Tropical Storm Forming in Atlantic

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

Click for Current 5-Day Graphic

Hurricane Danielle

UPDATE:  1100 PM AST MON AUG 23 2010

...DANIELLE CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN...

Now a Category ONE hurricane
 

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

Tropical Depression 6 has formed in the Central Atlantic and is currently over 500 miles west-southwest of Cape Verde Islands.  It is moving west-northwest at 9 mph; this motion will continue with some increased speed over the next several days.  Based on the current forecast, the depression should become a named storm today and a hurricane by Monday.   NHC issuing advisories on TS DANIELLE and TS FRANK

Current Watches & Warnings

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.

Discussion & Outlook
 

SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION (22 Aug)

LOCATION...14.2N 35.9W
ABOUT 770 MI...1240 KM W OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CAPE VERDE ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1000 MB...29.53 INCHES

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 50 MPH...85 KM/HR...
WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT
48 HOURS...AND DANIELLE COULD BECOME A HURRICANE BY LATE TUESDAY.

 

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
NONE
 

 Cruise Line Advisories

NONE

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
Tropical Storm DANIELLE	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

Princess Cruises Upgrades Fleet

Photos: Credit Princess Cruises

Princess Updates Fleet

Princess® plans to upgrade its fleet with innovative offerings and services, even as other cruise lines are pulling back. This fall, Island Princess® and Diamond Princess® will enter dry-dock and emerge with their
latest exclusive features.

Island Princess will be getting her makeover in Victoria, B.C. in September, and Diamond Princess will be sprucing up in exotic Singapore in October.

Diamond Princess will sparkle with the addition of The Sanctuary, where, you will enjoy more personal space, attentive Serenity Stewards, a variety of refreshing beverages and light snacks, and an opportunity for a soothing massage in a tranquil outdoor environment.

Movies Under the Stars®

And it will be “Lights, Camera, Action!” when Princess trademark feature, Movies Under the Stars®, is installed on both ships. If you haven’t watched a blockbuster movie or sporting event on their dramatic 300-square-foot movie screen, then you’re in for a treat.

Popcorn anyone?

Comfortably seated on poolside loungers, you’ll enjoy this enhanced viewing experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and cozy warm blankets.

Princess Cruises has plans to build 2 new ships, but in the meantime, why not improve the existing fleet with features which will enhance the cruise experience.  Plan on a cruise next year on Diamond or Island Princess to see these changes yourself.

Allure of the Seas Construction Update

Allure of the Seas Under Construction - Courtesy Royal Caribbean

Allure of the Seas is well on her way to being complete! The update from the shipyard in Finland is that Allure is pieced together to meticulous detail and finished in preparation for her transatlantic crossing and inaugural sailing.

Allure of the Seas, the second ship in the Oasis-class, is ahead of schedule.  There are over 2000 workers assembling the vessel, which will join it's sister ship, Oasis of the Seas, as the largest cruise ship afloat. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms.

Just like the Oasis of the Seas, there will be seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The ship's inaugural voyage will be a 7-Night Western Caribbean itinerary, sailing on December 5, 2010. Allure of the Seas' new cruise for the inaugural season is now open for booking.  Prior to that there will be several pre-inaugural voyages ending with  a  4-Night Caribbean-Eastern Cruise  on December 1, 2010.   You can still be among the first to experience Allure of the Seas - check our website or contact me for current availability.

Video: News from the Shipyard

UPDATE: September 17th
The news is good from Finland, where construction is ahead of schedule and the final touches are being made before the launch of Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Allure of the Seas.

Video: Allure Construction Update:Building Up Anticipation

UPDATE: September 25th
The news continues to be good from Finland, where construction is ahead of schedule.  The Allure completed sea trials this week in the Baltic.  According to reports she handled well in the12 foot swells. 

Dating back to the first days of sailing, the placing of coins on a new ship promises good luck. See where they keep Allure's lucky coins, which have been with the ship since her keel-laying.

Video: The Luckiest Spot on Allure: A Tradition of Good Fortune

65th Anniversary End of World War II

August 14, 1945

Victory in the Pacific

This weekend, ceremonies across the world are being held to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the end of World War II.   On Aug. 14, Emperor Hirohito made an announcement over Japanese radio that the empire had accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, effectively ending World War II.

This photo was taken at the National Liberation Museum outside Arnhem during our Tulip Time River Cruise (AMA Waterways).   This museum, close to Arnhem, Nijmegen, and the German border, is a place where you can experience history.

1941 - 1945 were dark years in the history of the world.  Sadly many young men and women were killed on foreign soil or even in their own homelands.   For those that survived, vivid pictures remained.   Many of the veterans would not even speak about the war.  My father was one that wouldn't talk about it.

That generation is slowly fading away, and with them the information about what they endured during the war years.    Museums are our only hope of keeping this memory alive, for despite it being a terrible memory, it is a part of our history.

A cruise to Europe is a fabulous opportunity to explore more about World War II.    We've written about some of our experiences in past columns.   It's back to school time now and many children will be studying history out of a book.   Why not bring that to life for them by planning a cruise to Europe?    Contact me for help planning a trip.

Sadly, there still are wars going on in our lives - I can only imagine the joy of August 14, 1945, as peace was declared.   Hopefully history will repeat itself in a positive way - by ending war.   

I won't try to report on all the 65th Anniversary celebrations here in this column.  If you are interested, do a search on the web for more articles commemorating this day in history.

 

Azamara Club Cruises Holiday Sailing

Unforgettable Holiday Celebration

Festive Voyage through the Panama Canal 

with Free Air*

16-NIGHT PANAMA CANAL & CENTRAL AMERICA

2-FOR-1SAVINGS & GRATUITIES INCLUDED

Plus, when you book by Aug 31, 2010, you’ll also enjoy
• Club Veranda Stateroom for
the price of a Club Oceanview†
• $1,000 Onboard Credit
per couple with all Club Oceanview and above staterooms
• Free Air from select gateways

Azamara Journey® • Dec 23, 2010 Holiday Voyage
Dec 23 MIAMI, FLORIDA	Jan 1 AT SEA Learn about Huatulco’s indigenous culture from an onboard expert.
Dec 26 CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Shop in the beautifully restored Old Town for a holiday surprise.	Jan 2 HUATULCO, MEXICO Snorkel in sparkling waters, watch cooking demonstrations and enjoy Mexico’s diverse culture.
Dec 27 AT SEA Indulge in a soothing spa treatment aboard the ship.	Jan 3 ACAPULCO, MEXICO Visit the Sea Turtle Rescue Center or swim with dolphins on unforgettable Land Discoveries.
Dec 28 PANAMA CANAL (CRUISING) Enjoy the spectacular vistas as you cruise the locks and waterways of the Panama Canal.	Jan 4 AT SEA Delight in fine cuisine paired with boutique wines, complimentary with lunch and dinner.
Dec 29 AT SEA Enjoy our pool butlers. Need we say more?	Jan 5 CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO Rendezvous at the romantic hidden beach of Playa del Amor.
Dec 30 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA Marvel at the majesty of Costa Rica’s rain forests.	Jan 6-7 AT SEA Sip champagne at an onboard art auction worthy of your collection.
Dec 31 SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA Ring in the new year with romance on a horse-drawn carriage ride in Granada.	Jan 8 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Oasis of the Seas Guided Tour

 

Royal Caribbean 

Oasis of the Seas

There has been plenty of press coverage of Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Oasis of the Seas.  This  222,900 ton engineering marvel has been amazing guests since the end of 2009 when it first began sailing out of its home port in Miami, Florida.   It is soon to be joined by its sister ship, the Allure of the Seas which will officially start sailing in December.

A guided tour onboard the Oasis of the Seas. See it for yourself.

There are 24 dining options onboard the Oasis of the Seas.   You could dine at a different location each night.

  Learn more about the Oasis of the Seas

To make the most of your Oasis of the Seas cruise, you'll want to pre-book Specialty Restaurants, Show Tickets, and Spa Treatments all of which can be done up to 90 days prior to sailing. 

RCCL Oasis of the Seas & Allure of the Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas - Book it Today! 

Click for Details

Exclusive 3-Day Sale - August 17, 18 & 19

Book an outside or above stateroom category and receive
Complimentary pre-paid gratuities!
Applicable Sailings: Any 5-Night or longer Royal Caribbean cruise
departing between September 8 – December 31, 2010

 

Crystal Cruises Returns to Alaska

Cruising Alaska                     Photos: Courtesy Crystal Cruises

2011 Alaska

Book by September 30, 2010

2-for-1 fares

$1,000 per couple  “All-Inclusive. As You Wish.” spending credits

FREE air.

Crystal Cruises returns to Alaska for the first time since 2005. Choose from nine 12-day sailings on Crystal Symphony, all conveniently beginning and ending in San Francisco.   If you book by September 30th this year, you'll enjoy special pricing, spending credits, and free air.

Award-winning Crystal Symphony

The 922-guest, 50,000-ton ultra-luxury ship boasts redesigned Penthouses (including its uber-plush Crystal Penthouses), pool areas, Prego Italian restaurant, Lido Café as well as guest elevators and numerous other behind-the-scenes upgrades.  The ship underwent a $25+ million makeover about a year ago.

Awe-inspiring Alaska

The highlight of  eight sailings will undoubtedly be cruising in Glacier Bay National Park.   Here you'll see calving glaciers as you ship gently sails through ice floating in the waters.    Your captain will be sure that everyone gets a view during the visit.  

From the charming Gold Rush towns of Skagway and Ketchikan to the cosmopolitan yet natural wonderlands of Vancouver and Victoria, Alaska’s final frontier is just waiting to be explored – by you. 

On board, you’ll have plenty of opportunity for personal enrichment including unique Experiences of Discovery^® themes on every Alaska sailing: Mind, Body & Spirit on voyage 1211; Crystal’s Wine & Food Festival on voyage 1219; and on seven sailings – voyages 1212 through 1218 – you’ll stand up and cheer the rising stars showcased in our Emerging Artists theme.  

Don’t miss your chance to explore the natural beauty of Alaska with the cruise line consistently voted World’s Best more than any other in history.

Click on the Images Below for Itinerary Information

May. 9 - 21, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Mind, Body & Spirit	May. 21 - Jun. 2, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists	Jun. 2 - 14, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists
Jun. 14 - 26, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists & Crystal Society	Jun. 26 - Jul. 8, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists	Jul. 8 - 20, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists
Jul. 20 - Aug. 1, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists	Aug. 1 - 13, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Emerging Artists	Aug. 13 - 25, 2011 (Days 12) Theme: Crystal Wine & Food Festival