Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tropical Storm Matthew Prompts Hurricane Warnings

5-Day Forecast Cone for TS Matthew (Credit: NOAA NHC)
Click for Current 5-Day Graphic
Matthew is 13th Named Storm in Atlantic
Heavy Rains & Possible Mudslides


Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here
UPDATE: 1000 AM CDT SUN SEP 26 2010...
MATTHEW WEAKENS TO A REMNANT LOW BUT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE HEAVY
RAINS OVER PORTIONS OF EASTERN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA...

Last NHC advisory issued on LISA, MATTHEW 

There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
 
The Atlantic Basin continues to have above normal activity.  Tropical Depression 15 formed in the South-Central Caribbean Sea Thursday, September 23rd prompting watches and warnings for parts of Central America.  The storm has intensified and is predicted to increase in strength in the next 48 hours prompting the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras to post hurricane warnings.  By mid-day Friday, the hurricane warnings were changed to tropical storm warnings.

Matthew went ashore Friday on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast and raced into Honduras heading westward with winds of 45 mph (75 kph) toward Guatemala and Belize.   Thousands of people were evacuated in Honduras and Nicaragua by their respective governments out of fear of flooding and mudslides.  At least five deaths were reported in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and at least seven deaths in Caracas, Venezuela from the tropical storm.   Haiti is still trying to recover from the devastating earthquake earlier this year.   This tropical storm put those people through yet another peril.

 A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND
SUNDAY...AND MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO BECOME NEARLY STATIONARY BY
LATE SUNDAY.
As a service to our readers, we have RSS feeds from the NHC which can provide up to date information about these tropical storms.   We will also monitor the cruise lines for any itinerary changes as a result of the storms.  See below for Travel Advisories for this storm.

Current Watches & Warnings
 
THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.
 
A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA...IN THIS CASE WITHIN 24 TO 36
HOURS.  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.



FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.
 
Discussion  &  Outlook

  
THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER ON MATTHEW.  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...SEE STATEMENTS FROM
YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE. 
  
Tropical Storm MATTHEW Advisory Archive
 


SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION (26 Sep)
LOCATION...17.4N 92.9W
ABOUT 40 MI...65 KM S OF VILLAHERMOSA MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...25 MPH...35 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES




MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 25 MPH...35
KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  CONTINUED WEAKENING IS LIKELY AND THE
SYSTEM SHOULD DISSIPATE OVER SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO BY MONDAY NIGHT.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1003 MB...29.62 INCHES.

  
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND






RAINFALL...THE REMNANT LOW OF MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL
RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 20 INCHES FROM FAR SOUTHERN MEXICO INTO
NORTHERN PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM
AMOUNTS OF 30 INCHES POSSIBLE.  THESE RAINS COULD PRODUCE LIFE
THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.  THE THREAT FOR HEAVY RAIN
WILL CONTINUE OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA EVEN AFTER THE
REMNANT OF MATTHEW DISSIPATES. 
 
 Cruise Line Advisories




Carnival Cruise Line has modified several cruise schedules. See the following link.




Cruise Itineary Changes Due to Matthew
We will keep the above blog post as current as possible.  Note that since updates can be made at any time, 

you can also check the individual cruise line websites for any additional updates.



Carnival Cruise Line :    









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Monday, September 20, 2010


          

        







Cruise West Ceases Operations














The final chapter in the 64 year history of Cruise West was written this weekend as Chairman, Dick West, announced that the company was shutting down. He said in the statement that he is "heartbroken" by  the end of his family's legacy.  The small ship, Seattle, Washington-based cruise line was founded by the late Chuck West -- a pioneer of tourism in the state known as "Mr. Alaska".



Visiting the Cruise West website, you'll find the following statement: 





"For the last year, Cruise West has aggressively pursued a number of  options with interested parties to maintain operations, including  investment, selling assets, and selling the company.  In part because of the most recent dip in the markets and the  continued lack of economic confidence, these options have not come to  fruition."



The statement indicated that it has canceled all future sailings, with the exception of a Danube river voyage scheduled to begin on Wednesday.





In July, Dick West had secured a $1.5M personal bridge loan to allow operations to continue.  As reported in our blog post,  Cruise West Continues Restructuring, the company has recently sold the Spirit of Oceanus in a last effort to continue operations.    Perhaps this was too little too late.



West thanked the line's "loyal employees, many of whom have been here for decades."  "I  am devastated that, though they have given abundantly of their time and  energy, we will be unable to continue delivering memorable  experiences," he said.



As reported previously, layoffs had already begun at the company as part of the restructuring.  Only a small handful of employees will remain to complete the shutdown.



Their Galapagos partner, Canodros, is working to provide alternative options for guests booked on the cruises that were to depart through 2011.   For other guests, the instructions are the same as we reported when the news first broke (see the actual statement for details if you are impacted).



The actual date of the cessation of operations is September 18, 2010.  This is a sad day for the cruise industry, and for small ship lovers in particular.








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Saturday, September 18, 2010


          

        







Typhoon Fanapi in Northwest Pacific















NASA's  Aqua satellite passed over  Typhoon Fanapi on September 17 at 04:45 UTC  (12:45 a.m. EDT) and  captured this infrared image of its cold cloudtop  temperatures. The  coldest cloud tops were as cold as -60F, and the  imagery showed a tight  center circulation. Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen 







Typhoon Fanapi



The  Atlantic doesn't have an exclusive on  tropical activity at this  time.   NASA's Aqua satellite revealed strong convection and a tight circulation  center within Typhoon Fanapi in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean as it heads for a landfall in Taiwan this  weekend.  



NASA:    Tropical Storm Fanapi (Northwest Pacific) 




Fanapi has intensified into a super typhoon, Red alert issued  
The Central Meteorological  Office of China Meteorological Administration (CMA) continues to issue  the Red alert for typhoon at 6:00 p.m. on September 18: 


The 11th severe typhoon  Fanapi intensified into a super typhoon at 4:00 p.m. today. At 5:00 p.m.  today, it was centered about 310 km east of Hualian, Taiwan province  (23.9N, 124.7E) with maximum wind force up to scale 16 (52m/s).     Read More ...
 Latest weather bulletin issued by the Hong Kong Observatory: click here




Graphic Courtesy: Hong Kong Observatory







Forecast 
Intensities



19 Sep Typhoon   120 km/h
20 Sep Tropical Storm                 75 km/h
21 Sep Low Pressure Area  40 km/h


Bulletin updated at 


23:00 HKT 18 September 2010
  (Click Here for Charts & Forecast)



  

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking: Interactive tracking map   See where ships are relative to tropical storms.












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Thursday, September 16, 2010


          

        







Three Hurricanes in Atlantic Basin











Port of Bermuda Closed:  September 17-21 
 Cruise Line Advisories (Click Here)







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


Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook
We are monitoring three active tropical storms at the moment:
Hurricane Igor, Hurricane Julia & Hurricane Karl
Click the following links for latest updates on the respective hurricanes  
Tropical Storm Julia Forms in Atlantic
Igor Expected to Become a Hurricane 
Tropical Storm Karl Heading Toward Yucatan
In Early August, we reported that NOAA had continued their prediction of an Active / Above Normal Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin.    With three active hurricanes in the region at the present time, it appears their prediction is definitely accurate.
NOAA Still Predicting Active Atlantic Hurricane Season (click for story) 
Impact On Cruise Ships 
Real-Time  Cruise Ship Tracking (click)
All cruise lines are monitoring these storms and adjusting schedules as needed.  Despite the strength of Igor and Julia, there have been minimal changes to date however, with sites set on Bermuda for this weekend, this is most likely about to change.
  Cruise Line Advisories
Port of Bermuda Closed:  September 17-21 
 Cruise Line Advisories (Click Here)
Bermuda Marine Forecast
 









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Tuesday, September 14, 2010


          

        







Tropical Storm Karl Heading Toward Yucatan















5-Day Forecast Cone for Tropical Storm Karl (Credit: NOAA NHC)


Karl is 11th Named Storm in Atlantic
Weakens to a Tropical Storm







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





UPDATE: 700 PM CDT FRI SEP 17 2010
...KARL WEAKENING RAPIDLY OVER THE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF MEXICO...
We began monitoring this storm Tuesday morning since there was a 40% chance that it would become a tropical cyclone.  Regardless of whether it became a cyclone or not, heavy rainfall was predicted for the area near the storm's center.  Mexico, which doesn't need more rain, is taking the brunt of this tropical storm.



Karl made landfall Friday morning, September 17th, about 10 miles  north of the port city of Veracruz, flooding roads, knocking down trees, and killing at least two people in a mudslide.


 
ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF KARL SHOULD MOVE 
FARTHER INLAND OVER SOUTH CENTRAL MEXICO
TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.
As a service to our readers, we have RSS feeds from the NHC which can provide up to date information about these tropical storms.   We will also monitor the cruise lines for any itinerary changes as a result of the storms. 




Current  Watches &  Warnings
 
THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.  
 
Historical Watches & Warnings:
 
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COAST OF MEXICO FROM PALMA SOLA TO CABO ROJO
A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COAST OF MEXICO NORTH OF CABO ROJO TO LA CRUZ

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COAST OF MEXICO NORTH OF CABO ROJO TO LA CRUZ
* THE COAST OF MEXICO SOUTH OF PALMA SOLA TO VERACRUZ
 
  
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.



FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.
 
Discussion  &  Outlook

  
SUMMARY OF 700 PM CDT...0000 UTC...INFORMATION (17 Sep)

LOCATION...18.8N 97.1W
ABOUT 75 MI..115 KM E OF PUEBLA MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...115 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WSW OR 250 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...995 MB...29.38 INCHES



SATELLITE IMAGES AND SURFACE OBSERVATIONS FROM MEXICO INDICATE THAT
KARL IS WEAKENING RAPIDLY OVER THE HIGH TERRAIN. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED
WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 70 MPH...115 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS...AND THESE WINDS ARE CONFINED TO A VERY SMALL AREA NEAR THE
CENTER.  ADDITIONAL WEAKENING IS FORECAST...AND KARL IS EXPECTED TO
WEAKEN TO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION LATER TONIGHT OR SATURDAY...AND
DISSIPATE OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF MEXICO ON SUNDAY.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 50 MILES...80 KM.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 995 MB...29.38 INCHES.
 
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND






WIND...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE OCCURRING IN A SMALL AREA NEAR
THE CENTER. THESE WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD INLAND ALONG THE
TRACK OF THE CENTER TONIGHT BUT SHOULD DECREASE RAPIDLY AS KARL
WEAKENS.  WIND SPEEDS ATOP AND ON THE WINDWARD SIDES OF HILLS AND
MOUNTAINS ARE OFTEN UP TO 30 PERCENT STRONGER THAN INDICATED IN
THIS ADVISORY...AND IN SOME ELEVATED LOCATIONS CAN BE EVEN GREATER.

RAINFALL...KARL IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5
TO 10 INCHES ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MEXICO...WITH ISOLATED
AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS.  THESE RAINS COULD
CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.
 Cruise Line Advisories









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Current Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook











Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook
We are monitoring two active tropical storms at the moment:
Hurricane Igor & Hurricane Julia 
Click the following links for latest updates on these hurricanes 







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


Tropical Storm Julia Forms in Atlantic
Igor Expected to Become a Hurricane 
UPDATE:   This storm did strengthen into named Tropical Storm Karl and later Hurricane Karl




Tropical Storm Karl Heading Toward Yucatan 
Meanwhile ... there appears to be another potential storm forming in the Northwest Caribbean Sea.  This is shown in the graphic from the NHC above as #1.   There is a medium chance that this depression will form into a tropical cyclone in the near future.





While there are no land advisories for the two hurricanes at the present time, this yet unnamed storm has the potential of producing heavy rains in the Caribbean.   No cruise ship advisories have been released at this time, but this latest storm has the potential of altering schedules should it intensify.






800 AM EDT TUE SEP 14 2010

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...






THERE IS A MEDIUM CHANCE...40 PERCENT...
OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL
CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. 
 
REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT... 
 
LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF JAMAICA...
CUBA...THE CAYMAN ISLANDS...AND THE YUCATAN PENINSULA DURING THE
NEXT DAY OR TWO.  THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH
FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES...ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. 







We will continue our coverage of tropical weather throughout the hurricane season.   












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Queen Victoria Journeys to Paradise















Queen Victoria Royal Spa - Courtesy Cunard Line




Cunard’s  Queen Victoria Bids “Aloha” to Hawaiian Voyages in 2011 




American  Entertainment News Pioneer Rona Barrett Joins 17 February Voyage 

to Raise  Awareness for the Needs of Seniors 







Riding the Surf on the Big Island, Hawaii








What is your Idea of Paradise?



In late January 2011, as part of Queen  Victoria’s debut Americas Season, Cunard  Line will offer guests the opportunity to experience The New Golden  Age of Ocean Travel with luxury cruise vacations to the tranquil islands of  Hawaii. 



Additionally, guests sailing on the 17 February voyage will enjoy a very special  Cunard Insights programme presented by  Rona  Barrett, recognized as the “first lady of entertainment news.”



The Hawaiian Adventure cruises depart round-trip from  Los Angeles for two relaxing weeks sailing the Hawaiian Islands; starting 30  January and again on 17 February, guests aboard Queen Victoria  will visit Hilo (Hawaii), Honolulu (Oahu), Nawiliwili (Kauai) and Lahaina  (Maui), as well as a quick visit to Ensenada (Mexico).



“Enjoying the  tropical paradise of the Hawaii Islands is one of the many ways guests can  create memorable experiences aboard Queen Victoria,” said Peter Shanks,  president of Cunard Line. “We look forward to welcoming Rona Barrett as part of  our Cunard Insights enrichment programme and know our guests are eager to hear  her up close and personal stories about some of Hollywood’s most intriguing  celebrities.”



Barrett is one of the pioneers and innovators in  entertainment news reporting and publishing in the United States. She developed  the first in-depth personal TV specials about the celebrities of film,  television, music, sports and politics, and published a series of magazines on  the entertainment industry for consumers and for industry insiders, including  Rona Barrett’s Hollywood. She was also one of the original reporters for “Good  Morning America” on ABC. Barrett recently returned to the spotlight, now  appearing in a one-woman show, “Rona Barrett: Nothing But the Truth,” which  premiered at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills in June. Elements of  this stage show will be performed for guests on board Queen  Victoria as part of her enrichment programme. Barrett created the show  to tour and raise funds in support of The Rona Barrett Foundation on behalf of  senior citizens in need. 



Proceeds from Barrett’s show appearances will  support her foundation’s project of building The Golden Inn and Cottages, a  pilot facility that can be constructed in communities throughout the U.S. to  provide affordable housing and care, among many other elderly  needs.



Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics,  Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and accomplished  visionaries who reflect the Line's heritage of adventure and prestige. Through a  series of lectures, Q&A's, social gatherings and workshops, guests connect  with personalities who have achieved notable distinction in areas including  history, world affairs, science, arts and literature. The award-winning Insights  programme underscores Cunard’s longstanding view that on board entertainment  should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral  experience.



Barrett joins Cunard's illustrious legacy of welcoming  world-famous guests, experts and intriguing presenters including Winston  Churchill, President Nelson Mandela, Jean Chatzky, Tina Brown & Sir Harold  Evans, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth Taylor, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Rod  Stewart, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Buzz Aldrin. 



Queen  Victoria will spend more time on the west coast in winter 2011 as she  comes off Cunard’s historic Royal Rendezvous in New York – where all three Queens  will be docked on 13 January. Continuing to sail her Americas voyages, she will  make three visits to the Panama Canal – including two transits, multiple visits  to the port of Los Angeles, and her first short Getaway voyage to Mexico. 














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