Kahoutek22
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
- Messages
- 11
Was on Magic 8/28-9/4.
We got off in Galveston.
Would love to hear from others who did the same.
I agree with most comments. Captain did everything right.
Seeing Castaway Cay before the big bad wolf huffed and puffed and blew her away was nice. Costa Maya was perfect.
If you looked around, the crew was starting to show some unhappiness even before 9/4 (although always respectable at the tables-a little more frowning when off to the side).
Although I don't blame Disney particularly, some of the chaos regarding disembarking in Galveston should have been avoided.
It seems to me that Customs should be able to work better with cruise ships with 24 hours or more notice. Once Galveston was selected as a refuel/re-food port, the option for disembarking should have been there. From the get-go we were told we could get off in Galveston if we really wanted to (if we felt it was an "important" enough reason-no emergency required) but that this was not recommended. Then we were told the next day with only one hour notice that we had to decide if we wanted to get off in Galveston (without assistance with arranging flights). I built into mine and my families plans a 2 day buffer to get back to work and school if needed. Once we heard that flights from Florida may make it at least 3 days late, we had to get off. I bought nonrefundable flights for $3500 on the internet for the 4 of us from the ship since I couldn't get a land-sea line to talk to anyone from the airline. We had no way to know if other ships would divert to Texas and if flights would be available to exchange from Florida tickets, so needed a "bird in the hand" before committing to leaving. We were originally told if we were going to get off (before the formal option was given) chose Bush Intercontinental airport. After tickets were booked (at Bush Intercontinental) we were told transport would be provided to Hobbie airport only. Subsequently after many complaints they opened transport to both airlines. The airline was nice enough to refund the nonrefundable tickets (and honor our Florida tickets) after much conversation.
During the hour of deciding,it was like rats in a cage struggling for the 8 computers in the internet cafes to book flights.
The cruise industry needs to work better with customs for dealing with these events (since they occur "naturally").
1) I think, when safe, the ships should try to dock somewhere, approximately the day of originally expected departure, when safe, to allow the option of getting home roughly when planned (or earlier).
2) Customs should be prepared to "open" these ports as a Customs site to allow debarkation.
3) Knowlege is power. The more the better. We need as much time to make these difficult decisions whether to stay or leave, as possible.
Please don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful 7 night cruise and got home only a half day later than planned. Everything was wonderful. However the stress and uncertainty of the last part, truly could have been made less. We should have been told that we were the only ship coming to Galveston and communication with Houston airport should have been made regarding available flights and our arrival (since 600 of us were being dropped at their doorstep). With enough knowlege and enough time I think many more people would have left in Galveston. Unfortunately there was not enough time and information to think clearly. I am sure Disney was trying to get a commitment from customs earlier and was trying to give more than an hours notice (it did eventually turn into 2 hours). This doesn't mean that Disney shouldn't work towards leading the industry towards the above changes. Disney lives and dies by the satisfaction of families with school age children and hard working parents. Having a way to minimize the risk of missing school and work (being prepared to approach alternative disembarkation ports, especially when preferable to refuel/re-food anyway) should be a priority for the future.
Just to reiterate, all that being said, it was wonderful vacation.
We got off in Galveston.
Would love to hear from others who did the same.
I agree with most comments. Captain did everything right.
Seeing Castaway Cay before the big bad wolf huffed and puffed and blew her away was nice. Costa Maya was perfect.
If you looked around, the crew was starting to show some unhappiness even before 9/4 (although always respectable at the tables-a little more frowning when off to the side).
Although I don't blame Disney particularly, some of the chaos regarding disembarking in Galveston should have been avoided.
It seems to me that Customs should be able to work better with cruise ships with 24 hours or more notice. Once Galveston was selected as a refuel/re-food port, the option for disembarking should have been there. From the get-go we were told we could get off in Galveston if we really wanted to (if we felt it was an "important" enough reason-no emergency required) but that this was not recommended. Then we were told the next day with only one hour notice that we had to decide if we wanted to get off in Galveston (without assistance with arranging flights). I built into mine and my families plans a 2 day buffer to get back to work and school if needed. Once we heard that flights from Florida may make it at least 3 days late, we had to get off. I bought nonrefundable flights for $3500 on the internet for the 4 of us from the ship since I couldn't get a land-sea line to talk to anyone from the airline. We had no way to know if other ships would divert to Texas and if flights would be available to exchange from Florida tickets, so needed a "bird in the hand" before committing to leaving. We were originally told if we were going to get off (before the formal option was given) chose Bush Intercontinental airport. After tickets were booked (at Bush Intercontinental) we were told transport would be provided to Hobbie airport only. Subsequently after many complaints they opened transport to both airlines. The airline was nice enough to refund the nonrefundable tickets (and honor our Florida tickets) after much conversation.
During the hour of deciding,it was like rats in a cage struggling for the 8 computers in the internet cafes to book flights.
The cruise industry needs to work better with customs for dealing with these events (since they occur "naturally").
1) I think, when safe, the ships should try to dock somewhere, approximately the day of originally expected departure, when safe, to allow the option of getting home roughly when planned (or earlier).
2) Customs should be prepared to "open" these ports as a Customs site to allow debarkation.
3) Knowlege is power. The more the better. We need as much time to make these difficult decisions whether to stay or leave, as possible.
Please don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful 7 night cruise and got home only a half day later than planned. Everything was wonderful. However the stress and uncertainty of the last part, truly could have been made less. We should have been told that we were the only ship coming to Galveston and communication with Houston airport should have been made regarding available flights and our arrival (since 600 of us were being dropped at their doorstep). With enough knowlege and enough time I think many more people would have left in Galveston. Unfortunately there was not enough time and information to think clearly. I am sure Disney was trying to get a commitment from customs earlier and was trying to give more than an hours notice (it did eventually turn into 2 hours). This doesn't mean that Disney shouldn't work towards leading the industry towards the above changes. Disney lives and dies by the satisfaction of families with school age children and hard working parents. Having a way to minimize the risk of missing school and work (being prepared to approach alternative disembarkation ports, especially when preferable to refuel/re-food anyway) should be a priority for the future.
Just to reiterate, all that being said, it was wonderful vacation.
