Norwegian Sky on IRMA Rescue Mission

Norwegian Sky

Deploying to  

St. Thomas USVI

This base image, courtesy NOAA, shows Hurricane IRMA approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands.  As one of the most popular Caribbean cruise destinations, the devastation is truly saddening.  Our thoughts and prayers go to all impacted by the hurricane, in the USVI, and all along its path.   This update from Norwegian Cruise Line makes me proud to be part of the cruise industry.

We have been updating the ever changing Cruise Ship Impact throughout this storm.   The latest update from Norwegian Cruise Line deserves special mention.

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LIST OF CRUISE CHANGES

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)


September 9th at 12:30 PM (4:30 PM UTC)

Norwegian Cruise Line is continuing to closely watch the forecasted path of major Hurricane Irma and respond as necessary to ensure the safety of our guests and crew. We have cancelled this week’s scheduled sailings aboard our two ships that depart from Miami, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Escape and both ships are currently navigating a safe course around the path of Hurricane Irma

Norwegian Escape is sailing at full capacity with approximately 4,000 displaced guests from both ships that were unable to secure flights back home. The ship is currently alongside in Cozumel, Mexico and will remain there until 7 a.m. Sunday, September 10. Guests who have secured flights home may disembark the ship in Mexico if they wish.

Due to the devastation in the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Irma, all of Norwegian Escape’s upcoming Eastern Caribbean sailings will be altered to a Western Caribbean itinerary until November. All guests scheduled to sail on any affected cruises will be notified of the change.

Acting as a responsible corporate citizen and supporting the destinations that our ships operate in is a core value of Norwegian Cruise Line. In the wake of this devastating storm, we will be deploying Norwegian Sky from her current position off the coast of Cancun to St. Thomas, USVI to retrieve approximately 2,000 travelers who were unable to evacuate the island prior to the storm.

The ship is departing immediately and will arrive in St. Thomas in the late evening hours on Monday, September 11. Norwegian Cruise Line is working closely with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and the Governor of St. Thomas to execute this rescue mission. When all designated vacation guests have boarded the ship, Norwegian Sky will sail back to her homeport of Miami and is expected to arrive on Thursday, September 14.

First Atlantic Tropical Storms 2009

FOR CONTINUOUS UPDATES ON HURRICANE BILL

& CRUISE LINE UPDATES FOR AFFECTED ITINERARIES

see the following Blog post

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

Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Bill / Cruise Ship Impact

This blog post was renamed and republished keeping historical information. The original blog post, with continuous updates will remain on top of the blog as long as NHC continues to provide updates on the storm.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND A PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST:

Hurricane Bill / Tracking Cruise Ship Updates

We continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Bill very closely as a service to our guests who are cruising in the area this week and next. This information is being shared with all so that you can remain informed on changes that might impact your travel plans.

We are in the midst of Hurricane Season which officially began June 1st and continues through November. My previous blog article, Hurricane Season 2009 Begins Today, provided an initial forecast and various references to help you be prepared and stay informed during hurricane season.

Fortunately, we have had a slow start to the season, but activity is starting to pick up in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in recent days. NOAA publishes revised reports throughout the season as new information is obtained.

While the Atlantic has been calm since June 1st, all of a sudden there are three storms at once threatening the Eastern United States, Bermuda, and the Leeward Islands.

NOAA Lowers Hurricane Season Outlook, Cautions Public Not to Let Down Guard
According to its August Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA now expects a near- to below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, as the calming effects of El Niño continue to develop. But scientists say the season’s quiet start does not guarantee quiet times ahead.

I am a firm believer that we need to learn from history, or suffer the consequences. There have been other years that had a slow start to the hurricane season, but produced some of the most devastating storms, such as Hurricane Andrew. It is for that reason, that I urge you to continue monitoring tropical storm activity that might have an impact on your daily lives or vacation plans.

Current Watches - Atlantic

Tropical Storm Claudette (Update: Monday, Aug 17 - downgraded to Tropical Depression)
At 500 PM EDT Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Claudette was located about 40 miles west-southwest of Apalachicola Florida and about 120 miles southeast of Pensacola Florida.

Ana weakens to a Tropical Depression
At 500 PM AST Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Ana was located about 170 miles east of Dominica.

Atlantic Tropical Storm Bill (current path shown in figure above)
At 500 PM AST Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Bill was located about 1440 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Movement was toward the west-northwest near 16 MPH. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 MPH with higher gusts. Bill is expected to become a hurricane later tonight (Sunday) or tomorrow.

Current Watches - Pacific

Eastern Pacific Hurricane Guillermo
At 200 PM PDT the center of Hurricane Guillermo was located about 995 miles east of Hilo Hawaii. Guillermo is expected to weaken to a Tropical Storm by tomorrow.

PAST UPDATES ON HURRICANE BILL

UPDATE: Monday, August 17th
Hurricane Bill appears to be heading towards Bermuda ...

UPDATE: 1100 AM AST TUE AUG 18 2009...BILL A LITTLE STRONGER...HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT EXPECTED TO INVESTIGATE THE HURRICANE THIS AFTERNOON...

UPDATE: 500 AM AST WED AUG 19 2009 ...BILL STRENGTHENS TO A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE... STILL HEADING TOWARDS BERMUDA

UPDATE: 1100 AM AST WED AUG 19 2009 ...POWERFUL HURRICANE BILL EXPECTED TO PASS WELL NORTH OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS...

UPDATE: 1100 PM AST WED AUG 19 2009...BILL MAINTAINING CATEGORY FOUR STRENGTH...MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 135 MPH...215 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS

UPDATE: 500 AM AST THU AUG 20 2009...BILL WEAKENS SLIGHTLY TO A CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE WITH WINDS OF 125 MPH...A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WATCH WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED FOR BERMUDA LATER THIS MORNING.

UPDATE: 1100 AM AST THU AUG 20 2009...LARGE HURRICANE BILL SPREADING HIGH SWELLS OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC...

AT 11 AM AST...1500 UTC...THE BERMUDA WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A HURRICANE WATCH FOR BERMUDA. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

UPDATE: 1100 PM AST THU AUG 20 2009... POWERFUL HURRICANE BILL REMAINS ON TRACK... THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE IS EXPECTED TO PASS BETWEEN BERMUDA AND THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES ON SATURDAY.
UPDATE: 800 AM AST FRI AUG 21 2009... BILL BECOMES A LITTLE LESS ORGANIZED... MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 115 MPH... SOME SLIGHT RESTRENGTHENING IS STILL POSSIBLE LATER TODAY FOLLOWED BY A GRADUAL WEAKENING ON SATURDAY.
UPDATE: 1100 AM AST FRI AUG 21 2009... CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE BILL ON A STEADY NORTHWESTWARD TRACK... RAINBANDS ALREADY AFFECTING BERMUDA... EXPECTED TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES OVER BERMUDA... WITH MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 5 INCHES.
UPDATE: 500 PM AST FRI AUG 21 2009... HURRICANE BILL A LITTLE WEAKER... COULD REGAIN SOME STRENGTH ON SATURDAY...
UPDATE: 200 PM AST FRI AUG 21 2009... CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE BILL EXPECTED TO TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST LATER TODAY... THE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 110 MPH...
EXPECTED TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES OVER BERMUDA... WITH MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 5 INCHES.
UPDATE: 1100 PM AST FRI AUG 21 2009... HURRICANE BILL CONTINUES MOVING NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD... BRINGING RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS TO BERMUDA...
UPDATE: 800 AM AST SAT AUG 22 2009... BILL MOVING NORTHWARD WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH... STILL A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 105 MPH...
EXPECTED TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES OVER BERMUDA...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR BERMUDA.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS FROM WOODS HOLE TO SAGAMORE BEACH... INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.
UPDATE: 800 PM AST SAT AUG 22 2009... CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE BILL MOVING NORTHWARD... EXPECTED TO PASS OFFSHORE OF NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE EAST COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM CHARLESVILLE TO POINT ACONI. A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE EAST COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM ECUM SECUM TO POINT ACONI...
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHERN COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA... A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FROM PARSONS POND AROUND THE WESTERN...SOUTHERN...AND EASTERN COASTS OF NEWFOUNDLAND TO HARBOUR DEEP...
SEE HURRICANE BILL ADVISORY RSS FEED ... FOR COMPLETE DETAILS
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS STILL IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS FROM WOODS HOLE TO SAGAMORE BEACH... INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.
UPDATE: 1100 PM AST SAT AUG 22 2009... BILL TURNING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST... OUTER RAINBANDS APPROACHING CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET...
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 85 MPH... BILL IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE... WEAKENING IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON SUNDAY AS BILL MOVES OVER COOLER WATERS...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NOVA SCOTIA ... A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS STILL IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS FROM WOODS HOLE TO SAGAMORE BEACH... INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.
UPDATE: 1100 AM AST SUN AUG 23 2009... BILL MOVING NEAR NOVA SCOTIA... STILL A CATEGORY ONE STORM WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 85 MPH... SOME WEAKENING IS FORECAST AND BILL IS LIKELY TO LOSE TROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE EAST COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM CHARLESVILLE TO POINT ACONI. A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE EAST COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM ECUM SECUMTO POINT ACONI...
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHERN COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM NORTH OF POINT ACONI WESTWARD TO TIDNISH... FOR THEWESTERN COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM FORT LAWRENCE TO CHARLESVILLE... AND FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FROM VICTORIA IN QUEEN COUNTY NORTHWARD TO LOWER DARNLEY IN PRINCE COUNTY...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN COASTOF NEWFOUNDLAND FROM STONE'S COVE TO BONAVISTA. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WEST AND SOUTH COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND FROM PARSONS POND AROUND TO STONE'S COVE...AND ALONG THE EAST COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND FROM BONAVISTA TO HARBOUR DEEP...
UPDATE: 500 PM AST SUN AUG 23 2009...BILL NEAR EASTERN NOVA SCOTIA... HEADED FOR NEWFOUNDLAND...STILL A CATEGORY ONE STORM WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 75 MPH... SOME WEAKENING IS FORECAST AND BILL IS LIKELY TO LOSE TROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
UPDATE: 1100 PM AST SUN AUG 23 2009... BILL APPROACHING SOUTHEASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND...EXPECTED TO BECOME EXTRATROPICAL ON MONDAY... STILL A CATEGORY ONE STORM WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 75 MPH...

AT 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...ENVIRONMENT CANADA HAS DISCONTINUED ALL TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS FOR NOVA SCOTIA AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NEWFOUNDLAND FROM BURGEO EASTWARD AROUND THE AVALON PENINSULA AND NORTHWARD TO FOGO ISLAND. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM PARSONS PONDTO BURGEO ON THE WEST AND SOUTH COAST AND FROM FOGO ISLAND TO HARBOUR DEEP ON THE NORTHEAST COAST....

TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED NEAR THE TRACK OF BILL ACROSS NEWFOUNDLAND.....

If you are traveling on a cruise in the area, rest assured that the cruise lines number one objective is to keep passengers and crew safe. They also continue to monitor the storm and make decisions based on current information.
Consult with your travel agent, the cruise line and watch for updates so that you are not surprised by any last minute changes. I wish you all safe travels.