Planning a Caribbean cruise for next August, a little nervous about the weather...Can a hurricane sink a ship?

Question

Southern Caribbean Cruise

Answer 1

Don't worry. The cruise ship keeps track of where the storms are that might turn into hurricanes, and they have plenty of time to reroute around them. At worst, you might need to skip a port, or substitute one island for another. I went on a southern Caribbean cruise in October 2002. We had to skip Cozumel because of a hurricane. It was disappointing but they made it up to us with a lot of onboard activities. Once we got south of Cozumel the weather was great. I don't think they have hurricanes in the south Caribbean. Have a great time!

Answer 2

Cruise lines make every effort to avoid the storms by re-routing their ships, or, in the worst cases, sending their empty ships out to sea away from the hurricane.

Definitely buy travel insurance and make sure it covers cancellation and itinerary changes due to weather. Many are starting to do so, but there are still some that don't. I recommend Travelex insurance. www.travelex-insurance.com.

A hurricane does have the power to sink a cruise ship, but with all the technology aboard these ships to determine course and weather, it shouldn't really happen.

Relax, and have a great time. I've sailed the Caribbean many time and each time during hurricane season and never had a problem.

Bon Voyage!

Answer 3

There are at least 4 Disaster preparedness organizations that plot, track and put put advisories about hurricanes. Airlines, Cruise companies and yacht owners monitor those agencies and weather channels daily. All cruise ships are equipped with satellite communication equipment and before they make up their schedules, all factors are put in place. since the cheapest cruise ship you can build costs at least U.S$60 million dollars, and the indemnity per passenger is in the millions of dollars, 50 years ago your fears could be well founded. Your best Cruise months are May to June and November. From December the winter rates go into effect and they are double. This is a rough guide concerning the hurricane-prone months: June too soon; July--Stand by--August--comes in Gusts--September Remember and October --all over. Some hurricanes extend as far as November. There have been occasional December visits. The thing is that hurricanes travel in specific paths. So while a storm is in one area, it is nice, sunny and calm in another.
Boaz.

Answer 4

Your question is moot because no cruise line will let its ships get near a hurricane. When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops.

I have been on many cruises and never encountered bad weather other than rain. Last year we went on a cruise out of LA to Mexico and due to a hurricane near one of the port stops the itinerary was changed so that we did that port last instead of its planned order. When we got there the weather was perfect. Also on the trip there the Captain kept us all informed on the weather for our destinations.

A couple years ago our friends went on a cruise in the Caribbean out of Miami and on the day that they were supposed to return to port there was a hurricane in that area. So the ship stayed at sea for two additional days and returned to Miami when the hurricane had passed.

Answer 5

Depends on the size of the ship and the force of the hurricane and if the ship is directly in it's path. If you're that nervous maybe you should plan on going when it's not hurricane season. The bad part about going during hurricane season is that the cruise ship will have to be diverted if the hurricane or storm is hitting any of the islands you're scheduled to visit and you're SOL if you don't have cruise insurance.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Cruises are multi-million dollar ships, with extremely advanced technology and radar stuff. This means two things: First the company WILL NOT risk this kind of money if the threat of a hurricane is present, and the ship will not even depart. Second: In the event that once in sea something weird starts, they have all type of radars and things to be safe.

Answer 8

Yes. Cruise lines keep a very very close eye on the weather. So do most tankers. Buy insurance in case you cruise is canceled due to a hurricane.

Answer 9

It could cause alot of turmoil and it is a possiblity the ship could sink..If a hurricane is threatening then the cruise line will not allow the ship to leave the port.

Answer 10

Hurricanes are very dangerous and yes, they can sink a ship depending on their strength. Check the weather forcast before making any cruise plans.