Hello Cruisers!

Well, we have been counting the days... and today I'd actually like to add a few days to our sail date. If you have been watching the weather news for our cruise area, you know that Tropical Storm Patricia dissipated, but now Tropical Storm Rick is considered possible to turn into a Hurricane.

Dangerous Hurricane Rick still growing off Mexico
© 2009 The Associated Press Oct. 17, 2009, 3:31PM

Map tracks Hurricane Rick in the Pacific Ocean as of 11 a.m. EDT Saturday

MEXICO CITY — Hurricane Rick quickly strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday and forecasters said it could strike the Baja California Peninsula in about five days.

The storm had sustained winds near 145 mph (230 kph) and it was expected to grow into a monster Category 5 storm with winds surpassing 155 mph (250 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported, though it said the storm was likely to lose much of that punch before hitting land.

Rick was centered about 280 miles (450 kilometers) southwest of Acapulco on Saturday morning and it was moving west-northwest near 12 mph (19 kph), the center said.

Forecasters said it was projected to stay well off the coast for several days before bending east over cooler waters and hitting the Baja California Peninsula by early Thursday as a weakened Category 1 hurricane.

Meteorologist Jessica Schauer told The Associated Press that warm waters fueled Rick's rapid jump from Category 1 to Category 4 in only about 36 hours.

"Right now it's over very warm water and the current forecast track keeps it over warm water for quite a while," she said.
Rick was forecast to pass near Socorro Island, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, on Tuesday. The island is a nature reserve with a small Mexican Navy post and it hosts scuba diving expeditions in winter months.

Acapulco's Civil Protection Department had earlier issued a warning that rains from outer bands of the storm could trigger landslides and flooding in the resort city.


I know nothing about Hurricanes, but it seems to me that could very likely have no effect on us, even if it does hit Baja Sur next Thursday. And, it does not seem to be affecting any of our ports of call.

I am trying to find out how the Spirit has been affected this week... what did they do last week... and what will they do this week. As passengers come back with reports, I wil be able to tell you more.

If any of you don't know if you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider picking up something from your pharmacy or health food store. Luggage or travel shops have the patches, wrist bands, and pressure points.

Once on a cruise in the North Pacific, I was on a cruise... in a storm... where the elevators not only went up and down... they went side to side! Let me assure you that all of the on-board activities proceeded normally. The waiters have a little more work, and a few more spilled trays... but the show goes on! Felt sorry for some of the dancers when the ship would rock a little... but all in all it was fun.

If you don't have a sense of adventure, you need to get your head around a potential for more "adventure" then expected. But Carnival is in the business of providing a good cruise experience, and that they will. I am confident.

But say... if you don't have a sense of adventure, what were you going to do when we all throw out room cards in a hat to find out who we were going to sleep with that night? Hmmmmmm?

Hang in there... think positive. We will have a great time.

Oh... BTW... is anyone packing any booze in their check in luggage?

Ken