How cruise ships avoid hurricanes

Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc earlier this month as it hit the Caribbean, Yucatan Peninsula and Gulf Coast of Texas, leaving flooding, fallen trees and power outages in its wake, among other damage. More than a dozen deaths have been reported in the Houston area alone.
The storm also upended travel plans, including for cruise lines that altered itineraries in an effort to avoid the bad weather. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, and the storm may leave cruise passengers wondering whether they should wait to venture out into the open ocean until another time.
But experts said there’s no need to be too concerned. Here’s what to know.
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“In general, I would say the answer is yes, though there are always exceptions,” Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, chief experience officer and owner of the travel agency Live Well, Travel Often, said in an email. “Cruise lines can typically sail around storms or alter itineraries and schedules to get out of the path of storms.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean a trip will go on as planned though. Hurricanes are unpredictable and can both form and pick up strength quickly, she noted, adding that cruise lines may skip or replace scheduled stops to get out of dodge. The water may also be rougher if there is a storm nearby (it’s always a good idea to have some seasickness remedies on hand).
Goldberg-Glazer also emphasized that in bad weather, passengers should use caution and listen to crew member instructions.
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Cruise ships are in constant communication with the lines’ operations departments, said Andrew O. Coggins, a cruise industry analyst and professor of management science at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. If weather developments are expected to impact a route, they can adjust accordingly. 
The vessels have onboard tools, as well, such as a barometer to track air pressure and navigation systems to help determine the optimal route. “Ships also have radar, but the aim is not to get so close that the clouds show up on the radar screen,” Coggins said in an email.
Goldberg-Glazer said hurricane season’s most active times tend to be between July and October. Many cruise ships leave the Caribbean during the summer, heading to destinations like Alaska and the Mediterranean, so there are plenty of alternatives.
“However, for many people, especially those within driving distance of a cruise port, the Caribbean is an easy and affordable getaway,” she added. While she doesn’t warn travelers to avoid the region, she said she recommends buying travel insurance, which can offer coverage for weather-related cancellations.
“Cruise ships are, in general, incredibly safe,” Goldberg-Glazer said. “The officers in charge of navigating have years and years of experience and their (main) focus is to keep passengers safe and comfortable.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].