What to Do When it Rains on Your Cruise
Worried about rain disrupting your cruise holiday? Discover what happens when bad weather hits at sea, whether cruise ships still sail in the rain, and how cruise lines keep guests safe and entertained.
When you’re booking your cruise holiday, you might not necessarily anticipate bad weather. Despite your best efforts, cloudy skies can appear for anyone, but what happens if it rains on a cruise?
If you’re worried about bad weather disrupting your cruise or ruining your holiday experience, let Odysia Cruise put your mind at ease. No matter the weather, cruising is one of the best ways to travel the world, so let’s take a closer look at how cruise ships handle bad weather and what cruise lines do to ensure every holiday is unforgettable, regardless of what the forecast says!
Stormy Seas Ahead: Do Cruise Ships Sail in Bad Weather?
To start, let’s address one of the most common concerns cruisers have when it comes to their holiday: can a cruise be cancelled due to the weather? While cruises can be cancelled in instances of very severe weather conditions, this rarely happens!
Cruise lines have the latest navigational and weather-tracking technology available, and so they will do everything they can to prevent this, making the following adjustments before outright cancelling their itinerary:
- Itinerary Alterations: If poor weather conditions are affecting a particular area, cruise lines will often reroute to a smoother course, allowing guests to continue their journey pleasantly without needing to cancel or shorten their experience.
- Port Cancellations: If no alternative route is available, cruise lines may skip a port to avoid poor weather conditions. This will only happen if docking is deemed unsafe, so guests can continue sailing without their journey being cut short.
When it comes to rain, cruise ships will, in most cases, continue to travel as normal. Passing showers do not affect the stability or functionality of modern, highly advanced cruise ships, so you can rest assured that dark clouds have a low chance of disrupting your fun!
Whatever the Weather: What to Do on a Cruise Ship When it Rains
If it starts raining during your cruise, we know it can dampen spirits. Poor weather can limit access to outdoor activities on your ship, such as sunbathing or swimming, and it may impact the availability of certain outdoor shore excursions. But fear not, because there are so many activities and experiences to enjoy in every weather on a cruise.
After all, cruising is a double act between the incredible destinations itineraries include and the onboard facilities that cruise lines provide. Some of the most popular onboard activities that don’t depend on good weather include:
- Taking a dip in the indoor swimming pool
- Relaxing or getting a treatment at the onboard spa or salon
- Attending a fitness class or enjoying a workout at the gym
- Browsing onboard stores for duty-free shopping
- Attending lectures, quizzes, classes or other enrichment activities
- Enjoying some quiet time in the onboard library or at any lounge or bar
What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Rainy Days at Sea?
If you’re a cruiser who likes to plan for every eventuality, you might be interested in learning more about the cruise lines with the very best indoor activities and facilities. Plenty of cruise lines have fun and games in store for unexpected rainy days, but let’s take a look at some of our top picks for cruise lines and ships that turn rainy days into itinerary highlights.

P&O Cruises
With over 180 years of sailing experience, you can depend on P&O Cruises to have a backup plan if the weather isn’t playing ball. From hydrotherapy suites to a range of wellness treatments, it always has options for unwinding on rainy days, and kids can have plenty of fun thanks to The Reef’s toys and games for children of every age.
If the evening weather isn’t up to scratch, P&O Cruises excels when it comes to offering entertainment productions that knock it out of the park. On board P&O Arvia, for example, you can take your seat under the retractable SkyDome for a night of songs and dance or enjoy live music and a drink at The 710 Club.

Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean gets a lot right about cruising, and its range of indoor activities is certainly one of them. Music lovers will have no shortage of options thanks to the variety of performances on offer, from cosy pub sing-alongs to emphatic Broadway At Sea productions.
For families sailing around the world, Royal Caribbean ensures every day is action-packed. On board Independence of the Seas, parents and children can enjoy afternoons of friendly competition at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade or discover a new favourite snack at the Sugar Beach sweet shop.

Norwegian Cruise Line
For experiences that innovate upon the classic cruising formula, even when the sunshine has gone away, Norwegian Cruise Line delivers. As you sail around the world, visiting some of the world’s best ports, you can easily retreat inside for a game of basketball on the Glow Court or enjoy immersive shows of light and music at the Aqua Theatre.
And that’s only the beginning. On board ships such as Norwegian Aqua, friends can compete in an exhilarating recreation of Deal or No Deal, have a laugh at Levity Comedy or sing along to favourite tunes at Syd Norman’s Pour House. Whatever the weather, NCL makes every cruise special.
Come Rain or Shine: How to Check the Weather for a Cruise
It’s always better to be prepared, so here are a few tips on how best to check the weather for your cruise:
- Check cruise weather sites: Online, you can find a number of sites and tools to help you track the weather ahead of your cruise. Many allow you to enter your itinerary and see what to expect at each destination.
- Browse ship channels: On many cruise ships, guests can access broadcasts from their rooms that outline expected temperatures, weather conditions and humidity each day. These will also provide updates on wind and wave conditions.
- Listen out for updates from the captain: Before arriving at a port, the captain may make an announcement about the weather. Your ship’s daily newsletter can also provide daily forecasts.
Cruise Confidently with Odysia Cruise
Whatever the weather, make your cruise a success with Odysia Cruise! Find your ultimate getaway today by taking a look at our cruise deals or discovering what itineraries are on offer from the best cruise lines.
