While the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tracks the weather across the US, the team of meteorologists at Royal Caribbean Group are tracking the weather surrounding their expansive fleet. With ships constantly circumnavigating the world, the meteorologists need to be prepared and ready to engage at a moment’s notice.
How do the meteorologists keep a global fleet and eight million guests safe while sailing the oceans? The answer may surprise you.
The Calm Before the Storm
Before you get the weather alerts on your phone advising of lightning strikes nearby, the meteorologists at Royal Caribbean Group have already created their forecasts, double-checked the models and satellite images and have spoken to the captains of the impacted ships. How do they get ahead of the weather?
Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, and Marine Meteorologist, Peyton Collado, are checking their reports and setting up phone calls before the first drop of rain hits the pool deck of an impacted ship.
Peyton scans weather reports and models while simultaneously running the information to Craig. The dynamic duo have checked the forecasts of others, they’ve read and re-read their own forecasts and have pinpointed the geographic location of each and every ship that could be in the path of a storm.
Craig and Peyton like to be prepared five days ahead, which allows enough time to plan alternate routes for ships, if applicable, or coordinate with other teams on potential itinerary modifications.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
For Craig and Peyton, it’s important to have close relationships with other teams and departments so that if a storm were to form and ships were to be impacted, they can jump into action. The meteorologists work closely with many teams, like Guest Communications, who notify guests of any changes to their sailing, and Port Operations, who ensure that new ports of call are available to receive the ship(s) at a designated time and date.
Like a more advanced game of chess, there are many moving targets and possible trajectories that the meteorologists have to analyze from different perspectives before they make a move. By working together with other teams, Craig and Peyton can keep Royal Caribbean Group’s ships and passengers safe no matter the weather.
Shoreside to Fleetwide: Can You Hear Us? Over
After the forecasts have been reviewed, it’s time to get on a call with the captains. The calls from the meteorologists to the ship are more informal and direct – here’s the forecast, here’s our concerns, how can we help you?
Every captain is different, which means every call is unique. The captains usually have a plan in place by the time they receive the call from Craig and Peyton – they know which ports are closest and which ones will take their ships; in other instances, captains may find that they have limited options, in terms of fuel and speed, but in either case, they rely on Craig and Peyton as a second set of eyes. That’s when the meteorologists provide their scientific experience and opinion, knowing if the storm moves this way, then the ships should move that way. Craig and Peyton often talk to captains about three times a week, quickly becoming the point of contact for the ship to meteorologist connection.
Regardless of what Mother Nature brings, the meteorologists are prepared to jump into action and help captains find safe passage for their guests and crew. Guests sailing with Royal Caribbean Group can do so with confidence, knowing how much work Craig and Peyton have done to ensure a ship’s smooth passage.
