Royal Caribbean Group appoints Craig Setzer as chief meteorologist

He's responsible for constant and direct contact with the captains and bridge teams across the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises fleets.

Setzer succeeds James Van Fleet, who held the role for more than six years before leaving in May.

Three decades of experience

Setzer brings more than 30 years of meterological experience to make critical weather-related decisions and will work with NOAA and other ocean experts to deliver detailed reporting on storms. This is to help the ships proactively avoid potentially disruptive weather conditions.  

He also will support decision-making for Royal Caribbean Group’s private destinations including Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Labadee (Haiti) and the planned Royal Beach Club Paradise Island by providing weather tools to assist in hurricane preparation and evacuation plans.

TV work, teaching and forensic testimony

Setzer has worked as chief meteorologist for several television news stations. He also taught operational meteorology, including marine weather forecasting, at the University of Miami. 

Setzer left TV in 2022 to open a meteorological consulting firm where he frequently dealt with maritime weather events resulting in litigation. He is a frequent presenter on hurricane messaging and preparedness in forums such as the American Meteorological Society, National Tropical Weather and National Hurricane Center Maritime Hazard conferences.