2011 Hurricane Season in Review

2011 Hurricane Season 

In Review

The 2011 Hurricane Season for the Atlantic and East Pacific Basins officially ends today.  NOAA's predictions turn out to be very accurate once again.

Active Atlantic (Above Average)

In the Atlantic, there were a total of 19 named storms, the third highest since 1851, from which 7 became hurricanes.  Of those, 3 were major hurricanes.   Irene was the lone hurricane to hit the United States in 2011, and the first one to do so since Ike struck southeast Texas in 2008. Irene was also the most significant tropical cyclone to strike the Northeast since Hurricane Bob in 1991.

Atlantic Basin

Forecast Parameter and 1950-2000 Climatology (in parentheses)	NOAA 2011 Prediction	2011 Actual Results
Named Storms (NS) (9.6)	12-18	19
Hurricanes (H) (5.9)	6-10	7
Major Hurricanes (MH) (2.3)	3-6	3

East Pacific (Above Average Hurricanes)

The East Pacific was less active than the Atlantic as predicted with a total of 11 named storms, well within the predicted range, from which 10 became hurricanes with 6 becoming major hurricanes.  The number and strength of the hurricanes was higher than predicted.

East Pacific

Forecast Parameter and 1950-2000 Climatology (in parentheses)	NOAA 2011 Prediction	2011 Actual Results
Named Storms (NS) (9.6)	9-15	11
Hurricanes (H) (5.9)	5-8	10
Major Hurricanes (MH) (2.3)	1-3	6

Keeping a Watchful Eye

As we have in past years, we monitored the major storms and published updated information on the impact of the tropical weather in both the Atlantic and Pacific regions.  We introduced a new static page,  Hurricane Zone, which served as an index to all the active storms with three storms being active simultaneously at the peak of the season.  The static page also is a clearing house for past information about hurricane seasons as well as predictions and preparedness information from past and present seasons. 

Cruise lines monitored all the storms and altered itineraries on several occasions.   By far the most disruptive storm was Irene since it lingered up the East Coast of the United States and made landfall.  No storms in the Pacific made landfall this year.

Looking for past or current hurricanes?  Click Image or Here

The 2011 Hurricane Season in 4.5 minutes (courtesy of NOAA)
We welcome your feedback about the format used for Hurricane Zone and the individual blog posts. Our intention is to keep our readers updated as best we can on the progress and impact of the tropical storms. We include links which can provide up-to-the-minute updates directly from the NHC, cruise lines, and other sources which can be used between updates.

“Although the 2011 hurricane season has ended, our need to prepare for disasters hasn't,” said Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Being prepared for all kinds of hazards, from hurricanes to blizzards to tornadoes, is a year-round activity. We encourage all members of the team, especially the public, to continue to prepare for emergencies by staying informed of forecasted weather events, making an emergency plan, and building your emergency preparedness kit. Visit Ready.gov to learn more.”

NOAA will issue its initial outlook for the 2012 hurricane season in May just prior to the official start of the season on June 1.  We will start our coverage with the 2012 Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Parasailing Excursions Suspended

Cruise Lines 

Suspend Parasailing Excursions

A tragic accident, during a ship-sponsored shore excursion, has prompted a federal and local investigation and put the popular water excursion on hold.

A 60 year old female passenger was parasailing in tandem with her 34 year old daughter in St. Thomas, USVI, when she fell to her death.  Her daughter, who was also injured, is recovering in a local hospital.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, strong gusts of winds in the area may have contributed to the accident.  The local parasail company has suspended operations voluntarily until the investigation is concluded.

The passengers involved were sailing on Celebrity Eclipse.  Both Celebrity Cruises and parent company, Royal Caribbean, suspended all parasailing shore excursions in the Caribbean following the accident.  Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines followed suit, cancelling those excursions in St. Thomas pending the outcome of the investigation.  All lines took this action "in the abundance of caution".

Additional Resources:

Professional Association of Parasail Operators 

US Coast Guard Prevention Blog

Parasail Safety Council

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Where is Chris?

HAPPY
THANKSGIVING

Allure of the Seas

 

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here already. Where did 2011 go? As has become my tradition, I'd like to share with you some of the things that I'm thankful for and highlight some of my adventures this year.

I hope that you, your family, and friends have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. I know that I have plenty of things to be thankful for, including my health, family, and friends and the ability to share my love of cruising with all of you. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to explore new worlds with family and friends again this year.

While this has been another tough economic year, it appears that the cruise industry has weathered the storm once again.

The value of cruising has never been stronger. Even in these tough times, more and more families have taken to the seas.  Indications are that the record discounts offered the past two years will be coming to an end.  In the meantime those discounts have made cruising an even better value, and consequently we have seen a surge in first-time cruisers.

The photos above are from some of our cruises this year.  The highlight of the year was our Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise on Star Princess.   We spent two nights in Rome before the cruise and one additional night after returning to Rome by train from Venice, Italy.  If you can't guess where I am in the picture above, I'm in Fira, Santorini, Greece.  Our ship can be seen in the background. Learn more about our cruise in our article: Diary of Cruise with Chris to Greek Isles
 

Cruises Inc. and Cruise One held the 2011 National Conference on Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas which just ended its inaugural season sailing to the Eastern and Western Caribbean on alternate weeks.  We have written several articles on the Allure and posted many photos on our Facebook Fan Page.


We wonder what the Pilgrims, who came to the New World in Tall Ships, would think about the Allure of the Seas.  Their ships measured 110 feet, held 150 passengers at most, and took months to cross the Atlantic.  The Allure is more than 10 times that length (1182 feet), holds almost 8000 passengers and crew, and took just a couple weeks to cross the Atlantic.

Thank you for making our blog column a part of your lives in 2011.   I hope that the information we share helps you to dream about future cruises of your own. I'd be honored to help you plan those trips. I have the best job in the world - helping make dreams come true. For that, I'm truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Dengue Fever Prevention

Click image for interactive map

Dengue in Caribbean Regions 

Including Bahamas

We would like to advise you of widespread activity of dengue fever reported
throughout the Caribbean region, with the Bahamas reporting the greatest
activity over the past two months. Dengue is transmitted through mosquitos
which mainly bite during daytime hours and is not transmitted from person to
person. Health authorities in the Bahamas have instituted control measures
such as fogging and spraying to reduce mosquito breeding sites on the islands
including Princess Cays located on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas.

Prevention is Best Measure      

There is no vaccine available against dengue, and there are no specific medications to treat a dengue infection. This makes prevention the most important step.


Travelers can reduce their risk of infection with dengue fever by protecting themselves from mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy. Travelers should follow the steps below to protect themselves from mosquito bites:

• When outdoors or in a building that is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin. If sunscreen is needed, apply before applying insect repellent.
  • Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use the repellent.
  • In general, repellents protect longer against mosquito bites when they have a higher concentration (percentage) of any of these active ingredients. However, concentrations above 50% do not offer a marked increase in protection time. Products with less than 10% of an active ingredient may offer only limited protection, often no longer than 1-2 hours.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics approves the use of repellents with up to 30% DEET on children more than 2 months old.
  • Protect babies less than 2 months old by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit. For more information about the use of repellent on infants and children, please see the “Insect and Other Arthropod Protection” section in Traveling Safely with Infants and Children and the “Children” section of CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions about Repellent Use.
  • For more information on the use of insect repellents, see the information on the Mosquito and Tick Protection webpage.
• Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
  • For greater protection, clothing may also be sprayed with a repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent. (Remember: don't use permethrin on skin.)

Additional Resources

CDC Outbreak Notice

Dengue Map

Dengue in The Bahamas

Dengue Fever & Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Symptoms and What To Do If You Think You Have Dengue

Publications & Related Links

Late Season Tropical Storm Kenneth

Late-Season Tropical Storm Kenneth

Forms in East Pacific
Strengthens into Hurricane

KENNETH BECOMES THE LATEST-FORMING NAMED STORM IN THE EASTERN NORTH
PACIFIC SINCE HURRICANE WINNIE FORMED ON 4 DECEMBER 1983.

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Cruise Ship Impact     Current Watches & Warnings

700 AM PST WED NOV 23 2011

...KENNETH QUICKLY UNRAVELLING...

It is late in the Atlantic and Pacific Hurricane Seasons but Mother Nature isn't paying attention to the calendar.  NASA's  GOES-13 satellite was keeping forecasters informed about developing lows like System 90E in the eastern Pacific and another low pressure area in the Atlantic. 

90E has become Tropical Storm Kenneth and it is anticipated that it will become a hurricane shortly.

 In this image ... NOAA's GOES-13 satellite caught System 90E developing in the eastern Pacific (left) and another tropical low in the Atlantic (right) on Nov. 18, 2011 at 1145 UTC (7:45 a.m. EST). The low called System 90E appeared to be getting organized on the GOES infrared imagery with the largest amount of clouds north and east of the low's center of circulation. The cold front that brought tornadoes to the southeastern U.S. is seen to the west of the Atlantic Low.
Credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project

 

East Pacific Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking  

 

SUMMARY OF 700 AM PST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...12.6N 117.3W
ABOUT 860 MI...1385 KM SW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 275 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...978 MB...28.88 INCHES

Cruise Ship Travel Advisories

Carnival Tropical Update  

RCI Tropical Weather Update
 

NCL Tropical Weather Updates 
 

Holland America Travel Advisories 
 

Celebrity Cruises Travel Advisories  
Cruise lines will monitor this storm for any itinerary impact.
 

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking  

NOAA Hurricane Central

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. 

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 90 MPH...150 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  KENNETH IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
HURRICANE WIND SCALE. CONTINUED WEAKENING IS EXPECTED DURING THE
NEXT 48 HOURS...AND KENNETH IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN TO A TROPICAL
STORM ON THURSDAY.  

HISTORICAL DATA:        Storm Archive       Graphics Archive                                         

100 PM PST SAT NOV 19 2011

...RARE MID-NOVEMBER TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS IN THE EASTERN
PACIFIC...

100 AM PST MON NOV 21 2011
...KENNETH RAPIDLY STRENGTHENING...EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE
LATER TODAY... 

700 AM PST TUE NOV 22 2011
...KENNETH STRENGTHENS TO A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE...STRONGEST LATE
SEASON EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC HURRICANE ON RECORD... 

Lines Reduced Cruises to Bermuda

Holland America Line

Latest To Pull Out of

Bermuda

Holland America has announced that Veendam won't be returning to Bermuda for the 2013 summer season. 

"We will continue to call in Hamilton occasionally on other itineraries," said the line in a statement. "The 2012 season will mark three years of Bermuda cruising roundtrip from New York and in 2013 other destinations are being considered as part of our overall global deployment."


This announcement comes just weeks after Carnival announced that Carnival Pride would be redeployed  in the Eastern Caribbean instead of Bermuda for the 2012 Summer season.  Carnival Pride will still sail one voyage to Bermuda.

While The Veendam and Pride are pulling out, that doesn't mean that there won't be ships in Bermuda or that the region is being abandoned by the cruise lines.  Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will offer regular Bermuda sailings in 2012, and Norwegian has already announced that its new Norwegian Breakaway will debut in spring 2013 with a series of Bermuda cruises. 

Bermuda is a great cruise destination.  Most cruises to Bermuda originate from New York and typically spend two or three days docked in one of Bermuda's ports of call so that you can explore the country both day and night taking in the complete atmosphere of the island country.  The people are very friendly there and there is much to do.  It is quite easy to explore on your own by using public transportation including buses and ferries.

For those that have never cruised before, Bermuda is a great destination to do since there is a minimal amount of actual sailing.   You can experience life onboard the ship and use the ship as your floating hotel while in Bermuda, saving on food and entertainment costs for example.

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.