National Anthem Day

click to enlarge images

O say can you see, by the dawns early light, a large red, white and blue banner? 

Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

We had the opportunity to visit Fort McHenry during our post cruise stay in Baltimore, MD after one of our conferences.

view our Fort McHenry photo album for more pictures

The flag pictured above was flown over the fort.   We were fortunate to be there for the lowering of the flag and raising of a much smaller flag that would fly through the evening hours.

Click here for the story behind the Star-Spangled Banner origin. The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Why not take your family on a cruise out of Baltimore, extend your stay, and visit Fort McHenry and the National Museum of American History to bring history to life.  You can read about the flag and the Star-Spangled Banner in text books or the internet, but seeing the actual flag and the fort where the national anthem was created will be an experience to treasure for a life time.

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Flag Day in the USA

Flag Flying over Fort McHenry

June 14th is Flag Day.   President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 1916, to be a national celebration of the American flag, and the 1949 Congress declared June 14 to be national Flag Day every year.  This day commemorates the day the Second Continental Congress authorized the United States of America to adopt a flag to represent the new nation.

  

Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland

We had the opportunity to visit Fort McHenry during our post cruise stay in Baltimore, MD after a recent cruise.

The flag pictured above was flown over the fort.   We were fortunate to be there for the lowering of the flag and raising of a much smaller flag that would fly through the evening hours.

O Say, Can You See?

When you visit Fort McHenry, you can learn all about the birth of our National Anthem.  

click images to enlarge

O say can you see, by the dawns early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

This was an impressive flag ceremony.   I suggest you include a visit to Fort McHenry when visiting Baltimore.    Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas and Carnival Pride have several sailings from Baltimore, so why not include a cruise in your plans and learn about our nation's history at the same time.

Jonas Delays Cruises

Anthem of the Seas 

Grandeur of the Seas 

Under Snow Dome 

According to the National Weather Service...
 
Major to Historic Winter Storm Jonas Will Impact the Middle Atlantic to Southern New England into Sunday

Snow fall so far has amounted to more than two feet in some areas.  Heavy winds will accompany the snow, making for very dangerous conditions.  Many states have activated the National Guard to help combat the snow and rescue people who were trapped by the storm.

Royal Caribbean International has announced two delays caused by Jonas (click link for current statement):


Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas will be delayed a day, arriving back into Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Tuesday, January 26 instead of Monday, January 25. Passengers on the current voyage will get an extra day, while passengers on the January 25th voyage will have an altered itinerary, yet to be announced. 

Your local forecast office is

New York, NY

News Headlines

•  Snow Accumulation Forecast
•  Major Winter Storm Expected to Impact the Region into Sunday Morning
•  Significant Coastal Impacts Expected for Portions of the Region Saturday into Sunday
•  Latest Snowfall Amounts

Grandeur of the Seas

Grandeur of the Seas will now return to Baltimore a day late. Grandeur will now depart Baltimore on Monday, January 25th. Passengers on the current voyage will get an extra day, while passengers on the January 24th voyage will have an altered itinerary, yet to be announced.

Your local forecast office is

Baltimore, MD/Washington, D.C.

News Headlines

•  BLIZZARD / WINTER STORM - More info HERE
•  Latest Snowfall Map/Listing
•  Top snowfall statistics for DCA, BWI, and IAD
•  NOW AVAILABLE - Experimental Days 4-7 Winter Storm Threat graphics!

Travel Insurance 

Winter Storm Jonas is the perfect example of why you need to purchase travel insurance.

You had every intention of traveling to New York or Baltimore for your cruise, but Mother Nature had other plans. Your flight was probably cancelled. With a little luck, the airline will be able to reschedule you for a flight that will arrive in time for the revised cruise departure. But what if they can't?

Perhaps you already departed when the storm grounded you at a connection. Now you had an unexpected hotel stay. These are just a few of the possible situations the Travel Insurance Companies' Assistance Desks will be dealing with this weekend.

The intangible benefit of travel insurance is just having someone to turn to when things go wrong during your vacation. The assistance you are given is a bonus benefit. If you've ever experienced a problem during a vacation, you know what I mean. You just can't think on your own - what do I do next - you start to panic.

Make sure you have your Travel Insurance Policy Number & Phone Contact with you. Contact your Cruise Specialist for assistance in obtaining this information (another reason for using a professional for your booking as well).

Stay Safe

For those that are traveling to / from their cruise vacation this weekend - stay safe. To everyone else in the effected areas - stay inside warm & safe.

Flag Flying over Fort McHenry

Flag Flying over Fort McHenry

June 14th is Flag Day.   President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 1916, to be a national celebration of the American flag, and the 1949 Congress declared June 14 to be national Flag Day every year.  This day commemorates the day the Second Continental Congress authorized the United States of America to adopt a flag to represent the new nation.

 Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland

We had the opportunity to visit Fort McHenry during our post cruise stay in Baltimore, MD last year following our national conference convention aboard Carnival Pride.

The flag pictured above was flown over the fort.   We were fortunate to be there for the lowering of the flag and raising of a much smaller flag that would fly through the evening hours.

O Say, Can You See?

When you visit Fort McHenry, you can learn all about the birth of our National Anthem.  

O say can you see, by the dawns early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

This was an impressive flag ceremony.   I suggest you include a visit to Fort McHenry when visiting Baltimore.    Carnival Pride sails year-round from Baltimore, so why not include a cruise in your plans and learn about our nation's history at the same time.

Bracing for Major Hurricane Irene

High above the Earth from aboard the International Space Station,
astronaut Ron Garan snapped this image of Hurricane Irene
as it passed over the Caribbean on Aug. 22, 2011.                  Credit: NASA

Major Hurricane Irene

Continues to Impact

Cruise Schedules

East Coast Bracing 

for Landfall

For the second weekend in a row, Irene, now a Major Hurricane, is dominating the weather and causing local governments and the entire travel industry to scramble to revise schedules to keep property and people safe from harm.

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

200 PM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

...CENTER OF IRENE MOVING OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

Warnings Issued for Hurricane Irene -- See this post for current warnings, location, hazards, and other updates

      CURRENT WARNINGS       TRAVEL ADVISORIES        StormScape LIVE    

      INTERACTIVE TRACKING      CANADA HURRICANE CENTRE

Despite Hurricane Irene's weakening to a Category One status, it is still packing quite a punch and has local governments scrambling to keep property and residents safe.   The NHC is warning that all of the tropical cyclone Hazards:  Wind, heavy Rainfall, Storm Surge, Surf, and Tornadoes are forecast.

Hurricane of the Century

The GOES-13 satellite saw Hurricane Irene
on August 27, 2011 at 10:10 a.m. EDT
after it made landfall at 8 a.m. in Cape Lookout, NC.
Irene's outer bands had already extended into New England.
(Credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project)
Click image for more dramatic images of Hurricane Irene

Many are referring to Hurricane Irene as the storm of the century.   Mandatory evacuations have begun for parts of the eastern seaboard of the United States.  The picture above, courtesy of NASA, shows why there is this great concern.   The hurricane is massive!  As we write this article, Irene is a Category Three Hurricane with winds in excess of 115 MPH.   Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 290 miles.

Ten States Declare Emergencies - Mandatory Evacuations Across the Region
Transportation Systems Shut Down

Irene will move northwest and approach the North Carolina Coast this weekend before continuing its journey north, skimming the Mid-Atlantic coast with possible landfall in New England.

Fifty-five million people are potentially in Hurricane Irene's path, from the Carolinas to Cape Cod on the U.S. East Coast, and tens of thousands are evacuating as cities including New York brace for the powerful storm to hit.

NYC Unprecedented Evacuation / Transit Shutdown

As powerful Hurricane Irene makes it way up the East Coast of the United States, New York City ordered nearly 300,000 people to evacuate flood-prone areas and subways.  The New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has begun a full system shutdown.  Philadelphia and New Jersey will also shut down on Saturday.

It was the first time the nation's largest city was evacuated. Never before has the entire mass transit system been shuttered because of a storm.  New York city has not seen a storm of this magnitude in decades.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he was confident people would get out of the storm's way.

"Waiting until the last minute is not a smart thing to do," Bloomberg said. "This is life-threatening."

President Obama spoke with reporters from the farm where he is vacationing on an island off the Boston coast.  He will be leaving the area on Saturday well ahead of the storm.

"All indications point to this being a historic hurricane," 

"I cannot stress this highly enough. If you are in the projected path of this hurricane, you have to take precautions now. Don't wait. Don't delay," Obama said.

Cruise Ship Travel Alerts

This past week, many cruises had their itineraries altered to outrun the storm.   In most cases, port orders were changed or in some cases, Bahamas ports were swapped for Western Caribbean ports.

As the weekend approaches and the hurricane bears down on many of the homeports along the east coast, ships are racing to arrive ahead of the storm.  Several itineraries have been modified to cut the current cruise short, arriving in the homeport as much as a day early.  Some ships will delay arrivals until Monday. Departures for weekend cruises vary by port with some scheduled on time while others departing a day or more late. 

Ports impacted:  Baltimore, Bayonne New Jersey, Boston, New York, 

Travel Advisory Links:

Major Cruise Ship Impact  <---- click here for latest updates

Carnival Tropical Storm Irene - Itinerary Updates
RCI Tropical Weather Update
NCL Tropical Weather Updates 
Holland America Travel Advisories
Celebrity Cruises Travel Advisories  

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

NOAA Hurricane Central 

Airline Travel Advisories

Major airlines -- including US Airways, American, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and AirTran -- have dropped ticket change fees for passengers scheduled to fly to or from many cities along the East Coast this weekend. 

Airlines canceled more than 9,000 flights for the weekend and another 250 on Monday, according to the online flight tracking service Flightaware.com.

Check directly with your airline carrier for latest cancellation information

Additional Travel Woes

Transit systems in New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey   shut down on Saturday.

Amtrak Cancels More East Coast Trains in Advance of Hurricane Irene

Greyhound has canceled or delayed a number of routes because of the storm.

Hurricane Preparedness

Each year NHC, FEMA, and other government agencies host several events to raise awareness about the dangers of tropical storms and hurricanes.  See our Hurricane Zone for links to articles we published in conjunction with this year's Hurricane Preparedness Week as well as those from past years.  For those planning to sail this weekend, be sure to read Hurricane Preparedness for Cruisers

We will continue to monitor this major hurricane and post updates.  Hurricane Zone will point to the latest information.   We have provided several links which provide up to the minute news, forecasts, advisories.

Disaster Prevention should include:

•  Developing a Family Plan
•  Creating a Disaster Supply Kit
•  Having a Place to Go
•  Securing your Home
•  Having a Pet Plan

"How To" guides for protecting your property from flooding &amp; high winds. (FEMA)

East Coast Snow Aims for Cruise Ports

Photo Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

CARNIVAL PRIDE ®

Weather Forecast:
Baltimore - SNOWY
Bahamas - SUNNY

CARNIVAL FANTASY ® 

Delayed  Arrival

Carnival Fantasy's arrival in the Port of Charleston, SC  
Monday, December 27, will be delayed several hours. Carnival is advising embarking passengers to arrive after 1:30 p.m.  

Note:  This Blog Post covered a particular event, however, links contained in this article may still be useful during later weather events.     Click (here) for Weather & Travel Links

New York and New England Airports Closed

The East Coast is being hit by a major snow storm which has stranded passengers in several states including New York and Boston.   The closures won't directly impact cruises in that area since there are none scheduled to leave until January 2nd.   Of course, passengers trying to depart from or through New York or Boston, will be impacted by the closures.

 

Carnival Pride and Norwegian Jewel were not impacted by the snow storm.  They departed on schedule Sunday afternoon.

IMPORTANT WEATHER LINKS

NWS - Local Weather

NWS - Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Sun Weather Page

NWS - Charleston, SC

IMPORTANT TRAVEL LINKS

Airport Delays

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Port of Baltimore

Port of Charleston

It is always advisable to allow extra time for travel to your port of call, especially during winter months.   Check with your air carrier in advance to see if there are any changes to your flight schedule.   The cruise line will notify your travel agent of any known itinerary changes, but last minute changes can also occur.   Best advice is to expect changes and have travel insurance to assist you with any missed connections.

Carnival Cruise Lines 2011 Bermuda

NOW EVEN MORE BERMUDA ITINERARIES!

From April to November 2011, Carnival Cruise Lines will be offering 16 departures to the island from Baltimore, Norfolk, New York - and for the first time, historic Charleston!

Carnival's 2011 Bermuda departures include:

• Baltimore (7-day cruises on the Carnival Pride) – April 10 and 17, September 18, October 2 and November 6.
• New York (7- and 8-day departures on the Carnival Miracle) – April 14 and 21, and September 11 and 27.
• Norfolk (6-day sailing on the Carnival Glory) – October 16.
• Charleston (6-day voyages on the Carnival Fantasy) – April 23, May 19, June 16, August 25, September 15 and October 6.

Reservations are currently open for these 2011 Bermuda sailings.
Cruises to Bermuda (select date)        Other Bermuda Posts

All of the Bermuda voyages will dock at King's Wharf. Guests on 6-day voyages will be able to spend two-day calls in King's Wharf; those on the 7- and 8-day cruises spend three action-packed days in Bermuda.

The people of Bermuda are very friendly and helpful.  There are plenty of activities for the entire family in Bermuda.   It is very easy to get around Bermuda by bus, taxi, and ferry.  King's Wharf is the perfect location for starting your day's exploration.   Hamilton is a short ferry ride away, so you are not limited to one area.

Thoughts on Flag Day 2010 - Ft. McHenry

Flag Flying over Fort McHenry

June 14th is Flag Day.   President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 1916, to be a national celebration of the American flag, and the 1949 Congress declared June 14 to be national Flag Day every year.  This day commemorates the day the Second Continental Congress authorized the United States of America to adopt a flag to represent the new nation.

 Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland

We had the opportunity to visit Fort McHenry during our post cruise stay in Baltimore, MD last year following our national conference convention aboard Carnival Pride.

The flag pictured above was flown over the fort.   We were fortunate to be there for the lowering of the flag and raising of a much smaller flag that would fly through the evening hours.

O Say, Can You See?

When you visit Fort McHenry, you can learn all about the birth of our National Anthem.  

O say can you see, by the dawns early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

This was an impressive flag ceremony.   I suggest you include a visit to Fort McHenry when visiting Baltimore.    Carnival Pride sails year-round from Baltimore, so why not include a cruise in your plans and learn about our nation's history at the same time.

Enchanting the Port of Baltimore

Enchantment of the Seas® 

Sailing Year-round from Baltimore Maryland

Baltimore just got more enchanting. Enchantment of the Seas® is now sailing year-round from this beautiful city, offering more onboard activities and amenities than any other ship in the area.  

Royal Caribbean's Vision Class of ships include exciting new features like Bungee trampolines, suspension bridges, an expanded Pool Deck, and the interactive Splash Deck, a great spot for kids to get soaked. Enjoy Boleros, the new Latin-themed lounge; work up a sweat in the fitness facilities; and then cool down with a cone from Ben & Jerry's.  Learn More about Enchantment of the Seas®

5-Night Bermuda 

Baltimore, Maryland • Kings Wharf, Bermuda (Overnight) • Baltimore, Maryland

8/9-Night New England & Canada 

Baltimore, Maryland • Portland, Maine • Saint John, New Brunswick • Halifax, Nova Scotia • Bar Harbor, Maine • Boston, Massachusetts • Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland • Portland, Maine • Bar Harbor, Maine • Saint John, New Brunswick • Halifax, Nova Scotia • Boston, Massachusetts • Baltimore, Maryland

9-Night Bahamas 

Baltimore, Maryland • Port Canaveral, Florida • Key West, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Cococay®, Bahamas • Baltimore, Maryland

9-Night Eastern Caribbean 

Baltimore, Maryland • San Juan, Puerto, Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Samana, Dominican Republic • Labadee®, Haiti • Baltimore, Maryland

12-Night Southern Caribbean 

Baltimore, Maryland • Labadee®, Haiti • Samana, Dominican Republic • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • Baltimore, Maryland

Weather Advisory Port of Baltimore

Photo Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

CARNIVAL PRIDE ®

Weather Forecast:

Baltimore - SNOWY
Bahamas - SUNNY

Note:  This Blog Post covered a particular event, however, links contained in this article may still be useful during later weather events.     Click (here) for Weather & Travel Links

As the Nation's Capital and surrounding areas endures another blast of winter weather, passengers scheduled to leave on Sunday's departure of Carnival Pride's 7-Night Caribbean, Baltimore R/T anxiously watch the weather and wonder if they will be able to get to the Port of Baltimore in time for their cruise. Forecasts show total accumulation of up to 2 feet of snow in some areas. Snow is expected to taper off in the evening which should allow time for snow removal.

SUNDAY CRUISE PASSENGERS REMINDED TO ALLOW EXTRA
TIME FOR REACHING PORT OF BALTIMORE

The Maryland Port Authority reminds passengers to allow extra time for travel from their homes due to the upcoming snow event. This is not the first snow storm MPA has faced, so they have a plan in place. (Press Release)

“We strongly encourage our cruise passengers to exercise good judgment and use common sense when coming to the Cruise Maryland terminal on Sunday,” said Maryland Port Administration (MPA) Executive Director James J. White. “Comparable to our December snowstorm, MPA personnel will work around the clock this weekend to make sure our parking lots, walkways and pier are cleared of snow and are safe for the public.”

The Port Administration successfully combated a similar storm last December. The snow operations plan that worked last time will once again be implemented for this storm. The plan included round-the-clock snow removal by crews working in 12-hour shifts using heavy-duty equipment to move snow.

IMPORTANT WEATHER LINKS

NWS - Local Weather

NWS - Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Sun Weather Page

IMPORTANT TRAVEL LINKS

Airport Delays

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Port of Baltimore 

Saturday, February 6 at 10:00 AM -- A significant winter weather event is impacting the Baltimore-Washington region on Saturday. Airlines have cancelled all flights, and indicate most Saturday service will be cancelled. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for information regarding flight delays or cancellations.

Sunday, February 7 at 11:30 AM --Snow removal operations continue at BWI Marshall Airport. Airline cancellations continue, and BWI Marshall expects limited, if any, commercial flight activity on Sunday. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for information on flight delays or cancellations. Passengers are encouraged to rebook travel by telephone or airline website, rather than coming to Airport.

Monday, February 8 at 6:00 PM --Both of BWI Marshall Airport's main runways are now open for flight operations. Airlines are gradually returning to near-normal schedules. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines to confirm flight status BEFORE heading to Airport. Passengers are encouraged to rebook travel by telephone or airline website, rather than coming to the Airport. Those customers travelling from BWI Marshall this week should consider parking under cover in one of the Airport's garages. Light rail information is available here.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Carnival Cruise Line has not altered the February 7, 2010, itinerary as of this posting. Should it be necessary for Carnival to alter the itinerary, an advisory would be posted to the following link: Carnival Travel Advisory

Winter storms like this are perfect examples of why to take Travel Protection Insurance. For example: Trip Delay / Missed Connection coverage would potentially cover any additional expenses necessary to join your cruise in progress if you aren't able to get to the departure point on time. There are several other unexpected situations that can occur after final payment. Protect your vacation investment and travel without worries.

No matter what policy you chose, make sure you understand the limitations and coverages so you are not surprised after the fact. It is for this reason that I advise my customers to utilize the insurance company's help desk to get your detailed questions answered.

Safe Travels to all Departing on Carnival Pride - Enjoy Your Cruise

Thanksgiving Greetings 2009

Keukenhof Gardens - Holland

HAPPY
THANKSGIVING

Lepreau Falls - Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here already. Where did 2009 go? As has become my tradition, I'd like to share with you some of the things that I'm thankful for and highlight some of my adventures this year.

I hope that you, your family, and friends have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. I know that I have plenty of things to be thankful for, including my health, family, and friends and the ability to share my love of cruising with all of you. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to explore new worlds with family and friends again this year.

While this has been a tough economic year, it appears that the cruise industry has weathered the storm. Just this month, we have been highlighting the introduction of Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International has set the standard bar quite high with this new marvel. The value of cruising has never been stronger. Even in these tough times, more and more families have taken to the seas. There were some record discounts offered, making it even a better value, and consequently we have seen a surge in first-time cruisers.

The photos above are from some of our cruises this year. The true highlight of the year was our Tulip Time river cruise on AMA Waterways Amalegro. We sailed out of Amsterdam, Netherlands visiting the surrounding Belgium and Holland area. My favorite memories are of the Keukenhof Gardens (top photo) where we saw thousands of tulips in bloom and Brussels where we feasted on Belgium chocolates and freshly made Belgium waffles topped with fruit and chocolate.

Mid-year we visited Canada and New England stopping at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada (middle photo) and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Reversing Falls in Saint John and a Tall Ship Sailing Experience were two of my favorite things from that cruise vacation.

Our National Conference departed last month from Baltimore, Maryland (bottom photo), and sailed to Port Canaveral and then on to the Bahamas. Carnival Pride is now sailing year-round from this port which is within driving distance of many parts of the Eastern United States. Our visit to Baltimore was definitely a highlight of this trip as was our all day excursion to Blue Lagoon.

When the Pilgrims came to the New World, they came in Tall Ships, much like the one we sailed on in Halifax. The average length of those ships were 110 feet. The length of the Oasis of the Seas is more than 10 times that at 1182 feet. The Pilgrim ships had 32 - 150 passengers while the Oasis can hold more than 6300 (not counting the crew). It took months to cross the Atlantic while the Oasis of the Seas took 14 days (due to the storm encountered in the Northern Atlantic).

Thank you for making my blog column a part of your lives in 2009. I hope that the information I share helps you to dream about future cruises of your own. I'd be honored to help you plan those trips. I have the best job in the world - helping make dreams come true. For that, I'm truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Weather Impacts Port of Baltimore / Grandeur OTS

If you are looking for the February, 2010 Snow Storm in Baltimore, click:
Weather Advisory Port of Baltimore

Weather Update - Grandeur of the Seas

November 14, 2009 Departure

Royal Caribbean continues to closely monitor the path and progress of a major weather system affecting the mid-Atlantic region. Due to this inclement weather and strong winds, the Port of Baltimore closed yesterday and reopened today at 10:00 a.m.

Since the ship cannot transit the Chesapeake Bay until the port is open, and because it takes approximately nine hours for a ship to transit the Bay and dock, Grandeur of the Seas is not expected to arrive in Baltimore until approximately 7:00 p.m.

Due to the late arrival, the following changes have been made:

Boarding for embarking guests will begin at approximately 11:00 p.m.

Departing Guests should not arrive until 9:30 PM

Guests must be Onboard by 2:00 AM Nov. 15th

Royal Caribbean asks that guests who are scheduled to sail on Grandeur of the Seas today, Saturday, November 14, not arrive at the pier until 9:30 p.m. for check in. However, please arrive no later than 2:00 a.m.

Grandeur of the Seas to arrive Bermuda, Tuesday at 8:00 AM

Regrettably, because of the delayed departure, and the time and speed needed, the ship will now arrive in Kings Wharf, Bermuda at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, instead of on Monday, as originally scheduled. Royal Caribbean sincerely regrets the impact weather conditions are having on the departure of this cruise.

Royal Caribbean Important Updates

Port of Baltimore Website

NWS - Local Weather

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

We will monitor this situation and post any additional updates.

Safe cruising to all.

Greetings from Nassau, Bahamas

Back home the temperature is in the 60s but here in the Bahamas it's a balmy 90 with humidity. What a perfect day to spend under a palm tree in a hammock. The ship arrived in Nassau around 11 AM and we departed shortly after that for Blue Lagoon.

It's a short boat ride from the pier to Blue Lagoon. On the way to the private island, the boat passes Atlantis resort and many expensive homes. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way for capturing the beautiful turquoise waters of the Bahamas.

After arriving we found a location with several hammocks and picnic tables and put our bags down on one of the tables. It was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, catch some rays and enjoy the various water sports.

I'll leave you with that image for now. When I return from our cruise, I'll tell you more about our stay and include some pictures.

Meanwhile, I suggest you take a look at my website for Carnival Pride itineraries out of Batlimore. This is the perfect vacation for families, especially those that live near Baltimore.

Greetings from Carnival Pride

I'm writing this to you from Carnival Pride, the host for Cruises Inc. & Cruise One 2009 National Conference. We are at sea today somewhere off the coast of Florida. Tomorrow we will be in Port Canaveral where we will have a group outing to Disney World in Orlando.

Carnival Pride sails out of Baltimore for a fun filled 7 night cruise to Port Canaveral and the Bahamas. This is a perfect get away especially for families on the East Coast of the United States. It is within driving distance from many cities and a great way to relax with your family without having to fly to your destination.

More about this itininerary in detail when I return to the office - complete with pictures of course. (CLICK HERE FOR CARNIVAL PRIDE ITINERARIES)

In addition to Carnival Cruise Lines executives, there are executives from many of the cruise lines onboard with us all week. We are learning about exciting changes each company will be introducing or have already introduced. I'll be sharing information about this in future columns.

I'll have to keep this short since I'm off to lunch and then more meetings. Now is the time to plan your next cruise vacation. There are some amazing offers available this month for National Cruise Vacation month, so send me an email to start your planning.

Celebrity's Caribbean & Panama Canal

Celebrity Cruises Xclusive Sale

Thru August 13, 2009

Receive UP to $100 in Onboard Credit when you book an Ocean View stateroom or higher on any of the following departures on Celebrity Mercury® .

Do you live near Baltimore, Maryland? How would you like to sail on a Celebrity cruise departing or ending in Baltimore?

The following itineraries might just be what the doctor ordered for a Caribbean, Bahamas, or Panama Canal cruise vacation from a port close to home. Celebrity Cruises has also added Motorcoach transportation making it easy for passengers in surrounding areas to also take advantage of this cruise port.

Celebrity Mercury®
9 Night Bahamas
Baltimore • Charleston • Key West • Nassau • Cococay • Baltimore
November 21; December 12, 2009; January 2, 23, 2010
$50 Onboard Credit per stateroom

12 Night Eastern Caribbean
Baltimore • Charlotte Amalie • St. Croix • Basseterre • St. Johns • Philipsburg • Baltimore
November 9, 30; December 21, 2009
$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom

17 Night Eastbound Panama Canal

San Diego • Cabo San Lucas • Acapulco • Huatulco • Puntarenas • Panama Canal • Cartagena
Santo Domingo • Baltimore
October 23, 2009
$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom

Announcing 2009 Motorcoach Program

PROGRAM DETAILS

Sailings departing from Baltimore, Maryland
Aboard the Celebrity Mercury 2009
Price per person is $100* round-trip

Following are the cities that are offered as part of the program:

Route 1
Woodbridge, NJ • Trenton, NJ • Philadelphia, PA • Wilmington, DE

Route 2
Wilkes-Barre, PA • Allentown, PA • Harrisburg, PA • York, PA

Route 3
Dover, DE • Salisbury, MD • Annapolis, MD

Route 4
Lakewood, NJ • Toms River, NJ • Cherry Hill, NJ

Route 5
Hagerstown, MD • Frederick, MD • Alexandria, VA • Washington DC

For Bookings and Additional Information

Prices are per person.

Additional Celebrity Cruise Offers

Where in the World Does Celebrity Cruise - Vol. 1

The Caribbean

Yes folks, our first destination in our series on Where in the World does Celebrity Cruise in 2010/2011 is the Caribbean. You don't have to worry about snow, even in the dead of winter. It's always warm and sunny there.

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 7 to 14-night cruise vacations.

Seven Celebrity Ships offer cruises of 7 nights or more in the Winter of 2010/2011

Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Celebrity Solstice - 7-night Caribbean year-round

Sailing from Miami, Florida

Celebrity Eclipse - 5 to 8-night Caribbean Winter 2010/11

Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Celebrity Equinox - 10 & 11-night Ultimate Caribbean Winter 2010/11

Sailing from Miami, Florida

Celebrity Constellation 14-nights Exotic Southern Caribbean Winter 2010/11

Sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Celebrity Summit - 5 to 8-night Southern Caribbean Winter 2010/11

Sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Celebrity Millennium - 10 & 11-night Southern Caribberan Winter 2010/11

Sailing from Baltimore, Maryland

Celebrity Mercury - 9/10-night Bahamas, 11 to 14-night Caribbean Year-round

Sailing from Charleston, South Carolina

Celebrity Mercury - 10/11-night Caribbean Winter 2010/11

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. There is too much details to post in a blog note.

Why Not Northeast 2010

Close your eyes and think about your 2010 cruise vacation

What images do you see?

Perhaps you see unusual famed pink sand beaches and vibrant pastel homes or nature trails, kayaks and white water rafting or lighthouses and lobsters or people swimming with dolphins, parasailing and relaxing on the beach.

Where might you be? Do you give up? The answer is on a Royal Caribbean cruise somewhere in the Northeast. The 2010 Northeast Deployment schedule was announced today and cruises are available for booking.

Royal Caribbean will have three ships, the Enchantment of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and the Jewel of the Seas deployed in the Northeast for the 2010 season. The destinations include Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, New England, and the Eastern Caribbean.

The ships will sail from Baltimore; Boston; Norfolk, VA; and Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ, on 84 cruises. You'll be able to select from five to nine-night cruises. Recognizing that many people want to avoid flying and instead depart from close-to-home ports, Royal Caribbean has launched the first year-round deployment in the Baltimore, Maryland port on the Enchantment of the Seas.

For more information about the Northeast destinations or the itineraries, consult my website or give me a call. I'd be happy to help plan your 2010 cruise vacation to one of these destinations.