Here's what it's like on a cruise ship stuck at sea during a hurricane

Table Of Content

• You'll have to rearrange travel plans
• Cruising during hurricane season: What to know — and should you go?
• How cruise ships monitor for hurricanes and severe weather
• Should I pack or prepare differently for a hurricane season cruise?
• What happens if the port I'm supposed to cruise out of is closed?
• How Cruises Navigate the Rough Seas of Hurricane Season
• Can I cancel my cruise if a storm threatens my sailing?

In such cases, the cruise line will be in touch to let you know when it's OK to come to the port. In the rare cases when a cruise sailing is rerouted to another port for debarkation and embarkation, the cruise line will provide ground transportation to take passengers from the original port to the new port at no charge. With their long history in the Caribbean, all lines have effective hurricane and tropical storm emergency response plans in place. These plans are well-rehearsed by crew and cruise line personnel, not that you’d ever know as you’re tucking into a prime steak or sipping on a cocktail.

You'll have to rearrange travel plans

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. 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. While it’s unlikely you will need to submit a claim to your travel insurance provider, knowing that you have the option in emergencies is a great way to give yourself some peace of mind. As a general rule, cruise line passengers are not entitled to compensation for storm-related itinerary changes, but that doesn't mean you won't get anything.

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

In both cases, the issue was Port Canaveral closed and that prevented the ship from getting back into port. That isn't to say they've never done it, but time and time again, we see ships getting re-routed and extended instead. Sailings can be extended or shortened, but Royal Caribbean very rarely cancels an entire sailing. First time cruisers will often post on Facebook to ask if their cruise will be cancelled, and it's clear that it's very unlikely a cruise will be totally cancelled. Essentially, you can't expect every question you might have to be answered and you may have a sense of "que sera sera" as it pertains to going on the cruise.

How cruise ships monitor for hurricanes and severe weather

The first hurricane of the season is given a name starting with the letter A, the second with the letter B and so on. Hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean are assigned a different set of names than Atlantic storms. For example, the first hurricane of the 2001 hurricane season was a Pacific Ocean storm near Acapulco, Mexico, named Adolf. But say there is a storm in the area that you plan to cruise, wouldn’t that be a big danger? First, know that a cruise ship would not purposefully go into the path of a hurricane if it can be avoided.

All tour operators have different policies, so be sure to check the fine print or ask about cancellation policies before you put down a deposit or pre-pay your excursion. In general, bigger tour operators that cater to cruise travelers or shore-excursion reservations agencies (such as ShoreTrips, Viator or PortSide Tours) will provide a full refund if your ship misses a port of call. The entertainment staff will schedule more sea-day activities, just as they did when Castaway Cay got canceled. In the case of Disney Wish, the first announcement came on the evening of Sept. 27 as the storm moved closer to shore. Based on updated forecasts, the captain announced the ship would not return to port until Saturday or Sunday, after the storm had passed and they could better assess the situation at Port Canaveral. That meant passengers would remain on board one or two days longer than expected.

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. Overall, effective communication with passengers is paramount during hurricanes. 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.

If you're having trouble getting into your port of embarkation, make sure you contact the cruise line. (Carry the toll-free emergency number.) If you've booked your flights through the cruise line, the line will assist in making other arrangements to help you reach the ship. Even if you booked airfare on your own, most lines will do everything possible, even if they are not obligated, to help you get to the ship -- but there's no guarantee.

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Watch cruise passengers flee flying lounge chairs, debris as storm hits.

Posted: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

How Cruises Navigate the Rough Seas of Hurricane Season

Mr. Van Fleet posts daily video updates, explaining what the latest forecasts indicate, and he shares what he thinks is possible. He also talks about various ships, and demonstrates where the ship is located, what to expect, and most importantly, how they are keeping safely away from the hurricane. Unlike every other cruise line, Royal Caribbean has its own Chief Meteorologist who not only provides each ship and the cruise line important guidance on the weather, but he also shares insight with guests.

In most cases, if a cruise is set to sail near a hurricane, it will simply be diverted to visit different ports of call, or you may skip a port altogether and have an extra sea day. In fact, a cruise ship is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane, as they can easily sail into safety. According to Unidata, the average forward speed of a hurricane is 15-20mph.

The actual number of hurricanes can change from year to year, but these averages were calculated between 1969 and 2014. If the cruise line cancels your cruise completely, you can expect a full refund and cruise credits for your next booking. 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. 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.

East Coast are mid-August to mid-September, and from mid-August to early November in the Western Caribbean. Early- and late-season hurricanes -- June and mid- to late-November, respectively -- are rare. As that announcement was made, audible cheers confirmed that most guests were thrilled that their vacation was just extended indefinitely. "The general sentiment is that people are content and happy about the extra day(s)," Roseboom said. When Disney Wish set sail on Sept. 26, the captain made an announcement that the ship might return to Port Canaveral later in the day than originally planned based on the projected forecast at that time.

April through June sees hurricanes forming on the other side of the Pacific, usually developing off the western coast of Mexico and traveling west towards the islands of Hawaii. For the most part, cruises during early cyclone season will not net you any savings because those summer months tend to have higher demand and, thus, higher prices. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about hurricane season. 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.

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