Cruising during hurricane season?

Hi ~ this is my first post, I used to post on LIWeddings a long time ago and have been recently lurking on here. I remember getting great wedding advice on LIWeddings and thought this might be a good place for nonwedding advice now.

DH and I are trying to plan a last minute vacation for the end of July. We found a cruise out of NY down to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Tortola. I am excited but scared. I've cruised once in June. But after last year's hurricane season I'm so nervous about cruising to the Caribbean in late July. So I was wondering if anyone has had experience cruising at this time of year? Any thoughts or advice?

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

Welcome!

You can always pay for insurance so if you cancel for any reason you can get your money back or reschedule. We cruised to Bermuda when I was pregnant the first time and purchased insurance just in case I wasn't up to going. I can't remember how much it was but it wasn't too expensive

Message edited 7/12/2006 1:06:29 PM.

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

I would just get insurance on your trip. Also before you book ask them what their policy is in the event of a hurricane threat.

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

We cruised to Bermuda in late July/early August & we had no problems! Definately purchase insurance so that you can cancel. Usually if there are hurricanes in the vicinity of where the ship is going, you will be diverted to other ports!

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

I took a eastern carribean cruise last year in September. The cruise turned out to be a western carribean cruise because we had to reroute due to a hurricane. Since we rerouted we had great weather I guess the only inconvenience would have been not hitting the islands you planned on but it didn't matter to DH and I we had a great time.

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

I've cruised in July and had no problems. I'm cruising this summer mid-August.

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

I've always cruised during the 2nd to last week in August and never had any problems. I would get the insurance if you want to feel safe.

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

thanks for the advice. i just spoke to the cruise agent and I think we're going to do it. if they reroute us it's ok. it's so last minute that we'd be happy going anywhere. i'm just a big chicken

anyway, it's nice to be posting again

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

This article might help.

link

Re: Cruising during hurricane season?

I have never sailed out of NY but I have cruised two years in August - just because that was when we could travel.

Things to keep in mind when you cruise during hurricane season:

You might have a shorter or longer cruise (if the cruise before yours is delayed in getting back to port you might get a 5 or 6 day instead of 7 night cruise.

You might end up with a completely different itinerary. - NY cruises sometimes end up in Canada rather than the islands. If you have a western itinerary you could end up doing an eastern route.

Basically - you need to be prepared to roll with the punches and just enjoy the vacation in general and not stress if it doesn't go 100%.

Get insurance. Cruises are generally good about giving you some shipboard credit or discount towards another cruise if something happens - but they don't have to give you anything. Leaving from NY is great b.c if something happens you are not flying to your location or paying for a hotel which is a big plus.

Enjoy your trip!