Weather reports and live cameras are essential tools for planning and packing for a Caribbean cruise vacation. These websites provide detailed forecasts, radar images, and satellite views for ports throughout the world. Cruise Outlook offers custom weather forecasts for many cruise sailings, providing information about the trip and its conditions.
Cruise weather has three seasons: dry, rainy, and in-between. The dry season is the most popular time to cruise from January through April. With abundant sunshine and clear blue skies, Caribbean cruise weather is known for being consistent year-round. Some cruise destinations, like Princess Cays in the Bahamas, anticipate ideal weather conditions.
An app called Windy can be used to input your ship and sailing date and have it return a day by email. Another website that generates the same report for other cruises is http:cruiseoutlook.com. The 10 day forecast is updated daily, with moderate rain (total 0.6in), heaviest on Friday night, and warm temperatures (max 91°F on Friday afternoon, min 70°F on Friday night). Winds will be generally light.
Cruise ships can handle pretty bad weather as long as they can tolerate some vessel damage and discomfort. Live interactive weather radar, satellite imagery, current port weather, and wave heights for ports worldwide are also available.
When planning a cruise vacation, it is important to consider the best length of time for a cruise. Partly cloudy, high 92F, and wind speeds between 10 to 15 mph can help you plan your trip effectively.
📹 What Happens When a Cruise is Threatened by a Hurricane (uncommon knowledge)
Have you ever wondered what happens if a cruise is affected by a hurricane or storm? In this video I share some uncommon …
What is the weather like on a cruise to the Caribbean?
When is the best month to go to the Caribbean? Weather-wise, mid-December through mid-March is the best time for a Caribbean cruise. These are the driest months, with sunny skies, little rainfall, and pleasantly moderate temperatures. Expect average lows in the 70s and highs in the 80s.
Many places in the world have four seasons, but the Caribbean has two: a dry season (typically December-May) and a wet season (usually June-November). The dry season has the most pleasant weather with warm, sunny days and blue skies. Rain is more frequent in the wet season, but the temperatures are higher.
Wet season and dry season are bothgood times to cruise the Caribbean. The worst time for a Caribbean cruise weather-wise is August to September, as it is peak hurricane season.
When it’s teeth-chattering cold in many places, the Caribbean beckons with temps in the low to mid 80s. January is the driest month in the Caribbean. The occasional downpour still may surprise you, so add a raincoat to yourCaribbean packing list.
How to know if an ocean is choppy?
- Check the National Weather Service Surf Zone Forecast:Before you leave for the beach, check the officialsurf zone forecastsand/orbeach advisories and closings link.You also can ask your hotel or rental agency for local sources of weather and beach forecasts.
- Know How to Swim BEFORE You Venture In: Swimming in a pool is NOT the same as swimming at a surf beach with crashing waves, winds, and dangerous currents. Changing ocean currents and winds can quickly exhaust your energy and strength. You should be a strong swimmer before you go into the ocean, Great Lakes, or Gulf of Mexico. Many swimming programs now offer lessons in how to escape a rip current. According to the USLA, learning how to swim is the best defense against drowning.
- Know What the Warnings Flags Mean:Know what the warning flags mean. Read the beach safety signs at the entrance to the beach. Once on the beach, look for beach warning flags, often posted on or near a lifeguard’s stand. A green flag means water conditions are safe and other colors mean conditions are not safe. These flags are there to protect you. Please read and obey the posted beach signs and warning flags. Warning flags aren’t used in all areas and their meaning can vary from area to area.Check this link from U.S. Lifesaving Associaiton for info on the beach you are visiting.
Is there a cruise tracker app?
Some popular apps for tracking cruise ships include Ship Finder, Cruise Ship Tracker, MarineTraffic, VesselFinder, and CruiseMapper. These apps use AIS (Automatic Identification System) technology and other tracking methods to provide up-to-date information on the whereabouts of cruise ships around the world.
Do cruises cancel for bad weather?
Because cruise ships can move around bad weather, full cancellations are rare. But they can and do happen. Cruise lines are loath to cancel sailings and try to wait as long as possible before making a decision, while still trying to give passengers enough lead time to make alternate plans if necessary. If a cruise line does cancel, it will offer compensation usually a full refund of the cruise fare and possibly an additional percentage of your fare paid, given in the form of a future cruise credit.
You’re always free to cancel your cruise before the cruise line does, but in most cases, you will lose the full price you paid for the cruise (minus port fees). In instance of extremely severe storms (like hurricanes), cruise lines will typically allow passengers to cancel without penalty. Cruise Critic always recommends buying travel insurance that covers weather disruptions. This might not allow you to cancel because of impending storms, but it will cover you for travel disruptions caused by a storm or other significant weather events and natural disasters.
Cruise ships are adept at avoiding inclement weather (Photo: Shutterstock)
When should you not go on a cruise?
The Caribbean is also popular with families, so going outside of the summer months can mean more availability and better fares – though ships are likely to be crowded during other school holidays like spring and winter breaks. Banks also recommended avoiding hurricane season, which runs from June through November.
Is it cold at night on Caribbean cruise?
While you’re cruising to a Caribbean island, you might not think you will get chilly, but it can get downright cold on the open water at night. Restaurants and the casino can also be a bit chilly, and you’ll want a lightweight sweater or pashmina to keep you warm.
When you leave the ship for a beach-day shore excursion, you’ll want something to carry your beach items in. Bring a tote bag or back pack from home so that you aren’t stuck juggling towels, sunscreen and your book!
A tote bag also comes in handy if you want to do a little shopping at the cruise port. It’s much easier to throw everything you purchase into a tote bag than struggle to carry around several shopping bags.
Which cabin on a cruise ship is best to avoid seasickness?
To reduce motion sickness, choose a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. You will feel any sway of the ship less in this section.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, if you’re worried about seasickness on a cruise, book a stateroom with a window or a veranda. Fresh air access and a horizon view will help alleviate seasickness symptoms.
If lower levels are already booked or you’d like to be on a higher deck for an elevated view or to be closer to the activities on the top decks, book a stateroom in the middle of the ship and avoid staterooms near the front or back (bow or aft) of the ship.
The ships’ deck plans will help you pinpoint the best stateroom location for your needs.
What months should I avoid for cruising the Caribbean?
When is hurricane season for cruises? Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and early November.
If you think it’s best to avoid booking a cruise vacation during hurricane season, there are certain factors to consider that may change your mind. In fact, cruising during hurricane season may actually be an advantageous time to cruise.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and early November.
The Eastern Caribbean tends to see more hurricanes toward the beginning of the peak season, while peak season in the Western Caribbean islands stretches throughout the entire period. Some East Coast cruises might be affected by a hurricane in the Northern Atlantic.
How to check sea conditions for a cruise?
NOAA’s nowCOAST is a GIS-based webmap service that provides frequently updated weather and ocean observations along with coastal and marine weather forecasts 24 hours a day. The free online map viewer offers point-and-click access to 60 NOAA data products and services all in one place. With nowCOAST, you can get a one-stop-shop look at coastal conditions — real-time and forecast — before you do or plan anything on the water.
The nowCOAST map viewer displays animated observations for the past four hours and forecasts for the next seven days. The map incorporates data from NOAA’s National Ocean Service; National Weather Service; and National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. Data includes watches, warnings, and advisories for hazardous weather and marine weather conditions such as special marine warnings and gale warnings — even far offshore. It also provides near-real-time weather radar data, weather satellite imagery, and lightning strike density data for both land and overwater areas, sea surface temperature analyses, and predictions from NOAA’s ocean forecast models. Advanced users may also ingest maps of NOAA data and predictions directly into third-party applications using nowCOAST web map services.
What is the best weather tracker for cruises?
In our opinion, some of the best offshore weather apps and offshore weather reports include Windy, NOAA Weather Radar, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and Marine Weather by Bluefin. These apps provide comprehensive offshore weather forecasts, offering details on wind speed, wave heights and swell periods in their offshore weather report. They are highly reliable offshore weather apps and user-friendly, making them valuable tools for offshore boaters and sailors. Windy stands out for its detailed maps and global coverage, while NOAA Weather Radar offers accurate real-time radar imagery. The Weather Channel and AccuWeather are known for their precise forecasts and customizable alerts. Marine Weather by Bluefin is favored for its specialized marine forecasts and user-friendly interface. Overall, these apps are essential for planning safe and enjoyable offshore journeys.
Based on our research, one of the best offshore weather apps for ocean conditions is Windy. Windy offers comprehensive offshore weather forecasts, providing detailed information on wind patterns, wave heights, and swell periods. With its intuitive interface and reliable data, Windy helps offshore boaters make informed decisions about their voyages, ensuring safety and optimal conditions for sailing, fishing, or cruising. Whether you’re a professional mariner or a recreational boater, Windy is widely regarded as the best app for ocean conditions, offering valuable insights for planning and navigating offshore adventures.
Based on user reviews, expert assessments, and industry insights, Wavve Boating is often regarded as one of the most accurate marine weather apps available. PredictWind is another top choice and offers highly detailed weather forecasts, including wind speed and direction, wave heights, tide information and more. Its advanced modeling technology and extensive data sources contribute to its reputation for accuracy, making it a preferred choice among sailors, boaters, and fishermen alike. Wavve Boating is the best marine forecast and best marine weather app available. However, it’s essential to consider individual preferences and specific needs when selecting the most suitable marine weather app for your purposes.
What is the weather app for cruises?
Windy. Windy, also known as Windyty, is celebrated for its intuitive interface and stunning visual wind and weather maps. Beyond basic forecasts, Windy provides detailed information on wind, waves, and weather conditions, which are critical for safe sailing. The app allows you to overlay different weather parameters to customise the display according to your needs, making it both a practical and visually appealing option for sailors.
Weather Routing Inc. (WRI). WRI is specifically designed for offshore sailors and offers detailed marine weather forecasts. The app provides bespoke weather routing advice, taking into account your yacht’s performance and the weather conditions. This service helps in planning the safest and most efficient passages, particularly valuable for those venturing into challenging waters.
PocketGrib. For those who prefer to download and analyse GRIB files directly, PocketGrib is an excellent choice. This app lets you access and view GRIB weather data files on your mobile device, offering insights into wind, precipitation, pressure, cloud cover, and temperature data. Its ability to customise the area of the download helps save on data usage, which is a boon for sailors without unlimited data plans.
📹 Bad Weather: What To Do On A Cruise Ship
Going on a cruise ship vacation can be the time of your life, but sometimes your trip will be beset upon by bad weather. It can feel …
In 1980 (I know,,,,a lifetime ago!) I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Sun Viking. It was my 2nd cruise, went with 3 good girl friends, and we had the time of our lives. The point I wanted to make is….one of the ports of call (14 day cruise) was Aruba, and we decided to take a nightclub type tour. While there, if I recall correctly, there was an announcement that if we were passengers from the Sun Viking, we needed to get back to the ship because a hurricane had changed course and was headed straight to Aruba. Well….we’re we surprised when we got back on board, we were handed flyers that said, “Hurricane Party” in the Merry Widow Lounge….free champagne with a special invite from the Captain. My friend was so excited and wrote “hurray!” on the flyer….however, she got seasick, (I got pics!!) along with our other two friends. I went to the party, but people were dropping like flies….it was pretty rocky….and I decided to change into comfies and go out on deck….right under the captain’s windows on a lower deck. This is what I wanted to share….it was the most exhilarating experience in my life! While I stood there, getting soaked, hanging on to the rail….I felt all the troubles of my world wash away….I was Rose on the Titanic without Jack….completely in awe of the sea and it’s fury and magnificence!! It was truly magical for me…I loved it! So…sometimes you just have to roll with different situations and treat them as if it might be your last day on Earth!! Sorry this was so long…I got excited!
We used cruise quite frequently and our cruise to Bermuda was impacted by not one but two hurricanes. We were sent to Canada and New England. I was so impressed by how quickly the cruise line was able to rearrange things. We received an amazing welcome in Canada, there was a band and a man giving a rose to each woman as she left the ship. It was lovely!
I can answer this as experienced all the way. Was on Carnival Valor August 2017 heading back to Galveston from Yucatan peninsula. Well Hurricane Harvey decides to head that way so we diverted to New Orleans. Carnival planned to just refuel & restock food, etc and just be delayed a few days until the hurricane moved on. We had left NOLA headed to Galveston and had just gotten into the Gulf of Mexico when Harvey went inland at Houston flooding all the highways from there going northward. Carnival had both Valor & Freedom out; Royal Carribean had one ship out – all together amounting to almost 10,000 people needing to deport at Galveston as all originated from there (which Galveston could not handle all at once). So back to New Orleans to allow the flooded highways to recover. We had a 5 day cruise turn into an 11 day one but Carnival could not have taken better care of us.
Great information! We haven’t been disrupted by a hurricane, but twice by storms. The first time was that fog delayed embarkation and rough seas added to the delay. We got to Cozumel late, and missed our excursion. On the return, fog got us again and we spent an extra night on the ship, anchored in the shipping website. This was out of Houston. The second time was this last Dec, when it was too rough to anchor at Catalina, so we skipped the port and sailed in a big circle. Neither was a big issue, although I did miss going to Chichen itza, which was the main reason we took that cruise. Many people were daddened about losing Catalina, but Princess was very quick with a new Patter, filled with activities for our extra sea day.
My Caribbean cruise from Miami was completely cancelled because of Hurricane Irma. That rarely happens but it’s hard to rework the itinerary when it’s the homeport that’s being hit by the hurricane. As soon as I got word that the cruise was definitely a “no go” I got on the phone to NCL and got one of the few remaining rooms on the Breakaway from NYC to Bermuda the same week. There were six of us “refugees”from the Encore who made it onto the Breakaway. I had already taken the week off work and I was determined to cruise.
My daughter and I were on the May 28 sailing of RC Symphony of the Seas. We were scheduled to disembark in Miami on 6/4 but the decision was made to delay it a day to 6/5 due to the tropical storm over Miami. Air2Sea automatically rebooked my flight. It was mostly a stress-free change in itinerary…an extra day at sea!
We were on a Disney Cruise in Sept. 2005 and the itinerary was the Eastern Caribbean. We ere headed to dinner on the first night and the announcement was made that because of a hurricane our entire cruise was being diverted to the western Caribbean. Disney handled everything perfectly and we had no problems.
What has happened to me once on my first Bermuda cruise on the Norwegian Breakaway was that there was some kind of storm, and the itinerary was changed to a Bahamian one. Thank goodness that was the case rather than a Canada/New England one to substitute the original itinerary, cause we would’ve had to repack EVERYTHING! Though the good thing about that one was that it was from our home port, so we could’ve repacked if necessary. Great article, as always!
In 2002, we were on a 7 day western Caribbean cruise (we would go with about 40 people each year) our original itinerary was Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. When we were in Cozumel, a hurricane was passing over Jamaica and headed towards Grand Cayman. The next day, it was hitting Grand Cayman so all ships went to Costa Mya. I’m pretty sure we were the first group of ships to use that port before it turned into a regular port. There wasn’t much there at that time. We still went to Jamaica (I walked to the end of the pier, looked at Jamaica, and walked back to the ship) I wasn’t even in the mood for Jamaica. I honestly like sea days better
we were on a transatlantic Royal Caribbean ship when the captain came on the intercom at 10:30 p.m. to advise that our port of call in the Azores would be cut short because of a storm. the morning tours would take place, but the ship needed to depart about five or six hours earlier than originally scheduled in order to avoid a very large storm.
Good information. Thanks for sharing. I knew most of this before I watched the article, but you broke things down nicely. Hurricane stories… I had a cruise canceled because it was being used as housing for repair workers on nearby islands. And I finally had a port stop canceled a few months ago due to high winds (not a hurricane). The V-shaped track we took to get away from there was most telling.
Yes thank you for the article about itinerary changes due to inclement weather. My family was affected several years ago on a royal Caribbean cruise out of port Canaveral. Originally we had planned to go to the Bahamas on our own boat but due to the pending weather issues in the Bahamas we canceled that and booked a last-minute cruise (the week of). We selected the cruise because it went to the eastern Caribbean, but because of the weather we skipped Nassau and went to the Western Caribbean and Mexico. The ship also stopped in Labadee Haiti on the way back. It was exactly where I did not want to go however we made the best of it.
I have been on several cruises that were affected by hurricanes where they had to change their route. I have been on a cruise through a hurricane. When I worked on cruise ships we had to leave 450 people on shore and run to protect the ship from a hurricane. We came back the next day to pick up the passengers and crew left behind. One of the best light shows I ever saw was a hurricane in the distance after we had changed direction from the storm.
We were on the Summit June 2-12 … Bermuda & Chaleston. And yes, we were affected by Tropical Storm Alex. We had to leave Bermuda one day early and they added the extra day to Charleston. I have to say that the captain did an amazing job getting us away from the storm. He did go further south to get us away from the storm. We really didn’t feel much except for the morning after we left Bermuda. It was a little rough … but not bad at all. Most of it was while we were in bed … so it kinda rocked us a bit. I want to add that after perusal your article about embarkation on the Summit, all Summit cruises DO NOT circle the Statue of Liberty. Apparently, they have to get permission in advance from port authorities and often, they even list the Statue of Liberty on the itinerary, because they know they are going to do it. Sadly, they didn’t do it on our cruise. Also … congrats on getting that Family Aft Cabin. That was really a score. As always, your articles are so very informative. Thanks!
New subscriber! I love this website. My husband and I are avid cruisers. While I’m an interior designer, we have both have a similar style of giving useable information to our YouTube viewers. My husband and I have already watched quite a few articles, and are so glad we found this website. Great job Ilana!!!🎉🎉🎉
I was on the Carnival Pride back in 2017 during hurricane season (September to be specific). We were going to Bermuda and a few other spots which I don’t remember. Long story short we still hit all destinations. The captain sailed around the outskirts of the hurricane and we still made decent timing for the whole trip. Other cruise lines that were docked at the same stops left a little early. But overall for my. Cruise, nothing major had to be altered other than the route that we sailed. And there was only one night of serious waves rocking the hell out of the boat on night 2 of the 7 day cruise. The rest was smooth sailing. (We sailed around Irma going and we were running from Maria coming back lol)
I’ve been on 3 transatlantic cruises that were affected by hurricanes. All 3 times, we missed a port in Canada. Once, we got a full day in NYC. The other 2 times it was just an extra day at sea. It was fine because we were safe. You should know it’s a possibility if you choose to cruise during hurricane season.
Was on an Oct 2019 NEngland to Quebec cruise. We were in Boston with a hurricane bomb predicted. Instead of leaving we stayed in port 2 extra days till storm past. We lost 2 itinerary ports but received 25% off our cruise cost. While we could leave the ship in Boston, the city was hunched down too so no extra sight seeing activities. The Cruise Director staff created a ton of indoor activities to fill our day. Felt safe and the Captain made a great decision.
We’ve had cruises that had to reroute because of the hurricane path. One trip from Europe we missed a couple of stops but they added a different stop that was really fun since no ship had ever stopped there before. I think they routinely stop there now. We figure it’s part of the cruising experience when we cruise during hurricane season.
In Ft. Lauderdale preparing for a cruise (we always arrive a day early). Hurricane came thru the night before sailing. Rather exciting, power off and on all night, trees blowing over and more. But the cruise was put off one day (due to after 9/11 they had to be sure no one planted a bomb under the port/dock during the storm). The ship had been moved out to sea during the storm for safety, so it wouldn’t hit the dock. When boarding, the crew all looked “Green”. The itinerary was the Caribbean, due to island dock and utilities damaged we ended up seeing Belize. AND, half off on our next cruise.
We were on a princess cruise ship during hurricane Sandy. They were so good and took us to several unscheduled ports. Corner brook, Newfoundland and Saguenay. Not sure which one it was, but we were the largest cruise ship to ever dock in one of those. The Canadians were soooo very nice to us while we were in their area. We could not come back into the port of New York as it was closed due to water and damage from the hurricane. So princess put us off in Boston and we flew home from there. Those that had to return to New York were taken by chartered buses to New York.Princess was very accommodating to us and kept us very safe.
Hello from Nova Scotia. My husband and I got married on a Carnival Legend back on August ’07. We were to go to the Eastern Caribbean. But, at that place and time there he was Hurricane Dean. We were not sure what would happen. I was a little nervous considering it was our wedding. So, the cruise changed our itinerary to the Western Caribbean. This was fine with us. We were still seeing placing that we had not before. It was just that when I go on a cruise I love to look at the places we are going to. I get so excited. The funny thing about it was that my husbands name is Dean. LOL There are not Hurricanes in the forecast right now. So, I think you should have no issues. Happy Travels.
We just got off the Celebrity Summit yesterday, and one day was cut off our Bermuda stay because of the storm but then one day was added to Charleston, NC. My entire groups understood the reason for the change in itinerary and was happy to spend an extra day in Charleston. We’ve been on approx. 18 cruises and this is the first time an itinerary had to be changed due weather. Safety first!
I had some friend Bermuda cruise change after they got to port a day early to New Jersey/New York. The cruise line was not able to get them to New England/Canada. Of course, they had all the wrong clothes. But the cruise line did compensate them well, and the Hurricane they were avoiding was a nasty one! Thanks for the info! It is amazing how much work goes into it!
I was just on Carnival Sunshine, sailing from Charleston to Bimini; June 2-6. We knew of a storm coming, and we never thought we’d make it to Bimini, and we were correct. The Captain announced on June 3 that we would divert to Nassau instead. He took us around the far East side of the Island for docking; then straight West toward the US coast, and we sailed North, along the coastline (but still in International Waters; you couldn’t see land, but I did pick up facebook at times 😊) back to Charleston. He went around the storm, instead of bouncing around out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in choppy waters. The Captain kept us safe. We had a Great Cruise! Bimini, I’ll see you another time! 😀
In June of 2016 we were scheduled to take a Carnival cruse from Norfolk VA (a fifteen minute Uber ride from our home in Virginia Beach) to Bermuda. As we pulled out of port they informed the passengers that the ship was being rerouted to the Bahamas due to a hurricane. At a couple of ports we didn’t even bother to get off the ship because we weren’t interested in those ports. We still have a great time since the was rather quiet when in port. We have booked another attempt to get to Bermuda on Carnival in October. I hope we make it this time. 😉. Thank you for this informative article on all a cruise line does to keep everyone out of harms way.
Hi! Last month I was on my first cruise! The NCL Getaway seeing the Baltic. The last port was going to be Hamburg but they had a storm. We had an extra sea day. I found it amusing to hear ppl complaining about how nice the weather was that day, I was thinking it was because we navigated around the storm? But I will say it was WINDY on deck!
We sail in September to the Caribbean bc of the price. So far no hurricanes! But the sailing before us had to dodge a hurricane so instead of going Eastern Caribbean, they went west. We were the first sailing back to Eastern for a few weeks. The cruise director was so happy bc he prefers the Eastern itinerary.
We were on the queen Mary 2 from Southampton to NYC and were diverted to the south to avoid a hurricane and so arrived in NYC slightly later than had been expected and people were scrambling to get new flights home because they would miss some flights. We stayed an extra night in NYC so it didn’t affect us and it was actually nice to arrive in NYC a little later so we could see the Statue of Liberty as we were arriving. The ship normally docks by 7 AM so you would have to be up very early to see the statue.
I’ve been directly affected by 2 different cruises on NCL. The 1st we just lost one port and rode the hurricanes edge home. It was very rough and windy. Decks were closed for about 2 days. This was hurrican Joaquin. Small hurricanes dont scare the big boats The 2nd was hurricane Irma. They added 4 days to the cruise and cancelled one port. We ended hiding out in cozumel for like 3 days. The entertainment staff made up whole new shows and we had some really cool excursions. There was no extra charge for the additional other than gratuities and drinks beyond the 7th day. And we got a refund for 3 days plus 10% of our next cruise. Our flight changes were covered by the airlines because of the hurricane because the airport was closed. All in all were were kept way out of the way from the hurricane and never really saw any rough seas or winds. This was a big hurricane and there weren’t gonna mess around with it.
Last August 2005 Hurricane Katrina my wife and I were on a Carnival Cruise to Cozumel and we couldn’t go back to our home-port of Tampa. We were diverted to around the Keys and to Miami where buses were ready for us to take us back to Tampa. Being a resident of St. Petersburg, FL, I’ve been thorough many Hurricanes and their not fun…
We cruised out of Port Canaveral about 10 years ago and our cruise was lengthened by 2 days due to a hurricane. They attempted to get into port the first night but the Port was closed. At that time they pulled out to sea and circled for 2 days with 7 other ships. It was the only time we booked a balcony so we really enjoyed perusal all the ships. When we finally able to Port it was in Miami. Because we drove and our car was at the embarkation Port, they put us on luxury busses and took us up the coast. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 extra days but saw a lot of people complain because they ran out of credit. We were not charged for the additional days and received 50% discount and a $100 onboard credit on our next cruise.
We had friends on a carnival ship in New Orleans back in March . Due to weather they were not allowed to depart. They had a tornado go right up the Mississippi right past the ship of course. All decks were closed . Sadly thr funnel jumped to shore at westbank(ship docked east bank) sadly one lost life
Wish i saw this article in sept 2019. I went on a 6 day cruise carnival sunrise from NY (where I’m from) and we were suppose to be at Bermuda for 3 days. We never made it. I called carnival even the morning of debarkation and they had no info. When checking in, they informed us of itinerary changes which was 7 hours at Charleston SC for 1 day and 1 day at Bermuda vs the 3 days. We went to Charleston and that night on the way to Bermuda, the storm was in front of us so we had the backlash of it. People were sleeping in atrium bc their rooms were so rocky. Also toilets were over flushing or not flushing at all. I was on the 10th floor and it was very rocky but the worst part was the bathroom door opening and closing on its own. Needless to say, we weren’t able to make it to Bermuda at all! Everyone on our ship got 100% cruise credit. So the cruise was at sea and Sc only. Due to covid i wasn’t able to use it until Feb this year but we got a suite room for $500 because of that credit !
only issue i have with being on a ship with a hurricane coming. i live in the center of the GoM on the coast. If a hurricane is heading towards the gulf coast, I’d want to get off and get home so i can go take care of prepping for my home for the storm. not arriving after it is already destroyed or trying to go across multiple states to try and get my car and then go prep for the storm or get my car after a storm
We were to board a Mediterranean cruise in Civitavecchia but there was a huge storm and the ship was not able to dock. Celebrity had to have all of the previous passengers disembark in Naples instead- get them to the airport in Rome by bus, beginning at 2am. We were warned when we arrived at our hotel the night before the cruise that there would be changes. We found out the next morning that we had to go to the pier where we all boarded buses and were driven to Naples. They had water and snacks for us when we boarded the bus, and I honestly did not hear ONE complaint from any passengers about any of this. We were all in awe of how Celebrity was able to pull this off in such a short time and it ran as smoothly as if it had been arranged months in advance. We were talking to staff during the cruise and they said it was actually a nightmare, but it was totally oblivious to any of the passengers- except the ones disembarking- they had to stay in their cabins until they were called to board a bus. Quite a stressful night for them but for us it worked well.
We live in St. Catharines, ON, Canada and are booked on a Bermuda cruise onboard the Mariner of the Seas out of Port Canaveral October 8-16. Keeping our fingers crossed that we won’t get rerouted to Canada/New England. How far ahead will they tell us if that is the case? We are driving to Port Canaveral, leaving St.Catharines on October 5.
i am looking to book a last minute cruise on celeb beyond this sunday but it says it goes to grand cayman and as of tonight or tomorrow it will be hit by the hurricane, does that mean they could cancel the stop or not necessarily because its next week the hurricane will end but i wonder about damage or the cruise port being closed as sometimes trees get knocked down or power is out
Here’s a thought. So the ship can avoid the hurricane’s path. What if the ship’s port has taken a direct hit such as Galveston which means there will be a major logistical problem for the ship to return to. If you drove your car to the port, is your car flooded? Did Houston and Galveston flood? Can you get home?
Just got home from Adventure of the Seas this past Thursday: Bermuda cruise switched to 2 ports in Canada. We were told the day before embarkation. Apparently, 1,000 people canceled. My husband cannot change his vacation, and we had never been to those two ports, so we just went with it. Bermuda actually closed the port since the weather was so bad. Canada was sunny and 70 degrees. Unless I’m flying and I wear jeans on the plane, I never pack jeans or pants for my Caribbean sailings. I removed a couple of shorts sets and added 2 pair of jeans, which I ended up wearing at the two ports. Royal Caribbean has their own meteorologist, who watches and reports on the storms. He actually posts on twitter (which I don’t follow, but someone on our cruise reposted his posts). Yes, it’s disappointing to not go where you had planned, but I know the cruise line is keeping us safe. And there’s also all the fun parties and entertainment on board, so we still had a great time. People were complaining as if it was Royal Caribbean’s fault that there was a storm! I wasn’t aware they could control the weather! I’ll be more worried in August when we leave from NJ on a nine night to the Caribbean. New England and Canada will not be so fun then, since we’ll be on Oasis and my son will want to use the water slides and see the aqua show—not possible if it’s too cold.
We were affected by a typhoon, 2 in fact. We skipped a port we could get into because there was a concern that the port would close and we’d be held for several day. Yes, there were a lot of crew getting on and off there, or were supposed to. There were also passengers that were supposed to leave due to a logistical problem. The biggest problem was this was supposed to be our last stop in China; basically where we would get our exit stamps in our passports. This meant that the obvious next ports couldn’t be one next without finding another port in China! They did find a port, but what they preferred to do would have been a much nicer alternative.
We were on Disney Fantasy in 2012 and ran right into Hurricane Sandy. The first dinner was rushed with the waves hitting the windows on Deck 3. Second seating was canceled. The captain often came over the intercom telling everyone to stay in their cabins. We were on Deck 10 and the water from the pools on Deck 11 was splashing and coming down the stairs. We held on to the bed all night. In the morning, Port Canaveral was late to open by the Coast Guard. The interior of the ship was trashed with everything falling off the walls or over-tipping. We lived through it. Now, rough seas are nothing.
The thing I’m most concerned about is even if the path of the ship isn’t directly impacted by the hurricane and the itinerary isn’t changed, what would the weather and seas be like in that instance. I’m guessing the seas would be rough and not enjoyable for most. Has that ever happened to anyone? It’s possible that the cruise line just avoids all of it regards of whether or not their itinerary is in the direct path or just outside the path of the hurricane. If anyone has experienced this, I’d love to hear your story. Thanks!
Good Day…I had some ideas that I thought you might address in future articles and thought I should share them with you. 1) When does it make sense to get a Global Entry card versus just having my passport? 2) I have been on a number of cruises now and regularly see reserved sections in the theater for those folks staying in the premium suites. However, I have noticed that the sections/rows reserved for these folks are often not up front, not midline of the stage/theater and are not the most desirable seats. They are often off to the side, mid left or right of the stage. What’s up with that? 3) How can I streamline my arrival and processing at arrival and through the cruise port and on to the ship? What documents should I have handy/ready/easily accessible? What preplanning/packing should I do in my carry on? What should I wear or not wear for screening? Same for disembarking? Do these streamlining tips differ for USA disembarking versus foreign country disembarking? 4) What makes a Good/Great ship Theater versus a Poor theater, and which line(s) are delivering the best show venues? Not the show, but the theater. Where should I sit and why? 5) Lost and Found. It happens from time to time that luggage gets lost on airlines and that an owner isn’t identified. The luggage sits around for a while waiting for someone to claim it and then if no one does it goes to Atlanta (I assume there are other places too) where it is auctioned off. Is there anything like this on the cruise lines?