Equinox August 31 Timing

[Smmessineo]

Hi Pelican Bill!

Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to depart Ft. Lauderdale at 3:30 pm August 31. Heading down (possibly) to San Juan Sept 2, then St.Thomas, Tortola and back to up to Nassau.

I'm trying to grasp the timing of this storm based on the current estimates.

In a situation like this do  the cruise lines usually try to at least get everyone boarded even if the sailing is delayed ? 

What are weather conditions usually like behind a storm? 

Thanks for your insight!

 

 

 

[PelicanBill]

You are welcome and thanks for asking. You are in the big zone of uncertainty about the strength of Dorian when it reaches Florida, but is sure is looking like it will be there on the weekend. 

 

If the strength is TS bordering on Hurricane usually we see ships delay return to be outside the storm with a shortened cruise leaving 1-2 days later when the ship gets in. If the storm is depression only they may come in and board as long as there will be no storm surge and power will be maintained. The port authority usually makes decisions on port open or closed and that also drives the cruise decisions Ali g with weather forecasting.

[Nymich]

11 minutes ago, PelicanBill said:

You are welcome and thanks for asking. You are in the big zone of uncertainty about the strength of Dorian when it reaches Florida, but is sure is looking like it will be there on the weekend. 

 

If the strength is TS bordering on Hurricane usually we see ships delay return to be outside the storm with a shortened cruise leaving 1-2 days later when the ship gets in. If the storm is depression only they may come in and board as long as there will be no storm surge and power will be maintained. The port authority usually makes decisions on port open or closed and that also drives the cruise decisions Ali g with weather forecasting.

Well said especially the part about the Port Authority making the final decision.  We are on this one also so watching it closely.

As sick as this sounds I am glad it is not a big storm and only Cat 1 at most speeds.  I know from past experience my place can handle up to a 3 lol

[Smmessineo]

Thanks for the info PelicanBill! We live in Ocala, we're driving down to Ft. Lauderdale Friday, I may add an extra night to the hotel reservation just in case the cruise gets pushed back a day.

Like you said, Nymich, I'm not too worried about my house, either.

 

[Nymich]

2 minutes ago, Smmessineo said:

Thanks for the info PelicanBill! We live in Ocala, we're driving down to Ft. Lauderdale Friday, I may add an extra night to the hotel reservation just in case the cruise gets pushed back a day.

Like you said, Nymich, I'm not too worried about my house, either.

 

It's actually pretty crazy.  I have accordions, impact glass and one window with shutters.  We have all our cruise stuff out as well as the shutters for the one window!    It's wild to think I may be fastening down the shutters and heading out to sea!  The weather channel is covering Dorian now too.

[KimmieQ]

Taking DH on his first cruise, we are on Equinox the 31st, I literally just heard about this storm and we are very concerned and upset that it may ruin all plans.. :(

[suittman]

Should be a non issue for us...  Maybe messy leaving on Saturday, but that should be it..

 

[KimmieQ]

The "Crew Center" site has Tortola off the itinerary and has subbed in DR.. which doesn't make a lot of sense.  I don't know if this site is accurate.  Anyone know?

[PelicanBill]

Crew Center is not know for getting recent itinerary changes on their site.  I would not give it a lot of credibility.

[KimmieQ]

Thank you, I wasn't sure, I am new to all of this.  I am really praying this storm doesn't delay us leaving!  

[Fogfog]

Has anyone seen/heard from Celebrity yet? Have seen RCCL and Disney made changes to sailings

[Nymich]

13 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Has anyone seen/heard from Celebrity yet? Have seen RCCL and Disney made changes to sailings

nope......we are lucky if we sneak out Saturday at this point.  Unless it dips south of Fl we are going to Cozumel lol

Edited August 27, 2019 by Nymich

[KimmieQ]

On 8/26/2019 at 5:19 PM, PelicanBill said:

You are welcome and thanks for asking. You are in the big zone of uncertainty about the strength of Dorian when it reaches Florida, but is sure is looking like it will be there on the weekend. 

 

If the strength is TS bordering on Hurricane usually we see ships delay return to be outside the storm with a shortened cruise leaving 1-2 days later when the ship gets in. If the storm is depression only they may come in and board as long as there will be no storm surge and power will be maintained. The port authority usually makes decisions on port open or closed and that also drives the cruise decisions Ali g with weather forecasting.

Hi Pelican Bill!  Thanks for all of the updates, in regards to this sailing I think we may be okay, if it continues on this path, I think we may get out and skirt around it?  Would you agree?  Also, are the seas usually terrible being that we are supposed to take roughly the path of the storm in reverse? :)

[PelicanBill]

I agree that it seems possible the ship will sail Saturday and head south. But there can be a lot of variance in the path and size/strength so I can't say Miami and FLL are completely out of the woods.

[Smmessineo]

Am I right in thinking ,as it stands now, if we don't get out Saturday we may not get out until Monday evening or Tuesday?

[PelicanBill]

1 hour ago, Smmessineo said:

Am I right in thinking ,as it stands now, if we don't get out Saturday we may not get out until Monday evening or Tuesday?

If the storm trends any further south they might have trouble with departure as planned. If affected that way, they would not be able to do boarding on Monday. It would be Tuesday.

Your best scenario is it stays well north and you can get out and far enough south as planned.  

[Smmessineo]

Thanks, PelicanBill. If the current track continues, I'll get to sail and then watch the storm go straight over my house

( and pets) in Ocala. I feel like it's a no win for me at this point .LOL. 

I have to stop worrying..... just have a to remember I've got a great pet sitter.....and also drink a lot once  onboard.

[Smmessineo]

Thanks to "Grandgeezer" for posting this on the Celebrity board.

"We are currently on the Equinox.

 

Tonight at dinner, the Captain made the following announcement, “Because of hurricane Dorian, we a revising our times in Grand Caymen. We will be arriving one hour earlier and departing one hour earlier. This should ensure a safe disembarkation and embarkation in Ft. Lauderdale, Saturday.”

If this happens, I would guess an earlier boarding."

[PelicanBill]

oh, interesting... thanks for posting.

[Smmessineo]

just got notification that we are departing early tomorrow. 230 all onboard by 130.