09/21/08 SSMC08 S.S. Member Cruise 2008 - Part 2!

[JOANNEL]

The Atlantic sure has gottten active quickly. Last week the Wonder couldn't dock to every one checked in and then was bussed to Port Everglades. I don't know how far that is, but what a bummer. But at least every one was safe and the cruise went on as normal.

 

[danandnan]

So here's a question for Mary or whomever - we have the insurance with the plan for DVC members. My understanding is that if YOU have to cancel you get a monetary value per point but you don't get your points back. But what if it's Disney who cancels the cruise - would you get your points back then? Maybe I'll call & find out. To all of you down there in Florida I hope Gustav fizzles, H stays out in the Atlantic, & there is no I or beyond!!

N

 

[JOANNEL]

I more worry about us not being able to get there. I don't know how insuance would handle that. I doubt they would ever cancel we would just go in another direction. I may have to buy some dramamine just in case.

 

[danandnan]

I just called member services & was told they NEVER cancel. But IF they (Disney) did there would be no penalties. I said so we'd get our points back & she said yes. You're right Joanne, even if they don't cancel we might not be able to get there. How far is it to Port Everglades anyway? Is that the one in Fort Lauderdale? We came back to that one in 2005 because of Ophelia, then they bussed us back to WDW. Guess the best thing to do is say a collective Mickey prayer to keep storms away!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

So here's a question for Mary or whomever - we have the insurance with the plan for DVC members. My understanding is that if YOU have to cancel you get a monetary value per point but you don't get your points back. But what if it's Disney who cancels the cruise - would you get your points back then? Maybe I'll call & find out. To all of you down there in Florida I hope Gustav fizzles, H stays out in the Atlantic, & there is no I or beyond!!

N

We are using a car service to and from PC to our Disney resort (it was cheaper for us than the Disney transportation). If they did have to change ports while we are At Sea, is there an option for them to bus people back to PC (to get there car or a car service)?

Does anyone know how CC has done through these storms? That is the one and only destination for our cruise. That would truly stink if we were re-directed to Nassau.

Okay, why are we going on a cruise during Hurricane season? Does DVC always do their Member Cruise in September? Has it ever been redirected in the past? I will make sure to pack my Bonine. We needed it during our last cruise and I'm not taking any changes on this one.

Jennifer

 

[WDWLVR]

When Disney changes ports they usually arrange transportation to that port. I know back in 2005 when we got back they had the transportation back to PC for us that had our cars there, transportation to MCO or WDW if people needed that, and for the few who could change their flights to out of Ft. Lauderdale they arranged transportation to that airport.

For those sailing that day (and more recently for those sailing from Ft. Lauderdale) they still have you go to Port Canaveral and arrange transportation from there. They do this because in most cases they will come back to Port Canaveral after the cruise. The up side for us in 2005 which could be a downside for others is all the porters were down at Port Everglades. So when we got off the bus we were pretty much on our own and the same would be said for those dropping off luggage.

 

[danandnan]

So just like in Wizard of Oz - let's all click our heels together & say - It's not going to storm, it's not going to storm......... at least not between Sept 21-25. AS for Bonine I have to take that under normal circumstances guess I'll have to double up!

N

 

[cherylp3]

according to a post I read there is another storm coming after gustav but the poster said it should be gone by 9/21
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27205941&postcount=10

 

[MarkRG]

I just called member services & was told they NEVER cancel. But IF they (Disney) did there would be no penalties. I said so we'd get our points back & she said yes. You're right Joanne, even if they don't cancel we might not be able to get there. How far is it to Port Everglades anyway? Is that the one in Fort Lauderdale? We came back to that one in 2005 because of Ophelia, then they bussed us back to WDW. Guess the best thing to do is say a collective Mickey prayer to keep storms away!

Never say never, they did cancel a 7 day cruise a number of years back due to that Norwalk virus thing. I expect if things were bad enough that the couldn't get the ship docked to someplace within range of Port Canaveral they'd have to cancel.

That said, Tropical Storm Hanna, which is that next storm, isn't a threat to anyplace near where we sail, yet. And if it stays on track it may be one of those ones that just tracks north out in the Atlantic and never sees land.

If we have to divert, Mary and I did it before. It's about a 3 hour ride down to Port Everglades and DCL has the whole process down to where it won't make much of an interruption other than getting a late start on sailing out that first day or getting back to the Orlando area a bit later, if we wind up being diverted on return.

 

[JOANNEL]

Never say never, they did cancel a 7 day cruise a number of years back due to that Norwalk virus thing. I expect if things were bad enough that the couldn't get the ship docked to someplace within range of Port Canaveral they'd have to cancel.

That said, Tropical Storm Hanna, which is that next storm, isn't a threat to anyplace near where we sail, yet. And if it stays on track it may be one of those ones that just tracks north out in the Atlantic and never sees land.

If we have to divert, Mary and I did it before. It's about a 3 hour ride down to Port Everglades and DCL has the whole process down to where it won't make much of an interruption other than getting a late start on sailing out that first day or getting back to the Orlando area a bit later, if we wind up being diverted on return.

Do they have shrimp and bahama mama's on that bus?

 

[WDWLVR]

Do they have shrimp and bahama mama's on that bus?

No but we did get snacks and water.

 

[njprincess]

, does anyone know how CC has done through these storms? That is the one and only destination for our cruise. That would truly stink if we were re-directed to Nassau.

Jennifer

Disney has evacuated their staff from Castaway Cay on a few occasions. I know this happened in August/September 2004, the year of the 4 hurricanes, because Frances passed directly over CC. Obviously, the ship is rerouted if this occurs. We were on the Magic for the 1st visit back to CC after Frances and there was did have a lot of damage, but everyone took it with a sense of humor. They even had a sign that said 'Frances was here!'

We were also on the Magic in September 1999 when Floyd passed over CC and we were rerouted to Cozumel, the very first time that a Disney ship went to Mexico. We had a blast!

Ok, you might see a pattern here, but don't blame us. Our parent's anniversary is September 11 and in both of the above cases we were celebrating their anniversary (45 and 50 years).

I can say this from experience - Disney's first concern is to make sure everyone stays safe, including their castmembers. If storm appears to be a threat, they will do everything in their power to make alternate arrangements to see that their guests still have a great time. It might mean a change in the schedule or alternate ports, but Disney will make sure we will still have a fabulous time!

 

[JOANNEL]

Disney has evacuated their staff from Castaway Cay on a few occasions. I know this happened in August/September 2004, the year of the 4 hurricanes, because Frances passed directly over CC. Obviously, the ship is rerouted if this occurs. We were on the Magic for the 1st visit back to CC after Frances and there was did have a lot of damage, but everyone took it with a sense of humor. They even had a sign that said 'Frances was here!'

We were also on the Magic in September 1999 when Floyd passed over CC and we were rerouted to Cozumel, the very first time that a Disney ship went to Mexico. We had a blast!

Ok, you might see a pattern here, but don't blame us. Our parent's anniversary is September 11 and in both of the above cases we were celebrating their anniversary (45 and 50 years).

I can say this from experience - Disney's first concern is to make sure everyone stays safe, including their castmembers. If storm appears to be a threat, they will do everything in their power to make alternate arrangements to see that their guests still have a great time. It might mean a change in the scedule or alternate ports, but Disney will make sure we will still have a fabulous time!

I think it would be fun to go some where unexpected. I love CC but I will go any where Mickey leads us.

 

[njprincess]

I think it would be fun to go some where unexpected. I love CC but I will go any where Mickey leads us.

That's the spirit, Joanne! I love adventures!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Do they have shrimp and bahama mama's on that bus?

DH would join you in that Bahama Mama. Yum! Yum! We found a new drink last time onboard, Midori Colada. It was "vacation in a glass". Yum! Yum! Yum!

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We were also on the Magic in September 1999 when Floyd passed over CC and we were rerouted to Cozumel, the very first time that a Disney ship went to Mexico. We had a blast!

Cozumel would be a nice diversion.

Okay, with your track record, should we expect a tropical storm while onboard.

Yes, I agree it will all be an adventure. At least we're not home. As long as we're onboard The Wonder, I honestly don't care where she goes.

Jennifer

 

[njprincess]

Cozumel would be a nice diversion.

Okay, with your track record, should we expect a tropical storm while onboard.

Yes, I agree it will all be an adventure. At least we're not home. As long as we're onboard The Wonder, I honestly don't care where she goes.

Jennifer

You can always get a Hurricane at any bar on the Wonder. Actually, our record is great! We managed to sail both times, just had our itineraries altered. We even were able to sail in & out Port Canaveral both times.

 

[JOANNEL]

DH would join you in that Bahama Mama. Yum! Yum! We found a new drink last time onboard, Midori Colada. It was "vacation in a glass". Yum! Yum! Yum!

Jennifer

I may have to try that one. I am not a big drinker but I love the frozen ones.

 

[JOANNEL]

That's the spirit, Joanne! I love adventures!

Easy for me to say when we live 5 miinutes from the prettiest beaches. I never get tired of this picture.

 

[JOANNEL]

You can always get a Hurricane at any bar on the Wonder. Actually, our record is great! We managed to sail both times, just had our itineraries altered. We even were able to sail in & out Port Canaveral both times.

Is that a frozen drink?