20060902--Eastern Sept 2nd, 2006

[allears]

In 2004 Jeanne didn't hover, but it did do circles in the Atlantic just long enough to disrupt our cruise on both ends.

We spent some time on wunderground site this morning looking at the historical paths, it is odd at best!

We have all our fingers crossed and we are going to add slickers to the packing list.

Yeah, Jeanne kept us guessing until we were ready to walk out of the house for the air port.

I still think there is a lot of time yet and a very good chance this one will stay out of our way, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

 

[robtraci]

I know the folks on this week's voyage may be dissappointed that their western got changed to an eastern, but I'm glad the ship isn't going to be stuck in the western caribbean and not be able to get back.

I didn't know it got changed from western to eastern. That makes me feel so much better about the whole thing!

 

[HollyTyler]

We have all our fingers crossed and we are going to add slickers to the packing list.

Am I the only one who doesn't know what slickers are?

 

[HollyTyler]

Anyone else will have to make their own alternate arrangements. We did this in 2004 when we flew down the day before our scheduled departure, but had to hold up in a hotel for three days as hurricane Jeanne came across Florida. Trip insurance paid us back for that.

I guess I should plan on trying to bring a bunch of money with us in case this happens. But I'm so glad I ended up getting trip insurance so I can be reimbursed if this happens. I actually forgot to get insurance until last week! Don't know how I could forget something that important! I'm the ultimate scatter-brain lately!

 

[racrj]

I guess I should plan on trying to bring a bunch of money with us in case this happens. But I'm so glad I ended up getting trip insurance so I can be reimbursed if this happens. I actually forgot to get insurance until last week! Don't know how I could forget something that important! I'm the ultimate scatter-brain lately!

If I got trip insurance through my TA when I booked my cruise, does that insurance also cover the flights that we did on our own? Would I have to buy another type of insurance to cover the flights?

Let's all cross our fingers and pray the the Ernesto goes AWAY.....

 

[racrj]

Ok - just now realized the possibility of us being able to get to port, but not the ship. Ok, so let's hear some good news!!!!

Keep positive. Try not to stress too hard.
Things always have a way of working out. I always stress out and later I wonder why I was stressing because it usually works out well. It may not work out the way I planned, but it eventually works out.

I don't think there will be any rain here in PA on Wednesday, so your flight down should not be delayed...

I'll also keep my fingers crossed for you guys!

 

[allears]

If I got trip insurance through my TA when I booked my cruise, does that insurance also cover the flights that we did on our own? Would I have to buy another type of insurance to cover the flights?

Let's all cross our fingers and pray the the Ernesto goes AWAY.....

Check with your TA, I don't think the flights would be covered if not booked with the package that the cruise and insurance were part of. In fact, in Jan 05 we booked seperate flights and I was a little nervous about them, so I bought seperate insurance for them, with the help of our TA who had booked the trip. So I guess you would need to insure yours seperately. I'm glad I did, because we got "stranded" in Florida on our way home due to a blizzard here and the insurance covered our extra expenses.

We booked our air fair with DCL this time, just in case, which makes me a little less stressed about this situation. If there need to be any changes to departure dates or our departure port, DCL will take care of those for us and let us know. It was a little more expensive, but I consider it additional insurance.

robtraci, there were some threads about the change last night. Apparently it was announced at the terminal. I thouht they might go to Key West anyway today then make the decision, but I guess they knew better, as Key West has already issued an evacuation order for tourists and visitors. Changing it to an eastern was pretty much a no brainer, though I'm sure some folks will be really ticked. But I certainly wouldn't want to sail there now with Ernesto right near the caymans.

HollyTyler, I would defenitely have the resourses available in the event of a delay on eithe end of the trip. And if anything does happen, you will be very glad you got insurance. I'm still pulling for a non-event for us and that all will go smoothly for us getting on board next Saturday.

 

[HollyTyler]

If I got trip insurance through my TA when I booked my cruise, does that insurance also cover the flights that we did on our own? Would I have to buy another type of insurance to cover the flights?

Let's all cross our fingers and pray the the Ernesto goes AWAY.....

I think you'd have to look at your policy and see exactly what's covered. The insurance I purchased is for everything, but if you hadn't booked your flights yet at the time you purchased your insurance it doesn't seem like they'd be covered. But you can just call your insurance provider and check and if nothing else, maybe add coverage for your flights if they're not covered.

 

[HollyTyler]

Sorry racrj, allears posted while I was typing my response. So ignore mine because allears was more thorough.

 

[racrj]

Thanks for the information. I am going to call my TA and ask what is covered, exactly....

I was reading the weather news online and they state it is still too early to tell Ernesto's track. They state that by Monday they should know more. It all depends on what it does when it hits Cuba. Hopefully it weakens and drops back down to a tropical depression.

 

[tggrbuny]

Am I the only one who doesn't know what slickers are?

The original term applied to the yellow rain jackets that came to your knees. (at least when I was a kid .xx..years ago) Today it kind of refers to any rain gear, even the cheap kind (folded into 3*4 square) that you can buy for one dollar anywhere.

 

[allears]

Thanks for the information. I am going to call my TA and ask what is covered, exactly....

I was reading the weather news online and they state it is still too early to tell Ernesto's track. They state that by Monday they should know more. It all depends on what it does when it hits Cuba. Hopefully it weakens and drops back down to a tropical depression.

I'm really hoping for this too. I'm also keeping in mind that any time they've predicted a track this far out, it is rarely where it ends up going. And a lot can happen if it enters the gulf. I think we're also in a better place since it's approach is on the west coast. That could mean it could even hit the pan handle but not affect port canaveral. When Jeanne came through it came in on the east coast, but didn't really cross until Sunday. Though it was clearish on Saturday, there was no way they could sail the Magic out and avoid bad seas. With this coming from the West it buys more time.

 

[tomspixie]

Hi All!

If anyone wants to really get scared...go chaperone a high school dance!!! The thing that really made it frightening was that if the kids in the parochial high school were dancing the way they were, thank God we weren't at one of the other schools in town! There were even several incidents of crowd surfing...have to admit, it looked fun! Some of the other stuff thought we might be in a certain kind of club you wouldn't mention on a Dis board!!!!

We too are keeping an eye on weather! Looking for Pixie Dust!!! I have implored amongst the group that we sailed and posted with in July...they are sending PD as well!!! If it looks like Ernesto would keep us from flying, we are willing to make the drive. 17 hour straight shot!!! Granted..it would slow down with the weather. We traveled home through a TS last summer. Very interesting ride!

 

[tomspixie]

We have a few question for all of the vetern cruisers. I'll post on the main board if you guys don't reply, but it's nice to ask "friends" first.

What do you do with your "stuff" if you're on the beach?
Can we buy a water wallet/dry box on board?
Do you wear your bathing suit under your clothes when you go to port?
When do you shop at port? after excursions?
Do you carry a "good" camera in ports/beach or just take a disposable? (my good digital camera has a great zoom but is a little large)
What should our port "schedules" be?

First, we're not "into" the beach, just thought it would be nice for the kids to see and do. Our DS10 is wanting to try snorkling - he has his own (cheap) equipment. We're also not doing major shopping, just basically walking around and seeing what we find (but not spend much money).

We're thinking of doing the butterfly farm and Le Galion Beach at St. Martin. We might do Coral World and Coki Beach at St. Thomas. Both would be done "on our own".

So, do you wear your bathing suits under your clothes? Do the butterfly farm/coral world first? Then go to the beach? Then go shopping before returning to the ship?

When on the beach - carry money/credit cards in a water wallet? Is it "ok" to leave a disposable camera, cheap snorkle gear, our clothes, etc. by the beach chair or does someone need to be guarding it at all times?

My DM will be with us and she doesn't like the water. She'll probably be at the beach chair all the time, but my DSs call her to come see something, I could see her just getting up and walking away from "everything".

Sorry this is long and probably a basic issue for you guys, but I'm stressing pretty badly about the vacation right now and it would help to get some guidance.

THANK YOU!!!!

By the way...Captain Jack is so right about taking clothes to change into. We don't do too many excursions anymore, Golden Eagle catamaran is the kids fav so we do it every couple of trips. When Tom and I go alone, we don't do any excursions. IF we feel like getting off the ship and heading into port, we do at our leisure. We really enjoy the people in St. Maarten, so usually get off there. The ziploc for the ID, credit cards, and KTTW card do work well in there. If you have any of the SpaceSaver bags, they work great for wet swim suits!!!! You might want to take the kids back to the ship and get them to the club or lab so that you can walk around at your pace rather than hearing them plead to return.

Our Abby a few years back really did love the lab. They have now done it a few times they aren't as excited by making Flubber again. Anyway, our first trip we could hardly get Abbs out of the lab. When we got pics done at the end of the trip she wasn't in too many of the candids. She got rather ticked off and asked where she was. We kept telling her in the lab! She asked why we didn't get her. We told her we tried but she didn't want to leave. Thought it would make an awesome add for Disney!!! It was too funny!

 

[tomspixie]

OH my gosh, I just noticed that I am up over 500 posts!!! WOOHOO!!!

 

[tggrbuny]

OH my gosh, I just noticed that I am up over 500 posts!!! WOOHOO!!!

Way to go!

 

[HollyTyler]

The original term applied to the yellow rain jackets that came to your knees. (at least when I was a kid .xx..years ago) Today it kind of refers to any rain gear, even the cheap kind (folded into 3*4 square) that you can buy for one dollar anywhere.

Thank you! I was wondering!

 

[HollyTyler]

If anyone wants to really get scared...go chaperone a high school dance!!! The thing that really made it frightening was that if the kids in the parochial high school were dancing the way they were, thank God we weren't at one of the other schools in town! There were even several incidents of crowd surfing...have to admit, it looked fun! Some of the other stuff thought we might be in a certain kind of club you wouldn't mention on a Dis board!!!!

I've heard about how those high school kids dance....SCARY! Glad to hear you survived the ordeal!

 

[CHELE73]

I haven't posted in a while but I have been keeping up with the thread.We are scheduled to drive down to WDW from TN on Wednesday and spend two days at the park then stay at the Radisson on Friday night.Now with the change in Ernesto I'm not sure what to do.We are thinking of driving down as planned on Wednesday and riding out the storm at our resort.I'm really getting nervous I need some good advise.

 

[CaptainJack]

I would not be in a panic about Ernesto at this point. In 2004, Ivan had a slightly more southern track at this point in its formation and hit the Florida panhandle. In 2005, Dennis had pretty much the same track as Ernesto does in its current formation and Dennis also hit the Florida panhandle. And recall, a couple of years ago a hurricane was headed straight for Tampa and took a sudden right turn to go over Florida.

While I know that we are all concerned about this latest storm, everyone who posted that the track projections out more than 24 hours are only guesses are correct. Recall that last year, no one was certain Katrina was going to hir New Orleans until about 24 hours before it got there.