When I first started in this business my mentors assured
me the heavy-hitting hurricanes only come about every three years. Well,
June is here and the weather people tell us they're anticipating a high incidence of hurricanes this summer. Since
this is 2008 and Katrina happened in 2005, I guess I'm not surprised.
Here's
the good news though: If you're determined to see the Caribbean this summer, there's no safer
option than a cruise ship. Afterall, how many ships have you heard of being eaten up by a hurricane? On the other
hand, I've seen the devastation on a number of different and otherwise popularly enticing islands, and I wouldn't
want to be stranded on a single one of them the next time a storm is brewing.
Another factoid: Cruise ships can out run hurricanes. Do you believe that? You
should. I know, I know, you've heard all about the 150 to 200 mile an hour winds in these hurricanes . . . but that's
centrifical motion. Across the water they average only 13 miles an hour and the fastest at only 15 miles an hour.
That's why they're so deadly to the islands (which can't run away from them). With a hurricane whirling
in a circle at 150 to 200 miles an hour and moving away at only 13 miles an hour, after about an hour those land based resorts
are like tomatoes, onions and cilantro in a blender--pure salsa.
Most
cruise ships--even the largest superliners--are able to run at 19 knots and some cruise at substantially more. A knot
is about 1.4 miles so that's about 26.6 miles per hour. Yes, that's twice as fast as the average hurricane
and nearly twice the fastest that's been clocked.
So if you're feeling like the Caribbean this summer or next
fall, callme4cruises--583-4141 . . . I've got some wonderful senior, baby boomer, past passenger, girlfriends,
art lovers and family feud specials! In fact, if you've got a hobby, an interest or just a favorite anything, we
can probably find a cruise where you can specialize to your heart's content around just about any Caribbean island you'd
want to consider!
A final reminder: Cruise
lines have the right to alter the itinerary at their own discretion. So if you're a storm chaser don't expect
them to guarantee you'll have a front row seat just because it's on the itinerary. And it's captain's
choice. He may switch to another port entirely . .
. or skip a port altogether . . . so if you're looking for a rebate, don't hold your breath for reparations.
It's in the new contract of passage and most of the cruise lines have made effort to put that paragraph in bigger and/or
bolder print in the last few years.
