Tropical Storm Barry Impacts Cruises

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Tropical Storm Barry

Tropical Storm Barry formed in the Gulf and has prompted warnings and port closures.  Reports from Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast before landfall, and Barry is expected to be a hurricane when the center reaches the Louisiana coast. Weakening is expected after Barry moves inland.

The Port of New Orleans said it ceased cargo-loading operations at its Napoleon Avenue container terminal at noon Thursday and Carnival Cruise Line said it had diverted its Carnival Valor cruise ship to Mobile, Alabama, as the region prepared for Tropical Storm Barry's expected arrival this weekend.
 

Tropical Storm Barry	1000 AM CDT Fri Jul 12 2019 ...HURRICANE HUNTERS REPORT BARRY IS STRENGTHENING... ...DANGEROUS STORM SURGE, HEAVY RAINS, AND WIND CONDITIONS EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTH-CENTRAL GULF COAST...
WIND:	near 65 MPH...100 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY... A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Lake Pontchartrain and east of Shell Beach to Biloxi Mississippi. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT... A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Intracoastal City to Grand Isle A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle * Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas including metropolitan New Orleans * Intracoastal City to Cameron A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for... * Intracoastal City to Biloxi * Lake Pontchartrain A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Biloxi to the Mississippi/Alabama border A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Mouth of the Mississippi River to Grand Isle * Intracoastal City to Cameron A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * East of the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border

Key Messages for Tropical Storm Barry (Click)  

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on TS Barry
• Key Messages regarding Barry
• Local information on Barry: New Orleans/Baton Rouge LA , Lake Charles LA
• Audio podcasts regarding Barry now available

Click Here to Learn More

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 
(click for latest)   


We are monitoring Tropical Storm Barry to determine if any itineraries need to be modified.

Recent post on Twitter  from their meteorologist:

Update on TS #Barry and #Invest93L: @royalcaribbean Guests Boarding #Enchantment, we have a video playing on Channel 14 in your Staterooms explaining the forecast and our voyage plans safely away from storm. #Liberty Guests arrival Sunday is also far, and safely behind #Barry.

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

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)
There are no NCL ships in the region.
 

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)


Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami has been actively monitoring Tropical Storm Barry in the Gulf. As the safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority, we will continue to keep an eye on things and provide you with timely updates as more information becomes available.

Buses were lined up near the Alabama Cruise Terminal Thursday morning to transport Carnival Valor passengers from Mobile to New Orleans. It left downtown Mobile for another cruise later Thursday afternoon. That voyage, which was initially scheduled to leave the Valor’s homeport of New Orleans, is a four-day voyage to Cozumel.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Carnival Valor	July 11	Modified	re-routed from New Orleans to Mobile on Thursday, July 11, 2019

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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Keeping an Eye on Gordon

Graphics | Archive

Tropical Storm Gordon

If you haven't noticed before, we are heading into the most active part of the hurricane season.  Right now there are two storms in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific that are being tracked by the National Hurricane centers. 

The one that has everyone's attention is Tropical Storm Gordon, which should make landfall in the Gulf region sometime tonight as a hurricane.    All the states in its path are on high alert and preparations for heavy rainfall are underway. Gordon is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue until landfall occurs tonight along the north-central Gulf coast.

• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on Hurricane Florence and TS Gordon
• NHC issuing advisories for the Eastern Pacific on Hurricane Olivia
• CPHC issuing advisories for the Central Pacific on Norman

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

Full coverage of this, and all tropical storms, can be found on our Hurricane Zone page.   There are RSS feeds from the National Hurricane Center posted there giving you up to the minute information.   For storms that impact cruises, we will bring you information on those details as well.  Please bookmark that page for further reference during the Hurricane Season which runs now through November 30th.

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

Tropcial Storm Gordon	1000 AM CDT Tue Sep 04 2018 ...OUTER RAINBANDS PRODUCING SQUALLY WEATHER ALONG THE COAST OF THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE... ...GORDON EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL TONIGHT AS A HURRICANE...
WIND:	near 65 MPH...100 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for... * Shell Beach to Dauphin Island A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * West of Shell Beach to the Mouth of the Mississippi River * East of Dauphin Island to Navarre A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida Border A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * West of the Mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas * Alabama-Florida Border to Okaloosa-Walton County Line
SHIP IMPACT:	Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas ship departed Florida just before midnight Monday night September 3rd in order to sail behind the storm. The ship will flip its itinerary, but the voyage is still expected to make all of its ports of call. The Port of New Orleans Administration Building will close for all nonessential personnel at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in order to prepare for any possible weather-related activities due to Tropical Storm Gordon.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline,
in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please
see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic,
available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation.
Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions
to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for
other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other
instructions from local officials.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-
threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the
coastline, in the indicated locations.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning areas.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
STORM SURGE:  The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Shell Beach to Dauphin Island...3 to 5 ft.
Navarre Florida to Dauphin Island, including Mobile Bay...2 to 4 ft.
Shell Beach to the Mouth of Mississippi River...2 to 4 ft.
Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Louisiana-Texas border...1 to
2 ft.

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be
accompanied by large waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the
relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary
greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area,
please see products issued by your local National Weather Service
forecast office.

RAINFALL:  Gordon is expected to produce total rain accumulations of
4 to 8 inches over the western Florida Panhandle, southwest Alabama,
southern and central Mississippi, southeastern and northeastern
Louisiana, and southern Arkansas, with isolated maximum amounts of
12 inches through late Thursday. This rainfall will cause flash
flooding across portions of these areas.

WIND:  Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin this
afternoon within portions of the warning area, with hurricane
conditions expected by this evening in the hurricane warning
area.

TORNADOES:  A few tornadoes are possible this afternoon through
tonight near the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida
Panhandle.

Tropical Storm Bill Makes Landfall

Other images: 5-Day track off – 3-Day track off

Tropical Storm

The second named storm for the Atlantic Season  Bill formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and was expected to make landfall in the warning area along the Texas coast Tuesday morning and move inland over south-central Texas Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night.  Tropical Storm Bill has weakened since making landfall today.

The NHC has issued its final advisory on this system. Public Advisories from the Weather Prediction Center will provide updates as long as the system remains a flood threat.

WPC issuing advisories on BILL

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

Full coverage of this, and all tropical storms, can be found on our Hurricane Zone page.   There are RSS feeds from the National Hurricane Center posted there giving you up to the minute information.   For storms that impact cruises, we will bring you information on those details as well.  Please bookmark that page for further reference during the Hurricane Season which runs now through November 30th.

TS Bill	Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Bill is expected to become a tropical depression by Wednesday morning.
WIND:	near 45 mph (70 km/h) with higher gusts
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Port Aransas to San Luis Pass Texas
SHIP IMPACT:	NO IMPACT REPORTED AT THIS TIME

        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.
Storm Archive       Graphics Archive

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL:  Bill is expected to produce total rain accumulations of
4 to 8 inches over eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma and 2 to 4
inches over western Arkansas and southern Missouri, with possible
isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches in eastern Texas.

WIND:  Tropical storm conditions are occurring within the warning
area to the northeast and east of the center.

STORM SURGE:  The combination of a storm surge and the tide will
cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising
waters.  The water could reach the following heights above ground if
the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Upper Texas and Western Louisiana coasts...1 to 2 feet

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the right of the center.  Surge-related flooding depends on the
relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary
greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area,
please see products issued by your local National Weather Service
forecast office.

TORNADOES:  A few tornadoes may occur over parts of southeast and
east central Texas and western Louisiana tonight through early
Wednesday.

HISTORICAL NOTES

1000 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2015

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED AS TROPICAL STORM BILL FORMS...
...EXPECTED TO BRING HEAVY RAINFALL TO PORTIONS OF EASTERN TEXAS...

700 PM CDT TUE JUN 16 2015

...BILL MOVING FARTHER INLAND OVER TEXAS...

Tropical Storm Karen in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Karen

Tropical Storm Karen formed in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico prompting tropical storm and hurricane warnings for the northern Gulf Coast.  Due to the anticipated arrival of the storm, Port of New Orleans had closed the Mississippi River.

This storm impacted two Carnival Cruise Line sailings:

Port of New Orleans authorities opted to open the Mississippi River earlier than anticipated while keeping a watch on Tropical Storm Karen, allowing both Carnival Elation and Carnival Conquest to return to port sooner than expected. Elation now will return to New Orleans around 2 p.m. Sunday. Conquest is expected to return at 1:30 p.m. Passengers onboard both ships may disembark Sunday or spend one more night onboard and disembark Monday morning.

Passengers scheduled for the next cruise onboard Elation may board between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday; passengers scheduled to sail on Conquest may board between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday.

 "Our top priority was to keep a safe distance from the storm while we waited for the river to re-open," Carnival Cruise Lines President and CEO Gerry Cahill said in a news release. "We are pleased to be able to get our ships back into New Orleans earlier than what was originally anticipated as the storm was moving towards the coastline. We apologize to our guests for the inconvenience caused by Tropical Storm Karen and we extend our appreciation to all of the officials and maritime partners in New Orleans who have worked with us throughout to manage the situation as smoothly as possible."

Tropical Storm Karen	1000 AM CDT SUN OCT 06 2013 ...KAREN DISSIPATES... ...THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY...
WIND:	NEAR 30 MPH...45 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT. INTERESTS ALONG THE NORTH-CENTRAL  GULF COAST SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR  LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
SHIP IMPACT:	CARNIVAL CONQUEST - 10/06/13 DEPARTURE The Carnival Conquest will operate a 6-day cruise, cancelling Freeport. Check-in will be on Monday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the Erato Street Terminal and sailing time is set for 4:00PM. CARNIVAL ELATION - 10/05/13 DEPARTURE The Carnival Elation will operate a 3 day Fun Cruise @ Sea. Check-in will be on Monday from 11:00AM to 3:00PM at the Julia Street Terminal (1350 Port of New Orleans Place) and sailing time is set for 4:00PM. Tropical Storm Karen - Update

Storm Archive         Graphics Archive

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

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

  
SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...28.1N 89.9W
ABOUT 85 MI...135 KM SW OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...E OR 90 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1009 MB...29.80 INCHES

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 30 MPH...45 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
STORM SURGE...LOCALIZED COASTAL FLOODING IS POSSIBLE ALONG PORTIONS
OF THE NORTHERN GULF COAST. FOR INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...
PLEASE SEE PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE.
 
RAINFALL...THE REMNANTS OF KAREN ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL
ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL GULF
COAST AND SOUTHEASTERN STATES THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

HISTORICAL DATA:

800 AM CDT THU OCT 03 2013
 
...TROPICAL STORM FORMS OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO...
...HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM WATCHES ISSUED FOR THE NORTHERN GULF
COAST...

700 PM CDT THU OCT 03 2013
 
...TROPICAL STORM KAREN HEADING TOWARD THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO...

400 PM CDT FRI OCT 04 2013
 
...KAREN DISORGANIZED...
...HURRICANE WATCH DISCONTINUED... 

1000 AM CDT SAT OCT 05 2013
 
...KAREN EXPECTED TO MOVE OVER SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA TONIGHT AND
EARLY SUNDAY... 

700 PM CDT SAT OCT 05 2013
 
...KAREN STATIONARY SOUTH OF LOUISIANA......

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* GRAND ISLE LOUISIANA TO THE MOUTH OF THE PEARL RIVER

400 AM CDT SUN OCT 06 2013
 
...KAREN EXPECTED TO BECOME A REMNANT LOW LATER TODAY...

Tale of Two Hurricanes Seven Years Apart

On this the eve of the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast were once again bracing for the impact of a hurricane.

Katrina was an extraordinarily powerful and deadly hurricane that first caused fatalities and damage in southern Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. After reaching Category 5 intensity over the central Gulf of Mexico, Katrina weakened to Category 3 before making landfall on the northern Gulf coast.

Even so, the damage and loss of life inflicted by this massive hurricane in Louisiana and Mississippi were staggering, with significant effects extending into the Florida panhandle, Georgia, and Alabama. Considering the scope of its impacts, Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in United States history.

New Orleans was severely impacted by Katrina, and has since rebuilt the levees that failed them back in 2005.   The burning question for town residents tonight was - would they hold with this latest approaching storm.

Fortunately, Hurricane Isaac was a much weaker storm, but don't let that fool you.  It had the potential to bring heavy rains, flooding, power outages, damaging winds, and all the hazards associated with tropical cyclones.

Isaac, which spans more than 200 miles, made landfall at about 6:45 p.m. local time near the mouth of the Mississippi River. New Orleans, about 75 miles to the northwest, was a ghost town as residents and tourists heeded warnings to stay indoors.   Except for low-lying areas which were under mandatory evacuation orders, the majority of the folks stayed here to ride out the storm.

Following is a comparison of the two storms.   We trace some of the significant milestones as the two storms headed from the Atlantic to the Caribbean Sea and into the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall.  For those that want even more information, see the storm and graphic archives on the NHC website.

For  Latest Impact (click here):  Tropical Storm Isaac in Atlantic

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

 

DATE / TIME	KATRINA 2005	ISAAC 2012
	Storm Archive	Storm Archive
Storm Milestones, Watches & Warnings Issued
21 AUG		500 AM AST TUE AUG 21 2012 TD-9 forms east of Lesser Antilles,  TS Warnings / Watches issued 1007 MB / 35 MPH   500 PM AST TUE AUG 21 2012 Strengthens to tropical storm  1006 MB / 40 MPH   1100 PM AST TUE AUG 21 2012 Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
22 AUG		500 AM AST WED AUG 22 2012 Dominican Republic 1003 MB / 45 MPH   800 AM AST WED AUG 22 2012 British Virgin Islands  1004 MB / 45 MPH     200 PM AST WED AUG 22 2012 Leeward Islands 1006 MB / 45 MPH 500 PM AST WED AUG 22 2012 Haiti 1004 MB / 45 MPH     1100 PM AST WED AUG 22 2012 Eastern Caribbean 1003 MB / 45 MPH
23 AUG	500 PM EDT TUE AUG 23 2005 TD 12 forms - Bahamas TS Warnings issued 1007 MB / 35 MPH   1100 PM EDT TUE AUG 23 2005 Florida Keys, East coast 1007 MB / 35 MPH	1100 AM AST THU AUG 23 2012 South of Virgin Islands 1003 MB / 40 MPH    500 PM AST THU AUG 23 2012 Bahamas, Cuba 1003 MB / 40 MPH    1100 PM AST THU AUG 23 2012 Hispaniola 1001 MB / 45 MPH
24 AUG	1100 AM EDT WED AUG 24 2005 Becomes tropical storm Bahamas, Florida 1006 MB / 40 MPH  500 PM EDT WED AUG 24 2005 SE Florida 1002 MB / 45 MPH     1100 PM EDT WED AUG 24 2005  Hurricane warnings 1001 MB / 50 MPH	800 AM EDT FRI AUG 24 2012 Jamaica 1000 MB / 50 MPH    200 PM EDT FRI AUG 24 2012 Southern Hisapniola 997 MB / 50 MPH   1100 PM EDT FRI AUG 24 2012 Haiti Landfall 990 MB / 70 MPH
25 AUG	800 AM EDT THU AUG 25 2005 Better organized 999 MB / 50 MPH 1100 AM EDT THU AUG 25 2005 Florida straits 997 MB / 60 MPH    300 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005 Near hurricane strength 990 MB / 70 MPH  500 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005 Cat 1 Hurricane 985 MB / 75 MPH    900 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005 Eye over NHC 984 MB / 80 MPH   1100 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005 Eye over Miami-Dade 984 MB / 75 MPH	500 AM EDT SAT AUG 25 2012 South Florida, Keys 992 MB / 60 MPH   1100 AM EDT SAT AUG 25 2012 Florida East Coast 998 MB / 60 MPH   200 PM EDT SAT AUG 25 2012 East Coast Cuba 1000 MB / 60 MPH    1100 PM EDT SAT AUG 25 2012 Straits of Florida 997 MB / 60 MPH
26 AUG	100 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2005 Weakens over land 980 MB / 70 MPH   700 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2005 Westward over Gulf 987 MB / 75 MPH    1100 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2005 Stronger - West of Florida 981 MB / 80 MPH    200 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2005 Cat 2 Hurricane 969 MB / 100 MPH    1100 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2005 Expected to intensify 965 MB / 105 MPH	800 AM EDT SUN AUG 26 2012 Florida Keys 995 MB / 65 MPH   500 PM EDT SUN AUG 26 2012  Key West 992 MB / 60 MPH   1100 PM EDT SUN AUG 26 2012 Eastern Gulf of Mexico 993 MB / 65 MPH
27 AUG	200 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2005 963 MB / 110 MPH   800 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2005  Cat 3 Hurricane 940 MB / 115 MPH   400 PM CDT SAT AUG 27 2005 Louisiana 945 MB / 115 MPH   1000 PM CDT SAT AUG 27 2005  Threat North Central Gulf 939 MB / 115 MPH	500 AM EDT MON AUG 27 2012 Louisiana Coast 990 MB / 65 MPH    1000 AM CDT MON AUG 27 2012  Eastern Gulf of Mexico 988 MB / 65 MPH    400 PM CDT MON AUG 27 2012 Storm surge threat 981 MB / 70 MPH   1000 PM CDT MON AUG 27 2012 Flooding threat 979 MB / 70 MPH
28 AUG	100 AM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005 Cat 4 Hurricane New Orleans 935 MB / 145 MPH   700 AM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005 Cat 5 Hurricane Northern Gulf Coast 908 MB / 165 MPH   100 PM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005 Still Cat 5 906 MB / 175 MPH    1000 PM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005 Cat 5 904 MB / 160 MPH	400 AM CDT TUE AUG 28 2012 Verge of becoming hurricane 977 MB / 70 MPH   1120 AM CDT TUE AUG 28 2012 Becomes Cat 1 Hurricane 975 MB / 75 MPH   700 PM CDT TUE AUG 28 2012 Landfall Extreme SE Louisiana 970 MB / 80 MPH    1000 PM CDT TUE AUG 28 2012 Dangerous storm surge; flooding 968 MB / 80 MPH
29 AUG	MIDNIGHT CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Nearing Louisiana coast 908 MB / 160 MPH    600 AM CDT MON AUG 29 2005  Cat 4 Near Shore 918 MB / 145 MPH   800 AM CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Pounding SE Louisiana 923 MB / 135 MPH    1000 AM CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Weakens to Cat 3 Moving ashore near Louisiana & Mississippi border 927 MB / 125 MPH    NOON CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Weakens to Cat 2 over land 940 MB / 105 MPH    400 PM CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Weakens to Cat 1 960 MB / 75 MPH    700 PM CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Now a tropical storm 965 MB / 65 MPH    1000 PM CDT MON AUG 29 2005 Coastal warnings discontinued 973 MB / 60 MPH	1200 AM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 Coast of Louisiana 969 MB / 80 MPH 200 AM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 Nearly stationary 968 MB / 80 MPH        300 AM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 Second landfall  969 MB / 80 MPH    400 AM CDT WED AUG 29 2012  Begins Moving Inland 969 MB / 80 MPH   600 AM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 Floods and heavy rains continue 970 MB / 80 MPH     800 AM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 970 MB / 80 MPH  1200 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 SE Louisiana / Mississippi Rains 973 MB / 75 MPH  200 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012  Weakens to Tropical Storm 974 MB / 70 MPH 700 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 Slow moving - only 6 MPH 977 MB / 60 MPH    1000 PM CDT WED AUG 29 2012 Only moved 60 miles all day 980 MB / 60 MPH
30 AUG	400 AM CDT TUE AUG 30 2005 Weakens further 981MB / 50 MPH    1000 AM CDT TUE AUG 30 2005 Still heavy rainfall Weakens to tropical depression 985 MB / 35 MPH	100 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012 Heavy Rains & Severe Weather Farther inland Louisiana 981 MB / 50 MPH 400 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012 983 MB / 45 MPH    1000 AM CDT THU AUG 30 2012 987 MB / 40 MPH   400 PM CDT THU AUG 30 2012 Weakens to Tropical Depression 995 MB / 35 MPH
31 AUG	No Advisories Issued	No Advisories Issued

Tropical Storm Lee in Gulf of Mexico

13th Tropical Depression 

Forms in the Gulf of Mexico

Strengthens into Tropical Storm Lee

Cruise Ship Impact     Current Watches & Warnings

A new tropical cyclone has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is heading towards Louisiana. It will become Tropical Storm Lee when it strengthens.   Heavy rainfall is predicted for the Gulf states, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

 1100 PM EDT FRI SEP 09 2011

...HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMNANTS OF LEE ARE NOW LIMITED
TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA...

A STORM SURGE OF 4 FEET HAS BEEN REPORTED AT SHELL BEACH LOUISIANA
AND ALSO AT NEW CANAL STATION IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. A SURGE HEIGHT
OF 2 FEET HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR EAST AS PASCAGOULA MISSISSIPPI.

SUMMARY OF 400 PM CDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...29.4N 92.1W
ABOUT 60 MI...95 KM WSW OF MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA
ABOUT 55 MI...90 KM S OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 4 MPH...6 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...989 MB...29.21 INCHES

Cruise Ship Travel Alerts

Carnival Tropical Depression 13 - Update
RCI Tropical Weather Update
NCL Tropical Weather Updates 
Holland America Travel Advisories
Celebrity Cruises Travel Advisories  

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking
NOAA Hurricane Central 

NO CURRENT CRUISE ITINERARY CHANGES RELATED TO LEE

Carnival Triumph and Carnival Elation Sept. 5th 

CARNIVAL ELATION - 9/5/11
The Carnival Elation is still delayed arriving in Mobile from its previous cruise.  Given prevailing weather conditions, the local pilots have not been able to board the ship.  At this time we are still unable to provide an estimated arrival time.  We will provide guests with another update no later than 12:00PM CDT (noon) on Monday.  We encourage guests to sign up for text updates by texting CCL2 to 36500.

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH - 9/5/11
The Carnival Triumph is delayed arriving in New Orleans from its previous cruise. The good news is that local pilots have boarded the ship this morning and the ship is expected to dock at 5:00PM.  Because of limited parking and seating facilities at the terminal, please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until 9:00PM.  Embarkation is scheduled to take place from 8:00PM -10:30PM and sailing is scheduled for 11:00PM.  This delay should not impact our scheduled itinerary.  We encourage guests to sign up for text updates by texting CCL3 to 36500.

We're sorry Mother Nature is not cooperating with us. We look forward to welcoming guests aboard the Carnival Elation & Carnival Triumph! 

 

Updated: Sunday, September 4th 2 PM EDT

Norwegian Spirit will remain at sea today, September 4, awaiting an opportunity for safe arrival to New Orleans. At this time, the ship is anticipated to arrive in New Orleans on Monday, September 5 in the late evening once berthing space at the pier becomes available. When the ship is alongside, guests will have the option to disembark Monday evening using the easy walk-off program or they can stay onboard until Tuesday morning if they need assistance with their luggage.


Embarkation for the September 4 Norwegian Spirit cruise will take place on Tuesday, September 6 beginning at 11 am. Guests are asked to delay their arrival at the pier to Tuesday, September 6. The ship is expected to sail at 5 pm. Because of the delay, Norwegian Spirit will sail a revised itinerary calling in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Guests will receive a two-day refund based on the cruise fare paid as an on-board credit.

Current Watches & Warnings

FLASH FLOOD WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  RIVER FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN
EFFECT FROM MARYLAND NORTHWARD INTO UPSTATE NEW YORK AND
SOUTHWESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

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.

HEAVY RAINS OVER THE
MID-ATLANTIC HAVE DIMINISHED IN COVERAGE AND ARE NOW LIMITED TO
CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  AS THIS WILL BE THE LAST PUBLIC
ADVISORY...PLEASE REFER TO YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE FOR THE LATEST ON THE REMAINING RAINFALL.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL...ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 2 INCHES WILL BE
POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH SUNDAY...WITH
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE IN ISOLATED LOCATIONS.

Historical Data:         Storm Archive            Graphics Archive                           

Tropical Depression THIRTEEN

100 PM CDT FRI SEP 02 2011

...DEPRESSION STRENGTHENS INTO TROPICAL STORM LEE SOUTH OF THE
LOUISIANA COAST...HEAVY RAINBANDS CONTINUE TO SPREAD ACROSS MUCH 
OF SOUTHEASTERN AND SOUTH-CENTRAL LOUISIANA...  

700 PM CDT THU SEP 01 2011
 
...TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS OVER THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN GULF
COAST...

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TROPICAL STORM LEE	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

Royal Caribbean 2012 Venice Italy

Composed of 117 islands in the Venetian Lagoon and held together by a series of canals, Venice is like no other city in the world. Established more than 1,000 years ago by seafarers and Roman refugees, this magnificent city continues to be the heart of Italian culture as well as a mecca for hopeless romantics.

2012 – Summer Europe & Transatlantic Sailings 


 VOYAGER of the SEAS®

Ship Profile | Itineraries & Pricing | Deck Plans  Dining Menus | Wine Lists | Kids Programs | Ship Reviews | 360 Tours | Photos

On April 14, 2012, VOYAGER of the SEAS® leaves New Orleans, Louisiana on a 16- Night Transatlantic Eastbound to Barcelona, Spain.   A special 11-Night Mediterranean cruise follows which transitions the ship to Venice, Italy for the majority of the Summer 2012 season.

On October 26, 2012, a special 8-Night Mediterranean cruise transitions back to Barcelona, Spain where the ship will cross the Atlantic back to New Orleans starting November 3, 2012.


10-Night Greece and Turkey

Venice, Italy • Dubrovnik, Croatia • Cruising • Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey • Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey • Cruising • Athens (Piraeus), Greece • Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece • Cruising
Venice, Italy

11-Night Greece and Turkey

Venice, Italy • Dubrovnik, Croatia • Cruising • Rhodes, Greece • Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey • Istanbul, Turkey • Cruising • Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece • Cruising • Venice, Italy

2012 EUROPE CRUISETOUR DEPLOYMENT

 Get a local's view of the great cities and sights of Europe, as well as its hidden treasures. 

13-Night Italian Lakes & Venice Cruisetour #5EB

Featuring an 10-Night Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise &
3-Night Pre-cruise Escorted Italian Lakes & Venice Land Tour

May 8, 29; June 19; July 10, 31; August 21; September 11; October 2; 2012

Day 1: Milan/Como, Italy
Day 2: Como, Italy
Day 3: Como/Venice, Italy
Day 4: Venice
Days 4-14: Voyager of the Seas®
10-Night Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise
14-Night Italian Lakes & Venice

Cruisetour #5EB

Featuring an 11-Night Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise &
3-Night Pre-cruise Escorted Italian Lakes & Venice Land Tour

May 18; June 8, 29; July 20; August 10, 21; September 21; October 12; 2012

Day 1: Milan/Como, Italy
Day 2: Como, Italy
Day 3: Como/Venice, Italy
Day 4: Venice
Days 4-14: Voyager of the Seas®
11-Night Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise

Ungoing Efforts to Contain Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil Spill

VENICE, La. -- Boom put in place to protect sensitive areas from the oil discharge from the Deepwater Horizon/BP incident, protects the shores of North Breton Island, La., which is a nesting ground for endangered birds, May 20, 2010. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with state and local agencies to protect the Louisiana bird population. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.  View More Photos | Flickr

Cleanup / Containment Continues

President Obama announced that he has signed an executive order establishing the bipartisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling with former two-term Florida Governor and former Senator Bob Graham and former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency William K. Reilly serving as co-chairs.  The bipartisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling is tasked with providing recommendations on how we can prevent—and mitigate the impact of—any future spills that result from offshore drilling.

At the direction of the President, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will visit Louisiana on Monday to inspect the ongoing response to the BP oil spill, accompanied by a bipartisan Senate delegation.   The delegation will conduct a flyover of the affected areas, discuss the latest response efforts in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast with federal and BP representatives, and meet with local community and industry leaders.

There are approximately 24,900 personnel currently responding to protect the shoreline and wildlife utilizing more than 1,100 vessels to assist in containment and cleanup efforts.  To date more than 1.52 million feet of containment boom and 560,000 feet of sorbent boom have been deployed to contain the spill—and approximately 310,000 feet of containment boom and 1.27 million feet of sorbent boom are available.

Complete details can be found:  The Ongoing Administration-Wide Response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill

NOAA oceanographers continue to release updated trajectory maps showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick.  Current Trajectory Maps.     There is growing concern that the oil will spread to the Loop Current (LC) so this situation is being closely monitored.


SUNDAY: EPA Administrator to Return to Gulf Region to oversee ongoing response to the BP oil spill


Many companies, local, and federal agencies are working closely together in response to this event.   For the latest information, consult the Joint Information Centre website.


U.S. EPA:  Federal Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
U.S. Coast Guard:    Gulf of Mexico - Deepwater Horizon Incident
NOOA:  Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
Offshore Alabama     Update on the Oil Spill (Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce)
BP    Read the latest press release
NASA:  Earth Observatory Images 

Port of New Orleans. LA  
Port of Mobile, AL  
Carnival Cruise Line:  Travel Advisory (Port of Mobile) 
  
  

Update on Horizon Oil Spill

Graphic Courtesy of NOOA

This is an ongoing event - search for later blog posts or see links for updates

On April 20th a fire and explosion occurred in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon.    The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La.  Of the 126-member crew, 115 were safely evacuated. Despite exhaustive rescue efforts, eleven crew members lost their lives, nine of which were Transocean employees.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families and to the entire community which is engaged in the response to this event.

Since that time, the world has watched as the equivalent of 5,000 barrels of oil a day continues to gush out into the Gulf.  Indications are that this could be the worst environmental disaster to date.  The difference between this incident and other oil spills is that the source of the oil flow comes from the ocean floor and will continue until it can be plugged.  In previous incidents, the source of oil was a container which would eventually be empty.

Many companies, local, and federal agencies are working closely together in response to this event.   For the latest information, consult the Joint Information Centre website.

We will continue to provide updates on this developing story and inform you of any impact to the cruise industry as well as the environmental impact.  

Resources & Updated News

U.S. EPA:  Federal Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
U.S. Coast Guard:    Gulf of Mexico - Deepwater Horizon Incident
NOOA:  Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
Offshore Alabama     Update on the Oil Spill (Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce)
BP    Read the latest press release
NASA:  Earth Observatory Images

Updates for Cruise Ship Passengers 

So far, the ports of New Orleans and Mobile have not been impacted by the oil spill.  The Carnival Triumph is scheduled to arrive in the Port of New Orleans today and sail out again for their next cruise.  Carnival Cruise Line will continue to monitor this situation over the weekend to assess if there will be any disruption to the Carnival Fantasy cruise departing on Monday, May 3rd from Mobile, AL.

Port of New Orleans. LA    Mississippi River Ship Traffic Not Affected by Oil Spill

Carnival Cruise Line:  Travel Advisory (Port of Mobile)

Port of Mobile, AL    Press Release: Port of Mobile Open to Vessel Traffic