Cruise Impacts from Franklin and Idalia

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Hurricane Franklin

Updated August 28, 2023

Hurricane Franklin, which was a Category 2 hurricane when we first published this article is now the first major storm of the 2023 Hurricane season.

 

Swells generated by Franklin are expected to begin affecting Bermuda by tonight. These swells are also likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions through the beginning of this week along portions of the east coast of the United States. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Hurricane Franklin	1100 AM EDT Mon Aug 28 2023 ...FRANKLIN RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE... ...TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR BERMUDA... Additional strengthening is possible today, but gradual weakening is expected to begin later Tuesday.
WIND:	MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...145 MPH...230 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Bermuda

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Tropical Storm Idalia

Tropical Storm Idalia is centered 70 nm ESE of Cozumel Mexico, moving E at 2 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Peak seas are around 10 ft. Idalia is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday. Heavy rainfall from Idalia is expected across the eastern Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. The heavy rainfall may produce areas of flash and urban flooding, as well as landslides, across western Cuba. Heavy rainfall is also likely to spread into portions of the Southeast U.S. by mid to late week. Minor coastal flooding is expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area over the Yucatan Peninsula in areas of onshore winds.

Tropical Storm Idalia	400 PM CDT Sun Aug 27 2023 ...STORM SURGE AND HURRICANE WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA GULF COAST...
WIND:	MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel * Pinar del Rio Cuba A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Chokoloskee to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Englewood to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Isle of Youth Cuba * South of Englewood to Chokoloskee Florida * Dry Tortugas Florida.

Please read the latest HIGH SEAS FORECAST issued by the National Hurricane Center at website - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory and Public

Advisory at www.hurricanes.gov for more details on Franklin and Idalia.

Several Cruise Lines have already made changes to their itineraries in anticipation of the approaching storms.  Cruise lines will take every precaution to protect passengers, crew, and ships from weather conditions.  When traveling during hurricane season, it is common to have modified itineraries.

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on Hurricane Franklin and TS Idalia
• NHC issuing advisories for the Eastern Pacific on TS Irwin
• Marine warnings are in effect for the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean/SW Atlantic and Eastern Pacific

Click Here to Learn More

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 
(click for latest)   


Royal Caribbean has multiple ships sailing toward the area of Tropical Storm Idalia, including Voyager of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. As of now, however, there are no updates to the schedule announced by the cruise line.

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

Disney Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)
Disney Fantasy is scheduled to visit Cozumel tomorrow morning.
MSC Cruises

No announced schedule changes for MSC at this time.

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

Norwegian Pearl's itinerary calls for a stop in Bermuda, which will likely feel the effects of Hurricane Franklin.

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)

Carnival Magic: Originally set to sail from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda on a six-day cruise, Carnival Magic will now instead sail to Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport to steer clear of Hurricane Franklin.

Carnival Legend: Similar to Carnival Magic, Legend was slated to sail from Baltimore on a six-day cruise to Bermuda. Instead, it will now visit Nassau and Freeport.

Virgin Voyages

Scarlet Lady is scheduled to sail from Miami to Costa Maya, which would put in in the path of Idalia.

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 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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Atlantic Hurricane Season Not Quite Over

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Hurricane Lisa

Updated 11/2/22

We've just returned from our Transatlantic cruise on Celebrity Beyond from Barcelona, Spain to Cape Liberty, New Jersey.   During our crossing, we had a couple of days with rocky conditions as the Atlantic Ocean conditions were impacted by tropical weather.   Even though there were no tropical storms in the immediate area, their reach was felt for 500 miles.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially ends on November 1st, however Mother Nature doesn't necessarily check the calendar.   There are currently two Hurricanes active in the Atlantic Basin.

Hurricane Lisa has impacted several cruise ship schedules. Royal Caribbean has three ships impacted and Carnival has one ship impacted:  

• Adventure of the Seas - currently sailing a 14-night Transatlantic, will have it's route adjusted to avoid the storm and provide smoother seas
• Serenade of the Seas - on a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean sailing from Tampa, Florida, was scheduled to stop in Belize which is where Lisa made landfall
• Symphony of the Seas - sailing a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami, Florida,  will have it's port call in Honduras cancelled
• Carnival Vista - changed port call in Belize to a sea day

 

Hurricane LISA	400 PM CDT Wed Nov 02 2022 ...LISA ABOUT TO MAKE LANDFALL NEAR BELIZE CITY...
WIND:	MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * The coast of Belize * Chetumal to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * North coast of Guatemala * Puerto Costa Maya to Punta Allen, Mexico

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

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

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Searching for Best Chocolate Martini at Sea

click images to enlarge

Started on Celebrity Constellation

In 2001 we sailed on Celebrity Constellation to the Baltic - at least we began the cruise.  We'd spent two nights in London pre-cruise and boarded the ship.   We had planned a private excursion in St. Petersburg, Russia with folks we met online. Shortly after sailing, the phone rang in our cabin - it was my niece with bad news.   My mom had passed away.  Our cruise was about to end abruptly.  BTW, this is an excellent reason to purchase travel insurance.

Since we had the tickets for the Russia excursion, we contacted the others that were going with us.   We broke the news to them that we'd be disembarking at the first port of call, Oslo.  Immediately, they said, come meet us for a drink in the Martini Bar.   I'd never had martinis before, but agreed.

This is where I had my first chocolate martini.   I don't have any pictures - we weren't really in the mood as you might imagine.   From that point on, I've tried chocolate martinis on most cruises. I think to myself "Mom this one's for you."   I'm pictured above 3 years later when we concluded our trip on Constellation.

Most Memorable Martinis

We sailed on Celebrity Century in 2007, right after it was refurbished. An ice bar was added which served martinis. Once again we met a group of passengers online and we'd meet with them each night before dinner.

We'll never forget the bartender, Leo, and his assistant, Enrico. The first night I ordered a chocolate martini and I told Enrico that I liked them to be creamy. Leo made the perfect chocolate martini. They wrote our names in the ice bar and from then on, they knew us by name each evening. We didn't even have to give them our room key - they already would have the receipt filled out with our information. The tables and chairs would be arranged for our little group, awaiting our arrival.

One night, we didn't show up for our pre-dinner cocktail. When they saw us later that evening, they told us they were all concerned. It turned out that we'd made dinner reservations at one of the specialty dining venues at our usual meeting time.

Sometimes we'd arrive early and Leo wasn't there. Enrico would try to make the chocolate martini but he just couldn't get the proportions correct, and he'd say we'd have to wait until Leo arrived. Memories like this are priceless. Their friendly service has stuck with us all these years. Enrico had previously been a butler, but when there were no openings when his contract was renewed, he took this new role. We are so happy that he did.

Some Top Contenders

Here are some of our favorite chocolate martinis. Three of them are from the Royal Caribbean family of cruise lines - Royal (Allure of the Seas), Celebrity (Century), Azamara (Journey). The final entry here: Carnival Triumph.

We've started a Pinterest board, "Margaritas, Martinis, & More" where we will post some of our favorite martinis and other drink creations from our cruise vacations.

What's Your Favorite 

Do you like chocolate martinis as well?  Perhaps you'd like to join us in our quest to find the perfect one onboard a cruise ship.

New Favorite Is Born

Celebrity Edge had an extensive martini menu but they didn't have my favorite milky Chocolate Martini.   We did try the Snowflake Martini which is made with Grey Goose Vanilla, White Chocolate, Heavy Cream, Liqueur, and Creme Cocoa.  It was a close second to my traditional choice. If you ask, they will make the traditional martinis that aren't on the menu as well.

Since we had the premium drink package, martinis were included. Each night we experimented with several different martinis   My new favorite is the Coconut Cream-Tini.   It's made with Bacardi, Coco Lopez and Vanilla.   Other favorites included  Bananas Foster and Toffee Apple.  The image to the right has just a sampling of the many choices on their martini menu. 

Make sure to check out the rest of our Martini Bar pictures from Celebrity Edge.

(Updated 10/16/21)

In less than a month we will be sailing on Celebrity Apex, sister ship of Edge.  We can't wait to be sharing martinis with our friends in their atrium bar.  Be sure to watch our blog and social media platforms for our latest quest for the best chocolate martini at sea.

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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.

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