Are you thinking of going on a cruise during hurricane season? Worried the weather might ruin your vacation? Cruising during hurricane season can feel risky—one minute you’re enjoying the sun, and the next, a storm could force a port cancellation or make the seas choppy.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to avoid hurricane season cruises. If you plan carefully, cruising during hurricane season can actually be a great opportunity. Fares are often lower, crowds are smaller, and with the right preparation, you can still have an amazing vacation.
Below, I’m going to share the biggest mistakes people make when cruising during hurricane season, plus what to do instead, so you don’t end up regretting your trip.
When Is Hurricane Season?
Hurricane season runs for six months, from June 1 through November 30—half the year—so it’s hard to completely avoid if you want to cruise in the Atlantic or Caribbean. To make matters worst, hurricane season peaks in August, right in the middle of the prime summer vacation months when most families are planning their trips.
On average, the Atlantic sees about twelve tropical storms each year, six of which become hurricanes, and roughly three storms impact the U.S. coastline every two years.
This can affect popular cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, the Caribbean, and even Canada. It’s not just the Atlantic either: the Pacific hurricane season follows the same timeframe, with the peak typically mid-summer to early fall.
The good news is that it’s still possible to enjoy cruises during hurricane season—you just need to know the mistakes to avoid.
Not Buying Travel Insurance
One of the biggest mistakes people make when cruising during hurricane season is skipping travel insurance. Cruise lines rarely cancel trips, even during storms—they usually just reroute the itinerary. That means if you decide to cancel because you’re nervous about rough seas, you’ll lose your money.
The safest option is to get travel insurance with the Cancel For Any Reason coverage. It costs more than your regular travel insurance—usually around 40% extra—but it gives you the flexibility to back out if you feel uncomfortable.
Personally, I always buy Cancel for Any Reason insurance when I’m cruising the Caribbean during hurricane season. For me, it’s all about having the option to cancel if I get nervous about sailing in choppy waters. The last thing I want is to be stuck on a ship when the seas are rough.
Yes, it’s more expensive, but I consider it part of the cost of cruising during hurricane season. And when you consider the lower cruise fares typically available during hurricane season, the extra cost of Cancel for Any Reason insurance is a small price to pay for the peace of mind it provides.
Setting Your Heart on a Specific Port
A common mistake during hurricane season is getting too attached to a specific port. The reality is that cruise port stops aren’t guaranteed. High winds or rough seas can force the ship to cancel or swap ports, or even add an extra day at sea
I learned this the hard way. On one of my cruises, I had been looking forward to spending the day on the cruise line’s private island. I had planned everything—relaxing on the beach and going kayaking—but because it was hurricane season, the seas were too rough for the ship to dock. That stop was canceled, and instead we had an extra day at sea.
The first time I experienced a missed port, I was really disappointed. And I was shocked that cruise lines typically aren’t required to compensate passengers for missed ports.
But over the years, I’ve realized that missing ports during hurricane season is common, and cruise lines make these changes for everyone’s safety. Now, when a port is missed, I don’t let it affect my trip as much.
Not Being Flexible
One of the biggest mistakes people make when cruising during hurricane season is not being flexible and expecting perfect weather every day.
Delays, rainy weather, canceled ports, or rough seas are always a possibility, so it’s important to go in with an open mind. If you try to stick rigidly to a plan or expect nothing but sunny beach days, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
For example, every year I go on a Bahamas cruise with my sister’s family during summer break. It’s the only time we can line up vacations with the kids, which means our trip always falls during hurricane season. It’s definitely not ideal, but we’ve learned to sail with an open mind.
Some years the weather is perfect, and we get to enjoy the beaches and excursions we planned. Other years, the weather is really bad, and we get rained out so much that we can’t even go to the beach for the entire cruise. On those trips, we spend most of our time indoors, adjusting our plans and finding activities on the ship instead.
By staying flexible and having realistic expectations, we can still enjoy the cruise no matter what the weather does.
Booking the Wrong Cabin
If you want the smoothest ride possible, choose a cabin midship on a lower deck. The front and back of the ship experience the most movement, so if you’re prone to seasickness, those are the last places you want to be.
Personally, I never book a guaranteed cabin during hurricane season—it’s just too risky. Guaranteed cabins are cheaper, but the tradeoff is that you usually get the leftover rooms, which are often in the very front or back of the ship, right where the seas are roughest.
For me, being able to pick my cabin is well worth the extra cost. I always make sure my room is midship, where the motion is minimized. It gives me peace of mind and makes the entire cruise much more comfortable.
Booking Shore Excursions
A common mistake during hurricane season is pre-booking shore excursions. If you’ve booked a non-refundable tour with a local independent operator and your port gets canceled or the weather turns bad, you could lose that money. Even if the port remains open, poor weather can make the activity less enjoyable—imagine trying to go kayaking on a dreary, rainy day.
Personally, I never book shore excursions ahead of time when cruising during hurricane season. It’s too risky because you never know how the weather will behave. I also avoid booking through independent tour operators, since their cancellation policies are usually stricter and refunds can be difficult to get.
Instead, I wait until I’m onboard to see how the weather looks before deciding whether to book an excursion through the cruise line. By booking last minute, I don’t risk losing money or being stuck with activities I can’t enjoy, and I can make choices based on the weather forecast.
Buying a Drink Package
One mistake people often make during hurricane season is buying a cruise beverage package. On rougher seas, alcohol can worsen seasickness, and if you’re prone to motion sickness, it may turn what could be a manageable day into an uncomfortable one.
Personally, I never buy a drink package during hurricane season because I know I’m prone to seasickness. On choppy waters, alcohol would only make it worse, and I’d be wasting money on a package I can’t fully enjoy.
That said, if you’re a drinker and can handle a little alcohol even with some motion in the seas, go for it—but be warned. Seasickness can strike at any time, even for people who normally don’t get sick.
The safest approach during hurricane season is to buy drinks a la carte. That way, you’re not locked into a package you might not be able to use, and you can enjoy your cruise more comfortably.
Not Being Ready for Seasickness
Even if you’ve never had a problem with motion sickness before, hurricane season can bring stronger swells and unpredictable seas, making it essential to be prepared. Many people make the mistake of assuming they won’t get seasick, but weather and choppy waters can affect anyone.
Personally, I never take chances. On sea days, I always take my seasickness medication first thing in the morning, whether I feel sick or not. The reason is simple: it takes time for the medication to work, and by the time you start feeling the effects of seasickness, it’s often too late.
Once you’re in that downward spiral, it can be hard to recover from seasickness. Starting the day with preventive measures in place gives me peace of mind and helps me enjoy the cruise, even if the seas get rough later on.
Flying in on the Day of Your Cruise
A common mistake is booking a flight that arrives on the same day your cruise departs. Even in the best of conditions, this is risky—flights can be delayed, canceled, or take longer than expected to get through security.
During hurricane season, the odds of delays increase because of unpredictable weather or storm-related disruptions. Missing your ship isn’t just stressful—it can also cost you a lot of money and ruin the start of your vacation.
Personally, I always plan to fly in the day before my cruise during hurricane season. I book a hotel near the port so I can arrive relaxed and stress-free, rather than worrying about tight connections or possible flight delays and cancelations.
Arriving a day early ensures that even if bad weather or delays occur, I won’t miss my ship and can start the cruise on a calm, enjoyable note. The extra cost is worth the peace of mind.
Not Researching the Weather Forecast
Another common mistake is not paying attention to the weather before your cruise. Hurricane season can bring unpredictable storms, and conditions can change quickly.
Before booking, it’s important to research the hurricane forecast for the year and choose your itinerary wisely. For example, in a La Niña year, storms tend to hit the western Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico more heavily, while El Niño years can be calmer.
Hurricane season is also not a great time to cruise to Bermuda or Canada. If a storm hits, these northern Atlantic ocean cruises can get especially choppy, making for uncomfortable days at sea.
And the days leading up to your sailing date, it’s important to monitor the weather. Small storms can escalate quickly, and cruise lines often provide updates via text alerts if there are any delays or itinerary changes.
Make sure you signed up to get these text messages. Staying informed allows you to adjust your plans and avoid surprises.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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