Hurricane Irma Watch

[cruisinfanatic]

Interesting info on weather channel. Forecaster brought up Hurricane Donna, a 1960 storm that killed hundreds. Irma is tracking almost exactly and on the same dates as Donna's course. Donna made landfall in Ft Myers on Sept 10th, went across Florida and went tearing up the cost all the way to Canada. Not good

[tOSUSteve]

Well so much for making decisions about this weekend's cruises by Wednesday:eek:

 

it says FOR Friday by 8PM - I would think this is for what they will be doing for the ships in Caribbean Friday

[rukkian]

Well so much for making decisions about this weekend's cruises by Wednesday:eek:

 

If it comes at 8pm tonight (which is how I read that), that would be before Wednesday, but I may be reading wrong.

[dreadpirate3]

Interesting info on weather channel. Forecaster brought up Hurricane Donna, a 1960 storm that killed hundreds. Irma is tracking almost exactly and on the same dates as Donna's course. Donna made landfall in Ft Myers on Sept 10th, went across Florida and went tearing up the cost all the way to Canada. Not good

 

Thank you for posting this. It's the first comparison I have seen.

[dandkcruise]

On the Allure at Cozumel. Weather is perfect. No one on the ship this morning that I spoke with is discussing Irma. Doubt we would try to make way for an early disembarkation Thursday but also can't imagine going to Falmouth and Labadee yet.

 

If the port is closed Sunday we will stick with the ship if an alternate final port is picked.

 

Only bad thing this entire cruise so far is the coffee. Worst coffee I've ever had on RCI. Not sure what beans they're using but it's pure dirt. Hurricane doesn't worry me but bad coffee does!

 

Labadee has already been cancelled for your cruise. That was announced yesterday. We are out on the 9/10 Allure so still waiting to see here.

[Misplaced Texan]

JVF was pretty chatty yesterday on twitter. He's gone silent today. Probably the responsible thing to do, but I wouldn't mind some noise coming out of RCCL.

 

They'll know enough to make a decision tomorrow. Today there's still enough uncertainty about the timing, location, and direction of mainland landfall that it would be hard for them to make a good decision.

[Tony20]

Well so much for making decisions about this weekend's cruises by Wednesday:eek:

 

I'm not a corporate guy, but they're in a tough position. I've boarded my house up several times over the years because I was positive the hurricane was going to hit me as forecast. Not once has it hit me.

 

The only one that got me was Charley in 2004 and he made an unexpected last minute turn to the East at the SW Florida coast.

 

So they could decide early and just have a brisk wind on Saturday/Sunday. The average NHC error for five days is 225 miles. Four days out its 175 miles.

[dpostman]

Someone should warn the RCI staff at Cococay to tie down the Floating Bar REALLY good or else Irma will carry it to Fort Lauderdale. Then they will have to tow it all the way back.

 

dp

[Karter]

Latest from Royal Caribbean

 

September 5, 2017 @ NOON EDT (next update today @ 6 PM EDT)

 

We are closely monitoring Hurricane Irma’s path and its potential impact to our current and upcoming sailings. Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet, is closely tracking the storm’s progress, and the current forecast is as follows:

 

Hurricane Irma is a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds around the center at 180 mph and is currently located about 225 miles east of Antigua. The storm continues its westerly track at 14 mph. While it is difficult to predict the path of the storm outside of 72 hours, it is likely that Irma will impact the East Coast of Florida at some point this weekend.

 

In an effort to give you advance notice of any changes while also taking into account the most accurate forecast information, we will be providing updates on any impacted sailings no later than 2 days in advance of departure. Based on that timeline, we will provide you additional information on Friday departures as part of our 6 pm update today.

 

The following sailings are departing as scheduled:

 

Adventure of the Seas: September 9 Southern Caribbean cruise

 

Grandeur of the Seas: September 7 New England/Canada cruise

 

Liberty of the Seas: September 10 Western Caribbean cruise

 

Serenade of the Seas: September 10 New England/Canada cruise

 

Vision of the Seas: September 7 New England/Canada cruise

 

 

The following sailings are currently being evaluated and we will provide our next update at 6 PM EDT:

 

Allure of the Seas: September 10 Western Caribbean cruise

 

Anthem of the Seas: September 9 Bermuda cruise

 

Empress of the Seas: September 9 Cuba cruise

 

Enchantment of the Seas: September 8 Bahamas cruise

 

Harmony of the Seas: September 9 Eastern Caribbean cruise

 

Majesty of the Seas: September 8 Bahamas cruise

 

Oasis of the Seas: September 10 Eastern Caribbean cruise

 

For all guests currently sailing with us, the Captain and team onboard will be providing you specific updates at noon and 6 pm daily, and of course will update you immediately if anything changes.

 

[Luv2Cruiise]

Waiting until Friday to make a decision for us doesn't help as we fly out to tampa on Thursday so what are we suppose to do? Cancel and lose $$$ on everything, thats what Royal told me today when I called. this is ridiculous!

[BillOh]

If someone already posted this info, you can hit me the next time we cruise. Irma looks like it could be a big impact on Florida departures this weekend. I saw a post from someone on Allure saying they were in Cozumel, Marinetraffic has Harmony in Fallmouth. Is Oasis on Eastern this week? If so, have the altered itinerary yet? Adventure's updates should be interesting.

[Artemis908]

Latest from Royal Caribbean

 

September 5, 2017 @ NOON EDT (next update today @ 6 PM EDT)

 

We are closely monitoring Hurricane Irma’s path and its potential impact to our current and upcoming sailings. Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet, is closely tracking the storm’s progress, and the current forecast is as follows:

 

Hurricane Irma is a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds around the center at 180 mph and is currently located about 225 miles east of Antigua. The storm continues its westerly track at 14 mph. While it is difficult to predict the path of the storm outside of 72 hours, it is likely that Irma will impact the East Coast of Florida at some point this weekend.

 

In an effort to give you advance notice of any changes while also taking into account the most accurate forecast information, we will be providing updates on any impacted sailings no later than 2 days in advance of departure. Based on that timeline, we will provide you additional information on Friday departures as part of our 6 pm update today.

 

The following sailings are departing as scheduled:

 

Adventure of the Seas: September 9 Southern Caribbean cruise

 

Grandeur of the Seas: September 7 New England/Canada cruise

 

Liberty of the Seas: September 10 Western Caribbean cruise

 

Serenade of the Seas: September 10 New England/Canada cruise

 

Vision of the Seas: September 7 New England/Canada cruise

 

 

The following sailings are currently being evaluated and we will provide our next update at 6 PM EDT:

 

Allure of the Seas: September 10 Western Caribbean cruise

 

Anthem of the Seas: September 9 Bermuda cruise

 

Empress of the Seas: September 9 Cuba cruise

 

Enchantment of the Seas: September 8 Bahamas cruise

 

Harmony of the Seas: September 9 Eastern Caribbean cruise

 

Majesty of the Seas: September 8 Bahamas cruise

 

Oasis of the Seas: September 10 Eastern Caribbean cruise

 

For all guests currently sailing with us, the Captain and team onboard will be providing you specific updates at noon and 6 pm daily, and of course will update you immediately if anything changes.

 

 

We have been watching the news from RC closely, but we are on the Sept 17 sailing. I think they are doing a great job thus far for Irma and keeping everyone updated. I am wondering if they might change the departure port if the storm were to hit Ft. Lauderdale but not other areas of Florida?

[dandkcruise]

Waiting until Friday to make a decision for us doesn't help as we fly out to tampa on Thursday so what are we suppose to do? Cancel and lose $$$ on everything, thats what Royal told me today when I called. this is ridiculous!

 

Nothing ridiculous. They are not waiting until Friday to make a decision. Read it. They are making the decisions today for Friday's cruises. Later this evening and tomorrow for Sunday's.

[Buckeye State Cruisers]

Waiting until Friday to make a decision for us doesn't help as we fly out to tampa on Thursday so what are we suppose to do? Cancel and lose $$$ on everything, thats what Royal told me today when I called. this is ridiculous!

 

When I read JVF tweet I thought the same thing. After I re-read it I realized it meant cruises for Friday would be decided by 8 pm tonight

[cruisinfanatic]

Waiting until Friday to make a decision for us doesn't help as we fly out to tampa on Thursday so what are we suppose to do? Cancel and lose $$$ on everything, thats what Royal told me today when I called. this is ridiculous!

What do you want them to decide for you?

[cruisinfanatic]

We have been watching the news from RC closely, but we are on the Sept 17 sailing. I think they are doing a great job thus far for Irma and keeping everyone updated. I am wondering if they might change the departure port if the storm were to hit Ft. Lauderdale but not other areas of Florida?

Won't happen

[Luv2Cruiise]

Harmony leaves on Sat so when will we know, I need answers before Thursday...... I am so frustrated with all this.

[Luv2Cruiise]

What do you want them to decide for you?

 

I want them to decide if Sat cruise is going or not before Thurs as that is when we fly to Tampa!! I can't wait until Fri for them to decide if we have flights for thurs.....

[beachnative]

Harmony leaves on Sat so when will we know, I need answers before Thursday...... I am so frustrated with all this.

 

Read what has been posted!

[BNBR]

Harmony leaves on Sat so when will we know, I need answers before Thursday...... I am so frustrated with all this.

 

Very sorry that you are frustrated about your vacation. By the way, people on the islands you so desperately need to visit are going to die. Maybe you can cruise over and help with clean up efforts? You will get the information you need by Thursday. If you aren't satisfied with the information, stay home. At the moment, you should be mentally prepared for your cruise to be canceled. A massive, catastrophic hurricane is headed to Florida the same weekend you would like to go... If it ends up working out, good for you. If not, it's fine.

 

Most people down here are trying to get gas and supplies and many are considering evacuating by Friday. We are expecting tropical storm force winds by Friday. You want to fly into that so bad for a cruise?

 

And by the way, Irma is now officially the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. Just relax, disasters happen. Your cruise is not important.

[sr4mjc]

I live in the Tampa area. I personally would not be trying to fly to FL this week for a cruise. I'd be hoping for a cancellation.

[Tony20]

Very sorry that you are frustrated about your vacation. By the way, people on the islands you so desperately need to visit are going to die. Maybe you can cruise over and help with clean up efforts? You will get the information you need by Thursday. If you aren't satisfied with the information, stay home. At the moment, you should be mentally prepared for your cruise to be canceled. A massive, catastrophic hurricane is headed to Florida the same weekend you would like to go... If it ends up working out, good for you. If not, it's fine.

 

Most people down here are trying to get gas and supplies and many are considering evacuating by Friday. We are expecting tropical storm force winds by Friday. You want to fly into that so bad for a cruise?

 

And by the way, Irma is now officially the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. Just relax, disasters happen. Your cruise is not important.

 

Perspective. Thank you.

[bouhunter]

Waiting until Friday to make a decision for us doesn't help as we fly out to tampa on Thursday so what are we suppose to do? Cancel and lose $$$ on everything, thats what Royal told me today when I called. this is ridiculous!

 

It said FRIDAY DEPARTURES. It's simply too soon for them to know if they'll have to cancel any cruises. At this point the only thing they could do is offer is refunds upon request, and if Florida stays in the crosshairs I'll bet comes sooner than it did for Harvey.

[molly361]

I don't have a Twitter account but I could read all Mr Van Fleet's tweets from yesterday but I only see the one for today. Did he only send out that one saying Friday's sailings would be updated today or am I not seeing them because I don't have a Twitter account? Thanks

[luurtsema001]

Just relax, disasters happen. Your cruise is not important.

 

:-) That's the attitude I have about my cruise. I actually feel a bit silly watching all this and "Worrying". We are going out on our 10 year anniversary. BTW, this thing could make a lot of headache back home if the track has it heading up the east coast too. This could be a major situation for a lot of people.