Worried About Hurricanes? Carnival Explains How It Keeps Cruises Safe
With the Atlantic Hurricane Season now underway and seasonal predictions for an above-normal number of storms, cruisers may be understandably nervous about how their oceangoing vacations may be impacted.
While it is inevitable that cruises will be affected by hurricanes every year, Carnival Cruise Line is offering great insights about how ships are kept safe and informed when storms are brewing.
Meteorologist Amy Sweezey, weather contributor to Carnival Cruise Line, shared details of how the cruise line coordinates with different experts and the latest updates to ensure ships remain safe in any type of foul weather, even if it may not be an official hurricane.
“The best thing about cruising during hurricane season is that your cruise vacation is a resort that floats,” said Sweezey. “That allows captains to sail into the safest water.”
All cruisers who have sailed during hurricane season are familiar with how itinerary changes may be handled when a storm threatens. This might include port cancellations, alternative port visits, or even complete itinerary reversals – changing from Eastern Caribbean to Western Caribbean, for example – to avoid dangerous regions.
“Carnival teams are working 24/7 both at the Fleet Operations Center in Miami and also across the fleet – they are all coordinating with each other,” Sweezey noted.
“If an itinerary does need to change because of weather, whether it’s a hurricane or any other sort of weather event, that information would be communicated immediately to you, the guest.”
Guests onboard would be alerted to changes via public address announcements from the ship’s captain and cruise director. Letters might also be delivered to guests’ staterooms confirming changes and explaining other safety measures.
For guests who have not yet embarked on cruises likely to be impacted by storm-related changes, Carnival Cruise Line would send email updates and text alerts for any confirmed changes.
Travelers should note that even though storm tracking might begin a week or two before a hurricane officially strengthens or directly impacts cruise ships, Carnival and other cruise lines strive to keep their scheduled sailing routes and itineraries.
This means that changes might seem last minute, but this is also the safest course of action. Because storms can intensify rapidly or may change direction unexpectedly, changes that are made too early could actually put cruise ships into more dangerous positions.
How Carnival Ships Prepare for Hurricane Season
Sweezey also notes that every Carnival cruise ship undergoes thorough inspections ahead of hurricane season to ensure that all safety systems are functioning properly.
“Each ship undergoes a very strict inspection by the US Coast Guard and is equipped with the latest technology, along of course with officers and crew who undergo comprehensive emergency training just for hurricanes,” she explained.
The technology onboard each ship is updated during dry dock renovations, ensuring that the very latest state-of-the-art equipment is available onboard.
This can include radar and other weather tracking technology, communications equipment to stay in contact with the Fleet Operations Center, and safety features onboard in case the ship encounters rough weather.
Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!
At the Fleet Operations Center, which Carnival Cruise Line unveiled in 2018 as the largest and most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the cruise industry, round-the-clock monitoring of weather is just one step the cruise line takes to keep everyone safe.
Data analysis, ship logistics, environmental compliance, and other factors are all combined for the most updated and thorough decision making.
“The FOC brings together real-time information for decision making. Integrated shoreside teams support our shipboard officers to act quickly and decisively while significantly increasing the operational efficiency of our ships,” said Gus Antorcha, Carnival Cruise Line’s chief operating officer when the center opened.
Have you had a cruise impacted by a hurricane? Share your experiences and tips on the Cruise Hive boards!
Worried About Hurricanes? Carnival Explains How It Keeps Cruises Safe