Hurricanes and tropical storms roar up to caribbean islands every single year. A big consideration for when to travel to the caribbean is the hurricane season, which runs from june 1 to november 30. Cruising during hurricane season is something thousands of cruisers do. Where to avoid hurricane season in the caribbean travelpulse.
Even during hurricane season, storms will disrupt the itineraries of less than 10% of carnivals 1,700 cruises. The east pacific hurricane season is oftoverlooked because there are simply more people cruising the caribbean than, say, the mexican riviera. This doesnt mean a hurricane will for sure occur during these months, but you are much more likely to have your vacation in the caribbean impacted by one. Hurricane season in the caribbean ask a cruise question. How do you plan for this if you want to take a cruise during peak hurricane season. Cruise lines have been operating in the caribbean for years and have, by virtue of experience, specific hurricanetropical storm emergency response plans in effect. Jan 07, 2020 hurricane season in the caribbean runs from early june through late november. We also link up with a guest who is currently onboard royal caribbean s oasis of the seas, sailing a sevennight western caribbean cruise. Historically, though, most hurricanes in the caribbean. Additionally, your ships will have excellent technology and support which, coupled with advanced forecasting, makes avoiding storms routine for the crew. The most compelling reason to take a royal caribbean cruise during hurricane season are the lower prices. Even though some parts of the year are more statistically likely to see hurricanes, that hardly means a strong tropical storm is guaranteed hurricanes usually affect only a small part of a big region at a time.
Its possible to take a caribbean cruise any time of the year. Royal caribbean has got guests covered thanks to chief meteorologist james van fleet. The cruise lines do a good job of working with all. If you have a cruise booked during hurricane season, you should absolutely plan on going on the cruise. Wilma formed october 15 and dissipated october 26, 2005. Cruising the caribbean during hurricane season can be like any other time of year, especially in the early weeks of june and july. The weather is a major factor because rainfall can be quite heavy in the caribbean during certain times of the year. June 15, 2010 is it worth the risk to plan a cruise to the caribbean, bahamas, bermuda, mexican riviera or even canada or new england during hurricane season. Hurricane season in the western caribbean and the gulf of mexico typically occurs from september to late november. The annual hurricane season officially runs from june 1 until nov. The problematic issue would usually be related to a hurricane affecting a home port on embarkation day.
May 29, 2018 last years hurricane season brought an enormous amount of devastation to many people and places, said colleen mcdaniel, a senior editor with cruise critic. Caribbean hurricane activity by month hurricane strike. Studying meteorology and then becoming a tv weatherman was a. However, the western coast of mexico is also subject. Whether cruise passengers will think next years hurricane season, which stretches from june 1 through november 30, will be a great time to go to the caribbean. How to travel to the caribbean during hurricane season. But individual destinations may avoid most of them because they lie outside of the storms paths. Cruise execs are talking up the caribbean as key ports recover. Frequently we associate cruising with relaxing in beautiful tropical weather.
Ships sailing the caribbean during hurricane season have an out they can move. I am planing on taking a cruise on the carnival destiny late september or late october. The fact is however, that tropical weather includes hurricanes and other severe weather systems, and june 1st marks the start of the atlantic hurricane season. Doing so, will help you make easier travel plans and short list your choices with respect to cruises. Hurricane season in the caribbean runs from june 1 to november 30. I ts possible to take a caribbean cruise any time of the year. By following the caribbean cruise tips below, you can plan a caribbean cruise trip with increased confidence. Go ahead and book a cruise during hurricane season. Should i cruise to the caribbean during the hurricane season.
Cheap caribbean cruises cruises to caribbean tripadvisor. Avoid a travel plan thats too strict so that you and your fellow travelers can easily adjust. March and especially april are better choices because of warmer weather. Cruises hurricane season for the southern caribbean. Last, but hardly an afterthought, low season coincides with hurricane season. Atlantic hurricane season, from june through october, means a higher chance of rain and possible storms, though summer is still one of the most popular times to visit the caribbean. According to thorton, the general rule for captains is to stay about 200250. Cruising during hurricane season is something thousands of cruisers do every year, and enjoy it. However, there are some important points to consider before booking. Caribbean hurricane season fodors travel talk forums. We never even looked at the caribbean weather forecast or more specific caribbean weather such as for the islands and ports we would visit. Cruise lines tend to schedule their trips to ports in the eastern or western caribbean during times when hurricanes in the area are less likely.
Even though the caribbean hurricane season is from june to november, there are still times when hurricanes are almost nonexistent. The caribbean region is prone to hurricanes, with the season lasting from the start of june to the end of november. Mar 30, 2020 while the hurricane season shouldnt stop you from going on a cruise in the caribbean, do keep an open mind about how the weather might affect your original plans. Out of all the regions in the caribbean, the southeastern part has the least number of hurricanes and the southwestern and the northeast region the bahamas has the most. The official dates for the atlantic hurricane season are june 1 through november 30. Jul 15, 2019 royal caribbean has given me and our officers all the tools to keep a watchful eye on every one of our ships, so dont let hurricane season keep you from taking your next vacation. Caribbean hurricane season is prime time for landing a deal. The eastern islands include puerto rico, the virgin islands, and the chain of caribbean nations that runs north to south, from anguilla to grenada. Growing up around tornadoes in oklahoma, james was always fascinated by weather. Jul 09, 2019 caribbean hurricane season is prime time for landing a deal. In the caribbean, central america and the southeastern u. After that, when cruise prices drop, its important to realize theres a chance that unforeseen weather conditions could spoil your vacation.
It is especially true during the caribbean hurricane season, which lasts from the beginning of june to the end of november. While these seasons span over several months, its important to remember that a potential increase in weather activity isnt the same as a sure thing. Some people love it, others think less of it and some even need a bit of convincing to try it. However, changing weather patterns can cause hurricanes to occur earlier or later in the year.
Cruise lines resumed service to the ports in december a surprise to many following the news coverage. Should a hurricane develop, the cruise line reserves the right to change its itinerary without any compensation. Lucia has a hurricane season because the caribbean has one that goes from june 1. The highest surge of possible hurricanes during that time is usually the middle of september. Hurricane activity by month fortunately, not all hurricane months have the same amount of activity. What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the. Early and lateseason hurricanes june and mid to latenovember. Many families plan vacations to the caribbean during the summer and early fall, including booking a cruise. Caribbean hurricanes, or similar types of storms that go by different names, can affect cruises in other parts of the world, too.
These vacations come smack in the middle of the atlantic hurricane season, which runs from june 1 through november 30 each year, but the likelihood that a severe tropical storm will affect these trips to the caribbean is relatively slim. Because cruise lines are experienced in navigating hurricane season, and they have a longstanding strategy to avoid storms completely. I cruise a lot an actually, hurricane season in the caribbean sea and gulf of mexico, runs from june 1 to november 30 each year sourcenoaa. Jan 08, 2020 cruise lines have been operating in the caribbean for years and have, by virtue of experience, specific hurricane tropical storm emergency response plans in effect. May 31, 2019 i ts possible to take a caribbean cruise any time of the year. Unlike landbased vacations, cruise ships have the advantage of navigating around the weather. Operating cruises during hurricane season is something royal caribbean has been doing for decades, so they have a great deal of expertise when it comes to best practices, and it is part of the reason why cruises are almost never canceled. T he conventional wisdom is that the caribbean is a nogo zone during hurricane season. The best time to cruise to the caribbean celebrity cruises.
November hurricane strike paths come november 1, almost everyone in the caribbean can let out a sigh of relief as another hurricane season ends. Avoid a travel plan thats too strict so that you and your fellow travelers can easily adjust to any changes to the itinerary or even cancellations. Hurricanes come all the way from the west coast of africa, so there is always plenty of advanced warning. During that time, hes done great work with our captains to continue keeping an eye on weather around the world for our fleet of 25 ships. As for cruising, the likelihood that a tropical storm will impact your trip is relatively slim. Sure, theres some risk involved, but with smart planning and a bit of luck you can end up with a sunny and affordable tropical. Caribbean temperatures of course matter for people who love spending time on the beaches and frollicking in the water. This is the time frame when the vast majority of storms form. The peak of hurricane season is september 10th with a secondary peak on october 10th. A number of years ago, my parents were on a royal cruise from bayonne that was supposed to be a southern caribbean but due to hurricanes would up being a new englandcanada cruise. National hurricane service officially designates june 1 to november 30 as hurricane season.
Cruising during hurricane season means great deals from the cruise lines, but there are some things to consider before you book. That includes during the atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from june 1. The best months to take a caribbean cruise usa today. What is the worst time of the year to go to the caribbean. If you book a summer sailing in a caribbean region within the hurricane zone, theres a chance nothing will happen but buying insurance and keeping a flexible. Although a cruise can be affected by a hurricane and need to make changes, the weather outside of those storms is often nice, hot and sunny. We never had to worry about the caribbean hurricane season mainly because we always either cruise at the end of october, beginning of november or during the christmas holidays. The changed happened pretty close to the cruise so a lot of people who had flown in were already in the area with clothing for the caribbean not cool weather clothing. The caribbeans hurricane season is from the beginning of june to the end of november, with the peak hurricane season running from midjuly through october. Jul 24, 2015 cruise prices usually drop during hurricane season, but is it worth the risk. Find out more about hurricane season in the caribbean when and where hurricanes are most likely, and how hurricane season impacts on travel to the caribbean. Although the sixmonth caribbean hurricane season officially begins june 1 and extends through november, the peak of activity can usually be expected to fall toward the beginning of september at the exact time the cruise lines lower their rates. Even during the height of hurricane season, the odds of having a stormfree holiday in the caribbean are high. The best time to cruise to the caribbean depends on personal preferences for weather, prices and crowds.
The caribbeanthe region southeast of mainland north america and the gulf of mexico, east of central america, and north of south americahas its official hurricane season from june 1 to november 30, peaking in august, september, and october. Things to know about cruises during hurricane season. How the cruise industry handles hurricane season adweek. Accommodation in the caribbean hurricane season is quite cheap, so if you want to advantage of this and avoid hurricanes at the same time, one of the safest places to go is the netherlands antilles islands of aruba, bonaire and curacoa off the northern coast of south america. Jan 08, 2020 the east pacific hurricane season is oftoverlooked because there are simply more people cruising the caribbean than, say, the mexican riviera. During the summer and early fall, hurricanes roll through the tropics. But hurricane wilma is an example that sometimes a storm will hit outside of the season, usually in may or december. Dec 12, 2017 last, but hardly an afterthought, low season coincides with hurricane season. Within these dates, the peak months for hurricanes in the eastern caribbean and along the u. Hurricane season royal caribbean international cruise. Peak hurricane season in eastern caribbean islands is a bit earlier than the peak in the western caribbean, lasting roughly from august through midseptember.
The peak of hurricane season occurs between midaugust and early november. Booking your caribbean cruise vacation before peak time, say in june or july or at the end of november, is one way to cruise during hurricane season. In 2017, royal caribbean brought on james van fleet, as the first chief meteorologist in the cruise industry. Cruise in hurricane season what to know before you go. Summer comes in hot and humid on most of these tropical islands, then the weather starts to cool a few degrees as autumn arrives. What to know about cruising this hurricane season royal. Even with hurricane season at a close, winter storms can be equally disruptive to flight and travel plans getting to or from your cruise. That said, many people successfully cruise during hurricane season every year. In the western caribbean, it picks up in midseptember and stretches into early november. Cruise ships have sophisticated technology onboard to monitor the weather. By sherry laskin, contributor july 24, 2015 by sherry laskin, contributor july 24, 2015, at 10. The caribbean islands span approximately 1 million square miles of the caribbean sea, which means that even if a hurricane were impacting the southern bahamas, most of the region would likely be having ideal tropical weather, says frank j. Knowing the facts about hurricane season will help you protect your vacation from bad weather.
The american chronicle says july is a good month for cruising the caribbean, even though its technically the start of hurricane season. While there is a possibility of severe weather throughout the atlantic hurricane season, the peak months for hurricanes in the eastern caribbean. We were in cozumel in december 2005 and saw the destruction as you can see from my photo above showing what is left of the pier used by cruise ships we never had to worry about the caribbean hurricane season mainly. Caribbean cruise in hurricane season compass and coconuts. Yet because hurricane season officially starts the first of june, the same month schools start their summer vacations, many families understandably are wary about when to plan caribbean travel.
Cruise prices usually drop during hurricane season, but is it worth the risk. Of course, this is also a great time to snag deals on hotels and flights. From being flexible about your ports of call, weighing. The rates are low and the ships can mostly avoid the storms. East coast are midaugust to midseptember, and from mid. With yearround balmy weather, it may seem like anytime is a great time to cruise the caribbean. How to avoid caribbean hurricane season smartertravel. Although the sixmonth caribbean hurricane season officially begins june 1 and ends november 30, the peak of activity usually falls toward the. If you plan to cruise the caribbean, you need to be aware of the caribbean hurricane season. Keep these 5 travel tips in mind before you book that caribbean beach vacation. This doesnt mean a hurricane will for sure occur during these months, but you are much more likely.
On average, about 12 to 15 storms move through the caribbean and gulf of mexico each year. The best times of year to cruise the caribbean usa today. Things to know about cruises during hurricane season tripsavvy. I have been on numerous cruises during october that included being between a hurricane and tropical storm during a western caribbean cruise. Matthew strikes the arrival of hurricane matthew in the south central caribbean sea in 2016 was a rare and surprising event for the abc islands of aruba, bonaire and curacao. Discounts and low cruise fares are often found during the course of hurricane season, with great pricing usually in august through the end of october. After a particularly destructive hurricane season last fall, two of the caribbean s most highly trafficked cruise ports san juan, puerto rico and philipsburg, st. Comito, ceo and director general of the caribbean hotel and tourism association. Hurricane season is probably longer than you think. Caribbean weather november hurricanes usually strike. The caribbean the region southeast of mainland north america and the gulf of mexico, east of central america, and north of south americahas its official hurricane season from june 1 to november 30, peaking in august, september, and october. While the hurricane season shouldnt stop you from going on a cruise in the caribbean, do keep an open mind about how the weather might affect your original plans.