Summer – it’s the season of sun graphics wearing sunglasses, Floridians retreating to air conditioned rooms, and families heading out to sea for a deserved cruise vacation. Unfortunately, summer also brings warmer waters and the potential for vacation altering hurricanes. Sadly, these hurricanes are a part of summer cruising, but they don’t have to ruin your entire cruise vacation.
Choose Dates Wisely
Hurricane season officially opens on June 1st and closes on November 1st, but timing does play into when many hurricanes form. While their formation doesn’t adhere to a specific timeline, they are more likely to form in August and September. Planning and booking your cruise earlier in the summer won’t guarantee a hurricane free sailing, but your chances could be better than if you were to sail later in the summer and early fall.
Ensure Your Insured
Many cruisers think of travel insurance as an unnecessary add on, but many don’t realize how useful it can be when your travel plans become rocky. In the case of an altered or canceled cruise, many travel insurance plans will cover your lost vacation. Travel insurance can cover everything from your fare, to shore excursions, and even flights, depending on your specific plan. Your cruise line may offer partial refunds, but not in every case.
Prepare
If you know your cruise may be impacted by a hurricane, you may find it useful to prepare yourself medically. While not everyone suffers from seasickness, a hurricane may unfortunately make sailing a bit rougher than usual. Investing in Sea Bands or Dramamine will help alleviate any symptoms you may experience.
For more on preventing seasickness, read our article on battling the motion of the ocean.
Go With The Flow
Storms happen. Whether it’s a monsoon in Hong Kong, a blizzard in Washington, or a hurricane in the Caribbean, every vacation risks some type of weather phenomena that can alter your plans. If your ship is forced to skip a port or alter itinerary, always remember it’s in the best interest of your safety. Your crew is there to protect you and ensure you have the best vacation possible. You’re still on a cruise, away from home, away from the tasks of your everyday life. Don’t stress, have fun and make the best of the situation. Odds are you won’t even experience the hurricane, as the ship will be as far away as possible. So, enjoy your cruise and may the weather always be in your favor.
Don’t Panic
Here’s the thing. Your upcoming summer cruise will most likely sail without any issues concerning a hurricane. Sure, it may be hurricane season, but that doesn’t guarantee any hurricanes at all. In 2014, we saw only 6 hurricanes, many which floated around the Atlantic basin causing minimal disruptions to cruise ships. So, continue counting down the days, pack those sunglasses, and prepare yourself for the greatest vacation in the world. Bon voyage.
