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and Explore African Safaris and Tours!

• We're here to provide vacation inspiration! Join our virtual vacation experience from the comfort of your home.
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African Travel offers an unforgettable vacation experience. Enjoy incredible wildlife encounters and discover the rich biodiversity of Africa. Get ready for the ultimate African dream vacation, where every detail of our safari tour is taken care of seamlessly!

Contact us to start planning your next bucket-list vacation!   Contact us to start planning your next vacation!  Vacations are what bring us together. #LetsGetTraveling

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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.

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Starting July 7, 2021 our new time will be 4 PM Eastern

Worldwide Travel Alert August 2013

August 02, 2013

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula.  Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August.  This Travel Alert expires on August 31, 2013. 

Full Text of Alert

It is important to note that the alert doesn't make any reference to a specific threat, but rather just encourages American citizens to be vigilant and stay informed of current news as they travel.   This is common sense which should be exercised regardless of whether or not an alert has been issued.

Temporary Post Closures and Worldwide Travel Alert

One of the more important ways that U.S. Citizens can keep informed while traveling abroad is by  enrolling in the U.S. Department of State's STEP service.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country.

STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency.

Additional travel information can be found on International Travel (static tab on blog) and Travel Tools (on our website). Topics include: Tips for Traveling Abroad, Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts 

We encourage all cruise passengers to be familiar with travel alerts, warnings, tips, and country specific requirements before leaving home.  Make sure that you leave your itinerary with someone at home and that you are adequately protected by travel insurance.

Tropical Storm Julia Forms in Atlantic

5-Day Forecast Cone for Tropical Storm Julia (Credit: NOAA NHC)

Click for Current 5-Day Graphic

Julia is 10th Named Storm in Atlantic

Becomes the 5th Hurricane

Currently a Tropical Storm Again

UPDATE: 1100 AM AST THU SEP 18 2010
...JULIA WEAKENS A LITTLE MORE...

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

NHC issuing advisories on Hurricane IGOR and  Tropical Storm JULIA 

TD KARL

NEW ... NHC Live Video Updates
NEW... NHC unveils new Storm Surge web page 

Related Blog Posts:

Tropical Storm Karl Heading Toward Yucatan
Current Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
Igor Expected to Become a Hurricane

Tropical Storm Julia was as Tropical Depression September 12th with all indications that it would intensify into a Tropical Storm with 24 hours.  Even before becoming a tropical storm, Julia was producing some heavy rain showers which suggested it would continue to intensify.  It intensified to hurricane strength within 24 hours of initial formation and became a major hurricane.  By Monday, September 20th, it should be a remnant low.

A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST WITH SOME DECREASE 

IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY...

FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH AND THEN
NORTH-NORTHEAST ON SUNDAY.

As a service to our readers, we have RSS feeds from the NHC which can provide up to date information about these tropical storms.   We will also monitor the cruise lines for any itinerary changes as a result of the storms.

Current Watches & Warnings

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT. 

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE
WITHIN THE WATCH AREA.  A WATCH IS TYPICALLY ISSUED 48 HOURS
BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED FIRST OCCURRENCE OF TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE
WINDS...CONDITIONS THAT MAKE OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR
DANGEROUS.
  

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 48 HOURS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.

Discussion & Outlook
 

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION (18 Sep)

LOCATION...28.9N 51.0W
ABOUT 1515 MI...2435 KM WSW OF THE AZORES
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 320 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...998 MB...29.47 INCHES

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 50 MPH...85 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  ADDITIONAL WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48
HOURS...AND JULIA IS FORECAST TO BECOME A REMNANT LOW BY EARLY
MONDAY.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 160 MILES...260 KM
FROM THE CENTER.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 998 MB...29.47 INCHES.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

NONE...

 

 Cruise Line Advisories

Port of Bermuda Closed:  September 17-21 

 Cruise Line Advisories (Click Here)

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TS JULIA	National Hurricane Center
Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook	National Weather Service
Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion	Hurricane Preparedness
Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (ATL)	Real-Time Hurricane Information
Active Storms	NOAA Satellites & Information
NASA: Latest Storm Images	WMO Severe Weather Information Centre
Real-time Monitoring (Atlantic)	The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Real-time Weather Sites	Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

Atlantic Hurricane Season Getting Interesting

NOAA Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Late August through the end of October is the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane season.  The last several days have been very active.  NHC issuing advisories on Hurricane DANIELLE and Hurricane EARL

The satellite image above shows two tropical cyclones which we are watching and one potential storm.
Please see the following blog posts for complete details on these storms. 
Major Hurricane Danielle Near Bermuda
Tropical Storm Earl Expected to Become Hurricane

The cruise lines are monitoring these storms and have issued statements.  The only cruise line that has made changes is Norwegian Cruise Line.   See the above links for details.

800 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2010

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS ISSUING ADVISORIES ON HURRICANE
DANIELLE...LOCATED ABOUT 330 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BERMUDA...AND
ON TROPICAL STORM EARL...LOCATED ABOUT 570 MILES EAST OF THE
NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS.

A BROAD LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM...ASSOCIATED WITH A VIGOROUS TROPICAL
WAVE...IS LOCATED ABOUT 500 MILES WEST OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS. 
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE RECENTLY INCREASED NEAR THE
CENTER...AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR A
TROPICAL DEPRESSION TO FORM LATER TONIGHT OR SUNDAY.  THERE
IS A HIGH CHANCE...80 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL
CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AS IT MOVES WESTWARD TO WEST-
NORTHWESTWARD AT ABOUT 20 MPH.

What is a hurricane?
A low pressure over warm water causes tropical depressions which, if conditions are correct, will form into a hurricane.   Many of the hurricanes at this time of year form off the coast of Cape Verde, Africa.   That is where these storms have formed.

There is another tropical storm behind label "1" in the graphic above.  If you are cruising in the Atlantic in the near future, you'll want to keep watch on all of these storms.  We will continue to monitor the storms as they develop and provide updates here.

UPDATE: 

200 PM EDT SUN AUG 29 2010

ALTHOUGH THE CIRCULATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE
LOCATED MIDWAY BETWEEN THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA AND THE LESSER
ANTILLES HAS BECOME BETTER DEFINED TODAY...RECENT SATELLITE DATA
INDICATE THAT IT DOES NOT YET APPEAR TO HAVE A WELL-DEFINED
CENTER...AND THE ASSOCIATED SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY HAS
BECOME LESS ORGANIZED OVER THE PAST FEW HOURS.  HOWEVER...ONLY A
SMALL INCREASE IN ORGANIZATION COULD RESULT IN THE FORMATION OF A
TROPICAL DEPRESSION...AND THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE...80 PERCENT...OF
THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AS
IT MOVES GENERALLY WESTWARD AT ABOUT 20 MPH.

Crystal Cruises 20th Anniversary Offers

Crystal Cruises Announces Anniversary Offers

Crystal Cruises marks an exciting milestone in 2010 as they celebrate their 20th year of award-winning luxury travel. Crystal Cruises' 2010 program includes sailings to 174 ports in 70 countries on 62 voyages. Select from exotic destinations such as the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Most voyages are 11-13 days in length, but there are others ranging from less thatn 10 days to 115 days. See itineraries HERE.


Now is the time to explore the world with Crystal and take advantage of the never-before-offered 20th Anniversary Gifts carefully designed for a luxurous experience onboard the ships that have been Voted World's Best by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazine more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.

20th Anniversary Offers:

• New 2-for-1 Fares on all voyages
• “All-Inclusive. As You Wish.” Spending Credits on all voyages
• Free Business or Economy Class Air on most voyages
• Price Guarantee on all voyages
• And more!
  

Contact me for complete details, terms, and conditions. This is only the "tip of the iceberg" as the saying goes. Just to wet your appetite some more .... consider sailing on your birthday ...

Sail on your birthday in 2010 and Crystal Cruises will give you the gift of 50% savings (25% single occupancy) on a future cruise before your next birthday! Birthday cruise must be booked by December 31, 2009.

Princess Cruises Exclusive Offers

Plan a wonderful Princess® escape today —
with great savings and exciting extras!

In preparation for my participation at the Streamwood Summer Celebration, I checked my inventory and found some fantastic offers on Princess Cruises that I wanted to share with my readers.

Receive up to $100 Onboard Credit

May also Include Wine and Photo Credit

Valid on Select Sailings

Have I perked your interest a little? You are probably wondering what destinations are included and what ships. What sail dates are included?

As you might imagine, the list is a little long for me to include all the details here, but I'll give you a sample of what I have to offer you as readers of my blog.

Select Alaska Sailings now thru September 2009 on Coral, Diamond, Golden, Island, and Pacific Princess

Select Australia/Circle Pacific on Dawn Princess in March/April 2010 and Diamond Princess in November 2009

Africa on Tahitian Princess October 18, 2009

Select Amazon Sailings December 2009 thru March 2010 on Royal Princess

Select Antarctica Sailings January - February 2010 on Star Princess

Additional destinations: British Isles, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Holy Land, Mediterranean, Mexico, New Zealand, North Cape/Scandinavia, Orient/Asia/Africa/Egypt, Pacific Coastal, Pacific/Sydney/Auckland, South America/Andes, Tahiti, Transatlantic

Did I hit on one or more of the destinations on your bucket list? I would imagine that I did. What's the catch you ask? Only two, there is limited availability as the cabins are part of block space in my inventory. You have to be flexible in your schedule to match up with one or more of the select sailings.

I encourage you to take advantage of these special offers. My only regret is that I can't go on all of them myself as the itineraries are really amazing.

Book by August 1st to also take advantage of my Summer Celebration One Week Sale

Cunard 2011 World Voyages

SEE THE WORLD'S WONDERS ABOARD QUEEN MARY 2 IN 2011

2011 MAIDEN WORLD VOYAGE ABOARD QUEEN ELIZABETH

I am pleased to give you a sneak preview of Cunard's 2011 World Voyages. Both iconic QUEEN MARY 2 and the gracious new QUEEN ELIZABETH will sail around the globe on two distinct itineraries as part of the youngest luxury fleet at sea. These epic voyages will go on sale to the public on July 1, 2009, at 5:00 a.m. PDT (8:00 a.m. EDT).

QUEEN MARY 2 sets sail on a 103-day journey roundtrip from New York, bringing guests to renowned destinations around the globe in the grandest style imaginable.

• Explore exciting ports in South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe


• Voyage concludes with a classic Westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Cunard's home port of Southampton


• Overnight stays in Cape Town, Sydney and Hong Kong
  

QUEEN ELIZABETH will define a New Golden Age of Ocean Travel as she embarks on her maiden 103-day World Cruise voyage roundtrip from Southampton.

• Chart a western course to destinations in Central America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe


• Voyage features full transits of the Panama and Suez canals


• Experience the fanfare and excitement of maiden-calls in many ports


• Overnight stays in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai

TWO SHIPS, ONE FULL WORLD VOYAGE

You can discover two views of the world on a special 2-Ship World Voyage option sailing aboard QUEEN ELIZABETH from New York to Sydney, then joining QUEEN MARY 2 on the westbound return journey to New York. On both ships, you will encounter a wide range of inspiring regions and maiden ports.

Book early to take advantage of bonus fares. Early Booking Fares applies to reservations made before February 28, 2010. Contact me for full details and restrictions. It is also possible to book segments of the entire world voyage.

Request More Information on Cunard 2011 World Voyages via email

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