Hurricane Season Cruising Tips

Caribbean Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends November 30, the peak of activity usually falls toward the beginning of September and the end of October.  Often, during peak hurricane season, cruise lines offer lower cruise fares.  You can find savings this time of year, but if you’re not flexible by nature, it may not be the best time for you to cruise the Caribbean.

Whether you depart from Florida, Texas or fly to the Caribbean to begin your cruise, there's always the possibility that a major weather scenario could interrupt your plans.  This is another reason why it's important to arrive at your departure port at least one day in advance of your cruise.  Another is, of course, normal missed connections and delayed flights.

Airports and ports can be closed.  You've received notice from your cruise line that despite the impending possibility of a major storm or hurricane, your ship is still heading out to sea on the scheduled date of departure.  There's a slim chance that the ship may not be able to return to the port of embarkation.  The same port where you've parked your car or booked your return flight home.

When something like this occurs, the cruise line makes arrangements to return guests to their original point of embarkation, usually by motor coach if it's only a few hours away.  Wi-Fi and phone charges are usually dropped so guests can make new air travel arrangements.  Conversely, passengers departing on a ship whose embarkation isn't where it was supposed to be will find themselves on buses going to the port where the previous passengers left the ship.  It isn’t often that this occurs, but this is a prime example of why a flexible nature is necessary.

If you choose to cruise during hurricane season, be prepared to sail to ports that may not be on your original itinerary.  Cruise lines can easily rearrange itineraries to change course or bypass a port based on weather conditions.  They certainly do not want to risk running into a full-blown hurricane or getting caught in a bad tropical storm.

Travel insurance protects your investment and will help if things go awry. 

Hurricane and severe weather cancellation refunds are available with some cruise lines' insurance policies, as well as through third-party companies.  You need to read the fine print.  If you're sailing during peak hurricane season, purchasing trip cancellation insurance can save you from forfeiting the entire cost of your vacation.

Most insurance policies, cruise lines and third-party insurers, offer some sort of cancellation fee protection if the area to which you are sailing is under a hurricane warning issued by the National Hurricane Center.  But note the cancellation period from when the warning is issued varies for each cruise line and insurance company.

About two weeks prior to your cruise, start checking the weather across the Atlantic; the National Hurricane Center website and Weather Underground are resources to bookmark.  While the majority of tropical storms and hurricanes materialize off of the coast of Africa, it's always possible for something to form in the Gulf of Mexico as well.  Hurricanes form off the coast of Mexico and make their way toward the Hawaiian Islands, meaning your California and Mexico coastal cruises can also be affected.

If it looks like a storm is brewing, consider what to pack.  Since it is rainy season in most of the Caribbean, a poncho and a sturdy umbrella should be in your luggage.  If cruising with children, bring a few familiar toys, games and playing cards from home.  If rain keeps everyone indoors, consider making it family time rather than sending your young ones into what could be an overcrowded kids’ club.

Cruising the Caribbean during hurricane season can be like any other time of year, especially in the early weeks of June and July. After that, when cruise prices drop, it's important to realize there's a chance that unforeseen weather conditions could alter or even spoil your vacation.  If you’re flexible, it could be the best vacation you’ve ever taken, offering opportunities for family bonding and ports of call you didn’t anticipate.