What To Expect If It Snows On Your Cruise Vacation?

Most folks plan a cruise vacation with thoughts of warm Caribbean beaches where you can relax in the sun. While Alaska cruises are known for glacier watching and even tours where you can explore those giant sheets of ice up close, the thought of having piles of white stuff coating the deck of your cruise ship just seems weird. However, it's not that uncommon actually. Let's take a look at what to expect if there's snow on your cruise.

 I started thinking about this topic a few months ago. I was planning a cruise for one of our clients who wanted to sail on MSC Meriviglia out of Brooklyn, New York. Now you might not think about New York City as a year-round cruise port but the folks at MSC have found a way for it to work pretty well and the winter prices are SUPER CHEAP so that's a win for everyone. The same is true for Norwegian Cruise Line who has two ships based in NYC during the winter.

And ... of course there are the ocean liners such as Cunard's Queen Mary 2 that operates between Southampton and New York City during winter months as well.

These are the normal scenarios and so the ships are prepared for those situations.

Then, last week, we had significant snow in New Orleans, Louisiana (another one of our favorite cruise ports), and even Galveston, Texas, had as much as four inches of snow. Even Tampa has had snow in the past, as have Charleston, South Carolina, and Mobile, Alabama. So, while experiencing snow on a cruise is rare ... it's not uncommon.

The question is ... what happens in that scenario? Do cruise ships have shovels? Do the crew break out snow boots? Do they salt the decks?

Yes, cruise lines are typically very well prepared for weather situations even if they are rare. One crew member I spoke with told me that on his Antarctica voyages that they had shovels and training on snow as well as ice removal to make sure that guest safety standards were maintained. Similar practices exist on any ship operating in a climate that might experience severe winter weather.

From the passenger perspective, the simple answer is the same as with any inclement weather such as a rainstorm ... the crew is really really good at offering indoor activities such as movies in the theater, trivia games in the bars, and shopping sales to encourage folks to have a great time indoors. Plus, in all of these situations (except maybe cruises out of New York City) the ship will very quickly be out of the cold and whatever snow and ice might have accumulated will quickly disapear.

When and Where Snow Occurs on Cruise Ships

While snow might seem like an unlikely occurrence on a cruise ship, you'll find that it occasionally happens, particularly when setting out from northern ports during winter months. With year round cruising from New York and potentially Philadelphia in the future, snow on a cruise could be more common.

New York

Winter cruises departing NYC might see snow during embarkation/debarkation. Lines like Norwegian, MSC, and Royal Caribbean operate year-round.

Alaska

Occasional snow on September sailings (Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean), though less common during peak season.

Norway

Winter cruises (Oct-Mar) from lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC. Common snow in Tromsø and Bergen.

Northern Europe

Baltic winter cruises to Copenhagen and Stockholm have frequent snowfall.

Transatlantic

Queen Mary 2 crossings between Southampton and NYC in winter months offer chances of snow at sea, particularly in North Atlantic.

Don't worry too much about snow affecting your cruise experiences, though. Once your ship leaves these northern ports, you'll typically sail into warmer weather within a day or two. Cruise lines rely on meteorological experts to carefully plan routes that avoid severe weather conditions.

Safety Measures During Snowy Conditions

When snow makes an appearance on your cruise, you'll find that cruise lines take extensive safety measures to protect everyone on board.

You'll notice crew members actively de-icing decks and walkways while designated safety officers monitor weather conditions through advanced tracking systems. You will also see crew members reminding guests to be cautious walking on outdoor spaces or even closing those decks off if the conditions aren't safe. Engaging in outdoor activities during snowy conditions requires additional precautions to ensure passenger safety and so things like pools / hot tubs, ziplines, and even the walking track may be closed till things are safe again.

Passenger preparedness is a top priority, and you'll receive guidance on wearing proper footwear and layering your clothing for outdoor activities. All passengers should expect winter safety briefings before venturing outdoors in areas like Antarctic or Norwegian cruises where snow and icy winter weather are expected. Regular weather reports help guests keep informed of conditions and plan their activities accordingly.

The crew training guarantees that every staff member knows how to handle winter conditions, from securing loose items during rough seas to assisting with emergency procedures if needed.

Impact on Outdoor Activities and Entertainment

As you'd expect, snow on your cruise vacation will shake up the usual outdoor activity lineup. You'll notice outdoor adjustments as the crew works to guarantee everyone's safety, which might mean some deck areas and recreational spots are temporarily off-limits. Additionally, the crew may also offer curated excursions that focus on indoor cultural experiences to keep guests entertained.

The bonus? Those snowy conditions can create unique vacation memories and create some pretty wild comments when you share photos of your cruise ship balcony coated in snow!

Additionally, just as you would experience on Alaska cruises or fall Canada and New England cruises where there can be very cold weather - you'll also see the crew spring into action with coffee and hot chocolate stations out on deck. Trust me, they've planned for most scenarios and want to keep guests as safe and happy as possible.

Preparing for Winter Weather at Sea

Before stepping aboard your winter cruise, you'll need to understand how ships prepare for snowy conditions at sea. Cruise lines take extensive measures to guarantee your safety and comfort, from regular deck maintenance to installing proper ventilation systems that prevent ice buildup. At no point will a few inches of snow cause any danger to your cruise ship and once out at sea, the captain will do his (or her!) best to avoid any bad weather.

You'll notice the crew constantly working to keep surfaces clear of snow and ice. The methods used to melt ice and remove snow may vary from ship to ship since any chemicals used need to be environmentally safe. They'll also have special winter gear ready, including thermal clothing and anti-slip boots for necessary outdoor activities.

For guests who are cruising during times that may experience winter weather, they should prepare by bring clothing that can be layered - for most guests sailing out of New York though, chances are they will be wearing coats and gloves anyhow, and not just showing up to the port dressed in Hawaiin shirts and shorts.

Changes to Your Cruise Itinerary and Schedule

For the most part, especially for winter cruises departing from ports in the United States, your itinerary is very unlikely to change because of snow. 

The simple reason for this is that the Port Authority of New York does a very good job of keeping the Hudson River free of ice, and the amount of snow that you might experience on the ship itself is minimal. 

Severe winter storms can sometimes cause delays in returning to port or departing, but that's true any time of year.

The final factor to consider here is that your snow experience on a winter cruise out of New York will almost certainly be over by mid-morning of your first day at sea. The reason for this is that the cruise ship will typically travel about 200 miles by the time you're done breakfast and that means you'll be somewhere off the coast of Virginia Beach - a MUCH warmer climate than NYC and especially when you factor in the gulf stream currents bring warmer temperatures north from the Caribbean!

Making The Most Of Snowy Days At Sea

While snow on your cruise might seem disappointing initially, you'll find plenty of cozy indoor alternatives and unique winter experiences.

Just remember, you booked your cruise to relax and enjoy some time away from home. Weather is always going to be a factor and you're on a cruise where virtually everything is being taken care of for you. No matter what the winter weather is at embarkation, you'll soon be exploring the warm waters of Bermuda's pink sand beaches, Bahamian turquoise waters, or Cozumel, Mexico, while your friends back home are shivering while holding their cups of coffee, trying to stay warm!

So, stay flexible with schedule changes, pack appropriate clothing, and welcome the adventure of sailing in winter conditions. You'll appreciate the crew's dedication to safety and comfort, plus you might score some great deals on excursions. Remember, unexpected weather can lead to memorable moments you hadn't planned.