Looks like we're in a good news/bad news situation this week, with Edouard (who approved the spelling on that thing?!) hovering in the Gulf. The good news is that much of Texas needs rain and relief from 100+ degree temperatures, AND let's call him "Eddie" is not supposed to turn into a full-fledge hurricane prior to landfall. So that may prove to be a win/win for Texas.
Now the bad news, and it brings up a point about cruising during hurricane season. Anyone who has booked cruises leaving from any of the Gulf Coast ports, from Galveston to Tampa and all points in between, it's going to be a bumpy ride as Eddie greets you and tries to test your capacity for Dramamine.
ALWAYS PLAY THE ODDS WHEN BOOKING A TRIP DURING HURRICANE SEASON (at least whenever you have a choice). Nobody is ever going to promise you good weather on a trip, but when you're thinking about traveling, whether on a ship or not, be aware that storms happen. And they happen more frequently during specific seasons, such as right now! When looking at cruises during hurricane season, I always try to get clients to at least consider sailing from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale instead of the Gulf area. Why? Go grab yourself a map before reading on.....go ahead, I'll wait......la de da de....OH you're back. Ok, notice if you are sailing out of Galveston, Mobile or Tampa you are encircled by the Gulf of Mexico. If there happens to be a storm there, you are a sitting duck riding it out. There's no alternate set of ports, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide (I'm hearing a 60's song in my head). However -- let's say you booked a cruise to Mexico from Miami, and there was a huge storm right in your path. The cruise lines will often instruct their Captains to divert the ship, and take the passengers to the Bahamas, or Turks & Caicos, where it's bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Huge benefit! Keep in mind these new ships often cost $700-800 million dollars, so the cruise lines have a strong interest in not only keeping you safe, but also keeping the ships out of harm's way. Ok, so maybe it cost you a little more to get to Miami instead of sailing from the port that was close enough to drive to. But when you're out there in a storm, and the seas are tossing and turning with no land in sight, you'll be wishing you'd have made a different decision. Don't get me wrong, those itineraries and ports are fine for most of the year, but during the hardcore 3-month period of hurricanes, mid-July to mid-October, you're taking some risks with your vacation. You may be a seasoned enough sailor that you don't mind a little motion...or a lot...but that's your call. I'm just here to advise.
If hurricane season is the time you need to travel, and you want to greatly reduce the risk of storms, you can consider flying to the furthest-south islands such as Aruba or Curacao. Costs more to fly there for sure, since those islands are only about 80-100 miles from South America, but the trade winds and geographical dynamics keep 99% of hurricanes away. But if you want to cruise, another option is the west coast of Mexico (also called the Mexican Riviera). There are fewer storms than in the Caribbean and Gulf. However, just like the Gulf, they don't have an alternate set of ports, so if a storm does come up, you're in it.
Instead of sounding all negative, there are also advantages to cruising during hurricane season. Schools are just starting back up, so it's hard for families, teachers and administrators to get away, meaning from supply and demand the rates will be fantastic! Usually the lowest of the year. Temperatures in the Caribbean are more comfortable in the fall than during mid-summer, making for a nice cruise vacation. For people who like relaxing without as many kids on board, it's a perfect time to sail. You just have to realize the odds and make the best choices, to maximize your experience.
FINAL NOTE ON CRUISING during H-Season........sometimes people have said to me "We're going to the Caribbean in September, but I don't want to be on a ship!" My response to them is "Oh yes you do!!" What you don't want is to be booked on an island that's in the direct path of an oncoming hurricane. Do you really think you're going to the airport to get out? The Prime Minister, his cronies, and all the rich & powerful people on the island will be getting out, but you're much more likely to be riding out the storm and working on your Genesis-Revelations readings. Cruises are mobile! They have radar and get the same reports from their headquarters you see on the news, so they'll turn tail and run from a storm instead of putting you in it. So don't be so quick to dismiss cruising during the late summer and fall months. It's still a fantastic value, and offers you big advantages over many island resorts.
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