Cruising in October-- is it a good idea??

[InSearchofMagic]

Hello Everyone!

I'm thinking about planning a group cruise in October. The rates are a bit lower, the weather is a bit cooler, and it will give us a chance to also go to the Not So Scary Halloween Party! We are looking at taking a 7 night eastern carribean cruise. I'm wondering if anyone has cruised at this time of year? I have been reading that it's hurricane season which worries me, but then that the ship is usually able to avoid most bad weather. I'm worried we might miss a port or be rained out? Would love to hear your experiences. Thanks!!!

 

[ktate82]

It's the end of hurricane season, so thats a bit safer. We cruised for two weeks last Oct and are going for a week again this year. We enjoyed it and can't wait to go back!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Of all our cruises, 5 of them have been in October.

 

[sc426]

Same with us. We are also looking at an October 7 night eastern carribean cruise for next year. Go to know about the hurricane season timing, that rates are cheaper and that we will also get to enjoy the not so scary halloween on the ship rather then at the park.

 

[Jennifer777]

The chances of having a hurricane interfering with your trip are slim and the later in October you get, your odds get even better. Just purchase travel insurance to be safe. The water temps in October are awesome and you don't usually have the crowds you get other times of the year. I would do it, for sure!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Our first cruise was in October, couldn't get to CC because of winds. The Captain turned it into a sea day and navigated us between a hurricane and a tropical depression. We were a little bummed about missing CC, but fell in love with sea days!

Our next cruise, (in June) we missed most of our CC day because of a medical emergency and had to dock in Nassau for part of the morning. The bright side of that was while we were on the Fantasy in Nassau, the Dream docked next to us for her Nassau day and we got to hear a horn battle.

My point is, book it for October if that's what works out best for everyone, and no matter what happens make the most of it!

Our third cruise we were finally able to spend the whole day at CC, had beautiful weather and were able to parasail, wow what an experience that was. But on that trip I broke a finger on a lounge chair at Satellite Falls.

 

[squirk]

Hurricane season ends on November 30th. For the Gulf and Caribbean, the peak is August and halfway through September. So while October is statistically "over the hump" in terms of historical hurricane activity, you're not totally out of the woods. Bear in mind that Hurricane Sandy, which disrupted a lot of Caribbean cruises (not to mention what it did to the East Coast), formed in late October.

That having been said, I agree that the odds are low that a hurricane would interfere with your trip. Just make sure you buy insurance nonetheless.

 

[Plaid Princess]

We have only ever cruised in Oct. The weather is generally great, and the crowds are generally small. Yes there is a slim chance of a hurricane, but most likely your cruise would only get an itinerary change rather than get cancelled altogether. Insurance is always a good idea in hurricane season.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We have found October to be a great month to cruise in. I agree with other posts; that the odds of a hurricane in October while not unheard of it is unlikely. The way I look at it, it just becomes a mystery cruise. DO NOT have a tantrum if they have to deviate from the regularly scheduled itinerary. I have read too many posts from people about how DCL owes them for not making a scheduled stop. We know how that goes, we missed Castaway Cay during one of our cruises because of high winds. And another vote for purchasing trip insurance.

 

[CesD]

Our last cruise was Oct. -- the sailing before us had to modify ports due to hurricane Joaquin. I think they did Key west instead of wherever they were suppose to go. We had beautiful weather and u would have never known a hurricane came thru the area just days before. We were on the Magic.

 

[UCFGrad01]

I've cruised several times in October and have had wonderful trips.

Wait. I mean, no! No one should cruise in October. October is horrible! Stay away! (I enjoy our last minute FL resident "we need to fill up the boat" deals!)

 

[CesD]

We are set to go on RCL this coming October. I think bad weather can hit anytime and at least on cruises, the ship can try to avoid it., on dry land, u can't pick up and move your resort.

 

[dclpluto]

October is a good month to go.