The wind whipped across the Norwegian coastline last week as Storm Amy swept across Northern Europe, bringing fallen trees, power outages and a reminder that fall in Europe is far from calm.
While the cruising hotspot of the Mediterranean Sea may stay serene for much of the year, the North Sea, Bay of Biscay, west coast of Portugal and Atlantic crossings are a different story. Cruise ships still sail these routes throughout the year, but what happens when a storm hits?
In most cases, ships continue as planned, adjusting their course or timing to avoid the worst of the weather. Today’s vessels are equipped with advanced radar and forecasting systems that allow captains to track pressure systems and make decisions long before conditions become dangerous.
It’s extremely rare for a modern cruise ship to face truly hazardous seas, but rough weather is part of the experience, especially in northern waters.
When a course change isn’t enough, itineraries can be altered on short notice. That might mean skipping a port altogether, delaying an arrival, or sheltering in place until conditions improve.
This is often done in conjunction with the cruise line head office and also local maritime pilots, who are experts in local conditions and know the safe limits for large ships entering their waters.
In some cases alternative ports can be sourced, but in others the ship’s safety comes first and an extra day at sea to outrun the storm is also common.
During Storm Ingunn in early 2024, Havila Polaris, one of the new generation of coastal cruise ferries in Norway, had to race north up the coastline, skipping five ports before dropping anchor to ride out the worst of the storm overnight in Bodø.
Passengers are usually kept well informed. When significant weather is expected, the captain will make an announcement to explain the situation, often followed by a written notice delivered to each stateroom.
If a port is missed or replaced, the letter serves as confirmation for travel insurance purposes, so it’s worth holding on to it.
Inside the ship, life goes on, with caveats. The crew secures outdoor furniture, closes outdoor decks and may drain the pools to prevent sloshing water from creating stability issues.
Guests are advised to take care walking around, especially in stairwells or when carrying food and drinks. Some activities may be postponed or moved indoors, but the entertainment schedule usually adapts quickly.
Rough seas can test even the most seasoned sailor. If you’re prone to motion sickness, choose a midship cabin on a lower deck when you book. If rough seas do strike, eat light meals, avoid alcohol and consider using motion sickness tablets before the swells build.
It’s worth keeping an eye on tools such as Windy.com if you are sailing out of season, such as on a winter northern lights cruise to Norway. The website and app forecasts wind and wave conditions, helping you judge whether preventative motion sickness medication may be wise.
In rare cases, the weather doesn’t just affect one port, it reshapes the entire itinerary. That’s what happened to British cruisers Josh and Alfie, creators of the YouTube channel Young at Sea, who were booked on a Disney Cruise Line sailing around the British Isles earlier this fall.
Just a few days before departure, a powerful storm system sweeping across the North Atlantic forced the line to scrap the original route entirely.
Instead of England, Ireland and Scotland, Disney Fantasy headed north, to Norway, a decision that thrilled the couple: “We have always wanted to experience Norway and a change in weather had allowed us a once-in-a-lifetime cruise change like no other.”
What was meant to be a week of castles and coastal villages became a kayaking adventure through the fjords that they “will remember forever.”
Yet there are practical lessons too: “After the cruise, we tried to claim back some money from our travel insurance for the missed ports we originally booked. We discovered that a lot of insurance companies won’t give you a penny if you go to a different port instead. Almost immediately we changed insurer because of this tiny detail.”
So while ships themselves are rarely in danger from bad weather, itineraries are never guaranteed. Whether you’re sailing the North Sea in winter or crossing the Atlantic at any time of year, flexibility is essential, and cruise-specific travel insurance that covers missed ports can be worth its weight in gold.