Port Closings - T.S. Maria



Tropical Storm Maria

   With Tropical Storm Maria approaching, ports in the northeastern Caribbean are closed or will be closed to incoming vessels.

The Port of San Juan went to condition Yankee last night, which closes the port to incoming traffic.  It is likely that they will move into condition Zulu in the coming hours, and order all ships over a certain gross tonnage out to sea.

Currently due in to the Port of San Juan on Sunday are Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, and the Carnival Victory.   At this time, Tropical Storm Maria is forecast to be passing to the north of San Juan on Sunday.  

As you can see from the attached satellite image, Maria covers a whole lot of  real estate .  Tropical storm force winds extend out some 200 miles from the center.  However, the NHC tells us that the northeast side of the storm is the worst.  While Puerto Rico may get some awfully bad weather, looks like it could have been worse.  Maria could have taken a more southerly route.

Niether RCCL or CCL has announced changes in  disembarkation / embarkation for tomorrow's scheduled sailings  - YET.  They may or may not have to.  It all depends on Maria.

Royal Caribbean is advising passengers scheduled to sail on Sunday to "monitor the Royal Caribbean website and their airlines for any additional updates regarding the storm and the status of the port."  Carnival cruisers should be monitoring the situation as well.

Royal Caribbean is stationing Guest Assistance Agents in baggage terminals B and D at the San Juan Airport.

The itinerary of the Oasis of the Seas has also been adjusted because of the storm.

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Falmouth Finally Opens!

The Port of Falmouth, Jamaica, has finally received its first ship. It's been a long time coming. The Voyager of the Seas called there yesterday.

Falmouth is on the north coast of Jamaica, to the east of Montego Bay. Find it on the above map by tracing down from the tail of the J in the word Jamaica. (Some great Maps of the Caribbean are avaiable at AllPosters.)

Although the real GRAND opening of the "Historic Falmouth Port" port won't be until March 22, when the huge Oasis of the Seas calls there, other ships will actually be visiting in the meantime.

Among the things to do there are riding a bamboo raft on the Martha Brae, and paying a visit to Great Hope House, which offers a variety of activities, and the Appleton Estate, where you can learn a little about making rum. The Dunns River Falls area, with which many cruisers are already familiar, is not far from Falmouth, either.

As more ships begin to call there, Cruising Musings will be interested to hear the reaction of cruise visitors to this long-awaited new port of call.

DUNNS RIVER FALLS PERSONALIZED NOTECARDS and MAGNETS, available at TropiCards: