Lots of clients ask me about cruising during hurricane season. Isn't it dangerous?
Contrary to popular thought, hurricane season is a GOOD time to go cruising in the Caribbean. Think of it this way: if you're in a Caribbean resort - say St. Thomas for example - and a hurricane comes bearing down on Charlotte Amalie you've got two options: evacuate or dig in. If you evacuate, it's "vacation over" you're going home. If you dig in, you'll very likely wind up in a nice resort with no electricity (thus no a/c, movies or frosty blender drinks) and possibly no plumbing. No fancy meals, no using the pool, no soaking in the Jacuzzi. Having fun yet?
Now lets look at a cruise sailing to St. Thomas when a hurricane starts driving its way toward the island. Only one thing happens - the ship changes course. If you're sailing in the Eastern Caribbean your ship may head toward the Western Caribbean or vice versa. Maybe you'll lose a port call and spend another day at sea - worst case scenario. I know I would rather spend another day at sea enjoying a massage in the Spa, watching a movie under the stars, testing out the casino or seeing a show than a day (or days) hanging out in a torn up resort. Or frantically trying to get the next flight out, standing in long lines at the airport, fighting the crowds and using your suitcase for a pillow. And partly because of the misconception that cruising during hurricane season is dangerous, prices tend to be at some of the lowest points of the year! 'Nuff said.
For those who want to keep track of the latest storm(s) here's one of my favorite storm tracking sites.
Stay dry!
