King Air C90 E90
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 4850; Flight Crew Type 3550
Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors; Weather
My co-pilot and I were in cruise flight at 16;000 FT. There were multiple level 3 and 4 thunderstorms in the area. We asked for permission to deviate around the cells in our flight path. The Controller gave us original instructions to deviate from a heading of 270 to 360 as needed. About 15 NM later we were approaching a level 3 thunderstorm and could only go right which was a direction to the northeast or left which was to the southwest. Our Radar; Nexrad XM weather and visual all looked like the best way around the cell was to the left. We asked the Controller if any aircraft had gone to the right around the cell. His answer was that no other aircraft had attempted to go to the right of the cell. At that point we asked to deviate to the left around the thunderstorm. ATC approved and we were cleared to deviate to the south around the cell as needed and cleared direct TURBO Intersection on the JRAMS2 arrival when able. As we began our deviation; the cell continued to build. We were in moderate to severe turbulence and rain. We requested a climb from 16;000 FT. to FL180 which was granted. As we leveled off at altitude; we began to clear the cell. At that time; a new Controller came on the radio and said; 'It looks like you are flying to the south.' We stated that yes; we were deviating around the buildup and are now clear of it to turn back to the right. The Controller said; 'You were given from 270 to 360 to deviate.' At this point we were flying on a 240 heading. Before I could explain the weather deviation instructions to the south the previous Controller had given us my co-pilot answered; 'Ok; sorry.' The Controller replied; 'Next time just let us know if you need to go south.' The Controller then gave us a clearance to turn north direct to a VOR on the arrival. The radio frequency was extremely busy with calls from other aircraft to ATC. There was not enough time for me to call back and clarify to this Controller the clearance we had received to deviate to the south around the thunderstorm cell from the first Controller. We do not know if this information was passed along to the second Controller.
A BE90 Captain is cleared to fly headings between 270 and 360 to deviate around weather.  When it becomes necessary to deviate to the southwest; a different Controller on the same frequency approves that request. When the first Controller returns to the frequency; he admonishes the crew for deviating from the original clearance. An explanation is not provided due to time and frequency congestion.