The Cruise--In the Eye of a Storm

Even as Hurricane Dean was poised to intensify and wreak havoc in the Caribbean, cruise passengers rushed to Internet message boards to share their feelings. Is their main concern the islanders who may lose everything, including their lives, to the fury of the storm? Well, unfortunately, the answer is NO. While some have expressed their worry for the people in the path of the hurricane, others are in full whine mode. (Would they like some brie with that whine?)

Already I've read these complaints... "the cruise line won't tell me for sure where the ship is going," "the cruise line is lying to me," "the cruise line policies are inflexible," and so on. Plus, message board groupies are squabbling with one another about port charges--if they miss a port, they want, no DEMAND, a refund of the port charge.

Just a reminder for those who've forgotten--cruise lines reserve the right to alter itineraries for any reason. Cruise Diva believes that a hurricane is a pretty darn good reason. I can assure anyone who will calm down long enough to listen that cruise line personnel are working feverishly behind the scenes to figure out scheduling alternatives, but they aren't using a crystal ball to do so. That's why no one can tell Western Caribbean passengers with absolute certainty where they are going. Even the National Weather Service can't predict with absolute certainty where the hurricane will hit next.

Come on, folks, give the cruise lines a chance. They don't want to ruin your cruise vacation. Only Mother Nature can do that.

Here's Cruise Diva's advice when Cruising Into Hurricane Season.