This year, cruise news has been full of stories of favorite ports being shut down and itineraries being altered because of hurricanes. Very recently, voyages to Bermuda were changed to avoid Hurricane Gonzalo, and several weeks ago Hurricane Odile devastated the Mexican Riviera port, Cabo San Lucas.
Experienced cruisers know that stormy weather is always a risk when taking to the high seas. The hurricane season runs from June to November in the Caribbean, the most popular cruise destination in the world, so it’s clear that storms are just part of life this time of year for many cruisers.
However, while every hurricane-season ocean vacation in the Caribbean comes with a risk of storms, a few choice spots lie outside the hurricane zone. These fair-weather destinations are much less likely to be shut down by foul weather. Located in the southern reaches of the Caribbean just off the coast of South America, they are often called the ABC Islands.
A is for Aruba
Known everywhere as “One Happy Island,” Aruba is a playground destination of beautiful beaches, flashy casinos, duty-free shops, excellent dive sites, and superior golf courses. The weather is consistently lovely, and the sunny island is even a bit arid in places—fine habitat for the cacti, iguanas, and distinctive divi divi trees that make the island famous.
B is for Bonaire
Long a leader in conservation, this island was pioneering ecotourism even before the word “ecotourism” was popular. With underwater sanctuaries devoted to preserving several species, beautiful Bonaire is especially well known for its fantastic reef-diving opportunities. Unlike some other cruise destinations, Bonaire lacks many of the glitzier attractions like primo shopping or neon-lit casinos, which makes this island a true naturalist’s paradise.
C is for Curacao
The picturesque island of Curacao is as colorful as it is cosmopolitan. Perhaps the first thing that strikes visitors is the palette of pastels that grace the building facades in the port town of Willensted. Tourists can still feel a heavy Dutch influence here as they wander the waterfront enjoying the town’s many shops, galleries, and eateries. In addition, after a day of touring, visitors can visit one of the dozens of beaches that offer plenty of water and sunshine.
