Ninth Named Storm in Atlantic Basin
First Advisory Includes Tropical Storm Warnings
Irene Becomes 1st Hurricane
of 2011 Atlantic Season
Became a Major Hurricane
Made Landfall on U.S.
Became a Major Hurricane
Made Landfall on U.S.
1100 PM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011 ...IRENE BECOMES POST-TROPICAL NEAR THE U.S./CANADIAN BORDER...
...MAJOR RIVER FLOODING OCCURRING IN PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST...
Tracking Storm since Saturday, August 20th
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| The GOES-13 satellite saw Hurricane Irene entering the Bahamas on August 24, 2011 at 1302 UTC (9:02 a.m. EDT). Credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project |
Several hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings were posted as the storm moved through the islands on its way towards the Bahamas. The Hurricane is expected to make landfall on the East Coast of the United States this weekend. It could become a Category Four hurricane before hitting land. This was a very dangerous Hurricane and evacuations were ordered all along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Consult our Hurricane Preparedness links on Hurricane Zone if you are in the path of the hurricane. Several cruise itineraries have been modified to stay clear of the storm.
August 28th 11 PM EDT - Irene loses tropical characteristics, but not until she was done ravaging the East Coast of the United States as well as several Caribbean ports of call. Bahamas had extensive damage with many of the private islands, that cruise lines call on, needing to be repaired.
Saturday and Sunday were very long days for residents in NC all the way up the East Coast. The winds weren't the main problem, but rather the storm surge and inland flooding caused the most destruction. The danger isn't over from the raging waters. At first light on Monday, some areas will get their first look at just how bad things are (and it's not over).
GALE-FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO AFFECT COASTAL AREAS FROM EASTERN LONG ISLAND TO MAINE THROUGH EARLY MONDAY.
THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL MOVE OVER EASTERN CANADA TONIGHT AND ON MONDAY.
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Cruise Itinerary Changes
Several ships are in the vicinity of Irene and their itineraries were modified:
Latest Travel Advisories: (Updated 8 PM EDT Saturday, August 27).
Links provided for changes between our updates.
CARNIVAL PRIDE – 8/28/11: Port Canaveral (Tuesday, instead of Wednesday) and Freeport (Wednesday), after which the line will determine the remainder of the itinerary based on Irene's projected path. USCG has directed the Pride's captain to arrive early and proceed to a secure location to ride out the hurricane. Embarkation for the 8/28 cruise is scheduled for Monday, August 29th from 10am to 2 PM at the Baltimore cruise terminal.
The ship is now scheduled to call on..
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Mon Baltimore, MD 10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Tue Fun Day @ Sea
Wed Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL 10:00 AM 7:00 PM
Thu Nassau, The Bahamas 1 1:00 AM 10:00 PM
Fri Freeport, The Bahamas 7:00 AM 2:00 PM
Sat Fun Day @ Sea
Sun Baltimore, MD 9:00 AM
Should any guests be delayed due to flight cancellations, if you purchased your air with Carnival, please contact us so we can make alternate arrangements for you.
Guests who purchased independent air, are kindly requested to make independent arrangements to catch up with the ship at the first port of call.
Regrettably, the island of CocoCay, Bahamas, was impacted by the storm,
and we feel our guest's experience ashore would be disrupted. Because of
this, we have cancelled Majesty of the Seas'call to CocoCay for today, August 27, Monarch of the Seas' call to CocoCay on Sunday, August 28, and Freedom of the Seas' call to CocoCay on Monday, August 29.
Monarch of the Seas will now stay overnight in Nassau, Bahamas, departing at 11:00 a.m. today, August 28.
Freedom of the Seas will call on Nassau, Bahamas, on Monday, August 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Majesty of the Seas will also stay overnight in Nassau, Bahamas, arriving at 12:00 p.m. today and departing at 5:00 pm. on Sunday, August 28.
Veendam - current sailing: Bermuda (depart 5 PM Thursday instead of Friday), Arrive New York Saturday (one day early). Passengers can disembark on Saturday or overnight until Sunday.
Veendam 8/28 Sailing: The ship will remain in New York overnight on Sunday, August 28, and will now depart Monday, August 29, at 2:00 pm. Guests will be able to embark as scheduled on Sunday provided there is access to the cruise terminal. Due to the government declared evacuation of some areas of the city and impending transit challenges, access to the cruise terminal may be limited or closed on Sunday.
Embarkation on Monday, August 29 will begin at 8:00 am and continue until 1:00 pm, at which time all passengers should be on board the ship.
The revised itinerary is below: ms Veendam August 28, 7-day Bermuda Cruise
| DATE | LOCATION | ARRIVE | DEPART |
| Sunday, Aug 28 | New York | overnight | |
| Monday, Aug 29 | New York | 2 pm | |
| Tuesday, Aug 30 | At Sea | ||
| Wednesday, Aug 31 | Hamilton, Bermuda | 9 am | overnight |
| Thursday, Sept 1 | Hamilton, Bermuda | overnight | |
| Friday, Sept 2 | Hamilton, Bermuda | 2 pm | |
| Saturday, Sept 3 | At Sea | ||
| Sunday, Sept 4 | New York | 7am |
For guests considering embarkation on Sunday, Holland America Line encourages guests to check local New York City transit and government websites (www.NYC.gov or www.mta.info). If you are in the local area, you can also call our special information line at 732-698-1222 for the latest information on access to the pier.
ms Maasdam August 27, 7-day Canada/New England Cruise (Boston to Montreal, Quebec)
Guests embarked in Boston on Saturday, August 27, as planned and the ship sailed at 5:00pm prior to the storms arrival. Due to very high winds and rough seas expected near the first two port calls of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, these calls have been cancelled and the itinerary modified, adding the ports of Gaspe and Saguenay, Quebec later in the week.
| DATE | LOCATION | ARRIVE | DEPART |
| Saturday, Aug 27 | Boston | 5:00 pm | |
| Sunday, Aug 28 | At Sea | ||
| Monday, Aug 29 | Sydney, Nova Scotia | 8:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday, Aug 30 | Charlottetown, PEI | 8:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday, Aug 31 | Gaspe, Quebec | 7:00 am | 1:00 pm |
| Thursday, Sept 1 | Saguenay, Quebec | 12:00 noon | 8:00 pm |
| Friday, Sept 2 | Quebec | 7:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Saturday, Sept 3 | Montreal | 7:00 am |
Updates will also be posted at 10:00 am and 10:00 pm PDT
Summit: will remain in Bermuda until 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, August 26. We now anticipate that the ship will arrive in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Monday, August 29.
Next sailing will now depart on Monday, August 29. Guests scheduled to sail on the Sunday, August 28, sailing of Celebrity Summit should now arrive at Cape Liberty on Monday between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Norwegian Jewel will return to New York
early on Saturday, August 27 and guests currently on board will
disembark beginning at 6 am. Embarkation for the August 27 cruise will
commence earlier beginning at 10 am. The ship will depart three hours
earlier than scheduled at 1 pm. All guests are advised to arrive at the
pier between 10 am and noon. Once the ship is underway, there may be a
change to the scheduled Bahamas & Florida itinerary.
Norwegian Gem will remain at sea, keeping a safe distance from the
storm, on Sunday, August 28 instead of returning to New York as
scheduled. The ship will arrive in New York at 8 am on Monday, August
29. All guests for the August 28 cruise are asked to arrive at the pier
on Monday, August 29 beginning at noon. The ship is scheduled to depart
New York at 4 pm on Monday en route to Bermuda.
Both Norwegian Dawn sailing from Boston and Norwegian Sky sailing from Miami today will depart as scheduled.
Caribbean Princess will arrive in New York on Saturday, August 27, one hour early at 6 a.m. In addition, check-in for the next cruise will begin at 10 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. in anticipation of an early departure. Itinerary has been altered slightly; Monday, a sea day will replace a call at Halifax but the ship will visit there Tuesday. The planned Tuesday call at St. John is canceled.
Disney Dream did not stop at the line's private island of Castaway Cay on Saturday, August 27, due to the storm's impact. Instead, the ship spent an additional day in Nassau.
Caribbean Princess will arrive in New York on Saturday, August 27, one hour early at 6 a.m. In addition, check-in for the next cruise will begin at 10 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. in anticipation of an early departure. Itinerary has been altered slightly; Monday, a sea day will replace a call at Halifax but the ship will visit there Tuesday. The planned Tuesday call at St. John is canceled.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Dream did not stop at the line's private island of Castaway Cay on Saturday, August 27, due to the storm's impact. Instead, the ship spent an additional day in Nassau.
See Historical Data below for changes earlier in the week
MONITOR LINKS FOR LAST MINUTE CHANGES FOR WEEKEND CRUISES
IRENE IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BY ALL CRUISE LINES AND ADDITIONAL CHANGES MAY BE NECESSARY. GUESTS WILL BE NOTIFIED ON BOARD .
CLOSELY MONITOR DEPARTURE TIMES AS THEY ARE CHANGING
CLOSELY MONITOR DEPARTURE TIMES AS THEY ARE CHANGING
While we will do our best to keep this post
updated, this unprecedented storm is prompting last minute changes. Be
sure to keep in close contact with your travel agent / cruise line.
SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...45.3N 71.3W ABOUT 50 MI...80 KM N OF BERLIN NEW HAMPSHIRE ABOUT 105 MI...165 KM S OF QUEBEC CITY QUEBEC MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 26 MPH...43 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...980 MB...28.94 INCHES
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY... THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT... A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * SOUTH COAST OF NEW BRUNSWICK FROM THE UNITED STATES/CANADA BORDER NORTHEASTWARD TO FORT LAWRENCE INCLUDING GRAND MANAN * SOUTH COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM FORT LAWRENCE TO PORTERS LAKE THE TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR CANADA WILL LIKELY BE DISCONTINUED EARLY MONDAY.
A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA. A WARNING IS TYPICALLY ISSUED
36 HOURS BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED FIRST OCCURRENCE OF
TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS...CONDITIONS THAT MAKE OUTSIDE
PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS. 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.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 50 MPH...85 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS...MAINLY OVER OR NEAR THE WATER WELL TO THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE CENTER. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
STORM SURGE...ELEVATED WATER LEVELS WILL PERSIST IN AREAS OF ONSHORE WINDS ALONG THE COAST FROM CONNECTICUT THROUGH MAINE. THE HIGHEST STORM SURGE...ELEVATED WATER LEVELS ALONG THE COAST OF NEW ENGLAND WILL SUBSIDE OVERNIGHT AND ON MONDAY. USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES FOR LOCATION-SPECIFIC STORM TIDE AND SURGE INFORMATION. RAINFALL...HEAVY RAINS ARE DIMINISHING OVER NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND. ANY ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS SHOULD AMOUNT TO LESS THAN ONE INCH. WIND...WINDS OF TROPICAL STORM FORCE...ESPECIALLY IN GUSTS...COULD STILL OCCUR ACROSS PORTIONS OF EASTERN NEW ENGLAND...NEW BRUNSWICK...AND NOVA SCOTIA OVERNIGHT. SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER WIND SPEEDS ARE LIKELY OVER AREAS OF ELEVATED TERRAIN IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN CANADA.
Historical Data: Storm Archive Graphics Archive
THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ON THIS SYSTEM. FUTURE INFORMATION ON THIS SYSTEM... INCLUDING TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS FROM IRENE...CAN BE FOUND IN PUBLIC ADVISORIES ISSUED BY THE HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER...UNDER AWIPS HEADER TCPAT4 AND WMO HEADER WTNT34 KWNH... BEGINNING AT 5 AM EDT.
1100 PM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011 ...IRENE BECOMES POST-TROPICAL NEAR THE U.S./CANADIAN BORDER...
900 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011 ...CENTER OF IRENE MOVES OVER NEW YORK CITY...
700 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011 ...IRENE RE-EMERGES OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN...WATER LEVELS RISING IN THE VIRGINIA TIDEWATER REGION...
800 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011 ...CENTER OF IRENE MAKES LANDFALL NEAR CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA...
800 AM EDT WED AUG 24 2011 ...IRENE BECOMES A CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE....EYE HEADED FOR THE CROOKED AND ACKLINS ISLANDS...
500 AM AST MON AUG 22 2011 ...IRENE STRENGTHENS OVER PUERTO RICO...BECOMING THE FIRST HURRICANE OF THE 2011 ATLANTIC SEASON...
700 PM AST SAT AUG 20 2011 ...TROPICAL STORM FORMS EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS...
TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED...
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Earlier this week:
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Carnival Glory 8/27 - Reversing order of ports: Halifax (Monday 8:00 AM - 4 PM), Saint John (Tuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
In anticipation of Hurricane Irene’s arrival Sunday night, New York City is taking pre-cautionary measures that may affect your ability to arrive at the terminal on a timely basis. We encourage all guests sailing on the Carnival Glory to make plans to arrive at Pier 88 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Please bear with us as the debarkation process from the previous sailing will be ongoing, but we will do all possible to make you comfortable. Sailing time remains at 3:00 PM, however we may sail earlier.
Passengers were notified via email for both of these cruises.
CARNIVAL SENSATION - 8/25/11
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Thu Port Canaveral, FL 4:00 PM
Fri Key West 12:00PM overnight
Sat Key West overnight 12:00PM
Sun Port Canaveral, FL 7:00 AM
CARNIVAL FASCINATION - 8/25/11
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Thu Jacksonville, FL 10:30 PM
Fri Fun Day @ Sea
Sat Key West 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
Sun Freeport, The Bahamas 7:00 AM 2:00 PM
Mon Jacksonville, FL
CARNIVAL IMAGINATION - 8/26/11
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Fri Miami, FL 4:00 PM
Sat Fun Day @ Sea
Sun Nassau 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
Mon Miami, FL 8:00 AM
Carnival Cruise Line has modified additional cruises - mainly swapping Western Caribbean ports for the original Bahamas stops.
In anticipation of Hurricane Irene’s arrival Sunday night, New York City is taking pre-cautionary measures that may affect your ability to arrive at the terminal on a timely basis. We encourage all guests sailing on the Carnival Glory to make plans to arrive at Pier 88 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Please bear with us as the debarkation process from the previous sailing will be ongoing, but we will do all possible to make you comfortable. Sailing time remains at 3:00 PM, however we may sail earlier.
Passengers were notified via email for both of these cruises.
CARNIVAL SENSATION - 8/25/11
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Thu Port Canaveral, FL 4:00 PM
Fri Key West 12:00PM overnight
Sat Key West overnight 12:00PM
Sun Port Canaveral, FL 7:00 AM
CARNIVAL FASCINATION - 8/25/11
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Thu Jacksonville, FL 10:30 PM
Fri Fun Day @ Sea
Sat Key West 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
Sun Freeport, The Bahamas 7:00 AM 2:00 PM
Mon Jacksonville, FL
CARNIVAL IMAGINATION - 8/26/11
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Fri Miami, FL 4:00 PM
Sat Fun Day @ Sea
Sun Nassau 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
Mon Miami, FL 8:00 AM
Carnival Cruise Line has modified additional cruises - mainly swapping Western Caribbean ports for the original Bahamas stops.
Carnival Triumph: Key West (Tuesday, as planned), instead of Bahamas ports: Cozumel (Wednesday), Progreso (Thursday).
Carnival Destiny: Key West (Tuesday), Cozumel (Wednesday), Costa Maya (Thursday) instead of
Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau
Carnival Conquest: Costa Maya (Wednesday), Cozumel (Thursday), Progreso (Friday) in Western Caribbean instead of Florida and Bahamas
Carnival Victory: Canceled St. Thomas (Monday), enroute to Barbados (Wednesday), remainder of cruise under evaluation
Carnival Liberty: Grand Turk instead of Sea Day (Monday), rest of schedule TBD
Carnival Miracle:
Grand Turk (Monday) and Half Moon Cay (Tuesday) instead of San Juan and St. Thomas
Norwegian Cruise Line has made modifications:
Norwegian Gem: Kings Wharf, Bermuda (Wednesday - Thursday), Departs for New York (6 PM Thursday - one day early), Returns to New York (Sunday)
Norwegian Jewel: Great Stirrup
Cay (Tuesday), At Sea instead of Nassau (Wednesday), Heading north
to return to New York (Saturday)
Norwegian Sky: Nassau, Bahamas (Tuesday), At Sea instead of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Wednesday), Depending on the path of the storm, the ship may also have to cancel its call to Freeport, Bahamas on Thursday, August 25.
Guests on board the vessels will be kept up to date by the ship’s Captain. It is also important to note that NCL will continue to closely monitor the storm and if the path changes, may need to modify these itineraries.
Explorer of the Seas will depart Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey, today, Saturday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. – one hour earlier than originally scheduled. We ask that all guests arrive at the pier no later than 3:00 p.m. today.
Norwegian Sky: Nassau, Bahamas (Tuesday), At Sea instead of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Wednesday), Depending on the path of the storm, the ship may also have to cancel its call to Freeport, Bahamas on Thursday, August 25.
Guests on board the vessels will be kept up to date by the ship’s Captain. It is also important to note that NCL will continue to closely monitor the storm and if the path changes, may need to modify these itineraries.
Royal Caribbean modified port orders as follows:
Explorer of the Seas will depart Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey, today, Saturday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. – one hour earlier than originally scheduled. We ask that all guests arrive at the pier no later than 3:00 p.m. today.
Monarch of the Seas: Nassau, Bahamas instead of CocoCay (Tuesday), At Sea (Wednesday, Thursday), Return to Port Canaveral (Friday)
Majesty of the Seas: Key West instead of CocoCay ( 4 PM Wednesday - 6 PM Thursday), Return to Miami (Friday)
Allure of the Seas: Nassau, Bahamas(Saturday), St. Thomas (Wednesday) and St. Maarten (Thursday)
Oasis of the Seas: Cozumel (Monday), Falmouth, Jamaica (Wednesday), Labadee(Thursday)
Freedom of the Seas: Cozumel (Tuesday), Grand Cayman (Wednesday), Falmouth, Jamaica (Thursday), Labadee (Friday)
Serenade of the Seas: Aruba (Tuesday), Curacao (Wednesday), St. Kitts (Friday),St. Thomas (Saturday)
Remaining days will be Sea Days with the ships returning to their normal embarkation port as scheduled
