12/4 - Not Exactly the Cruise of our Dreams

[boBQuincy]

Oh, it started out ok. We arrived at the port and checked in about 2:30, found our room (7622) and headed off for some lunch. After the lifeboat drill we went up to deck 10 for the party, which was in full swing. The ship's horn sounded and we were off!

And it started raining as we cruised down the channel at Port Canaveral. A small boat arrived to transport someone off the ship before we reached the ocean, not a good sign.

We went to the movie theater to see a bit of "Pirates" before the Golden Mickeys started, and as Captain Jack Sparrow was stealing the Interceptor, our ship started rocking too! What a nice touch! As we left the theater ours kept rolling...a lot! The captain came on the intercom to let us know we were in for some rough seas. it would have been nice to let us know a few hours in advance, to prepare for it (like with a patch or such).

The Golden Mickeys was ok, not really in the same league as Hercules or Disney Dreams. By now the ship was *really* rolling and we started thinking that our 8:30 dinner was maybe not a good idea. Apparently about 75% of the other guests thought so too, our waiter told us most of the tables were almost empty.

After a rough night we arrived in Nassau, happy to be on a stationary ship. We are not fans of Nassau and stayed on board to look for hidden Mickeys, tour the bridge, and check out the artwork. Many of those who ventured off the ship got soaked in the vicious rain that was on and off throughout the afternoon.

The deck party was rained out and we left Nassau quietly. The rough seas resumed for part of the night.

I got up early Saturday to see the sunrise but all I saw was gray, it was very overcast and foggy. We felt the ship shudder as we neared Castaway Cay and the captain lined up for the channel. After awhile we saw Castaway Cay receding in the distance, as the captain came on to give us the bad news. The wind was just too strong to keep the ship in the channel and we would try again about 9:00.
This time I went pout on the aft deck 7 overlook as Captain John agve it all he could. Still the ship drifted out of the channel. An officer came out to check on things and I shrugged my shoulders. He shook his head, letting me know that it was over for the day.
Captain John said the ship could hold it's own in 30 knot winds but we had 35 with gusts of more, and that we would spend a day at sea.
The good news was the addition of a 2:30 showing of Disney Dreams, our favorite part of the cruise. We saw 2 performances that day and loved them both.

The ship stayed behind Grand Bahama Island for most of the day, to provide the smoothest seas possible. After dinner Captain John turned the Wonder towards Port Canaveral and we spent most of the night in rough seas again.

Back in Port Canaveral it was calm and sunny, but cold, as we disembarked a not too good cruise.

Of course none of this (except the late warning Thursday evening) was anything DCL could prevent. Still, it was a poor value for the money spent and we are not ready to go on another cruise for a long time.


boB

 

[vgaskin]

What a difference a few days makes. We were on the 11/22 Magic that had 2 CC days and we had perfect weather. Too bad we couldn't have gotten one of your days and you could have one of ours. It sometimes is just a matter or days or even 1 day. Really sorry to hear about your horrible weather.

 

[lbgraves]

I'm so sorry that you had such a bleak cruise due to the weather. It sounds like you tried to make the most of it.

 

[boBQuincy]

It was still mostly a good time (except for the seasick part). It's just that for what we really got for the price I would rather have been at WDW, going to the fine resorts & restaurants there.

Our cruise in Oct 2002 was perfect, just perfect! Which is why we went on another so soon.

I'm not sure what percentage of DCL cruises have bad weather and/or can't dock at Castaway Cay but even if it is only 10% that's a lot of seasick nights and wasted days.

We have had much better luck at WDW, with only one really bad day in the past 6 years.
Maybe we're just not cruisers at heart... If only Disney would bring Disney Dreams to the theme parks...


boB

 

[lbgraves]

I understand the movement part. We had 8-15 foot seas for 3-4 of the days we were out on he 11/15 eastern. There were several people who were sick the entire trip. Someone from the board even got the shot & that didn't help. I was thankful that I had started on Bonine a couple days before setting sail just to make sure. IDK if that helped or if I would have been OK, but best not to take chances.
We passed thru a couple short rain storms on a sea day & it rained one night but everything went on as scheduled. It was our first cruise and I told DH I was afraid to book again because it probably wouldn't be a nice for some reason because it did seem so perfect.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by boBQuincy
I'm not sure what percentage of DCL cruises have bad weather and/or can't dock at Castaway Cay but even if it is only 10% that's a lot of seasick nights and wasted days.

I can't speak to the weather, which in my experience (10 cruises on DCL, several other on other lines) has usually been pretty good in the Caribbean, but I have made it a kind of hobby of mine to track how often the DCL ships miss Castaway Cay (yes, I understand this is very strange). Based on the anecdotal evidence I've culled from these and other boards, it seems that the ships are able to make Castaway Cay over 95% of the time. Going back to the innaugural Magic, I've been able to account for 25% of all of DCL's cruises, or 211 of 828. Of those 211, only 8 (less than 4%) were not able to make the call at Castaway Cay. My data is much more complete for 2003. Of 145 total cruises this year, I've been able to account for 103 of them. Of those 103, 100 (97%) have made it.

Food for thought, although it will hardly make up for not being able to make it. It's really unfortunate that you weren't. I'm sorry that the weather ruined your trip and wish you better luck for your next vacation (on land or at sea).

 

[LT Hambone]

Originally posted by boBQuincy
A small boat arrived to transport someone off the ship before we reached the ocean, not a good sign.

Bob –

That would be the Harbor Pilot. They assist the Captain in guiding a ship in and out of port, and are the “experts” of the port and docks.

Sorry you had such a rough time, and that the wind kept you from docking in Castaway Cay. Reminds me of when I was in the Navy and returning from a six month deployment from the Med. I was stationed aboard an aircraft carrier, and we arrived in Norfolk the day after a strong tropical storm blew through the area. The winds were so strong, we couldn’t dock, and had to go to anchor a mile from the pier! Imagine spending six months away from home, and you get within a mile of the pier and your family, and you have to spend the night looking at home from a distance! The worst was the ship’s TVs were broadcasting a local channel, and the lead news story that night was “Heartbreak At The Navy Base”! There on TV were our families!

Hope your experience doesn’t turn you off from cruising.

PS – Check out my replies on this post - 10/12/2003 Wonder Cruise. 1st Timers Day 1 – I’ve got a good picture of what rough seas are like on a smaller ship that does have stabilizers like the Wonder!

 

[newms]

We too were on this cruise and were bummed. I planned this trip for a year during my chemotherapy treatments and REALLY wanted to lay in the sun. The rough seas felt like the aftereffects of the chemo again! Too bad Disney couldn't do a bit more in the case of this cruise for discounting a future cruise. For our part, I know we won't do it again and aren't recommending it to those who ask. (unfortunately, we don't drink so free drinks didn't help).

 

[TammyC]

My first cruise with my DH was many years ago in December. The weather was cool and water very rough. We were later told that December is typically some of the roughest waters. Needless to say my DH hasn't cruised since. But, he said we will probably take our DS on a Disney cruise sometime. I think I will plan it for May!

 

[Rebd40]

My husband and I were also on the 12/4/04 cruise - our first cruise ever. After looking forward to the cruise for 8 long months, I have to say that we were soooo disappointed with the way things turned out with the weather and not going to Castaway Cay that I'm not sure I ever want to cruise again! I know no one can control the weather but I'm still feeling cheated about the whole thing. Not a good way to feel after an expensive vacation!!!

 

[newms]

I hear you Rebd40- after at least $2,000, I want to smell chlorine on my swimsuit. Did you try the adult pool the first day? There was a malfunction and it was over 90 degrees- hotter than the hot tubs. If I would have known it was the last nice day, I would have boiled myself anyway.

 

[Highland Lass]

Can I join in and WAIL !!!!!!!

I was on the Dec 4th cruise too..........

I saved for 5 years, planned for 1 year, and paid for my mum, sister, and DD10 to cruise with Mickey to castaway cay and we didn't dock !!!!!!

WWWAAAAAA !!!!!!!

I can't believe it.......all the way across the Atlantic from cold Scotland to ............ cold and wet Bahamas!!!


I cant imagine ever being able to afford such a trip again so I'll just have to dream about Castaway Cay.............


The cruise was fine. I'm glad now I didn't stretch myself too far and get a cabin with a verandah......those waves were really big.......

We got home in one piece and have mostly good memories ( except for " this is Theresa your Cruise Director speaking . It may not be sunny outside but its always sunny on the Disney Wonder. " Wanted to smack her at that point )

Hope anyone reading isn't put off. We just had bad luck. Its a wonderful ship.

Thanks for listening, I feel better now.

 

[boBQuincy]

ROTFLMAO!!!

Yes, Teresa was a bit *too* cheerful for me as well. Cruise director Rick was a lot better but he did have perfect weather to help out on our first cruise (Oct 2002).

It's gonna' be real tough for me to get Suzie back on a cruise ship after this one, and I'm not sure I even want to try again. For the money, we could have had a really great time at WDW, even if the weather wasn't good.


boB

 

[CinderellaPrincess]

DH and I were also on this cruise. DH got realllly sick the first night. Unfortunately we didn't even make it to dinner. However, we made the most of it and not making it to Castaway Cay just enticed us to book again.

 

[noahsmom]

Sorry you had such a bad cruise! We sailed in July of 2002 and will be going again this July. I have read on this board that people don't like July, I think it's great! Seas are calm and the weather is hot. Perfect beach weather. If you try to cruise again I highly recommend a summer cruise.

 

[Rebd40]

" this is Theresa your Cruise Director speaking . It may not be sunny outside but its always sunny on the Disney Wonder. " Wanted to smack her at that point

Highland Lass, You are so funny! My husband said exactly the same thing (about smacking her, that is)!!

To newms - I didn't try the pools either -bummer- and I bought a new swimsuit, too! I was half tempted to go to a tanning salon after the cruise just to prove to everyone that I actually did go to the Bahamas! ha

But anyway, I'm thinking about writing a letter to Disney to see if I can at least get some kind of decent discount on a future cruise as compentsation. I'll just make sure I go in the summer next time!!

 

[LT Hambone]

Originally posted by Highland Lass
I was on the Dec 4th cruise too..........

Highland Lass, I owe you a B I G apology.

You see, in the post 10/12/2003 Wonder Cruise. 1st Timers Day 1, I made a few discouraging remarks about being in rough seas. Highland Lass responded –

OMG ..........are you trying to scare us all half to death ??????

To which I responded with –

... large cruise ships (such as Disney's) use stabilizers, so unless you get into seas with waves greater than 20 feet, you will be fine!

To which Highland Lass responded -

Thank you for putting my mind at rest (ish!)

And so I apologize to Highland Lass for getting her fears all worked up only to come true. Next time I will keep my big mouth shut.

 

[Highland Lass]

Captain John said over the tannoy that the forecast had been for 8- 10 foot swells however we were sailing in 30-35 foot swells. I am no sailor but that felt pretty big to me

Is that kind of wave normal in that area ???

 

[floridaminnie]

Those were HUGE waves. Hopefully we won't have anything like this on my upcoming cruise!

 

[newms]

Highland Lass, Thanks for putting it in perspective! I forget that people travel overseas to go on the cruise as well! At least we only hailed from Chicago, and I also am thrilled I didn't pay for an upgrade to a room with a view this time.
What we did learn was that we love the all inclusive atmosphere so we'll book an inclusive resort in Cancun for our next family trip! And my mom is considering booking us all a cruise for her 50th anniversary, so MAYBE Castaway Cay may be a possibility. (Not in December again though).