Hurricane Debby has forced Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea to keep ships at sea because the Port of Tampa has closed.
That causes multiple problems as people on board have jobs to get back to, flights to take, and other realities that make having their cruises get extended not as fun as you think it might be.
Cruise ships generally have a three-week supply of most items. That does not mean, however, that when a cruise goes long your ship may not run out of your favorite whiskey, or in the case of one of the ships that has currently been stuck at sea, chocolate milk.
Related: What to expect on a cruise ship during a hurricane
With the Port of Tampa closed, it might be possible to bring those ships back to another Florida port, but Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea would face the massive logistics challenge of getting thousands of people back to Tampa during what's also bad weather on land.
Cruise ships can deal with bad weather at any time, but it's much more likely during hurricane season. It could be worse than usual this year, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
"NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year," the federal agency said.
"NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season, and a 5% chance of a below-normal season."
Image source: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
1. Cruise lines can change anything and everything
Your cruise contract contains a lot of fine print. Basically, it allows the cruise line to make any changes it deems necessary. That could mean dropping a port, changing ports, or even coming back early or staying out at sea longer.
In very rare cases a cruise line might move up departure to avoid bad weather, something that recently happened with a Carnival ship. An early departure is generally the only time when a cruise line will offer passengers a chance to rebook, usually in the form of a credit.
If your cruise gets pushed back a day or misses a port, you will receive pro-rated refunds on things sold by the day like drink and internet packages. In the case of a missed port, you will be refunded for any port fees and taxes as well as any excursions booked through the cruise line.
That's all the compensation you are entitled to. Even if your cruise adds days and you miss your flight, cruise lines have no obligation to compensate you.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
2. Not being able to get to your cruise does not mean you'll get a refund
Last September my mother was supposed to join me and some of my friends on Oasis of the Seas sailing out of Bayonne, N.J. Her flight from Boston was canceled and driving was not an option given the bad weather.
She missed the cruise and I lost the money it cost me to book her cabin. That was a cold lesson to learn because I had never missed a cruise before.
In most cases, your cruise line considers it your responsibility to get to your cruise. Bad weather, canceled flights and illness will not get you a refund unless you have travel insurance.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
3. Travel insurance is key
There are various kinds of travel insurance, so it's important to look at the fine print for what you buy. Travel insurance should cover the cost of your cruise if your flight gets canceled, you get sick, or you miss your cruise for another specific reason.
Many plans also provide coverage for medical emergencies on the ship. You can buy coverage from the cruise line or from a third-party company. Regular cruisers (and travelers in general) might want to consider an annual policy, which is generally much cheaper than insuring multiple individual trips.
ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
The key in buying insurance is understanding exactly what it covers. Plans can vary greatly and many will have exceptions, where your specific issue is not covered. There are also coverage limits and deductibles you should be very aware of.
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser
