Hurricane Season is Upon Us

It’s that time of the year again and if you are sailing during Hurricane Season, there are a few issues to consider. For some, this might be the only time of the year that you can cruise. This is especially true if you want to sail during school summer vacation. In other cases, as in Bermuda, Hurricane Season is the only time that you can cruise there. So how should you prepare in case you can’t avoid sailing during this season?

Here are a few tips:

• Purchase travel insurance. This can cover the costs of delay, catching up to the ship or other covered problems.
• Be sure to read the cruise line’s terms of carriage to see what they might do in case of a hurricane.
• Be sure to have a passport with you. If you miss the ship for some reason, you may be able to catch it in the next port. But, if you don’t have a passport, you won’t be allowed entry into many countries.
• Visit the website of the cruiseline for up-to-date information on delays, early departures, itinerary changes and cancellations.
• Remember that nobody can predict the weather. You need to be extra flexible if you cruise during the hurricane season.
• If you have already boarded the ship and know that there is a hurricane forecast, you should consider staying on board.
• Be sure that the phone with the emergency contact number is left on. Cruiselines will may call guests in transit if the weather changes the boarding time or itinerary.
• Keep the cruise line contact number that came in your documents handy. It may not only be the ship that is delayed, but also flights into the port airport.
• If possible, reconsider your sailing dates or itinerary.

Captains are well equipped to deal with hurricanes, especially those that have been predicted. A change of itinerary,  multiple sea days or even a sailing delay – or delay in returning to port- are just some of the options. Safety is of utmost importance. Although any of these changes might be disappointing, be prepared for anything when you choose to sail during the prime time for hurricanes.

Good luck!

Sail Away