2024 cruise season tropical weather discussion

[smokeybandit]

Several Caribbean cruises this coming week may see itinerary changes with Beryl barreling into view. The RCBlog group cruise was the first to get changes, switching from eastern to western in an attempt to get in and out before Beryl hits the west ports.

 

[smokeybandit]

Wonder had its itinerary changed to get out of the western Caribbean sooner rather than later.

[OCSC Mike]

17 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Wonder had its itinerary changed to get out of the western Caribbean sooner rather than later.

Oops, didn't see this thread. Posted about it earlier in the News forum. I was expecting that one.

[smokeybandit]

Looks odd with no ships in the southern Caribbean

 

[Geezer Of The Seas]

The wind began to switch, the ship to twitch.........

Why our personal preference is not to sail in the meat/potatoes (June thru October) portion of the 'season'. Less chance of disappointment and a little cooler weather.

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

Why our personal preference is not to sail in the meat/potatoes (June thru October) portion of the 'season'. Less chance of disappointment and a little cooler weather.

Of course, many of us sail in the summer due to school/work schedules, not personal preference.

Will I be disappointed if our itinerary changes in 2 weeks? A little. We have one excursion planned for Cozumel that I'm looking forward to. But we primarily sail for the ship so we can easily have a great time just stopping at CocoCay and spending 6 days on the ship.

[TXcruzer]

Harmony reversed its schedule this week and is skipping Roatan all together adding a sea day. 

[Debstr66]

15 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

We have one excursion planned for Cozumel that I'm looking forward to.

@OCSC Mike I sure hope you don't lose out on Paradise Beach after all that recon and planning! 

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, Debstr66 said:

@OCSC Mike I sure hope you don't lose out on Paradise Beach after all that recon and planning! 

Yeah, me either (obviously) but I know it's a possibility and it is what it is. The private tour of Roatan we took last cruise (and enjoyed very much) was the priority since we had never gotten off there and my wife really wanted to go so at least I intentionally did that one first to maximize our chances of not missing it.

Don't get me wrong, I obviously very much want to try Paradise Beach... but if it turns into lounging on the ship with ELF and voucher drinks (for free), we'll live.

[TXcruiser33]

We leave in 13 days for San Juan, Rhapsody and 7 days in the southern caribbean, so we're watching weather closely now! Hoping that Beryl skips over all our beautiful island destinations but I know it can happen?!

We've been so lucky over the years, never really sailed in bad weather or had our cruise disrupted by bad weather. So, finger's crossed that continues. 

Beryl shouldn't affect our cruise but what's coming behind it!!! Typically we don't sail in the heat of the summer/hurricane season but we got a great offer on this cruise so we're hoping for the best!

[smokeybandit]

Grandeur is due into Cozumel Thursday. I would think this is a good chance of a change.

Mariner on July 6 could be limited, too, if Cozumel has any cleanup to do.

[OCSC Mike]

26 minutes ago, TXcruiser33 said:

what's coming behind it!!!

That's what I'm watching.

[Geezer Of The Seas]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Of course, many of us sail in the summer due to school/work schedules, not personal preference.

 

What puts the 'geez' in geezer. Our needs are simple. Quality of experience  over quantity, size matters (but we did sail Wonder & lived), and it's my fervent hope all who are not in my circumstance get there. What with things the way they are now.......

 

PS: In my chosen occupation hurricanes became a real PITA toward the end of my career. I loved overtime, but Gawd.......

[Geezer Of The Seas]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

 

Mariner on July 6 could be limited, too, if Cozumel has any cleanup to do.

God expressing his displeasure at Royal for moving Mariner from PC........

[smokeybandit]

 

[smokeybandit]

Looks like Jamaica will escape the full brunt of the storm.

[smokeybandit]

Everyone getting out of the western Caribbean before Beryl hits Mexico

 

[smokeybandit]

Cozumel took a direct hit. I'll be curious to see how that impacts port stops the next couple days.

[twangster]

28 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Cozumel took a direct hit. I'll be curious to see how that impacts port stops the next couple days.

I suspect the cruise port area will have some minor wind damage but will mostly pull through unscathed.  On the Western side and being on the edge of projected hurricane force winds the port area and town should be relatively okay for a fast moving storm.  Some trees down and some clean up to do.

The Eastern side of Cozumel island isn't heavily populated.  A few restaurants and beach bars on the South East side will take the brunt of the storm.

[smokeybandit]

 

[DJ CeceLyn]

We just finished our western Caribbean cruise last week, thankfully, but I can’t help wondering about the dolphins. I’ve been to both dolphin encounter places in Cozumel, and I wonder what they do with the animals during hurricanes? Both places are just sectioned right off the ocean.

[smokeybandit]

 

[steverk]

Now that Beryl is back over water, the next question is how will it impact Galveston?  

According to the evening news, Beryl is expected to restrengthen to a cat 1 hurricane, come ashore south of Matagorda bay and continue to turn right.  Houston and Galveston expect heavy surf, heavy rain and possible storm surge of less than 2 feet.  Of course this is subject to change!

Based on this forecast, my amateur guess work says the following:

1. Harmony of the Seas is almost certainly going to make port on Sunday and exchange passengers as per schedule.
2. Mariner of the Seas is likely to make port on Monday and exchange passengers as per schedule, but it could be wet, rainy and miserable.
3. Seas could be rough for both ships, so be prepared with seasick medication as needed.
4. While I don't know how vulnerable the cruise parking lots are in Galveston, I wouldn't risk my car there this week.  Harborside drive is one of the most flood prone streets I can think of.  Instead, I'd find a parking garage that allows long term parking and take an Uber to the cruise.  If you can't find anything else, this one at Hobby Airport should work. Parking Options HOU - Fine Airport Parking Beware though. Hobby Airport also floods, so get a spot on one of the higher floors.
5. If you are arriving on one of these ships, plan on leaving the area as soon as you can.  There's no point in sightseeing in this kind of weather.

As the saying goes, "Don't be scared. Be prepared!"

[twangster]

13 minutes ago, steverk said:

Now that Beryl is back over water, the next question is how will it impact Galveston?  

According to the evening news, Beryl is expected to restrengthen to a cat 1 hurricane, come ashore south of Matagorda bay and continue to turn right.  Houston and Galveston expect heavy surf, heavy rain and possible storm surge of less than 2 feet.  Of course this is subject to change!

Based on this forecast, my amateur guess work says the following:

1. Harmony of the Seas is almost certainly going to make port on Sunday and exchange passengers as per schedule.
2. Mariner of the Seas is likely to make port on Monday and exchange passengers as per schedule, but it could be wet, rainy and miserable.
3. Seas could be rough for both ships, so be prepared with seasick medication as needed.
4. While I don't know how vulnerable the cruise parking lots are in Galveston, I wouldn't risk my car there this week.  Harborside drive is one of the most flood prone streets I can think of.  Instead, I'd find a parking garage that allows long term parking and take an Uber to the cruise.  If you can't find anything else, this one at Hobby Airport should work. Parking Options HOU - Fine Airport Parking Beware though. Hobby Airport also floods, so get a spot on one of the higher floors.
5. If you are arriving on one of these ships, plan on leaving the area as soon as you can.  There's no point in sightseeing in this kind of weather.

As the saying goes, "Don't be scared. Be prepared!"

Parts of Houston will experience flooding.  That much is assumed.  

[melmar02]

@OCSC Mike I got a marketing email from Paradise Beach that said they are fine - a little minor damage and they are reopening today. Hopefully your itinerary stays unchanged. Enjoy your trip!

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, melmar02 said:

@OCSC Mike I got a marketing email from Paradise Beach that said they are fine - a little minor damage and they are reopening today. Hopefully your itinerary stays unchanged. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks & thanks!

Knock on wood, I don’t see any reason it would change at this point. I’m back to the standard “Hope it doesn’t rain” mode.

[steverk]

As of 4:50am Sunday, Galveston is under hurricane warning and the west part of the island is under a voluntary evacuation order. The port is on the east end,  so the evacuation order does not include the port.

Carnival  dream is entering the port and Harmony is lined up. I expect both will make port as scheduled. 

The current track has Beryl coming in south of Galveston at about 1am Monday, then turning right. That puts Galveston on the dirty side of the storm. How bad depends on a lot of factors, but Monday is probably going to be ugly. 

According to cruisemapper.com,  Mariner is still heading to Galveston.  Will she make port tomorrow as planned? Idk. Will passengers arriving tomorrow have canceled flights? 

[smokeybandit]

Mariner will have some decisions to make. I could see a delayed arrival by a few hours. I would imagine flights will be canceled either way. Worst case is Mariner stays at sea until Tuesday, thus turning the next cruise into a 4 nighter and likely nixing Costa Maya.

 

This is where I miss James Van Fleet and his public cruise updates. Craig Setzer unfortunately doesn't do that.

[smokeybandit]

Well, Setzer did kind of do that.

 

 

[smokeybandit]

Harmony got out a little early. Battling some nasty headwinds right now but otherwise will be a normal ride by morning.

[smokeybandit]

Weather Update - Hurricane Beryl

Last Updated July 7, 2024 - 2:00PM EDT

 

Due to Tropical Storm Beryl, Mariner of the Seas' return to Galveston has been delayed. As a result, we’ve had to shift the boarding day for our July 8, 2024 sailing to Tuesday, July 9. Find more information in the itinerary updates section.

Mariner of the Seas: July 8, 2024 sailing from Galveston

Last Updated July 7, 2024 - 2:00PM EDT

 

Due to Tropical Storm Beryl, our previous sailing’s return to Galveston has been delayed. As a result, we’ve had to shift our boarding day to Tuesday, July 9.

Unfortunately, this means that our itinerary has been revised and we will no longer be able to visit Costa Maya. We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change. We’re continuing to monitor the weather and look forward to welcoming you onboard. Our updated itinerary is as follows:

 

[BB1]

This may be difficult to answer but Mariner is supposed to dock on Tues July 9th at 7am. Will it be difficult to get off Galveston island due to flooding? The major rain is to stop almost 18 hrs earlier. How are the roadways? Thanks.

[smokeybandit]

Several inches of rain in Galveston and still more on the way, but it should move out by mid-day. The Harbor House webcam is still online so that's a good sign.

[steverk]

According to the local news, all weather stations on the island have stopped reporting, so nobody seems to know how much wind and rain they are experiencing.  They assume power is out.

They keep showing what they claim is the only operating camera on the island.  I think it's located on the far southwest end of the seawall.  You can't see much Except big waves hitting the wall. It would be news to the local TV stations that the harbor house camera is working.  Perhaps they have a generator. 

Radar indicates that the storm is now northeast of Galveston,  so things should start calming down soon.

I live 30 miles north of Galveston.  Where I am the winds are still str, but noticeably weaker. Rain has reduced.  In fact it has stopped for the moment. 

[smokeybandit]

The Harbor House webcam was still online until a little bit ago. 

Radar estimates show 4-5" of rain, however it has stopped and they may be done with the heavy stuff since they're outside of any remaining rain bands.

[steverk]

12 hours ago, BB1 said:

This may be difficult to answer but Mariner is supposed to dock on Tues July 9th at 7am. Will it be difficult to get off Galveston island due to flooding? The major rain is to stop almost 18 hrs earlier. How are the roadways? Thanks.

I think Mariner will arrive and depart as scheduled.  If you're driving there, I would avoid Harborside drive. Instead,  take Broadway  (aka I45 after it ends) to 14th street and turn left.

[BB1]

Thanks. If you hear anything else please update.

[BB1]

As far as I can tell, the roads from the ship in Galveston to Hobby airport are open. Could someone please confirm that.

Thank you

[smokeybandit]

[BB1]

I'm sorry but I can't tell if the freeway is closed or the feeders. The last map I saw showed the freeway open. If not, any idea when it will be?