newsletters or bulletins. These publications are distributed to each cabin and provide passengers with important announcements, activities, and updates on the ship’s operations, including any relevant information regarding the hurricane or changes to the itinerary.

Cruise lines recognize the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with passengers and encourage them to ask questions or seek clarification from crew members at any time. The ship’s staff, including guest services personnel, are trained to address passenger concerns and provide assistance, ensuring that passengers feel supported and informed throughout the journey.

During a hurricane, the cruise line’s shore-side team also plays a crucial role in communication. The team monitors the storm’s progress and works closely with the ship’s captain and crew to make decisions regarding itinerary changes or other necessary measures. As the situation evolves, updates are relayed to the ship for dissemination to passengers, ensuring that they receive the most up-to-date information.

Furthermore, cruise lines often provide access to external communication channels, including internet services and satellite phones. This allows passengers to stay in touch with family and friends ashore and receive updates from their loved ones, providing an additional layer of reassurance during uncertain times.

Overall, effective communication with passengers is paramount during hurricanes. Cruise lines employ various channels, such as onboard announcements, technology-enabled platforms, written publications, and supportive crew members, to keep passengers informed, address concerns, and maintain a sense of trust and safety throughout the journey.

Impact on the Cruise Industry

Hurricanes can have a significant impact on the cruise industry, affecting both individual cruise lines and the industry as a whole. The effects can be seen in various aspects, ranging from financial impacts to operational adjustments.

From a financial perspective, hurricanes can result in substantial losses for cruise lines. Itineraries may need to be altered or canceled, leading to potential revenue loss from missed port fees, excursion bookings, and onboard spending. Moreover, emergency measures, such as evacuations or sheltering in port, can incur additional costs for cruise lines, including expenses for fuel, provisions, and logistical arrangements.

Customer behavior is another area impacted by hurricanes. Some passengers may choose to cancel or delay their trips due to safety concerns or unpredictable weather conditions. This can lead to lower occupancy rates and potentially result in decreased revenues for cruise lines. Additionally, negative media coverage surrounding hurricanes can influence public perception and deter potential travelers from booking cruises, causing a more long-term impact on the industry.

Operational adjustments are necessary during and after a hurricane. Cruise lines may need to rearrange crew schedules, reposition ships, and reallocate resources to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and crew. These adjustments often require additional planning, coordination, and resources, which can impact the overall operational efficiency of the cruise line.

Furthermore, the reputation of a cruise line can be affected by how it handles and communicates during a hurricane. Strong and transparent communication with passengers is crucial to maintain trust and ensure customer satisfaction. Cruise lines that effectively manage the situation and prioritize passenger safety are more likely to maintain a positive reputation even amidst the challenges posed by hurricanes.

Government regulations and authorities also play a role in the impact of hurricanes on the cruise industry. Ports of call may close or limit operations during a storm, affecting port revenues and restricting cruise itineraries. Government agencies may impose restrictions or issue travel advisories, impacting the planning and logistics of cruise lines. Navigating through these regulations and restrictions is a necessary consideration for cruise lines during hurricane events.

However, it’s important to note that the cruise industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in dealing with the impact of hurricanes. Cruise lines have robust contingency plans and emergency protocols in place to navigate these challenges. They work closely with local authorities, meteorological agencies, and industry associations to monitor the situation and make informed decisions. Cruise lines have also invested in advanced technology and weather forecasting systems to enhance preparedness and safety measures.

The cruise industry recognizes the importance of passenger safety and satisfaction, and continues to improve upon its response to hurricanes and other natural disasters. By assessing and addressing the impact of hurricanes, cruise lines strive to minimize disruption, enhance guest experiences, and maintain the industry’s overall stability and resilience.

Hurricanes can pose significant challenges for the cruise industry, but cruise lines are well-prepared to navigate through these powerful storms. With a focus on safety, communication, and adaptability, cruise lines take proactive measures to mitigate potential risks and ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.

From closely monitoring weather updates to modifying itineraries and implementing ship evacuation plans when necessary, cruise lines prioritize the safety of everyone on board. They invest in advanced technology and weather forecasting systems to make informed decisions and keep passengers informed about any changes or disruptions caused by hurricanes.

Sheltering in port and changing itineraries are common strategies employed by cruise lines to avoid the path of the storm and provide passengers with a safe and enjoyable experience. Additionally, effective communication plays a vital role in keeping passengers informed and addressing their concerns, while contingency plans and emergency protocols are in place to ensure a swift response to hurricanes.

While hurricanes can have financial implications and impact customer behavior, the cruise industry remains resilient. Cruise lines adapt to operational adjustments, maintain positive reputations through transparent communication, and work in collaboration with government authorities to navigate any restrictions or regulations.

It is essential to recognize that the cruise industry demonstrates a commitment to passenger safety and satisfaction, constantly improving its preparedness and response to hurricanes and other natural disasters. With ongoing advancements in technology and a focus on guest experiences, the industry aims to minimize disruptions and provide memorable vacations even in the face of challenging weather events.

In conclusion, hurricanes are a formidable force of nature, but cruise lines are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and procedures to navigate through these storms. Through their dedication to passenger safety, effective communication, and operational adaptability, cruise lines continue to provide travelers with unforgettable vacation experiences while ensuring their well-being in the face of hurricanes and other challenges.

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Live updates, video shows carnival cruise ship in disarray after ‘horrific’ south carolina storm.

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Terrified passengers on a Carnival cruise were left vomiting after a torrential storm pounded the ship in South Carolina — flooding the vessel and ripping doors off their hinges.

The Carnival Sunshine was returning to Charleston following a week-long trip in the Bahamas when it got caught in wild weather and rough seas over the Memorial Day weekend.

Videos shared online by vacationers show flooded hallways littered with glass and other debris, doors ripped off their hinges and downed pipes laying soaked on the floor.

The ship’s crew members were forced to evacuate their flooded quarters, according to a video shared on Twitter that shows the area in disarray.

Throughout the storm, several passengers also complained they were starting to feel sick due to the boat’s rough movements.

One traveler described being able to “smell people being sick walking down the halls,” the Daily Mail Reported .

Cruise-goer RJ Whited, who was celebrating his engagement to fiancé Tracy on the Carnival Sunshine, told WCIV that the ship was shaking “so violently.”

Passengers also complained that they didn’t hear from the ship’s captain or any crew members for hours during the chaos.

“They left us blind,” passenger Daniel Taylor told the outlet. “Not reassuring us about what was going on, where we were headed to, what the plan was. They could have updated us and let us know something.”

Another passenger, Christa Seifert-Alicea, said they didn’t receive word from the captain or crew for more than 12 hours.

“What we endured is indescribable, not only to feel it yourself but to hear and see it set in on every single person around you from adult, child and the elderly is something I will never forget,” Seifer-Alicea said.

Water damage and broken glass were left in the hallways and rooms following the storm.

A Carnival spokesperson said only a “small number” of passengers and crew members required “minor assistance.”

“Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance,” the cruise liner said in a statement to WCIV.

“The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests.”

The spokesperson added that the Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on a five-day Bahamas cruise and will return to Charleston on Thursday.

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Is it Safe to Cruise During Hurricane Season?

Thinking of taking a cruise during hurricane season? Wondering if it is safe? When it comes to cruising, one of the biggest fears that some people have is being caught up in a storm.

Occasionally, a ship does get caught in a sudden thunderstorm, and the video and pictures can be dramatic. While cruise ships are some of the largest ocean-going vessels, they are still no match for the power of Mother Nature.

Seeing these images, it’s not surprising that some people worry about storms while at sea. And it’s not just the ship that can be affected.

In fact, some of the greatest damage can come to cruise ports. These towns are built right on the water. The combination of flooding rains, storm surge, and 75+ MPH winds can do serious damage, sometimes closing them for days or week after a storm.

With all this to consider, is it crazy to book a cruise that sails during hurricane season?

The good news is that the chances are high that a hurricane won’t impact you while on a cruise.

Why Hurricanes Aren’t a Major Risk to Your Cruise While Sailing

No one books a cruise with the intention of being anywhere near a major storm. Yet, with hurricane season stretching half the year — June 1 through November 30 — it’s hard to book a cruise a time where storms aren’t a risk.

The good news is that no, your ship in all likelihood won’t be anywhere near a hurricane during your cruise.

First, while it lasts for six months, the severity of hurricane season is limited for most of that time. Storms are most prevalent during a two month period from mid-August through mid-October. Outside of these dates, the risk of a storm is relatively low.

But say there is a storm in the area that you plan to cruise, wouldn’t that be a big danger? First, know that a cruise ship would not purposefully go into the path of a hurricane if it can be avoided. And it practically always can be avoided.

Remember, cruise ships can move. At the same time, hurricane forecasts continually improve. That means the chances of being caught by surprise by storm are relatively low. These days, there is advance notice and ships are usually able to steer a route well clear of the weather. After all, the last thing a cruise line wants is the bad notoriety that comes with sailing through hurricane winds.

How Hurricanes Are Most Likely to Affect Your Vacation

The biggest threat a hurricane poses is not to you personally on the cruise ship. After all, these days storms can be predicted and avoided.

But, just because your ship may not feel the direct impacts of a hurricane doesn’t mean it can’t have an impact on your vacation. In fact, the most common impact hurricanes have on cruises are impacts to itineraries.

With dozens of cruise ports all around the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean being targets for hurricanes, if there is a storm then the chances are high that one or more ports will be affected. Direct hits on cruise ports are common in places like The Bahamas and Mexico. Meanwhile, departure ports from Galveston to Miami can also be right in the path of incoming storms.

That’s to say nothing of a storm simply passing near a port, causing the cruise line to divert around it.

It’s not uncommon for cruises to be delayed, skip a port, or have to swap ports in order to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms. Sometimes this can mean a cruise beginning later than scheduled as a hurricane or other storm is in the area when the ship was set to return. Passengers on the ship may have their cruise extended to wait out the weather until it passes a port.

Other times it can mean your cruise with three stops now only has two as a port of call is canceled due to a nearby storm.

So while you aren’t likely to encounter any wild weather yourself, your trip would still be impacted.

So Is it a Bad Idea to Cruise During Hurricane Season?

Does this mean you should avoid sailing during hurricane season?

If you don’t want to sail at all during the season — which runs from June through November — you’re excluding literally half the year from your schedule. We think that’s overkill.

We could understand wanting to avoid a cruise during the peak of the season (from around mid-August until mid-October) simply due to the potential impacts on ports. That can cause headaches if your cruise is delayed leaving port or returning home.

Even that, however, is a long shot. There’s simply no telling when or where a storm will pop up, nor which direction it may take. You may avoid sailing, only for the weather to be picture perfect.

That’s why we personally let hurricane season have no effect in planning on when to take a cruise. The likelihood of it having a direct impact on the ship is small. There is a greater chance it could cause a change to the itinerary, but even that chance is small and impossible to know.

So if you’re planning a cruise during hurricane season, know that you could see the impacts of a storm, however, it’s most likely your sailing will go off without a hitch.

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Midwest tornadoes cause severe damage in Omaha suburbs

The Associated Press

Gopala Penmetsa walks past his house after it was leveled by a tornado near Omaha, Neb., on Friday. Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP hide caption

Gopala Penmetsa walks past his house after it was leveled by a tornado near Omaha, Neb., on Friday.

OMAHA, Neb. — A tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday afternoon, damaging hundreds of homes and other structures as the twister tore for miles along farmland and into subdivisions. Injuries were reported but it wasn't yet clear if anyone was killed in the storm.

Multiple tornadoes were reported in Nebraska but the most destructive storm moved from a largely rural area into suburbs northwest of Omaha, a city of 485,000 people.

Photos on social media showed heavily damaged homes and shredded trees. Video showed homes with roofs stripped of shingles, in a rural area near Omaha. Law enforcement were blocking off roads in the area.

Hundreds of houses sustained damage in Omaha, mostly in the Elkhorn area in the western part of the city, police Lt. Neal Bonacci said.

Police and firefighters are now going door-to-door helping people who are trapped.

Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman said crews had gone to the "hardest hit area" and had a plan to search anywhere someone could be trapped.

"They're going to be putting together a strategic plan for a detailed search of the area, starting with the properties with most damage," Bossman said. "We'll be looking throughout properties in debris piles, we'll be looking in basements, trying to find any victims and make sure everybody is rescued who needs assistance."

Damaged houses are seen after a tornado passed through the area near Omaha, Neb., on Friday. Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP hide caption

Damaged houses are seen after a tornado passed through the area near Omaha, Neb., on Friday.

Omaha police Lt. Neal Bonacci said many homes were destroyed or severely damaged.

"You definitely see the path of the tornado," Bonacci said.

In one area of Elkhorn, dozens of newly built, large homes were damaged. At least six were destroyed, including one that was leveled, while others had the top half ripped off.

There were dozens of emergency vehicles in the area.

"We watched it touch down like 200 yards over there and then we took shelter," said Pat Woods, who lives in Elkhorn. "We could hear it coming through. When we came up our fence was gone and we looked to the northwest and the whole neighborhood's gone."

His wife, Kim Woods added, "The whole neighborhood just to the north of us is pretty flattened."

Dhaval Naik, who said he works with the man whose house was demolished, said three people, including a child, were in the basement when the tornado hit. They got out safely.

KETV-TV video showed one woman being removed from a demolished home on a stretcher in Blair, a city just north of Omaha.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said there appeared to be few serious injuries, in part because people had plenty of warning that storms were likely.

The exact link between tornadoes and climate change is hard to draw. Here's why

"We not upon by a sudden storm," Schmaderer said. "People had warnings of this and that saved lives."

The tornado warning was issued in the Omaha area on Friday afternoon just as children were due to be released from school. Many schools had students shelter in place until the storm passed. Hours later, buses were still transporting students home.

Another tornado hit an area on the eastern edge of Omaha, passing directly through parts of Eppley Airfield, the city's airport. Officials closed the airport to aircraft operations to access damage but then reopened the facility, Omaha Airport Authority Chief Strategy Officer Steve McCoy said.

Severe weather damage to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Neb., can be seen from the Lewis and Clark Monument in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Friday Anna Reed/Omaha World-Herald via AP hide caption

Severe weather damage to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Neb., can be seen from the Lewis and Clark Monument in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Friday

The passenger terminal wasn't hit by the tornado but people rushed to storm shelters until the twister passed, McCoy said.

Flight delays are expected Friday evening.

After passing through the airport, the tornado crossed the Missouri River and into Iowa, north of Council Bluffs.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Katrina Sperl said damage is just now being reported. Taylor Wilson, a spokesperson for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said they hadn't seen any injuries yet.

Before the tornado hit the Omaha area, three workers in an industrial plant were injured Friday afternoon when a tornado struck an industrial plant in Lancaster County, sheriff's officials said in an update on the damage.

The building just northeast of the state capital of Lincoln had collapsed with about 70 employees inside and several people trapped, sheriff's officials said. Everyone was evacuated, and three people had injuries that were considered not life-threatening, authorities said.

Sheriff's officials say they also had reports of a tipped-over train near Waverly, also in Lancaster County.

Two people who were injured when the tornado passed through Lancaster County were being treated at the trauma center at Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln, the facility said in a news release. It said the patients were in triage and no details were released on their condition.

The Omaha Public Power District reported that nearly 10,000 customers were without power in the Omaha area.

Daniel Fienhold, manager of the Pink Poodle Steakhouse in Crescent, Iowa, said he was outside watching the weather with his daughter and restaurant employees. He said "it looked like a pretty big tornado was forming" northeast of town.

"It started raining, and then it started hailing, and then all the clouds started to kind of swirl and come together, and as soon as the wind started to pick up, that's when I headed for the basement, but we never saw it," Fienhold said.

The Weather Service also issued tornado watches across parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. And forecasters warned that large hail and damaging wind gusts were possible.

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News & features, winter center, news / hurricane, 2024 hurricane season names: is your name on the list.

Chris, Kirk and Sara are just a few names that may be used during the Atlantic hurricane season, along with names that have never been used before.

By Brian Lada , AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer

Published May 1, 2024 8:28 AM PDT | Updated May 1, 2024 8:28 AM PDT

In this GOES-16 geocolor image satellite image taken Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, the eye of Hurricane Irma, center, is just north of the island of Hispaniola, with Hurricane Katia, left, in the Gulf of Mexico, and Hurricane Jose, right, in the Atlantic Ocean. (NOAA via AP)

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be one of the most active on record, with AccuWeather experts forecasting 20 to 25 named storms in 2024. With so many storms likely this year, a bevy of names will be used, including a few that have never been used before.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has been naming tropical systems since 1953, using a rotating list to identify storms. If a tropical storm or hurricane causes extensive damage or significant loss of life, the name is retired.

There are 21 names on the list despite there being 26 letters in the alphabet, as Q, U, X, Y and Z are skipped. With a super-charged hurricane season in the forecast, it is possible that every name on the list is used in 2024 -- and then some.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on Saturday, June 1.

Some of these names may sound familiar, as many are recycled every six years. The last time Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Nadine and Oscar were used was during the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. Francine and Milton are new names, replacing Florence and Michael, which were retired following the 2018 season.

Eastern Pacific hurricane season names for 2024

Tropical systems that spin up in the eastern Pacific hurricane basin are also given names, but the NHC uses a different list to identify each storm.

If a tropical system develops over the central Pacific, it is given a name from a separate list comprised of traditional Hawaiian names.

What happens if we run out of hurricane names?

With 20 to 25 named tropical systems in the forecast for the Atlantic basin in 2024, it is likely that forecasters may need more than 21 names before the season comes to a close.

In the past, the letters of the Greek alphabet were used as names, starting with Alpha. However, this rule was changed in 2021 following a historic hurricane season in 2020.

"The use of the Greek alphabet was not expected to be frequent enough to warrant any change in the existing naming procedure," the WMO said on its website. "However, after the record-breaking 2020 season, the WMO Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee annual session in 2021 decided to end the use of the Greek alphabet and instead established two lists of supplemental tropical cyclone names , one for the Atlantic, one for the Pacific."

The supplemental list of names is also in alphabetical order, starting with the name Adria.

If there are at least 22 named storms in the Atlantic this season, 2024 will be the first time the supplemental list is used.

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