Hurricane Season and Cruise Ships

Yes, the Caribbean Islands are known for their hurricanes. You see in the news the devastation of hurricanes as they sweep through lands. Hurricane Gustav and hurricane Hannah are threatening the Caribbean this year and the US as well. So, is it wise to visit the warm and inviting Caribbean Islands during this time? The answer is, if on a cruise, of course. Let us look at what a hurricane is and why a cruise is your best choice.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), “A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics.” Other parts of the world refer to it as a tropical cyclone.

Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of the winds. Winds of 38mph or less are called tropical depressions; winds 39-73mph are called tropical storms. Winds at 74mph and higher are called hurricanes. The categories are according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane scale which you can find at the NHC website. Category 1 means winds are 74 – 95mph. The highest is category 5 with winds going up to 156mph or higher. Evacuations are usually carried out if a category 5 hurricane is inevitable.

The hurricane season runs from June to November with August and September being the highest season. This is because these two months are the warmest and warm tropical oceans and moisture are some of the key ingredients to forming a hurricane. So why are cruises your best choice?

Ships are mobile and are equipped with high tech information systems that show weather conditions at sea ahead of time so they can be avoided. Imagine being on a resort in the Caribbean and a hurricane hits your island. Of course hurricanes are predictable so most likely, you will be evacuated to an evacuation center and there goes your vacation. Land resorts are not mobile. Cruise ships however, can change their port of call so you will not experience the storm. That is why you will not see a broken, devastated cruise ship after a storm on TV. Cruise ships can avoid a hurricane’s path and keep their guests safe and warm.

The worst that can happen is a port of call in your itinerary is changed or there may be delays in your disembarkment date. Cruise ships either visit another port or have special on-board activities so there never is a dull moment at sea.

If the success of your vacation depends on a particular port, it may be best to book your cruise vacation during winter and spring months. There are places like Alaska, Europe or Hawaii you can go in the summer and fall too. If you just want a great vacation and not fussy on a particular port of call, then you can book a Caribbean cruise. Also, Cruises to the Caribbean are cheaper during the fall than in summer so you can get great deals during this time.

However if the hurricane hits your port of embarkation before the ship sales, then the cruise line will cancel the trip. If you have already embarked and the ship is at sea, you are safe.

When planning to go on a cruise vacation, it is important to first find out about the Cruise ship’s cancellation policy. Know what they provide in the event that the vacation is cancelled or changes due to weather conditions. Secondly and most important, please buy a travel insurance policy. Travel insurance covers trip interruption/cancellation, emergency medical and dental coverage, damage or theft of baggage or personal belongings, and the list goes on. Buy travel insurance outside the cruise lines. There are many travel insurance companies out there and the best thing to do is to choose a few and then check out their rating on AM Best and make sure the rating is A, A+ or higher.

Book a hotel a day or two before your ship set sail and a day or two after you are expected to return from sea. This will allow for delays. Because of the storm, a ship may not be able to return to its original port of departure and you may have to disembark on another port. Another important point is that by allowing for delays, you can enjoy your vacation instead of worrying about your missed flight home.

Before going on your cruise vacation, keep updated with the weather conditions. You can receive reliable up to date weather forecast from a number of sites including National Hurricane center and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah, Ike and Josephine can bring it on this year. The only thing you will hear or see over the news is delays from Cruise ships as our fellow travelers at sea are warm, dry and enjoying their vacation.

If you have had a change of port or any other experiences due to hurricanes or bad weather whilst on your cruise, share your experience with others at our forum. Happy cruising!