Probably a dumb question - What do the cruise ships do when there is a hurricane?

[SeaYa52]

I know this is probably a dumb question - but what do the cruise ships do when there is a Hurricane - or even TS in their itinerary......cancel the trip?......just go out and sail around?....can they visit other islands not on the original itinerary?....or are cruisers just out of luck and alot of money & dreams?

[starfamily]

They usually just change the itinerary,

like if the hurricane is Western they go eastern etc.

[cherylandtk]

They do what they have to do to avoid it. Change itinerary is most common, leave a day early or come back a day late, too. Very rare to fully cancel, but can happen. Cruiselines will usually offer compensation for missed days, but not missed ports. They don't charge extra for extra days. Airline changes depend somewhat on whether you booked air through cruiseline or on your own. If on your own, then you are on your own for changes, too. (Insurance is good in this case). Usually, if cruise days are reduced you are given the option of taking the offered compensation or canceling without penalty.

[stones902]

A few years ago, we were on the Monarch of the Seas and supposed to visit St. Thomas which had be devestated by Hurricane Marilyn on week earlier. During the course of our cruise, the Capt. announced that we would not be stopping in St. Thomas but would be diverted to Ponce, PR instead. We also received a $150 pp room credit.

 

I have to say Ponce turned out to be a great port. They rolled out the red carpet for the passengers. The local Chamber of Commerce even gave tours of their city for no charge. All they asked is that you mention them favorably to the Cruise Director. Would love going back there someday.

[chasetf]

We have missed ports due to weather. In those cases where we did not divert, but just stayed at sea for the day, we have expected and gotten a refund (credit on our account) for that port's port fee. One time on Celebrity, we missed Montego Bay due to weather. They considered Ochos Rio as an alternative... but that also was too rough. So when they cancelled... it included an announcement the bars were open for free drinks for three hours in the afternoon.

[JLC@SD]

chasetf (my identical twin brother), our wives and I were on the Tahitian Princess, Cook Islands itinerary, earlier this year.

 

A hurricane (thy call them cyclones in Polynesia) was headed to Rarotonga (Cook Islands). Rather than sail into the hurricane, the Captain diverted to an alternate port, Rangiroa and we neve saw Rarotonga.