Late August 2010 - New York or Florida departure?

[cruisebug17]

We are trying to organise a family cruise for late August 2010 with people of various ages (including children) coming from the US and Europe. We are looking at the Caribbean or Bermuda but are not actually terribly fussy about where to go - it is having the family together which is important (but Canada/New England is out as we have already been there).

 

Departures from New York or e.g. Orlando look attractive because the Europe participants can get direct flights to both (whereas Fort Lauderdale, for example, requires connecting flights).

 

Bearing in mind that this is hurricane season, is a NY departure a less attractive option than a Florida one? With a NY departure, we would spend more time getting to the Caribbean, and less time visiting islands there. Also, it seems to be a longer exposed trip with less opportunity to dock at an island for an extra day to avoid the rough seas. Or is there really not much difference between the two at the end of the day?

 

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Thank you.

[thego6girl]

Hurricane season is all along the east coast, however, more hurricanes come close to FL than to NYC. That said, hurricanes are also predicted long before they arrive, so all ships steer clear of hurricanes during season (your itinerary might change, or you might actually get an extra day out of a cruise...as has happened to our friends). Since you have decided that you are going in Aug, you have to let go of the thought of a potential hurricane...you can't predict the weather. I suggest you find the cruise that best suits your family and budget and plan on that one.

[marco]

Are you going to add any land time to the trip? If so, where/what would you like to see and visit? NYC is a wonderful city to spend a few days in and if you have been to Disneyworld, I'd choose NY. If you haven't been to Bermuda, it is the nicest island I've been to and that cruise will provide you with 4 days there rather than island hopping. A nice, relaxing experience and ample time to see all of Bermuda.

[MCC retired]

If your concern is how a Hurricane would effect a NYC or a FL itinerary, choose Florida. There are many more choices of ports from FL than NYC should the captain have to change itinerary due to a approaching Hurricane. NYC has very, very few alternative ports should a Hurricane come up the East Coast.