Hurricane Fiona Impacts Cruise Ships

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Hurricane Fiona

Updated 9/20/22

Hurricane Fiona is now a major Category 3 hurricane.  Hurricane Fiona left a wake of destruction including catastrophic flooding, widespread power outages, and mudslides, as it swamped Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Sunday and Monday, resulting in multiple deaths and dozens of rescue operations. Turks and Caicos and the eastern Bahamas are the next areas expected to be hit, with the National Hurricane Center projecting an estimated 4-8 inches of rainfall. 

Fiona is moving toward the north-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue through today, followed by a turn toward the north tonight or Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Fiona will continue to move near the eastern Turks and Caicos during the next few hours, away from those islands by tomorrow, and approach Bermuda late on Thursday.

 
Several Cruise Lines have made changes to their itineraries in anticipation of the approaching hurricane.  Several ports are planning closures, which is part of the reason for the changes.
We have listed several changes below.

Airports in the region were also impacted with several of them closing or cancelling flights. This included Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico.  Some operations have resumed.  Businesses and airports will be closed in Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas on Tuesday and Wednesday.

If you are sailing this week or next, please consult with your travel agent or the cruise line's website for up to the minute information.  The information below was accurate at the time of publication.
 

Hurricane Fiona	1100 AM EDT Tue Sep 20 2022 ...MAJOR HURRICANE FIONA CONTINUES TO BATTER THE TURKS AND CAICOS...
WIND:	MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY... None SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Turks and Caicos A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on Hurricane Fiona
• NHC issuing advisories for the Eastern Pacific on TS Madeline
• Marine warnings are in effect for the Caribbean/SW Atlantic and Eastern Pacific
• Key Messages regarding Hurricane Fiona (en Español: Mensajes Claves)

Click Here to Learn More

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 
(click for latest)   


Harmony of the Seas: 

Other than keeping its originally planned visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Harmony is swapping out its Eastern Caribbean sailing, which departed September 18, for a Western Caribbean itinerary. In place of port calls to St. Thomas and St. Maarten, the ship will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel.

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


Disney Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)
Disney Fantasy: 

Disney Fantasy is keeping a scheduled call to Castaway Cay on September 23, but otherwise swapping over from an Eastern Caribbean sailing to a Western Caribbean itinerary. Instead of visiting Tortola and St. Thomas, the ship will call on Cozumel on today, Grand Cayman on September 20, and Falmouth, Jamaica on September 21.
MSC Cruises
MSC Seashore: 

Like Disney and Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises is keeping its scheduled stop in the Bahamas this week, but replacing the rest of MSC Seashore’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary with a Western Caribbean one. Instead of visiting Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic, the ship will make stops in Roatan (Honduras), Cozumel and Costa Maya. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

Norwegian Sky: 

Norwegian Sky’s scheduled Eastern Caribbean sailing, which departed Miami on September 18, has been switched to a Western Caribbean itinerary. In place of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay, the ship is stopping at Costa Maya, Roatan, Harvest Caye (Belize), and Cozumel.

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)

Carnival Legend: 

Carnival Legend, which departed Baltimore on September 17 on an eight-day sailing, will visit Nassau in The Bahamas on Wednesday, September 21 instead of Grand Turk. On Thursday September 22, the ship was scheduled to visit Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, but will now visit Bimini in The Bahamas, instead. 

Carnival Freedom: 

Carnival Freedom is currently on a five-day cruise out of Part Canaveral. On Tuesday, September 20, the ship will spend the day at sea instead of calling at Grand Turk. Instead of a day at sea on Wednesday, September 21, it will stop at Freeport, The Bahamas.

Virgin Voyages

Scarlet Lady: 

Scarlet Lady made one change to its scheduled itinerary. Instead of visiting Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on Sunday, September 18, the ship instead called in at Costa Maya, Mexico.

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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Earth Day 2021

Happy Earth Day 2021
April 22nd
51st Anniversary

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

Restore Our Earth

The theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.

It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.

When it comes to individual action for the common good, one of the best ways that people can make an impact for our planet is by cleaning up our public spaces. Our pollution problem is getting out of hand and our environment is suffering for it. Open landfills emit dangerous greenhouse gasses, waste and pollution that enter our oceans and freshwater. Microplastics even make it into our food and the air we breathe.

Restore Our Earth encompasses goals and actions including reforestation, regenerative agriculture and sustainable food, plastic cleanups, climate literacy, and citizen science. From capturing carbon and supporting the health and resilience of communities, to advocating for compulsory, assessed climate education, we have the ability to make lasting changes.

Visit earthday.org on April 22 as we build an Earth Day unlike any other — We’re flooding the digital landscape with livestreamed discussions, a global digital surge, and 24 hours of actions that you can take, right now and from wherever you are.

Make Travel Matter for the Earth

In addition to letting your voices be heard regarding taking action against climate change, you can make an individual impact on our planet.  Read on to learn more.

This Earth Month, The Travel Corporation recognizes more than 100 years of service, and wants to shine a light on their TreadRight Foundation. We'd like to shine our own light on this travel partner of ours for taking the initiative to #MakeTravelMatter.

Whenever you travel with a TTC brand, you support the almost 60 active projects in progress across the globe. From helping end the cruel practice of elephant riding, to supporting local businesses and reducing our environmental impact on the planet, TreadRight is committed to making travel matter wherever your journey takes you.  See their page on Climate Action.

Join us in our cause by signing the #MakeTravelMatter pledge today and committing to Tread Right across the Earth.  Watch this video from last year to learn more about how TreadRight Foundation and you can make a difference.

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Where is Chris - Earth Day 50

Happy Earth Day 2020
April 22nd
50th Anniversary

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

Climate Change

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. 

On this Earth Day 2020, we are altering our Where is Chris series format to bring you some important information about Earth Day.  This is a great opportunity to #KeepTheKidsEngaged.

The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

"While the coronavirus may force us to keep our distance, it will not force us to keep our voices down. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward."

Visit earthday.org on April 22 as we build an Earth Day unlike any other — We’re flooding the digital landscape with livestreamed discussions, a global digital surge, and 24 hours of actions that you can take, right now and from wherever you are.

Make Travel Matter for the Earth

In addition to letting your voices be heard regarding taking action against climate change, you can may an individual impact on our planet.  Read on to learn more.

This Earth Month, The Travel Corporation recognizes their 100 years of service, and wants to shine a light on their TreadRight Foundation. We'd like to shine our own light on this travel partner of ours for taking the initiative to #MakeTravelMatter.

Whenever you travel with a TTC brand, you support the almost 60 active projects in progress across the globe. From helping end the cruel practice of elephant riding, to supporting local businesses and reducing our environmental impact on the planet, TreadRight is committed to making travel matter wherever your journey takes you.  See their page on Climate Action.

Join us in our cause by signing the #MakeTravelMatter pledge today and committing to Tread Right across the Earth.  Watch this video to learn more about how TreadRight Foundation and you can make a difference.

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Winter Weather Delayed Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2  Credit: Robert Neal Marshall

Winter Storm Hercules Dumps Snow on Midwest, Northeast 

When the weather at home is cold and snowy, travelers take to the seas to get out of town and head to somewhere warm. Imagine the surprise to Cunard Line Queen Mary 2 passengers as they embarked their ship in New York on January 3rd and found the scene above. 

Queen Mary 2 arrived in New York ahead of schedule in order to avoid the worst part of the storm.  She didn't sail until after midnight to allow sufficient time for passengers to embark the vessel.  According to the line, the ship is still expected to arrive in Southampton, England on time January 10th.

Royal Caribbean Drinking Policy Change

Minimum Drinking Age Changed to 18

Royal Caribbean Ships Sailing from

South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand  

In Spring 2012, new alcoholic beverage rules take effect for Royal Caribbean ships sailing from International ports (South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand). 

Currently, 18- to 20-year-old passengers cruising in the aforementioned regions are allowed to purchase alcohol onboard -- as long as their parents sign a waiver. Under the new policy, parents will no longer be required to sign the waver. 

The minimum drinking age on Royal Caribbean ships sailing from North America will remain at 21.

RCI says that the change is to "better accommodate the cultural norms in the regions of the world where Royal Caribbean ships sail." 

This change brings Royal Caribbean ships in line with its competitors. The onboard drinking ages generally reflect laws in the region in which the ship is sailing. For instance, the minimum drinking age for Costa Cruises is 18 for any vessel leaving from a non-U.S. port and 21 for any cruise leaving from the United States. Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and others have similar policies.

While the policy gets parents off the hook for signing a waiver - it shouldn't get them off the hook for the actions of their children.  The last thing we want to be writing about in future columns would be any accident connected with the change in this policy.  Please drink responsibly and make sure everyone in your party, regardless of age, does so also.  

Carnival Corp. New Smoking Policy

Star Princess - Cigars Under the Stars

Carnival, Princess, and Holland America

Introduce New Smoking Policy

Carnival Cruise Line Policy - Effective June 15th:

• Cigarette Smoking in public venues restricted to Carnival's dance clubs and designated areas within the casino and casino bar
• Smoking (including cigars) permitted in designated exterior open decks (starboard side)
• Smoking allowed in jazz clubs:     

Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Splendor.

Carnival Cruise Line Policy - Effective December 1st:

• Smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms. 
• Smoking (including cigars) permitted outside - balcony cabins
• Spa staterooms remain smoke-free, including on the balconies:

Carnival Splendor, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic

Holland America Line Policy - Effective January 15th:

• Smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms. 
• Smoking (including cigars) permitted outside - balcony cabins
• Smoking permitted in designated areas inside and on outside decks

Princess Cruises Policy - Effective January 15th:

• Smoking prohibited in all guest staterooms
• Smoking prohibited on balconies
• Smoking will continue to be allowed in the Churchill's cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino and a portion of the open decks.

 In announcing the changes to smoking policies, Carnival Corporation, parent company of all three cruise lines, indicated that recent surveys indicated that only a small percentage of guests smoke.  Failure to comply with these rules could result in a $250 cleaning fee being added to your ship account.

 We just came back from our cruise on Star Princess to the Mediterranean.   It was interesting to see that on a couple nights, the casino was designated as smoke-free.   Also, in the picture above, special seating was available for cigar smokers the night of the deck party.


With the risk of fire on a ship, it makes sense to periodically review the current policies and make modifications.   For those that smoke, you'll still be able to do so in designated areas, while keeping the comfort and safety of others in mind.  

NCL Freestyle Dining - Secret Announcement

NCL Freestyle Cruising®
Shh! Program Changes Coming Soon

I've spoken about Freestyle Dining in several past articles. You can search this blog to read them if you need additional details. As a quick refresher, guests have several dining options which range from the traditional dining room setting to specialty restaurants that offer a more intimite setting with personalized attention and additional cost.

The other aspect of Freestyle Dining is the ability to select the time that you wish to dine. As you might imagine you don't always get your first choice since you are competing with your fellow passengers for that time slot. Currently it is possible to make reservations but only 24 - 48 hours in advance. For those that truly want to make last minute decisions, you can check availability with the various restaurants or on some ships, you can check a status board to determine what choices are currently available (much like you would do at an amusement park).

Having cruised for over 25 years, I'm used to the traditional dining where I request either early or late seating and the table size. Usually, I request early seating and a large table size so that I have the opportunity to meet new people.

In 2001, when aboard the Norwegian Sun for it's inaugural, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the new world of Freestyle Dining. To be honest, I didn't like it. But to be fair, the program was in its infancy. It has grown up quite a bit since that time. I still prefer traditional dining, but there are times when Freestyle Dining has worked out very well for our evening plans.

It seems you either love Freestlye or hate it. Those that are used to traditional dining may be like me, kicking and screaming about the new dining methods. There are others that will object to the extra cost. They will ask, isn't food included in the price of the cruise? Why do I have to pay an additional charge to go to the steakhouse, for example?

My answer, to all that ask, is "you have a choice". In fact on most NCL ships you have around 13 choices or so. All I can suggest is try it some time and see if you like it.

Norwegian Cruise Line took a risk when they broke from the traditional dinner pattern and it has paid off for them. Other cruise lines have added additional dining options. You know what they say about imitation...

NCL is about to make yet another tweak to their Freestyle Dining program. The change is in response to passenger suggestions over the years. Remember those comment cards that you fill out every cruise? This change proves that NCL does listen to their passengers and are willing to try different things.

The change that is about to be implemented will be welcomed by all those past guests that have made the suggestion. NCL has not officially announced the program, but they have leaked advance notice to their elite agencies. I cannot share the information publicly, but I can provide details if you send me an email or give me a call. Watch this column for the official announcement - I expect it within the next couple of weeks.

Note: As of August 27th, NCL has still not publicly announced this program change. There are some technical aspects of the program that still need to be resolved before it can be implemented. Stay tuned for further updates.

For the inside scoop - call or email me