royal caribbean cruise bad weather

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Dramatic video shows royal caribbean cruise ship passengers panic during freak storm.

Dramatic video captured the moment panicked passengers ran for their lives aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship hit by a freak storm — which sent deck furniture flying as the vessel prepared to leave a Florida port.

The Independence of the Seas was about to embark on a voyage from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas about 4 p.m. June 16 when heavy rain and violent winds slammed the 15-deck, 1,112-foot-long vessel.

“Just a fun evening leaving Port Canaveral this past Friday. No announcement from the captain before or after, also no mention of what happened. Just pretend like it didn’t happen I guess,” TikTok user Lucassparrow1110 posted .

Sparrow also posted harrowing footage on Twitter of chairs and umbrellas flying on the ship as screaming passengers seek cover from the storm — and several people are seen sliding across a windswept walkway.

“Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside,” he wrote.

At one point, a lounge chair narrowly misses a woman carrying a child.

Jenn Stancil, who captured footage of the storm moving in, told Fox 35 Orlando : “It just turned crazy. It looked like a scene from the movie ‘Twister’ is exactly what I thought, because you see these chairs flying up in the air.”

Jerry Pike, a local photographer who was sitting in his vehicle in Jetty Park during the outburst, also posted video of the storm.

“This is my view of Independence of the Seas as she started to get battered by the heavy winds whilst mid-spin attempting to turn around to leave the port,” Pike said in a tweet .

“You can see the rain line pushing towards us, and the Indy was completely gone from view due to the rain shortly after this,” he added.

A meteorologist for Fox 35 reported that winds reached from 55 to 60 mph at the height of the storm.

“The Independence was just getting battered by winds as it was trying to push off the dock,” Pike told Insider . “Then [it] was covered by the gray cloud of rain and we couldn’t see more than 20 yards out the window.”  

Kyleigh Cole, an agent with Boardwalk Travel Agency, expressed concerns about how Royal Caribbean handled the incident.

“There’s always something you can do, other than just letting the guests and the travelers getting poured on, rained down on and being in the middle of a storm,” Cole told Fox 35 .

“This could have ruined somebody’s cruise experience where they’ll never take another cruise again,” the travel agent added.

In a statement sent to the news outlet, the company said the “Independence of the seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew…”

The ship reportedly arrived safely at Coco Cay, an island used by Royal Caribbean about 55 miles north of Nassau.

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Chaotic videos show Florida cruise passengers hit with chairs, debris during severe weather while in port

Videos show people running for shelter as the chaotic scene unfolded aboard royal caribbean's independence of the seas..

Wild weather causes chaos on cruise ship

FOX 35 in Orlando spoke with cruise ship passengers who were onboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas in Port Canaveral, Florida, when wild weather moved in.

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Passengers say they were caught off guard by severe weather as they were boarding their cruise ship at Port Canaveral in Florida last week.  

According to a report from FOX 35 in Orlando , cruisers weren’t even out of the port on Friday when the thunderstorm moved in quickly. People were running to seek shelter as the chaotic scene unfolded aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. 

Jenn Stancil captured video of the storm moving in – completely covering another cruise ship in the water as people ran to safety . The passengers can be seen scrambling to get out of the pouring rain as deck chairs were flying through the air, even hitting some people.

CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL SUNSHINE POUNDED BY LARGE WAVES DURING COASTAL STORM NEAR CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Watch: Intense storm sends deck chairs flying, knocks down cruise ship passengers

Video recorded on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas shows deck chairs flying through the air and passengers being knocked to the ground when a severe thunderstorm blew through Port Canaveral, Florida.

Those who witnessed the mayhem told FOX 35 News that they had never seen anything like that on the water or even on land.

"It just turned crazy. It looked like a scene from the movie ‘Twister’ is exactly what I thought because you see these chairs flying up in the air," she said.

Lucas Sparrow was on board with his family when the chaos unfolded.

"People were getting blown, losing their hats, towels," said Sparrow.

The entire video one passenger shared with us was only four minutes long, showing how fast weather can move in and the need for warnings to make sure passengers are safe.

VACATION TURNS INTO NIGHTMARE FOR A SEATTLE MAN AFTER A ‘ROGUE WAVE’ PARALYZES HIM

Watch: Florida cruise ship passengers scramble for safety during severe thunderstorm

Video shows cruise passengers scrambling for safety as heavy rain and gusty winds battered Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas ship as it prepared to leave Port Canaveral, Florida. 

FOX 35 News reached out to Royal Caribbean about the rough weather, and they asked about their protocol in such as situation. 

FOX 35 received the following response Wednesday morning: 

"On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew. Independence of the Seas continued its regularly scheduled 3-night itinerary, arriving to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, on Saturday morning, as scheduled."

• Severe Weather
• Thunderstorms

Passengers hit by a storm on a Royal Caribbean cruise line cling to railings as intense gusts rock the ship and send debris flying, videos show

• A Royal Caribbean cruise was battered by gusts of rain and wind before its departure Friday.
• Passengers shared videos of patrons sliding along the deck during the storm.
• The cruise line says no serious injuries or damage occurred as a result of the storm.

Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship ran for cover as umbrellas, chairs, and other furniture flew around them during a sudden, spectacular storm that struck Florida's Port Canaveral on Friday.

As the Independence of the Seas prepared to depart, strong winds and rain battered the 15-deck ship. In multiple videos posted to YouTube and Twitter , passengers are shown slipping and sliding across the decks while attempting to get safely inside.

The ship departed for the Bahamas despite the storm and arrived at CocoCay on time, according to a Royal Caribbean statement to Insider. The company called the storm "brief" and said there were no serious injuries to crewmembers or passengers.  

Passengers took to the internet to describe their personal experiences. 

"Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside," tweeted one passenger who filmed the storm .

Jerry Pike, a photographer and Florida local, told Insider he watched the storm hit the Independence of the Seas while sitting in a car in Jetty Park facing the port. Though the storm lasted only minutes, he said it was "exceptionally strong." 

Related stories

—Jerry Pike (@JerryPikePhoto) June 16, 2023

Pike estimated winds reached between 40 and 50 miles per hour at the height of the storm, which he added was "terrifying" to watch. A meteorologist for Fox 35 reported winds reached from 55 to 60 miles an hour at their peak strength. 

"The Independence was just getting battered by winds as it was trying to push off the dock," Pike said. "Then [it] was covered by the gray cloud of rain and we couldn't see more than 20 yards out the window."  

The storm is just one of many expected to hit the Florida coast as hurricane season begins in the Atlantic Ocean, which runs from the beginning of June to November 30.

Watch: The rise and fall of the cruise industry

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Cruise ship hit by 100 mph winds, suffers damage

MIAMI (AP) -- The Latest on a cruise ship that was damaged in bad weather in the Atlantic Ocean (all times local):

Royal Caribbean says a cruise ship that suffered minor damage as it sailed through a storm, sending passengers to their cabins overnight, will turn around and head back to its home port of Cape Liberty, New Jersey, instead of continuing on its way to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Royal Caribbean announced the news on its corporate Twitter account Monday. Passengers say the storm started midafternoon Sunday, and the captain of the ship Anthem of the Seas ordered them to their staterooms for their safety.

The cruise line says in its tweets that the decision was made for guests' comfort because of weather forecasts that would have affected the ship's itinerary.

The tweets say guests will receive full refunds and certificates toward a future cruise.

The cruise line also tweeted: "We appreciate our guests' patience and cooperation. We know it was tough day on Sunday."

A Port Canaveral official says a cruise ship that was damaged as it sailed through a storm will arrive there early Tuesday morning - nearly 24 hours later than originally planned.

Port Canaveral spokeswoman Rosalind Harvey says in an email that officials there been told the ship Anthem of the Seas will arrive at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Royal Caribbean has not released a docking time for the ship, and spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez has said via email that she doesn't have an updated arrival time. Originally, she said, the ship was supposed to arrive at noon Monday.

According to a cruise line statement, no passengers were injured as the ship encountered high winds and rough seas. Royal Caribbean says the ship was damaged in some public areas and staterooms but was safe to remain at sea. The ship had departed from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on Saturday.

The executive editor of the Detroit Free Press is aboard a cruise ship that suffered minor damage as it sailed through a storm, forcing passengers to their cabins for safety, and he's been posting to social media since the inclement weather hit.

Robert Huschka is on the Royal Caribbean ship Anthem of the Seas with his wife, son and friends. About 11 a.m. Sunday, before the worst of the storm, he posted a photo on Instagram of his son. The caption reads: "Someone likes the bouncy boat,"

Then, a few hours later, he tweeted: "Well, our cruise ship drove right into a storm. It's so rocky they are making us stay in our cabins."

Monday morning: he posted: "The good news? They never lost the Super Bowl signal. Perfect TV picture throughout storm!" He also posted photos of shattered glass panels on a pool deck.

A passenger says she was "shaking all over" and suffering panic attacks as her Royal Caribbean cruise ship experienced high wind and rough seas while sailing from New Jersey to Port Canaveral in Florida.

The storm struck the ship Anthem of the Seas on Sunday, and Royal Caribbean officials say it was damaged but still safe to be at sea.

Shara Strand of New York City says she's been on 20 cruises but never experienced that kind of weather. She said via Facebook that she "thought we were done for," describing 30-foot waves rocking the ship.

Strand says passengers haven't been notified when they'll arrive at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean has said the ship will be delayed, arriving later than its original scheduled time of noon, but hasn't given other details.

A passenger aboard a cruise ship that was damaged in rough seas says the weather forced people to stay in their cabins as items flew across the rooms, but she says the storm calmed less than 12 hours later.

Gabriella Lairson said via Facebook on Monday that the storm started about 3 p.m. Sunday. She says the captain of the Royal Caribbean ship Anthem of the Seas instructed everyone to go to their staterooms. Sixteen-year-old Lairson and her father - - of Ocean City, New Jersey - heard glasses in their bathroom shatter, and they put belongings in drawers and closets to prevent them from flying across the room.

Video that her father, Sam Lairson, shot shows wave after wave rising outside the balcony.

He says in an email, "The winds were so strong that I thought the phone would blow from my hands."

Gabriella Lairson says that by about 1:30 a.m. Monday, the storm had calmed.

She praised the captain and crew and says the ship held up well, with damage in only a few places.

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship ran into high winds and rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean, forcing passengers to stay in their cabins, but no injuries were reported.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement Monday that the ship Anthem of the Seas was damaged in some public areas and guest staterooms. Royal Caribbean didn't describe the damages but says the ship's safe to be at sea. The statement doesn't say where or when the ship encountered the bad weather.

The ship was headed to Port Canaveral, Florida. Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez says in an email that a noon arrival had been planned, but the weather caused a delay. She says she doesn't have an updated arrival time. She says passengers were asked to stay in their rooms and given complimentary access to their minibars.

According to Royal Caribbean's website, the ship departed from Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

...and some more. #anthemoftheseas #overthis #rocktheboat pic.twitter.com/pvBjYa6CrM — Leanna Petrone (@LeannaPetrone) February 8, 2016

just a little bit of the damage so far. boat is still rocking. #anthemoftheseas #overthis #150mphwinds #rocktheboat pic.twitter.com/veRMtGzBbE — Leanna Petrone (@LeannaPetrone) February 8, 2016

3:10 PM Eastern time, the calm before the Hurricane. #anthemoftheseas #royalcarribean pic.twitter.com/YI7qXxTv4k — Jacob Ibrag (@jaybrag) February 8, 2016

Don't think I've ever missed land this much. In other news, wish I took those swimming lessons... #anthemoftheseas #royalcarribean — Jacob Ibrag (@jaybrag) February 8, 2016

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Royal Caribbean responds after video shows cruise ship passengers hit by flying deck chairs during storm

Cruise company responds to viral video.

Royal Caribbean responds after cruise ship passengers hit by flying deck chairs during severe storm

A Central Florida travel agent is concerned with how Royal Caribbean handled a severe storm, saying it could turn passengers away from future trips.

FOX 35 was sent a video from aboard the Independence of the Seas cruise ship last Friday. Passengers on board were caught in a severe thunderstorm, causing damage and forcing people to scramble looking for safety.

Travel experts say passengers put a lot of trust in cruises when booking vacations, and this isn’t how you maintain that trust. In several videos, you can hear passengers screaming and see dozens running trying to find shelter. 

It was a chaotic scene, and Kyleigh Cole is shocked it even happened in the first place.

"There’s always something you can do, other than just letting the guests and the travelers getting poured on, rained down on and being in the middle of a storm," Cole said, who’s a licensed travel agent with Boardwalk Travel Agency.

She cruises herself and knows how important safety is before, during and after the ship docks. 

"This could have ruined somebody’s cruise experience where they’ll never take another cruise again," Cole added.

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Wicked weather causes chaos on cruise ship

Passengers were caught off guard by a Florida summer storm as they were boarding their ship at Port Canaveral last week.

At least one person was caught on video getting hit by a flying beach chair. Fox 35 meteorologist, Brooks Garner, says there were severe weather warnings in the area at the time of the storm."

On Friday, June 16, between 3:45 and 4:15 p.m. – there was a severe thunderstorm warning for coastal Brevard County for a storm producing wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, in fact the port recorded winds gusting over 55 miles per hour, so there was a lot of wind confirmed with this storm," Garner said.

Passengers on board say they had no warning."They should have at least gave some kind of warning, you know, a minute or two or something, but they never made an announcement or anything," said Lucas Sparrow who was safely inside during the storm but captured a lot of the chaos on video.

In a statement sent to FOX 35, Royal Caribbean says, "…Independence of the seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew…". Whether there were injuries or not, this ordeal has passengers sounding the alarm on safety. 

Since receiving the statement from Royal Caribbean, FOX 35 is pressing for more information on what weather safety protocols are currently in place and why guests weren’t notified earlier. At this time, we haven’t heard back. 

22 things to do on a cruise when it's rainy and cold

One of the best ways to spend a vacation is basking in the sun by a cruise ship pool with a frozen cocktail in hand. Sometimes, though, Mother Nature has other plans.

While we typically hope for sunny skies and warm breezes during a cruise, perfect weather is no guarantee. That doesn't mean you can't still enjoy your time at sea. Cruise ships provide almost limitless ways for passengers to enjoy their time on board — both outdoors and indoors.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

You can find plenty of ways to pass the time indoors, from working out and competing at trivia to perusing the shops and kicking back at a cafe. If you encounter cold and rainy conditions during your next cruise vacation, consider the following activities to fill your day with fun.

Cards or crossword puzzles are a good distraction from the bad weather outside. Try card games like rummy, blackjack and spades for two or more players. You might also find board games, crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles in the ship's library or lounge area. Cruisers aboard a Virgin Voyages ship can find a variety of board games in the Game Closet, just outside the arcade.

If you're a bridge enthusiast, you'll likely find ample opportunities to play bridge with fellow passengers. Some cruise lines, like MSC Cruises , Crystal and Cunard Line , offer lessons and games supervised by accredited bridge instructors.

Forgot to pack your own deck of playing cards? You'll likely find logo-branded decks of cards in one of the onboard shops, which can double as your cruise vacation souvenir.

Enjoy a leisurely morning with room service

Tuck into a plate of waffles or eggs Benedict and savor a cup of hot coffee while you're tucked in your cozy cabin bed. You can order via the room service number on your in-cabin phone. Additionally, some cruise line apps include a room-service feature that allows you to order food to be delivered almost anywhere on board.

Room service fees vary from line to line, but you'll likely enjoy no-fee room service if you sail on an upscale line like Cunard, Oceania Cruises , Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line . Disney Cruise Line also offers free room service.

Continental breakfast (think fruit, cereal, danishes, toast, bagels, muffins and yogurt) is often complimentary on some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America . Other lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC and Celebrity Cruises , charge a fee for continental breakfast. Check out our line-by-line guide to in-cabin dining for everything you need to know about cruise ship room service.

Make use of your drink package

Create your own onboard bar crawl by visiting a few venues and sampling a new cocktail at each. Your watering hole tour can help familiarize you with the layout of your ship and might even reveal a new favorite hangout for the rest of your cruise.

Additionally, some lines offer wine and liquor-tasting events. Options include chocolate and liquor tastings on Disney ships, wine-tasting events with Royal Caribbean and martini-tasting flights at Carnival's Alchemy Bar.

Spoil yourself at the spa

Whether you purchase a thermal suite pass for the length of your cruise or book a single treatment from the ship's spa menu, you'll probably feel so relaxed you won't care what the weather is like outside.

A thermal suite is the section of the ship's spa that includes steam rooms, aromatic showers, thalassotherapy pools, whirlpools and/or heated tile loungers. Some of Norwegian Cruise Line's vessels feature a salt room in the thermal suite (salt crystals are believed to improve respiratory issues and skin problems). The Enclave thermal suite areas on Princess Cruises ' Royal Princess and Regal Princess tout a hammam, a Turkish-style bath with a marble bed for mud and salt treatments.

Related: The 7 best cruise ship spas

Belting out your favorite song in a room full of new friends is a great way to pass the time when less-than-ideal weather curtails your outdoor activities. Virgin Voyages sailings level up the karaoke experience with a designated karaoke lounge complete with private pink-and-purple karaoke rooms.

Play trivia

Showcase your knowledge of random facts or wow your shipmates with your level of "Harry Potter" fandom during a trivia game. The number of games throughout the day varies by cruise line, but there is usually at least one on the schedule daily. Many cruise lines offer prizes for trivia winners. I once earned Carnival's coveted "ship on a stick" thanks to my proficiency in cartoons.

Take a fitness class

What better way to chase away the chill of a rainy day than to work up a sweat? In addition to having a designated fitness center (included in your fare), most cruise lines offer a variety of group fitness classes. You'll find Pilates, yoga, spin classes, cardio boxing and boot camp-type classes aboard Norwegian, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, MSC and others.

The for-fee classes are led by certified instructors and are often scheduled throughout the day. Virgin Voyages is the outlier here, as all onboard fitness classes are free, but you will need to reserve a spot as soon as you board. (If you packed your legwarmers and neon headband, don't miss the '80s-themed workout .)

Related: Do cruise ships have gyms? Here's how to stay fit on a cruise

See a movie

While many lines feature large outdoor movie screens often situated by the ship's main pool area, some lines also have a traditional-style indoor theater.

For example, passengers aboard any Disney ship can enjoy first-run films in the art deco-style Buena Vista Theater. Cunard's ships — Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and the new Queen Anne — boast the Royal Court Theatre, which hosts film screenings (in addition to live performances and special lectures).

Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon are home to 187-seat IMAX Theaters, where passengers can immerse themselves in Hollywood blockbusters and compelling documentaries shown on a three-deck-tall screen. Moviegoers in Holland America's Wajang Theatre (on Volendam and Zaandam) can enjoy free popcorn with the show.

Warm up with a specialty coffee

If you've purchased a drink package for your cruise , it likely includes fancy coffees from the ship's onboard cafe or bistro. Even if you didn't, prices for specialty coffees on a cruise ship are in line with what you'd expect to pay on land (from around $3 to $5, depending on your coffee size and add-ins like syrup and extra espresso shots). Specialty coffees are included in your fare on luxury lines like Windstar, Viking and Oceania.

Browse the shops

While every cruise line is different, most cruise ships include shops offering duty-free cosmetics, liquor and jewelry, and cruise line-branded souvenir stores. Some vessels feature outposts of brand-name stores like Victoria's Secret, Coach and Kate Spade. Even if you don't want to buy, browsing can be a fun way to pass the time.

Attend a talk or lecture

Many cruise lines include some sort of lecture series as part of the itinerary. Experts speak on a variety of topics — from meditation and wellness to stargazing and history. Often, lecture subjects are designed to deepen or enhance your knowledge of the destinations you visit, offering insight into local culture, history or cuisine. Viking offers a robust lecture program, which provides insight into the art, music, geopolitics and nature of each port of call.

Attend an afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is a British tradition that can be enjoyed on many cruise ships. Luxury lines like Crystal, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas go all-out, with tea services that include freshly made pastries and finger sandwiches served on delicate china. Mainstream ships like Carnival offer a more casual affair in the main dining room. Most basic tea services are complimentary, though you can upgrade your experience with Champagne or other add-ons for a fee.

Take a dance class

Whether you have two left feet or want to level up your already-honed dancing skills, a dance lesson can be an excellent remedy for yucky weather. Cruise ship dance lessons are often free and can be found on various ships.

Cunard is known for its ballroom lessons set in a spacious and opulent ballroom aboard Queen Mary 2 and a smaller but equally spectacular ballroom on Queen Victoria. Cruisers on a Celebrity sailing can learn salsa, rumba or waltz moves from the line's professional dancers. Crystal typically offers group dance classes for all levels for free, but you can pony up for private lessons at $100 per class.

Enjoy arts and crafts time

Feeling creative? Many vessels host art classes and other crafty activities daily during your sailing.

Oceania's Artist Loft, on Marina and Riviera, is a designated studio space where an artist-in-residence offers workshops. Passengers on a Cunard sailing can take part in watercolor classes, art seminars and other activities. Classes are free, and art kits are available for purchase.

Additionally, Uniworld has an expert photographer or artist on board many of its river cruise sailings to lead complimentary classes for passengers. Royal Caribbean's "Arty Party" at Adventure Art, part of the kids' program, lets younger cruisers create culturally inspired projects that vary by itinerary.

Try an escape room

Some Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships feature an escape room experience. You must make a reservation, and it's an added-fee activity ($15 per person on Norwegian sailings and from $8.99 to $19.99 aboard Royal Caribbean ships).

Norwegian cruise ships that offer an escape room are Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic. You'll find escape rooms aboard several Royal Caribbean ships. They include Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas. The newest Royal Caribbean ship, Icon of the Seas, will also feature an escape room experience.

Read a book

I rarely travel without something to read, whether it's a physical book or one of the many unread e-books waiting for me on my Kindle. So, I'm all in for any excuse to dive into a good read.

I'll read anywhere, but a quiet nook or designated library space can provide an ideal backdrop to lose yourself in a book for an hour or so. During a November wine cruise aboard AmaWaterways' AmaPrima, I weathered a few cold and rainy days in the lounge's library nook, complete with a faux fireplace. I sipped wine and devoured the book I brought with me. It was heaven.

No book? No problem. Some cruise ships tout well-stocked libraries filled with books and magazines for every interest. Cunard bills itself as having the largest book collections at sea. The library shelves aboard Queen Mary 2 hold over 10,000 novels, so I'd say that claim is accurate.

Need book recommendations? Here are 19 books about travel worth considering.

Hit the casino

You'll find casinos on most mainstream cruise ships, including lines like Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian (except for Pride of America), MSC, Celebrity and Virgin Voyages.

A hub of excitement, the lively space will be chock-full of slot machines (sometimes hundreds of them) and gaming tables. Try your luck at blackjack, roulette, poker and other games. Tournaments and beginner lessons are often held on sea days.

Check out the arcade

I may be old school, but I could spend hours (and thousands of quarters) playing Galaga. Lucky for me (but maybe not my wallet), many mainstream ships feature extra-cost arcades. Often they're situated near high-trafficked areas like bars or casual dining venues. Just swipe your keycard, and it will charge the cost to play the game straight to your onboard account.

Several Royal Caribbean ships have Playmakers, the line's combination sports bar and arcade. It's situated along the Boardwalk on the line's Oasis Class vessels, but often in a tucked-away location on other ships.

Enjoy live music

Whether it's an acoustic guitarist near Latitudes Bar on Carnival Celebration or grand piano melodies in the Centrum of Royal Caribbean's Vision and Radiance Class ships, live music can elevate the ambience during a cold, rainy day.

Check your ship's activities newsletter or mobile app for live entertainment that's scheduled for the day.

Sign up for a cooking or mixology class

Depending on what cruise line you're sailing with, you might be able to sign up for a culinary class, chef demonstration or cocktail-making class.

Some Disney ships offer "Be Our Chef" cooking classes in the Palo kitchen, led by Palo chefs. On some Holland America and Regent Seven Seas cruises, you can learn French cooking techniques or acquire other culinary skills under the guidance of master chefs. Royal Caribbean cruisers can take a sushi-making class.

Mixology classes are also often available on Disney, Carnival, Cunard and other lines.

Relax by the ship's all-weather pool

Some cruise ships boast a covered pool area, ideal for a rainy-day swim.

On many Royal Caribbean ships, you'll find the Solarium, an indoor and outdoor retreat sheltered by a glass roof. The adults-only area features a pool, hot tubs and a relaxing bar and lounge area. Also named Solarium, the 18-plus area on board Celebrity's Solstice Class ships features heated hot tubs, comfy loungers and a lap pool. Cunard's Pavilion Pool on Queen Mary 2 is a golden-age-of-travel sanctuary.

The Pavilion aboard Cunard's newest ship, Queen Anne (due to launch in May 2024), will also sport a retractable glass roof. The area will be home to a pool, three whirlpools, lounge chairs, a bar, a grill for food by the pool, a gelateria and a stage for entertainment.

Take an afternoon nap

Sometimes the best thing to do on a cold, rainy cruise day is absolutely nothing at all. Just hang that "do not disturb" sign on your cabin door, grab your sleeping mask and enjoy a little shut-eye. After all, what's a vacation without a lot of R&R?

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT

Cruising this hurricane season, royal caribbean’s chief meteorologist, james van fleet, talks cruising during hurricane season and why it's safe..

James Van Fleet, Royal Caribbean’s chief meteorologist, shares weekly weather updates online and on board.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

In 2017, James Van Fleet signed on to be the first chief meteorologist in the cruise industry . He’s kept an eye on the weather around the world for Royal Caribbean’s 25-plus ships since then. Considering these ships sail to more than 240 destinations in 61 countries, at the same time, Van Fleet and our captains could see sunny skies in one part of the world while storms form in another.

Growing up around tornadoes in Oklahoma, Van Fleet was always fascinated by weather. He studied meteorology and spent almost two decades working as a TV weatherman. Today, he’s based out of Royal Caribbean’s headquarters in Miami and travels the world to monitor weather patterns and ensure every ship and private destination—like Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas—is always safe.

With hurricane season taking place June 1 to Nov. 30, Van Fleet shares his tips and the inside scoop on what to expect.

Van Fleet works with captains and crew on board every ship to make sure it’s all smooth sailing.

Credit: Royal Caribbean Press Center

Q: What do you do when hurricanes or inclement weather are on the horizon?

Van Fleet: We’ll initially see something that could develop about two weeks out, and then we look at itineraries and notify any ships that are scheduled to cruise in that area. All of our expert bridge officers and captains are well versed in weather, so we get things done as quickly as possible. We’ll start a dialogue and then say, “This part of the cruise could be impacted—here are plans B, C and D,” and we’ll make the call. All the while, we’re keeping everyone informed as much as we can on board and over social media.

Q: What tactics do you use to avoid storms?

Van Fleet: For hurricanes, that’s a broad area of the ocean. Sometimes that means reversing an itinerary or changing an Eastern Caribbean cruise into a  Western Caribbean sailing. Other considerations we keep in mind for adjustments include the amount of fuel, food, beverages , entertainment and shore excursions we have. Our amazing crew members and teams come together to make it all happen while keeping everyone safe. It’s pretty incredible.

Q: How does Royal Caribbean select alternative destinations?

Van Fleet: It depends on the destinations and whether they can accommodate us. Our smaller ships have a wider variety of places they can visit, while larger ships like Allure, Harmony, Oasis , Symphony and Wonder of the Seas have a more specific lineup of destinations to consider. Each situation is unique, and we take a look at every possible option so that our guests can still have a memorable vacation.

Q: What is a first step guests should take if they’re concerned about bad weather?

Van Fleet: Sign up for the Travel Protection Program. And to stay up to date on what’s happening, follow @RoyalCaribbean on social media and me on Twitter @JamesVanFleet .

Hurricane season takes place June 1 to Nov. 30, and it’s still a great—and safe—time to cruise anywhere around the world.

Q: Which region generally experiences the worst weather during hurricane season?

Van Fleet: It depends on the season; no one area is worse than another. Because Royal Caribbean ships sail to more than 240 destinations in 61 countries, I may be looking at beautiful weather on one side of the world and typhoons on the other at the same time. For example, one day we could have eyes on the Yucatan and then the area north of The Bahamas when storms are curving up toward New York.  My number one piece of advice is to get travel insurance. It’s worth the extra peace of mind.

Q: How has your time at Royal Caribbean been since you made the move from TV?

Van Fleet: It’s been great. The chief meteorologist role and the work we do has been well received within and outside of Royal Caribbean. For 20 or so years of my life, I thought it was good to be on TV, but I also realized you’re in a dark studio a lot of the time. I love all the exploring this opportunity has afforded me. I’ve been to many parts of the Caribbean , Europe, Cuba and the other side of the world in Asia and Australia—it’s been quite the ride.

Q: What are things you’d want everyone to know about cruising and weather?

Van Fleet: Be confident that we have your back—even when navigating Mother Nature. Royal Caribbean has given me and our officers all the tools to keep a watchful eye on every one of our ships and private destinations, so don’t let hurricane season keep you from taking your well-deserved vacation.

Knowing that Van Fleet and the team will make sure your getaway is smooth sailing, you can book your cruise to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and more here .

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