Are you going on a cruise during hurricane season? If so, you need to read this! I just came back from a Bahamas cruise during hurricane season—here’s my experience of what it was really like.
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When Is Hurricane Season?
Hurricane season is officially from June 1 to November 30 every year. It primarily affects Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas cruises. It also affects New England/Canada cruises since the cruise ships sail in the Atlantic Ocean.
Expect Rainy Weather
When you go on a cruise during hurricane season, be ready for rainy weather. For example, during my recent MSC Bahamas cruise, while we were in Nassau, we encountered a heavy downpour!
Luckily, I had anticipated bad weather, so we hadn’t booked any shore excursions. Instead, we took it easy, did some shopping downtown, and then got rained out.
We were prepared and had packed umbrellas! To avoid disappointment, adjust your expectations and anticipate encountering rainy weather during your cruise.
My cruise only had three ports of call: Port Canaveral (Florida), Nassau (Bahamas), and Ocean Cay (private island). We were rained out at one of the ports, so I experienced a 33% chance of bad weather during our cruise! It could have been worse- I’d call myself lucky with these statistics!
Cruise Ship Will Skip Ports of Call
Don’t be surprised if your cruise ship skips a port. Itinerary changes during hurricane season are common. The captain will divert your cruise ship’s route to keep you safe. Typically you will be onboard the ship when the captain announces this change! So don’t be surprised if this is a last-minute change.
Luckily when I went on my Bahamas cruise, we didn’t encounter any storms, so we were able to visit all our planned ports of call. However, not all cruises are as lucky. There have been many cruise itinerary changes recently due to Hurricane Beryl, which is looking like an intense category 4 storm.
For example, Norwegian Jade changed its itinerary. Instead of sailing the original western Caribbean route, it’s diverting to the Eastern Caribbean. It will skip Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel and instead change course and visit San Juan, Tortola, and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic).
The same thing has happened with the Norwegian Breakaway. Due to Hurricane Beryl, it has changed its route. Every port of call has changed, instead of sailing to Roatan (Honduras), Harvest Caye (Belize), Costa Maya (Mexico), and Cozumel (Mexico), it will visit Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay instead.
Sometimes, you get lucky, and the cruise line will change the route to avoid the hurricane and still stop at all the planned ports of call, but in a different order. That’s exactly what’s happening to Carnival Liberty, and Celebrity Beyond where they have changed their route to circumvent the hurricane. Lucky for the passengers, they are still planning to sail to all ports of call but in reverse order.
Get Ready for Rough Seas
If you are cruising during hurricane season, be prepared for rough seas! If you happen to be going on a cruise when there is a storm brewing or a storm approaching, you should expect the cruise ship to encounter rough seas. This can happen not only in the Caribbean and Mexico but also while sailing on the Atlantic Ocean toward the Caribbean.
During my Bahamas cruise, we departed from my homeport in New York. I was bracing myself for rough seas since it was hurricane season.
Of course, it’s hit or miss. You can get lucky sometimes. In my case, on the first day of the cruise, when we were sailing on the Atlantic Ocean, I was expecting rough seas, but luckily, it was smooth sailing the entire time.
My advice to you is to always be prepared. Book a mid-ship cabin location for the most stable experience in case of rough seas. If you’re prone to seasickness, have anti-seasick medication on hand.
I was very prepared during my recent Bahamas cruise- I stayed in a mid-ship balcony cabin and took anti-seasick medication on our first day sailing from New York to the Bahamas (the medication takes time to kick in, I took one just in case the sea got rough). Luckily, we didn’t encounter rough seas!
I haven’t always been this lucky. I once went on a New England/Canada cruise out of New York during Hurricane season, and it was traumatic! I was late in taking anti-seasickness medication, so my seasickness spiraled out of control. I got so sick that I couldn’t even get out of bed! Check out: Cruise without Seasickness: Genius Tricks You Need to Know
Be Thankful for Sunny Weather
When cruising during hurricane season, it’s common for rainy weather and overcast days. So, if you encounter sunny weather, appreciate it and make the most of it while it lasts!
If it’s a sunny day at sea, head to the pool to take advantage of the good weather since you never know how long it will last!
The same goes for when you’re at port—if it’s sunny, make it a beach day. Don’t take it for granted! But do be prepared because the weather can turn rainy at any moment! Bring umbrellas, ponchos and manage everyone’s expectations to avoid disappointment! Check out: It’s Hurricane Season, How to Keep Bad Weather from Ruining Your Cruise Vacation
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!
Check out these free cruise printables
22 Things to Pack in Your Cruise Private Island Beach Bag (Free Packing List)
10 Foolish Mistakes that Can Get You Kicked Off the Cruise Ship Immediately
I’ve Been on Over 25 Cruises, Here is How Much Extra Gratuity I Give to the Cruise Staff
11 Crucial Things that Can Make or Break Your Cruise Vacation