October Transatlantic Cruise from Southampton

[Rob749]

Hi. Reposted from another category.

Novice cruiser. Looking at a P and O cruise on 19 October from Southampton to Madeira and on to 6 Caribbean islands, flying back from Barbados. Very reasonable price. A bit concerned about the weather that time of year, chance of hurricanes, heavy rain etc. Anyone have any experience at that time of year, crossing the Atlantic etc. What happens if there is a hurricane? Do the ships divert, do they get plenty of warning, is that possible? Thanks for any insight. Only been on two cruises, Carnival out of Miami 5 years ago, and a couple of weeks ago with Celebrity, ten night Eastern Caribbean out of Miami. Really enjoyed, Celebrity very nice, Carnival more for family than couples I found.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Rob749
Wrong category

[carlanthony24]

It’s pot luck with the weather it could be fine all through the cruise. You may find till you get to your first port it may be cold and raining then every sea day after will just keep getting hotter and hotter. If hurricanes come about they will alter where necessary.

[yorkshirephil]

4 hours ago, Rob749 said:

Hi. Reposted from another category.

Novice cruiser. Looking at a P and O cruise on 19 October from Southampton to Madeira and on to 6 Caribbean islands, flying back from Barbados. Very reasonable price. A bit concerned about the weather that time of year, chance of hurricanes, heavy rain etc. Anyone have any experience at that time of year, crossing the Atlantic etc. What happens if there is a hurricane? Do the ships divert, do they get plenty of warning, is that possible? Thanks for any insight. Only been on two cruises, Carnival out of Miami 5 years ago, and a couple of weeks ago with Celebrity, ten night Eastern Caribbean out of Miami. Really enjoyed, Celebrity very nice, Carnival more for family than couples I found.

We have done quite a few round trip cruises from the UK to the Caribbean and back between October and April and only once had rough seas and that was in the English channel from Tilbury via Amsterdam. As you are travelling via Madeira you have a better chance of getting warmer weather from day 2/3 than if you cross via the Azores as you tend to have more chance of northern swells and storms. We have actually detoured from Azores to Canaries twice to avoid such bad weather. You will have to cross/skirt the bay of Biscay which can be unpredictable however the captain will make every effort to avoid bad weather. Usually the hurricane season is over by October but there is always the exception. The captain usually tells you what weather to expect when he makes his noon announcements thus giving you chance to get a couple of sea sickness tablets down if required. We love the Atlantic crossings and the lazy sea days.

[Mickb]

We have done this route 3 times and always had good weather after the first couple of days.

[sweep2907]

Just completed on Britannia 6 months ago. Weather was awful upto Tenerife where some first time cruisers got off and flew home as was too much for them. Still scratching head as to why you'd choose a TA for your debut cruise experience! However the 5 days across Atlantic were wonderful and very hot most of the time hitting average 30 most days but felt hotter where we were. Atlantic was like a millpond at times.

[Rob749]

Thanks Sweep2907, sorry by novice I meant not many, 🙂 it's not my debut cruise, but only been on two before, but have been on some really rough North Sea crossings, and we were fine then. Thanks for the info.