Sunday, August 27, 2023

Cruise Impacts from Franklin and Idalia


Hurricane Franklin
Updated August 28, 2023

Hurricane Franklin, which was a Category 2 hurricane when we first published this article is now the first major storm of the 2023 Hurricane season.
 

Swells generated by Franklin are expected to begin affecting Bermuda by tonight. These swells are also likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions through the beginning of this week along portions of the east coast of the United States. Please consult products from your local weather office.


Hurricane Franklin
1100 AM EDT Mon Aug 28 2023
 
...FRANKLIN RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE...
...TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR BERMUDA...
Additional strengthening is possible today, but gradual weakening is expected to begin later 
Tuesday.
 
WIND:
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...145 MPH...230 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
 
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Bermuda




Tropical Storm Idalia

Tropical Storm Idalia is centered 70 nm ESE of Cozumel Mexico, moving E at 2 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Peak seas are around 10 ft. Idalia is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday. Heavy rainfall from Idalia is expected across the eastern Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. The heavy rainfall may produce areas of flash and urban flooding, as well as landslides, across western Cuba. Heavy rainfall is also likely to spread into portions of the Southeast U.S. by mid to late week. Minor coastal flooding is expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area over the Yucatan Peninsula in areas of onshore winds.



Tropical Storm Idalia
400 PM CDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...STORM SURGE AND HURRICANE WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE
FLORIDA GULF COAST...
 
WIND:
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/H 
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel
* Pinar del Rio Cuba
 
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Chokoloskee to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay
 
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Englewood to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay
 
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Isle of Youth Cuba
* South of Englewood to Chokoloskee Florida
* Dry Tortugas Florida.
 


Please read the latest HIGH SEAS FORECAST issued by the National Hurricane Center at website - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory and Public
Advisory at www.hurricanes.gov for more details on Franklin and Idalia.

Several Cruise Lines have already made changes to their itineraries in anticipation of the approaching storms.  Cruise lines will take every precaution to protect passengers, crew, and ships from weather conditions.  When traveling during hurricane season, it is common to have modified itineraries.




Click Here to Learn More


Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 
(click for latest)
   



Royal Caribbean has multiple ships sailing toward the area of Tropical Storm Idalia, including Voyager of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. As of now, however, there are no updates to the schedule announced by the cruise line.


Follow @JamesVanFleet or visit the Royal Caribbean Facebook page for frequent updates.


Disney Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

Disney Fantasy is scheduled to visit Cozumel tomorrow morning.

MSC Cruises

No announced schedule changes for MSC at this time.


Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

Norwegian Pearl's itinerary calls for a stop in Bermuda, which will likely feel the effects of Hurricane Franklin.

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)

Carnival Magic: Originally set to sail from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda on a six-day cruise, Carnival Magic will now instead sail to Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport to steer clear of Hurricane Franklin.

Carnival Legend: Similar to Carnival Magic, Legend was slated to sail from Baltimore on a six-day cruise to Bermuda. Instead, it will now visit Nassau and Freeport.

Virgin Voyages

Scarlet Lady is scheduled to sail from Miami to Costa Maya, which would put in in the path of Idalia.

If you are sailing this week or next, please consult with your travel agent or the cruise line's website for up to the minute information.  The information below was accurate at the time of publication.

Hurricane Season Dates 

Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and ends November 30th. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15th and also ends November 30th.
Make a Plan (FEMA) 




Read entire series (click here)



More links and information about tropical storms and other weather conditions can be found in the Weather & Hurricane Zone tabs above.


If you live in, or plan to vacation in, an area where hurricanes are prevalent, please prepare in advance by reading our series.
I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat





Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Discover Alaska

From action-packed wilderness adventures to extraordinary
sightseeing, a journey to Alaska is an unforgettable experience.

There are three vacation options for experiencing the natural splendor of Alaska: Inside Passage, Northbound or Southbound cruise, and Guided Tours which
can be added to a cruise or completed on their own.

With the completion of our Inside Passage cruise from Seattle on Discovery Princess (May 8-15, 2022) we have now experienced all three options. We'd love to share our experiences with you.

We will start our exploration with our most recent voyage.





Tuesday, January 17, 2023

2022 In Review

Our Cruise Pause / Resumption Story

In February 2020 we were in Australia on a repositioning cruise from Melbourne, Australia to Singapore.  The Covid-19 Pandemic was about to shutdown the cruise industry. Prior to departing Melbourne, we were informed that we would not be sailing to Singapore, but instead would be flying home from Perth, Australia, just 7 days into our cruise.   The long pause in cruise travel had begun for us and our clients.

While on our Australia cruise, we had booked a South America & Antarctica cruise for January, 2021.  Unfortunately, that too would be cancelled, along with a family vacation we'd planned for the summer.

The Cruise Travel Restart

In November, 2021 we attended our National Conference on Celebrity Apex.  During that conference we were given the opportunity to book several cruises in 2022 at reduced rates in order for us to experience cruising after the restart and report to our guests.  In addition, we had several cruises, like the ones mentioned above, that we'd need to reschedule.   2022 was going to be a busy cruise year for us.

We began 2022 with a sailing on the brand new ship & cruise line - Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady.  The highlight of the year was our final river cruise on Avalon Waterways Imagery II from Prague to Frankfurt visiting several Christmas Markets.   For more details, click below for our 2022 cruise page.

2022 cruises
Our 2022 Cruises - Click for Details



I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat





Thursday, November 3, 2022

Cruise Lines Lifting Testing Protocols

Covid-19 Test

Covid-19 Rapid Testing


The image on the right may look familiar to many of you who have cruised during 2022.   It is the Abbot Labs self-test kit accepted by the majority of cruise lines as a valid proctored rapid test.

While there hasn't been any formal declaration of an end to the pandemic, there have been some positive trends which has prompted the cruise lines to relax some of their Covid-19 protocols.   The latest round of updates includes the lifting of testing requirements with certain exceptions.

We just returned from our Transatlantic cruise on Celebrity Beyond.  This image was actually captured when we did our pre-cruise test at the airport.
Our particular cruise was one of the exceptions requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated, and to have a proctored PCR or Antigen test with negative results presented in order to board the ship.

Here are the latest updates from the cruise lines regarding testing requirements.   It is best to consult your cruise lines' health and safety page prior to sailing as requirements fluctuate frequently.


Royal Caribbean and Disney have announced that they are lifting testing protocols for sailings departing from the United States with some exceptions. Check out all the details below.

Royal Caribbean

Summary  
Royal Caribbean has already made the decision to welcome all guests, regardless of vaccination status, onboard their itineraries. Now, effective November 2, 2022, travelers on U.S., Barbados, or Singapore sailings — regardless of vaccination status — will no longer require pre-departure testing, with a few exclusions outlined below.
  

 What You Need To Know

 Vaccination Recommended:

  • We recommend that guests be fully vaccinated and boostered against COVID19.
  • While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask guests disclose their status during check-in.

 Testing: 

  • Effective November 2, 2022, all travelers — regardless of vaccination status — will no longer require pre-departure testing.
    • Exclusions apply to sailings to Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, Transatlantic and Australia sailings.
  • The Barbados Customs & Immigration form is no longer required for entry into Barbados.

 U.S. & Barbados Departures visiting Colombia, Haiti, & Honduras: 

  • All unvaccinated guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days prior to sailing.
  • Fully vaccinated guests and guests ages 11 years and younger are exempt from this test.

 Resources


Disney Cruise Line

 Statement

Beginning November 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing. Disney Cruise Line continues to highly recommend that all Guests be fully vaccinated and encourages unvaccinated Guests to take a COVID-19 test two days prior to sailing.

 Resources


Celebrity Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruise Line has announced that they are lifting testing protocols for sailings departing from the United States with some exceptions. Check out all the details below. 

Statement  

Beginning with departures on November 2, 2022: All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to cruise with us and will no longer be required to provide proof of pre-departure testing, except for specific sailings where vaccination or testing are required by law.

What You Need to Know

Exceptions currently include:

 Resources


Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line has updated their pre-cruise testing protocols. Please see the details below.

Statement

Carnival Cruise Line is informing guests and travel agents of additional updates to its pre-cruise testing protocols for guests on voyages 15 nights or less. These changes are consistent with the evolving public health guidelines and will be acceptable for arriving cruise guests effective immediately. Vaccines, proof of vaccination, and testing for unvaccinated guests are no longer required on cruises of 15 nights or less. However, Carnival encourages all guests 5 years and older to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, carry proof of vaccination, and get tested before embarkation.

What You Need to Know

  • Cruises of 15 nights or less: Although not required for either vaccinated or unvaccinated guests, Carnival encourages all guests 5 years and older to take a pre-cruise test within three days of their cruise.
  • Cruises of 16 nights or more: Guests age 5 years and older have to present a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days before sailing (unsupervised self-tests are not accepted).
  • A VeriFLY pass is no longer necessary for check-in.


Resources

 

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruise Lines has lifted all protocols for most voyages.

Statement

Beginning October 21, protocols to cruising have been lifted. This means that for most voyages there are no longer vaccination or testing requirements. This applies to itineraries to all destinations except where government regulations may vary like Australia and on a few enhanced guidelines voyages that have their own vaccination and testing requirements.

Resources

 

Bermuda

Bermuda has announced that they will no longer require testing for cruise passengers beginning October 25, 2022. Health insurance requirements will remain the same.

 Please be mindful that at this time, not all cruise lines websites are updated with the below information. It is important to continue referencing the cruise line websites for specific health and safety guidelines.

Statement

All Cruise travellers arriving October 25, 2022, onwards will no longer require a pre-travel test, arrival test or a day 4 test. Unvaccinated non-resident travellers will still be required to upload valid proof of travel health insurance to enter Bermuda. 
 

Resources

  • Apply for a Bermuda Travel Authorisation
  • Click here for Bermuda’s definition of fully vaccinated
  • Click here for the requirements for valid proof of travel health insurance
  • Click here for the requirements for a valid pre-travel test.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Today, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it will eliminate COVID-19 requirements …

 What You Need To Know

  • Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 requirements effective October 4, 2022 including:
    • Testing
    • Masking  
    • Vaccination
  • With the easing of the Cruise Line’s health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to follow the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits.
    • Please see the resources below for more detailed information about the country requirements.

Resources




I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat







Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Atlantic Hurricane Season Not Quite Over


Hurricane Lisa


Archive | Graphics

Hurricane Lisa
Updated 11/2/22

We've just returned from our Transatlantic cruise on Celebrity Beyond from Barcelona, Spain to Cape Liberty, New Jersey.   During our crossing, we had a couple of days with rocky conditions as the Atlantic Ocean conditions were impacted by tropical weather.   Even though there were no tropical storms in the immediate area, their reach was felt for 500 miles.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially ends on November 1st, however Mother Nature doesn't necessarily check the calendar.   There are currently two Hurricanes active in the Atlantic Basin.

Hurricane Lisa has impacted several cruise ship schedules. Royal Caribbean has three ships impacted and Carnival has one ship impacted:  

  • Adventure of the Seas - currently sailing a 14-night Transatlantic, will have it's route adjusted to avoid the storm and provide smoother seas
  • Serenade of the Seas - on a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean sailing from Tampa, Florida, was scheduled to stop in Belize which is where Lisa made landfall
  • Symphony of the Seas - sailing a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami, Florida,  will have it's port call in Honduras cancelled
  • Carnival Vista - changed port call in Belize to a sea day

 
Hurricane LISA
400 PM CDT Wed Nov 02 2022

...LISA ABOUT TO MAKE LANDFALL NEAR BELIZE CITY...

WIND:
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* The coast of Belize
* Chetumal to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* North coast of Guatemala
* Puerto Costa Maya to Punta Allen, Mexico







I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat