Celebrity ship drifts from pier in 'sudden wind squall' during Alaska cruise
Video footage posted to YouTube shows the vessel floating away from the dock as heavy rain rolls in.
'The ship drifted from the pier due to a sudden wind squall,' a spokesperson for the cruise line's parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. 'Our Captain maneuvered the ship back to the dock where passengers and crew boarded to resume the scheduled itinerary.'
There were no injuries, damage to the ship or impacts to its itinerary. Wind speeds in Juneau increased accompanied by rain in the afternoon, with gusts of 30 to 35 miles per hour between 3:30 and 4 p.m., according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill.
'The wind trends show a ramp up period from a sustained wind of 5 mph at 2:05 p.m. to a sustained wind of 26 mph and gust to 35 mph at 3:30 p.m., and an abrupt wind shift from a southwest direction to an east to southeast direction,' he told USA TODAY in an email. 'So, the squall brought with it steadily increasing winds and a sharp change in wind direction.' Skies later cleared and the wind relaxed.
Celebrity Edge is currently sailing a week-long Alaska cruise that departed from Seattle on June 13, according to CruiseMapper.
While those incidents are relatively rare, it's not the only one of its kind in recent years. Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic ship separated from the pier amid strong winds in Catania, Sicily in late May, causing a guest to fall from the gangway into the water. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Magic also hit a pier in Jamaica during windy weather in February 2024.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Strong winds cause cruise ship to break from moorings in Alaska
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Indianapolis Star
6 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Farmers' Almanac winter forecast for 2025-2026: A long season of cold, snow across US
After winter 2024-2025 brought record-breaking snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures to parts of the U.S., an "old-fashioned winter," as forecast by the Farmers' Almanac may be welcome news for farmers – and the rest of us, too. The 209th edition of the Farmers' Almanac, out now, forecasts "Chill, Snow, Repeat" weather patterns for the upcoming 2025-2026 winter season. The cold and snow may not reach as far south as last year, but the Northern Plains to the New England are likely in for a cold, snowy winter, "hopefully not as brutally cold as last," Farmers' Almanac Editor Sandi Duncan told USA TODAY. "Most of the country is on tap for a cold or very cold winter, kind of almost going back to an old-fashioned winter," Duncan said. "It's going to cool down, it's going to snow, then it might warm up a little, then it's going to repeat itself again." Even though the upcoming winter may not bring a repeat of last year's prolonged bone-chilling temperatures, the upcoming season's expected weather cycle means "this winter's shaping up to be a wild ride," the Almanac predicts. Wintery effects may begin in late fall as cold winter temperatures could "sneak in a little bit early in many of the northern sections," Duncan said. While winter doesn't officially start until Dec. 21, "we do see some very cold conditions, kind of blowing in with some possible snow in some areas," she said. "I think the greatest chance of a White Christmas would be out in the northern Plains, perhaps, but not too many other places." Winter could linger, too. "It looks like it's going to hang on for a little bit through March and even through April … especially in New England, Great Lakes and the northern Plains," Duncan said. In part, the Almanac proffers, mentioning in the new edition how its winter 2024-2025 forecast "for a mild winter in Texas and the Southern Plains hit the mark, and we correctly called the cold weather over the Northern Plains and Great Lakes." The Almanac also notes, "We also accurately forewarned of a very cold spell at the end of January," perhaps referencing some of winter 2024-2025's milestones including the arctic air mass that contributed to cold weather advisories that month. "But La Niña threw a curveball, leaving us with fewer wet weather events than expected," the Almanac said. February also brought dangerously cold temperatures but overall, the contiguous U.S. had the third warmest winter on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an average temperature of 34.1 degrees F, 1.9 degrees above average. There's a chance a La Niña winter could be in store, according to the Climate Prediction Center. That could mean cold and snow for the Northwest, dry conditions in the South, and higher-than-average temperatures in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The Farmers' Almanac creates its forecasts "using a proprietary formula that adapts to the mysteries of nature and the ever-changing world in which we live," this edition notes. "The basis of our prediction method was developed by our founding editor according to correlations between celestial events and various meteorological conditions." While scientists may question the accuracy of The Farmers' Almanac – and the competing The Old Farmer's Almanac – the guide, which includes planting tips and an astronomical calendar, remains an interesting read. Here's a closer look at its regional winter forecasts. More weather news: Hurricane forecasters eye 'significant tropical threat' in the Atlantic: What to know Winter in the New England and the Northeast region (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont) will include a "cold snap" around Jan. 8-15, especially in New England, but "leaking down into some of the more northern Mid-Atlantic states," Duncan said. New England, along with the Northern Plains, is expected to bear the brunt of the season's coldest temperatures, according to the Almanac. In mid-January, the Almanac expects "some pretty good snowstorms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and southern New York … (and) then again in February, between the 8th and the 11th, we're calling for some very cold conditions, with some heavy snow in northern New England." Milder temperatures in early March will be followed by colder temperatures and cold, gusty winds in the middle of the month, the Almanac says. In the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin), New Year's Day will bring chilly, breezy temperatures; northern Michigan and Wisconsin can expect snow. As in the Northeast, the region will get cold temperatures "perhaps blowing down from the north, especially in Indiana and northern Michigan," Duncan said. "And we're calling for a pretty big snowstorm" in the Great Lakes region from February 8-11. As the snow gives way to very cold temperatures there, snow moves into Kentucky and Ohio. The beginning of March brings snow to most of the region. The month ends with brisk, windy conditions, plus snow in the north. Good news for skiers in the Northwest region (Idaho, Oregon and Washington) because there's overall chilly and wet conditions expected this winter. "the wet conditions obviously in the mountains are going to help that snow pack … (for) skiing," Duncan said. The Pacific Northwest's mountains "are gearing up for some impressive snowfall totals," the Almanac says. For coastal Washington in the middle of February and March, "we're calling for a lot of wet conditions, especially along the coast," with rainstorms, Duncan said. The North Central states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming), along with the Great Lakes region, "are set for a classic winter wonderland," the Almanac means the region can expect a "very cold and snowy" winter, Duncan said. Snowstorms are expected mid-February in Kansas and Nebraska and in mid-March in the Central Plains. Easter may even bring light snow to the Dakotas and Minnesota, while it will be chilly but clear in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Winter is expected to bring average temperatures and wet conditions in the Southeast states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), according to the Almanac. The second week of January will bring "some very cold temperatures with some possible wintry precipitation, in the more northern areas, such as the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia," Duncan said. February will also be "a very wet period, especially from the 16th to the 20th, then turning mild at the end of February, but unsettled in many places," she said. "So just very wet, I would say, is the focus." Cold and wet conditions are expected this winter in the South Central states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico) and Texas, too. "We don't see too much snow, but we're feeling like some of these more northern areas in this region may have icy rain and the cold conditions, so you might want to make sure you have deicer and your boots ready," Duncan said. Northern Texas could get snow and freezing rain in mid-January and snow again in mid-February and mid-March, according to the Almanac. Mild weather will arrive as the month of March nears its end. Southwest states (Arizona, California, Nevada \, and Utah) are forecast to have average temperatures and wet conditions – weather that could help prevent a repeat of the January wildfires in California, Duncan said. California is expected to get rain ahead of windy conditions at the end of January. "Hopefully it will be enough moisture in the air in California that we don't see anything crazy like it was last year," Duncan said. Overall, the region should have a "nice winter with not too many extremes," she said. Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X, and email him at mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider & msnider@
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Farmers' Almanac winter forecast for 2025-2026: A long season of cold, snow across US
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"It's going to cool down, it's going to snow, then it might warm up a little, then it's going to repeat itself again." Even though the upcoming winter may not bring a repeat of last year's prolonged bone-chilling temperatures, the upcoming season's expected weather cycle means "this winter's shaping up to be a wild ride," the Almanac predicts. Wintery effects may begin in late fall as cold winter temperatures could "sneak in a little bit early in many of the northern sections," Duncan said. While winter doesn't officially start until Dec. 21, "we do see some very cold conditions, kind of blowing in with some possible snow in some areas," she said. "I think the greatest chance of a White Christmas would be out in the northern Plains, perhaps, but not too many other places." Winter could linger, too. "It looks like it's going to hang on for a little bit through March and even through April … especially in New England, Great Lakes and the northern Plains," Duncan said. Did the Farmers' Almanac get its winter weather prediction right last year? In part, the Almanac proffers, mentioning in the new edition how its winter 2024-2025 forecast "for a mild winter in Texas and the Southern Plains hit the mark, and we correctly called the cold weather over the Northern Plains and Great Lakes." The Almanac also notes, "We also accurately forewarned of a very cold spell at the end of January," perhaps referencing some of winter 2024-2025's milestones including the arctic air mass that contributed to cold weather advisories that month. "But La Niña threw a curveball, leaving us with fewer wet weather events than expected," the Almanac said. February also brought dangerously cold temperatures but overall, the contiguous U.S. had the third warmest winter on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an average temperature of 34.1 degrees F, 1.9 degrees above average. There's a chance a La Niña winter could be in store, according to the Climate Prediction Center. That could mean cold and snow for the Northwest, dry conditions in the South, and higher-than-average temperatures in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The Farmers' Almanac creates its forecasts "using a proprietary formula that adapts to the mysteries of nature and the ever-changing world in which we live," this edition notes. "The basis of our prediction method was developed by our founding editor according to correlations between celestial events and various meteorological conditions." While scientists may question the accuracy of The Farmers' Almanac – and the competing The Old Farmer's Almanac – the guide, which includes planting tips and an astronomical calendar, remains an interesting read. Here's a closer look at its regional winter forecasts. More weather news: Hurricane forecasters eye 'significant tropical threat' in the Atlantic: What to know Northeast, New York: 'Active time' for storms in late January Winter in the New England and the Northeast region (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont) will include a "cold snap" around Jan. 8-15, especially in New England, but "leaking down into some of the more northern Mid-Atlantic states," Duncan said. New England, along with the Northern Plains, is expected to bear the brunt of the season's coldest temperatures, according to the Almanac. In mid-January, the Almanac expects "some pretty good snowstorms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and southern New York … (and) then again in February, between the 8th and the 11th, we're calling for some very cold conditions, with some heavy snow in northern New England." Milder temperatures in early March will be followed by colder temperatures and cold, gusty winds in the middle of the month, the Almanac says. Midwest, Ohio, and Michigan: 'Big freeze' in January In the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin), New Year's Day will bring chilly, breezy temperatures; northern Michigan and Wisconsin can expect snow. As in the Northeast, the region will get cold temperatures "perhaps blowing down from the north, especially in Indiana and northern Michigan," Duncan said. "And we're calling for a pretty big snowstorm" in the Great Lakes region from February 8-11. As the snow gives way to very cold temperatures there, snow moves into Kentucky and Ohio. The beginning of March brings snow to most of the region. The month ends with brisk, windy conditions, plus snow in the north. Northwest: Rain and wet snow for Idaho, Oregon and Washington Good news for skiers in the Northwest region (Idaho, Oregon and Washington) because there's overall chilly and wet conditions expected this winter. "the wet conditions obviously in the mountains are going to help that snow pack … (for) skiing," Duncan said. The Pacific Northwest's mountains "are gearing up for some impressive snowfall totals," the Almanac says. For coastal Washington in the middle of February and March, "we're calling for a lot of wet conditions, especially along the coast," with rainstorms, Duncan said. North Central states, Colorado: 'More like winter' The North Central states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming), along with the Great Lakes region, "are set for a classic winter wonderland," the Almanac means the region can expect a "very cold and snowy" winter, Duncan said. Snowstorms are expected mid-February in Kansas and Nebraska and in mid-March in the Central Plains. Easter may even bring light snow to the Dakotas and Minnesota, while it will be chilly but clear in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Southeast, Florida: 'Mild and wet' winter Winter is expected to bring average temperatures and wet conditions in the Southeast states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), according to the Almanac. The second week of January will bring "some very cold temperatures with some possible wintry precipitation, in the more northern areas, such as the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia," Duncan said. February will also be "a very wet period, especially from the 16th to the 20th, then turning mild at the end of February, but unsettled in many places," she said. "So just very wet, I would say, is the focus." Texas, South Central: Another winter snowstorm predicted Cold and wet conditions are expected this winter in the South Central states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico) and Texas, too. "We don't see too much snow, but we're feeling like some of these more northern areas in this region may have icy rain and the cold conditions, so you might want to make sure you have deicer and your boots ready," Duncan said. Northern Texas could get snow and freezing rain in mid-January and snow again in mid-February and mid-March, according to the Almanac. Mild weather will arrive as the month of March nears its end. California, Southwest: 'Fair, dry, very chilly' Christmas Southwest states (Arizona, California, Nevada \, and Utah) are forecast to have average temperatures and wet conditions – weather that could help prevent a repeat of the January wildfires in California, Duncan said. California is expected to get rain ahead of windy conditions at the end of January. "Hopefully it will be enough moisture in the air in California that we don't see anything crazy like it was last year," Duncan said. Overall, the region should have a "nice winter with not too many extremes," she said. Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X, and email him at mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider & msnider@ What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Step aboard the cruise ship where food is the main attraction
Platters of prosciutto sat next to dishes of marinated olives and peppers, across from handmade pastas. At the Caprese bar, I could pick from numerous options of mozzarella, from fior di latte and burrata, to be mixed with tomatoes, like heirloom and cherry. The entire room smelled of garlic and freshly baked bread as fellow passengers found their seats. This Italian market wasn't in the streets of Rome or a Tuscan restaurant – this was aboard Oceania Cruises' latest ship, Oceania Allura. With the ingredients sourced from the day's port of Ravenna, the market is another example of the small-ship luxury cruise line's destination-focused travel experiences. I was on the ship's maiden voyage in mid-July, departing from Trieste, Italy, to Athens, Greece, with stops in Croatia's Rijeka and Dubrovnik, Montenegro, and Ravenna, Italy. "What sets Oceania Allura apart is not just the refined design or the thoughtfully curated spaces, but the warm, personalized service and those intangible, heartfelt touches that our loyal guests have come to cherish," said Dominique Nicolle, Oceania Allura general manager, in a statement to USA TODAY. During the sailing, elevated food from not just Italy was around every corner – white-glove afternoon tea, cooking classes, a wine-pairing lunch and a variety of specialty restaurants. Some of the excursions at the destinations also focused on local cuisine, made by residents – such as a lunch served at locally owned winery Storia di Pietra in Montenegro, where we tasted a bright white wine alongside a strong shot of rakija, the local version of grappa. "Of course, our passion for cuisine continues to lead the industry, and Oceania Allura is home to an array of new dining experiences that elevate our culinary legacy even further, such as the debut of our first-ever Creperie, the beloved signature French restaurant Jacques being reprised onboard with innovative new menus and more," Nicolle continued. I don't consider myself a foodie, but it was hard not to feel like one during the sailing. More travelers are seeking out these types of culinary experiences on their trips, with 77% saying they want to plan trips around a destination's cuisine in Chase Travel and Infatuation's The Spots of Summer 2025 survey. USA TODAY was among those invited on the first sailing for the new Oceania Allura. Here's what sailing Oceania was like. Inside the 'Star Trek' cruise: How fans boldly sail where no convention has gone before What is it like aboard the Oceania Allura? The Oceania Allura spans 804 feet long, called "the most innovative and luxurious Oceania Cruises ship to date," according to the cruise line. Built in Genoa, it is the second in the Oceania Cruises' Allura Class, following her sister ship Oceania Vista, which launched in 2023. "Oceania Allura delivers the pinnacle of small-ship luxury, with an elegant, residential feel that instantly puts guests at ease," Nicolle said. The ship was designed with an upscale, modern style – an almost floor-to-ceiling crystal chandelier in the Atrium and the signature French restaurant Jacques featuring dim lighting and a faux fireplace for an intimate atmosphere. All staterooms and suites are outside-facing, and also generous at over 290 square feet, with the largest cruise ship bathroom I've seen. The entire ship felt spacious, even when everyone was out and about, with tucked-away nooks in the lounges for conversations and quiet escapes. It has a casino, several lounges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an artist loft, a spa, a pool, a running track, and a library. For entertainment, there were nightly shows and a culinary center with hosted cooking classes – ingredients were pre-cut and portioned out, so all you have to do is show up and follow the chef's directions. (Four Oceania ships currently have a culinary center, and classes require signing up in advance.) The ship has a capacity for 1,200 guests at double occupancy, with two staff members for every three passengers. With the dining experiences as a focal point, there is one chef for every eight guests aboard and over half the crew are dedicated to the food operations. There was never a shortage of food, or long waits to get your meal. Oceania's dining options In total, there were nine food venues aboard the Allura, including four fine dining specialty restaurants (that are included with the fare): I also enjoyed the wellness-inspired food at Aquamar Kitchen, like the fresh juices and smoothies, and the daily afternoon tea in one of the lounges, complete with scones and clotted cream. The Viennese-inspired coffee house Baristas was where I grabbed my daily pain au chocolat, which was always perfectly flaky. What's new on the Oceania Allura? Where will the Oceania Allura sail to? The Oceania Allura will sail 26 voyages in its inaugural season to 92 destinations in regions like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Canada and New England. How much are the sailings? Sailings on the Oceania Allura start at $799 per guest for a four-day cruise from New York in the fall, but prices can go up to around $3,000 for longer cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Oceania Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control.
