Cruise Impacts from Franklin and Idalia

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Hurricane Franklin

Updated August 28, 2023

Hurricane Franklin, which was a Category 2 hurricane when we first published this article is now the first major storm of the 2023 Hurricane season.

 

Swells generated by Franklin are expected to begin affecting Bermuda by tonight. These swells are also likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions through the beginning of this week along portions of the east coast of the United States. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Hurricane Franklin	1100 AM EDT Mon Aug 28 2023 ...FRANKLIN RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE... ...TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR BERMUDA... Additional strengthening is possible today, but gradual weakening is expected to begin later Tuesday.
WIND:	MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...145 MPH...230 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Bermuda

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Tropical Storm Idalia

Tropical Storm Idalia is centered 70 nm ESE of Cozumel Mexico, moving E at 2 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Peak seas are around 10 ft. Idalia is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday. Heavy rainfall from Idalia is expected across the eastern Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. The heavy rainfall may produce areas of flash and urban flooding, as well as landslides, across western Cuba. Heavy rainfall is also likely to spread into portions of the Southeast U.S. by mid to late week. Minor coastal flooding is expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area over the Yucatan Peninsula in areas of onshore winds.

Tropical Storm Idalia	400 PM CDT Sun Aug 27 2023 ...STORM SURGE AND HURRICANE WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA GULF COAST...
WIND:	MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel * Pinar del Rio Cuba A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Chokoloskee to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Englewood to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Isle of Youth Cuba * South of Englewood to Chokoloskee Florida * Dry Tortugas Florida.

Please read the latest HIGH SEAS FORECAST issued by the National Hurricane Center at website - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory and Public

Advisory at www.hurricanes.gov for more details on Franklin and Idalia.

Several Cruise Lines have already made changes to their itineraries in anticipation of the approaching storms.  Cruise lines will take every precaution to protect passengers, crew, and ships from weather conditions.  When traveling during hurricane season, it is common to have modified itineraries.

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on Hurricane Franklin and TS Idalia
• NHC issuing advisories for the Eastern Pacific on TS Irwin
• Marine warnings are in effect for the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean/SW Atlantic and Eastern Pacific

Click Here to Learn More

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 
(click for latest)   


Royal Caribbean has multiple ships sailing toward the area of Tropical Storm Idalia, including Voyager of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. As of now, however, there are no updates to the schedule announced by the cruise line.

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

Disney Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)
Disney Fantasy is scheduled to visit Cozumel tomorrow morning.
MSC Cruises

No announced schedule changes for MSC at this time.

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

Norwegian Pearl's itinerary calls for a stop in Bermuda, which will likely feel the effects of Hurricane Franklin.

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)

Carnival Magic: Originally set to sail from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda on a six-day cruise, Carnival Magic will now instead sail to Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport to steer clear of Hurricane Franklin.

Carnival Legend: Similar to Carnival Magic, Legend was slated to sail from Baltimore on a six-day cruise to Bermuda. Instead, it will now visit Nassau and Freeport.

Virgin Voyages

Scarlet Lady is scheduled to sail from Miami to Costa Maya, which would put in in the path of Idalia.

If you are sailing this week or next, please consult with your travel agent or the cruise line's website for up to the minute information.  The information below was accurate at the time of publication.

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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Bermuda Drops Testing Requirements

Bermuda has announced that they will no longer require testing for cruise passengers beginning October 25, 2022. Health insurance requirements will remain the same.

 Please be mindful that at this time, not all cruise lines websites are updated with the below information. It is important to continue referencing the cruise line websites for specific health and safety guidelines.

 Statement

All Cruise travellers arriving October 25, 2022, onwards will no longer require a pre-travel test, arrival test or a day 4 test. Unvaccinated non-resident travellers will still be required to upload valid proof of travel health insurance to enter Bermuda. 

 

Resources

• Apply for a Bermuda Travel Authorisation
• Click here for Bermuda’s definition of fully vaccinated
• Click here for the requirements for valid proof of travel health insurance
• Click here for the requirements for a valid pre-travel test.

Personal Note:

This news came too late for our Transatlantic cruise.   Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Beyond was scheduled to stop in Bermuda enroute from Barcelona to New Jersey.  The port of call was changed to another sea day and the ports in Spain expanded due to the testing requirements that were still in effect prior to the cruise.

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Royal Caribbean Protocol Updates

Updated August 30, 2022

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have announced that they are welcoming all guest, regardless of vaccination status, beginning with sailings departing on September 5, 2022, from any U.S. homeport (excluding sailings visiting Bermuda or Canada).  Please make note of not only the changes to vaccination status for U.S. departures, but also testing requirements for some of our European itineraries. 

What You Need To Know

All U.S. Departures beginning September 5^th (excluding Canada, Bermuda, and Transpacific sailings)

Vaccination:

• If eligible, we recommend that guests be fully vaccinated against COVID‐19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask that guests disclose their status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.
• Grand Cayman will now allow unvaccinated guests to disembark in port

Pre-Cruise Testing:

• Sailings 9 nights or less:
  • Unvaccinated guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than 3 days prior to sailing.
  • Fully vaccinated guests do not need to test for these sailings.
  • Accepted tests are FDA‐approved PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of the self-test result, or the actual self-test in hand.
• Sailings 10 nights or more:
  • All guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than 3 days prior to sailing.
  • Accepted tests are FDA‐approved PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of the self-test result, or the actual self-test in hand.

U.S. Departures visiting Bermuda beginning September 5^th

• While requirements for sailing have changed for some destinations, most of Bermuda’s local regulations and requirements are still in place.
• This means vaccination and pre-cruise testing requirements remain unchanged.
• We’ve removed the boarding day test requirement.

Sailings beginning September 5^th that begin, end, or stop in Canada

• While requirements for sailing have changed for some destinations, Canada’s local regulations and requirements are still in place.
• The vaccination requirement and the pre-cruise & embarkation testing requirement (2 days prior for vaccinated guests | 3 days prior for unvaccinated + boarding day test) remain in place.

All European & UK Departures beginning September 5^th (excluding Transatlantic sailings)

Vaccination:

• All European and UK Itineraries (excluding Transatlantic sailings)
  • We recommend that guests be fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 and up to-date, when eligible.
  • While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.

Pre-cruise Testing (check departure port for info):

Sailings departing from Amsterdam, Barcelona, and the U.K.

• Sailings 9 nights or less:
  • Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than:
    • 24 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
    • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
  • Up-to-date guests do not need to test for these sailings.
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand.
• Sailings 10 nights or more:
  • All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • Up-to-date guests must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 3 days prior to boarding day.
  • Unvaccinated or not up-to date guests must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than:
    • 24 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
    • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand.

Sailings departing from Athens, Greece

• All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
  • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person.
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
  • Telehealth and unsupervised self-testing are not accepted for sailings departing from Greece

Sailings departing from Tarragona, Spain

• All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
  • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person or supervised virtually.
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
  • Unsupervised self-testing is not accepted for sailings visiting Greece

Sailings departing from Haifa, Israel

• All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
  • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person or supervised virtually.
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
  • Unsupervised self-testing is not accepted for sailings visiting Greece

Sailings departing from Italy visiting Greece

• If the sailing departs from any Italian port and makes at least one (1) stop in Greece, the following testing is required.
  • All guests ages 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken no earlier than:
    • 48 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
    • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests taken in person or supervised virtually.
    • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results.
    • Unsupervised self-testing is not accepted for sailings visiting Greece

Sailings departing from Italy not visiting Greece

Vaccination:

• Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than:
  • 24 hours before boarding day if taking an antigen test
  • 72 hours before boarding day if taking a PCR test
• Up-to-date guests do not need to test for these sailings.
  • Accepted tests are PCR or antigen tests, which now includes self-tests. (Yes, the unsupervised ones!)
  • Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand.

Onboard Testing:

• Any sailing visiting Greece
  • Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date will require additional testing to be completed onboard at their own expense, in order to go ashore.
• Any sailing ending in Spain
  • Guests ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date will require additional testing to be completed prior to debarking in Spain at their own expense.

Resources

• Royal Caribbean Healthy Sail Center
• Royal Caribbean Healthy Sail Center FAQs
• Celebrity Healthy at Sea
• Celebrity Country Travel Requirements

 

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Exciting News from Celebrity Cruises

Have You Been Waiting To Cruise Again - Wait No Longer

We just concluded the latest briefing by Celebrity Cruises regarding changes to testing and vaccination requirements both in the U.S. and Europe.   They mentioned that Top Gun has their sequel Top Gun Maverick and they said this is Cruising's Sequel.   As you can see from the charts below, more people are now able to cruise with relaxed requirements.  There are only a few exceptions, which are anticipated to change in the near future as well.   We can unravel the requirements and find the perfect cruise for you, your family, and your friends.

We encourage you to contact your Travel Advisor to plan your next vacation NOW.   Pricing has remained steady, allowing ships to fill up.   Don't miss the boat (ship)!  Prices will rise - take our word for it.   Your cruise deposit will lock in these low prices and also an incentive that is currently in place.

Here are the latest updates.  Click on the images to enlarge.   You can also visit Healthy Sailing page.

We can't stress enough - don't try to plan on your own.  The requirements for our October sailing has changed 3 times in less than a month.   We are keeping updated so you don't need to.

 Current Celebrity Cruises Promotions

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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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