What Happens On a Cruise Ship In a Hurricane?

What Happens On a Cruise Ship In a Hurricane?

This is really an important question to ask! It is also a good reason to get Trip Insurance if sailing in Hurricane Season. You should check the policy of the Cruise Line in case of a hurricane when sailing during hurricane season (June-November). If you book during Hurricane Season make sure you keep up on the weather and stay informed of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes that could impact your cruise or the ports you are going to.

 

Should you be concerned about cruising in Hurricane season? Be aware of the risks and evaluate if you are ready to accept those risks. What are the risks? Your cruise could be cancelled. Your cruise could be rockier than in other seasons. There is a higher risk of getting seasick. Your ports could be altered due to the weather, or weather-related damage. You may be looking forward to going to a certain port, but you don’t get there due to weather or damage.

 

So what happens? Cruise Lines are concerned for the safety and comfort of their guests as well as their ships so they will not take you directly into the path of a hurricane. The lines monitor the weather very carefully and watch for any storms and make both major and minor adjustments accordingly. They may even adjust ports/direction during the cruise if the storm changes direction or intensity or if there is damage in a port that makes stopping unreasonable/unsafe.

 

Cruise Lines will alter direction/ports of call to avoid the worst of an incoming hurricane. They may go Eastern Caribbean instead of Western completely changing ports. In worst case scenarios they will cancel the cruise entirely. If they cancel the cruise they often give the options of refund, rescheduling the cruise date or a future cruise credit to be used at a later date you choose.

 

Airlines and hotels have different policies, you need to make sure you understand what will happen if there is a hurricane and your cruise gets canceled or plans alter. Know their policies as well! Again, Trip Insurance will help you with that if you are concerned.