Is early October an okay time to take a caribbean cruise?

Question

I am planning on honeymooning there and I am a little worried about hurricanes. Any thoughts or Suggestions?

Answer 1

its a good time

Answer 2

There have been plenty of hurricanes in the Caribbean in even just the last FEW years!!

Anyway, October is still hurricane season.  However, the ships do a great job of avoiding storms - they're not going to risk their expensive ships or their passengers' lives.  They have very sophisticated weather equipment and can easily reroute to avoid storms.  You may get some rough seas, and you may miss a port due to storms, however.

I was on a cruise in September a couple of years ago when a hurricane came across the course we were to be sailing into Ft Lauderdale.  We stayed at sea for two extra days [free!] just cruising off the coast of Cuba, waiting for it to pass.  When we did head into FLL, it was pretty rough, but nothing a little benadryl couldn't handle.

You can always get cruise insurance that can cover if you cancel d/t a hurricane [check, though - not all policies cover that].

If you can delay into November, you're less likely to have a hurricane.  Or January [after New Year's] into mid-February is a good time, too.  Those are both less-expensive times to cruise, too, and you're less likely to have hordes of kids.

Answer 3

I think it should be ok...but you're right, it is hurricane season, so it may be safer to go later on. Not earlier cos it'll be waaay hot then!

Answer 4

i was there a while ago and they said there has not been one in over 50 years. I think your safe :)

Answer 5

The hurricane season is from June through the end of October and no one can say for sure what the hurricane season will be like this year.  You will be taking a chance and if you do book for the Caribbean you should definitely get the travel insurance.  But here are some options:

1) Consider booking your cruise  a few weeks or a month or so after your wedding so that you are into November or December for your cruise.  For one, the further in advance you book your cruise the better price you will likely get.  And, if you are flexible on your cruise date you may find a date when the cruise is priced less anyway (many cruises have different fares on different dates).  I have cruised during December and the weather in the Caribbean is still great for all of the beach activities.

2) consider going on a different cruise itinerary.  For example, hurricanes very rarely cross Mexico into the Pacific and so consider a cruise out of LA or San Diego to Mexico ports like Cabo St Lucas, Puerta Vallarta, and Acapulco.  OR, consider a cruise to New England and Canada.  We did such a cruise on a very nice Royal Caribbean ship, the Jewel of the Seas, in September a couple years ago and it was a nice cruise and also outside the hurricane belt.  We boarded the ship in Boston and had port stops in Martha's Vinyard, Portland and Bar Harbor Maine, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  Or, consider  Mediterranean cruise.  The fall is a great time for the Med.

3) consider moving your cruise date up to the spring of 2009 and then shop for the best cruise itinerary and price.  Your options during that time frame will expand greatly and you will have no worries about hurricanes.

Answer 6

You should be relatively safe. The chances are minimal. I have a friend who would cruise there every November, and she's only had trouble once (ended up being just a bad storm).

I don't think you should worry too much.