Hurricane season and the ferry: what happens if your sailing is cancelled
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and October is its last big month for Florida and the Bahamas. Most weeks nothing happens: the Jaume II sails at 9:00 AM, the Gulf Stream is calm and the only weather you notice is the sun on the open deck. But a few times a season a tropical system or a strong front forces Balearia Caribbean to move or cancel a sailing, and passengers want to know in advance what that means for their tickets. This is the complete picture.
Who decides, and when
Balearia Caribbean, not I Love Ferry, decides whether a sailing operates. The decision depends on the sea state in the Florida Straits and the Gulf Stream, on port conditions at Port Everglades, Bimini and Freeport, and on official advisories. A small-craft advisory or a tropical storm warning is usually what triggers a change. The company typically decides the day before or early on the morning of the sailing, because conditions can change fast.
How you are notified
When a sailing is rescheduled or cancelled, the shipping company contact every passenger booked on it by email and/or by SMS, using the details you gave at booking. Check that your phone number and email are correct when you buy your tickets, and keep an eye on your inbox the day before travel if the forecast is bad. The route pages and the search results always show the current status of each sailing.
Your options if Balearia cancels
If the company cancels your sailing, you have two options, and both are free:
- Rebook on the next available sailing, at no extra cost, on the same route. This is the most common choice for a weekend trip: the ferry often sails again the next day or two days later.
- Request a full refund of the ticket, including taxes and port fees, if the new dates do not work for you.
This applies to every fare, including the non-refundable promo fares: the "no changes, no cancellation" rule is about changes made by the passenger, not about cancellations by the operator.
What if only part of the trip is affected?
If your outbound sails but the return is cancelled, Balearia rebooks you on the next return sailing. If you are already on the island and want to come back earlier or later than the sailing offered, contact us and we will check availability. If the outbound is cancelled and you no longer want the trip, the whole round trip is refunded.
What is not covered
The ferry ticket covers the crossing. Hotel nights, car rentals, excursions or flights booked separately are not refunded by the ferry company if a sailing is cancelled, which is one reason to book the hotel through our Ferry + Hotel packages, and another to consider travel insurance during hurricane season. Also, if the ferry sails normally and you decide not to travel because of the forecast, the normal fare conditions apply: promo fares are not refundable.
How to travel with peace of mind in the fall
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Pick an unrestricted fare if your dates are fragile | Free changes even if the weather is fine and your plans are not |
| Check your contact details at booking | SMS and email are how we reach you if a sailing changes |
| Avoid same-night flights from FLL after the return | Weather delays plus US immigration can take time |
| Follow the National Hurricane Center the week before | You will see a tropical system coming days ahead |
| Book the hotel with the ferry | One booking, one contact, easier to move everything at once |
Perspective
Cancellations are the exception. The Bimini and Freeport routes run all year, and most fall weeks sail exactly on schedule with the best fares of the year: Wednesday day trips to Bimini from $199 and round trips from $246. Book with the confidence that, if the sea says no, you get the next sailing or your money back.
Plan your fall crossing with confidence. Check the sailing days, pick your date and keep this guide at hand in case the weather changes.
Frequently asked
How much notice do I get? Usually the day before, sometimes early on the morning of the sailing. Weather decisions cannot be made a week ahead because conditions in the Straits change quickly.
I am in Bimini and my return is cancelled. Where do I stay? Balearia rebooks you on the next return sailing; accommodation for the extra night is at your cost, which is why we recommend travel insurance in the fall. Contact us and we will help you find a room and confirm your new sailing.
Does a delay count as a cancellation? No. A sailing that departs late for weather still operates and normal fare conditions apply. A cancellation is when the company does not run the sailing at all.
How long does a refund take? Once you choose the refund, it is processed back to the card you paid with; bank timings vary, typically a few business days.
Questions about a specific date? Write to info@iloveferry.us and we will check the forecast and the calendar with you.
