Should I avoid cruising during hurricane season?

This question was answered on our Cruise IQ show on January 29, 2017.
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Many cruisers do not realize that Hurricane season officially starts June 1^st and runs through November 30^th. Avoiding cruising for six months would seem like an eternity for diehard cruisers. You may also think that prices are lower during this time, when in fact rates for the Caribbean during the peak summer months of June, July and August are some of the highest. Statistically, the most active months for hurricanes are September and October when the water temperatures are at their highest. While we do see a substantial reduction in cruise pricing in September and October compared to the Summer months, that is largely due to the fact that demand is lower once children go back to school and less holiday time is generally taken. It is important to understand that cruise lines watch the weather very carefully. When hurricanes are forecast, special teams go into action to properly track, identify areas of concern for ships and guests and effectively communicate to the public when itinerary changes or cancellations are necessary. Luckily, there tends to not be widespread lingering effects from hurricanes on normal cruise operations, outside of altering itineraries or changing the order of the ports to visit, and outright cancellations are usually the result or prolonged port closures or last-minute changes in a storm’s path. It is extremely important whenever you cruise, but especially during hurricane season, to make sure the cruise line has your correct contact information. This includes phone numbers, emails and mobile for receiving text alerts. You should also keep a watch on the cruise lines official website. Lastly, always purchase travel insurance either through your cruise line or independently.