Cruising during hurricane season? Here's how to prepare
The 2026 hurricane season may be shaping up to be quieter than most, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare for the chance that a hurricane could impact your cruise plans this summer or fall.
Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 55% chance of a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2026, that doesn't mean no storms are expected. NOAA is forecasting a total of eight to 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes, from June 1 to November 30.
The season's first named storm already arrived on June 17, when Tropical Storm Arthur made landfall near Galveston, Texas. The storm brought heavy rain and severe weather across the Gulf Coast, delaying more than 5,000 flights.
Arthur is the 2026 season's first reminder that storms can form quickly and catch travelers by surprise, even in a quieter season. One storm forming in the wrong place, at the wrong time, is all it takes to turn vacationers' peaceful Caribbean getaways into a mess of canceled flights and rerouted cruise itineraries.
Here's what to know about how tropical storms and hurricanes can impact cruises and what you can do to protect your vacation investment during hurricane season.
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Cruise lines stay ahead of storms, which can bring itinerary changes
Cruise ships are led by experienced officers who use advanced technology to continuously monitor weather conditions to keep ships and passengers safe. They're also backed by shoreside command centers like Carnival Cruise Line's Fleet Operations Center in Miami that work 24/7 to monitor weather and help ensure the safe navigation of all ships in the fleet.
"Regardless of the forecast, the good news about a cruise vacation is your ship is a floating resort. It can sail away from any potential storm activity. That allows captains to sail into the safest water," Carnival Weather Contributor Amy Sweezey explained in a June 2026 Carnival Hurricane Forecast video.
Cruisers sailing during hurricane season should keep in mind that although cruise cancellations due to hurricanes are rare, sometimes, cruise itineraries change to avoid a storm's path. Weather-related itinerary changes are communicated to passengers as quickly as possible, but they often happen at the last minute in an effort to keep the itinerary intact, if at all possible.
Cruise travelers should also keep in mind that even if your cruise itinerary doesn't change due to a storm, severe weather could impact your pre- or post-cruise travel. If you're flying to your cruise departure port, you should always plan to fly in a day or two before your cruise to minimize the chance that a flight delay or cancellation could cause you to miss your ship's embarkation.
Don't wait until a storm forms to purchase travel insurance for a cruise
If you're cruising during hurricane season, it's a good idea to purchase a travel insurance policy that includes severe weather coverage to protect your vacation investment. A travel insurance policy will reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel, delay, or interrupt your cruise because of a hurricane, or another covered reason.
There's a catch though that cruise travelers need to understand about travel insurance coverage and hurricanes. To receive coverage for hurricane- or tropical storm-related travel disruptions under most policies, you must purchase protection before the storm is named.
Related: Why cruisers need travel insurance
"Hurricane season can sneak up on travelers, especially with everything else going on in the world," said Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth. "Buying a policy now is the safest way to get ahead of possible disruptions caused by hurricanes."
Squaremouth's Hurricane Travel Insurance Guide is a helpful resource for cruisers considering travel insurance policies for cruises during hurricane season.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 10:49 AM.