Booking a Cruise During Hurricane Season

Jason · August 22, 2006

Should you book a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season?

Source: Erica Silverstein, SmarterTravel.com Staff

Every summer, we see the photos: dark gray skies, palm trees bending at 90-degree angles with their leaves whipping in the wind, liberated roofs taking to the skies. With such dramatic images of tropical storms, it's no wonder people think twice about booking a cruise during hurricane season. But is it really in your best interest to avoid all Caribbean cruises between June and November?

The negatives may be obvious to you, but you may not have considered the positives. Here's a look at both sides.

Cons: Uncertainty and skipped ports

Notice that I did not list safety as a negative aspect of cruising during hurricane season. "The main goal is to stay out of harm's way," says Vance Gulliksen, public relations manager for Carnival Cruise Lines. "But the benefit of a ship-based versus a land-based vacation is that ships are mobile." When a tropical storm or a hurricane forms, cruise lines try to keep their vessels at least 150 to 200 miles away from the storm front. You shouldn't be tossed about on rough seas or subjected to a day in port under torrential downpours and fierce winds.

The flip side of this itinerary flexibility is that the cruise line will alter or skip ports-of-call in order to keep passengers safe. Your ship may be delayed returning to or leaving from its homeport. These schedule changes can result in missed flights, last-minute changes to travel plans, and skipped shore excursions. In the worst case, a sailing will be canceled completely. If you're determined to see a particular island and your vacation will be ruined if you don't, you should play it safe and book a winter or spring departure.

If you do choose to book a cruise during hurricane season, it's essential that you purchase travel insurance that will cover you if you need to rearrange or cancel your travel plans. You must be ready to be flexible, both with the dates of your vacation and with the activities you do on it. You might even consider padding your cruise vacation with an extra day in the homeport city before and after the sailing. That way, if your departing flight is delayed or your ship returns a day late, you won't miss the cruise or your flight home.

Pros: Low prices and favorable statistics

Any way you look at it, a cruise vacation is certainly better than a land vacation during hurricane season. A cruise ship can dodge a storm, keeping you safe and dry. If you're at an island resort when a storm hits, though, you may have trouble getting home and be forced to weather the deluge and its aftermath.

The main reason to book a cruise during hurricane season is price. "Generally, fall is our value season," says Gulliksen. Prices drop for departures after Labor Day, and airfare to your cruise port will generally be cheaper in the fall as well. Though summer sailings are typically popular with families, bookings were slow in the Caribbean this year, leading to even more discounts.

Chances are good that your cruise won't run into any trouble at all. "Carnival has 1,300 voyages per year," states Gulliksen. "Very few of those are impacted by hurricanes." Most vacationers will find sunny days and calm seas, with perhaps a quick afternoon shower. Even during the thick of hurricane season, most ships follow their planned schedule to the letter.

Should your cruise itinerary be altered for a storm, you'll generally receive some sort of reimbursement. Although the cruise line makes decisions on a case-by-case basis, typically Carnival guests receive $20 to $25 per day for a missed port. If the length of your cruise is shortened, you'll receive a credit for the pro-rated cost of that day. Other lines have similar policies.

The decision is yours

To cruise or not to cruise ... that is your question. If you're wedded to a specific destination, the risk of an altered itinerary may be too great. If you're looking for a relaxing vacation at a great price, though, a fall cruise could be the perfect solution.

frostyboy64 · August 22, 2006

i cruise at this time mosty because of the price

and it is not so hot .

cruisetarp · August 22, 2006

We also cruise nearly every year for our Anniversary which happens to be in the middle of Hurricane season (September). The rates are cheaper and we find there are fewer children on board. (no flames please, we love kids but love "alone" time better.) We have only hit bad weather on 2 cruises and 2 out of 25 isn't bad.

jtutak · August 22, 2006

Last year I spent 11 days without Electricity. :shocked: This year T'm Going cruising. :grin:

cruiseduo · August 22, 2006

I agree with jtutak.

When our electricity went out during the Florida hurricanes we threw away enough spoiled food to pay for a cruise.

At least for one week this season we'll be on the Mariner of the Seas!

rogue · August 22, 2006

We've been diverted before, but we really didn't care. We still had a great cruise (and great weather), plus we got some cabin credit. How can you beat it? :grin:

SCIROCCO · August 22, 2006

I agree with everyone else! :grin:

Its cooler,the prices are right,and it fits our vacation schedules as well! :wink: And thats the chance you take its all part of cruising! :wink: Kinda makes it interesting to wonder what port you will wind up in :shocked: last year we only made two ports due to Hurricane Wilma! :tongue: Wonder if we will make it to Ocho Rios, and Jamacia this time! :wink: :rolleyes

JoeyandDavid · August 22, 2006

Our only experience was last year when they closed both FLL and MIA Airports... I was freaking out... (some may remember) the one thing it did teach me was the value of Insurance for our cruises..