Nautical pin board

If, like me, you are a lover of ships, the sea, and sea creatures, you might like my All Things Nautical pin board on Pinterest ... just wanted to share, in case anyone is interested. 

Cruise Ships Board on Pinterest

Just a quick note to share my Cruise Ships pin board on Pinterest with my cruising friends.  Enjoy!

Do you have a cruise related pin board?  If so, please feel free to leave a comment so everyone can find you!

I'd Rather Be Cruising

Wouldn't you rather be cruising right now?

Rather Be Cruising Mousepad by CruiseReady
See more Cruising Mousepads

Pool Deck Chair Police

Photo courtesy of natureworks, via morguefile

Don't you just hate it when you saunter up to the Lido Deck for a little sun, or a quick dip in the pool, only to find nearly every chair empty, save a personal item 'reserving' it for someone  who is nowhere to be seen?


Well, it seems that one of the cruise lines plans to do something about that.


Carnival Cruise Line will begin a test period of enforcement of a 40 minute pool chair saving rule, beginning with the Carnival Breeze.

Crew members on the Carnival Breeze will soon be patrolling the pool areas, searching for 'saved' lounge chairs. The employees will be equipped with stickers which they'll place on chairs containing shirts, towels, books, shoes, or other items being used to save them.   They'll write the time on the stickers before affixing them to said chairs.

 If the passenger owning the items neither begins occupying the chair nor removes the item or items in 40 minutes time, the items will be removed.  They'll be taken to either the towel exchange or to  lost and found desk, where the guest will need to reclaim them.

 The plan is to implement the 'pool chair police' system fleetwide after the test period on the Breeze.

Meet on Lido Button blue
by CruiseReady

Another article you might enjoy is Cruise Ship Swimming Pools.

Happy 50th Birthday, Jamaica!

Happy Birthday, Jamaica!

Ocho Rios, as seen from the
Aft Pool Deck of the
Crown Princess

Have you cruised to Jamaica? If so, you know it's a beautiful place! I have   enjoyed visiting there several times, and would go back in a heartbeat.  If you haven't, you might enjoy a selection of pictures of Jamaica that I've put together on Squidoo.  Join me in saying "Happy Birthday, Jamaica!"
 
There are a few facts about Jamaica included in the article that you might enjoy learning, too.  It really is a cool place!

The images are mostly from folks who display their art, photos, and designs on Zazzle, and they are worth a look... 

My biggest piece of advice if you take a cruise that calls at Jamaica is to use a guide!  I am usually happy to 'go it on my own' at most ports of call in the Caribbean, but Jamaica is an exception to that rule.  IMO, a good guide is a MUST there.  Just a word to the wise.

Ernesto and Florence Heat Up the Tropics

The Tropics Come Alive - Two Storms at Once

Tropical Storm Ernesto (Image courtesy NOAA)

The tropics have been quiet for weeks, ever since Tropical Storm Debby made her exit, but this week, things changed.


Tropical Storm Ernesto is stirring up the Caribbean, while Tropical Storm Florence has begun the trek across the Atlantic.


The Windward Islands have already gotten a taste of the 2012 Hurricane Season.  Ernesto passed just north of Barbados, then collided with the southern tip of St. Lucia as he crossed over from the tropical Atlantic into the Caribbean.  Jamaica is under a tropical storm warning today, as that nation prepares to celebrate its 50th birthday on Monday.


Tropical Storm Ernesto is forecast to continue westward for now, and become a hurricane as early as tomorrow.  


Meanwhile, out in the eastern Atlantic, Tropical Storm Florence is starting to make her westbound crossing.  Will she make it all the way across intact?  And, if so, how strong will she be?  Time will tell.


Our thoughts are always with those in the path of a tropical system, whatever its name may be.   Today, it's Ernesto.  Next week, it may be Florence, and then Gordon, who has yet to make an appearance.  Stay safe, everyone! 

ESPECIALLY FOR CRUISERS

We could well see some ships change course and alter itineraries in the coming days to avoid the nastiness - and danger -  of a tropical system.  No changes have been announced yet, but you can bet the cruise lines are monitoring these storms closely!  See my 10 Tips for Cruising in Hurricane Season for more on this topic.


More articles about hurricane weather:

Know the Cone  - This is an important one.  Many people who think they know exactly what the Cone of Uncertainty means actually don't.  I've frequently heard the cone being mis-characterized!

2012 Hurricane Season Names - Just what the title says.

Weather Alert Radios -  Another important one.  Yes, you DO need one of these if you live anywhere in the US where severe weather is possible.

2012 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Journal - Here's where I'm keeping track of this years tropical weather activity.

Cruise Luggage Tags and Luggage Spotters

Cruise Luggage Tags and Luggage Spotters

Cruise Ship Purple Luggage Tag by CruiseReady  

If you cruise from time to time, you might appreciate these cruising themed luggage tags and luggage spotters.

Luggage tags are one of Zazzle's newer offerings, and there are already thousands of designs by the independent artists and designers who show their work there.  There's even a  nice - and growing - selection of tags with cruise themes, like the luggage spotter at left.

What do I mean by 'luggage spotter,' as opposed to luggage tag?  A luggage spotter is something you can attach to your bag to help you spot it easily in a crowded luggage pick-up area.  Luggage spotters usually do not have your identifying information on them, like the examples below:

Now, there are some that can be personalized with your full name, address, and phone number. (The one on the left has an area for full personalization on the back.) But personally, I prefer to have only my last name and cell phone number showing, for security reasons. Or even just a cell number, like the one on the right.

A couple more luggage spotters:

Want to see a few more?  Here's a link:  More Cruise Luggage Tags

Hurricane Chris - The First Hurricane of the 2012 Hurricane Season

Chris has intensified to become the first hurricane of the Season.

Hurricane Chris, 2012

He was Tropical Storm Chris Yesterday.  Today, He's Hurricane Chris, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

(An FYI - Again this year, I'm keeping track of the season in a seasonal hurricane journal.  You can find it at Atlantic Basin 2012 Hurricane Season Journal.)

Not to worry - Hurricane Chris is way out to sea, and forecast to stay that way.  Currently around 600 miles to the southeast of Newfoundland's Cape Race, he's moving northeast right now, but is expected to loop around over the next day or two.  By then, he will have spent time over some pretty cool water, so is expected to transition into a post tropical cyclone before petering out.

The track from the NHC shows all this happening out at sea.  Thank you, Chris.  May you show the way for those who might follow, and may all our 2012 hurricanes avoid any encounters with land!

PS - Bone up on all the 2012 Hurricane Names here.

CruiseReady on Tumblr

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A Flag Day Picture of Freedom for You

Sailaway Poster by CruiseReady

A Flag Day picture for my cruising friends -
The Freedom of the Seas makes her way to the open Atlantic as our country's beautiful symbol of freedom appears to be giving her a bon voyage wave.

The RMS Queen Mary

RMS Queen Mary Vintage Passenger Ship

by evolveshop

The RMS Queen Mary left Southampton on her maiden transatlantic voyage 76 years ago today.  She was one of Cunard White Star's elegant Queens of the Ocean, and won the hearts of people around the world.  She also earned an honored place in history, serving the cause of freedom in World War II. Read more about the Queen Mary, and two other famous ships whose collective carreers spanned generations, in Queens of the Ocean Past.

Maiden voyage of the RMS Queen Mary:  May 27, 1936 - Southampton to New York.

Hurricane Season Begins Soon

Hurricane Season is Nearly Here

Hurricane from Space Mousepad
by Modest_Mouse

The 2012 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season begins two weeks from today. 

Are you ready?

Hurricane season each year is from June 1 through November 30 for the Atlantic Basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

REMINDER
If you haven't done so already, it's time to check your hurricane supplies.  Make sure you have enough batteries and other items to last for an absolute minimum of three days, and that you have a go bag ready in case you need to evacuate.  Don't forget about a supply of prescription medicines, copies of important papers, and evacuation provisions for pets.

Here are a couple of things to look at as the season approaches, if you don't have them already.  One is an absolute necessity and the other is something I've found really useful.  Here are links to reviews I've written about each of them:

Weather Alert Radio - a Necessity
If you live in an area that could be threatened by a hurricane, a NOAA weather radio is something you absolutely should have. These radios pick up special alerts from the National Weather Service, and will wake you with a warning of an incoming emergency.

Battery Organizer and Tester - Nice to Have
This isn't a real must have, but it sure is nice for keeping your battery supply both organized and handy, something that will make things just a little easier in the event of a prolonged power outage.