Many cruise lines have safety protocols to prepare for sailings during hurricane season. These safety protocols protect the cruise ship and passengers by avoiding hurricanes and storms. So, how do cruise lines prepare for the hurricane season?
Track the Weather
Cruise lines closely monitor weather conditions. For example, Royal Caribbean employs a Chief Meteorologist whose primary responsibility is to monitor weather patterns and identify any potential storms that could impact a ship’s route. They meticulously inspect every single cruise ship in their entire fleet worldwide to make sure that all are safe.
Close Communication with Authorities
Cruise lines stay in close communication with local port authorities and the US Coast Guard to keep them informed about possible port closures and any issues that could arise due to a hurricane or storm.
Modern Ships
Cruise ships are equipped with state-of-the-art engineering designs and stabilizers that can handle stormy weather and rough seas. The advanced onboard technology reduces the impact of choppy waters, so your cruise feels stable even in stormy conditions.
Backup Cruise Ports
During hurricane season, some cruise lines strategically plan alternative cruise ports as backups. This allows them to easily redirect their cruise ships to different ports to avoid storms and hurricanes.
For example, Celebrity Cruises always reserves Western Caribbean cruise ports as backups for their Eastern Caribbean cruises, and vice versa. This is to make sure that their cruise ships can safely change course away from the hurricane’s path without disrupting the vacation plans of thousands of passengers. Check out The Worst Months to Go on a Cruise
Passenger Notifications
Cruise lines have a system for notifying passengers about itinerary changes and delays. If a delay affects the next sailing, passengers will be informed via text and email. That’s why it’s important for cruise passengers to sign up for text notifications from their cruise line, just in case. Check out 11 Mistakes People Make When Cruising During Hurricane Season
Captain Updates
During a hurricane, cruise passengers can expect frequent updates from the captain over the loudspeaker regarding itinerary changes, port cancellations, and delays. The cruise staff will also assist passengers with cancellations for shore excursions and changes to air travel arrangements. Check out 14 Best and Worst Foods to Eat on Cruises
Pool Closure
The cruise line has safety protocols to make sure passengers are safe. If the cruise ship gets too close to a storm, the captain has the authority to shut down the pool. Check out 9 Rookie Mistakes That Are Major Time Wasters on a Cruise
Theater Closure
Cruise lines also implement safety protocols for their crew. For example, if a cruise ship is sailing too close to a storm and starts to tilt too much, the captain will call off live performances on the ship. This is done for the safety of the performers, dancers, and singers on board. Check out 36 Essential Things to Pack When Going on a Cruise During Hurricane Season