Another busy day of cruise news coming to you from Cruise Hive, including the dry dock being postponed again for Carnival Conquest, more cruise ships from NCL and Royal Caribbean impacted by Hurricane Erin, and a forklift fails and damages a cruise ship. FIND YOUR PERFECT CRUISE:https://booking.cruisehive.com/swift/cruise?siid=1275518 MESSAGE BOARDS:https://boards.cruisehive.com/ CRUISE NEWS TIPS:Send us tips on […]
Cruising over 60? Avoiding these mistakes can save you money, keep you safe, and make your trip far more enjoyable. From port scams to cabin choices, accessibility, travel insurance, and more — these are the real-world tips most cruisers never hear until it’s too late.
*Travel agency I recommend – MEI Travel (no fee): http://bookmeicruise.com/lifewellcruised
FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE – Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
*Business inquiries & media: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com
Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
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All cruises are NOT made equal. In fact, here are some key differences between the most popular cruise lines that we just don’t talk about enough. While no cruise line is bad, in this video I share important differences between contemporary & premium cruise lines, & why this matters to you!
Whether you’re a first time cruiser or avid cruise traveler, this video is a must-watch! I share how contemporary cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC & Norwegian Cruise Line compare to premium, more upscale cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, Celebrity & more.
We look at passenger to crew ratio, food & dining, entertainment, service & more – plus I share real tips & experiences I’ve had on recent cruises. This video is a great cruise conversation, that will also help with cruise tips as well!
This will help you decide which cruise line is right for you, which is best & which is worst.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
Some of the B-Roll used in this video: Courtesy of RCCL, Celebrity Cruises and NCLHC
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
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When it comes to cruising, there are some things that cruise lines don’t point out in their advertisements or social media. For many experienced cruisers or even cruise content creators, we might assume this is common knowledge. However, it is important to share.
Plus, I need to set the record straight & address some comments I got recently on a popular video. There are some things viewers should know about my content & point of view. This will help when we talk about cruise ships, cruise reviews & advice for first timers & experienced cruisers.
Whether you’re going on a Carnival cruise, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line or any mainstream cruise, this video is full of good cruise travel tips & advice.
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
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Planning a cruise? There’s nothing sadder than watching your cruise ship leave without you! Don’t make these mistakes that can get you denied boarding.
Cruisers are getting denied boarding for reasons most never expected. This video is full of cautionary tales that will help cruise travelers be ready for their cruise vacation.
Unfortunately, cruisers can (and do) miss their cruise ship, be denied boarding or even banned for life. Some cruisers have found themselves being placed on no sail lists & others have showed up on embarkation day only to be turned away.
Here are real cruise passenger stories in the cruise news & information from cruise line websites.
🌟Use code LIFEWELLCRUISED at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/lifewellcruised
*Travel agency I recommend – MEI Travel (no fee): http://bookmeicruise.com/lifewellcruised
FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE – Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
*Business inquiries & media: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com
Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
MORE FROM LIFE WELL CRUISED
Travel content creation has evolved dramatically over recent years. While browsing entertainment options like online casino platforms or enjoying bingo on Slotozilla, many content creators notice how personal storytelling consistently outperforms traditional travel writing. This shift reflects changing audience preferences and social media algorithms that favour authentic, relatable content over formal travel guides.
The landscape of digital travel content has transformed from static destination lists to dynamic personal narratives. Creators worldwide are discovering that vulnerability and authenticity generate significantly higher engagement than polished, professional travel writing. This phenomenon isn’t coincidental – it’s rooted in human psychology and reinforced by social media algorithms that reward genuine interactions.
Day in the life posts resonate because they tap into fundamental human psychology that traditional destination guides simply cannot access. Readers don’t just want information—they crave connection, authenticity, and emotional engagement. When someone shares their morning coffee ritual in a Balinese café, describes getting lost in Tokyo’s subway system, or reveals their anxiety about language barriers, it creates an emotional bond that dry destination facts cannot match.
Personal narratives trigger mirror neurons in our brains, making us feel like we’re experiencing the journey ourselves. This neurological response creates empathy and connection, naturally leading to higher sharing rates across social platforms. People share content that makes them feel something, not content that simply informs them.
The emotional investment readers develop through personal stories transforms passive consumption into active engagement. When travel bloggers share genuine moments of confusion, joy, disappointment, or discovery, they invite readers into their world in ways that factual destination guides never achieve.
Traditional destination guides often read like encyclopedias, listing facts about attractions, opening hours, ticket prices, and logistics. While informative and practically useful, they lack the human element that drives social sharing and meaningful engagement. The contrast in destination guides vs day in the life becomes immediately apparent when examining reader behaviour and engagement patterns.
Personal travel stories succeed because they address the emotional and experiential aspects of travel that destination guides typically ignore. They answer questions like: “What does it feel like to navigate this place as a foreigner?” “What unexpected challenges might I encounter?” “How do locals actually behave in daily situations?” These insights prove far more valuable for trip planning than basic logistical information.
The Social Media Algorithm Factor
Social media platforms prioritize content that generates meaningful interactions, and travel blogging shareability depends heavily on content that encourages comments, discussions, and personal responses. When readers relate to authentic experiences, they’re significantly more likely to engage with content in ways that algorithms interpret as high-quality signals.
Why day in the life posts get more shares becomes clear when examining platform mechanics. Social media algorithms reward content that keeps users engaged and encourages interaction. Personal travel stories naturally generate:
Algorithms interpret these interactions as indicators of valuable content, boosting reach and visibility. Traditional destination guides, while informative, rarely generate the emotional responses that drive algorithmic success.
Successful personal travel content requires careful balance between entertainment and information. The most effective content creators master several key techniques:
Authenticity cannot be manufactured – readers immediately detect inauthentic content. This balanced approach creates credibility that destination guides cannot achieve.
Video product demonstrations and personal content receive 2.3x more interactions than static informational images, while user-generated personal content campaigns generate 29% higher engagement than brand-created informational posts. This data clearly demonstrates how personal storytelling consistently outperforms traditional informational content across all major social platforms.
| Platform | Average Engagement Rate | Best Type | Personal vs Informational |
| 1.16% overall | Carousel posts (higher engagement) | Personal stories generate significantly more interaction than static informational posts | |
| TikTok | 4.86% | Video with authentic, personal elements | Personal experiences outperform generic travel tips |
| 6.50% | Videos and photo combinations perform best at 3.0-3.4% | Professional personal stories drive higher engagement |
This performance data clearly demonstrates the superior engagement potential of personal travel story. The emotional connection factor drives significantly higher engagement across all meaningful metrics, creating more valuable relationships between creators and audiences.
The most successful travel content seamlessly combines personal storytelling with practical information without sacrificing either element. Readers want emotional connection, but they also need actionable advice for their own travel planning. The key lies in weaving practical details naturally into personal narratives rather than separating them into distinct sections.
For example, instead of creating separate sections for restaurant recommendations and personal experiences, successful creators describe discovering hidden local eateries within their daily narratives, naturally mentioning costs, timing, and logistics within story contexts. This approach provides identical practical value while maintaining reader engagement and emotional investment.
Understanding why day in the life posts get more shares than destination guides ultimately comes down to human psychology and platform algorithms that reward authentic engagement. Personal stories create emotional connections that inspire sharing, while traditional guides primarily serve as reference materials that readers consume but rarely share enthusiastically.
Even on cruise lines that are marketed as being all-inclusive, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to be separated from your money while you’re sailing.
Some of the things you can buy on a cruise ship are absolutely worth it. And hey, it’s your money – you do what you want with it even if something doesn’t represent good value.
But there are plenty of things that aren’t good value, and that I’d never buy onboard a cruise…
Cruise ship art auctions often present themselves as glamorous affairs, complete with Champagne and persuasive auctioneers encouraging quick decisions.
I’d even recommend popping along sometimes just to grab a free drink – no harm in that!
However, the art pieces themselves are frequently overpriced, and valuations might be less trustworthy than they appear. Art bought onboard can also be tricky to authenticate or resell later.
If you’re keen on purchasing art, take some notes and research the artists once you’re back home – you’re likely to find better deals and more reliable information through reputable galleries or online.
If you want to splurge because you’ve seen something you love, and there’s a competitive bid for it, then by all means go for it.
I did once get a great deal on a gorgeous piece of art on a ship. It only cost $30! However, when I went to pay for it, I was offered framing and shipping which would have cost around $500 on top!
I delclined the framing and took it to a local framing ship where it cost around £40 for a lovely frame. However, I did still have to pay $60 for postage. All in all, I still feel I got a good deal, even though it cost a lot more overall than the initial price.
It can be tempting to splurge on designer jewellery and watches during a cruise, especially when you’re relaxed and enjoying your holiday.
But beware: onboard boutiques often have significant markups despite promises of duty-free prices.
Also, if you buy an item worth more than £390 and bring it into the UK, you’ll have to declare it at customs and pay 20% VAT on the value over £390. If you live in the USA, the allowance is 3% on anything over $800, so less, but still worth considering.
While a watch or necklace might seem like the perfect souvenir, you’ll usually find more competitive pricing – and better guarantees – through established jewellers back home or reputable online retailers. If you have a problem with an item you bought, it can be really tricky to return.
Enjoy browsing, but consider buying later. A souvenir that’s inspired by your cruise, even if you didn’t buy it onboard, is still worth having. And if you aren’t that fussed about genuine designer items, you’ll often find cheaper options in port anyway.
If you enjoy wine, cocktails, or other drinks regularly, buying individual beverages onboard can quickly become a budget-buster. However, onboard drinks packages themselves are often more expensive if bought during your trip.
Cruise lines almost always offer discounted rates if you pre-book online, saving you potentially hundreds of pounds.
Plan ahead, think realistically about your drinking habits, and snap up those early-bird deals to ensure your bar tab stays manageable. If you’re buying your package onboard, you’re almost certainly overpaying.
If you’re someone who loves sipping cocktails or enjoying several glasses of wine daily, paying individually can rack up a hefty bill.
Drinks onboard are notoriously expensive when purchased separately. Instead, spend a few minutes doing the maths before your cruise.
If you’re likely to indulge regularly, a pre-booked drinks package is almost certainly the smarter move financially.
For some people it will be, especially for cocktails and glasses of wine. But if you stick to beer, or if you don’t plan on drinking a lot while you sail, then you’re probably overpaying.
My drinks package calculator can help you work out what the best tactic is for you.
Onboard WiFi can be surprisingly costly and frustratingly slow. Things are getting better in terms of speed, thanks to Starlink satellite WiFi being added across fleets, but it’s still often nothing close to what you’ll get at home.
And yet, cruise ships often charge premium rates when you buy internet access, especially if you’re paying after setting sail. To dodge this, book your WiFi package before you leave home to get significantly better prices, if you absolutely need the WiFi onboard.
Alternatively, if your itinerary has plenty of ports, you’ll find numerous cafes and restaurants onshore offering free, reliable WiFi – perfect for uploading holiday snaps or catching up on emails without draining your wallet.
Or consider an alternative such as an eSIM, which could save you a lot compared to the cruise line’s own WiFi prices.
Enter code CRUISEMUMMY10 at checkout to get this discount
The onboard spa is a luxurious temptation, promising relaxation and indulgence – but it often comes at eye-watering prices, especially on sea days.
We’re talking treatments that can cost well past the $200 mark, so if you wanted several? Expect a hefty bill.
Instead, wait for port-day specials, when spa treatments can see good discounts. Or at least keep an eye out for promotions onboard to bring the cost down. A lot of spas will offer discounts based on the number of treatments you book – bulk booking means cheaper.
Even better, why not book a spa day ashore at a local resort, which often offers far better value and a memorable local experience? Your wallet (and your holiday selfies) will thank you.
And if you do visit the spa on a ship, beware of the upsells. That moisturiser they want to sell you after your facial? You can probably get the exact same thing for a fraction of the price at home.
Read more: The 9 Most Overpriced Extras On A Cruise
Cruise ship photographers are everywhere, snapping photos that you might be tempted to buy later. However, these pictures often come with surprisingly high price tags, making them a poor value for money.
Instead, take your own photos with your phone or camera – ask fellow passengers or friendly crew members to snap a few shots for you.
All you’re going to miss out on is the fancy green-screen backdrops, and are they really necessary?
Opt for the DIY photos and you’ll capture the same great memories without breaking your holiday budget.
However, some cruise lines will include photos depending on your fare – Princess Premier guests get three prints included plus unlimited digital pics! So then it can be worth it.
Suggested read: 8 Expert Tips To Capture Perfect Cruise Photos
Onboard shops sell basic toiletries and medicines at a premium, capitalising on the desperation factor if you’ve forgotten essentials like toothpaste, sunscreen or painkillers.
Avoid these inflated prices by double-checking your packing list before sailing. Easier said than done though, right?
If something slips your mind, and you aren’t utterly desperate, wait until you dock at the next port, where supermarkets and pharmacies offer far better prices and more variety.
You usually don’t have to wander too far into port to find a good option.
Cruise ship casinos promise excitement, glitz, and glamour, but the house advantage can be even steeper than usual.
Unless you’re genuinely keen on gambling as entertainment and have set a strict budget, it’s wise to steer clear, especially if you’ve been making the most of that drinks package you shouldn’t have bought onboard.
Consider it a bit of fun if you choose to participate, but don’t expect to strike it rich onboard – you’re often better off saving your cash for enjoyable activities ashore.
Read more: What You Must Know Before Hitting The Cruise Ship Casino
Cruise lines will always have plenty of options for keeping fit onboard. There’s usually a running track and a gym that you can make use of, but they’ll also offer fitness classes at premium prices, leveraging your desire to stay active during your holiday.
While a sunrise yoga session or high-energy spin class might sound appealing, remember there are plenty of free alternatives onboard.
While the offer of unlimited classes for $99 might sound good on day one, after getting up at 6 am for the first couple, you might get bored of them.
Enjoy the gym facilities, join free group activities offered by cruise staff, or simply walk and jog the outdoor decks for equally good exercise and lovely sea views – without the extra charge.
Even if you just skip the elevator and use the stairs, you’ll probably burn off that dessert you’re half-regretting.
Again, Princess Plus and Premier fares include fitness classes, so check your fare to see if any are free.
Buying bottled water onboard quickly becomes an expensive habit, not to mention environmentally unfriendly.
Instead, bring your own refillable water bottle and top it up at the ship’s numerous water stations, which provide clean, safe drinking water.
Most ships have several places where you can refill your water bottle. You’ll always find one in the gym.
Refilling your bottle from the water dispensers in the buffet isn’t allowed for hygiene reasons as these machines are designed to fill glasses. To get around that, all you’ll need to do is fill a clean glass with water and decant it into your bottle.
The tap water in your cabin is typically perfectly safe to drink, too. It might not be the freshest water but it’s fine for a midnight sip if the air-con has given you a dry throat.
Doing this helps your budget, keeps you hydrated, and reduces plastic waste – an easy win all around.
On your cruise programme you’ll often see free heath seminars advertised. These have names like ‘Eat More to Weigh Less’ or ‘How To Remove Your Aches And Pains’.
While these seminars may give you some useful information, you should be aware that the main point of them is to sell you extras. The ‘secret cure’ is often several hundreds dollars worth of supplements that you just don’t need.
The same goes for the ‘footprint analysis’. If you genuinely do need insoles for your shoes, you can get them from the NHS for free, or online for about £20.
I’ve not put this in the numbered list because I know how much it splits opinion. However, I’m pretty confident that I would never buy a shore excursion onboard a cruise anymore.
A lot of people prefer to book via the cruise line for security reasons. They want to be absolutely sure that they won’t miss the ship, because they know that with an unofficial excursion provider, they’d be left behind.
But I recommend using third-party excursion providers like Shore Excursion Group because they can save you so much money.
And that fear about missing the ship? They guarantee that won’t happen. And if it does, they’ll pay for your transport to meet the ship at the next port, and they’ll compensate you with $1,000 for the inconvenience.
Almost makes me want it to happen!
Choose from over 4,000 excursions with a return-to-ship guarantee
Like I said at the start, your money is your money. You spend it however you want to. If you want to pay for premium fitness classes, or expensive souvenirs, then you do you.
But I know that a lot of people can’t afford to be completely frivolous when cruising, and would rather scrimp and save just a little bit – even if that’s only to put more money towards another cruise.
Hopefully these tips help those people out – but don’t stress if you open up the purse strings a little. Have fun, but don’t be getting that post-cruise regret once you settle your bill.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Whether you’re about to set sail on your first cruise or you’re a seasoned traveller brushing up on cruise lingo, some terms can sound a little mysterious. Take “Lido Deck” for example, it might sound like insider jargon, but it’s actually one of the most exciting spots on the ship.
The Lido Deck is typically home to at least one outdoor pool, a sun deck, and plenty of places to eat and drink – often including the ship’s buffet. It’s the hub of activity, where you can soak up the sun, join in games or fitness classes, or simply relax with a cocktail in hand.
Depending on the ship, you might also find jacuzzis, giant movie screens for evening films, kids’ play areas, snack stands serving ice cream and cold drinks, or even a spa and gym – all within steps of your deck chair.
In this guide, you’ll learn what the Lido Deck is all about and how to make the most of it on your cruise.
The word “lido” comes from a place in Italy named “Lido di Venezia”. In the early 20th century, it was a beach resort where people swam and relaxed. The term then made its way to cruise ships to refer to the deck on a ship with an outdoor swimming pool, similar to a beach resort.
This phrase makes people think about holidays, having fun, and feeling relaxed.
In UK English, Lido is typically pronounced “lie-doh”. However, the Oxford English and Cambridge Dictionary both state that phonetically, lido is pronounced “liː.dəʊ” or “lee-doe”, from the Italian pronunciation. It is a topic that brings debate, as is often the case with words borrowed from other languages.
In short, it’s up to you whether you call it lie-doh or lee-doe. Whatever you prefer!
The Lido Deck is usually on the top floor of the cruise ship. However, this can vary depending on the design of the cruise ship. On many ships, it can be around the 9th to 11th floor, whereas newer, larger ships are as high as deck 16.
If you’re on a cruise soon, it’s always best to refer to the deck plan provided by the cruise line.
Whether a Lido Deck cabin is a bad place to stay on a cruise ship depends on your preferences. Cruise customers often like the convenience of being close to facilities such as the swimming pool, bars and buffet. However, cabins on the Lido Deck can sometimes be noisier than other cabins, as they are close to busy areas of the ship.
Many of the reviews I’ve read from passengers staying on the Lido Deck report it to be their favourite place to stay on the ship due to the convenience. Also, some customer reviews have noted that the noise hasn’t been a problem, which they were surprised about.
Often, it’s the rooms directly below the Lido Deck that have the most noise.
Before booking your next cruise, it’s usually a good idea to look at the deck plan and read reviews from past passengers before choosing which room to stay in and whether the Lido Deck will suit you.
Read more: 12 Things You Must ALWAYS Check On The Deck Plan
The Lido Deck is so much more than just ‘the pool deck’ – it’s the beating heart of the ship. Whether you’re there for early-morning laps, a lazy lunch in the sun, or late-night movies under the stars, it’s where some of the best cruise memories are made. Yes, it can be lively (and sometimes a little noisy), but that’s all part of the charm.
If you’re booking a cabin here, weigh up the unbeatable convenience against the chance of extra foot traffic. And next time someone mentions the Lido Deck, you can smile, because now you know exactly what it is, where it is, and why it’s worth a visit on your next cruise.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The Caribbean may be a dream cruise destination, but it’s also home to some of the world’s fiercest hurricanes.
So what if your cruise is set to sail right where a storm is brewing? Can cruise ships handle hurricanes? And what happens if your trip gets cancelled altogether?
I learned the hard way when my Royal Caribbean cruise on Navigator of the Seas was called off because of Hurricane Dorian. Since then, I’ve followed cruise line policies, government advice, and expert weather updates to create this guide – so you’ll know exactly what to expect if a hurricane threatens your cruise.
The most important thing for anyone to consider during a hurricane is, undoubtedly, safety. Many people wonder if a cruise ship can withstand being hit by a hurricane. But honestly, it is extremely unlikely that that would ever happen.
The tactic taken by cruise ships during a hurricane is to avoid the hurricane by sailing out of its path.
In fact, a cruise ship is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane, as it can easily sail into safety. According to Unidata, the average forward speed of a hurricane is 15-20mph.
The average speed of a cruise ship is 23 mph, with maximum speeds reaching 34 mph. Weather forecasters have knowledge of where a hurricane is heading up to a week before it gets there. This gives cruise ships ample time to move out of the path and into calmer waters.
So, if you’re wondering what cruise ships do in hurricanes, the answer is pretty straightforward – they get out of the way!
Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid a storm completely. Here are some stories from cruise ship guests during the worst storms at sea. So you can understand what to expect if the worst happens and your ship is battered by large waves.
If your cruise holiday is affected by a hurricane, your cruise line will give you information about what to do and will send you details of their hurricane policy.
If you’re already on board when the news comes in of a hurricane, the captain will advise passengers over the public address system, via written correspondence in your stateroom and via your stateroom television. If you have any questions, you should head to the guest services desk and ask.
If you haven’t yet sailed when a hurricane is announced, you will be advised by email if your cruise is affected, although you may also be able to gather information from other sources to help you with your planning.
Here’s an example of an email that I received from Royal Caribbean before my cancelled cruise…
Twitter is an excellent resource for getting the latest information about hurricanes from trusted sources.
As well as following what your cruise line is advising, you can also follow meteorologists, such as Craig Setzer, who is the chief meteorologist for Royal Caribbean, as well as accounts such as the National Hurricane Center.
Flights and other modes of transport are also affected by hurricanes. However, where a cruise itinerary may be rescheduled days in advance, the time frame for cancelling flights is often much shorter.
Hurricanes can be unpredictable, and flights may show as scheduled until it is absolutely certain that they need to be cancelled.
Cruises are very rarely cancelled due to hurricanes, but they can have itinerary changes and could be made shorter or longer in duration. Hurricane season for cruises can involve a lot of changes to planned itineraries.
In most cases, if a cruise is set to sail near a hurricane, it will simply be diverted to visit different ports of call, or you may skip a port altogether and have an extra sea day.
If the hurricane is due to hit a departure port, the port will close, and cruise ships will stay away from the port until it is safe to dock. This means that passengers on the ship will stay on board for longer, usually having an extra one, two or three nights on board.
However, this means that the cruise is then delayed for the next passengers, meaning that their cruise will be shortened by the same length of time.
If cruises are delayed or extended before departure, passengers should be given the option to cancel their cruise.
Before doing anything, you should wait for an email from your cruise line advising you of how your cruise is affected, what they are offering and what they recommend you do.
I was advised that my cruise on Navigator of the Seas would be delayed and shortened from a four-night sailing to a two-night sailing. I was given the option of continuing with the cruise or cancelling.
If you have booked your cruise directly with the cruise line, you should contact them to let them know how you wish to proceed. You don’t need to rush to do this. If you don’t respond and don’t arrive at the port, you will likely be marked as a no-show and treated the same as a cancellation.
If you have booked your cruise with a travel agent, call them and they will sort everything out for you.
I’m really glad that I booked my cruise with a travel agent. The travel agent cancelled my cruise, my flights and my hotel booking on my behalf. Because I booked it as a package holiday, the ATOL scheme in the UK meant that I would not lose any money on the flights or hotel that I had booked.
If you book your cruise, flights and hotel independently, you would not necessarily be entitled to a refund on all three elements and would have to call each company yourself.
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Each cruise line has a hurricane policy, and they will advise passengers about any compensation due.
In my case, the cancellation of my cruise meant that Royal Caribbean gave me a credit to use towards a future cruise in the next 12 months. They also refunded my drinks package, wifi and shore excursions.
For cruises that are shortened, passengers are refunded pro rata for the days that they miss. They may also be given future cruise credit as a gesture of goodwill.
Suggested read: 15 Ways To Use Your Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit Like A Pro
For Royal Caribbean cruises which are extended, no charge is made, and extras such as drinks packages, dining packages or WiFi packages will also be extended free of charge. This policy may vary by the cruise line.
For itinerary changes such as alternative ports or missed ports, no compensation is normally offered, as the cruise line reserves the right to change itineraries as needed.
The refund policy for hurricanes is down to each cruise line. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival usually offer refunds in the form of future cruise credit only. This can take around three weeks to be processed, but it is valid for up to a year after the issue.
You can’t look up the Royal Caribbean hurricane policy or the Carnival cruise hurricane policy online, as they aren’t published anywhere. Instead, you must wait for an email from the cruise line with details of your refund.
Firstly, it’s important to know when hurricane season is for cruises. Hurricane season in the Caribbean officially runs from 1st June to 30th November, with the most hurricanes happening in August and September. Even though I had to cancel my cruise due to Hurricane Dorian, it would not put me off choosing to cruise in hurricane season again.
There are some great deals to be had on cruises at this time of year, and, as it coincides with school summer holidays in the UK, it is generally a convenient time for families to cruise in the Caribbean.
Although there is certainly the possibility for disruption, the vast majority of cruises during hurricane season won’t be affected by any more than a few short showers.
If you’re considering cruising in hurricane season, it’s important to be flexible. If you’re planning a cruise for a special occasion such as a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, or you have your heart set on visiting a certain port, then you should probably consider sailing at a different time of year.
However, if you’re happy to accept itinerary changes and want great value for money, then a cruise in hurricane season is certainly worth considering.
It’s always advisable to take out travel insurance for any cruise, but if you plan to cruise during hurricane season, it’s very important that you check your policy carefully.
Some travel insurance doesn’t cover cruises at all, so the first thing to check is that your policy includes ‘cruise cover’. Then you’ll want to check that hurricanes and other natural disasters are not excluded.
Next, take a look at how much you’re covered for and what the excess is. Cruises can be expensive, and some cheaper travel insurance policies have a relatively low limit on how much will be covered.
Some travel insurance policies offer cover for missed ports, but check this carefully. If you’re only offered £25 per missed port, but your excess is £100, then this isn’t actually worth anything.
Finally, you must get your travel insurance as soon as you book your cruise (or a year before you sail, whichever is sooner). If you wait until the last minute to buy your insurance and a hurricane is named before you buy it, you won’t be covered.
My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.
These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.
I am so glad that I booked my cruise with a good travel agent. They sorted everything out for me and gave me a full refund on my hotel and flights as well as my cruise. If I had booked everything myself and my cruise was cancelled but flights weren’t, I would have had to pay for the flights or try to claim on travel insurance.
I hope this article has helped anyone whose cruise has been affected by a hurricane or who is concerned about cruising in hurricane season. This is just my experience of having a cruise booked with Royal Caribbean during Hurricane Dorian. Other cruise lines and other hurricanes may be slightly different.
Have you ever taken a cruise that was affected by a hurricane? Let me know, in the comments below, what your experiences were. And if you have any questions, please ask, and if I don’t know, I’ll do my best to find the answers.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Think all cruise private islands are the same? Think again! While there’s no bad cruise line private islands, some are definitely better than others. Join me as I rank the cruise line private islands, sharing my personal opinion on each. From the best to the worst, I’ll give you my cruise tips based on my experience when visiting each cruise port. Whether you’re a first time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, you’ll enjoy my ranking of each island!
In this video I rank every major cruise line private island & share helpful cruise tips along the way. Wondering about which private island is most popular with cruisers? I polled real cruise passengers & an sharing the top 3 best!
Holland America Half Moon Key, Celebration Key, Princess Cays, NCL Great Stirrup Key, MSC Ocean Cay, Virgin Voyages Bimini Beach Club, Royal Caribbean Half Moon Cay.
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
Some B-Roll used in this video courtesy of RCCL, Princess Cruises and NCL
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