It’s hurricane season, and you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! You need to be prepared, both physically and mentally. Here are the worst possible things you can do while on your cruise!
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Booking Non-Refundable Shore Excursions
If you’re going on a cruise during hurricane season, don’t book non-refundable shore excursions. The reason why is that during hurricane season, there is always a chance that your ship’s itinerary can change and be re-routed due to bad weather. Which usually means canceled ports or extra days at sea.
If you book a non-refundable shore excursion for a port that gets canceled, you’ll lose money.
That’s why it’s important to check the shore excursion cancellation policy before booking. Cruise ports can be canceled unexpectedly. My advice is to book shore excursions through the cruise ship since they are usually refundable if the cruise port is canceled, or they may offer an alternate excursion at the new port.
When it comes to shore excursions during hurricane season, play it safe. It’s best to wait and book shore excursions last minute based on the weather conditions.
Staying in the Front or Back of the Ship
One of the worst things you can do when cruising during hurricane season is staying in cabins where it is most unstable. Hurricane season means higher chances of encountering bad weather, strong winds, and rough seas, so you should be smart and stay in the most stable cabins on cruise ships. The cruise ships tend to get much more choppy and unstable in the front and the back of the cruise ships. These are the cabins I’d stay away from when cruising during hurricane season.
Instead, you want to be in the most stable part of the cruise ship, which are the mid-ship cabins. These mid-ship cabins will be more comfortable and stable for you, especially the mid-ship cabins in the lower decks. They tend to be the most stable cabins on the ship.
If you’re prone to seasickness, these mid-ship cabins are the way to go for a more pleasant experience compared to cabins in the less stable parts of the ship.
Buying Cruise Beverage Package
If you’re cruising during hurricane season, think twice before splurging on the cruise beverage package, especially if you get seasick easily. Drinking alcohol can worsen seasick symptoms.
Even if you don’t usually get seasick, during hurricane season, you never know what the weather will be like. You might find yourself on a cruise with turbulent seas and bad weather, and drinking may not be the best idea if it’s making you feel queasy.
I suggest waiting until closer to your cruise departure date to check the weather forecast before buying a beverage package. This way, you don’t waste your money if bad weather is expected. But, if you’re lucky enough to be cruising with perfect weather, then go ahead and treat yourself to that cruise beverage package!
Not Prepared to Skip the Cruise Private Island
When you go on a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season, don’t get your heart set on visiting the cruise’s private island. That’s because you will be disappointed. There is always a chance that your cruise ship will not dock at the cruise private island due to bad stormy weather.
Instead of a beach day at the private island, you might end up with an extra day at sea. Be prepared for the possibility that you may miss out on visiting the private island.
Doing Activities that Will Make You Sick
One of the worst things you can do on a cruise during hurricane season is to engage in activities that will make you seasick. If you are sailing in choppy waters, you don’t want to trigger seasickness.
Know the activities that will trigger seasickness. It’s best to stay in the middle of the cruise ship for the most stability and avoid the front and back of the ship. When you’re looking out at the water, don’t look at the waves, it will make you feel sick. Instead, look at the horizon.
It’s also a good idea to skip the gym, as it can make you feel queasy, even if you’re not usually prone to seasickness.
Not Prepared for the Worst
When you go on a cruise during hurricane season, you need to be mentally prepared for the worst. Just know that there is a chance that your cruise will be ruined because of a storm, leading to a change in the itinerary, skipping of ports, and even missing out on the cruise line’s private island. So then you end up with more days at sea, with potentially choppy waters.
Also, be prepared for sea days when you will be stuck indoors. There’s a high chance for rainy and cold sea days—not the type of weather you’d want for a pool day. Instead of enjoying a perfect beach day in the Caribbean, you’ll be stuck indoors watching movies at the theater or playing bingo on the cruise ship! Be mentally prepared for that because it’s a real possibility.
Not Prepared for Seasickness
One of the worst things you can do on a cruise during hurricane season is not to be prepared for seasickness. When you cruise during hurricane season, assume the worst: bad weather, rough seas, and high winds! You never know when the weather can turn into a storm!
That’s why you need to always be prepared for seasickness. Bring anti-seasick medicine and learn tactics for fighting seasickness on cruise ships. Check out: Don’t Do These 12 Things When You Feel Seasick on a Cruise
Did Not Pack for Bad Weather
When you go on a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season, you shouldn’t just pack for pool and beach days. There’s a chance you might not get the sunny weather you hoped for.
You also need to pack clothes for bad weather, since you might end up stuck in the cruise ship’s air-conditioned indoor areas. It’s a good idea to bring a sweatshirt, and don’t forget to pack umbrellas in case it rains while you’re out exploring the cruise port! Check out: Caribbean cruise packing list
Cruise Essentials
Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets!
Packing Cubes
Make cruise packing easier by using packing cubes. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. And unpacking is easy because you just need to take them out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves- so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you are not getting your cubes mixed up.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our 25 page cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
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