How Cruise Ships Navigate the Turbulence of Hurricane Season

Last month, hurricanes Fiona and Ian wreaked havoc across the Caribbean and Florida, reaching as far as Newfoundland, Canada, and leaving a path of destruction. Yet, cruise ships managed to remain unharmed. How did they avoid disaster?

Modern cruise ships are engineered to endure storms, steer clear of them, and even outrun them. Cruise lines closely monitor weather conditions, adjusting itineraries, canceling trips, and making every effort to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

During hurricane season, which spans from early June to late November, millions of cruisers populate the Caribbean on numerous ships. Besides the Caribbean, storms can affect the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada, as well as the Mexican Riviera for cruises departing from California to destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

The most severe storms typically impact the eastern Caribbean from August to October and the western Caribbean from September to November. These late summer and fall months are also when you'll find some of the best cruise deals of the year.

If you're tempted by the savings, it's important to remember that most cruises are not directly affected by hurricanes. However, if you book a cruise during hurricane season, be ready for potential last-minute changes to your itinerary or even cancellations due to storms. If you're particularly keen on visiting a specific island, it might be wise to steer clear of hurricane season cruises—regardless of how attractive the deals may be.

How Cruise Ships Track Hurricanes and Severe Weather

Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises actively monitor weather patterns worldwide.

Each ship’s captain and crew have access to weather maps, satellite imagery, and storm models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with real-time updates from on-ground storm monitoring teams.

In 2017, Royal Caribbean Group, which encompasses Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and luxury line Silversea, employed its own meteorologist, James Van Fleet. During hurricane season, he operates from a storm monitoring center in Miami equipped with a 25-foot wall of weather screens. For the rest of the year, he trains cruise ship crews on handling various weather conditions.

He shares public updates on forecasts and weather conditions on his Instagram account. It's engaging reading for weather enthusiasts and offers practical insights for anyone with an upcoming cruise.

Similarly, Carnival monitors weather from its fleet operations center, which has been active 24/7 since its opening in 2018 at the company’s Miami headquarters. This center maintains communication with ship captains as weather systems develop.

Fortunately, when storms and hurricanes form, cruise lines typically have sufficient time to prepare. Most storms are visible on weather radars 7 to 10 days prior to landfall. When it comes to storms and cruise ships, these lines leave nothing to chance.

How Cruise Lines Manage Rerouting During Hurricanes

Hurricanes can force ships to skip certain ports as they navigate towards calmer waters, and in some cases, itineraries may change significantly. For instance, an eastern Caribbean cruise that includes the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten might be adjusted to a western Caribbean route to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, or vice versa.

Hurricanes can significantly affect a variety of itineraries across multiple destinations. For example, during Hurricane Fiona in September, some ships were diverted from Puerto Rico, while others were rerouted away from Bermuda and Canada.

Passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway departing from New York expected to sail to Bermuda but instead visited Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; and St. John in New Brunswick, Canada, all due to Hurricane Fiona.

That ship was far from the only one affected. Hurricanes Fiona and Ian caused hundreds of itinerary adjustments and several cancellations as well.

In preparation for Hurricane Ian, Florida ports including Key West, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral were closed, leaving some ships stranded at sea.

Passengers on Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel, Disney Wish, had their four-night voyage from Port Canaveral extended by a day when the ship couldn’t return to port and instead sought out calmer waters. A video shared on Twitter showed passengers cheering at the news of their extra time on board. Unfortunately, the next group of passengers wasn’t as fortunate, as their cruise was canceled due to the delayed arrival of the ship.

Staying out at sea is generally a safer option for ships during a hurricane, as they are less likely to encounter hazards such as structures or rocks that may pose a risk while in port.

How Severe Do Cruise Ship Sailings Get During Hurricanes?

Even if your ship can steer clear of the storm's main impact, don’t assume you won’t experience some swaying. If you're cruising during hurricane season, it’s wise to have a seasickness remedy on hand.

You can anticipate rough seas not only through the captain’s daily updates but also by observing the crew’s actions—like placing damp tablecloths to prevent dishes from sliding. If the ship's pools and water park are closed, it’s a good idea to take seasickness medication if you're susceptible.

Is It Wise to Set Sail During a Hurricane?

Deciding whether to embark on a cruise during hurricane season is a personal choice. However, it's important to note that having your cruise affected by a hurricane is uncommon, even during peak season. You might find that your vacation is largely unaffected.

Regardless of your choice, you won’t find yourself sailing directly into a major storm, so the decision to cruise or not is more about comfort and convenience rather than safety. At worst, you might encounter some choppy waters, and it's wise to remain flexible regarding potential itinerary changes.

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for weather-related disruptions, ensuring you are protected against any flight changes or hotel accommodations needed if your cruise is altered or postponed.

If ports are skipped, cruise lines may offer passengers onboard credits for drinks, Wi-Fi, and other purchases, although this is entirely at their discretion. In the event of a cruise cancellation due to a hurricane, you can expect a full refund, and some cruise lines may even provide discounts for future sailings to encourage rebooking.

If you're cruising during hurricane season, it's wise to monitor the weather leading up to your trip to avoid any surprises. Reach out to your cruise line if you have concerns and stay informed about any announcements from the company.