August cruises?

[4eeyore]

Just got a great quote for the 8/19/2006 Special Western cruise. For any of you seasoned August cruisers, what is it like to cruise during this time? Have you had any trouble with hurricanes, meaning was the cruise delayed or shortened? I'd love to do this one, I am just a little nervous about the weather. Unfortunately, due to school and sports, August is the only time we could go. Can anyone ease my mind?

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

August is a great time to cruise, IMHO. The weather is very warm, as are the water temps. While August is technically during hurricane season (June through November), the real height of the season is really September and October. We've sailed every year since 2000 during hurricane season (usually in October), and have even been re-routed once, but never hesitate to do it again.

This past autumn was really an aberration as far as how many cruises are affected by storms. They are almost never shortened and rarely delayed. At most, you may go to an alternate port or two to avoid a storm. The vast majority of cruises call at their scheduled ports, even during hurricane season, so I really would not worry too much about it. Be aware that your itineary may change, but also be aware that it most likely will not. If this is when it fits your schedule, and you got a great deal, my advice would be to go for it.

 

[Verandah Man]

Just got a great quote for the 8/19/2006 Special Western cruise. For any of you seasoned August cruisers, what is it like to cruise during this time? Have you had any trouble with hurricanes, meaning was the cruise delayed or shortened? I'd love to do this one, I am just a little nervous about the weather. Unfortunately, due to school and sports, August is the only time we could go. Can anyone ease my mind?

We are also from South Jersey and have cruised the same week in August 2003 and 2004, and we are booked for the August 2006 cruise you are talking about. On our two August cruises, we have had very nice weather. This past August the cruise that went the week after us, wound up cruising an extra three days because of a hurricane. With cruising in August, you always have that chance of hurricanes, but with the cheaper price of the cruise, we'll take that chance as long as DD is still in school. DW and I did take a cruise this January, but we left our DD at home with my mom.

 

[SeaSpray]

We were on the cruise immediately following Verandah Man's, the one that got extended to 10 nights. The Captain kept us in beautiful weather the entire time, they added ports to our itinerary and even added on an extra entertainment show for us. We felt *very* well taken care of.

While we thoroughly enjoyed the extra time on the ship, at the same time we felt bad for the cruisers following us who had their cruise shortened. So as you can see, if a hurricane strikes while on a cruise, it can go either way.

Having said that, we ARE cruising again in August, on the same cruise you are thinking of. We already have THE BEST group of DISers! Many of us who cruised together on the 8/28/04 cruise have already rebooked for the August 19, 2006 cruise. Also, I am really looking forward to meeting so many new friends from our cruise thread over on the Meets board. Here's a link to that thread, come on over: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=653957

One more thing: Definitely buy Travel Insurance ANYTIME that you cruise, but especially during official hurricane season! At least this will give you a bit of peace of mind if something major happens and the cruise gets cancelled, post-poned, interrupted, delayed, etc. It also covers medical situations.

 

[jrabbit]

For any of you seasoned August cruisers, what is it like to cruise during this time?

Along with everything else thats been said, they are HotHotHot and Humid. Lots of afternoon rain But the cruise is still a blast. :jumping4: Oh, yea, did I mention that it's Hot

 

[4eeyore]

Thanks for all your responses. I don't really care if the ports have to change. I guess anywhere you end up would be great. This cruise must be filling up because we got waitlisted for first seating! Oh well, the kids are old enough that they can wait for dinner. Now let's hope for good weather!

 

[SeaSpray]

Along with everything else thats been said, they are HotHotHot and Humid. Lots of afternoon rain But the cruise is still a blast. :jumping4: Oh, yea, did I mention that it's Hot

The weather WILL be hot, no doubt! But we never saw a drop of rain on our 10-night cruise Rain is a variable.

 

[Verandah Man]

We had very little rain as well on our two August cruises, a lot less then I expected for that time of year in the Caribbean. The only thunderstorm I saw was while we were on CC and our BBR was cancelled. We were scheduled for the end of the day, and there wasn't time to reschedule another ride. For August 2006, DD and I will schedule a morning BBR (and yes, before anyone makes a comment--without my eyeglasses, LOL!!!).

 

[jrabbit]

We had downpours every afternoon (and lightening and wind). Only lasted 1-2 hours. Granted this was the week before Floyd came blowing through the Bahamas in '99.

 

[chipanddalenuts]

Do any CA residents have info on the July weather on the West Coast? We will be on the 7/23 MAGIC cruise. As for the FL weather-- usually the hurricanes get serious end of AUG and into Sept.

 

[Karel]

We were with Sea Spray on the 'extended' August cruise. You have to be flexible and know that, yes, a hurricane can blow in and change things around. We got lucky and had three extra nights but they could have easily dropped us off early. You need to go into knowing that things can change *fast* weather wise.

We did miss the beginning of school. But that's the school fault since they decided they HAD to start the Tuesday after Labor Day and not the Thursday after as in the past.

It was not nearly as hot as I imagined it would be. Just like a summer day in old NJ. But there is always air conditioning or a body of water near by to cool down. Make sure you have sandals for on deck though - boy, the floor gets hot.

 

[rsjj]

weather in ca in july tends to be hot. maybe in high 80s...sometimes to low 90s. of course, depending on everything else, and it could fluctuate. who really knows. but on the average, i'd say high 80s. pretty comfy. does get a bit humid sometimes. not sure about the weather down in mexico.

 

[mikayla'sMom]

This week must be popular with the New Jersey crowd. I too am thinking about this cruise. I worry more about ruff seas than any change to itinerary. The height of hurricane season in Sept. 1. I got the following from another site and it made me a little nervous.

Avrg. Weather 7 day Eastern - August
High 89 - Low 79 - Aver. rain 4.0

Avrg. Weather 7 day Western - August
High 89 - Low 78 - Aver. rain 5.8

I believe this would be Western?

If my in-laws don't join us I think we will stick to going in November (Jersey Week in Florida)

 

[Karel]

I've done both and I would definitely cruise in November during teacher's convention, though you really meet a lot of NJ people then. It's still hot though. We near melted in St. Maarten while shopping.

I think August is popular with the east coast crowd because most of the Southern schools and part of the West has started school again by August. The nice thing about the summer though was you weren't trying to squeeze vacation in between two weekends. We had a lovely two week trip, with three days at Disney and no pressure to run back home for anything. (Well, expect for the pesky hurricane that blew in and delayed everything anyway...)

And yes, you can still get a hurricane in November. The seas were far rougher in Nov than August when we went.

 

[DisCrazzy]

We have cruised in August everytime except once (in Dec.) I love Aug. The weather is warm, but hey, it's summer. We have NEVER experienced ANY bad weather when cruising. We are also going on the 8/19/06 cruise. Hope to see you on board!

Jennifer

 

[mikayla'sMom]

Weather is a funny thing....you can try to avoid certain times, but it does not matter. The weather will always do what it wants to do, I guess. I really am excited to go, the when is my only hang up. I was surprised to hear that it is more rough in November.

Karel you bring up a good point about not having to rush back. Now that my daughter is in school our 2 week trips to wdw are over, but at least I get to go!

 

[Yankee914]

We loved our cruise in August '03. It was really hot but not overbearing. We are cruising in April this year. I'll be interested in seeing the difference. The first cruise was in December -- it was way too cold and you couldn't really enjoy Castaway Cay.