Is it Safe to Cruise During Hurricane Season?

The most important thing to know about cruising during hurricane season is that Norwegian Cruise Line makes it safe. Modern cruise ships are outfitted with advanced weather tracking technology to help identify and avoid any potentially hazardous areas at sea. During hurricane season, there's a team onboard that's dedicated to monitoring the weather and making decisions to ensure that passengers stay safe.

That said, it's important to know what to expect if you're taking a cruise during hurricane season. Your experience may differ from what you'll get in other seasons. Understanding how a hurricane might affect your cruise gives you the best opportunity to make the most of your vacation in any weather.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30, peaking from mid-August to mid-September. A whopping 92% of the activity during hurricane season takes place from August to November. During this time, there's an increased likelihood of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America. On average, there are 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes each season.

Tropical cyclones are low-pressure storm systems that form over tropical or subtropical water. Fed by warm ocean water, these storms organize into strong rotational systems with high winds that circulate fiercely around the eye of the storm. Hurricanes pose the greatest threat to those on land, where storm surge and heavy rain can cause inland flooding. Hurricane winds can contribute to tornadoes, rip currents, and property damage.

A tropical cyclone with winds of less than 39 miles per hour is known as a tropical depression. When winds are between 39 and 73 miles per hour, the cyclone becomes a tropical storm. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with winds of more than 74 miles per hour. A major hurricane has wind speeds of at least 111 miles per hour. Major hurricanes can gust over 200 mph.

Cruise lines are extremely mindful of hurricane season. They continually track the weather and make adjustments as needed to ensure that passengers are as safe as possible. Captains can and will change course as needed to stay out of the path of the storm. Though cruise liners often travel at a leisurely pace, they're capable of covering 30 miles an hour. A hurricane, on the other hand, travels at about 15 to 20 miles an hour. This means that your ship can stay ahead of the storm.

Your safety will rarely be compromised due to a hurricane. The most significant risks for cruise travelers center on their schedules. If you're cruising during hurricane season, be aware that your trip may not shape up exactly as expected. If you're open to new destinations and unexpected diversions, you'll still be able to have a fine time, even if a hurricane cuts through your intended path.

Cruise lines are mindful about keeping their passengers out of harm's way. This means that you won't be sailing anywhere near a hurricane, even if your itinerary indicates otherwise. Your trip might abruptly change from an Eastern Caribbean cruise to a Western Caribbean vacation. You may skip certain ports of call and divert to other alternatives.

In some cases, hurricane activity may cause cruise delays. This could mean that your ship departs a day later than expected, or you arrive after the anticipated time. Norwegian communicates schedule changes promptly so you can stay abreast of any changes and adjust expectations.

Though cruise ships steer clear of hurricanes, you may still encounter rough waters. While this is a possibility on any cruise, it's a little more likely when you're cruising hurricane-prone waters while an active tropical cyclone is in the vicinity. Inclement weather may cause onboard pools, water parks, and other outdoor attractions to close.

Smaller ships, like Norwegian's Sun Class, Dawn Class, and Jewel Class, are more likely to feel the force of large waves than its bigger ships. The Breakaway, Breakaway Plus, Prima, and Prima Plus Classes are larger and tend to offer more stability. Newer ships are also outfitted with the latest in stabilizing technology to mitigate the feel of rough seas as much as possible.

If you're traveling to your cruise port by air, logistics can get tricky when there's a major hurricane in the area. Airport delays can affect your travel both before and after your cruise. If your cruise departs or returns a day or two later than scheduled, you will need to navigate these changes as well. Norwegian will always send communication to the email and phones listed, so be sure to have your information current to receive timely information.

Being aware of hurricane season will help you adjust your expectations so you can go with the flow and enjoy your vacation, even if it doesn't look exactly like you expected. These tips will help you maximize your experience.

If you're set on cruising during hurricane season, try targeting low-risk regions. Parts of the Southern Caribbean, like Curacao, Bonaire, Belize, Barbados, and Aruba, are south of hurricane alley. This is true of Roatan, Honduras, as well. The risks of a tropical cyclone in this area are lower. Hurricanes are rare in Europe, too. Consider spending the summer cruising around the British Isles or the Greek Isles to greatly lessen the likelihood of a hurricane.

If you're cruising through a high-risk region during hurricane season, be prepared for the unexpected. The Bahamas are historically one of the most commonly affected areas during hurricane season. Other islands where hurricanes often make landfall include St. Kitts, Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands. If these are bucket list destinations that you absolutely do not want to miss, consider cruising there outside of hurricane season. 

You can also lower your risk greatly by scheduling a cruise in June or July. As previously mentioned, the vast majority of hurricanes occur in or after August, so these early summer months are a safer bet for avoiding hurricanes.

If you just want to hit the water, enjoy the amenities onboard a Norwegian cruise ship, and go somewhere exotic, you can safely book any cruise. The most likely outcome is a diversion to another island. Travelers who are up for the unexpected stop can still have an incredible experience.

Travel protection gives you added coverage to compensate for trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays. Though Norwegian will do everything possible to provide you with a timely cruise experience, hurricanes can push your vacation off course. NorwegianCare travel protection will reimburse you for prepaid, unused, and nonrefundable portions of your vacation that result from covered situations. Some examples may include:

• A delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation
• A hurricane or other natural disaster strikes your home and prevents you from traveling
• Your baggage is lost or damaged

NorwegianCare offers several plans to meet your needs. Travel protection is a wise investment even when you're not traveling during hurricane season. This extra coverage can help you recoup your investment if illness, injury, or other unexpected events prevent you from making your cruise as planned.

If you're flying to your embarkation point during hurricane season, consider scheduling your arrival a few days early. Flight cancellations are extremely common during this time of year. When Hurricane Sandy hit the United States, nearly 20,000 flights were cancelled. Though most hurricanes don't reach these epic proportions, nearly any hurricane can cause cancellations. Hurricane Helene resulted in 230 cancelled flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport alone. 

If you plan to touchdown at the airport mere hours before embarking on your cruise, even a slight delay can ruin your experience. Fortunately, Norwegian's cruise ports are located in prime tourist destinations, so there's plenty to enjoy if you arrive a little early. You can even include a cruisetour in certain cities and enjoy a few days of guided sightseeing before you embark on your adventure.

Booking your excursions through Norwegian rather than a third-party company makes it easier to request a refund if your cruise goes off course. It's easier to adjust your itinerary and find new excursions through your cruise provider as well. Norwegian offers a vast range of excursions with everything from tasting tours to zipline adventures and historic highlights. Whether you're interested in reclining on the beach or hiking into the jungle, you can find an excursion that suits your style.

Cruising during hurricane season has some prime benefits. Due to the risk of rerouting or other minor inconveniences, you can usually get a great deal on a cruise during these months. While your destinations may be affected by hurricanes, the ship will still offer a world of satisfying experiences. Norwegian's newest cruise ships offer so many activities, you won't mind if you get a few extra days at sea. You can find cutting-edge VR games, on-board race tracks, a packed calendar of live entertainment, and ample dining options. 

Review the anticipated travel weather before you leave and come prepared. With the right mindset, you can have an excellent time cruising through hurricane season.

Are you ready to experience a cruise with Norwegian? You can book an unforgettable escape any time of year. Don't let hurricane season keep you home. Find a cruise that suits your schedule and book your next adventure today.