Welcome Back to Sandals Resorts

We want you to feel safe and enjoy a worry free vacation. 

So book with confidence and let us welcome you back to paradise. 

 As your dedicated Vacation Specialist, we are here to keep you informed on the latest health and safety protocols. We’re working closely with cruise lines, destinations, and resorts to ensure you and your family are safe while on your next vacation.  Watch this video to learn about Sandals Resorts new protocols for your worry free vacation.

 

Where Do You Wanna Go?

Select from Antigua, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada and Barbados now.  Coming soon - Bahamas and additional resorts in the other destinations.  

Please note that each destination has implemented health and safety protocols to protect you and their islands from further spread of COVID-19.  Most countries are requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within days of your journey.  Following are links to the latest information.

• Antigua & Barbuda Travel Advisory
• Jamaica Travel Authorization
• St. Lucia Entry Requirements
  
• Pure Grenada Travel Advisory
• Bahamas - Tourism Reopening
• U.S. Department of State - COVID-19

Sandals has always taken health and safety very seriously at their resorts. Now more than ever, they are taking additional steps to safeguard your stay with their Sandals Platinum Protocol of Cleanliness. They have strengthened their protocols to encompass all points of contact at every resort from the moment you arrive at our airport lounges, through to the entire on resort experience.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat 

Tropical Storm Emily Fifth in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Emily Triggers Watches & Warnings

EMILY REGENERATES

500 PM EDT SAT AUG 06 2011

...EMILY REGENERATES AS A WEAK TROPICAL DEPRESSION...EXPECTED TO
MOVE AWAY FROM THE BAHAMAS AND THE U.S. COAST SUNDAY... 

UPDATE 500 PM EDT SUN AUG 07 2011

...EMILY DISSIPATES AS A TROPICAL CYCLONE...THIS WILL BE THE FINAL
NHC ADVISORY...

 Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

 NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

On Saturday, July 30th, we began tracking a potential tropical storm that had formed 900 miles from the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea.  There was a strong probability that it could become a tropical cyclone as it moved into more favorable waters.   On Monday August 1st, it became the fifth tropical storm of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season and was named EMILY.  Several governments issued tropical storm watches and warnings as the storm intensified.

After soaking Hispaniola and other nearby islands, TS Emily had become a remnant low but there was a high chance that it could regenerate into a tropical cyclone.   One week from its initial formation, Emily is once again a Tropical Depression as it now dumps heavy rains on the Bahamas.   Some cruise itineraries had been impacted and cruise lines are once again monitoring the storm for any additional changes.

Cruise Itinerary Changes

Currently, sailings for Norwegian Sky (8/5/11), Norwegian Jewel (8/6/11) and Norwegian Gem (8/7/11) will continue as scheduled. However, should weather conditions change, some of these itineraries may be modified.

EMILY IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BY ALL CRUISE LINES FOR IMPACT

************

Several Cruise Ships had diverted from planned stops

Carnival Dream - Thursday Freeport (was sea day),
Carnival Liberty - Thursday Key West (was Grand Turk)

Carnival Miracle - Friday San Juan (was Grand Turk), Saturday St. Thomas (was Half Moon Cay), Sunday Grand Turk (was Nassau) 
 
Caribbean Princess skipped its call in San Juan. 

Royal Caribbean canceled scheduled ports calls to St. Thomas and St. Maarten for both Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas:

Oasis Changes - Monday/Tuesday at Sea, Wednesday Costa Maya, Thursday Cozumel

Freedom changes - Wednesday Grand Cayman, Thursday Cozumel , Friday begin return to Ft. Lauderdale

Disney Dream - Thursday Nassau (was sea day), Friday at sea (was Nassau)

SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...26.9N 78.1W
ABOUT 70 MI...115 KM WNW OF GREAT ABACO ISLAND
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 8 MPH...13 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1012 MB...29.88 INCHES

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.

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

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

ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE
DEPRESSION WILL BE MOVING AWAY FROM THE BAHAMAS AND THE U.S. EAST
COAST.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 30 MPH...45 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  SOME SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT 24 TO 36
HOURS.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
---------------------- 

RAINFALL...EMILY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL RAINFALL
ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS THROUGH
SUNDAY.  ISOLATED MAXIMUM STORM TOTAL AMOUNT OF 6 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE IN ASSOCIATION WITH EMILY.

WIND...WIND GUSTS TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE ARE POSSIBLE IN HEAVY
SQUALLS IN THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS THROUGH TONIGHT.

Historical data for Tropical Storm EMILY:    Archive     Graphics Archive 

730 PM AST MON AUG 01 2011 
...NEW TROPICAL STORM FORMS...TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS
ISSUED... 

500 PM EDT THU AUG 04 2011
...EMILY DEGENERATES INTO A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE...HEAVY RAINS
CONTINUE OVER HISPANIOLA... Last Public Advisory issued for Emily

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TROPICAL STORM EMILY	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

New Star Princess 2011 Itineraries

Rio de Janeiro - Courtesy Princess Cruises

 Exotics 2010-2011

Princess Cruises announced some additional sailings for Star Princess.   The added sailings are in the Exotics and Caribbean markets.

New exciting itineraries to radiant South America

• 29-day Cape Horn & Brazilian Grand Adventure (February 23) sailing from Santiago, around the southernmost tip of South America to Ft. Lauderdale
• 15-day Brazilian Adventure (March 9) staying overnight in Rio de Janeiro before sailing to Ft. Lauderdale

Closer look at 29-day Brazilian Grand Adventure

Sail onboard Star Princess® for a 29-day adventure around the southernmost tip of stunning South America before traversing the sun-swept Caribbean en route to Ft. Lauderdale. From Buenos Aires, you’ll sail around historic Cape Horn before setting sail for points north, including Salvador and Recife in Brazil and the sunny splendors of Barbados and Antigua.

Time permitting, I'd suggest arriving in Buenos Aires early so you can explore the capital and largest city in Argentina.   We looked at this city in a past post: Where is Chris - Featured Destination Sept 09

Once the cruise adventure begins, you'll have the opportunity to sail where explorers have gone before - around the tip of Cape Horn and the Strait of Magellan.  Your voyage includes an overnight stay in Rio, ideal for experiencing the nightlife of one of the world’s most exciting cities. 

Departing Rio, your voyage begins the journey north towards Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.   This will be a cruise adventure you'll remember for many years to come. 

Additional voyages in the Caribbean

• 10-day Southern Caribbean Medley (March 24, April 13)
• 10-day Eastern Caribbean Voyager (April 3 & 23)

 Learn more about these and other Princess Cruises.

Hurricane Hunter Preparedness Events

C-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft (Credit: NOAA)

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

Hurricane Preparedness

Atlantic, Mexico and Caribbean

Public invited to tour Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft

NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Reserve are hosting a series of Hurricane Preparedness events in the Atlantic, Mexico, and Caribbean between March 18 and 27, 2010.  This is an early start to efforts to educate the public about hurricanes.

 A Hurricane Preparedness Web site has been launched by NOAA. The goal of this Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 23rd through May 29th 2010

Tours of the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J "hurricane hunter" aircraft will be available to residents, who will also have the opportunity to meet directors and staff including personnel from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 403rd Wing.


“The squadron is the only remaining military unit in the world which routinely flies into tropical cyclones to aid in the United States Hurricane Warning Program,“ said Lt. Col. Jonathan Talbot, Chief Weather Officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

Locations and times for public tours are listed below (all times are local):

• Friday, March 19: Bermuda; 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Monday, March 22: Mazatlan, Mexico; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, March 23: Merida, Mexico; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Wednesday, March 24: San Salvadore, El Salvadore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Friday, March 26: Antigua; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
• Saturday, March 27: Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  

Hurricane season goes from June 1st through November. For additional information about hurricanes, including useful links, see the "Weather" tab above.  Last season we monitored several tropical storms which fortunately weren't as devastating as in some past years.

Tropical Storm Erika Forms in Atlantic

Chart Courtesy of NOAA: 800 PM AST (Erika) TUE September 1, 2009
<more details> <click for updated chart>

Tropical Storm Erika Forms in Atlantic

Another tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is currently east of the Leeward Islands. Tropical storm watches have been posted.

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>

UPDATE: 200 PM EDT FRI SEP 4 2009... FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION ERIKA ARE LOCATED SOUTH OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO...

SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY HAS DECREASED OVER THE PAST FEW HOURS... AND THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF A SURFACE CIRCULATION. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN UNFAVORABLE FOR RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM AS IT MOVES SLOWLY WESTWARD AT 5 TO 10 MPH...

This post will track Tropical Storm Erika until it is no longer tracked by the NHC.

Local Weather Statements

<more details> <click for updated chart>

<NWS - Local Weather>

<NASA Hurricane Tracking>

Cruise Ship Tropical Storm Updates:

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

It is too early for cruise line advisories on this storm, but you may want to bookmark this post for future reference.

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.

Princess Announces 2010-2011 Caribbean & Mexican Riviera Program

Announcing the Fall 2010 - Spring 2011

Caribbean & Mexican Riviera Program

Princess® - Escape to sunny isles in 2010 - 2011

Nothing says escape like the warm, welcoming islands and colorful cultures of the turquoise Caribbean. Princess® has a variety of festive voyages sailing eastern, southern or western Caribbean on six of their grandest ships in 2010 and 2011, visiting over 25 of the region’s very best ports. Frolic on white sand beaches and swim above reefs teeming with colorful sea life on islands such as St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, Barbados, Grenada and more.

The convenience of Ft. Lauderdale, New York and San Juan.

Princess sails year-round in the Caribbean and departs from a variety of convenient ports including Ft. Lauderdale, New York and San Juan. Choose from easy week-long sailings to a relaxing 14-day itinerary. For an extensive Southern Caribbean exploration, departures from Barbados are also available.

Six spectacular ships.

The Princess Caribbean fleet includes some of the best ships in the region. The magnificent Ruby Princess® sails 7-day Eastern Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale. Caribbean Princess® sails two alternating 7-day port-intensive Southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan. Crown Princess® sails a week-long Western Caribbean itinerary, Emerald Princess® sails on two alternating 10-day itineraries to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Sea Princess® a range of 14-day Eastern and Southern voyages from Barbados and Grand Princess® the immersive 14-day Caribbean Collection from Ft. Lauderdale among other options. Whichever ship you sail, you’ll enjoy warm, welcoming Princess service and wonderful amenities including Movies Under the Stars,® the adults-only retreat, The Sanctuary, the freedom of Anytime DiningSM and more.

Princess Cays® — a private paradise in the Bahamas.

All 7- and 10-day sailings from Ft. Lauderdale feature a call at Princess Cays,® Princess own Bahamian paradise where the relaxing options range from sunbathing and shopping for crafts to volleyball and snorkeling.

Warm Sandy Beaches are Calling You!

Why not grab a group of your friends and plan a Caribbean vacation for next winter. There are special offers for early booking and groups. For more details, visit me on Facebook and my website.

Mexican Riviera Program (information on my Facebook page)

Request More Information on Princess 2010-11 Caribbean & Mexican Riviera Program via email

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