Anyone on the Sept 26, 2004 Wonder??

[chris44]

We have a hotel at WDW for Fri., Sat, and Sun. nights. We have to make a decision very soon, because our flight leaves for Orlando this afternoon (if not cancelled due to Ivan in Texas).

I'd love to still go on the cruise, as this is my family's first cruise. But if we did decide to cancel, do you think we could still fly to Orlando and just do WDW for about a week? I know it might shut down on Sunday, but just wondering if it would be open enough days to be worth the trip. I hate to cancel everything, and WDW without a cruise would be better than nothing at all. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I would surely appreciate them.

 

[Kimcameronkelsie]

Mary you had some great questions....I wanted to know the answers before making my decisions...here's what I found out:

1) what exactly the 40% is off - if we stop at a port I'm good with paying port charges and taxes, but let's say we don't stop anywhere, do we get a portion of that money back?

We don't have to pay port charges ....if we dont' stop in any ports...they will be refunded.


2) what if I decide to go (providing that we leave from Port Canaveral) and then we end up leaving from Port Everglades, this cuts my already shortened 4 day from a 3 day to a 2 1/2 day, can I cancel out completely and get refunded 100% even if I decide this on Monday?

According to my TA...we have to let them know by 4pm today if we are cancelling.

3) what if I decide to go and the roads are too dangerous to drive and I find this out on Monday and decide to cancel? will I get my 100%?

Again, 4pm is the deadline (according to my TA).

4) will there be any kind of room credit (not that this will be the deal breaker, but it would be nice to know)?

No room credit offered at this time.


We're driving down from North Carolina (along 95) Right along it's path. Still can't decide. My 2 and 4 year old have been counting the days...it would be heartbreaking to disappoint them...but their safety is much more important....we'll see. I keep hoping that the hurrican continues to move East and miss Fla completely.

 

[Dcanoli]

I think everyone is concerned about their schedules.

We have ressies at Pop Century on Saturday night and were planning a day at the World for Saturday.

As of right now, WDW hasn't changed their cancellation policy, so you would have to pay for your hotel regardless of whether you cancel or not. So, I would suggest hanging on to your ressies until they make a decision about their cancellation policy. Then, if they allow you to cancel it w/o penalty, you can make a further decision.

My concern, along the same lines as what you said above, is that what if the storm moves along slower than expected, and it doesn't make it out of PC until Monday. Will they cancel the cruise all together or will they move it to PE?

I mean, we live just north of Atlanta, so I could cancel everything and drive straight down, but it seems like everything would be last minute with this storm zero-ing on DCL and WDW.

I think you should keep your ressies and watch the weather. Even if the cruise is canceled, you could enjoy the week in Orlando!

 

[Dcanoli]

Okay, Kim--it's you and me girl--against the weather taking our little ones to Mickey!!

LOL! We live north of Atlanta, so we'll be heading straight down 95 too.

We were gonna go down on Saturday and do Downtown Disney and a character meal to kick-start the cruise, but I guess I'll end up canceling that now....

We're waiting to make sure Jeanne hits the coast before we head out. We'll probably cancel everything (i.e., hotel, character breakfast, etc.) and drive straight down about 3 or 4 a.m. Monday to make it to the ship by noon.

I just hope it doesn't get canceled all together!

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks forall the info! I am so confused about everything. I guess we will see as the updates on Jeanne come in. THis is very dissapointing but I hope we can get a vacation out of all this anyway!

 

[Kimcameronkelsie]

I had thought about that option...but according to current predictions...it's supposed to hit the top of FLA at 2am on Monday. I thought about leaving Sunday and spending the night in Orlando...so we didn't have to drive through the storm. Still trying to decide. I really want to take the kids!!! They already have their suitcases packed.

Goodluck!!!!

 

[jeeper9]

I took the 3 night option, but now I am rethinking. Since our flight was changed all 5 of us will be located in single seats NOT near each other. With 3 kids under 9 and their first flight I am not sure this is a good idea. Has anyone ever asked another person to switch seats once onboard?

This is turning out to be a mind boggling trip for everyone!!!

 

[Dcanoli]

Hmmm...Kim, that's something I hadn't thought of yet!

I guess no matter where it hits and when--we're going to be passing it along the way somewhere....

My first thought was exactly what you are thinking--cancel Saturday's hotel ressie and reschedule for Sunday night, then drive east on Monday a.m.

Still...my family keeps bringing up the same story--do we want to be in Orlando on Sunday while the storm is there?

I mean--what are you thinking when you say you are thinking about spending the night somewhere Sunday night? Because you will be hitting the storm somewhere along way....

My boys are 7 and 4, and we made a chain to count down the days...this morning they got up exclaming, "ONE MORE DAY! ONE MORE DAY!" So, I know how you feel...I still am trying to figure out a way to do Orlando and get on the cruise Monday a.m.

 

[Kimcameronkelsie]

People usually just offer....to switch....sometimes when you get to the gate...they can switch you around. I had that happen once..when I was travelling alone with a two and four year old. Maybe you can have one child with you and your husband can have the other two next to him. It will work out!!! When is your flight going out???? My biggest concern would be that the entire flight would be cancelled b/c of the hurricane. Let's keep our fingers crossed!!!

 

[Kimcameronkelsie]

My husband and I (just decided) that we're going to wait and see where the hurricane goes (or is predicted to go) ...we'll make our decision on Sunday morning ... to drive down that day. The storm may continue to move east....and we would be better off in ORlando. I cancelled my hotel reservation for Sat. night. It took me a while to choose a hotel (I am really picky)...so my preferece would be just to drive straight through and board the ship w/o a hotel stay the night before....but if it moves up the coast...I'd rather be in Orlando the night before and have little driving to do on Monday. Check out the NHC site http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT11/refresh/AL1104W+GIF/240903W.gif

KIM

 

[jeeper9]

Thanks Kim ~ our flight leaves Harrisburg, PA on Monday morning at 6:15 am. We are leaving our house Sunday afternoon and spending the evening at a hotel near the airport, otherwise we would need to start driving at 2:30 am to make it to the airport.

 

[TheGottis]

Well, guys... I'm flip flopping all over about this - if you asked me a 1/2 hour ago, I was GO GO, now... I really can't justify spending the amount on a cruise that's going to turn into a 2 1/2 day one even with the 40% (no one has offically said that, but think about it, how long did it take the CG to OPEN Port Canaveral last time). I really don't think that Port Canaveral is going to be where we are leaving from... and the thought of having to drive 5 hrs + to just get to the ship really doesn't suit me. I talked it over with DH and he agrees. If indeed the 4pm tonite deadline to make the decision is a solid, I can't see saying YES...

I'm putting a call into my TA to see what else is available AND to deal with DCL regading this.

~ Mary

 

[odomam]

I just got off the phone with DCL and could not get a straight answer as to how late we can make a decision. Does anyone know? We live in SC and were planning on flying - we could drive but no matter what with the project path of Jeanne, we are looking at going straight through the hurricane.

 

[jeeper9]

I am reconsidering also. As of now, I am going to call DCL and cancel. Another time when it would be safer is a better decision for my family. The children will be disappointed, but they can look forward to the next cruise.

Good luck, prayers and pixie dust to all of you.

Diana

 

[CaribGirl]

We made the decision this morning to cancel also. If any one remembers Frances the Wonder for that Sunday sailing got moved to a 3 day and then if I am not mistaken canceled completely!!!
For those of you flying in, last time during Frances WDW opened up a day after the storm, so they were up and running. According to local news Orlando is expecting 80mph at the highest on Sunday. WDW has all their own crews and get fixed up quite quickly. No need to wait for FP&L there!!!

 

[cheercoach2]

You all are such a great support system. I am so very sad but agree with you all regarding the safety of our families. We haven't made the final decision but am leaning towards rescheduling. Like you said, I can't imagine paying for a 2 1/2 day cruise (if that's how it ends up.) The other sad thing is that with rescheduling, chances are we won't end up on the same cruise. I was looking forward to meeting you all. If anyone reschedules, post your dates ASAP.

Do you think Thanksgiving week is sold out?

Feeling sad.... Theresa

 

[Dcanoli]

Well, we are going to think about all the options and keep the door open.

My kids are too excited about going to give up now. The biggest thing is like you guys said...you are going to HAVE to go THROUGH the storm at some point--driving or flying....if they allow flights into Orlando.

If you go down Saturday, you will still have a good day of vacation, but Sunday you will be weathering the storm in one fashion or another, depending on where it lands and in which direction it goes. Monday may be rough too depending on the same factors.

One good thing is that once it hits land, it will start to slow down. Right now, it's still at 100 mph...let's hope it stays that way or dissapates.

 

[tjosato]

This is my train of thought on travel to Florida. Pure speculation, but heres my logic. We are coming from St. Louis. Was sched to arrive MCO at 7pm Sat night. Now we are going standby to arrive at 10:30 am Sat. I figure that the earlier I get to Florida the less likely we will have flight delays from Jeanne. I was thinking changing the flight to Sunday, but i figure that Sat night they might start canceling flights to Florida. Then theres no way flights are coming in on Sunday. Monday will be all the backup traffic from the cancelled flights on Sunday, good luck trying to get to MCO and then PC by 5pm.

So we have decided to ride out the storm in Orlando. My reservations originally were for the Courtyard in cocoa beach. But figured we didnt want to ride out a hurricane on the beach Found some great rates (50% of reg rates, promo code m11) for marriott rewards members at Orlando properties for this weekend.

Now.... heres the big question..... With PC already under evac orders, where are we going to meet the ship on Monday? I know no one can really answer that at this point. but its really haunting me. I know that the cruises from earlier this month that got shifted to PE did not leave til almost midnight to give people a chance to make it. That leaves us with basically a 2 day (tue and Wed) cruise

 

[CaribGirl]

Just looked at the 11:00 projected path, and it seems to making landfall in South Brevard (where I am at!!!
PC is in central Brevard. Too close for comfort. IMHO they will not be able to leave out of PC on Monday.
Thanksgiving sounds like a cool time to go, from what I understand the Bahamas won't be cold either!!! FYI... Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30!!!!

 

[cheercoach2]

I'm worried about you guys that LIVE there. You have been so abused this season. We're talking cruise and your talking your home. You will be in my prayers.

Why don't you just pack up and bring the kids to Lexington,Ky! It's actually very sunny, in the 80's and next week should be great too. We don't have the ocean but we have horse farms!

My TA is looking in to dates right now. I'm a bit disappointed by their service. I called her this morning and she had NO IDEA that there had been any changes.

Be sure and update with any new travel dates.

I can't believe the season is thru 11/30!!!

T