Good-by And Good Riddance

[JDee]

To Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne and the rest of the 2004 hurricane season. Yes, today is the last official day of the hurricane season.

Many parts of Florida, other states and many Caribbean Islands still have a long way to go to get back to normal. Only 182 days and the countdown beings all over again.

Hope that next season many cruisers will be more tolerant of Mother Nature and not blame the media, weather forecasters, the cruise lines for their minor inconveniences when compared to the loss of life and property throughout the various regions.

Happy cruising......

[sail7seas]

Here's to hoping the next many hurricane seasonS are kinder on everyone.

[TampaMike]

I usually Cruise in March & September,,,,but after this past Hurricane Season, I am changing that schedule. In Tampa, we sweated out, but missed Charlie, then Frances blew in. I was barely done making repairs when I was off to the Zuiderdam for 2 weeks when Jeanne came in. I spent two weeks circling Cuba and returning to Cozumel (this was so reminiscent of my Veendam cruise last March!). But if I was to be evacuated again...at least my new evac center was the Zuiderdam.

It was just too creepy watching the news and seeing Jeanne barrel over my home while aboard ship.

But I was fortunate, no major damage, and I had 2 weeks aboard ship to start unwinding from the hurricane stress. No so many others were as fortunate.

My cruise schedule has been shifted now to May & November...and staying home during peak hurricane season!

[Krazy Kruizers]

There is a low pressure system about 800 miles east of Bermuda. Dpending upon how much the winds pick up, depends on whether it will be named "Otto".

Fortunately it won't hit Florida!

[Tatka]

I guess we were lucky cruising between Charlie and Francis and having a great weather...but I almost went mad checking weather forecast every hour. But it was just us cruisers. I can't beging to imagine what people in FL went through!!!:(

[Randyk47]

We just hired and then lost a fellow out of Pensacola who was totally wiped out. He and his wife had taken his mother-in-law back home to Kentucky and couldn't get back before the hurricane hit and lost absolutely everything but the car he was driving and clothing for the 4 days they were gone. We lost him because to qualify for the FEMA grant he must totally rebuild and then move back into his home as his primary residence. He did come out to San Antonio to look for a home before he got the FEMA information and it was incredible to hear him talk about the damage and loss. It was hard to even imagine and much more powerful than just pictures off the TV. My heart and prayers still go out to the people still without a home.

[GulfCoaster]

Don't get out the champagne just yet...

Tropical Storm Otto has formed on the last day on the season!!! Can You all believe it?!?!

"2004 - "The Hurrican Season That Refused To Die"

However, thank the Lord that this is not supposed to be going near any land mass and should (we can all only hope) just turn northeast and go away and not harm or hurt anyone or anything - but enough is enough is ENOUGH!!

I am sure that for some of us who have been effected by this seasons events, ANY notices of storms just puts you on edge - again! I know it does me.

Mike
5 Days to The Oosterdam and Counting

[Krazy Kruizers]

If Otto doesn't turn, we will get hit with more rain - and we had more than enough with Frances and Ivan!

Just like Florida and many other states, we have businesses that will never re-open.

And with winter days approaching, and cooler tempertures, many people still do not have furnaces.

LET THIS HURRICANE SEASON BE DONE WITH!!!

No more rain - we can't even handle any snow right now.