Passengers Robbed Honduras

CRUISE PASSENGER
CRIME VICTIMS

The U.S. State Department reissued their Honduras Travel Warning just before Christmas and we reported this to you in early January (link below).  Subsequent to that article, we have learned that a family of 5, husband, wife and 3 daughters, rented a car on their own and ventured off to find a beach which is less frequented by tourists.   What they found instead was trouble, as they became the victims of an armed robbery.

News of this robbery surfaced on the web as the husband shared his story on the Facebook page "Missing America's Project".

According to reports, the family was vacationing on the Carnival Conquest and were not on a ship-sponsored excursion.  Fortunately, they were not injured but the car was wrecked, as they  tried to flea the robbers. The loan masked robber made off with the family's valuables including cash, iPhone and camera.   Carnival Cruise Line provided assistance to the victims once they were back on board.  

Many crimes that involve cruise passengers are crimes of opportunity.  If you read the State Department warning, they indicate that there are significant number of people that travel to Honduras without incident.  Of course for this family, that is of little comfort.  The warning suggests that you stick to well-traveled (guarded) destinations.  That of course is no guarantee of your safety, but statistically it increases your odds. 

We live in a society where crime is everywhere.  Often we hear about some crime incident where the news media mentions their surprise about where the crime occurred.   It can happen anywhere - so the only defense is to take all the precautions you can and be aware of your surroundings.  Traveling in groups is another safe practice that is also not a guarantee.

Do take time to read warnings and other information prior to your trip.  We've shared some specific links for Honduras below.  Please consult our International Travel tab above for more links.

Honduras Travel Warning Continued   U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa Avenida La Paz Tegucigalpa M.D.C. Honduras Telephone 011-504-2236-9320 or 011-504-2238-5114 Emergency Telephone 011-504-2236-8497 or (504) 2238-5114 or (504) 2236-9320, extension 4100. Fax 011-504-2238-4357 U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) List of State Department Alerts & Warnings

Honduras Travel Warning Continued

State Department

Travel Warnings

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that the level of crime and violence in Honduras remains critically high.

Crime remains high and the warning indicates that the government of Honduras lacks the resources to control the problem.  Honduras has the highest murder rate in the entire world.   See full text of warning ...

UPDATE:  Subsequent to this article, a family of five - passengers on Carnival Conquest, were robbed at gunpoint.  See Passengers Robbed Honduras for complete details.

Tourist Areas  Have Fewer Incidents

Tourism is a large portion of Honduras economy, with cruise lines continuing to stop there even in light of the State Department warnings.   The Honduras government has increased police presence and established special police forces in areas frequented by tourists, such as the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatan.

Recommendations

The travel warning suggests that tourists be vigilant and travel in groups of two or more.  That is practical advice for any destination, even here in the states.  The warning states "It is also advisable to avoid wearing jewelry and carrying large sums of money or displaying cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. U.S. citizens should avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras or walking alone on beaches, historic ruins, and trails."

Know Before You Go

For more detailed information regarding personal security, please see the State Department's Country Specific Information for Honduras. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Web site, where the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. 

Consult our International Travel page for more links that are useful when traveling abroad.

Tropical Storm Forming Near Honduras

Tropical Depression 8 (TS Harvey)

Forms near Honduras

Tropical Storm Watches Posted 

1000 AM CDT SUN AUG 22 2011

...HARVEY DISSIPATES OVER THE SIERRA MADRE OF MEXICO...

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

We are monitoring a new storm which has formed off the Northeastern coast of Honduras in the Western Caribbean Sea. Tropical Depression Eight is forecast to become Tropical Storm Harvey on Saturday and weaken by Monday after making landfall.

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking
 There are no Cruise Ship Changes at this Time

SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...18.1N 97.3W
ABOUT 105 MI...170 KM SW OF VERACRUZ MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 260 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1008 MB...29.77 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 36 HOURS. 

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...IN THIS CASE AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE
NEXT 48 HOURS. 

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 25 MPH...45
KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  WINDS WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH AS THE
SYSTEM WEAKENS FURTHER TODAY.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
RAINFALL...THE REMNANTS OF HARVEY ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL
RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF THE
MEXICAN STATES OF VERACRUZ...OAXACA...HIDALGO...PUEBLA...AND
TIAXCALA...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM STORM TOTAL AMOUNTS OF 6 INCHES. 
THESE RAINS COULD PRODUCE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD
SLIDES...ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF STEEP TERRAIN.
 

Historical Data:         Storm Archive            Graphics Archive                          

1100 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2011
...TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS IN THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA...

200 PM EDT FRI AUG 19 2011
...TROPICAL DEPRESSION EIGHT BECOMES TROPICAL STORM
HARVEY...TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR BELIZE...

1000 AM CDT SUN AUG 22 2011
...HARVEY DISSIPATES OVER THE SIERRA MADRE OF MEXICO...

THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER ON HARVEY

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TROPICAL STORM HARVEY	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

 

If We Build It They Will Come

Plans courtesy of Banana Coast

Next New Cruise Port?

Banana Coast

Tired of the same ports of call in the Western Caribbean? Developers think you might be, and as of this month have begun construction of a brand new cruise pier in Trujillo, Honduras. Located 45 miles south of the Island of Roatan, and situated within the Bay of Trujillo, you will find the new Banana Coast Landing development.

The finger pier will accommodate two post-Panamax cruise vessels by late 2012. A tender dock has been available for ships tenders since 2010.

A Day going Bananas?

Not exactly...   The name of the development comes from a high-point in the town's history.   The economy was fueled in the 1920s - 1940s by the banana trade.

Step into the history of those glory days, as you disembark from your cruise ship.  You will walk where Christopher Columbus did in 1502, during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Trujillo was settled in 1524 by Spanish conquistadors and later became strategic for Spanish interests in the New World. The Santa Bárbara Fort, constructed in1575, remains largely intact today and provides amazing vistas of the Caribbean Sea.

What awaits guests as they arrive at Banana Coast Landing?

They will find a themed retail destination with approximately 50,000 square feet of retail shopping, including jewelry stores, designer boutiques, a themed restaurant and bar, and a large, sandy beach. This tropical setting, framed by the picturesque mountains to the west, is the perfect paradise for cruise passengers seeking new adventure in the Western Caribbean.

They Will Come?

Banana Coast is being designed by OBM International, the same firm that put Carnival's Grand Turk Cruise Center and Royal Caribbean's private island of CocoCay on the cruise map. The cruise port should be completed by December 2012, so we would anticipate the first passengers could arrive Winter 2012-13 or Spring 2013.

Cruise lines have begun posting their schedules for early 2013, but so far, none include Trujillo, Honduras. We will keep watch to see which cruise line will be the first to call in what sounds like a wonderful addition to the Western Caribbean ports of call.

Princess Galveston Deployment 2012-13

Galveston, TX - Sea Wall

More Ships Sailing 

From Galveston

2012-13
Caribbean Season

Princess Cruises announced that for the first time since 2007, they will be returning to Galveston, Texas sailing Western Caribbean Itineraries.

Crown Princess  will offer 19 departures from Galveston between December 22, 2012 and April 27, 2013. The seven-day R/T Western Caribbean itinerary includes ports of call at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The 113,700 GT Crown Princess has a passenger capacity of 3,070 and offers many signature features including a piazza-style atrium with International Café and Vines wine bar; the 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars poolside theater; The Sanctuary, an adults-only "oasis of tranquility"; and a variety of dining, recreation and entertainment options. 

The addition of Crown Princess to Galveston, TX will add additional passenger capacity to a growing market amongst one of the 23 U.S.  home-port options for cruise passengers.   Galveston's famous Sea Wall is a great place to take a stroll, shop among the seaside shops, dine at one of the popular seafood restaurants, or relax in your hotel before your cruise.

Princess Executives & Galveston Officials Comment

"We've received a great deal of feedback from cruisers interested in sailing from Galveston again," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "So we're excited to be returning in 2012 to bring our Western Caribbean sailings back to Texas."

"Welcoming back Princess Cruises and hosting Crown Princess is a great addition to the Texas cruise market. We're excited that the return of Princess Cruises will offer our passengers additional options of cruise vacations sailing from Texas' premiere cruise port," said Steven M. Cernak, Galveston port director. 

The remainder of the Princess Cruises Caribbean schedule will be announced later this month. We will bring you additional information about their schedules, as well as those for the other cruise lines.

Tropical Storm Richard Forms in Caribbean

TS Richard Courtesy NHC

Click for Current 5-Day Graphic

UPDATE: 
 700 AM CDT MON OCT 25 2010
...RICHARD CONTINUES WEAKENING INLAND OVER NORTHERN GUATEMALA...

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here
We are keeping watch on this developing tropical storm.  It is expected to strengthen into a 
hurricane over the weekend.   There are no cruise ships impacted by the storm at this time.

As predicted, the storm strengthened into a Category ONE Hurricane but has now weakened.
NHC issuing advisories on TS  RICHARD
 

Discussion & Outlook
 

SUMMARY OF 700 AM CDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION (25 Oct)
 
LOCATION...17.7N 89.9W
ABOUT 155 MI...250 KM SSE OF CAMPECHE MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB...29.68 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.

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

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

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

THE CENTER OF RICHARD WILL MOVE OVER SOUTHEASTERN
MEXICO TODAY AND INTO THE EXTREME SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO TONIGHT
OR EARLY TUESDAY. 
 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 45 MPH...75
KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  WEAKENING IS EXPECTED...AND RICHARD
WILL LIKELY BECOME A TROPICAL DEPRESSION LATER TODAY.

TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 80 MILES...130 KM
FROM THE CENTER.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1005 MB...29.68 INCHES.  
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL...RICHARD IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
3 TO 6 INCHES ACROSS NORTHERN GUATEMALA...AND THE MEXICAN
STATES OF QUINTANA ROO AND CAMPECHE...WITH MAXIMUM STORM TOTAL
AMOUNTS OF AROUND 10 INCHES.  AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES OF
RAINFALL IS EXPECTED OVER BELIZE. THESE RAINS COULD PRODUCE
LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES...ESPECIALLY IN
MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

WIND...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE
SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE MEXICAN STATES OF QUINTANA ROO AND
CAMPECHE...AND PORTIONS OF NORTHERN GUATEMALA OVER THE NEXT FEW
HOURS.  THESE WINDS WILL DIMINISH LATER THIS MORNING.

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TS RICHARD	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

Tropical Storm Matthew Prompts Hurricane Warnings

5-Day Forecast Cone for TS Matthew (Credit: NOAA NHC)

Click for Current 5-Day Graphic

Matthew is 13th Named Storm in Atlantic

Heavy Rains & Possible Mudslides

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

UPDATE: 1000 AM CDT SUN SEP 26 2010...

MATTHEW WEAKENS TO A REMNANT LOW BUT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE HEAVY
RAINS OVER PORTIONS OF EASTERN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA...

Last NHC advisory issued on LISA, MATTHEW 

There are no tropical cyclones at this time.

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

The Atlantic Basin continues to have above normal activity.  Tropical Depression 15 formed in the South-Central Caribbean Sea Thursday, September 23rd prompting watches and warnings for parts of Central America.  The storm has intensified and is predicted to increase in strength in the next 48 hours prompting the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras to post hurricane warnings.  By mid-day Friday, the hurricane warnings were changed to tropical storm warnings.

Matthew went ashore Friday on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast and raced into Honduras heading westward with winds of 45 mph (75 kph) toward Guatemala and Belize.   Thousands of people were evacuated in Honduras and Nicaragua by their respective governments out of fear of flooding and mudslides.  At least five deaths were reported in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and at least seven deaths in Caracas, Venezuela from the tropical storm.   Haiti is still trying to recover from the devastating earthquake earlier this year.   This tropical storm put those people through yet another peril.

 A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND
SUNDAY...AND MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO BECOME NEARLY STATIONARY BY
LATE SUNDAY.

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

Current Watches & Warnings

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.
 

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA...IN THIS CASE WITHIN 24 TO 36
HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED
TO COMPLETION.

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

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

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

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

Discussion & Outlook
 

THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER ON MATTHEW.  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...SEE STATEMENTS FROM
YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE. 

Tropical Storm MATTHEW Advisory Archive

SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION (26 Sep)

LOCATION...17.4N 92.9W
ABOUT 40 MI...65 KM S OF VILLAHERMOSA MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...25 MPH...35 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 25 MPH...35
KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  CONTINUED WEAKENING IS LIKELY AND THE
SYSTEM SHOULD DISSIPATE OVER SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO BY MONDAY NIGHT.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1003 MB...29.62 INCHES.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL...THE REMNANT LOW OF MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL
RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 20 INCHES FROM FAR SOUTHERN MEXICO INTO
NORTHERN PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM
AMOUNTS OF 30 INCHES POSSIBLE.  THESE RAINS COULD PRODUCE LIFE
THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.  THE THREAT FOR HEAVY RAIN
WILL CONTINUE OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA EVEN AFTER THE
REMNANT OF MATTHEW DISSIPATES. 

 Cruise Line Advisories

Carnival Cruise Line has modified several cruise schedules. See the following link.

Cruise Itineary Changes Due to Matthew

We will keep the above blog post as current as possible.  Note that since updates can be made at any time,
you can also check the individual cruise line websites for any additional updates.

Carnival Cruise Line :    

MSC CRUISES: 


Norwegian Cruise Line:

Royal Caribbean International:  

Celebrity Cruises: 

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TS MATTHEW	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

Tropical Storm Agatha Forms in Eastern Pacific

5-Day Forecast Cone for Storm Center (Credit: NOAA NHC)
Click for Current 5-Day Graphic

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

First Named Tropical Storm
2010 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season

800 AM PDT SAT MAY 29 2010

...DEPRESSION STRENGTHENS INTO THE FIRST TROPICAL STORM OF THE

SEASON OFF THE COAST OF GUATEMALA...

UPDATE: 200 AM PDT SUN MAY 30 2010

...AGATHA DISSIPATES OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN GUATEMALA...  Unfortunately not before claiming more than 163 lives

NASA Update (6/1):  Agatha Drenches Guatemala and El Salvador, Remnants Now in Caribbean


We began watching this Tropical Storm when NASA's AIRS satellite identified a low pressure area early May 27th and indicated it had the potential of forming into a tropical cyclone. (Potential for First Named Tropical Storm in Pacific). Based on the satellite imagery, it was determined that there was a very good chance the storm would develop further.  Severe thunderstorms and heavy rains were identified in the system.

As of the current  public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami (NHC),  maximum sustained winds are 40 MPH...65 KM/HR and movement is ENE at 5 MPH...7 KM/HR.

Current Watches & Warnings

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... 

THE PACIFIC COASTS OF EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO...ALL OF
GUATEMALA...AND ALL OF EL SALVADOR FROM BOCA DE PIJIJIAPAN MEXICO
SOUTHEASTWARD TO THE EL SALVADOR-HONDURAS BORDER.

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

Discussion & Outlook

SUMMARY OF 800 AM PDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...13.1N 93.2W
ABOUT 170 MI...275 KM...WSW OF PUERTO DE SAN JOSE GUATEMALA
ABOUT 270 MI...440 KM...W OF SAN SALVADOR EL SALVADOR
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 60 DEGREES AT 5 MPH...7 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND... 
TROPICAL STORM-FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE PACIFIC
COASTS OF GUATEMALA AND SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO LATER TONIGHT AND
SUNDAY MORNING...MAKING OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR
DANGEROUS.

RAINFALL... 
THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN
ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 20 INCHES OVER EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN
MEXICO...GUATEMALA...AND MUCH OF EL SALVADOR...WITH POSSIBLE
ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 30 INCHES THROUGH SUNDAY. THESE RAINS
COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.

STORM SURGE...
A STORM SURGE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT
COASTAL FLOODING NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES
LANDFALL. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE
AND DESTRUCTIVE WAVES.

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

Cruise Ship Advisories

There are currently no cruise ship advisories related to TS Agatha. 

No ships are in the immediate vicinity of the tropical storm.

Monitor RSS Feeds and the links above on this blog for any significant changes.

Norwegian EPIC Itineraries Unveiled

Imagine sailing aboard the largest, most advanced Freestyle ship ever built to the tropical islands of the Caribbean from the hip beaches of Miami. You could be there, aboard Norwegian Epic, taking in her state-of-the-art design, world-class restaurants, new wave accommodations and the most happening and sophisticated nightlife at sea.

Norwegian Epic’s Caribbean itineraries:


• Seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages will sail alternate weeks year-round from Miami


• First sailings will begin summer 2010

• Exciting nightlife options, including the first ever ice bar at sea

• 17 dining options, sparkling pools, full-action casino, first-class spa and more

Be among the first to experience the next generation of Freestyle Cruising® aboard this impressive ship. It is, quite simply, the most exciting experience available at sea.

Eastern Caribbean Map

7-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN FROM MIAMI

Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in
Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin
Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

Western Caribbean Map

7-DAY WESTERN CARIBBEAN FROM MIAMI

Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops
in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands,
Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico.

Learn More about Norwegian EPIC
(click here)

Tropical Storm Ida Forms in Atlantic

Chart Courtesy of NOAA: 700 PM EST (Ida) Wed Nov 4, 2009 (click for udated chart)

<more details>

Tropical Storm Ida

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

Another tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is currently east of Nicaragua. Hurricane Watches and Tropical storm watches have been posted. This storm quickly became a hurricane, but fortunately has now weakened. The forecast is for Ida to restrengthen as it continues along its projected path.

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: 1000 PM EST SAT NOV 07 2009... IDA MOVING NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD STILL AS A TROPICAL STORM... IDA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MPH... 19 KM/HR... AND THIS GENERAL HEADING WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK... IDA IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE YUCATAN CHANNEL AND INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO ON SUNDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH...110 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IDA IS FORECAST TO BECOME A HURRICANE LATER TONIGHT OR ON SUNDAY.

IDA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA AND WESTERN CUBA...WITH POSSIBLE ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 10 INCHES. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE ACROSS THE CAYMAN ISLANDS...

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM TULUM TO CABO CATOCHE.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA... GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND... A TROPICAL STORM WARNING ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM PUNTA ALLEN NORTHWARD TO SAN FELIPE... A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLE OF YOUTH.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA... GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.

This post will track Tropical Storm Ida 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 / Itinerary Changes

The following are links to the most recent advisory posted by the respective cruise line. As we learn of changes, this post will be updated.
This storm isn't as predictable as others so far this hurricane season. As you can see from the real-time tracking link below, there are a number of ships in the area that could be affected by Ida depending on the track it takes over the next few days.

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

PRINCESS CRUISES: Crown Princess (Nov 6, 2009)
Crown Princess will be rearranging the port calls on its November 7 itinerary to avoid Tropical Storm Ida. The ship will depart Fort Lauderdale as scheduled, and the new cruise itinerary will be as follows: Princess Cays; sea day; Grand Cayman; Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; sea day; return to Fort Lauderdale.

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.