Epic Storm Bearing Down on Alaska

Watches, Warnings, and Advisories

Hurricane-force Winds 

Heavy Snowfall 

Coastal Flooding & Severe Erosion

NOAA is predicting a major Bering Sea Storm bearing down on Western Alaska with a mix of strong winds, high seas, blizzard conditions and major coastal flooding. Warnings and forecasts for Western and Northwest Alaska can be found here. Warnings and forecasts for the Aleutian & Pribilof Islands here and Southwest Alaska can be found here. An additional resource for total water level estimations for some western Alaska communities can be found here. (11/08/11)

  ...Life-Threatening Epic Storm Continues to Impact Western Alaska Coast This Morning...
Published (NWS): Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:16:35 EST

A powerful and extremely dangerous storm of near-record magnitude is now impacting western Alaska. Impacts will spread northwest and continue through Thursday in some communities. Coastal Flood and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for most of the Alaska’s west and northwest coasts. At 3:00 a.m. EST (11:00 p.m. AKST) the center of the low pressure system was located about 100 miles west of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, with a minimum central pressure of 943 mb (27.85 inches). This is one of the deepest systems in recent history to move through the Bering Sea. The storm is expected to move north-northeast this morning, as conditions worsen, creating a life-threatening situation for a large portion of the western Alaska coast today, especially in the Seward Peninsula near Nome, which is getting hit hard by blizzard conditions and 70 mph winds, along with 8 foot coastal storm surge.

Lack of Sea Ice Problematic

Arctic sea ice this year reached the second-lowest coverage since satellite records began in 1979, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado. While powerful storms in the North Pacific and Bering Sea are common for this time of year, this storm is unusual because it is going farther north.   Also, without the cover of sea ice, Alaska's coast will feel the full brunt of the 6 to 9 foot storm surge.

Be Prepared for

Winter Storms & Extreme Cold 

Federal, state and local agencies were making emergency preparations in advance of the storm.

Tropical Storm Sean Heading for Bermuda

19th Tropical Depression

Forms in the Atlantic

Strengthened into Tropical Storm Sean
 

Cruise Ship Impact     Current Watches & Warnings

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook 

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

1100 PM AST FRI NOV 11 2011
 
...SEAN HAS MERGED WITH A COLD FRONT...THIS IS THE LAST
ADVISORY...

The latest tropical storm that we are monitoring reminds us that the 2011 Hurricane Season doesn't officially end until the end of this month.   A subtropical storm formed 445 miles southwest of Bermuda in the early morning hours today.  It has strengthened into Tropical Storm Sean.

SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...36.7N 57.7W
ABOUT 505 MI...815 KM NE OF BERMUDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 60 DEGREES AT 35 MPH...56 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1000 MB...29.53 INCHES

Cruise Ship Travel Advisories

Carnival Tropical Update

RCI Tropical Weather Update

NCL Tropical Weather Updates 

Holland America Travel Advisories 

Celebrity Cruises Travel Advisories  

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking  
NOAA Hurricane Central 

Cruise lines are monitoring the tropical storms for potential impact to this week's cruises.   There is no impact to cruises at this time.

Carnival Pride was delayed getting into Baltimore due to bad weather. Embarkation for Carnival Pride's November 6 Bermuda cruise took place on November 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. The ship was scheduled to arrive in King's Wharf, Bermuda, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and spend two nights in port. The revised itinerary has the ship arriving Wednesday at 1 p.m. and departing Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Carnival is providing a partial refund to passengers and refunding pre-paid shore excursion funds.

Current Watches & Warnings

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY...

NONE.

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.

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.
 
INTERESTS IN BERMUDA SHOULD MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THE BERMUDA
WEATHER SERVICE.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MPH...65 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  THE POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO DISSIPATE ON
SATURDAY. 

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

None

Historical Data:         Archive      Graphics Archive                                           

200 PM AST TUE NOV 08 2011
...SEAN TRANSITIONS TO A TROPICAL STORM... 

400 AM EST TUE NOV 08 2011
...NEW SUBTROPICAL STORM DEVELOPS MIDWAY BETWEEN BERMUDA AND
THE BAHAMAS...

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TROPICAL STORM SEAN	National Hurricane Center
Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook	National Weather Service
Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion	Hurricane Preparedness
Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (ATL)	Real-Time Hurricane Information
Active Storms	NOAA Satellites & Information
NASA: Latest Storm Images	WMO Severe Weather Information Centre
Real-time Monitoring (Atlantic)	The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Real-time Weather Sites	Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

 

 

Spring Ahead - Fall Behind

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

As cruise passengers head off to dinner tonight, cabin stewards were busy placing cards on pillows to remind guests to change their clocks before retiring to bed.  Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends tonight and Standard Time (ST) begins.

End of Daylight Savings Time

Standard time is the result of synchronizing clocks in different geographical locations within a time zone to the same time rather than using the local meridian as in local mean time or solar time.

It isn't unusual for ship's clocks to change during a cruise.  In fact, on some longer cruises, clock changes may occur several times as the ship crosses time zones.   Often, the ship won't change times but will remain on "ship time".  

Before departing the ship to explore your next port, be sure that your watch is set to the same time as the ship, so that you aren't waving to your ship from shore as it sails away.

While this may be obvious to most readers, it can be easily overlooked as you gather you things and rush off to begin exploring your latest port of call.   Sleep well tonight for tomorrow is another day of adventure at sea or back on land.

Carnival Cruises November Military Promotion

November 2011 Promotion

Promotion from Carnival Allows Military Personnel to Book Up to Three ‘Fun Ship’ Staterooms at Discounted Rates

In recognition of Veteran’s Day, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering a promotion throughout the month of November allowing active and retired U.S. and Canadian military personnel to book up to three “Fun Ship” staterooms at discounted rates for themselves and their friends and family members.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers Military Rates all the time, but those are normally restricted to one cabin.   Now is the time to take advantage of this special promotion and bring family and friends with you on your cruise vacation.

Reservations must be made between November 1-30, 2011, to qualify for this special offer, which is available in conjunction with a variety of three- to eight-day “Fun Ship” departures through April 30, 2013, including voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska.

Rates start at $229 per person for three-day cruises; $259 per person for four-day cruises; $299 per person for five-day voyages; $399 per person for six-day departures; $449 per person for seven-day voyages; and $579 per person for eight-day sailings. 

Voyages operate from a wide variety of convenient North American homeports along the east and west coasts and Gulf of Mexico.

The promotion is valid for individual bookings only. Military personnel must provide proof of service. Eligible military personnel must sail to take advantage of this offer.  Certain other restrictions apply.

We salute all Veterans and their Families and would be honored to help plan your cruise vacation.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice for your country.

A Lady That Still Shines at 125

125th Anniversary 

Statue of Liberty

October 28, 2011

Liberty Enlightening the World

On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated.  It was later designated as a National Monument in 1924, restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986, and now for her 125th, is undergoing a renovation of the 125 year old pedestal and the 200 year old fort base from which the statue rises.

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States... The Statue of Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

The 1886 dedication was attended by President Grover Cleveland, who proclaimed on that day that 'Liberty' would "magnify France beyond the seas." The dedication was followed by a fireworks display and New York City's first ever 'Ticker Tape' parade.

Honor History, Envision the Future

The National Park Service theme for the 125th anniversary events was 'Honor History, Envision the Future.'   The program for the day was jointly sponsored by the National Park Service and their proud partners at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company and Macy's. 

The goal of the celebration was  to re-create, to the greatest extent possible, the actual program that guided that day's events 125 years ago.  The day  included a naturalization ceremony, musical performances, a gun salute, a U.S. Coast Guard sponsored Flotilla, FDNY Fireboat water spout display, a presentation of "Gifts of Friendship" to a representative of the French government, and the ceremonial 'lighting' of the new 'torch webcam' that will showcase views of NY Harbor and the Statue from the vantage point of Lady Liberty's torch.  Read more about the day's events on the NPS website.

The TorchCam is LIVE - Enjoy the views! 

Several remarkable views will be just a touch of a mouse away. On clear days, three cameras will provide unobstructed panoramas and live views of the famed New York City skyline, along with a front row seat to watch views of the majestic Hudson River and ships in New York Harbor. And that's just looking out. The two remaining cameras provide truly unique views. One provides a ultra wide-angle interactive view of the famed golden torch; and the final camera looks downward.

Be Social, Join the Conversation!

http://www.facebook.com/statuelibrtynps
http://www.twitter.com/statuelibrtynps

http://www.flickr.com/photos/statuelibrtynps

How tall is the Statue and what does that tablet say?
The Statue of Liberty's statistics and symbolism

What was October 28, 1886 in New York City really like?
This day in Statue of Liberty's history

Statue of Liberty National Monument 
to Remain OPEN During Renovation
Plans for the 2011-2012 restoration of Lady Liberty

View from a Cruise Ship

The Statue of Liberty can be seen from several vantage points around the New York / New Jersey shores or islands.  Each of these views are magnificent, but in my mind, nothing is more magnificent than sailing into New York harbor at sunrise and seeing the Statue of Liberty as your cruise ship approaches.  Imagine you were one of the immigrants who had left everything, including family, to venture to the new world for a new life, and behold you saw Lady Liberty standing in your path.   It would take your breath away, as it should for everyone that understands what she stands for.

We have been fortunate to sail into and out of New York or New Jersey cruise ports on several occasions, but we won't forget the Trans-Atlantic in 2000 where not only did we see the Statue of Liberty as we sailed in from Europe, but the twin towers of The World Trade Center.  Little did we know that would be our last cruise where we'd see those towers.

There are several options for cruising into or out of New York / New Jersey cruise ports.  We highly recommend you add that to your bucket list.   We'd be happy to discuss the various options with you when you are ready to plan.

Qantas Resumes Flights After Court Action

Qantas Airline Grounded 

Entire Fleet

 Disrupting Air Travel 

Across the Globe 

Causing Woes 

For Cruise Passengers

A surprise grounding of all Qantas flights on Saturday caused a nearly 48 hour disruption of service in Australia, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. Flights resumed after an Australian court ruled on the bitter labor dispute which prompted the walk-out.

The Australian government called an emergency court hearing on Saturday night to end the work bans for the sake of the national economy.  There had been no advance warning of the labor action.

Qantas is the largest of Australia's four national domestic airlines, and the grounding affected 108 planes in 22 countries. About 70,000 passengers fly Qantas daily, and would-be fliers this weekend were stuck at home, hotels or airports, or even had to suddenly deplane when Qantas suspended operations. More than 60 flights were in the air at the time but continued to their destinations, and Qantas was paying for passengers to book other flights according to the airline.

Cruise Passengers Scrambling

Royal Caribbean, Princess and Holland America all have ships sailing in the region and are evaluating the situation. Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas is scheduled to sail from Perth, Australia, on Monday evening, meaning that many passengers are likely scrambling to make alternate travel arrangements. 

It will be 24 to 48 hours before Qantas returns to normal.  See the following link for Latest information about resumption of scheduled Qantas services.

Top 10 Reason For Trip Insurance

This airline strike is unfortunately another example of an unexpected situation that can cause your vacation plans to go awry. We always highly recommend you purchase travel insurance for these unexpected events. We want you to have a worry free vacation, so the small cost of the insurance should be reason enough for peace of mind. The priceless component is that there is someone you can turn to should an emergency situation occur.

This weekend alone, insurance companies, like Travel Guard, were helping stranded passengers due to Tropical Storm Rina, the snowstorms on the East Coast, and this Qantas strike.   And those are only the ones that made front page news.  The most common excuse I hear for not purchasing insurance is "I don't need it, I plan to go no matter what."   As you can see from these examples, you aren't always in control.  

Leaves Changing Colors, Pumpkins, and Snow

October Snow Storm Blankets East Coast (More Pics)

 Cruise Passengers

Arrive Back to SNOW

Passengers arriving from MSC Poesia's 7-Night Canada & New England cruise were greeted by a historic October snowstorm.

The Nor'easter dumped record amounts of snow from New Jersey through New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. More than 2 million homes and businesses were without power as a result of the storm and at least three people died from storm-related causes.

With one month remaining in the 2011 Hurricane Season, one might expect cruises to be impacted by tropical storms.  Mother Nature had something else in mind for this last weekend of October.   Flights were cancelled or delayed for hours at all major airports on the East Coast.  That meant that anyone traveling home from a cruise that docked in the East Coast or planning on leaving from one, probably had a weather related event to deal with.

New Jersey Flights Cancelled


Travel agents attending the 2011 NACTA Convention on MSC Poesia were among those impacted by the flight cancellations.  Our friend, Joan, was among them as she attempted to get home from the convention.  Realizing that it wasn't going to happen on Saturday, she booked a local hotel and headed there to make the best of things.

Today she headed to LGA airport again only to find another delay.   This time the delay was due to unavailability of crew.  Finally a second pilot showed up and everyone cheered.  Passengers were able to board shortly after that.  
 
Stories like these happen all the time. Passengers on their way home from cruises, that ended in the East Coast Saturday, had to find local hotels, if they could get them, and make alternative flights home. That meant unexpected out of pocket expenses for food, hotel, transportation, etc.   For those on the way to cruises, the expense, logistics, and impact on vacation plans perhaps was much greater.   In both those situations, you don't have to be alone.  With the purchase of Travel Insurance, such as Travel Guard Companion that we offer our clients, there is a professional staff at your disposal to help make the emergency travel arrangements.