Should Cruisers Worry About This Year’s Hurricane Season?

The hurricane season officially began on June 1st and so far it has been VERY quiet! The 2011 Atlantic and Pacific hurricane season will run through November 30th, so it’s important to keep yourself aware of the weather patterns if you are planning on taking a cruise. Be aware of affected ports and itineraries and consider purchasing some travel insurance- it’s completely worth it. No one is telling you not to travel, because at the end of the day, weather worry is unnecessary, and you can get some great cruise buys in September and October.  These are simply predictions that could be just as wrong as they could be right. Besides, hurricanes don’t come as a surprise- that’s a good thing. You should still live your life, have fun this summer and hope it remains this way throughout the season!

Here is the forecast for this year’s hurricane season according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (NOAA):

• 12-18 named tropical storms with winds of 39 mph or more
• 6-10 of these storms could become hurricanes with 74 mph winds or more
• 3-6 of these hurricanes could become major storms with 111 mph winds as a category of 3, 4, or 5

Here are some good things you should know before you plan your cruise:

• The Eastern Caribbean and along the U.S. East Coast tend to be busier between mid- August and mid- September.
• The Western Caribbean tends to be busier from mid- September into early November.
• September 10th is historically the most active day of the season

2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season Storm Names

2011 Pacific Hurricane Season Storm Names