Introducing Celebrity Select Dining

Now Available to

Pre-Reserve Online Fleetwide

Celebrity Cruises Announces Flexible Dinner Option

Starting this Fall

Celebrity Select Dining is a new flexible dining option that allows you to choose when you dine on a day by day basis. You’ll still be seated in the ship’s main dining room, order from the same dinner menu, and enjoy the same amazing service that you’re accustomed to onboard Celebrity Cruises, but with more flexibility.

Once you’ve chosen Celebrity Select Dining in your reservation, you can make your day by day reservations pre-cruise, reserve once onboard or simply come to the dining room whenever you’d like to have dinner.*

Celebrity Select Dining debuts onboard Celebrity Equinox, beginning with the September 26, 2009 sailing. All other ships in the fleet will introduce the program during the first quarter of 2010.

Historically, guests on most cruise lines decided at the time of booking whether they wanted early or late seating for dinner in the main dining room. Sometimes that meant rushing to dinner after a relaxing spa treatment or cutting that shopping trip short so that you could get back to your cabin to change for dinner.

With this new program, plan your dinner around your daily activities. If you want to spend some extra time sightseeing in port, you’ll have the option to dine a little later that evening. Celebrity Select Dining is all about flexibility. You can choose to dine in the Main Dining room at any time between 6:00 and 9:30 pm each evening. If you wish, you can dine at different times throughout the cruise - the flexibility is yours.

For those that like to plan in advance, make your day by day dining reservations online before your cruise. Celebrity Cruises recommends online reservations for the best possible dining experience. Reservations will be accepted onboard the ship also.

Key Highlights of Celebrity Select Dining SM

• Same amazing service as traditional seating
• Same menu as traditional seating
• Still seated in the Main Dining Room
• Pre-paid gratuities are required to participate — this includes tips for your waiter, assistant waiter, dining room management, and all stateroom service.
• You have the choice to either dine with other guests or just with your own party
• Once Celebrity Select Dining is selected in the cruise booking, day by day reservations can be made pre-cruise online on celebritycruises.com
• Reservations are strongly encouraged in order to avoid a delay in seating, and can be made online pre-cruise up to 4 days prior to sailing, or onboard with the Maitre ‘d
• Only groups of 20 or less can be seated at one time
• Celebrity Select Dining is subject to availability

*Celebrity Select DiningSM is subject to availability, and gratuities must be prepaid in order to participate. Only groups of 20 or less can be seated at one time.

To make your reservations for Celebrity Select Dining, contact your travel agent or visit www.celebritycruises.com/celebrityselectdining.

Celebrity Cruises Overview & Itineraries

Hurricane Jimena Approaches Category 5

Satellite Image Courtesy of NOAA (NESDIS) - Hurricane Jimena - August 31, 2009 - AVN Enhanced <more images>

Hurricane Jimena Grows in Strength - Heading Towards Baja

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

We continue to monitor this dangerous hurricane as it tracks toward Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and the surrounding area. Click on the following link for ongoing updates several times a day.

Monitoring Hurricane Jimena in East Pacific

Hurricane Hunter aircraft have flown through Hurricane Jimena and measured the current sustained maximum wind spead to be 150 MPH with higher gusts. It is very close to becoming a Category 5 (the highest designation on the Saffir-Simpson Scale ).

Tropical Storm - winds 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)
Category 1 - winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)
Category 2 - winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)
Category 3 - winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt)
Category 4 - winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt)
Category 5 - winds 156 mph and up (135+ kt)

JIMENA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES OVER THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA AND PORTIONS OF WESTERN MEXICO DURING THE NEXT 2 DAYS... WITH POSSIBLE ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES.

A DANGEROUS STORM SURGE ALONG WITH BATTERING WAVES WILL PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT COASTAL FLOODING ALONG THE BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA.

Cruise Ship Itinerary Changes

As you might expect, there have been itinerary changes made to keep passengers and crew a safe distance from the hurricane's path. Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have cruise ships in the area and have modified itineraries:
The Carnival Elation August 29 departure from San Diego will visit Catalina on Tuesday and Ensenada on Wednesday.
The Carnival Splendor August 30 departure from Long Beach will visit Catalina on Monday and Ensenada on Tuesday.
Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas August 30 departure sailed west to avoid the storm for the planned sea day, and will inform the passengers of additional changes later today as they continue to monitor the storm.

Updates: <CARNIVAL> <Royal Caribbean>

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking:<Interactive tracking map> See where ships are relative to tropical storms.

Our continuing coverage of this powerful hurricane can be found on: Monitoring Hurricane Jimena in East Pacific

In addition, NHC advisories are updated via RSS feed for both Jimena and Kevin (which has now become a tropical depression).

Carnival Fascination Gets a Make-Over

Carnival Corporation announced that Carnival Fascination will undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation in January 2010 that will include the addition of a new water park, adults-only retreat, and resort-style main pool area, as well as 98 balconies added to existing ocean view staterooms. Two other ships, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sensation are also receiving additional balconies during dry docks this year. Carnival Seansation's work has been completed and Carnival Ecstasy will have the work completed in October.

The refurbishment includes a number of exciting open deck features, including Carnival WaterWorks with 82-foot-long racing slides, a splash zone and the aqua park's signature design element - a 300-foot-long Twister water slide. The main pool on Lido deck will also be transformed with oversized umbrellas, colorful tile work and thatched roofing, creating a relaxing, resort-style atmosphere. An adults-only retreat, Serenity, completes the outdoor improvements.

The refurbishment will also include upgrades to the Sensation and Imagination main dining rooms, with the Sensation dining room being reconfigured for Your Time Dining.

The majority of the additional balcony staterooms will be located aft with several of them featuring extended balconies. Twenty-four balconies will be located mid-ship and twelve near the stern. Several of the existing suites will be retrofitted with larger, extended balconies.

Prior to the January dry dock, a new Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14-year-olds will be added on Atlantic Deck 8. The facility will include plasma screen TV’s displaying movies and music videos, a high-tech sound and light system, gaming consoles and a touch-screen jukebox.

Carnival Fascination sails four and five day cruises from Jacksonville, Florida. These new enhancements will be introduced for the first time on the February 1, 2010 sailing. Reservations are open for the 98 new balcony staterooms, so contact me right away if this intersts you.

Carnival Fascination Sailings

Monitoring Hurricane Jimena in East Pacific

Chart Courtesy of NOAA: 800 AM PDT (Jimena) MON AUG 31, 2009

<more details> <click for updated chart>

Hurricane Jimena Forms in East Pacific

JIMENA IS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Hurricane season got off to a slow start, but since Mid-August, there has been plenty of activity in both the Atlantic and Pacific. In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Danny has now broken up, but in the Pacific, we have a tropical storm that has the potential for being a major hurricane.

In Other News, Tropical Storm Kevin has now become a Tropical Depression and public advisories have been discontinued. <more details about Kevin>

As a service to my clients and my blog readers, we'll provided continual updates on tropical storms and any cruise line advisories that are posted. For convenience, RSS feeds are also added so that you can get up-to-date information between posts. <NHC Active Storms>

800 AM PDT SAT AUG 29 2009... JIMENA NOW A HURRICANE... COULD BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE BY TOMORROW...

UPDATE: 800 AM PDT FRI SEP 04 2009... JIMENA WEAKENING OVER THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA... THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION JIMENA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 27.7 NORTH... LONGITUDE 111.8 WEST OR ABOUT 40 MILES... NORTHEAST OF SANTA ROSALIA MEXICO...

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 30 MPH... 45 KM/HR... WITH HIGHERGUSTS. GRADUAL WEAKENING IS FORECAST... AND JIMENA IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A REMNANT LOW LATER TODAY...

JIMENA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF WESTERN MEXICO AND THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE BAJA PENINSULA DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO. ISOLATED MAXIMUM STORM-TOTAL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 30 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE...

This post will track Jimena until it is no longer tracked by the NHC.

Local Weather Statements

<more details> <click for updated chart>

<NWS - Local Weather>

<NWS - Mexico>

<Cabo San Lucas (weather.com)>

< Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Spanish) >

<NASA Hurricane Tracking>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates:

<CARNIVAL> <Norwegian Cruise Line> <Royal Caribbean>

(Aug 30) Carnival Cruise Line Advisory:
We are closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Jimena which is currently located about 250 miles southwest of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.

Due to the location of the storm, we will make the following itinerary changes:

The Carnival Elation August 29 departure from San Diego will visit Catalina on Tuesday and Ensenada on Wednesday.

The Carnival Splendor August 30 departure from Long Beach will visit Catalina on Monday and Ensenada on Tuesday.

Additional information will be available later today. We will navigate our ships at a safe distance from the storm at all times.

Rest assured, we will navigate our ships at a safe distance from the storm at all times. Our number one priority is the safety and comfort of our guests and crew.

(Aug 30) Royal Caribbean International:
Mariner of the Seas which departed August 30th for Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Villarta is scheduled to be in the area of the hurricane later this week.

The ship will sail west to avoid the storm and Monday will be a sea day as planned. Royal Caribbean will decide Monday afternoon whether or not to alter the ship's itinerary based on the latest weather forecast.

Continue to monitor this post for updates on this cruise as well as the hurricane.

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking:
<Interactive tracking map> See where ships are relative to tropical storms.


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.

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.

Where in the World Does Celebrity Cruise - Vol. 4

The Caribbean

Yes folks, our next destination in our series on Where in the World does Celebrity Cruise in 2010/2011 is the Caribbean. You don't have to worry if you can't spare a whole week. Celebrity has short cruises to the Caribbean to accomodate your busy schedule!

Escape from every day life not far from home. All you have to do is relax on your cruise vacation in the Caribbean. Choose from 4 to 7-night Western Caribbean cruise vacations.

Sailing from Miami, Florida
Celebrity Century®

4 Night Western Caribbean
1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16, 12/20/10, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7 & 4/21/11

Miami, Florida; Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean
1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12/10

Miami, Florida; Key West, Florida;
George Town, Grand Cayman; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean
1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17/10

Miami, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica;
George Town, Grand Cayman; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean
5/10, 11/8, 11/22, 12/6/10, 1/3, 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, 4/25/11

Miami, Florida; Roatan, Honduras;
Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean
11/13, 11/27/10

Miami, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean
12/11/10, 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/19, 4/2, 4/16/11

Miami, Florida; Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean Holiday
12/24/10

Miami, Florida; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; Miami, Florida

5 Night Western Caribbean Holiday
12/29/10

Miami, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; Cococay, Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Miami, Florida

7 Night Western Caribbean
5/3/10

Miami, Florida; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Cococay, Bahamas; Miami, Florida

For longer Celebrity Cruises to the Caribbean see:

Where in the World Does Celebrity Cruise - Vol. 1

No matter when you want to go, or how long you want to cruise, a Celebrity Cruise ship can take you to somewhere in the Caribbean. I hope you noticed that all three of the Solstice-class ships will be deployed in the Caribbean. Having been on Celebrity Solstice for it's inaugural, I can confirm that she is a magnificent cruise ship - one that will exceed your expectations.

Form a Group Sailing to the Caribbean - We have Special Pricing thru August 31st

Please submit your Group request here.

Call me or email me requesting a flyer with more details about these cruises.

Tropical Storms in the Central North Pacific

Chart Courtesy of NOAA CHC 9:49 PM HST Wed Aug 26, 2009

Click for Hawaiian watches, warnings and advisories.

CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Much of the focus the past week or so has been on the Tropical Storms in the Atlantic. That doesn't mean that the Pacific is exempt from tropical storms and hurricanes this time of year. We have been watching that area closely also, but fortunately, the storms that developed became disorganized before threatening any land or cruise ship interests.

Once the NHC begins to monitor a storm, we'll add RSS feeds to this blog so that you can monitor the storm between posts. When developments become significant, we'll write a detailed article to help you plan your cruise vacation in the area.

UPDATE: 500 AM HST FRI AUG 28 2009...HILDA MOVING WEST AND DISSIPATING TO THE SOUTH OF HAWAII... THE DISSIPATING DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 14 MPH...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL HILDA DISSIPATES IN 24 TO 36 HOURS...

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 30 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS... HILDA IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE WEAKENING...

Local Weather Statements

<More Details> <Warnings and 5-Day Cone >

<NWS Hawaii Forecast>

<NASA Hurricane Tracking>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates:
<CARNIVAL> <Norwegian Cruise Line> <Royal Caribbean>

Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America is the only ship in the area at the time, and is out of harms way, so there have been no ship advisories issued.

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking:

<Interactive tracking map> See where ships are relative to tropical storms.

Cruise lines monitor weather forecasts and take passenger and crew safety into consideration. During hurricane season, there may be itinerary changes due to tropical storms, so be sure to monitor any storms in the area of your cruise vacation.

Continue to watch this blog for any tropical storm updates during this season.

Tropical Storm Danny Forms in Atlantic

Map Courtesy of NOAA - (Danny) Position as of 11 AM Eastern, Wednesday

< Click for Updated Map > <NHC Active Storms>

Current Atlantic Tropical Storm Watch

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center is now tracking the fourth named storm of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We will also monitor this storm and provide updates including any cruise itinerary changes that become necessary.

1100 AM EDT WED AUG 26 2009...THE AREA OF DISTURBED WEATHER EAST OF THE BAHAMAS BECOMES TROPICAL STORM DANNY...

UPDATE: 500 AM EDT SAT AUG 29 2009...DANNY RAPIDLY BECOMING ABSORBED BY AN EXTRA TROPICAL LOW... THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED ...

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS... THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NHC ON THIS STORM....

LARGE SWELLS FROM THE EXTRA TROPICAL LOW ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS AND LIFE-THREATENING RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE U.S. EAST COAST DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO....

Local Weather Statements

<More Details> <Warnings and 5-Day Cone >

<Bahamas Weather>

<Bermuda Weather Service>
<Baltimore, MD NWS> <Bayonne, NJ NWS>
<New York, NY NWS>

<Atlantic Canada Weather>
<Canadian Hurricane Centre>

<NASA Hurricane Tracking>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates

<CARNIVAL> <Norwegian Cruise Line> <Royal Caribbean> <Holland America>

(Aug 29) Carnival Cruise Line:
This storm has weakened significantly and we are not anticipating any itinerary changes at this time for the following cruise departures: Carnival Triumph departing from New York on August 29; and Carnival Pride departing from Baltimore on August 29.

The Carnival Miracle cruise that departed from New York on August 28 will visit Nassau on Monday, Half Moon Cay on Tuesday and Grand Turk on Wednesday.

(Aug 27) Carnival Cruise Line:
We are closely monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Danny. All of our ships are operating at a safe distance from the storm. Our number one priority is the safety and comfort of our guests and crew.

We are not anticipating any itinerary changes at this time including the following cruise departures: Carnival Miracle from New York on August 28; Carnival Triumph departing from New York on August 29; and Carnival Pride departing from Baltimore on August 29.



(Aug 29) Royal Caribbean International: At this time, no Royal Caribbean International itineraries are being affected by Tropical Storm Danny. (NO CHANGE FROM AUG 28TH STATEMENT)


(Aug 28) Royal Caribbean International:
At this time, no Royal Caribbean International itineraries are being affected by Tropical Storm Danny. Royal Caribbean will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will update this information again tomorrow, August 29 at noon.

Explorer of the Seas is scheduled to depart on Saturday, August 29, for its five-night sailing to the Caribbean. Earlier this week, Tropical Storm Danny showed some signs of unpredictability. However, the most recent weather forecasts available predict that the ship will be able to depart Cape Liberty and head south to Bermuda as scheduled.

(Aug 26) Royal Caribbean International:

Given the current location and projected path of Tropical Storm Danny, we are not altering the itinerary of any ship, and providing the following guidance regarding one sailing:

Ships sailing from Baltimore, Maryland Grandeur of the Seas, is scheduled to depart on Thursday August 27, for its nine-night sailing to the Caribbean. However, guests on this sailing are encouraged to monitor these updates for any possible modifications to the itinerary.

(Aug 26) Holland America: Regarding Tropical Storm Danny, we are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to watch the storm's development.

Please note the following ship itinerary information:
ms Maasdam - Scheduled to turn in Boston on Saturday, August 29. No changes have been made to the published itineraries.
NOTE: There have been no other advisories made at this time.

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking: <Interactive tracking map> See where ships are relative to tropical storms.

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.

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.

Extra-Tropical Storm Bill Leaves Atlantic Canada

BILL NO LONGER A HURRICANE

Early Monday morning, the NHC issued the last public bulletin on now Extra-Tropical Bill. We have been monitoring Bill closely for over a week as it made its way toward Bermuda and then on to the Atlantic Canada Maritimes. There are no cruise ships impacted by the storm at this time. (track your cruise ship)

Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

NASA's GOES Project created a movie of satellite date from August 21-23 showing the progression of Hurricane Bill. This photo (Credit: NASA/GOES Project, Dennis Chesters ) is a still taken from that movie. > View video

Novia Scotia and Newfoundland are the latest areas that can now sigh a breath of relief and cleanup after the tropical storm leaves for open waters of the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean. The winds were strong causing tree branches to knock out power to thousands of customers in the Canadian provinces, but most of the power has been restored today.

According to CBC News Canada, Ramona Jennex, the minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office, said "This was a huge storm and we were blessed that it missed us." Had the storm come closer to the coast, the story could be much different.

Here are some Hurricane Bill Photos from Canada.

The first Atlantic Tropical Storms have come late in the hurricane season this year, which often means they will be more powerful. Hurricane Bill was powerful indeed, but fortunately stayed offshore in Bermuda, the East Coast of the U.S., and the Atlantic Canadian Provinces.

There is another storm brewing in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Hilda. As you can see, I've added a RSS feed for that storm. Should that storm become a hurricane and threaten Hawaii, and ships in the area, we will monitor that storm just like we did for Bill.

Remember, cruise lines monitor the weather constantly and adjust their schedules to keep passengers and crew safe. There were only minor changes necessary during Hurricane Bill.

Hurricane Bill Eyes Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Hurricane Bill's Next Target

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Ongoing updates:

Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact

As Hurricane Bill, now a Category One storm, continues its journey across the Atlantic, tropical storm and hurricane warnings and watches are posted and lifted as the danger passes.

Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States are relieved as Hurricane Bill stayed offshore. Bermuda was the first to be spared a direct hit. There were high winds and rain with some damage, but considering the strength of Hurricane Bill earlier in the week, things could have been much worse.

Residents of the East Coast of the United States had weekend plans at the beach foiled by the tropical storm, but again, except for some heavy rain and surf, Hurricane Bill didn't cause any real issues. Lifeguards in the area took drastic measures, closing beaches, to keep people safe from the swells and rip-currents which could be life-threatening if ignored.

Hurricane Bill has weekened substantially and, according to NOAA forecasts, may even lose all tropical storm characteristics within the next 24 hours. That will be very good news indeed.

Carnival Triumph cancelled its call in Saint John, New Brunswick, and will return to New York as scheduled on Monday. This change allowed the captain and crew to stay clear of Hurricane Bill and provide a safe cruise for the passengers.

Canada Weather Links: <Atlantic Canada Weather> <Canadian Hurricane Centre>

We will continue to provide updates (see above) until Hurricane Bill is only a memory. For those in the area of the tropical storm, stay safe by following guidance provided by local agencies.

Hurricane Bill Passes Bermuda

Still time for Golf ... As Hurricane Bill approached Bermuda

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

As a service to my clients and readers, I continue to monitor Hurricane Bill. If you are looking for updates on the hurricane and impact to your cruise, click the following link.

Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact

That post has updates several times a day, including information about any changes to cruise itineraries as a result of the tropical storm.

BERMUDA UPDATE

Credit: NASAOES Project

The islands of Bermuda were spared a direct hit as Hurricane Bill passed between Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States as predicted. Since Hurricane Bill's closest point is now northeast of the islands, the hurricane watch has ended. That doesn't mean that danger doesn't remain. A tropical storm watch is still in effect and should remain so as winds continue until around midday Saturday. High swells, dangerous surf and deadly rip-currents will continue well into the weekend, especially along South Shore. Hurricane force gusts are still possible early today in association with squally showers and thunderstorms. According to a source on the islands, it has been a windy night with numerous power outages caused by the tropical storm gusts. Bermuda's electric company has worked through the night but there are approximately 3800 customers still without power. Rain and thnderstorms rolled through Bermuda starting around 9 PM Friday accompanied by heavy winds in excess of 50 or 60 MPH. The forecast for today is cloudy with occasional light rain or showers and strong to gale force gusts. Tomorrow will see some sun and occasional showers and thunder. <Bermuda Weather Service> Fortunately for the residents and tourists of Bermuda, Hurricane Bill will soon only be a memory as it continues its path northward towards the Atlantic Canada region and beyond. As power is restored, and the tropical storm continues to move away, services (such as ferry operations) will resume. For cruise passengers arriving Monday, on the Grandeur of the Seas, they should expect sun with some morning showers and temperatures in the upper 80s. The return home should be much smoother than the trip across to Bermuda. Happy cruising in calmer seas !!

Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact

Map Courtesy of NOAA - (Bill) Position as of 11 AM Eastern, Sunday < Click for Updated Map >

Current Atlantic Tropical Storm Watch

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

<NHC Active Storms>

Tropical Storm Danny:

Tropical Storm Danny Forms in Atlantic

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

<More Details> <Warnings and 5-Day Cone >

<Bermuda Weather Service>

<Baltimore, MD NWS> <Bayonne, NJ NWS>

<New York, NY NWS>

<Atlantic Canada Weather>

<Canadian Hurricane Centre>

<NASA Hurricane Tracking>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates: <CARNIVAL> <Norwegian Cruise Line> <Royal Caribbean>

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>

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.

Hurricane Bill / Current Tropical Storms

Hurricane Bill Continues to Threaten Bermuda

We have been tracking Hurricane Bill since Sunday and providing multiple updates each day. We have created a new post, Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact
to bring you up-to-date information and help you be prepared for any impact to your cruise vacation in the area.

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Useful resources:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA is the prime resource for hurricane monitoring. Public advisories are published by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Map Courtesy of NOAA - (Bill) Position as of 8 PM Eastern, Thursday < Click for Updated Map >

<More Details> <Warnings and 5-Day Cone > <Bermuda Weather Service>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates: <CARNIVAL> <Norwegian Cruise Line> <Royal Caribbean> Note: These are the only cruise lines affected by Hurricane Bill.

Updates on impacted cruises are being provided on the above websites and also on my blog:
Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact

What happens if there's a hurricane predicted at the time of my cruise?

Cruise lines try to avoid operating any ship in the vicinity of a tropical system and they monitor the progress of these storms very closely. If there is potential threat to any of their guests or ships, the itinerary may be altered to try to avoid any interaction with the storm or any affected areas.

Cruise lines will notify Travel Agencies and the public about any itinerary changes.

As we saw during the Swine Flu outbreak, Health and Safety is the prime concern for each cruise line. As always, my recommendation is for you to purchase travel insurance, so that you may obtain the necessary assistance should the need arise.

BE PREPARED CHECKLIST

• Monitor hurricane warnings before cruise
• Activate cell phone international roaming if necessary
• Make sure cruise line and travel agent have current contact information
• Make sure airline has current contact information
• Setup flight notifications with airline if possible
• Share your itinerary with family and friends
• Review your travel insurance policy for potential coverages
• Call travel insurance provider to answer any questions about coverage
• Provide emergency contact information to cruise line, travel agent, and airline
• Keep passport, credit card, and necessary medication with you while in port

Enjoy your cruise vacation - rest assured that the cruise line will do everything to make your cruise enjoyable and safe.

It may be necessary for the cruise line to deviate from original published itinerary - this is their right under the contract rules. You want them to do this so that you are safe. Don't be upset if port changes are made - just make the best of your cruise vacation. I always say that any day on a cruise is better than a day at home.

I wish you smooth sailing and safe journey on your cruise vacation

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Where in the World Does Celebrity Cruise - Vol 3

Panama Canal

Yes folks, our third destination in our series on Where in the World does Celebrity Cruise in 2010/2011 is the Panama Canal. Whether you are on the East Coast, West Coast or somewhere in between, you'll find a Panama Canal cruise that is sure to please.

Select departure ports of Charleston, South Carolina, Miami, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, San Diego, California, Los Angeles, California, San Juan, Puerto Rico, or Seattle, Washington. These ports allow you to decide if you want to go Eastbound or Westbound on your Panama Canal voyage. The 48 miles of the Panama Canal will be very memorable.

One Canal, Two Oceans, and Unlimited Possibilities

It's not often that the scenic route is also the shortcut. But that's exactly what you'll find on Celebrity's Panama Canal itineraries -- the shortest distance between the East and West coasts of the U.S. and some of the most scenic cruising anywhere in the world. This represents not just an opportunity to travel right through the heart of the rainforest, but to visit an exciting collection of ports on either side, including the Yucatán Peninsula, the Mexican Riviera, and cosmopolitan cities from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida.

Sailing from Charleston, South Carolina

Celebrity Mercury®

16 Night Westbound Panama Canal
4/19/10

Charleston, South Carolina; Cartagena, Colombia, Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Los Angeles, California

Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Celebrity Constellation®

15 Night Westbound Panama Canal
12/18/10

Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Cartagena, Colombia; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Panama Canal (Cruising); Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California

Celebrity Infinity®

14 Night Westbound Panama Canal
3/28, 10/10, 11/07/10 & 3/27/11

Fort Lauderdale, Florida; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Los Angeles, California

Celebrity Infinity®

15 Night Westbound Panama Canal
4/25/10

Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Francisco, California Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

16 Night Westbound Panama Canal
4/24/11

Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California; Seattle, Washington

Sailing from Los Angeles, California

Celebrity Infinity®

14 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
10/24, 11/21/10

Los Angeles, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Sailing from Miami, Florida

Celebrity Constellation®

14 Night Westbound Panama Canal
1/3/10

Miami, Florida; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California

13 Night Westbound Panama Canal
2/28/10

Miami, Florida; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California

Sailing From San Diego, California

Celebrity Constellation®

13 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
1/2/11

San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; George Town, Grand Cayman; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

14 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
1/17, 03/28/10

San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; Miami, Florida

Celebrity Infinity®

14 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
4/11/10 & 4/10/11

San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Celebrity Mercury®

17 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
10/1/10

San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica (overnight); Panama Canal; Cartagena, Colombia; Santo Domingo, Domican Republic; Baltimore, Maryland

Celebrity Millennium®

14 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
9/27/10

San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; Oranjestad, Araba; Willemstad, Curacao; San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Celebrity Millennium®

14 Night Westbound Panama Canal
4/16/10 & 4/18/11

San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California

Sailing from Seattle, Washington

Celebrity Infinity®

16 Night Eastbound Panama Canal
9/24/10

Seattle, Washington; San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Form a Group Sailing to Panama Canal -
We have Special Pricing

thru August 31st

Please submit your Group request here.

Call me or email me requesting more details about these cruises.

Exclusive Royal Caribbean Sale Thru August 24th

Exclusive Royal Caribbean Sale !

Book an ocean view or above stateroom
Receive up to a $100 onboard credit per stateroom!

ANY* 2009 Royal Caribbean cruise departing September 11 - December 31, 2009

Each stateroom booked will receive an onboard credit. Bookings on sailings 3-4 nights in length will receive a $25 onboard credit per stateroom. Bookings on sailings 5 - 8 nights in length will receive a $50 onboard credit per stateroom. Bookings on sailings 9 nights or longer in length will receive a $100 onboard credit per stateroom. Limit one onboard credit per stateroom paid in full. Offer is for new individual bookings only, not applicable to groups.

Check out the sailings below for these specials, all marked with their own icon:

Up to $100 Onboard Credit for Oceanview & Above
Free Coupon Booklet for Oceanview & Above
Free Spa Treatment for Balcony & Above
Free Dinner for Two in a Specailty Restaurant for Balcony & Above

Royal Caribbean Sale - Click for Details

* Excludes Oasis of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International® reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement of up to $10 per guest per day on all guests if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeds $65.00

Applicable bookings will receive one onboard value booklet. Limit one onboard value booklet per booking paid in full. Limit one dinner for two offer per stateroom paid in full. Applicable to Balcony and above. Please note not all ships feature both specialty restaurants. Spa Treatment offer valid through September 10, 2009. Spa Treatment offer excludes Oasis of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. Applicable to Balcony and above. Each stateroom will receive 1 spa treatment.

Additional Terms and Conditions apply. Ask your Cruise Specialist for more details.

Around the World with Regent

Regent Seven Seas Cruising Around the World

2010 World Cruise
Regent Seven Seas Cruises takes you on a 119-night adventure from exotic locales to lands that transcend time. Discover the rarely visited, including west African treasures Ghana, The Gambia and Cape Verde. Explore the great cities, from Sydney to Singapore and Hong Kong to Shanghai. Each step of this magnificent voyage unfolds new ways of seeing the world aboard Seven Seas Voyager.

San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, 119 nights (Full World Cruise) January 13, 2010

Your world voyage begins with a Gala evening and overnight on board January 13th featuring Jay Leno and The Beach Boys.

Special Offers:

• 2-FOR-1 Fares

• Save an additional $5,000 per guest when booked by September 30, 2009

• FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions

• Seven Seas Society savings available

• $2,000 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories MS-C) or

• $1,000 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories D-H)

Inclusions:

• Gala evening and overnight on board January 13th featuring Jay Leno and The Beach Boys

• Visas for U.S. and Canadian citizens residing in the U.S.

• Ground transfers

• Luggage delivery service between ship and shore

• Commemorative gift

Complimentary events: In addition to the complimentary events on the individual segments, full World Cruise guests also enjoy an Ethnic Fashion Show at Three on the Bund in Shanghai on March 6, a Sunset Cocktail Reception on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok on March 20, and a Vintage Fair at Blaauwklippen Estate in Cape Town on April 15.

2010 World Cruise Segments

San Diego to Sydney, 23 nights (Segment 1)
January 14, 2010

Sydney to Singapore, 19 nights (Segment 2) February 6, 2010

Singapore to Hong Kong, 14 nights (Segment 3) February 25, 2010

Hong Kong to Cape Town, 35 nights (Segment 4) March 11, 2010

Cape Town to Ft. Lauderdale, 27 nights (Segment 5) April 15, 2010

Special Offers on Segments:

• 2-FOR-1 Fares

• Save an additional $1,000 per guest when booked by September 30, 2009

• FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions

• Seven Seas Society savings available

• $200 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories MS-C) or

• $100 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories D-H)

Take advantage of the special offers by selecting your cabin for the Full World Cruise or One or More of the Segments before the offer expires on September 30th. This cruise will be an experience for you to remember for many years to come.

Call me for complete details of the 119 night World Cruise which ends in Fort Lauderdale, FL on May 12, 2010.