Feature Article
Summer Storms
For most people, summer is the ideal season for going on a holiday. School is out and adults typically take time off during the hot months, and the whole family starts making vacation plans. Cruises are among the most attractive choices, due to the unique chances they offer in terms of travelling and entertainment. There's just one problem: hurricanes. Officially, the hurricane season lasts throughout the summer in the Caribbean, from June 1 to November 30.
Before you dismiss these warnings with a shrug and an optimistic gaze, you should take into account some sobering facts. Contrary to popular belief, cruise liners are not unsinkable. Just because everyone on board is determined to have a good time, it doesn't mean harm cannot come their way. The tragedy of the Phantom in 1998 opened many people's eyes to the risks of sailing stormy waters and served as a gloomy reminder of how helpless we can be in front of nature's fury. The above mentioned ship of the Windjammer cruise line was lost with all of the crew as they sailed right into the hurricane they were trying to avoid. The passengers had already been dropped off on the shore, but the captain and crew members never returned from sea. The next year, a Carnival Cruise ship had some problems during a hurricane, but the crew and the passengers were lucky to make out of the turbulent waters.
With stories such as these, it is obvious why many people will take a cautious attitude when it comes to cruising. Still, you should not take caution to extreme. The cruising industry does not want to expose its passengers to hazard: technology and skills are employed to make your Caribbean cruise a perfect vacation and an experience you'll want to repeat. Add to this assurance the attractive discounts given to cruisers from August to December, and you might feel a wave of courage coming over you.
However, you should not imagine that hurricanes cannot affect ships anymore. It's not that the ship can sail into the storm and out of it without problems, but forecast and forethought will be used to ensure that hurricanes are avoided. Hurricanes are now rather an inconvenience than a danger, because they often cause ships to change their course - and thus your holiday plans - or even to cancel departure if the risk of tempestuous weather is too high.
A reservation is therefore not a promise. No shipping company is willing to risk the safety of its crew and passengers and the ship's repair, so the first threat of a storm can cause the cruise to be cancelled without hesitation.
There are two sensible things you can do in order to minimize risks. The first one is to think twice before paying any large deposits for anything connected with your summer cruise. The second one is to have a backup plan - some other way to spend your vacation in case the cruise gets cancelled.
Panama Cruise News
panama cruise
Santa Clarita, Calif. (Vocus) September 2, 2010 -- Since its debut nearly a century ago, the Panama Canal has been considered one of the world’s most important engineering marvels. This 51-mile passageway between ...
Read morePrincess Cruises Reveals 2011-12 Panama Canal Season - StreetInsider.com
the law of the country where the cruise ship is registered — typically the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama — and the law selected by the cruise line are going to control, and all of these favor the cruise line.”
Read more7 clauses to beware of in your cruise contract - msnbc.com
Azamara Club Cruises sails in Northern and Western Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, South America and the Panama Canal, Transatlantic, and the less-traveled islands of the Caribbean, with more overnight and late-night ...
Read moreAzamara Club Cruises to Deliver the Splendor of the British Isles and Norwegian Coast in 2011 - StreetInsider.com
The cruise industry can traditionally be measured cyclically from 18 to 24 months as the timeframe for passengers to schedule those majestic, multi-level vessels for luxury travel to Hawaii, Panama Canal,
Read moreWill economy’s choppy seas calm for cruise-ship industry? - La Jolla Village News
and Panama Canal. Visit their website at www.hollandamerica.com Joseph Brecker, an independent, accredited, cruise and travel specialist, offers quality, detailed oriented, personalized planning. Working together ...
Read moreJoseph Brecker Cruises and Holland America Line Team Together to Support Special Olympics - Earthtimes
You can book a seven-day Caribbean cruise for $399 or a Mexican Riviera cruise for $499. This sale also applies to Bermuda, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and holiday cruises. We always give our details through links to ...
Read moreYour Rights as a Cruise Passenger - FOXBusiness
14-day cruises between Tampa and Long Beach through the Panama Canal. The Inspiration and Paradise each have a passenger capacity of 2,052 and reservations for the Panama Canal trip are being taken now. Cost is $949 ...
Read moreCarnival's Paradise ship sails out of Tampa in 2011 - msnbc.com
The entire 69-acre site already houses ship repair facilities with a floating dry dock large enough to handle giant cruise ships and other vessels too large for the Panama Canal. But Pier 70's master plan calls for ...
Read moreS.F. envisions high-tech future at Pier 70 - San Francisco Gate
Allen has presided over Port Everglades’ growth as a cargo and cruise port. The talk in South Florida ... trade and the accommodation of larger ships and the expansion of the Panama Canal." The Jacksonville Port ...
Read moreFlorida Ports Council picks new chairman - Jacksonville Business Journal
Allen has presided over Port Everglades’ growth as a cargo and cruise port. He is concerned about ... trade and the accommodation of larger ships and the expansion of the Panama Canal. The Tallahassee-based council ...
Read morePanama Cruise Links
Panama Canal Cruises | Cruise to Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala ...Choose Your Perfect Cruise Finding the perfect Panama cruise is easy at Orbitz. Whether you are planning an extravagant cruise or just a last minute getaway, a short sailing or an ... |
Panama CruisesA Panama cruise is fun, exciting and an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy sailing the high seas to this topical land and be amazed by the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal ... |
Panama CruisePanama Canal cruise guide: Find your panama cruise or your Panama canal cruise. |
Panama Canal cruise and Panama cruise GuideFind great discounts on Panama Canal cruises. Book cheap Panama Canal cruise vacations, last minute deals and cruise tours on popular luxury cruise lines and cruise ships. |
Panama Canal Cruises - Book Cheap, Discount & Last Minute Cruises ...Carnival Cruise Lines is featuring fantastic deals on 14 day Panama Canal cruises. Book your 2009 Panama Canal cruise online at carnival.com today! |
Panama Canal Cruise, Panama Cruises - Carnival Cruise LinesCruise Critic has over 400 Panama Canal cruise reviews, candid photos of Panama Canal cruises, discussion boards and lots of Panama Canal cruise deals about $77 per night per ... |
Panama Canal Cruises - Cruise CriticPanama Canal Cruises on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Azamara & Norwegian Cruise lines. Panama Canal cruises depart from Florida, California and Mexico. Direct Line Cruises ... |
Panama Canal Cruises - Discount Panama Canal Cruise Vacations on ...Panama Canal Cruises at Vacations To Go. Your source for panama canal cruise, cruise panama canal, cruises to panama canal and cruises panama canal. |
Panama Canal Cruises, Panama Canal Cruise, Cruise Panama Canal ...Panama Canal Cruises at discounts up to 75%. Search all Panama Canal cruise specials and get the best deal on your Panama Canal cruise vacation. |