Cruises during tropical storms

[uncleg]

What happens when the cruise is scheduled and a tropical storm forms near the departure port?

Happened to us, port of Charleston SC, Carnival Fantasy Halloween cruise, Hurricane Sandy , probably a Cat 1 at that time, was off the coast. If I remember correctly we were supposed to leave port at 4pm, we were delayed in port until I think around 10pm. No big deal...it just delayed the liquor tasting on board. We also missed our stop at Half Moon Cay, not sure if it was because of damage or rough seas. The cruise line will do what is necessary to protect its passengers and their multi million dollar ships and never intentionally put you or it in danger.

Edited August 1, 2017 by uncleg

[Organized Chaos]

I see no one has answered your question yet. If the ship wasn't able to make it into it's home port, it will go to the safest one as close by as possible. Then they will bus the passengers back to where their cars are parked. That has happened before. I'm not sure if they will bus the new passengers to where the ship is.

 

In some cases, they may extend the previous cruise another day and stay out to sea waiting for the storm to pass.

FYI, plenty of people answered the OP's question. They weren't asking what happens if a storm hits the home port when the ship is trying to return. They were asking what happens when one hits when it's scheduled to set sail. But your info. is nice to know too.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

You most likely were correct. Most people don't understand that a "hurricane" stretches for miles. Although you did not sail through the center, the winds in a hurricane vary based on what side of it you are on etc. The same goes for the waves. So a hurricane, and the hurricane bands you sailed in. Part of the storm system. Close enough to feel increased winds, and rain. A hurricane and it's bands can cover almost the entire state of Florida if it's big.

 

I have sailed in 2 different hurricanes. The last one, the ship went to the same ports in reverse order, and we came up on the hurricane behind it. Plenty of wind and a bumpy ride, but we were in the storm system for a night.

 

I sailed through the outer edges of Hurricane Tomas in 2010 on the Liberty of the Seas. Yes, we were in a Hurricane. No, not the eye of the hurricane. Hurricanes are huge, as Havingun2010 said. There was no way to avoid it. We skipped Labadee and went to Nassau instead, staying on the edge of the storm as we traveled. I will be honest. It wasn't terrible. I have been through worse seas on other cruises with "normal" weather. Some people had a hard time with the rocking, but most carried on as usual.

 

To answer the OPs question- they may delay the cruise by one day if the storm is hitting on the day of embarkation. Sometimes the ship stays out at sea for an extra day to keep everyone safe. Not everyone is happy about that, but safe is more important than happy. other times they go to a nearby port and then transfer everyone back to the original port when it's safe.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

FYI, plenty of people answered the OP's question. They weren't asking what happens if a storm hits the home port when the ship is trying to return. They were asking what happens when one hits when it's scheduled to set sail. But your info. is nice to know too.

 

A ship returns to port and sails out again on the same day, so it's really the same thing in the end. Unless I am completely missing something....

[beerman2]

A ship returns to port and sails out again on the same day, so it's really the same thing in the end. Unless I am completely missing something....

Last time our cruise was affected by a hurricane heading towards Miami the captain thought they had enough time to get us to port and disembark.

 

Then they were going back out to sea with crew only. Didn't feel there was enough time for embarkation.

 

Neither worked as we couldn't get into port ( port authority closed it). Spent a day going in circles around Cuba with 6 or 7 other ships.

[zephyrhillscruisers]

In 2016, The Valor had to hi-tail it from Port Canaveral and get far enough south to avoid Matthew coming from the southwest. The upper decks of the Serenity were closed for a few days due to the high winds, which can and do extend far from the Eye. Our only casualty was not being able to dock at Grand Turk. Disappointed? Yes, But a glass of Jameson on the balcony viewing the ocean, and the rationalization that I wasn't at my office working, got me over that very quickly.

 

We crept back up the coast awaiting the call from the Port that they were open. We were joined by Disney amd Royal Caribbean, sitting outside the channel.

 

The Staff of the Valor didn't miss a beat. It was treated like a 1/2 Day At Sea. Lido buffets and the poolside eateries were open; the Casino was closed. Its a two hour drive home for us, so we gladly let anyone who was late for connections go ahead.

 

The oddest change was the Cruise out of Baltimore that was booked for the Caribbean, but because Matthew was still in the South Atlantic, those passengers ended up in Nova Scotia.

[loxley]

No one is mentioned the most important thing to do if there's a storm hovering around your Port you need to go to the Carnival website and sign up for text messages. Then you will get the most up-to-date information.

 

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