Tropical Weather

[TTNYC]

How often have cruise ships been diverted in the Carribean by tropical storms? I had an itinerary change in early August. Wasn't a big deal to me. But, I am considering bring a group in later August 2007.

[Dave]

There are no statistics on it, but they'll do whatever it takes to avoid a hurricane or tropical storm. Sometimes ports are cancelled. Other times, based on storm track, they will reverse the itinerary and still stop at all the ports. And then they can change the itinerary entirely. This happened to us on the Century in 1996. Supposed to be an eastern Caribbean. Hurricane developed there, and so our cruise suddenly became a western Caribbean as we arrived at the pier.

[Dwayne]

Hi TTNYC,

I don't know the statistics. You can't predict the storms. As a coastal person that keeps watch, later August through early October seems to be the most active off the south east coast.

Dave said this quite well about them changing routes and ports to avoid storms.

The main thing if bringing a group is to educate them about cruising at that time of year. Yes, it costs less money, but is in storm season and the ports are not guaranteed etc.

Hope this helps,
IslandCruz

[TTNYC]

Thanks. Pretty much what I thought. It is less about price and more about schedules.

There is some gamble to late August 2007 booking.

But, I think I am going to just take my chances.