Hurricane Irma

[QueenP]

Kathy I am pleased you are evacuating, it sounds like such a wild storm and people's safety is more important than anything else. We don't have hurricanes like that in NZ so cannot imagine what you are all going through. Stay safe! Thinking of all of you who are affected and praying for you too Kathy.

 

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[uktog]

The folks in St Maarten really need our prayers and love. Evacuation wasn't an option for them, their homes were always less substantial than ours and they don't have such a recovery infrastructure. Many depend on cruises that might not be able to stop by for some time so their livelihoods are shattered. Those of us not there have SO much to be thankful for whatever our circumstances today.

And I hope I can visit the beautiful islands in that area very soon- heck they need us more than ever!

 

 

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[Spursgirl]

The folks in St Maarten really need our prayers and love. Evacuation wasn't an option for them, their homes were always less substantial than ours and they don't have such a recovery infrastructure. Many depend on cruises that might not be able to stop by for some time so their livelihoods are shattered. Those of us not there have SO much to be thankful for whatever our circumstances today.

And I hope I can visit the beautiful islands in that area very soon- heck they need us more than ever!

 

 

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Completely agree Ann, I've enjoyed visiting St Maarten so much.

 

And thoughts for the people of Barbuda too who have very difficult times ahead.

 

With three hurricanes now in the area very thankful our often rainy island never has to deal with storms on this scale.

 

Hope your evacuation goes well Kathy and thinking of all in the affected areas

[TLCOhio]

The folks in St Maarten really need our prayers and love. Evacuation wasn't an option for them, their homes were always less substantial than ours and they don't have such a recovery infrastructure. Many depend on cruises that might not be able to stop by for some time so their livelihoods are shattered. Those of us not there have SO much to be thankful for whatever our circumstances today. And I hope I can visit the beautiful islands in that area very soon- heck they need us more than ever!

 

Agree with above. Very sad and tragic. From the London/UK Daily Mail this morning, they have many pictures and details from what has hit St-Barts, plus the Dutch colony of Saint Maarten in the Caribbean. Enjoyed visiting both of these scenic locations for the first time in early 2015. Plus, having three days in San Juan during that trip. Below are four of their visuals from St-Barts and Saint Maarten.

 

Their latest story has this headline: “Staring into oblivion: Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos brace for impact” with these highlights: “The category 5 storm - the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic - howled past Puerto Rico with 185mph winds after reducing the tiny tropical islands of Barbuda and St Martin to rubble. They suffered the storm's full fury with 95 per cent of properties destroyed on both islands. Officials said at least eight people died on the French part of St Martin - a pristine resort known for its vibrant nightlife.”

 

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4860396/Irma-hits-Puerto-Rico-damaging-Barbuda-St-Martin.html

 

Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

 

From the Daily Mail, here is one visual from St-Barts. We walked right by this one historic building. Remember this location and these sights very well in St-Barts!! Next are three of their visuals from Saint Maarten that give examples of the major damages there.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

 

 

[rabin1]

UPDATE

 

As you have seen this thing is a killer. I may not have a place to live come Sunday. I am too close to the beach. If you could see today here it is beautiful and sunny HOWEVER it is so bad they are having police escorts for the gas trucks to get to the stations. Still no water.

 

Please continue to pray for South Florida. While I pity those in the islands and praying for them our population is just so great and with so many elderly who have issues and no place to go but shelters and they are flying them to Georgia from the hospitals. The Humane Society sent our animals in the shelter to California.

 

This thing is really really bad for the islands and us. Please pray it turns north out to sea. We have one day left.

 

I am leaving my home tomorrow at about noon or shortly thereafter. I will try and do one more update before I shut everything down.

 

God Bless those in the islands

Kathy

[Lottie A]

I think you are doing the right thing by leaving Kathy. I have been watching our British news channels with horror and pity for those so affected in The Islands.

 

I hope your home is not too badly damaged but your safety is surely more important.

 

Good Luck. Be Safe.

[TLCOhio]

As you have seen this thing is a killer. I may not have a place to live come Sunday. I am too close to the beach. Please pray it turns north out to sea. We have one day left. I am leaving my home tomorrow at about noon or shortly thereafter. I will try and do one more update before I shut everything down. God Bless those in the islands Kathy

 

Appreciate Kathy's update and our best wishes for her and everyone affected. Yes, God Bless and safe travels. Within the past hour, the best estimate is that this terrible storm will turn more inland. See the newest map below.

 

THANKS! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

From the National Weather Service at 5 pm EDT, here is their latest projection as to where and how Hurricane Irma would hit Florida, etc.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

[rabin1]

UPDATE:

 

Nothing really new except a few stupid things. Some idiot had a knife and ran out onto the tarmac at MIA and they had to shoot him. Still no gas or very little and water cannot be found. Both airports and cruise ports shutting down tomorrow. Keys are like ghost towns especially Key West. Not even so much as a sprinkle yet. Beautiful sunsets. What do they say............the calm before the storm.

 

Still on track to be a cat 4 or 5 for us. Not looking good. Very concerned as I have a huge skylight and being so close to the beach. I ran into a lady today at a friends business. She works for FLDOT. Florida Dept of Transportation she is the one that locks our bridges down she told me. She said anyone that stays near the beach during this thing has a death wish. Major major road delays as people try to leave. They just said over 500,000 people out on the roads. Our governor suspended all tolls to help the traffic move better but it didn;t help much.

 

They said on tonight news we are going to have winds of over 165 mph for over 14 hours sustained. YUK

 

Off to bed then moving tomorrow things to the floor if that will be even help if the roof goes.

 

Will do one final update tomorrow before I evacuate and power things down. One question does anyone know if I should shut computer off or just let it go to sleep?

 

Night

Kathy

[transam84]

I'm so very concerned for FL and everyone in the path of this monster. I have so many friends and family in south FL being affected. I'm sitting here crying for you all. Be safe, my prayers are with you. We lived through Sandy at our shore house in southern NJ and it sounds like a walk in park compared to Irma. <img src="http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/clear.png?emoji-frown-1741" class="inlineimg" smilieid="11" border="0"><br>

[BBMacLaird]

 

Will do one final update tomorrow before I evacuate and power things down. One question does anyone know if I should shut computer off or just let it go to sleep?

 

Night

Kathy

 

I hope you're on the road and not reading this, Kathy, but in case you are, I'd suggest powering off your computer and unplugging it. Then make sure it's somewhere not likely to get water damage...maybe high up in a closet?

 

But, computers can be replaced, so get to a shelter!

[Cruise Junky]

Saw a tip on Facebook last night that people were emptying out their dishwasher racks and using the dishwasher to store valuables. If water doesn't get out when it's running, it's not likely to get in either.

[rabin1]

FINAL UPDATE

 

Hello

 

South Florida is pretty close to being prepared for MISS NASTY IRMA as best as we all can. Everything is pretty much locked down or closed.

 

I am leaving as soon as I hit submit reply.

 

For those of you who sent well wishes, prayers and thoughts I appreciate it so very much.. I knew about the dishwasher thing and thanks again for telling me. That is where I put some very valuable crystal....lol

 

Please please keep all of us in Irma's path in your thoughts and prayers.

 

I will see things on my cell for as long as I have power here or the cell towers go down.

 

So for now over but hopefully not out.........................lol

Kathy

[mare s.]

my prayers are with you and for everyone in Irma's path (and those who have already been affected) And also for the people of Mexico who are suffering the aftermath of a tremendous earthquake. Mother Nature is pretty angry right now.

[Nashna]

Take care. Be safe and know the whole country is pulling for Floridians, stranded cruise passengers, first responders and all those effected by this storm.

 

 

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[laurieb]

Prayers for safety for all affected areas.

Saw a tip for water today; store it in zip lock gallon bags and freeze it if you can

 

 

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[excitedofharpenden]

My thoughts are also with some of the crew, thousands of miles from loved ones, many of their families living in houses far less able to withstand these storms. For them this is a truly awful time.

Just had a message from ballroom dancer Sasha who is in Miami with dance partner Dima and the rest of the upcoming cast for Journey to do rehearsals. They've all been put onto Enchantment OTS and sailing out to sea and away to ride the storm out. She says it's a bit rocky at the moment, but not too bad.

 

 

Phil

[marinaro44]

Just had a message from ballroom dancer Sasha who is in Miami with dance partner Dima and the rest of the upcoming cast for Journey to do rehearsals. They've all been put onto Enchantment OTS and sailing out to sea and away to ride the storm out. She says it's a bit rocky at the moment, but not too bad.

I understand some of the RCI brands' HQ staff are on board, as well.

[LuAnn]

Just had a message from ballroom dancer Sasha who is in Miami with dance partner Dima and the rest of the upcoming cast for Journey to do rehearsals. They've all been put onto Enchantment OTS and sailing out to sea and away to ride the storm out. She says it's a bit rocky at the moment, but not too bad.

 

 

Phil

 

Thanks for that update on them Phil. Glad they are safe! LuAnn

[Xport]

Just had a message from ballroom dancer Sasha who is in Miami with dance partner Dima and the rest of the upcoming cast for Journey to do rehearsals. They've all been put onto Enchantment OTS and sailing out to sea and away to ride the storm out. She says it's a bit rocky at the moment, but not too bad.

 

 

Phil

 

I understand some of the RCI brands' HQ staff are on board, as well.

 

True; to my mind a very creative, kind, and humane gesture on the part of RCI for the benefit of their Miami area employees... Another member first posted related information on the Celebrity forum two days ago...

 

Lots of related national TV and press coverage; following is a link to one article I found on Thursday evening...

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/royal-caribbean-opens-cruise-ship-191300488.html

[BBMacLaird]

Monday morning post-hurricane update:

I've heard unofficially that our staff is okay.

Today we begin assessing damage.

 

I hope you, your friends and family are all safe as well?

[uktog]

Monday morning post-hurricane update:

I've heard unofficially that our staff is okay.

Today we begin assessing damage.

 

I hope you, your friends and family are all safe as well?

 

That is good news. We saw the videos of round the Intercontinental Hotel and wondered what on earth your offices might be like. Hope the next few days are not as traumatic as might have been feared.

[BBMacLaird]

Our offices are open again. Everyone is safe and from what I'm hearing they are happy to be in air conditioning again. [it is a rough time of year to have no electricity at home!]

 

But I digress! I'm posting this to ask those who posted questions, and I asked to hold-off until this week when our offices reopened, to resend me the questions and I'll see about getting you answers.

[brunello22]

Saw a tip on Facebook last night that people were emptying out their dishwasher racks and using the dishwasher to store valuables. If water doesn't get out when it's running, it's not likely to get in either.

 

Here is another good tip ...

 

Top load washing machines also make excellent coolers for ice, food, and beverages! We have gotten creative after enduring a number of tropical storms and hurricanes throughout the years.

[tazza_0712]

Our offices are open again. Everyone is safe and from what I'm hearing they are happy to be in air conditioning again. [it is a rough time of year to have no electricity at home!]

 

 

 

But I digress! I'm posting this to ask those who posted questions, and I asked to hold-off until this week when our offices reopened, to resend me the questions and I'll see about getting you answers.

 

 

 

Glad to hear all staff are safe and sound and back in the air conditioning!

 

A few of us are waiting to hear back about the new suite benefits and how they impact the Spa Suite benefits.

 

Will the $300 per person suite-OBC replace both the Nights in Private Places and $200 spa credit?

 

 

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[mare s.]

Our offices are open again. Everyone is safe and from what I'm hearing they are happy to be in air conditioning again. [it is a rough time of year to have no electricity at home!]

 

But I digress! I'm posting this to ask those who posted questions, and I asked to hold-off until this week when our offices reopened, to resend me the questions and I'll see about getting you answers.

Glad all in Miami are ok. Must have been an awful experience.

Wasn't sure if you wanted us to post new threads, but I'll ask here first. My question was whether those of us on cruises in the new year (January and February 2018) are going to be allowed the workaround in booking our shore excursions with our OBC or if the permanent fix is coming soon. A couple of the excursions I was interested in are already full.

Thanks!

 

mare