Port Everglades closes!

[Lithium]

http://lsta.broward.org/portemrg/viewscreen.asp?MessageID=65

Well, not officially closed yet, but anticipated to close to all inbound traffic tomorrow.

Looks like HAL is going to have to make a decision now.

[ekerr19]

Oh, no. Hopefully, they hurry -

[sail7seas]

Thanks for posting this.

This is the first time I remember reading that Port Everglades closed. I am sure it has happened in the past.....but this is the first time I have actually read it.

Prayers for everyone's safety.

[peaches from georgia]

Reading this article the Zuiderdam would have to be docked, unloaded, and out of Port Everglades by 2AM this coming morning or else stay at sea and dock elsewhere on Saturday morning or delay their arrival at FLL.

[jhannah]

This is really going to put a crimp in operations. If the storm tracks as predicted, it will bring in and stir up enough debris to possibly require the ports to remain closed for several days while they are cleaned up and made safe for the ships. Looks like a fair number of cruise ships due tomorrow and over the next few days.
http://www.broward.org/hmreport.htm

[LAFFNVEGAS]

With Port Everglades actually closing this looks to be extremely scary. Please everyone who is in Florida please play it safe. If you can go to a shelter please do. We want to continue to keep chatting with you.

Take Care,

[Lithium]

Latest models show hurricane heading more north now......hitting land around port canaveral. The comments the NHC made said that the most reliable computer models have it going even more north than this, and if this is still the case on the next computer run they will shift the storm more east and more north. I am sure this is both good news and bad news, guess it depends what side of the line you are on.

[Lithium]

updated:


http://lsta.broward.org/portemrg/viewscreen.asp?MessageID=66

I am not sure who is writing these, but they sure don't speak English very well, and they sure haven't looked at a calendar lately. Sept. 2 is NOT Tuesday.

[Limey Cruiser]

I Just spoke to someone at HAL who at first said they could not make a decision yet regarding the Zuiderdam cruise , so i pointed out that evacuations North and South of Ft Lauderdale were going on and that i was flying out there tomorrow so needed to know ASAP what their plans were,after being put on hold for a few mins she told me a decision would be made by 9am tomorrow(Thursday), next i called the hotel in Ft Lauderdale where i am(was) planning to stay and they did not know if they would be told to evacuate either, so it seems things will become clearer by tomorrow morning or afternoon.(HAL also said they would be posting info on their website)
So good luck to all potential Zuiderdam cruisers and especially residents of FL ( i feel bummed about my cruise but i can always reschedule).

:confused:

[hdawson]

Even if Frances goes a bit further north, the circle of hurricane force winds (75-140 MPH) is 160 miles accross. Tropical storm winds (35-74 MPH) is 370 miles accross. My good thoughts for everyone in Frances' path. She's a monster.

[gizmo]

Hal is posting on their web site:

A hurricane force storm, Hurricane Frances, is developing in the Caribbean and Bahamas region. The ms Zuiderdam is currently enjoying a sunny day in St. Thomas. This vessel, which was scheduled to call in Nassau on Friday, September 3rd, will instead spend the day at sea, far from the impacts of the storm. At this point, we expect to operate next week's sailing as scheduled.

We will continue to closely monitor the storm and will make additional itinerary changes if needed. Guests booked on the Saturday, September 4th sailing of the ms Zuiderdam can call 888-624-5788 for recorded updates. This page will be updated as information becomes available.

All other Holland America Line ships are operating as scheduled. At Holland America Line, the safety and comfort of our guests are our top priorities.

[anngie]

I just read on Cruise News Daily that all Eastern Florida ports have been closed by the US Coast Guard today.

[Krazy Kruizers]

This really getting scary for Floridians and all cruise passengers - those on the ship and those who will be trying to get there.

Heard on the news this morning that at 11 AM decisions will be made as to how many more evacuations will be required - some places already the people have been told to get out.

[iowacruiser]

The good news for HAL, Zuiderdam is the only ship in the fleet in the Caribbean right now.
RCL, and Carnival have the biggest problem.
According to the latest lattitude/longitude projections, Half Moon Cay looks to be right at the crosshairs.
Good luck to all in Florida.
FRANCES AIN'T NO LADY

[cruisinpaige]

This is really going to put a crimp in operations. If the storm tracks as predicted, it will bring in and stir up enough debris to possibly require the ports to remain closed for several days while they are cleaned up and made safe for the ships. Looks like a fair number of cruise ships due tomorrow and over the next few days.
http://www.broward.org/hmreport.htm
From the looks of this link, it looks like the ZUD is now expected into Port on Sunday at 5:30 AM and leaving at 5:00 pm (17:00 hrs?). Is this correct?

If so, I can live withthat as long as my house is still here and my car has not floated away...we are in Deerfield Bch 5 miles in, have shutters up and are just waiting now...its so dark in the house:(

[Cruising Illini]

The web addition of Miami Herald for Sept. 2 announces:
Port Everglades closes to all traffic at 8 a.m. Sept. 2 and
Port of Miami will close Friday -- Sept. 3

[sail7seas]

Cruisinpaige.....Isn't Deerfield Beach about 30 minutes from FLL? Take very good care and stay safe. We'll be thinking of you.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Deerfield Beach is very close to Ft Lauderdale - we had to stay there last year at the end of October. Going there from the airport it was a 30 minute ride. Going from Deerfield to the pier - 15minutes - taxi driver thought I 95 ment he was to drive 95.

[Jacqueline]

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September 2, 2004

Hurricane UPDATE -- Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
Following is a roundup of cruise line alterations, with respect to Hurricane Frances. We will update them as announcements are made and as long as Hurricane Frances is impacting cruise travel.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

At this point, cruise lines have announced cancellations of short, three- and four-night weekend cruises (departing on Thursday or Friday).

Regardless, travelers booked on a cruise that embarks this weekend from a S. Florida port should be flexible. The cruise you thought you bought may not resemble the one you eventually (hopefully) will take. And remember: Cruise lines are not required to compensate passengers for changes caused by forces of nature. Any such gesture -- Carnival, for instance, is offering onboard credit on some altered voyages, discounts on future trips and even airfare change refunds -- should be considered exceptionally generous.

Cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, which have outright cancelled voyages beginning today or tomorrow, will most likely send their ships out of harm’s way to the Florida Straits (the waters south of Key West and north of Cuba -- where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico).

Because September is one of the slowest months in the Caribbean season, ships affected are limited -- luxury cruise lines, for instance, simply aren’t even sailing Caribbean itineraries at this time.

South Florida-based lines, whose headquarters are located within Frances' projected (as of Thursday) strike zone, are closing and sending employees home as of this afternoon. These include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line and Silversea, among others. Most of the lines either have established satellite reservation operations -- or are setting them up temporarily.

Stay tuned -- and check back often.

Carolyn Spencer Brown
Editor
Cruisecritic.com



Holland America Line

(Thursday, September 2, 7:10 p.m.) -- Holland America’s Zuiderdam will – as expected – experience itinerary changes. The ship, which sails a seven night Port Everglades-based Caribbean and Bahamas cruise, will not turnaround on Saturday, September 4 as scheduled. In an oddly vague statement, Holland America says Zuiderdam will "arrive at Port Everglades as soon as practical following the opening of the port" -- which could be late Saturday or sometime Sunday. More definitively, the company reports that the ship will set off on its next cruise on Sunday, September 5 and sail a modified six night itinerary. Zuiderdam will not go to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas – HAL's private island – or Key West but will head instead to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Guests booked on the Saturday, September 4th sailing of the ms Zuiderdam have the two options. Those who decide not to sail will receive a full refund. Those who sail on the revised voyage will receive a Holland America Line future travel discount in the amount of 25 percent of the cruise fare paid, plus a ship board credit ranging from $150 - $500 per person (based on cabin category purchased).>

[Cruiseoften]

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Floridians and cruisers affected by Mother Nature's fury...............

[Host Walt]

For current news, click here: Hurricane Frances News (http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1164)