hurricane cruise ship

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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Cruise Ship 'Destroyed' After Being Hit by Hurricane-Force Winds

Passengers have described their terrifying night on a cruise ship that was hit by hurricane-force winds.

Several of them shared videos on social media showing the damage to the Carnival Sunshine as it encountered severe weather on Saturday while returning to Charleston, South Carolina, from The Bahamas at the weekend.

One video shared on Twitter by the Crew Center account showed doors broken off their hinges, destroyed furniture, and water flooding hallways and rooms.

"The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm," the tweet said. "The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest... the crew bar destroyed."

Craig Setzer, a broadcast meteorologist, noted on Twitter that the ship was hit by almost 80 mph winds on Saturday morning.

Daniel Taylor, a passenger on the cruise, told Newsweek that the situation started getting rough on Friday afternoon.

At around 4.45 p.m. that day, Taylor said the captain made an announcement that the ship may arrive in Charleston later than scheduled due to adverse weather conditions. The captain said crew members "would do everything they could to minimize discomfort," Taylor said. He said vomit bags were put out at all of the elevators a short time later.

By 7 p.m. on Friday, he said the ship started hitting large swells. "The sound of us crashing into the swells could be heard over the music playing" at the show he was at, he said. "Stage lights mounted on the ceiling began to shake, the disco ball started swinging and the LED wall on the stage… began rolling side by side on its own."

Staff started closing off the public deck areas later that evening, he said, and he saw plates and cups falling at a dinner buffet. By 11:15 p.m., he said 80 mph winds started hitting the ship.

At that point, the captain "turned the ship from sailing northwest toward Charleston to head north/northeast heading directly into the eye of the storm system," Taylor said.

He heard passengers in the cabin across from him "hollering in the hallway" and saw that water was leaking from their cabin ceiling.

In the early hours of Saturday, Taylor said staff changed the television screens to tell passengers to stand by for an announcement. "We were no longer able to see where we were going, how fast we were going, what the wind speed was, or anything. We were blind to what was going on," he said.

"This was also around the time our internet went out, so we weren't able to look at the weather online, or contact anyone."

The ship was then being hit with large swells "over and over" and Taylor said he saw crew members wearing life vests.

Taylor said it was 7:30 a.m. on Saturday when the cruise director made an announcement that the ship was outside Charleston harbor but could not dock as planned due to the weather. "At this point, it has been almost 15 hours with no update from the captain or cruise director. We were essentially left blind, in the dark, about anything going on that entire time," he said.

Taylor said the Carnival Sunshine finally arrived at the port at around 5.30 pm Saturday, some nine hours later than scheduled.

Other passengers on the ship shared details of their ordeal on social media, with some complaining about a lack of communication from the ship's crew.

RJ Whited posted a video on Facebook showing damage on the ship and the large waves hitting the vessel.

The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm. The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MqsDJYvrSG — Crew Center (@CrewCenter) May 28, 2023

Wow!!! “Apparent wind 69 knots”!!!!!! So that’s nearly 80 mph wind minus the ships forward speed of 5 mph. Headline should read “Carnival ship sails through hurricane force winds.” https://t.co/93esbgeIQK — Craig Setzer (@CraigSetzer) May 29, 2023

"Our cruise ship last night was literally sideways and slung everything in our room breaking, people in the hallways throwing up and sleeping on the stairs," Whited wrote in the post .

In another post , he accused the cruise ship's management of putting passengers' lives in danger and said some crew members had been injured.

"We also found out that they knew about the storm and instead of us staying back to ride it out a few hours they hit it head-on so we could make it back for the other cruise to be on time," he wrote.

"Winds were 80 to 90 miles with some waves 60 or more feet high and the waves were hitting so high that people on the 7th and 8th-floor balcony doors were opened by the waves. Tiles were falling, and water coming through rooms and all in the halls. Carnival doesn't care about your life, only to get back so they can make more money with more cruises."

Reid Overcash said the crew did not communicate with passengers as the ship was stopped in the ocean during the storm.

"No communications from Captain or staff. Tv is out with the message 'Public announcement please standby: The winds are hurricane Gail force and ship is leaning to the left,' I believe the Captain was trying to out run the storm. Bad decision," Overcash wrote on Facebook .

Christa Seifert-Alicea, another passenger, told ABC News 4 that passengers did not receive communication for over 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," she said.

In a statement to Newsweek , a Carnival spokesperson said: "Carnival Sunshine's return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. 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 said Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on its next cruise.

Update 5/29/23, 9:20 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to add a statement from a Carnival spokesperson.

Update 5/29/23, 10:50 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to add comments from Daniel Taylor.

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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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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.

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What You Need to Know About Cruising During Hurricane Season

I'm not a meteorologist, nor a travel-insurance salesperson, but I have plenty of experience with tropical hurricanes. I moved from the northeast to South Florida more than twenty years ago, and I'll never forget the smack of Hurricane Andrew back in '92. However, what I remember most about the past two decades of South Florida's late summers are the sweet sultry days, and warm ocean waters where you can wade in the ocean under a spell of moonlight.

My point being: While hurricanes should always be taken seriously, the odds that you’ll ever encounter one on your cruise are exceptionally slim. In fact, with just a few precautions, you’ll not only have peace of mind, but a few insider tips on how to enjoy cruising during late summer and early fall – which, in my opinion, is the very best time for sailing the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line.

First, a few facts: Hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, but peak season is between mid-August to the end of September, when storms form off the coast of Africa. Both the Caribbean and the Mexican west coast are considered vulnerable spots (as well as the entire eastern seaboard of the United States, for that matter). How often storms form, where they migrate, and how large or small they grow are subject to the whims of nature. In my unscientific observation, there is far more likelihood of getting into an auto accident every time you drive you car, then ever encountering a hurricane-strength storm at sea.

What is scientific fact, however, is that satellite technology has improved in following a storm’s trajectory, and cruise ships – for decades – have expertly devised navigation plans to circumvent a storm’s predicted path. So let’s talk worse-case scenarios: A Norwegian trip through the eastern Caribbean that could potentially hit the storm’s path would deter your ship to its Western Caribbean ports of call, steering clear of the storm’s trajectory. You could be disappointed about the itinerary change, or, as any seasoned traveler will tell you, it’s often the unexpected detours that turn into undiscovered gifts.

Now that we've covered the seriousness of the storm and the slim odds of an encounter, if cruising during peak season, you're in for a treat. In all likelihood, you'll have plenty of time for adults-only activities because it's back-to-school time for kids. Because it's off-season, you'll find some unbelievable cruise values and special savings. The solution is simple: Invest a small portion of those savings in travel insurance and you're still going to come out way ahead in your total vacation costs.

Here's another hurricane precaution you can turn into a win-win: If for any reason, you're worried about being stranded in the city you're embarking or disembarking from because of an oncoming storm, consider adding a few extra hotel days. As we've stressed, the odds that you'll ever be confronted with a direct hit are super slim, but if you add a few days on to your stay, you have a cushion in case you're flight to or from home is cancelled. (Important Tip: Don't wait until the storm is predicted to book these reservations. This is something you'll want to handle at the time of your cruise booking.)

Odds are that you’ll be blessed with a few extra days in a fabulous city, such as my Miami hometown. Those of us who’ve had the fortune of living in the sub-tropics, count our blessings. We are madly in love with the lush tropic beauty and temperate climate. And although there are those rare times when we’re forced to brace for storms and prepare for the unknown, we wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, we live in paradise, and we’d love to share its magic with you.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Refreshments are not available in the Studio Lounge on Pride of America

• Cruise Advice

Cruising During Hurricane Season: What You Need To Know

Richard Simms

• August 28, 2023

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.

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Carnival passengers recount ‘nightmare’ cruise as storm floods ship

Videos showed the carnival sunshine cabins and hallways flooding and ceilings leaking.

Matthew Branham and his fiancée, Madison Davis, were lying by a Carnival Sunshine pool on Friday aboard a cruise returning to Charleston, S.C., from the Bahamas when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. The captain was expecting rougher weather that evening, but there was nothing to worry about. So Branham and Davis didn’t worry.

As the day went on, “We noticed it started getting cooler in the afternoon — much, much cooler,” said Branham, 25, of Castlewood, Va. “And then it was like a switch was flipped, and it literally turned into a nightmare.”

En route back to Charleston Friday night into Saturday, the Carnival Sunshine navigated into a strong storm system that battered the southeast over the holiday weekend. Videos emerged on social media showing cabins and hallways flooding, shop floors littered with destroyed merchandise and leaking ceilings . Passenger Brad Morrell snapped a photo of an automated instrument map reporting a 69 knot, or 79 mph, wind.

#CarnivalSunshine : Due to return to Charleston, South Carolina this Saturday, May 27, 2023, has been delayed due to severe weather. The ship is currently off the South Carolina coast and holding position, unable to return to the port because of high winds & rough seas. #cruise 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/2B6HlAn2yD — ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) May 28, 2023

Carnival said in a statement that the weather was unexpectedly strong, causing conditions that were rougher than forecast, but that its fleet operations center team, which relies on outside meteorology resources for itinerary planning, “coordinated to keep the ship in its safest location.”

“Attempting to sail out of the large front could have been dangerous,” the statement continued. “The ship proceeded to the port as soon as the weather began to clear.”

Strong Southeast storm slams Carolinas

Carnival said the captain made “several announcements about the weather and the delay it caused in returning to Charleston, asking guests to use extra precaution while walking around the ship.” Additionally, “some of the worst weather occurred in the overnight hours when announcements are not typically made, but guests and crew were safe.”

The ship’s medical staff did help a “small number” of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance following the storm. Despite the significant damage and a delay in schedule, Carnival Sunshine embarked on its next five-day Bahama sailing on Saturday.

From their sea-view room, Branham and Davis watched as waves surged over their window and braced themselves as the 892-foot-long ship lurched in the storm.

“Waves were hitting the boat so hard that it was like an earthquake experience, jarring you like a really rough roller coaster — even in the middle floor,” Branham said.

They were told to stay in their cabins. Meanwhile, Branham said, TVs were falling off walls, and glassware was sliding off shelves and shattering on the floor. “You could not stand up in your room,” he said. “You could be thrown from the bed.”

They packed up their belongings when their floor started to flood and took shelter in a main lobby area.

“All of the employees were sprinting downstairs with life vests,” Branham said. “There were little kids besides us screaming and crying and throwing fits.”

Throughout the storm, Branham wondered why there weren’t more announcements from Carnival staff. Besides the warning of rougher seas earlier Friday and one Saturday morning after they’d weathered the storm, Branham said they weren’t given any official updates on their situation. When he asked workers what was going on, they told him not to worry.

⁦⁦ @CarnivalCruise ⁩ #carnivalsunshine still 75mph winds at 9:25am. Sitting and spinning in the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/NITCO2l9Ss — FlyersCaptain™®© (@flyerscaptain) May 29, 2023

“But you see rooms flooded, and you can pick up a handful of sand and you’re kind of like, ‘What in the world? Why is nobody telling us anything?’” Branham said.

Jim Walker, a maritime lawyer and cruise industry legal expert, says his firm has been contacted by some Carnival Sunshine passengers who were injured during the storm, including a man who says he was struck by a door and broke his foot. Others have asked him about the potential for a class-action lawsuit.

While Walker said passengers should make their complaints known to Carnival, he doesn’t believe filing a lawsuit would be an efficient next step. Instead, impacted passengers can ask Carnival for a refund or a credit for another cruise, although there’s no guarantee the cruise line will grant such requests.

Pete Peterson, owner of Storybook Cruises , which is affiliated with Cruise Planners, said cruise ships keep a close eye on weather developments and will adjust their itinerary depending on the severity of the storm.

“Cruise lines monitor the weather all the time. They’re not going to put their passengers in harm’s way,” said Peterson, who has been a cruise adviser for more than 20 years and has sailed on nearly 60 cruises. “Obviously, some cruise lines are better at doing this than others.”

In 2016, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas returned to port after cruising into a “bomb cyclone,” which damaged the ship amid winds gusting to 100 mph. The ship sailed into the remnants of Hurricane Hermine seven months later, causing additional problems.

To ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers, a cruise ship can alter its course and circumvent the rough weather system. In stormy conditions, the crew can deploy the stabilizers, which will prevent the ship from rolling and bucking.

“You don’t experience the up and down,” Peterson said. “It’s not as rough a ride.”

Both approaches can add to a cruise line’s expenditures, Peterson said. Stabilizers slow the vessel, thereby consuming more fuel. Sailing around the storm can take longer than the original route and disrupt the company’s cruise schedule, leading to delays or cancellations. The cruise line may have to reimburse passengers or provide them with future credits because of the inconvenience.

“When they do something like that, it’s going to cost them money,” Peterson said.

Craig Setzer , a meteorologist and hurricane preparedness specialist, said that even with the hurricane-like conditions and flooding, “I would never be in doubt of the vessel’s integrity,” he said. “Cruise ships are structurally very, very sound and can survive a lot. They’re really rugged.”

Matthew Cappucci contributed to this report.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 you need to know about disney cruise line, learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe.

Have you ever had your Disney cruise canceled? Tell us about it in the comments.

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Cruising during hurricane season: What to know — and should you go?

Veteran cruisers know that fall is a great time to snag a deal on a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas. But the deals come with a big caveat: Fall is hurricane season in these regions, and there's a chance a hurricane or tropical storm could disrupt your sailing.

During most years, at least a few fall cruises are affected by storms. In some years, dozens of voyages are affected.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Still, even during peak hurricane season weeks (more on that below), most sailings in the Caribbean and the Bahamas are completed without a hitch. Here's what you need to know before committing to cruising during hurricane season in these regions.

When is hurricane season for cruises?

In theory, a hurricane or tropical storm can develop in the Atlantic at any time. Still, the vast majority of such storms — about 97%, according to the National Hurricane Center — occur between June 1 and Nov. 30 of any given year. This is the period known as hurricane season in the Atlantic, and it typically brings about 14 named tropical storms, half of which become hurricanes.

Within this time frame, the peak period for tropical storms in the Atlantic, by far, is the weeks between mid-August and mid-October. This is the key "iffy zone," as I like to call it, for cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas , as well as sailings out of eastern U.S. ports to Bermuda and New England.

Still, even during peak weeks for hurricane formation, the odds of your cruise being affected by a hurricane are relatively small. A glance at any cruise booking site will show hundreds of sailings departing for the Caribbean and the Bahamas each year during cruise hurricane season. In most years, though, only a small portion of these are affected by tropical storms.

Even during the busiest of hurricane seasons, there will be many weeks without a single tropical storm in the Caribbean or Bahamas. When a large storm does swirl through the Caribbean or Bahamas, it'll likely only affect a small portion of the region and, thus, only a small number of cruise ships.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Caribbean is enormous in comparison to the size of a typical hurricane. The distance between Belize, on the western end of the Caribbean Sea, and the easternmost Leeward Islands is nearly 2,000 miles. The hurricane-force winds of a typical small hurricane, by contrast, extend just 25 miles out from its center. The hurricane-force winds from a large hurricane might extend as far as 150 miles from its center.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Even a giant hurricane that is bearing down on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (a common port on Eastern Caribbean sailings), for instance, is likely to have little or no impact on a Western Caribbean or Southern Caribbean sailing happening at that time.

Trying to predict where tropical storms will hit in any given year is a fool's game. But if you're playing the odds, one area that is known for seeing fewer storms on average is the southern part of the Caribbean. The southerly islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (common stops on Southern Caribbean itineraries), in particular, are far south of the typical hurricane track and experience few fall storms.

How many hurricanes are expected in 2024?

For the 2024 hurricane season specifically, Colorado State University's tropical weather and climate team is predicting an "extremely active" year with 23 named storms for the season as a whole, of which 11 would become hurricanes.

Of those, five could become major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or more, according to the forecast.

The Colorado State team cited record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for the elevated forecast.

The Colorado State forecast was released on April 4.

The U.S. government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expected to release its official forecast for the number of named storms and hurricanes in 2024 in May.

Your hurricane season cruise itinerary could change

When a tropical storm does appear in one part of the Caribbean or Bahamas, the standard response from cruise lines is to reroute ships in that area to other parts of the Caribbean or Bahamas that are well clear of the storm. This can mean a last-minute change to your cruise itinerary.

Depending on the forecasted track of the storm, the change could be relatively minor — a port stop being pushed back by a day, for instance, or one port being swapped for another port. It could also be far more significant.

To avoid storms, cruise lines will sometimes completely rework an itinerary. A ship on an Eastern Caribbean sailing to such stops as St. Thomas and St. Kitts might reroute to such Western Caribbean ports as Cozumel, Mexico, and Falmouth, Jamaica.

In some cases, a storm will cause a port to be dropped from an itinerary with no new port added as a replacement. Occasionally, you'll see cruises shortened or extended by a day or two or even three.

The latter situation can occur when a storm is forecast to pass between a ship and its home port around the time the vessel is scheduled to be heading home. The ship either will return to the home port early to arrive before the storm or stay out at sea for extra days to wait for the storm to pass.

Related: 26 cruise secrets from a cruising expert that will blow your mind

In rare cases when a home port closes due to a storm, ships have been known to sail to an alternative port to drop off passengers. In such situations, the vessels sometimes will depart on their next cruise from the alternative port. Cruises are canceled occasionally when a home port experiences extended disruptions related to storms, but this is relatively rare.

You aren't entitled to compensation for itinerary changes

Cruise lines aren't obligated to offer you compensation if they change an itinerary due to weather. The fine print in cruise contracts allows them to make such changes when they see fit. However, that doesn't mean they never offer compensation.

In the case of a port swap — when one port is substituted for another — there typically isn't any compensation offered. When a port is missed without a substitute, though, there's a chance you might be offered an onboard credit as compensation. Just don't count on it. Lines will also refund the cost of any prepaid shore excursions scheduled for the missed port and the portion of port taxes and fees you paid in advance that are associated with that port.

In the case of a shortened voyage, lines will typically offer a prorated refund for the lost days. On the flip side, when cruises are extended, lines generally won't charge passengers anything more for the extra days — at least for room, board and entertainment. Passengers typically will still have to pay for onboard extras such as drinks and spa treatments.

When cruises are shortened or extended due to weather, cruise lines will often aid passengers who need to change post-cruise travel plans. They might offer free phone calls from the ship or free internet access to make it easier for passengers to contact airlines and hotels to make changes.

You won't get a refund if you cancel a cruise to avoid a storm

As a rule, cruise lines don't offer refunds to passengers who cancel a voyage on short notice, even if there's a big storm brewing in the area where the cruise is scheduled to take place.

If you see there's a hurricane churning toward the Caribbean a few days before your departure, you can't call your cruise line, cancel the trip and expect to get your money back.

From the cruise line's point of view, the cruise will go on — it just might be adjusted a bit. (Or not, depending on how the storm tracks over the coming days.) As far as the line sees it, you're still about to get what you paid for: a wonderful cruise vacation.

That said, there are exceptions to the rule. When a line knows in advance that a storm will cause a significant alteration to a voyage (for instance, lost days due to a delayed departure), it sometimes will allow passengers to cancel for a refund or credit toward a future cruise.

This happened in 2017 when some lines delayed departures out of Florida as Hurricane Irma approached. The lines that delayed departures allowed passengers to cancel for a refund in the form of a cruise credit. Alternatively, passengers could proceed with the shortened trips and receive a prorated refund for the missed days.

Related: The best time to cruise to the Bahamas

When a line cancels a departure outright, it's sometimes the case that it will offer passengers both a refund for the trip and a future cruise credit they can apply to their next sailing. This sort of response was on display in 2017 as Irma's approach prompted some lines to cancel itineraries altogether.

One problem that cruisers encounter in these (relatively rare) situations where a cruise line cancels a sailing due to a storm is that the cancellation usually comes at the last minute. That could leave you in limbo in the days leading up to your cruise, wondering whether your cruise is on or not. If a hurricane is headed for your departure port, you might have to decide whether to travel to the departure port (and possibly into a dangerous storm) or stay home and risk losing all the money you paid for the sailing.

Each line approaches compensation issues differently, and some are historically more generous than others in offering compensation when storm-related disruptions occur. The responses from lines can also vary depending on the circumstances surrounding any given storm.

To avoid remorse, my advice is to go into any hurricane-season booking assuming you will not be compensated for storm-caused itinerary changes and not be able to get a refund if you cancel the trip at the last minute.

The risk of the above is one reason you will generally get a cruise during hurricane season at a lower price than you would during other seasons.

Build wiggle room into your hurricane season travel schedule

If you're booking a cruise during hurricane season, keep in mind that tropical weather can affect not only cruise ships but airplanes, too.

If you're flying to your cruise departure point, build in plenty of wiggle room in case air travel is affected by a big storm and flights are delayed. Your flight could be delayed by a storm that is far away from the destination where you are flying. During hurricane season, tropical storms moving through the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico and up the East Coast of the U.S. can sometimes snarl air traffic across a wide swath of North America.

At TPG , we always suggest that cruisers head to their departure ports at least a full day in advance of their sailings just to be safe, and this is doubly important during hurricane season. You don't want a delayed flight to be the reason you miss your cruise .

Travel insurance is key for fall cruises

It's always a good idea to book flights and cruises with a card that provides travel protections — and this is especially important during hurricane season.

Some cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , will reimburse you for at least some of the costs of trip delays, cancellations and interruptions related to severe weather if you have booked the trip on the card. The travel protection benefits provided by such cards may also reimburse you for expenses when your baggage is lost or delayed.

Just be warned that these benefits often come with a lot of fine print that can make it tough to collect in some circumstances.

You can also buy separate travel insurance just for the single trip that will provide reimbursement if you experience trip delays, cancellations or interruptions. These plans include a lot of fine print that limits the circumstances where they are valid, and they vary widely in what they offer.

While travel insurance policies often will cover the cost of changing a flight or pre-cruise hotel reservation if a storm delays your cruise departure, they generally don't offer compensation in the case that a cruise line changes the ports on your cruise due to a storm. Travel insurance policies also won't help if you cancel a cruise to avoid a storm — unless you've bought a pricey "cancel for any reason" policy.

Also note that to make any claim under a travel insurance policy related to a cruise marred by a hurricane or tropical storm, you have to have bought the policy before the storm formed and was officially named.

Related: The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

You may experience rough seas

Cruise lines will reroute ships by hundreds of miles to avoid tropical storms and hurricanes. That doesn't mean you can always expect smooth sailing during hurricane season.

If a big storm is present in the Caribbean or Bahamas, there's a chance you'll feel some motion on your vessel, even if it's far from the center of the storm. Swells from big storms can travel thousands of miles.

If you're particularly prone to seasickness , hurricane season might not be the best time for you to cruise. But don't panic. Cruise ships are built with sophisticated stabilizers that tamp down the effects of waves. As ships have gotten bigger, on average, they've also become more stable. It takes a lot to move a giant vessel like Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — at 236,857 tons, it's one of the world's largest cruise ships.

Any rough seas you may experience due to a nearby storm are likely to be temporary. Many cruise ships operating in the Caribbean can sail at speeds of up to 22 knots, or about 25 mph. That means they can move as much as 300 miles in one day. You can be somewhere stormy and rough one day only to find yourself in sunny and clear conditions a day later.

Just as airline pilots maneuver to avoid turbulence , cruise ship captains and their headquarters-based overseers are keenly aware of passenger safety and comfort. They aren't shy about making a call to reposition a vessel to calmer seas.

Be careful booking shore excursions during hurricane season

Not all cruisers book shore tours through their cruise line. Some book excursions through alternative tour companies such as Viator or PortSide Tours. If you go this route for a hurricane-season cruise, be sure to check cancellation policies before prepaying for excursions.

While cruise lines will automatically refund you for prepaid shore excursions you've booked directly with them in the case of a canceled port call, it isn't a given that an outside tour company will do the same. Some will, for sure, but others require a nonrefundable deposit that may be hard to get back, even in the case of a storm-caused itinerary change. (Note: Travel insurance policies sometimes cover the cost of lost nonrefundable deposits.)

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Bottom line

Cruises that take place in the Caribbean and the Bahamas during the height of hurricane season can be an incredible deal, and many are completed with nary a problem. However, before booking one, you want to be sure you're OK with the idea that your itinerary could change on short notice or be disrupted in some other way. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

If you're booking a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas to see a specific destination — St. Kitts, for instance, or the British Virgin Islands — a hurricane-season cruise may not be for you. However, if you're flexible and want a fun and inexpensive getaway at sea, there's no reason to fear a fall sailing.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

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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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Will You Cruise During Hurricane Season?

Mother Nature is impossible to predict. When it comes to cruising, you can plan around the weather all you want and still be faced with rainy days, rough seas that prevent you from visiting a specific port and storms that change your ship's original course. During the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30), your chances of running into the aforementioned buzzkills are greater. But that doesn't mean you won't enjoy a sunny, tropical getaway.

Rest assured: You'll never actually sail into a tropical storm or hurricane. Unlike land-based hotels and resorts, cruise ships have an out. They can reroute to avoid dangerous conditions. While you'll likely have the opportunity to get your beach day and tan on, you just might not visit the destination you originally planned.

It's a gamble. But if you run the numbers, you'll see the likelihood of your cruise being affected by a storm is low. To find out if a cruise during hurricane season is worth the risk, we break down the reasons you should and shouldn't, and share our expert tips.

Reasons to Cruise During Hurricane Season

Price: Hurricane season deals prevail during peak storm season (mid-August to late October), when there's a greater chance your itinerary will be affected. For example, a five-night Carnival cruise to the Bahamas might cost $250 in September as opposed to $450 in July.

You're Safer at Sea: If a hurricane is bearing down on your resort in Jamaica or your hotel in Miami, your only options are to hunker down and wait out the storm or try to fly out before it hits. If you've booked a cruise, your captain can alter the ship's itinerary to avoid the hurricane's path, keeping you safe. You will never sail into the middle of a hurricane. Sure, you may end up visiting ports you hadn't planned on, but you'll get to enjoy activities on sea and on land rather than huddling in your hotel room or storm shelter, playing cards and hoping a palm tree doesn't fall on you.

Surprise Itineraries: Not knowing where you're headed can be exciting and puts a little extra suspense into your annual Caribbean cruise. If you're okay with change and don't have your heart set on specific ports, then you might love a hurricane season cruise. They're also good for travelers who just need a vacation, regardless of where it is.

Fewer Crowds, Fewer Kids: Peak hurricane season coincides with "back to school" season. Between the end of August and October, expect to see fewer kids and families. Plus, the fall is a slower travel season in general, and ships and ports won't be as packed with vacationers.

Reasons Not to Cruise During Hurricane Season

Last-Minute Itinerary Changes: If you will be devastated when your Bermuda cruise turns into a Bahamas cruise (or a Canada and New England cruise), then a hurricane season cruise is not for you. When a storm is forecasted, your captain will usually have a number of alternative plans to keep away from the storm, such as rearranging the order of ports so that none are missed or skipping one for an extra sea day. Only in the most extreme cases will the entire cruise destination be swapped. In any event, bear in mind that all the alterations are being made to keep you safe.

Canceled Shore Excursions: Missing a port is bad enough. Now imagine if you couldn't get a refund for your canceled shore excursion. Cruise lines will fully refund your shore excursion if the ship misses port, but not all independent tour operators do. Always check the fine print before you book. (More on independent shore excursions, below.)

Travel Delays: In rare cases, storms that directly hit homeports may prompt delays on land, air and sea. High winds, storm surge, flooding and damage to the cruise port, airport or area roads could prevent a ship from embarking or returning to port. Additionally, flight cancellations can hinder your schedule, even if you fly in early. You run the risk of missing your cruise departure, getting stuck in port waiting for a ship to depart or arriving home late and missing extra days of work and school.

Rough Seas: Cruise ships generally avoid hurricanes and tropical storms, but cruisers can experience rough seas if a ship is forced to pass through the outskirts of a storm.

Tips for Hurricane Season Cruising

Purchase Travel Insurance: The most important piece of advice we have for cruising during hurricane season is to purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover you for cancellations and delays that aren't covered by the cruise line -- for example, if you miss a flight or part of your cruise due to bad weather. Make sure you know what's included in your plan, and purchase it early. Travel insurance only covers unexpected events, so it won't cover hurricane-related delays and trip interruptions after a storm has been forecasted.

Consider the Southern Caribbean: If you plan to cruise during hurricane season, we recommend a Southern Caribbean cruise in one of the peak months. Islands such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are on the outskirts of the hurricane belt and tend to see less storm activity than those to the north. Itinerary-wise, it's the best bang for your buck.

The Southern Caribbean is the most exotic of the Caribbean regions and thus more expensive; it's less visited and full of lush rainforests and award-winning beaches. Between August and October, cruises here can cost a few hundred dollars less than what they would in say, July -- and in some cases, cheaper than a Bahamas cruise outside hurricane season.

Book Independent Shore Excursions Carefully: Big companies like ShoreTrips and Viator offer a full refund for canceled shore excursions, but smaller ones may not. If you choose not to book through the cruise line, we recommend going with a bigger tour operator that guarantees you'll get your money back.

Choose Your Flights Wisely: Typically, when a hurricane or storm causes a cruise ship delay, the cruise lines are more generous in assisting travelers who booked airfare through the line than with those who booked independently. Consider your cruise line's air-sea package if you're booking a late-summer or early-fall cruise during the peak of hurricane season. If you are committed to booking flights independently, you might want to go with a more major airline or one that has lots of flights into and out of your embarkation city, so you'll have more options if you need to rebook.

Be Prepared for the Worst: While the majority of hurricane season cruises take place as planned, yours might be the one that gets stuck at sea for an extra few days (or a week) or gets its itinerary switched around. Be prepared for all possible situations. Bring extra necessities (such as daily medications, seasickness remedies or diapers) in case your cruise gets unexpectedly extended, have contingency plans for childcare or petcare if you arrive home late, and carry contact information for your travel agent, airline and private tour guides in case you need to reschedule.

Have a Good Attitude: We think cruising during hurricane season is a chance worth taking, as long as you can go with the flow if your plans do change. Come prepared, and always remember that cruise lines are working hard to keep you safe at sea.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

OCC A13.5 2024 Cruise

A13.5 2024 go-ship/co2 repeat hydrography cruise, analyzing decadal changes in the ocean’s circulation and uptake of anthropogenic co 2, scroll to learn more.

The A13.5 cruise is in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean and was previously occupied in 1984, 1995, and 2010. Scientists from NOAA and academic institutions will collect full water column CTD rosette casts along the A13.5 section at 30 nautical mile (54km) spacing, with closer spacing at the basin boundaries. Measurements taken from the instrument package include temperature, salinity, oxygen, currents (LADCP), and particles (transmissometer). Discrete samples were collected on these casts and analyzed for a variety of parameters including salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), SF6 , dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), alkalinity, pCO2, pH, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Underway data collection included upper-ocean current measurements from the shipboard ADCP, surface oceanographic (temperature, salinity, and CO2 ) and measurements from the ship’s scientific seawater supply, meteorological parameters, bathymetric data and atmospheric measurements of CO2, CFCs, and SF6.

Pre-Cruise Planning

Weekly cruise updates, diagrams and pictures of the science space on the r/v marcus g. langseth.

The R/V Langseth is a research vessel owned and operated by the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University as a part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.  On June 15, 2023, scientists from the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Division visited the Langseth.  Notes and pictures of the visit can be found in the following powerpoint and pdf files and images.

Notes and pictures of the visit can be found in the following powerpoint file: https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/ocd/gcc/A13.5_2024/Visit_to_Marcus_Langseth_13JUN2023.pptx .

All the diagrams from the June 15, 2023 visit to the R/V Langseth: https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/ocd/gcc/A13.5_2024/ship_info_diagrams_images/All_Diagrams_Langseth.pdf .

Sample lab layouts of the R/V Langseth: https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/ocd/gcc/A13.5_2024/ship_info_diagrams_images/Lay layout Langseth Sample.pptx .

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Travel | Regent Seven Seas Grandeur builds on luxury of…

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Subscriber only, travel | regent seven seas grandeur builds on luxury of 2 sister cruise ships.

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur is the third of three sister ships for the luxury cruise line. It debuted in late 2023 with several sailing dates in the Caribbean out of PortMiami, seen here during a cruise from Jan. 24-26, 2024. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

A Fabergé egg titled "Journey in Jewels" sits in the atrium on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

This bronze-and-glass bonsai cherry blossom tree sculpture welcomes diners into the Pacific Rim restaurant on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, the third of three sister ships for the luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises that debuted in late 2023. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Compass Rose restaurant on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur was designed by Miami-based Studio DADO. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Chef John Stephano leads a class in the Culinary Arts Kitchen on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur on Jan. 25, 2024. The ship is the third of three sister ships for the luxury cruise line that debuted in late 2023. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The luxury pedigree that Regent Seven Seas welcomed with Seven Seas Explorer in 2016 continued with sister ship Seven Seas Splendor in 2020, but the third and final sister Seven Seas Grandeur offers up the best of class.

The ship’s features include the first Fabergé egg with a permanent home at sea. The blue-pearl-and-diamond sculpture titled “Journey in Jewels” is a small but commanding centerpiece rotating within its display case in the atrium for travelers to enjoy as soon as they step on board.

The egg is revealed as seven branches break away like waves that represent the Seven Seas. The ship’s godmother is Sarah Fabergé, the great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé.

It’s part of a 1,600-piece art collection that includes classic black-and-white photos from global destinations adorning the hallways between cabins to the steakhouse’s original Picassos. Travelers could spend a good afternoon wandering hallways and public spaces, akin to visiting a museum. A new app for the line also offers a digital art tour, like a personal guide.

“With each new ship, our team works tirelessly to identify and source the most impressive array of art pieces, building a collection that would be enviable by most modern-day museums, to ensure our guests’ time onboard is as enriching and thought-provoking as their time on land,” said Regent Seven Seas Cruises President Andrea DeMarco.

All three ships in the Explorer class are about 55,500 gross tons, with Grandeur sporting a 744-guest capacity among its all-suite offerings. The line has three older ships and just had two larger vessels ordered by parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, but they are not due until 2026 and 2029.

Until then, the three sister ships continue the line’s most refined take on their global, all-inclusive itineraries, with both Splendor and Grandeur set to return to Miami for the 2024-25 winter Caribbean season.

The line has given all three Explorer-class ships a succession of superlative monikers. Seven Seas Grandeur was dubbed with “A Heritage of Perfection,” following Seven Seas Explorer’s “the most luxurious cruise ship ever” and Seven Seas Splendor’s “the ship that perfects luxury.”

With 548 crew, Grandeur boasts a 1:1.36 crew-to-passenger ratio similar to its two sisters, so needs among travelers are attended to promptly.

The ship’s interior spaces are crafted by Miami-based Studio DADO, which has put its mark on sister lines Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

That includes new takes on main dining venue Compass Rose, which DADO founding partner Yohandel Ruiz called “a feast for the eyes.”

It’s filled with fantastical tree-like arches right out of Alice in Wonderland with a cascading waterfall sculpture. At night, thousands of individually placed crystal-faceted leaves encrusted on pillars and branches illuminate the space.

The ship has five signature restaurants on board, including steakhouse Prime 7, Italian option Sette Mari at La Veranda, French offering Chartreuse and the latest version of Asian restaurant Pacific Rim, this time bringing a delicate bronze-and-glass bonsai cherry blossom tree sculpture as the centerpiece at the entrance. It’s a welcome and fitting addition to the dragon and prayer wheel sculptures on its two sister ships.

The ship has 15 suite categories, all with their own balconies. The pinnacle of sailing options is the 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite at $11,000 a night. It features a $200,000 Hästens Vividus custom handmade mattress, an in-suite spa retreat with a personal sauna and steam room and 270-degree views from the ship’s bow from a 1,292-square-foot wraparound veranda. Those passengers get their own butler and personal car and driver in every port.

Some seven-night Miami-based sailings go for as low as $3,700 per person based on double occupancy.

For everyone on board is the spa with an infinity pool that looks out over the stern, fitness center, jogging track, casino, several lounges, card room, library and main pool. Top-deck fun includes pickleball, shuffleboard, mini golf and ping-pong.

A big draw to Regent is the mostly inclusive offerings, including free and unlimited shore excursions, round-trip flights, unlimited internet, prepaid gratuities, ground transfers and other amenities.

One of the best offerings on board, though, isn’t free. Back again is the Culinary Arts Kitchen, a staple borrowed from sister line Oceania Cruises, but a massively popular offering that lets 18 students create memorable dishes under the guidance of a chef team.

During a preview cruise for media in January out of PortMiami, the class was led by the amiable Chef John Stephano talking students through a pair of sample dishes – pasta al limone, which is lemon pasta, and French crêpes with an allspice berry ice cream, offered during what are normally two-hour-long classes twice per day on sailings.

“I promise you’re going to make delicious and delightful food,” he said but joked that “anybody that struggles with their culinary skills today, we’ll be sending you down to the galley to help us out.”

Stephano deftly demonstrates and drops bits of history and detail during the demonstration with students gathered around, who then go one of the 18 individual stations equipped with induction cooktops, stainless steel sinks and a collection of tools, tongs, pots and pans, while he and assistant chefs make the rounds to ensure everyone is figuring out the steps.

The course options vary per cruise pulling from nearly 50 curated thematic class titles such as “1493: The Foodies’ New World,” “Familia Cubana” and “Flip-Flop Floribbean.” Classes are an extra $89, which is about the only extra-cost feature on a Regent sailing. They are often themed to the location where the ships sail.

The culinary team also has a hand in creating some of the unique excursions, which then pair up with some of the classes.

Grandeur just finished out its first run about the Caribbean during mostly sold-out itineraries from PortMiami and is now amid a set of Mediterranean voyages for summer 2024. It will then make its way to New York for fall color itineraries of Canada and New England in September and October and then return to Miami to begin the winter Caribbean sailing season into 2025.

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The Carnival Glory cruise ship passes the French Quarter and Algiers Point as it heads down the Mississippi River on May 21, 2023. 

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Carnival Liberty will set sail from New Orleans this summer with new lounge, more upgrades

• Author email
• Apr 19, 2024
• 1 min to read

A newly remodeled Carnival Liberty will set sail from New Orleans this summer and make multiple stops at beach vacation destinations.  

The ship went on an over two-week-long hiatus to upgrade several spots on the ship, according to a recent news release from Carnival. A new bar and lounge dedicated to Army veterans and active duty military and a photography studio are some of the latest additions.

Other spaces, including the casino, spa and youth area, were redesigned. Frequent cruisers may notice the new decor and furnishings across all public areas on the ship.

The Liberty will sail out of New Orleans several times this summer for seven-day itineraries to the Eastern or Western Caribbean. 

Eastern Caribbean cruise

Carnival Liberty will set sail from New Orleans for the first time for their seven-day Eastern Caribbean vacation.

From May 26 to June 2, the ship will stop in Key West, Freeport and Nassau before returning to the Crescent City.

Other dates for this itinerary are July 7-14 and August 4-11. 

Western Caribbean cruises

Carnival Liberty has two Western Caribbean cruises sailing from New Orleans in June. The destinations include Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel. The dates for both cruises are June 2-9 and June 16-23. 

Another Western Caribbean cruise will depart from New Orleans, then make stops to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel in the span of seven days. Dates include June 9-16, June 23-30, July 21-28 and August 18-25. 

Western Caribbean cruises are also offered later in the summer. One takes place June 30 to July 7 and July 28 to August 4 and sails through Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel.

The last seven-day Western Caribbean cruise travels to Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel on July 14-21, August 11-18 and August 25 to September 1. 

Email Poet Wolfe at [email protected] .

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Watch CBS News

Holland America crewmember missing after going overboard before vessel docks at Port Everglades

By Hunter Geisel

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 4:52 PM EDT / CBS Miami

FORT LAUDERDALE  — A search is underway for a cruise ship crewmember who went overboard while the vessel was still at sea before docking in South Florida this weekend.

Around 11:18 a.m. Saturday, deputies with the Broward County Sheriff's Office Port Everglades District responded to a report of a missing crewmember on a Holland America cruise ship.

According to Holland America, the crew member was reported missing when the Rotterdam vessel docked in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. After reviewing the security camera video, the crew member went "purposefully overboard" around 9:45 p.m. Friday while the vessel was still en route between Cuba and Key West, the cruise line told CBS News Miami.

BSO's Homicide and Crime Scene units have responded to Port Everglades to investigate, while the U.S. Coast has been notified and is currently searching the sea for the crew member.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the team member's family at this difficult time," the cruise line shared in a statement with CBS News Miami.

This is a developing story. Tune into CBS News Miami on-air and online for the latest updates.

• South Florida
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Hunter Geisel is a digital producer at CBS News Miami. Hunter has previously produced digital content for local and national outlets, covering several topics from breaking news and current events to politics and pop culture.

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'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Cheers broke out on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship when the total solar eclipse began on Monday.

Off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, passengers were perched on loungers, reclining on beach towels and lining the railings of Deck 14 with cameras on tripods at the ready. When the sliver of fiery orange that remained of the sun disappeared, a black circle ringed by white light took its place. Passengers applauded the moment they'd been awaiting since the ship departed from San Diego on Friday.

The sunny, 72-degree weather – quintessential cruise weather – gave way to chilly wind and late morning’s best impression of sunset. The horizon line glowed orange in the dusky sky.

Cruise ships can help take guests to the path of totality for eclipses, allowing passengers to get a prime viewing spot and make a vacation of it.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun as it moves between the sun and Earth.

While the sun is about 400 times bigger than the moon, the moon is roughly 400 times closer to Earth. “In the past, the moon was much closer, and in the future, the moon will be much further away,” said Adam Burgasser, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, San Diego, and director of the Cool Star Lab, who served as an onboard expert during the cruise. “And so we're in a special time, which, of course, lasts for billions of years, where it's set up just right to block out the sun.”

Total solar eclipses take place about every 18 months on average, but the last one visible from the U.S. was in 2017 .

The phenomenon creates a multi-sensory experience, with a cold front moving in ahead of the eclipse. “You block the sun, and it gets cold,” said Burgasser. “It’s actually just that simple. And it's slow enough that the atmosphere can react.”

Plants and animals respond, too: Birds often begin to chirp, plants may close up, and nocturnal will come out. “It’s kind of an all-around-you experience where it's not just the fact that the sun has been blocked that’s so fascinating, but just the effect it has on the entire environment.” Those effects weren’t easily discernible on Koningsdam, though, which was about 150 miles from shore.

Nicole Chaput, a 57-year-old passenger from Calgary in Canada, said partial and total eclipses are “totally different.”

“I heard someone describe it as being partly pregnant,” she said. “You can’t do it. There’s no comparison.”

What makes a cruise a good place to see an eclipse?

Bad weather can wreck even the best-laid viewing plans. If a city in the path of totality has overcast skies, it can be tough to quickly move to an alternate site.

“If you're on a cruise ship and a little bit farther to the east or a little bit farther to the west along the path, there's clear sky, the ship can move,” said Dan Jarrell, who was on the cruise with his wife, Kay, and friends. The Washington, D.C.-area resident has seen solar eclipses with friends during two other sailings, including on Holland America’s Veendam in 1998.

“If you're on land and there's not a road there, you’d better have a tank,” Jarrell said.

That’s where a cruise ship comes in handy. “Having the ability to map out based on what the current weather is where you can catch the eclipse, and having a range over the course of the ocean where you could chase that a little bit is certainly helpful,” Burgasser added.

Capt. Ane Smit, Master aboard Holland America’s Zaandam for the viewing, said the ship can move at a maximum of 20 knots, so the crew needs to scout out the conditions with enough time to move as needed.

“If it's not good enough, we really need to start finding another spot because we are not the quickest vehicle, of course, to be driving around, but we have the luxury of being able to go in any direction without any restriction,” he said. “It’s a pretty wide highway that we have.”

The view of the horizon also allows passengers to “see that shadow coming in and leaving more so than you can in a topographical area,” said Burgasser. Being in the ocean away from city lights is also helpful for seeing stars and other parts of the sky usually only visible at night.

The cruise line also made the practicalities of watching an eclipse easier: eclipse glasses were distributed to guests’ staterooms and Burgasser guided guests through the event via the ship’s speaker system, before and after totality.

More eclipse cruises on the horizon

If you missed your chance to see it this time or want another go, Holland America has more eclipse-viewing opportunities on the books.

“Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's Vice President of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, said in an email. Details have not yet been released.

Other cruise lines offer similar opportunities as well. Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess was near Koningsdam on Monday.

Chaput, the Canadian passenger, said she’s been “chasing” total solar eclipses since seeing her first one in 1991. Monday’s eclipse marked her seventh viewing and second on a cruise ship.

“I think it’s just such an amazing natural phenomenon,” she said. “It’s seeing science in action.”

Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Holland America Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected]

WATCH: Pregnant woman airlifted from Disney cruise ship nearly 200 miles offshore

by Skyler Shepard

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CBS12) — A pregnant woman was airlifted off a Disney cruise ship, nearly 200 miles from land.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said on Monday, a Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter crew airlifted a 35-year-old pregnant woman from the Disney Fantasy cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean 180 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The woman was experiencing health complications and required a higher level of medical care ashore. Staff aboard the cruise ship contacted the Coast Guard to assist in bringing the woman back to land.

The USCG said the helicopter and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft were deployed from the air station in Miami to meet with the cruise ship.

See also: St. Lucie County Fire District to honor three locals for saving deputy's life

Once on scene, the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer aboard the cruise ship, who prepared a rescue basket and litter to safely hoist the patient and cruise ship doctor aboard the aircraft. Video taken by the Coast Guard shows the pregnant woman on a stretcher getting lifted into the helicopter.

The Coast Guard said the woman was then taken to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel brought her to the local ‘Centro Medico’ Hospital.

“Our crew was able to quickly, safely, and efficiently execute a long-range MEDEVAC for the patient to receive the higher level of care she required,” said Lt. Cmdr. Todd Stephens. “This case demonstrates the value of good crew resource management and the capabilities of our Jayhawk helicopter.”