Tropical Storm Danny:
We have been tracking Hurricane Bill since Sunday and providing multiple updates each day. This is your one-stop source for cruise-related information and hurricane updates. Continue to monitor this post for updates.
The best defense against a hurricane is to be prepared. This post will continue to focus on regular updates on the storm and impact to the cruise lines. In my post, Hurricane Bill / Current Tropical Storms , I have included a Be Prepared Checklist.
For historical information on Hurricane Bill and Tropical Depressions Ana and Claudette, see my republished blog post: First Atlantic Tropical Storms 2009
UPDATE: 5AM AST Monday, Aug. 17 ...BILL NOW A HURRICANE...THE FIRST OF THE 2009 ATLANTIC SEASON...
UPDATE: 500 AM AST MON AUG 24 2009... BILL LOSES TROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS... MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH ...
AT 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...ENVIRONMENT CANADA HAS DISCONTINUED ALLTROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS FOR NEWFOUNDLAND...
GRADUAL WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. EVEN THOUGH BILL IS NO LONGER A TROPICAL CYCLONE...IT IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A LARGE AREA OF STORM AND GALE FORCE WINDS OVER THE NORTH ATLANTIC DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.....
THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ON THIS SYSTEM. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS SYSTEM CAN BE FOUND IN HIGH SEAS FORECASTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...UNDER AWIPS HEADER NFDHSFAT1 AND WMO HEADER FZNT01 KWBC
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.
A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.
These swells will likely cause extremely dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents. Please consult statements issued by your local weather office.
Local Weather Statements
Note: These are the only Cruise lines with ships that were in potential danger from Hurricane Bill.
Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, though in the area, have no announcements.
<Holland America>
Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, though in the area, have no announcements.
<Holland America>
Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking: <Interactive tracking map> See where ships are relative to tropical storms.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Aug 21) The Carnival Triumph cruise that departed from New York on August 20 will cancel the scheduled call in Saint John. The ship will now navigate a safe course away from the storm and return to New York on Monday as scheduled.
We are not anticipating changes to any other itineraries at this time including the Carnival Triumph cruise departing from New York on August 24. We will update this information if any new information is available.
(Aug 19) For the Carnival Miracle cruise departing on August 20 from New York; and the Carnival Pride cruise departing on August 21 from Baltimore, we are not anticipating any changes to the itineraries for these cruises at this time. We will update this information if any new information becomes available.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Aug 21) Norwegian Spirit will depart Boston as scheduled August 21. Depending on the path of the storm, the ship may arrive later than scheduled into Bermuda. The ship's Captain will update the guests on board as to the specific arrival time in Bermuda once it has been determined.
At this time, we are anticipating that the August 23 sailings of Norwegian Dawn from New York and Norwegian Majesty from Baltimore will depart as scheduled.
(Aug 19) Norwegian Cruise Line announced the following itinerary changes: Because of the current path of Hurricane Bill which is forecasted to pass near Bermuda on Friday, August 21, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Majesty will depart Bermuda earlier than scheduled, leaving at 5 pm on Thursday, August 20.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Given the current location and projected path of Hurricane Bill, we are altering the itinerary of one ship , and providing the following guidance regarding one sailing:
Ships sailing from the Cape Liberty
Explorer of the Seas, which departs Cape Liberty on Thursday, August 20, will sail a revised itinerary, with its ports of call simply reordered. The ship will visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday; Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Monday; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Tuesday; and Kings Wharf, Bermuda, Thursday.
Ships sailing Baltimore, Maryland
Grandeur of the Seas is scheduled to depart on Saturday, August 22, for its five-night sailing to Bermuda. However, guests on this sailing are encouraged to monitor these updates for any possible modifications to the itinerary.
Additional Updates will be posted as information becomes available
Staying Prepared
Cruise lines will do everything to keep passengers and crew safe. A cruise is rarely cancelled because of weather, even hurricanes. The cruise lines monitor progress of any storms both in their main offices and onboard the vessels. They work closely with the various weather services, such as NOAA and NHC, to make determinations about itinerary deviations.
My other blog articles on Hurricane Bill:
Hurricane Bill / Current Tropical Storms (includes a Be Prepared Checklist)
First Atlantic Tropical Storms 2009 (historical notes on Hurricane Bill and the first 2009 storms)
Continue to watch this post, I will provide updates as conditions change. If you are on a cruise this week in the area, be sure to monitor the storm closely.
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