Tropical storm Bertha may pose problem for Gulf, but cruises will continue

With the specter of Tropical Storm Bertha lurking in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, it might seem reasonable to assume that the height of hurricane season-late July to mid-September-would be a bad time to book a cruise leaving out of Galveston or New Orleans. But that's not exactly the case.

If the cruise industry seems surprisingly nonchalant about hurricanes and other tropical weather systems, it's only because it can afford to be. Modern cruise ships can reach speeds of up to 30 mph, allowing them to easily outrun or outmaneuver a tropical-level storm if necessary. Many ships are equipped with stabilizers similar to those on an airplane, which in turn help prevent passengers from experiencing the adverse effects of rough seas.

Cruising during hurricane season

Still, the issue must come up often enough that two major cruise lines serving Galveston, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, have each addressed it on their websites within the past year. In 2017, Royal Caribbean hired James Van Fleet, a former TV weatherman, as a full-time staff meteorologist, making it the first major cruise line to do so. 

"In fact, the high-pressure and humid temperatures associated with hurricane season settle the seas," Van Fleet noted on Royal Caribbean's website back in February. "The Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are all much calmer in the summer than they are in the winter. So, it's actually still a good time to take a cruise."

Captains also have access to state-of-the-art satellite systems and other forecasting data that can help them route their ships around any trouble spots. The Port of Galveston, now home to six cruise lines for at least part of the year (three of them full-time), likewise keeps a close eye on the radar.

"Port staff are monitoring the weather system and will take appropriate steps if needed," a spokesperson for the port told Chron Monday. "Based on current forecasts, no impacts to port operations are expected at this time."

Fortunately, perhaps, this week will be relatively quiet around the port anyway, at least cruise-wise. Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are due back in Galveston Saturday and Sunday, respectively. At that point, any lingering effects from Two/Bertha should be well inland (if indeed the storm ever heads this way at all). MSC's Seascape departed Sunday and will be at sea for a full week.

Only the Carnival Breeze, set to leave on Thursday, could potentially experience some of Two/Bertha's strongest effects. The cruise line's Dream and Jubilee, meanwhile, left over the weekend and are both scheduled to return to Texas on Saturday.

Timing difficulties

Due to knock-on effects of offshore storms, such as flight-related delays or cancellations, the biggest weather-related obstacle for cruise passengers may be reaching their ship in the first place. Many travel experts advise arriving at the departure port the day before the ship leaves, if not even earlier; tourism officials like that too. (And by the way, only fools neglect to carry travel insurance.)

The same principle holds after disembarking. Provided they can make it to the ship in plenty of time, though, a cruise ship is actually an excellent place to be during inclement weather. A storm may force the cruise line to remove deck chairs, close outdoor pools, and cancel any outdoor activities or events, but the ships themselves are actually quite safe.

Additionally, cruise lines may have to scramble their itineraries at the last minute, so Norwegian advises its passengers to be flexible and make the best of these surprise destinations should they arise.

"If you're cruising during hurricane season, be aware that your trip may not shape up exactly as expected," the cruise line's website explains. "If you're open to new destinations and unexpected diversions, you'll still be able to have a fine time, even if a hurricane cuts through your intended path."

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