Carnival Conquest, Elation Weathering T.S. Karen at Sea

Southwest Pass into Port of New Orleans Closed

Elation Leaving New Orleans, By Eric Gunderson
[CC-BY-SA-3.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

The Southwest Pass at the mouth of the Mississippi River was closed as of this morning, in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Karen.  That's the main shipping lane into the river, and the one used by cruise ships.

As long as the channel remains closed, the Carnival Elation, due into the port on Saturday, and the Conquest, due on Sunday, will be unable to begin the eight or  nine hour  upriver journey to the cruise terminals in the Big Easy.

Carnival announced earlier today plans for both ships to arrive back in New Orleans on Monday.  An exact arrival time is yet to be announced. Both ships are being kept out of harm's way.

This, of course, means that guests on the current voyages will have their cruises extended by a day or two.  Unfortunately, the days are necessarily taken away from the subsequent voyages.  For more details, visit Carnival.com, and click on the small yellow highlighted link at the very top of the screen, titled Travel Alert: Tropical Storm Karen - Update .  Additional information, including boarding times for following cruises, will be provided there in the near future.

Cruising During Hurricane Season

While, thankfully, it appears that Karen won't carry as much of a punch as she might have, she does provide a perfect example of the risks of cruising during hurricane season.  In addition to the risk of heavy seas, ports of call could be missed, and the times, even the days, of embarkation or return may need to be adjusted due to port closures.  These risks being what they are, cruise lines sometimes offer lower fares during the peak parts of the season.

Is it a fair trade off?  I think so.  We regularly cruise during peak hurricane season, and will probably continue to do so.  Have any of our cruises ever been affected?  Yes, but most of them have gone smoothly.  A a few didn't, and that's OK.   We knew they might not when we signed on for each and every one of those voyages.

Peak Hurricane Season is upon us

Peak Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin historically kicks in sometime in the first half of August. 
FYI- the Atlantic Basin includes the Atlantic Ocean the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico
Photo: Hurricane at Lake Worth Beach by heatherlacroix

So, here we are in the very beginning of the peak of the season, climatologically speaking.  What will this peak season bring?


If you're considering taking a cruise, this is certainly a time of year when you can get a pretty good deal... if you are willing to take the (relatively low) risks associated with cruising during hurricane season.  Check out the deals!

For homeowners who live in hurricane country, you know the drill:  check your hurricane supplies and family evacuation plans.  Make sure your NOAA Weather Radio is in good working condition and that you have plenty of extra batteries.  And, if you haven't already done so, prepare for the worst case scenario with insurance, a go-bag, and provisions to protect your windows.  Don't forget hurricane preparedness for your roof, either. 

All that being said ... here's hoping the predictions for this season being an above average one, and of a high probability of major US landfalls (plural) doesn't come to fruition.

Stay safe, every one!  If you're cruising this season, Bon Voyage to you.  And if you are, or aren't... be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best!

It's Hurricane Season and Cruise Deals Season

Well, folks, the 2011 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season began yesterday.  Hope everyone in or near a coastal area is prepared with their emergency supplies and evacuation plans.

Once again this year, I will have the Weather Widgets from wunderground.com posted on this blog, and will, from time to time, highlight any storms that are affecting cruise ships and/or cruise ports.  This year, I've also set up a 2011 Hurricane Season Journal on a separate site, where I'll log each tropical depression, tropical storm, and hurricane, whether it affects cruises or not.  You might want to access that page now, and save it to your favorites if you think you'll be interested.

For the cruising community, we know that hurricane season also means some of the best cruise deals of the year.  So, if you haven't done so yet, here's a reminder that you might want to start looking for an attractive last minute deal from your favorite cruise line. 

If you're planning your first hurricane season cruise - especially during the peak of the season, which includes August, September, and October - you might be interested in 10 Tips for Hurricane Season Cruising. 

Don't be afraid to take advantage of some of the great deals you're sure to find.  Chances are your cruise won't be affeted by a tropical weather system - but yes, it could.  That's the chance you take by making the decision to cruise the Caribbean during hurricane season.  If you are prepared to accept that risk in exchange for a great time for less money than you would pay other times of year, I'd say, "Go for it."  But know the risks and what you can do  to make sure you have a wonderful time no matter what might or might not happen.  (That's what the above referenced article is about)

RELATED ARTICLES: 

Hurricane Names for 2011

2011 EPAC Hurricane Season Journal

A NOAA Weather Radio Can Save Your Life

Pictures of Hurricanes and Other Storms 

The Tropics Are Heating Up!

Peak hurricane season is here, and the tropics are letting us know it.

Tropical Storm Danielle- 08/23/10 - photo by NOAA

Tropical Storm Danielle is strengthening in the Tropical Atlantic, and may be a hurricane before she makes a predicted turn to the Northwest in the next couple of days. If she turns sooner, rather than later, she'll be "going fishing," missing land completely. If the turn comes later than expected, Bermuda will need to batten down the hatches, something they are very good at doing.. UPDATE 8/23/10 : Danielle became a hurricane at 5 PM today

In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Frank is making his way along the coastline of Mexico, and the Mexican government has issued tropical storm warnings from Lagunas de Chacahua to Zihuatanejo. The coastal area from Zihuatanejo to Pumta San Telmo is under a Tropical Store Watch. Itineries for Mexican Rivera cruises are likely to be affected.

Meanwhile, in the far eastern Atlantic, a new weather system has just moved off the coast of Africa, and the NHC has already upped the chances for its development to 40%.

If you're cruising this hurricane season, be prepared! Arrive a day early at your port of departure, take along your favorite motion sickness remedy, be prepared for possible changes in your cruise itinerary, and make sure your plans for post-cruise travel are flexible enough to allow changes in time, date, or point of departure. For more detailed tips on cruising during hurricane season, see Special Notes on Cruising During Hurricane Season near the bottom of the New Cruiser Tips page at Cruise Ready Store.