With the beginning of June, schools all around the country are letting out for summer, and countless families are looking forward to their yearly vacations. Savvy cruisers also know that the beginning of June marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. For this reason, people who have booked a Caribbean cruise tend to pay a little extra attention to the weather forecasts for their favorite destinations.
Fortunately, the hurricane outlook is generally favorable for cruisers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting a quieter-than-average season for storms this year.
The NOAA forecast sees a 70 percent chance for a below-normal hurricane season. That means scientists are expecting between six and 11 named storms. Three to six of these storms might become hurricanes, with up to two of them turning into “major” hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
While this hurricane season is likely to be relatively quiet, experts caution that this is only a prediction. In fact, there still is a small chance—about 1 in 10—that it could turn out to be an above-normal year. Additionally, it’s important to remember that even a quiet season can still produce serious storms.
So how will this affect cruisers?
Fortunately, the truth is that hurricanes really don’t pose much of a safety threat to passengers at all. The odds of encountering a storm during a particular cruise are very small. And even if there is a storm, sophisticated weather forecasting and communications equipment on today’s cruise ships makes it simple for the captain to alter course to avoid it. Ships can easily outrun a hurricane, so typically all that happens is an unexpected change in itinerary or some choppy seas.
It is probably those unplanned ports of call or days at sea that impact cruisers the most. During hurricane season, it’s a good idea to keep an open mind and remain flexible. While your heart might be set on your favorite island getaway, a hurricane could shut that port down. Consider the occasion a unique opportunity to explore an exciting new destination, or spend some quality time enjoying your favorite shipboard activity.
