When does the hurricane season start? Planning to do a cruise in Aug.

[*Fantasia*]

Hi,

When does the hurricane season start? I am thinking about Aug 18 which is about the 3rd week of the month. Will the water be calm or rough? Is Aug better or later part of June? Thanks!

 

[gshoemate]

It starts in June, we just happened to get hit real hard in August and September last year. We went in September just a few days after a hurricane and the water was calm. You will always be taking chances by going during hurricane season. Hopefully this year won't be as bad.

 

[myfairygodmother]

Hurricane season runs June through November with the most active months generally being August-September-October. No one can accurately predict in advance when a hurricane or tropical storm may threaten. I have sailed in peak hurricane season when the weather was absolutely perfect and calm. However, if a mystery cruise is not to your liking or if you are not at all flexible in your plans(even at the last minute) then I would definately not plan a cruise Aug-Oct.

Liz

 

[Thunderrd]

Atlantic & Caribbean
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

Eastern Pacific
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30.

Check out http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for more info.

 

[skyhawk]

We were on the first "Hurricane Cruise" in August of 2004 - Hurricane Charley. It ended up being a great trip, but not without some stress....were we going to make it to Florida at all?....would the ship make it to Port?....Would the seas be calm? We ended up having to skip Grand Cayman - ended up in Nassau instead. Oh yeah...the point of my story....

I would recommend another time of year to sail. Like I said, we had a great time, but it was very close to being a disaster. If you could go another time, I would recommend it.

 

[cjsmith]

This past year was exceptional for the amount of hurricanes, it was unbelievable. It does see like the caribbean activity picks up in August however. I guess it's a gamble, it could be wonderful, it could not. If you book it, just go into it with open eyes and travel insurance! Keep your fingers crossed that we have a calm hurricane season this time around.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I would recommend another time of year to sail. Like I said, we had a great time, but it was very close to being a disaster. If you could go another time, I would recommend it.

When do you think would be better? I am planning it around the kid's school schedule. Would June be better than August since Aug seems to be more active than June? Or maybe June can be just as bad as going during Aug.? I guess between June, July or Aug, which one would you prefer?

Oh for sure, we're getting the insurance trip wether it be hurricane season or not, I just want a peace of mind that if anything happens we will be ok, we're taken cared of.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Now, I am kind of nervous about going during Aug.

 

[cjsmith]

June and July are much quieter than August. The whole month of June and the first few weeks of July are probably your best bet. It seems like we have to start watching the tropics as August approaches, but this summer was indeed unique. I always try and plan my vacations for July since I live in Florida and know that when a hurricane comes it can alter anything that I have planned as either I may not get out or back home from some place plus I want to be here to batten down the hatches!

Don't worry, we hopefully won't see anything like this past summer.

 

[Yankee914]

We cruised the first week of August in '03 and it was wonderful. That being said, you are rolling the dice with August. We booked it the first week in August because the later the month goes on and in to September the more risky it is.

 

[madisonsmom]

Being raised in FL. and still living in on a coast in the South we are always keeping a keen eye out for hurricane season. I would definitely agree that August can be like flipping a coin, you just never know for sure what will happen. June and July are much "safer" in the sense of peace of mind about hurricanes and not really having to worry about them even though it is "in" season. August is when you start to see "tropical storms" and "tropical depressions".

 

[natsmom125]

Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.

Pesonally, there is no way I would cruise during hurricane season. Not that I am afraid to be on the ship, but we live on a barrier Island, and I'd be too worried about what was happening to my home and my animals.

I work for the local fire department, and I hear this stuff 24-7-365...believe me, I'd go in June and not take the risk.

Just MHO...

Phyllis

 

[DCLgodess]

I was also on a huricane cruise in 2004. I think it might have been charley. not sure though. go in june. i just wouldn't take the risk unless you are willing to get trip insurance.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thank you guys for replying. Sounds like June is better than Aug. I think I will need another quote to see how much more would it cost me to cruise in June. I picked Aug 18 cause it's a little cheaper than June. Any better date?
June 16 or 23? Or it really doesn't matter cause it's in June? Thanks!

 

[mist_e_rose2002]

Hi,

When does the hurricane season start? I am thinking about Aug 18 which is about the 3rd week of the month. Will the water be calm or rough? Is Aug better or later part of June? Thanks!

Hi, My name is Rhonda. I am also planning on going on the 8/18/05 cruise. Perhaps if you do book that one, we can meet somewhere.

I have a 12 year-old-boy who will turn 13 the last day of the cruise. He has already warned me that I will be on my own...A LOT!

Ah.. teenagers, how quiet our lives would be without them! LOL

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello there,
This is just my OHO - I have lived in Florida for 70 years and have been through many hurricanes and have been at sea between Cuba and Key West when they have come through and no we were not on anything as large as the Magic - over the years, we have missed more hurricanes, than getting hit by them, but, we have been getting hit by them more often - the hardest of course was 2004 - it has been predicted we are due to have some hard hitting ones again in 2005 - now I didn't experience what I saw the cruisers experience last year BUT I was involved with a number of families that were not only in a panic as to what to do, but were involved in much of the inconvience they experienced and it was noone's fault except the acts of Mother Nature - my advise for whatever it is worth - don't put yourself in a harm's way if you can avoid it - again being a native of Florida and I at one time have been out in the hurricanes watching them come in, but not anymore - for the first time, I saw the impact each made - its like playing Russian Roulette - besides kids are impacted by it. If you want to cruise, then pay the extra to insure safely - DCL takes a lot of pride in keeping everyone safe, but they are human also.
Anyhow everyone take care and have a great end of the week - week.
Always
Shirley

 

[*Fantasia*]

Rhonda, I'm sure will find a lot of wonderful things to do on the ship, I don't you'll ever be bored even without your son!

Thanks Shirley for sharing your thoughts and experience. I guess I better get another quote from DU again for June. Does it matter which what week of June? I would like to do it again in Dec but it will conflict the kids school schedule. And doing it over Christmas vacation would cost me even more! Disney is expensive..period! But...Disney is the best out there!

Anymore comments, please chime in! Thanks!

 

[jennat]

We cruised during one of the hurricanes last year, alsoo. Jeanne. It definately did put a damper on the trip. That being said, we are cruising this Sept 17th (what am I an idiot ) We cruise in Sept every year because my kids are in year around school and they are off in Sept. Up until last year, we have never had a problem....even last year, once we got on the ship, the weather was beautiful. During the delay we went over to Marco Island and loved it. Definately have to go with the flow. I truely hope last year was an anomoly. I am one of those freaks, much to my husbands dismay, that thinks "All sorts of WEIRD weather is going on...The sky is falling, the sky is falling !!!!
What about cruising during their fall break? You hardly ever have prob in Oct or Nov (kindof like June and July but without all the crowds and heat)
JMHO,

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Jen. I don't think the kids have fall breaks. I know they have winter breaks and spring break (which is actually called Easter vacation). I really want to take advantage of DU cuise rate, they are less than DCL TA.

 

[jennat]

Fantasia,
Give a certain someone who sponsers this board, a look (I have absolutly no affiliation with them). They beat my DU price by around $180.00. DU was nice enough to accomodate me, so I have nothing bad to say about them AT ALL. Just want you to get the best deal for your family. ALso, if fall/winter works (whenever their break is), it will most likely be cheaper. not pushing fall, just trying to help you with your options . Good luck!
PS. If I had had my way, and that pushy girl I am traveling with didn't make me, I would not have cruised in Sept (probably Oct).....you know...the sky is falling and all that. I told her if we got delayed/diverted again, she would become my personal slave for the week. That sounds fun too!

 

[jennat]

Ohhhh, I get it. Winter break is Christmas....I'm catching up! Ours is after Thanksgiving, forgive my slllloooooowness.