Monthly Archives: August 2023

Activity in the tropics is heating back up with a new system forecast to emerge and move into the Gulf of Mexico, potentially toward the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida.

National Hurricane Center experts are also forecasting that Franklin will approach major hurricane strength before weeks end, as well as the regeneration of Tropical Storm Emily and a fourth disturbance being monitored in the central Atlantic.

As of 8 a.m. the area of low pressure expected to emerge in the eastern Gulf of Mexico was located over the northwestern Caribbean. It could form into a tropical depression in the Caribbean before heading north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, forecasters said. Its odds of developing were up to 50% in the next seven days as of early Thursday.

Tropical Storm Franklin cut north through the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, delivering a deluge through the country and causing flooding in several areas. The storm emerged off the north coast of the island of Hispaniola on Wednesday evening, though heavy rains continued over the island early Thursday.

Franklin could become a hurricane by Saturday, approaching major hurricane strength, forecasters said Thursday. If it forms, it would be the second hurricane of the Atlantic season. Hurricane Don formed in late July, but was no threat to land.

As of 11 a.m., Franklin was moving northeast at 7 mph about 90 miles east-northeast of Grand Turk Island. Its tropical-storm-force winds extended as far as 115 miles from the center of the storm Thursday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 mph with higher gusts.

While slow intensification is forecast over the next day and a half, more favorable upper-level conditions will allow Franklin to intensify in the following days. Franklin is expected to reach near major hurricane strength within the next four days, forecasters said in the latest advisory.

More than 350 people were in shelters in the Dominican Republic, where the Associated Press reported at least one dead and two missing in Franklins wake. Another 280 people were evacuated from their homes to safer ground, with at least six communities cut off by heavy rains, AP reported.

Officials were also concerned about Franklins impact in Haiti, which is prone to catastrophic flooding given the countrys severe erosion.

Haiti is among the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to the effects of extreme weather, said Jean-Martin Bauer, the World Food Programs director for Haiti. In June, a powerful thunderstorm that unleashed heavy rains left more than 40 people dead across the country.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Emily, which formed early Sunday and was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone Monday, were more than 1,000 miles east-southeast of Bermuda as of 8 a.m. Thursday. The latest forecast said it was likely to regenerate into a tropical storm by Friday.

The storm is expected to move northward over the subtropical central Atlantic.

The disturbance several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands off Africas west coast was moving west-northwest to northwest across the central tropical Atlantic Wednesday evening, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

The hurricane center said the disturbances circulation had become better defined since Tuesday, and it could slowly develop into a tropical depression by the weekend. It is expected to move into the central tropical Atlantic.

As of 8 a.m. Thursday, it had a 20% chance of developing within 48 hours and 40% within seven days, up from Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center has been predicting an above-normal 2023 hurricane season as a result of ongoing record-breaking sea surface temperatures that continue to fight off the tempering effects of El Nio.

While sea surface temperatures have remained hot for longer than anticipated, El Nios effects, which typically reduce hurricane chances, have emerged more slowly.

The next named storm to form would be Idalia.

The NHC, which operates under the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, has forecast 14-21 named storms, including 6-11 hurricanes, and two to five major hurricanes.

Information from The Associated Press was used to supplement this report.

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Tropical storms expected to land in Caribbean, Texas as forecasters watch 3 other systems - South Florida Sun Sentinel

When Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship starts sailing, it will have its most ambitious and expensive extra-cost restaurant ever.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is being designed from the water line up as a brand new evolution in cruising, and there are plenty of firsts, including20 unique dining options.

One of the new restaurants on Icon of the Seas will be a high-end specialty restaurant that offers a "taste of old New York" and it wont be cheap.

The cruise line calls it the Empire Supper Club, and this throwback restaurant is unlike any other dining venue on its ships so far. Top quality food along with entertainment in a paced meal is what Royal Caribbean hopes will be a very cool idea that provides another option for those seeking a refined meal.

Icon'smost elegant dining establishment is something brand new and has a lot of people curious what we can expect.

The Empire Supper Club looks to be the most elegant restaurant created by Royal Caribbean to date.

Guests will enjoy an eight-course meal, all paired with with cocktails that have been specially created for Royal Caribbean by a world renowned mixologist.Tony Abou-Ganim has worked with James Beard Award-winning chefs, Bellagio and more.

When you eat at the Empire Supper Club, expect an experience, not just dinner.

The venue can only seat 38 people and there will be only one seating per night, which means this will be a hot ticket to get into given its low capacity.

Each meal will take approximately three hours, and there will be a three-piece band playing, which means guests get not just a top quality meal, but entertainment too.

Royal Caribbean hopes it will be a throwback to old New York. Appropriately enough, you'll find the New York-themed restaurant in the part of the ship that is also inspired by the same city, Central Park.

While no prices have been listed yet, Royal Caribbean did give a ballpark estimate for how much a meal will cost.

In talking with travel agents recently,Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, said she expects the price to be right around $200 per person.

"It'll probably be about $200 a person," she explained in talking about the restaurant. "We haven't landed exactly on the price, but it's going to be worth it because it's going to be a beautiful eight course meal paired with the mixologist, the cocktails and the wines."

Royal Caribbean has plenty of specialty restaurants that have cover charges, but none that have a per-person price tag approaching the Empire Supper Club.

In comparison, here are pricesfor other specialty restaurants from the upcoming inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas (with a 10% discount off onboard prices):

While the price is higher than other restaurants, it's also different from any other specialty restaurant the cruise line has come up with.

While the Chef's Table experience on other ships is also a curated meal experience, The Empire Supper Club is taking things to a new level with the menu and drink pairings.

Royal Caribbean said caviar and wagyu beef would be among the items that we can expect to see on the menu (the full menu has not been released yet).

The high price tag isn't without merit, as Royal Caribbean wanted to come up with something that is substantially different from anything else.

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, spoke about the Empire Supper Club a few months ago and he is excited to bring something so different to guests to try,"Empire Supper Club is what I would sayis the most elevated dining experience we've created at Royal Caribbean."

"Food will be paired with cocktails, and then we'll pair it with music as well. So it'll be a full immersive dining experience."

From the sounds of it, this will be an intimate setting.

Just as food and drinks get commonly paired together, Royal Caribbean thinks pairing music to the meal will add to the sensory experience.

As mentioned earlier, the menu isn't set yet, but Mr. D'Souza's team is working on a variety of concepts for the menu, including an elevated oyster course, butterflied Caesar salad, and even testing out a rabbit dish. Don't worry, even if the rabbit course makes it to the menu, Mr. D'Souza said there will be other meat options too to pick from.

"It's really a set menu that allows you with a couple of choices around entrees."

Almost all the ingredients will be American sourced ingredients to match the New York menu they are aiming for.

He used the word "elevated" a lot to describe the meal at Empire Supper Club because of how fundamentally different it will be from other restaurants, "it really is an elevated food experience that's tied together with a really elevated beverage experience."

"It's really challenging us to come up with food and now figure out how to pair it, because you can pair wine easily. But, we're saying how do we pair a cocktail in a really meaningful way so that it's really an experiential combination between the food and the cocktail, and now you're layering music."

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Royal Caribbean's most expensive specialty restaurant ever will take 3 hours and cost $200 per person - Royal Caribbean Blog

The importance of being able to watch sports among cruise ship passengers has been highlighted by a new study conducted by Royal Caribbean International.

The study unveils fascinating insights into the habits and preferences of cruise guests across Europe, especially among Spaniards, who are revealed to be the most sports-enthusiastic of all the nationalities surveyed.

Are you the kind of person that must watch their favorite sports while on a cruise, no matter what? Youre not alone, according to a recent Royal Caribbean survey.

According to the study, conducted in collaboration with OnePoll and involving 14,000 respondents across Spain, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, an impressive 37% of Spaniards plan to follow sports competitions during their vacations this year.

Formula 1 takes the lead, with 47% of cruise passengers from Spain planning to watch races while onboard, most likely due to the ever-increasing popularity of star F1 driver Fernando Alonso, who hails from Spain. The racing is followed by Premier League Football at 27% and Wimbledon at 22%.

Among youngsters and women, the Womens World Cup soccer, which concluded on August 20 with a win for Spain, ranks highly.

The study further shows that sports engagement is even more significant among Spanish youth, with 50% of those under 34 planning to follow sports on a cruise.

However, its not just watching sports that ranks highly while on a cruise. The opportunities to participate in sports while onboard are an essential part of choosing a cruise.

61% of Spaniards wish for more opportunities for their children to engage in sports during vacations, outpacing the UK at 51%. 23% of Spaniards actively engage in sports during vacation, and 28% specifically travel to enjoy live sports.

Sergio Arevalo, head of sales for Spain at Royal Caribbean International, explains the appeal:Royal Caribbean vacations offer everything sports fans of all ages could ask for in a getaway. Not only can you watch sports together, but you can also do sports together.

With 140 surfboards, more than 1,015 ice skates, 660 golf clubs, and more on ships like Symphony of the Seas, theres a wide range of sports to enjoy onboard for friends and family to play or cheer from the stands as they bond and create vacation memories.

Of course, Royal Caribbean wouldnt release a sports survey without good reason. With eight cruise ships sailing in Europe next summer from nine homeports, the cruise line is eager to draw in the crowds while ensuring they wont have to miss their favorite sports during their cruise.

Royal Caribbeans ships provide extensive facilities for both watching and participating in sports. Guests can catch the live action of summer sporting events at popular venues like Playmakers.

For those who want to participate, Royal Caribbean offers many sports activities, including climbing walls, zip lines, surf simulators, and basketball courts.

Royal Caribbean will cover the entire of Europe next summer, with cruises onboard Anthem of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Voyage of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas.

Destinations include Mediterranean destinations such as Spain, Italy, France, Malta, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey. Ships will also sail to Northern Europe and the Baltic, Iceland, and Western European destinations such as The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

Guests are unlikely to find all sports matches streamed onboard. However, internet speeds have improved in the last year or so onboard cruise ships, especially with the release of Starlink Maritime, so keeping up to date with your favorite sports team will likely be fine.

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New Royal Caribbean Survey Shows the Spanish On Top - Cruise Hive