Tropical Storm Barry Impacts Cruises

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Tropical Storm Barry

Tropical Storm Barry formed in the Gulf and has prompted warnings and port closures.  Reports from Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast before landfall, and Barry is expected to be a hurricane when the center reaches the Louisiana coast. Weakening is expected after Barry moves inland.

The Port of New Orleans said it ceased cargo-loading operations at its Napoleon Avenue container terminal at noon Thursday and Carnival Cruise Line said it had diverted its Carnival Valor cruise ship to Mobile, Alabama, as the region prepared for Tropical Storm Barry's expected arrival this weekend.
 

Tropical Storm Barry	1000 AM CDT Fri Jul 12 2019 ...HURRICANE HUNTERS REPORT BARRY IS STRENGTHENING... ...DANGEROUS STORM SURGE, HEAVY RAINS, AND WIND CONDITIONS EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTH-CENTRAL GULF COAST...
WIND:	near 65 MPH...100 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY... A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Lake Pontchartrain and east of Shell Beach to Biloxi Mississippi. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT... A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Intracoastal City to Grand Isle A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle * Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas including metropolitan New Orleans * Intracoastal City to Cameron A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for... * Intracoastal City to Biloxi * Lake Pontchartrain A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Biloxi to the Mississippi/Alabama border A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Mouth of the Mississippi River to Grand Isle * Intracoastal City to Cameron A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * East of the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border

Key Messages for Tropical Storm Barry (Click)  

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on TS Barry
• Key Messages regarding Barry
• Local information on Barry: New Orleans/Baton Rouge LA , Lake Charles LA
• Audio podcasts regarding Barry now available

Click Here to Learn More

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 
(click for latest)   


We are monitoring Tropical Storm Barry to determine if any itineraries need to be modified.

Recent post on Twitter  from their meteorologist:

Update on TS #Barry and #Invest93L: @royalcaribbean Guests Boarding #Enchantment, we have a video playing on Channel 14 in your Staterooms explaining the forecast and our voyage plans safely away from storm. #Liberty Guests arrival Sunday is also far, and safely behind #Barry.

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

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)
There are no NCL ships in the region.
 

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)


Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami has been actively monitoring Tropical Storm Barry in the Gulf. As the safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority, we will continue to keep an eye on things and provide you with timely updates as more information becomes available.

Buses were lined up near the Alabama Cruise Terminal Thursday morning to transport Carnival Valor passengers from Mobile to New Orleans. It left downtown Mobile for another cruise later Thursday afternoon. That voyage, which was initially scheduled to leave the Valor’s homeport of New Orleans, is a four-day voyage to Cozumel.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Carnival Valor	July 11	Modified	re-routed from New Orleans to Mobile on Thursday, July 11, 2019

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.

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Space Exploration Day

20 July 1969

One Small Step for Man ...

Those of you who were alive in 1969 probably remember where you were when you heard those immortal words as man took its first step on the moon.   

I've always had a fascination for exploration and that's perhaps why I love cruising so much.  I can only imagine what it was like to be in a space craft heading for orbit and on to the moon.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Huntsville, Alabama

Today, in honor of #MoonDay and #SpaceExplorationDay, we thought we take a break from our normal blog posts about cruises and resort vacations and talk about a day trip to Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space Camp located with U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

We recently visited with our grandsons in Tennessee and from there it wasn't a long drive to Huntsville, AL.  We left early enough in the morning where we could get to the space museum about the time it opened.   Even before you enter the building, you are greeted by rockets and other space craft on the grounds.

Imagine seeing this through the eyes of a youngster.   Their eyes were as large as a space saucer.

Inside and outside the museum there are plenty of exhibits to peak the imagination of young and old plus tell the history of the U.S. space program from its inception until today.

View our Rocket Center USA album on Shutterfly to see what your day has in store for you when you visit.

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Carnival Triumph Retun Delayed Again

Carnival introduced a dedicated space where all your questions,
concerns and feedback can be addressed.  (click image)

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH

Carnival Cruise Lines canceled two additional five-day sailings of Carnival Triumph to make repairs caused when the ship was torn away from a shipyard in Mobile earlier this month. The ship will return to service June 13 rather than June 3.

The additional cancellations are the result of damage to the ship when it broke away from the pier earlier this month.  This has delayed the overall repair schedule by 10 days. Attempts to return the ship to the shipyard failed and repairs are being done at the Mobile cruise terminal. Final repairs will be completed in The Bahamas.

Passengers on the latest canceled sailings will receive full refunds, reimbursement for travel expenses and future cruise discounts of 25 percent. 

If you missed what happened earlier this month, we have included Carnival's update from their Facebook page.

Update on Carnival Triumph in Mobile, AL April 3, 2013, 7PM ET  Earlier this afternoon, due to strong winds that reached speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour during a severe storm in Mobile, Ala., Carnival Triumph, which was in wet dock at a Mobile shipyard, broke away from its moorings. The ship drifted, and was secured. With the assistance of tugboats on site, the ship has been moved to the Mobile Cruise Terminal. Lines have moored the ship, and, as a precaution, tugboats will remain alongside the vessel as well. All of the approximately 600 crew and 200 contractors who were onboard the vessel are safe and have been accounted for through a roll call. There are no reports of injuries. While assessment of damage to the ship is ongoing, initial indications suggest the damage is limited. According to reports, two shipyard employees on an adjacent pier fell into the water. One has reportedly been rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and the search continues for the second. Our thoughts and prayers are with the missing shipyard employee and the family.

In Other News....

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES ANNOUNCES FLEETWIDE $300 MILLION PROGRAM TO ENHANCE OPERATING RELIABILITY AND GUEST COMFORT        

[ Read more ] Carnival Fleetwide Reliability Program

Carnival Triumph Arrives in Mobile

By Mike Brantley | mbrantley@al.comPress-Register

Carnival Triumph Arrives in Mobile:

Gerry Cahill, Carnival CEO said:

First, I'd like to start with saying how very thankful we all are that the ship is alongside and everyone is safe. I am so appreciative of the efforts of everyone involved in bringing the Carnival Triumph safely to the Port of Mobile.

I want to thank the United States Coast Guard, The Port and City of Mobile, Customs and Border Protection, and the countless other parties who have been incredibly helpful throughout.

I’d also like to thank our shoreside teams for working around the clock to make this happen. And finally, I want to thank our crew for all they have done. We have seen and heard so many reports, online and in the media, from passengers praising the crew’s hard work.

I am now going onboard to talk with our guests and crew, as well as to help with getting our guests off the ship and on their way home. Thank you.

Passengers Disembark Ship

It took several hours for the passengers to disembark the crippled Carnival Triumph when it finally docked in Mobile, AL. The horrific five days at sea were now over. As expected passengers were emotional, some kissing the ground as they got off the ship. There were about 100 buses lined up ready to take the passengers to New Orleans or Houston. Some passengers had people meet them and they stayed in Mobile rather than take a long journey on a bus.

For the passengers, the ordeal is over, but for the crew, the nightmare continues as they will now have the task of cleaning up the trashed ship. They won't be seeing their families or taking hot showers. Carnival hasn't mentioned if they'd get an extra $500 in their paychecks for the long hours they've put in enduring the same or worse conditions as the passengers. Our hats are off to the crew for a job well done doing their best to take care of the passengers during this extraordinary cruise.

 Click Here for Photos of the Stranded Ship at Sea

Carnival Triumph Arrives By Mike Brantley | mbrantley@al.com

Why We Recommend Passports

Don't Leave Home Without It

If you were on Carnival Triumph this week and had to get home from Progresso, Mexico by air - could you?

Do you have a valid U.S. Passport?

If you are unsure of the answer to the first question, then you should read on.   If your answer to the second question is no, you too should read the rest of this article.   Getting home to the United States could depend on this information and your actions in response.

Re-Entry Rules

We have written about this several times, and we have a standing section both here on our blog and our Facebook page, which talks about International Travel.   On June 1, 2009, the rules changed (New Passport Rules Starting June 1st - Are You Ready).

The new rules mandated that "most" U.S. citizens entering the country by land, sea, or air must establish both identity and citizenship and therefore must possess one of the following: passport, passport card or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

There are many caveats contained within the new rules, so it is best to consult the following websites to learn more about your specific circumstance. The final responsibility for proper documentation rests with the traveler not the cruise line, airline, cruise specialist, or any other travel professional. You’ve planned for this trip and want to be sure you aren’t denied boarding nor do you want problems when entering or exiting any country during your trip.

State Department - overview of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - see Travel page
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – see Crossing U.S. Borders page
Canada Border Services Agency - for travel to/from Canada

Closed-Loop Cruises

The image above is the itinerary for the ill-fated Carnival Triumph voyage.   The cruise was scheduled to start and end in Galveston, Texas, constituting what is known as a closed-loop cruise.  If you are following our blog, you know that the ship had a small engine fire and was adrift.   The first plan was to tow the ship to Progresso, Mexico, but fortunately the ship drifted making  Mobile, Alabama a better choice for disembarkation.

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license.  (More information)  It is still highly recommended that you travel with a valid passport.

See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.

Different Rules if Traveling by Air

Soon after it was reported that Carnival Triumph would be towed to Progresso, the internet chat rooms were abuzz with questions about how passengers without passports would get home.

International air travel requires a passport and not simply a birth certificate and photo id.  That means that 900 passengers currently adrift on the Triumph could have been denied re-entry to the United States at the end of this ordeal.

Explaining the change of plans from Progresso to Mobile, the line indicated:

"Given the strength of the currents, it is preferable to head north to Mobile, rather than attempt to tow against them," the statement explained. Carnival now expects Triumph to arrive in Mobile sometime on Thursday, roughly the same time the ship would have arrived in Progreso. From there, the line said it will provide the necessary transportation to get passengers home. "Mobile also provides simpler re-entry [than Mexico], particularly for the 900 passengers traveling without passports," the line added.

Carnival Cruise Line had claimed that it had the situation under control and would be able to get passengers home from Mexico.   We will never know how complicated, or costly, that would have been since those plans have now been scrubbed.

If you and your family members found yourself in a situation where you had to get home from Mexico (or the Caribbean) without a passport, you would be faced with some challenges that could potentially cost you much more than the price of the initial passport fees.

If you don't have a passport, mark your calendars for March 9th.

Focusing On Family Travel

On Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., U.S. citizens may apply for or renew their passport book or passport card at any one of 25 passport agencies/centers that are open to the general public. No appointment is necessary on March 9 – normally, U.S. citizens would have to make an appointment at passport agencies.  (More details)

Tropical Storm Lee in Gulf of Mexico

13th Tropical Depression 

Forms in the Gulf of Mexico

Strengthens into Tropical Storm Lee

Cruise Ship Impact     Current Watches & Warnings

A new tropical cyclone has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is heading towards Louisiana. It will become Tropical Storm Lee when it strengthens.   Heavy rainfall is predicted for the Gulf states, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

 1100 PM EDT FRI SEP 09 2011

...HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMNANTS OF LEE ARE NOW LIMITED
TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA...

A STORM SURGE OF 4 FEET HAS BEEN REPORTED AT SHELL BEACH LOUISIANA
AND ALSO AT NEW CANAL STATION IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. A SURGE HEIGHT
OF 2 FEET HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR EAST AS PASCAGOULA MISSISSIPPI.

SUMMARY OF 400 PM CDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...29.4N 92.1W
ABOUT 60 MI...95 KM WSW OF MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA
ABOUT 55 MI...90 KM S OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 4 MPH...6 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...989 MB...29.21 INCHES

Cruise Ship Travel Alerts

Carnival Tropical Depression 13 - Update
RCI Tropical Weather Update
NCL Tropical Weather Updates 
Holland America Travel Advisories
Celebrity Cruises Travel Advisories  

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking
NOAA Hurricane Central 

NO CURRENT CRUISE ITINERARY CHANGES RELATED TO LEE

Carnival Triumph and Carnival Elation Sept. 5th 

CARNIVAL ELATION - 9/5/11
The Carnival Elation is still delayed arriving in Mobile from its previous cruise.  Given prevailing weather conditions, the local pilots have not been able to board the ship.  At this time we are still unable to provide an estimated arrival time.  We will provide guests with another update no later than 12:00PM CDT (noon) on Monday.  We encourage guests to sign up for text updates by texting CCL2 to 36500.

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH - 9/5/11
The Carnival Triumph is delayed arriving in New Orleans from its previous cruise. The good news is that local pilots have boarded the ship this morning and the ship is expected to dock at 5:00PM.  Because of limited parking and seating facilities at the terminal, please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until 9:00PM.  Embarkation is scheduled to take place from 8:00PM -10:30PM and sailing is scheduled for 11:00PM.  This delay should not impact our scheduled itinerary.  We encourage guests to sign up for text updates by texting CCL3 to 36500.

We're sorry Mother Nature is not cooperating with us. We look forward to welcoming guests aboard the Carnival Elation & Carnival Triumph! 

 

Updated: Sunday, September 4th 2 PM EDT

Norwegian Spirit will remain at sea today, September 4, awaiting an opportunity for safe arrival to New Orleans. At this time, the ship is anticipated to arrive in New Orleans on Monday, September 5 in the late evening once berthing space at the pier becomes available. When the ship is alongside, guests will have the option to disembark Monday evening using the easy walk-off program or they can stay onboard until Tuesday morning if they need assistance with their luggage.


Embarkation for the September 4 Norwegian Spirit cruise will take place on Tuesday, September 6 beginning at 11 am. Guests are asked to delay their arrival at the pier to Tuesday, September 6. The ship is expected to sail at 5 pm. Because of the delay, Norwegian Spirit will sail a revised itinerary calling in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Guests will receive a two-day refund based on the cruise fare paid as an on-board credit.

Current Watches & Warnings

FLASH FLOOD WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  RIVER FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN
EFFECT FROM MARYLAND NORTHWARD INTO UPSTATE NEW YORK AND
SOUTHWESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

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.

HEAVY RAINS OVER THE
MID-ATLANTIC HAVE DIMINISHED IN COVERAGE AND ARE NOW LIMITED TO
CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  AS THIS WILL BE THE LAST PUBLIC
ADVISORY...PLEASE REFER TO YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE FOR THE LATEST ON THE REMAINING RAINFALL.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL...ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 2 INCHES WILL BE
POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH SUNDAY...WITH
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE IN ISOLATED LOCATIONS.

Historical Data:         Storm Archive            Graphics Archive                           

Tropical Depression THIRTEEN

100 PM CDT FRI SEP 02 2011

...DEPRESSION STRENGTHENS INTO TROPICAL STORM LEE SOUTH OF THE
LOUISIANA COAST...HEAVY RAINBANDS CONTINUE TO SPREAD ACROSS MUCH 
OF SOUTHEASTERN AND SOUTH-CENTRAL LOUISIANA...  

700 PM CDT THU SEP 01 2011
 
...TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS OVER THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN GULF
COAST...

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TROPICAL STORM LEE	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

Carnival Redeploys Elation and Ecstasy

Carnival Elation

Carnival Cruises Redeploys Carnival Elation 

& Carnival Ecstasy

In a surprise move, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that they are pulling out of Mobile, Alabama in October, 2010.   Carnival Elation has been operating four-, five- and seven-night cruises out of Mobile, and is the only cruise vessel sailing out of the city.

According to the Mobile Press-Register, the news shocked local officials and cruise industry insiders, and leaves the city of Mobile with no direct revenue to pay the millions in debt remaining on the seven-year-old cruise terminal. 

Elation Moving to New Orleans

Carnival Elation will reposition from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans to operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning November 5, 2011. On this route, four-day cruises will depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel, one of the Caribbean’s most popular ports, while five-day voyages will call at both Cozumel and Progreso.

Carnival Elation will join the Carnival Conquest in New Orleans, marking the first time Carnival has operated two ships from New Orleans in six years.  Carnival will be the only cruise line with two ships based year-round in New Orleans, carrying more than 350,000 passengers annually. 
     

Carnival Ecstasy Moving to Port Canaveral

The second part of the double repositioning is the move of the Carnival Ecstasy, which was to have sailed from New Orleans this coming season, to Port Canaveral, Florida.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will operate four- and five-day Bahamas cruises from the Space Coast beginning November 7, 2011.  The move further bolsters Carnival’s position as Port Canaveral’s largest cruise operator with three year-round ships carrying approximately 600,000 guests annually.

Carnival Ecstasy will depart Thursdays on four-day ‘long weekend’ cruises visiting Nassau and Half Moon Cay or Freeport. Five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay or Key West.

Prior to repositioning to Port Canaveral, the Carnival Ecstasy will continue to operate from Galveston, Texas through September 8, 2011 and then from New Orleans September 22 through November 5, 2011, as previously scheduled.     


Guests with Current Reservations
As a result of these deployment changes, Carnival will no longer offer cruises from Mobile, Ala.  Guests booked on those voyages will have the option of re-booking from an alternate homeport and receive a $25 per person onboard credit, or they can elect to receive a full refund.

Guests booked on cruises from New Orleans on the Carnival Ecstasy that will now be operated on the Carnival Elation are being automatically shifted to the Carnival Elation.  Itineraries on the Carnival Elation will be identical to those that were scheduled for the Carnival Ecstasy.  The two vessels are sister ships with largely similar features, amenities and staterooms. (Those guests who were booked in standard balcony staterooms on the Carnival Ecstasy – a cabin category not featured on the Carnival Elation – will be contacted individually to discuss their preferences.) The movement of bookings from Carnival Ecstasy to Carnival Elation will be completed by Friday, March 11, 2011 at which time new bookings can be made.

Drive to Your Next Cruise Vacation

Stretching the Vacation Budget

A recent survey indicated that more and more families are deciding not to fly to their destination this year and instead are taking to the roads.   This makes sense especially for families with two or more children.   The cost of airfare adds up quickly when you travel with the entire family.

You don't have to limit your final destination to the 50 contiguous states if you decide to drive to your vacation spot.  Did you know that there are 23 U.S. ports that you can select from, some of which offer year-round cruising?

These cruise ports also offer parking facilities, some of which are covered parking, that offer prices comparable to airport parking garages.   You can also explore near-by hotels that offer stay and park packages complete with transportation to the pier.

Carnival Fascination Sailing From
Charleston, SC  Year-round

Starting May 18th, Carnival Fascination is sailing year-round five-, six- and seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and Key West, Florida from Charleston, SC.   The ship will also offer six six-day Bermuda cruises from Charleston next year.  Carnival Fantasy is expected to carry 140,000 passengers annually from Charleston.

This past week, Carnival Cruises and Charleston officials participated in several events commemorating the new sailing program including: Carnival’s Launch of Year-Round Service from Charleston Highlighted by City’s First-Ever Water Slide Races

The recent addition of the awesome aquatic amenities of Carnival WaterWorks, Serenity Adult-only Retreat, and a tropical resort-style pool make this 70,367 ton, 2,056 passenger vessel the perfect vacation destination.

Elation Arrival, Courtesy Carnival

Carnival Elation Sailing From

Mobile, AL Year-round

Starting May 15th, Carnival Elation replaced Carnival Fascination sailing four-, five- and seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from Mobile, Alabama.  Carnival Elation is scheduled to operate 74 voyages annually from Mobile, carrying an estimated 170,000 passengers each year.

This past week, Carnival Cruises and Mobile officials participated in a traditional maritime plaque ceremony to commemorate launch of the year-round program. Carnival Elation is a sister ship of Carnival Fascination, so the same on-board amenities await you and your family.

These are just a couple examples of recent announcements for cruise vacation options from ports of call within driving distance.   So pack up the family and drive to one of the U.S. ports of call to begin your cruise.