CCL to Discontinue Calls at Antigua

UPDATE: It now appears that this information applies to the Carnival Victory only, and not other CCL ships that call at Antigua, such as the Carnival Freedom.
Starting the first of the year, if you want to cruise to Antigua, it will have to be on a cruise line other than Carnival, as the fun ships are dicontinuing their calls at that southern Caribbean port, effective January 2010. They'll be visiting St. Maarten instead.

As far as I can tell, you can still cruise there with any one of a number of other lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. It's a port we really enjoyed on our cruise aboard the Serenade of the Seas a few years back, so I'm glad that the option is still open.

This news brought to you by Cruise Ready Store

Fly on a 'Busy Day' and Pay More

If you are flying to or from your cruise on certain dates,be prepared to pony up an extra $10 per ticket. On Thanksgiving Sunday (Nov 29), and the two days following New Years Day (Jan 2 and 3), at least five airlines will charge the 'busy day' fee. Those airlines who have (so far) added the new fee are: American, Delta. Northwest, United. and U.S. Air. Of course, it's not out of the question that at least some of the others will follow suit.

This travel news tidbit brought to you

by Cruise Ready Store

Touring the Monarch of the Seas

I am very excited to report that we have signed up through our travel agent to go on a tour of the Monarch of the Seas when she is in port for her turn-around on the 25th of this month. We'll be aboard several hours, AND get to have lunch. They will kick us off before she sails ... without us. (sob)
I'll take my camera along and try to get a photo of her to post.

Win a Med Cruise for Two from Holland America Line

Enter to win a cruise for two to the Mediterranean

with Holland America Line

Here's Yet another cruise line - Holland America Line - that is running a contest to give someone a free cruise. Go here to fill out the entry form: https://www.hollandamerica.com/hpMediterranean?WT.mc_id=website_HQ_FT , and Good Luck from Cruise Ready Store!

WIN a Free Cruise from RCCL, CCL, or MSC

US and Canadian residents can win a Caribbean cruise for two aboard the new MSC Poesia in the MSC Cruises Poetry in Motion Sweepstakes .

Kids ages 7 to 12- Carnival Cruise Line Book of Dreams contest . The winner will christen and be the Carnival Dream cruise ship water slide Godchild, and win a 2 night cruise for their family.

Royal Caribbean Give Us Your Best Shot contest (Crown & Anchor members) - submit a photo taken on a Royal Caribbean cruise to win one of three cruises on RCCL. Go to http://www.rccl.com/, and click on Crown & Anchor Society, then on Member Forum.

Good luck from Cruise Ready Store!

Man Overboard - Wonder to the Rescue!

It happened last night, off the coast of Port St Lucie, Florida - about 30 miles out to sea !
A cruiser on the Carnival Sensation fell overboard as the ship was returning to Port Canaveral

About an hour later, the man's cries for help were heard by someone aboard the Wonder, also enroute to a Port Canaveral turnaround. After the ship's captain requested silence on board, they were able to hear the man's screams more clearly, and locate him in the darkness. A rescue boat was then sent out to pick him up and bring him aboard the Disney ship.

The man is reportedly in good condition this morning.

Jimena Weakens; Erika Forms

Hurricane Jimena has weakened considerably since yesterday and is near land in the Cabo San Lazaro area. Winds are down to 105 mph, and the storm also brings a very real threat of life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Tropical Storm Erika formed last night east of the Leeward Islands, and now appears headed directly for Guadeloupe. From there, several scenarios could play out, ONE of which would bring the storm through The Bahamas and towards the Southeastern United States. She could also recurve out to Sea, or miss Florida to the south. So far, the NHC is drawing a track that includes a recurve east of the Bahamas. Things can and do change in the tropics, so stay tuned.

Cruise ships are still being diverted away from the area of danger from Jimena. Stay on the lookout, cruisers, for any itinerary changes as a result of TS Ericka, as well.


PS - The blue hats (see my previous blog entry) are now once again available at Cruise Ready Store.

2009's Strongest Hurricane Yet Heads for the Baja

Hurricane Jimena has apparently set her sights on the Baja peninsula, with winds presently just a mile shy of Category Five status, at 155 mph.

FIRST, and most importantly, the people of the Baja need our thoughts and prayers right now. Let's remember them!

Secondly, cruise itineraries have necessarily been affected, namely those of the following four ships:
Mariner of the Seas will reverse her itinerary as follows: Mon, Tue, Sat- Sea Days; Wed- Puerto Vallarta; Thur- Mazatlan; Fri- Cabo San Lucas
Carnival Splendor: Mon- Catalina; Tues and Sat- Ensenada; Wed, Thurs- Sea Days; Fri - Cabo San Lucas.
Carnival Paradise: Tue- Sea Day; Wed- Catalina; Thurs- Ensenada.
Carnival Elation: Mon- Sea Day; Tues- Catalina; Wed- Ensenada

This is the latest information available on itinerary changes, which, of course, are subject to further change as warranted by sea and port conditions.

Cruise Ready Store

Discovery on Its Way to the ISS

Godspeed, Discovery!

We'll await your safe return.

Tropical Storm Danny Forms Off Nassau

This morning, Tropical Storm Danny formed about 445 miles East of Nassau, The Bahamas.
The system is not terribly well organized right now, but will soon encounter more favorable conditions for development, as it continues to move WNW. It does not apper that Danny will pose a threat to The Bahamas or Florida. Those from North Carolina to Maine and the Maritimes are currently within the NHC's 5 day cone, and should remain watchful.

Updates on Bill

Hurricane Bill is now a Category 2, and has passed Bermuda without a direct hit. They are not escaping completely, but it could be worse. Here is a link to some news from Bermuda.

The coast of Massachusetts is now under a Tropical Storm Warning.

ITINERARY CHANGES **
Carnival Triumph: The cruise that departed from New York on August 20 will cancel the scheduled call in Saint John. The ship will now navigate a safe course away from the storm and return to New York on Monday as scheduled.

Explorer of the Seas: Thursday, August 20, departure - Revised itinerary reorders ports. The ship will visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday; Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Monday; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Tuesday; and Kings Wharf, Bermuda, Thursday

Norwegian Spirit: Friday, August 21 departure - Depending on the path of the storm, the ship may arrive later than scheduled into Bermuda. The ship's Captain will update the guests on board as to the specific arrival time in Bermuda once it has been determined.

** Always check with your cruiseline for the most recent and authoritative information.

Bill Becomes First Major Hurricane of Season

Hurriane Bill has been upgraded to a Category 3, with winds of 125 mph, becoming the first major hurricane of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season. Many fingers are crossed for a predicted recurve out to sea...
Edit on 08/19: Bill upgraded at 5 AM to a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane.