Honshu Japan One Year Later

1 Year Anniversary

Devastating 9.0 Mag Quake

Honshu, Japan

It was a year ago today that the world watched as a very powerful earthquake hit off the coast of Honshu, Japan.  What followed was an equally powerful tsunami.  Both of these events caused caused significant loss of life and damages throughout Japan.   They also started the largest nuclear crisis of modern times as the reactors were near meltdown.  The quake and tsunami left 16,000 dead and 3,000 people injured.

Remembering

A moment of prayerful silence was held across the country at 2:46 pm, the precise time the 9.0 magnitude quake occurred off Japan's Pacific coast on March 11, 2011.   In Tokyo, about 1,200 people, including the Emperor and the Empress, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and families of the victims, attended Sunday's ceremony. 

In Washington, DC, President Barack Obama said, "As we mark one year since the catastrophic earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in Japan, Michelle and I join all Americans in honoring the memory of the 19,000 victims lost or missing. We continue to be inspired by the Japanese people, who faced unimaginable loss with extraordinary fortitude. Their resilience and determination to rebuild stronger than before is an example for us all."  

Lasting Effects

When the earthquake and tsunami struck, Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant lost off-site power, throwing out its primary and backup cooling systems.  The nuclear fuel overheated despite company efforts to pump first seawater and then freshwater in to cool it. Hydrogen gas built up and exploded, blasting open four of the facility's six reactor buildings and spreading radiation far and wide in air, soil and seawater.

Nuclear meltdowns at three of the six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi went officially unacknowledged for months. The Japanese government ordered everyone within 30 kilometers of the damaged nuclear plant to evacuate and opened shelters for evacuees in schools and public buildings.

At today's memorial service in Tokyo, Prime Minister Noda said, "We will provide all possible support for the affected areas, which are now trying to revive their hometowns as safer and more livable towns. "We will do our best to revive Fukushima and recreate a beautiful hometown." 

Quakes Continue

This region of Japan is prone to earthquakes. In fact, the image included here from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, isn't from one year ago, but rather from today. A much weaker quake, measuring at Magnitude 4.7 , hit in the same location off the shore of  Honshu, Japan.  For the people of  Japan, it is something that they live with all their lives.

Magnitude 4.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:08:26 UTC 

Earthquake Details

Magnitude	4.7
Date-Time	Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:08:26 UTC Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 08:08:26 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	38.682°N, 142.577°E
Depth	35.8 km (22.2 miles)
Region	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Distances	155 km (96 miles) ENE of Sendai, Honshu, Japan 167 km (103 miles) SE of Morioka, Honshu, Japan 201 km (124 miles) ENE of Yamagata, Honshu, Japan 416 km (258 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 17.9 km (11.1 miles); depth +/- 8.1 km (5.0 miles)
Parameters	NST= 19, Nph= 19, Dmin=374 km, Rmss=0.94 sec, Gp=220°, M-type=body wave magnitude (Mb), Version=7
Source	Magnitude: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) Location: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID	usb0008exk

Our continued thoughts and prayers for the people of Japan.  May the hopes of the Prime Minister, to revive the area, become a reality.

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

 

Heavy Rains from Typhoon Roke

› View larger image  
Credit: SSAI/NASA, Hal Pierce

Typhoon Roke

(Western North Pacific Ocean)

Makes Landfall 

Along Southeast 

Coast of Honshu

This rainfall map was created from TRMM satellite data from Sept. 15 to 22, 2011 over and around Japan. It shows a band of very heavy rain stretching northeastward from eastern Kyushu across Shikoku and into southern Honshu from 300 mm (~12 inches, shown in green) to in excess of 550 mm (~22 inches, shown in red). Rainfall of 50 mm/~2 inches appear in light blue, and over 150 mm (~6 inches are shown in blue. )The thin black line is Roke's track, storm symbols mark Roke's 6-hourly positions.) Credit: SSAI/NASA, Hal Pierce 

Heavy Rainfall in  Japan's Honshu Region

We don't generally monitor tropical storms in the Western North Pacific Ocean during the Atlantic and East Pacific Hurricane Season of June - November but Typhoon Roke warrants mention.   Earlier this year Honshu, Japan suffered a series of devastating earthquakes and a tsunami which cancelled cruises, damaged property, injured and killed many people, and put the country at the brink of a major nuclear disaster.   Still recovering from that devastation, Honshu found itself in the path of Typhoon Roke which made landfall as a Category 1 Typhoon.   It had been as high as a Category 4 Typhoon earlier.

Landslides and flooding triggered by Typhoon Roke left as many as 13 people dead or missing. Authorities had urged more than 2.2 million residents across the country to evacuate their homes as the storm moved north, but it wasn't clear how many had left.

Officials at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, where engineers are still struggling with small radiation leaks due to tsunami damage, said that the typhoon's driving winds and rain caused no immediate problems there other than a broken security camera.

Typhoon Roke came less than three weeks after Typhoon Talas, which, after landfall September 3rd, became the deadliest typhoon to rip through Japan in three decades.

Talas left more than 100 people dead or missing as record rainfall triggered mudslides and flooding in the country's central region, the highest death toll since Typhoon Tip in 1979, when 110 people were killed.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said Roke was smaller than Talas, but its wind strength was more formidable.
 

Typhoons

A tropical storm in the West Pacific, when it intensifies, becomes a Typhoon. A typhoon is a tropical storm with sustained winds in excess of 119 km/h or approximately 74 mph.

Names for most severe storms on earth:

When the winds are sustained (based on a one-minute average) at 74 mph (64 knots; 119 km/hr), the storm becomes: In the Atlantic Ocean, East Pacific, Central Pacific (east of the International Dateline) and Southeast Pacific (east of 160°E) a Hurricane; in the Northwest Pacific (west of the International Dateline) a Typhoon; in the Southwest Pacific (west of 160°E) and Southeast Indian Ocean (east of 90°E) a Severe Tropical Cyclone; in the North Indian Ocean a Severe Cyclonic Storm; and in the Southwest Indian Ocean (west of 90°E) a Tropical Cyclone.

See where ships are relative to tropical storms

Interactive tracking map (real-time ship tracking)

• Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) Tokyo - Typhoon Centre
• Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track
• Hong Kong Observatory (Tropical Cyclone Track)
• WMO Severe Weather Information Centre
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center
• NRL Monterey Marine Meteorology Division (Code 7500) Tropical Cyclone Page
• Tropical RAMSDIS Online (Satellite Images)
• Canadian Hurricane Centre 
• HurricaneZone.net
• Chart Converting Zulu Time to Local Time Example: 301500Z = 11:00 AM EDT on the 30th

Cruise Lines Return to Japan

 Costa Cruises to Homeport in Shanghai

Adds Sailings to Japan & South Korea

In March, 2011, Japan had a devastating earthquake and Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii. The world watched the unfolding nightmare as the country's nuclear plants were on the verge of meltdown. After the Tohoku Earthquake the cruise lines cancelled calls to ports in Japan.

Six Months Later...

The following announcement brings hope that life can be returning to normal in Japan. From August to October Costa Classica will home port in Shanghai, operating 12 cruises to Japan and South Korea. The selection of itineraries includes four-night cruises to Fukuoka, Japan, and Cheju, South Korea; a six-night cruise to Pusan, South Korea, and Fukuoka and Kagoshima, Japan; and a five-night cruise to Fukuoka and Nagasaki, Japan, and Cheju.

Costa Expansion in 2012

Next year Costa will substantially expand operations in Asia with the inaugural deployment of the 75,200-ton, 2,394-guest Costa Victoria, which will replace the 53,000-ton, 1,680-guest Costa Classica. The larger ship will offer 246 veranda cabins and increase Costa’s capacity in the region by 40 percent.

In 2012 Costa Victoria will call at new Japan destinations, including tropical Hososhima/Miyazaki; Wakayama, which boasts the country’s largest hot spring resort; Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city; the popular sightseeing cities in the Kanto Area; Yokohama and Tokyo, the nation’s capital.

Royal Caribbean International Also Returns

Starting in August and continuing to October, Legend of the Seas will be operating 11 sailings including a number of charters to various Japanese ports-of-call such as Okinawa, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Beppu, Nagasaki and Hokkaido, out from Hong Kong, Tianjin and Shanghai.  These sailings are mostly based on the ship’s itineraries originally planned for this year, which do not call at the areas affected by the tsunami and nuclear crisis.


Kelvin Tan, Regional Director, Asia Pacific of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said, “Judging from the current situation in Japan, we are well-assured of the safety of traveling to Japan. Japan has always been an attractive tourist destination and its show of great resilience in the face of the recent crisis has given travelers the confidence to visit the country again.”

Other Cruise Lines

Holland America has not revised its schedule.  The line had canceled cruises through 2011 and modified others in 2012.

As we hear of any additional changes for the region, we will let you know.   For now it is good to see that the rebuilding continues as tourism returns to the country of Japan.

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Click HERE for NOAA Latest Event Map

Strong aftershocks continue to strike in Northeast Japan.  The latest quake measured in at 7.0M originally but was downsized to 6.6M by the USGS.   This quake was only 100 miles from Tokyo, Japan.

Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days (click link for USGS data)

Magnitude	6.6
Date-Time	Monday, April 11, 2011 at 08:16:13 UTC Monday, April 11, 2011 at 05:16:13 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	37.007°N, 140.477°E
Depth	10 km (6.2 miles)
Region	EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN
Distances	36 km (22 miles) W of Iwaki, Honshu, Japan 44 km (27 miles) SSE of Koriyama, Honshu, Japan 71 km (44 miles) N of Mito, Honshu, Japan 161 km (100 miles) NNE of TOKYO, Japan Event ID   usc0002n9v  Source      USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Cruise lines have already altered itineraries for most of this year due to the previous earthquake, tsunami, and the resulting nuclear crisis.  Consult your cruise line's website for latest updates.
We will provide updates if specific details are released as a result of the ongoing disasters.

General Tsunami Information

• NOAA West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
• NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
• Tsunami Information Links

Additional Information

• GNS Science

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

Click HERE for NOAA Latest Event Map

Magnitude 7.1 - NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

2011 April 07 14:32:41 UTC

The 7.1 magnitude quake hit about 11:30 p.m. Thursday Japan time.  About a month ago, March 11th, the powerful 9.0 quake hit off the northeastern coast of Japan triggering a tsunami and causing massive loss of life and destruction to property.    Since that time, there have been more than 1,000 aftershocks.   The one on Thursday was the strongest since the 7.9 that occurred the same day as the first earthquake.This quake was first reported as a magnitude 7.4 but later downgraded by the USGS in Colorado.

Buildings shook for about a minute as far away as Tokyo, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.   Workers at the nuclear power plant were evacuated to a safe location within the complex.

Magnitude	7.1
Date-Time	Thursday, April 07, 2011 at 14:32:41 UTC Thursday, April 07, 2011 at 11:32:41 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	38.253°N, 141.640°E
Depth	49 km (30.4 miles)
Region	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Distances	66 km (41 miles) E of Sendai, Honshu, Japan 114 km (70 miles) E of Yamagata, Honshu, Japan 116 km (72 miles) ENE of Fukushima, Honshu, Japan 330 km (205 miles) NNE of TOKYO, Japan Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) Event ID  usc0002ksa       (click event id  for more details)

The resulting tsunami warning was canceled 90 minutes after the earthquake, however the danger isn't necessarily over as there still could be destructive waves in the immediate vicinity.

Cruise lines have already altered itineraries for most of this year due to the previous earthquake, tsunami, and the resulting nuclear crisis.  Consult your cruise line's website for latest updates.
We will provide updates if specific details are released as a result of the ongoing disasters.

General Tsunami Information

• NOAA West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
• NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
• Tsunami Information Links

Additional Information

• GNS Science

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

Carry Proof of Nuclear Medicine Testing

Radiation Monitoring at Cruise Terminals by Customs Officials

Cruise Terminals Are Controlled by CBP

The following story was shared with me over three years ago, but in light of the situation in Japan, it is quite appropriate to share with you now.   Names and other details have been slightly altered to protect the identity of individuals.

When disembarking the cruise ship yesterday, we had a very interesting experience. When we were giving in our customs declaration, another agent came over and asked us to step to the side.

As we had purchased nothing during this short  cruise, I thought it was because I had "zero" on the form for purchases and they were checking this out. But that was not it.

The agent asked me if I recently had anything involving radiation? I mentioned that I had taken my Dad to the doctor the other day and he had some x-rays and one of them was nuclear but not me. He showed me a little gadget on his belt that was glowing red. This gadget was actually a radiation detector and it was going off big time!

Well it actually turned out to be my wife who had a nuclear stress test 5 days earlier and the stuff they inject for this test is radioactive which was still in her system and sending radiation signals out.

Carry Proof of Nuclear Medicine Testing

The man explained, and we are sharing it here, that anytime someone has anything done that involves radiation they should carry something to that effect - the paperwork from the testing lab is sufficient. He never did say how long that stuff stays in one's system. 

He went on to explain that without this someone could be "inconvenienced - his word" when coming back into the country especially for land border crossing, from a longer cruise or coming from many other countries (we only went to Nassau) or if security levels were higher. He was fine once he knew why his detector went off and we were on our way but it sure was an interesting experience and valuable information to pass along.

Anyone undergoing chemo therapy, or any other nuclear medicine testing, should be aware of testing that occurs at border crossings including airports, cruise terminals, and other sites.

Testing is elevated currently due to the radioactivity issues in Japan, so the warning is timely.

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Map of Japan Courtesy USGS

Honshu Earthquake

Upgraded to 9.0 Magnitude

The USGS has continued to review scientific data and  upgraded the magnitude to 9.0 today, making the Tohoku earthquake in Honshu, Japan  the 4th largest in the world since 1900.

The rescue and recovery efforts continue in Northeastern Japan while aftershocks continue and the country works hard to prevent a nuclear disaster.  

The earthquake and resulting tsunami will have a lasting impact on Japan and the world.  It is estimated that the death toll could exceed 10,000 and the damage could soar into billions of dollars.   The loss of life and damage is just one dimension of this natural disaster.   The economy will suffer due to the loss of revenue from tourism and other industries during this crisis. 

Social media played a significant role in bringing this disaster to the world immediately.   When standard telephone communication failed, text messages, sent around the world, told loved ones that for now, they were OK.  Incredible images and videos were instantly available.  The U.S. and other countries offered assistance after seeing the devastation.

Impact on Cruises

Azamara Club Cruises and Cunard Line modified their itineraries in the wake of the earthquake.  These changes were needed because the ports were temporarily closed for damage assessment.  See related blog posts for more details about those changes and messages from the cruise lines in reaction to the disaster.

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

Updated March 16th:

Royal Caribbean  Legend of the Seas sailing that is scheduled to depart Shanghai (Baoshan), China on Saturday, March 19. Legend of the Seas will now call on Cheju Island, South Korea on Sunday, March 20, and stay overnight in Hong Kong, China from 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 until midnight on Wednesday, March 23. Legend of the Seas will return to Shanghai on Saturday, March 26 as scheduled.

The most recent cruise modification is on Oceania Nautica which was scheduled to call at two ports in Japan this week.

Oceania Cruises made the following statement on Facebook:
"Due to latest events in Japan the current schedule of Nautica has been changed, calls in Hiroshima and Kobe have been cancelled and replaced with an extra day in Kaoshiung, Taiwan and an extra day in Shanghai. Guests will also have two days in Hong Kong."

While these ports are not in the immediate vicinity of the earthquake, Oceania Cruises decided to make these changes in the interest of safety.

Cruise lines will continue to monitor the situation and make additional modifications as needed. We will provide updates as the situation is warranted.   Our thoughts and prayers join those of people around the world who are concerned for the people of Japan during this time of crisis.

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

Azamara Quest

Japan Closes

Ports of Call 

Impacts Azamara Quest

The devastating earthquake and the resulting tsunami that struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan yesterday, caused widespread death, injury, and damage leaving the country in a state of emergency. 

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

[NOTICE] For overseas visitors traveling Northeastern Japan and the surrounding areas including Tokyo

 

U.S. State Dept. Travel Alert - Japan (issued March 11, 2011)

 

Azamara Quest was in Nagasaki, Japan at the time of the earthquake and resulting tsunami. It was on the Northeast side of Japan, in a protected bay far away from danger. The ship sailed into deep waters about an hour after the earthquake and was in no danger. The next scheduled port of call was Osaka, which is 38 hours sailing time from Nagasaki.

Azamara Club Cruises released the following statement today, as it cancelled the Quest's next port of call:

"The entire country of Japan is still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami. While initial reports suggest that Kyoto (Osaka) did not sustain major damage, we feel that the recent events and continuing aftershocks have the potential to seriously disrupt Azamara Quest's experience and our operations in port."

Cruise lines that have upcoming calls in Japan will be monitoring the situation and making itinerary changes as necessary.   We will provide updates as we learn of any changes.

Several cruise lines issued statements in the wake of the disaster  (read more here)

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

Cunard QM2 - Courtesy Cunard Line

Port of Nagasaki Closed

Queen Mary 2 Continues to China

At the time of the massive earthquake in Japan yesterday, Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 was en route from Osaka to Nagasaki, Japan.

QM2 arrived at Nagasaki this morning and the port authority advised that the port will remain closed while they ensure the port facilities are structurally sound.

QM2 remained outside the port area until 2pm local time when they embarked a small group of guests and immigration officials, who were on an overland tour. Cunard confirms that it has all guests and crew safely on board and are under sail to Beijing, China, where they will arrive on schedule.

Queen Mary 2 is currently on a 103-day journey round-trip from New York, bringing guests to renowned destinations around the globe in the grandest style imaginable. During the World Cruise, guests will explore exciting ports in South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Interactive tracking map (real-time ship tracking)                  QM2 Bridge Cam

This is the second major earthquake that QM2 has encountered during this World Cruise. QM2 was in Sydney, Australia for the Royal Rendezvous, when the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand occurred.

Cunard Line has successfully utilized social media, such as Facebook, to keep us all informed during this difficult time.   Due to Japanese laws, C band communications are not allowed in Japanese waters, this is why the bridge web cam had not been updated.

Cunard's Facebook message concludes with:
"Our thanks go to our agents in Nagasaki for their assistance today and our thoughts remain with the people of Japan."

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii

Click HERE for NOAA Latest Event Map

New! Honshu Event, March 11, 2011

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

 HAWAII UNDER TSUNAMI WARNING

MAJOR EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN 

Azamara Quest safe in Japanese Waters 

All Other Cruise Ships in area are Safe 

A TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.
AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

   ORIGIN TIME - 0746 PM HST 10 MAR 2011
   COORDINATES - 38.3 NORTH  142.4 EAST
   LOCATION    - NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU  JAPAN
   MAGNITUDE   - 8.9  MOMENT

A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE ALONG
 COASTLINES OF ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. URGENT ACTION
 SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY.

THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS

   0307 AM HST (0907 AM EST FRI 11 MAR 2011

Tsunami waves reached Hawaii early today, following a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan, that triggered tidal wave warnings as far away as Oregon as the giant wave makes its way to the West Coast of the United States.

Tsunami Warning Sirens awoke Hawaiian residents as the first waves were scheduled to arrive at 3 AM HST (9 AM EST). Residents were encouraged to seek higher ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says Kauai was the first island hit early by the tsunami, which was quickly sweeping through the Hawaiian Island chain.

CRUISE LINE STATEMENTS

The cruise lines have turned to FB and other social media to quickly notify everyone of the ship, passenger, and crew status.  Summary Below

Interactive tracking map (real-time ship tracking)

Azamara Quest was in Nagasaki, Japan at the time of the earthquake and resulting tsunami.  It was on the Northeast side of Japan, in a protected bay far away from danger.   The ship sailed  into deep waters about an hour after the earthquake and is in no danger.   The next scheduled port of call is Osaka, which is 38 hours sailing time from Nagasaki.   Royal Caribbean International will monitor the situation and adjust the itinerary as needed.

Carnival Cruise Line 

Our thoughts go out to all who are being affected by the devastating earthquake in Japan. While potential effects of the resulting waves are being closely monitored, we’d just like to note that no impact to Carnival ships are expected, including our three California-based vessels.

Celebrity Cruises 

We are extremely saddened by the destruction in Japan caused by the massive earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan and their family members.

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is currently on passage between Osaka and Nagasaki and is circa 450 miles south west of the epi centre of this morning's earthquake. Read More

QM2 Bridge Cam

Holland America Line 

Our thoughts go out to the people of Japan and all those affected by the devastating earthquake. All Holland America guests, crew and ships are safe and have not been impacted by tsunami activity. Guests aboard ships in nearby areas are being updated and reassured. We are continuously monitoring sea and port conditions. The safety and comfort of our guests & crew is our top priority.

Norwegian Star & Pride of America were in the tsunami area ..

The safety and security of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance. We are closely monitoring the current tsunami advisory for Hawaii and the West Coast. All guests aboard Pride of America and Norwegian Star are safe and doing well.

Oceania Cruises 
is monitoring the current situation in the Pacific due to today’s earthquake in Japan. We have been in touch with our ground operator in Japan and initial reports from our ground operator indicate that the earthquake and subsequent tsunami has not impacted Nautica’s upcoming calls in Kobe and Okinawa.

P&O Cruises Australia (Faceboook)

Hi everyone, just wanted to give you a final update for the evening regarding the Japan earthquake and again it is reassuring in relation to the widespread tsunami alert that followed the quake. All four P&O Cruises ships are sailing in deep water and as a result are quite safe. Pacific Pearl is on her way from Sydney to New Caledonia. Pacific Dawn returns to Brisbane tomorrow morning for a normal turnaround there. Pacific Sun is due to arrive in Noumea early tomorrow and just as an added precaution she will arrive three hours later than planned. Pacific Jewel is on the way from Suva to Port Denerau and her arrival there might also be delayed. As you know, our first priority is always the safety and security of our passengers and crew.

Several Princess Cruises ships in the area ...    Bridge Cams

Ocean Princess is in the area, at sea between Hakata (Japan) and Vladivostok (Russia)

Diamond Princess is in Hong Kong 

Royal Princess is in Bora Bora (French Polynesia)

Golden Princess near Maui (Hawaii), heading back to the mainland

Princess Cruises has posted the following on Facebook: 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan especially those directly affected by today’s devastating earthquake. We currently have no ships in Japan, nor are any of our ships considered at risk from any tsunami activity. All Princess passengers, crew and ships are safe. We will be assessing the tourism infrastructure in Japanese ports for our scheduled calls later this month.

Paul Gauguin is in Bora Bora after being asked to delay entry to the bay until tsunami danger past. Paul Gauguin Tsunami Update

VIDEOS:  (these were some of the first images released after the earthquake and tsunami)

Watch: Caught on Tape: The Moment the Quake Hit

Watch: Tsunami Washes Away Cars, Boats

Watch: U.S. West Coast Braces for Tsunami

Tsunami


A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest 
can last 5  to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. 
The danger can  continue for many hours after the initial wave as 
subsequent waves arrive.  As we've seen recently, these can be spawned 
by major earthquakes, such as the one in Japan.

Click here for More Links

• U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
• Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
• West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
• Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre
• International Tsunami Information Center
• Japan Meterology Agency
• NOAA Tsunami Page (Chile event Feb 27, 2010)
• New! Honshu Event, March 11, 2011
• Propagation animation
• TsunamiReady™

DART® real-time tsunami monitoring systems, developed by PMEL, are positioned at strategic locations throughout the ocean and play a critical role in tsunami forecasting.

DART® (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan and Hawaii