How the Cruise Ships Protect Themselves from the Weather

Being Caribbean, living in the beautiful Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico, many times I have asked myself the question, how do cruise ships protect themselves from the weather? I understand that being on land is not the same as being at sea and facing bad weather aboard a cruise ship. How are they protected? I have the task of investigating....

Like any other ship sailing the high seas, cruise ships are at the mercy of the weather. Shipping companies know this and try to position their ships in destinations where the weather does not affect the itinerary during the different cruise seasons, but avoiding inclement weather is never guaranteed. Whether it's rain, hurricanes, high winds, intense fog, or extreme heat, there are many ways inclement weather can cause a cruise ship to deviate from the planned itinerary, or simply spoil a day of sailing.[1]

All the different cruise routes have their ups and downs when it comes to weather. Some are stronger than others. According to the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. In the Eastern Pacific, it runs from May 15 to November 30.

So how do they protect themselves?

Although it is very normal to worry and get nervous when a storm occurs, it should be borne in mind that cruise ships are made of heavy steel that can perfectly ride the waves, even when they have a full load of passengers and crew on board. It should also be known that cruise ships have the best meteorologists, as well as the equipment to forecast the weather. The command center where the captain works has meteorological maps, as well as satellite images, radars and all kinds of computer models provided by the oceanic and atmospheric administrations of each country, such as the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOOA). It should also be known that climate monitoring is a constant on board the cruise ship. In fact, some shipping companies have a multi-million-dollar command center where they can monitor all the details related to the weather. If necessary, a cruise ship will change its route to keep both passengers and crew safe.

The ships have state-of-the-art equipment with the technical capacity to see these weather changes and anticipate maneuvers aimed at reducing the impact they may cause.  There are at least five procedures in place to provide safety for passengers and crew on board, which are immediately available by the captain in command of the cruise ship. These are:

1.      Placement of nets on the pools – These are placed immediately to prevent passengers from entering the area or remaining on them while the ship is rocking due to extreme weather conditions.

2.      Closure of covers - The captain orders the closure of these sites with cords or other blocking objects, as well as announcing to passengers over the loudspeaker that these areas will remain closed until the weather subsides, to prevent any passenger from approaching

3.      Stabilizer operation - Stabilizers are designed to reduce the rocking motion of the cruise ship, making the boat navigate more smoothly and reducing the possibility of seasickness among passengers.

4.      Protection of objects inside the ship - These are set up to prevent objects from breaking and to prevent material made of glass from causing major injuries to passengers and crew.

5.  Placement of seasickness bags - These are placed in certain parts of the ship, such as the common areas, or delivered directly to the cabins. [2]

It is completely normal for nerves to attack us if we are on a cruise ship and they announce a storm, but we can also feel sage, since they have protocols for the safety of passengers and crew.  They have the best equipment and a meteorological center to be aware of the weather conditions.  And if necessary, they would change their route, as well as remain on the high seas to avoid touching land and face bad weather. 

As Aristotle once said “We must free ourselves from the hope that one day the sea will be calm.  You have to learn to navigate with strong winds…..”

[1] https://cruceroadicto.com/como-es-el-clima-en-los-mares-donde-navegan-los-barcos-de-crucero.html

[2] https://cruceroadicto.com/navegacion-con-mal-tiempo.html