"Above normal" Hurricane season expected for 2025, experts predict
In:Hurricane season will begin soon, and experts expect there to be a lot of storms.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, and researches from Colorado State University (CSU) are calling for an "above normal" season.
Tropical storms have the potential to disrupt cruise travel plans, as every year a number of ships get re-routed because of them.
You shouldn't change any of your plans or cancel a cruise. Rather, it's a good idea to monitor the weather leading up to your vacation and prepare for possible disruptions.
"Above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall"

CSU is forecasting 17 named storms in 2025, with 9 becoming hurricanes. Four of them will be a major hurricane.
The forecast is based on the fact the La Niña conditions that are present now to transition to ENSO neutral conditions in
the next couple of months.
The question is when that will occur, because an earlier transition means more storms.

Another factor are ocean temperatures. While sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic are warmer than normal, they aren't nearly as warm as they were at this time last year.
When you combine warm Atlantic waters and ENSO neutral conditions, it's a combination poised for a "dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification."
"We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean."

There's a 26% chance of at least one major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. East Coast (including Florida, but excluding the panhandle).
You can read the full forecast is available on Colorado State University's website.
What to know about going on a cruise in hurricane season in 2025

Cruising during hurricane season is about having the right expectations, and a plan in place.
Your cruise ship won't sail through a storm, but it might change itineraries.
It's a smart idea to invest in a robust travel insurance plan that covers incidentals in case a named storm impacts your vacation.

Remember, hurricanes disrupt air travel just as much as cruise ship plans.
Purchasing an insurance policy will provide protections and peace of mind should your plans be disrupted because of a tropical disturbance.
An important thing to know about travel insurance is when the policy kicks in. Most policies do not cover cancelling your cruise because you no longer want to travel because of a hurricane. Travel insurance requires you to physically be unable to travel for it to work.

If you want to be able to change your mind in the days leading up to a cruise, you need a "Cancel for any reason" clause. Otherwise, you'll forfeit the entire cost of the vacation for cancelling if the cruise is still scheduled to sail.
Royal Caribbean very rarely cancels an entire cruise because of a hurricane.
What's more likely is the sailing could be lengthened, shortened, delayed, or re-routed. But the cruise is very likely to still happen, which means travel insurance won't cover you cancelling because you no longer want to go.

You should also know that cruise ships are able to "outrun" a storm. The average speed of a hurricane is around 10 knots, but Royal Caribbean ships can reach speeds of 22 knots or higher.
Plus, storms are forecasted and tracked for many days before they reach the areas ships typically visit. So there's a lot of advanced warning to prevent a ship from being anywhere near a storm.
Port plans could change, so be flexible

When a tropical storm forms, cruise ship itineraries get moved around.
Royal Caribbean's top priority is the safety of guests, crew, and the ship. So they'll change plans to avoid a hurricane.
As an example, if you're booked on a 7-night eastern Caribbean cruise that visits St. Thomas, St. Kitts, and Puerto Rico, it could be moved to a western Caribbean cruise that visits Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan.

It's important to book shore excursions that are refundable.
The good news is all Royal Caribbean shore excursions would automatically be refunded if the itinerary changed. So double check any plans you make with third parties has a clause to allow last-minute cancellations.
In my experience, most tour operators in the Caribbean understand if your ship cancels a visit to the island that you're entitled to a refund. But you'll want to verify the policy.
Cruising in hurricane season could save you a lot of money

The upside to picking a cruise in late summer and early fall in the Caribbean is there are usually low rates and good deals.
For example, a 7-night cruise on Harmony of the Seas in early July is $1,578.96 per person for an inside room. But the same cruise in early September is just $837.71 for an inside room.
By booking a cruise later in the season, you could save over $700 per person!
These low cruise fares are a result of the summer vacation season coming to a close, and the higher risk of hurricanes.
Travel plans can change, but it's a great time to sail

Travelers should always be flexible, but this is especially true with hurricane season.
Before you jump on those rates for a September or October cruise, be prepared for changes.
Veteran cruisers that pick to vacation in the summer and autumn understand the risks, but also recognize how safe it is to cruise.
A storm barreling towards Florida means an impact to a land resort. But a cruise ship can zig zag away from the storm, enjoying much more favorable weather.