Sunday, 16 October 2011

Don't Forget The Hurricane Season When You Plan A Cruise

By Nicholas Lancaster


Most people vacation during the summer, when schools are closed and the weather is friendlier. And surely, it is hard to not feel tempted to go on a Caribbean cruise, especially since the cost of cruises is usually low. The Caribbean has a hurricane season from about early June to late November so before you purchase your dream holiday it is important to keep some things in mind.

Cruise ships are well built and strong, but they can still be destroyed. Sadly, there have been some tragedies involving cruise ships in the last decade. This isn't meant to scare you but make you aware that Mother Nature dictates your holiday especially in the hurricane season. While being careful is a must, you should also consider that cruise ships are equipped with technology which is able to forecast the weather, so you shouldn't be overly concerned.

Cruise lines will always but the safety of its passengers first and will never intentionally go through a storm. They can always rewrite their route and skip or change a port of call. And if the weather is severe, they reserve the right to cancel the cruise and offer passengers a voucher for future travel. While understandable, a canceled trip can mean a missed vacation especially if your family's vacation time is limited and not flexible.

You might want to check with the cruise line company or with your travel agent to get more information about cancellations due to severe weather. Travel insurance can also give you a margin of security, but be careful to read all the small print, since most plans do not cover acts of nature.

A storm may not be enough to cancel a cruise and you can still have an enjoyable time. You will still be able to enjoy indoor activities such as shows and classes of different types. You can also bring plenty of reading materials, music and movies for the whole family to enjoy.

Make sure you bring sea sick pills. Even if the weather is nice, the waters are sure to be rough. If you get sea sick, head to the center of the ship where swaying is at a minimum.

You can also prepare a default vacation plan in the event of cancellation of your cruise. You can, for example, embark in a fun place such as Orlando. This way, if the cruise is cancelled, you can still have fun at Disney World. And if the airport is closed, you might want to consider some road trip options.

Lastly, if you travel in the hurricane season plan for inclement weather and don't get upset if it rains the entire time. Nice weather is just a bonus in your vacation.




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