Aug 14 Magic - Unhappy w/ Changes?

[RJake1]

Why didn't Disney just swap days between Cozumel and Grand Cayman?

Why does Disney obess over Nassau?

Since the 3 and 4 day cruises go to Nassau, do you feel your 7 day Magic cruise was 'devalued' by Disney decision to swap GC for Nassau?

IMHO, if I wanted to see Nassau (again) I'd have booked a 3 or 4 day cruise. I specifically booked 7 day western to see new ports of call.

I understand the weather issues but the weather had cleared sufficiently to allow Magic to sail into GC Weds so I don't understand why we didn't.

If anyone has any thoughts or information, or wants to vent, please respond. Thanks.

 

[drclaws]

I believe it was due to the Captain's concern over the next approaching tropical storm that was following the same path as Charlie had. He chose to change the itinerary to ensure the safety of those on board.

 

[RJake1]

If you're referring to Earl, it was downgraded to Wave status by Monday, and had passed GC Tuesday and moved Southwest, so as far as I can tell there was no "safety" reason for cruise to skip GC on Weds.

I can understand the decision to divert to Cozumel Mon/Tues, but my question is why didn't we proceed to GC on Weds instead of going to Nassau? The weather had cleared sufficiently, so the "safety" reason doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

 

[allears]

Are you really serious? I don't believe they take changing itineraires lightly. Did you ask while you were on board why the change. I think most of us would assume that either the weather was still a concern for the captain, as tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes are noturiously erratic. Or perhaps the government at Grand Cayman wasn't prepared to receive ships again.

Consider yourself fortuneate that you got to go some place with out a hurricane. Friends of ours were in Jamaca during Charely, while they were unharmmed they spent the day couped up inside, no chance for the island to change course to look for the sun.

We're cruising in 5 weeks, still the height of hurricane season. We all are aware that for many reasons the ship may change it's course. I put my trust in the captain and the crew to do what is best for everyone's safety (which may include avoiding rough seas) and to keep the trip enjoyable. So will I be a bit disappointed if we miss a port, sure, but better that than the whole trip.

 

[drclaws]

Originally posted by RJake1


Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

Probably none that you'll like!

 

[CM_Mom]

The last report I saw on Earl had it downgraded to a "Tropical Wave" but was still packing 40-45 MPH winds. Not sure I'd want to be on a cruise ship anywhere in the vicinity of those winds. On Monday, the Tropical Prediction Center downgraded Earl and said that was the last report "unless it strengthed and redeveloped". Since my DD was on the ship, I'm glad the captain made the cautious choice.

On the idea of going to GC on Wed, isn't it too far to make it from GC to Castaway Cay with just one sea day? I think folks would have been REALLY MAD if they had gone to GC and missed Castaway Cay.

 

[skyhawk]

I was on this cruise and I heard that since the ship doesnt dock at Grand Cayman, and that in order to transfer passengers to land, they need to be tendered over. I don't think you can use the tender in rough seas that were expected. I would rather have happen what did, rather than go to Grand Cayman and not be able to disembark. We still had a wonderful trip - it's not Disney's fault that bad weather hit.

 

[tvguy]

The ship is the number one destination for us, Castaway Cay, number two. The rest is, as they say, is gravy. I can go to the rest of the ports a whole lot cheaper and for a whole lot longer if I want to without taking a cruise.

 

[webray]

Complaining..about the captain trying to keep people safe..you have got to be kidding.

Ports changing because of weather is made very clear up front..disney doesn't hide this..and it is the risk you take..getting the cheaper sailing prices during hurricane season.

 

[Poly Pal]

We were on the Magic last week when it didn't make it to Grand Cayman.

We were disappointed that we didn't get to GC, but were happy to have smooth seas and mostly nice weather (I got rained on for a few minutes up on deck 10 when a dark cloud passed over the ship, but I was in my swimsuit. Hey, I needed a shower anyway!) I am all for safety first.

I personally wish they had chosen some alternate port other than Nassau. I would have booked the 3 or 4 day if I wanted to go there. I've been there before and it is not a nice port of call. My oldest son and I got off the ship around 9:15 a.m before all the hagglers are out to harass you, which made it a little better.

We were back on the ship by 10:30 a.m. and spent the day on an almost empty ship. My youngest son had the Mickey pool almost all to himself and there was no line for the slide most of the day.

 

[markey]

I too was also on this cruise and very disappointed because we missed GC. I am glad that we had safety first and sunny skies. However I am very upset that I booked a Western cruise and ended up in the Bahamas, I would have liked to have gone to anyother port but there. Just my two cents, but the whole cruise was just too mixed up for me, just lucky I was not one of the ones still boarding at Key West on Sunday night at 7:00! This was our 5th cruise and it will be the one I remember, and not as the best.

 

[Regina]

On my first Western cruise, we had to outrun a storm. We bypassed Grand Cayman and got to Cozumel that evening. We could have gotten off the ship at that time and we had the entire next day to enjoy that destination. We didn't go to a substitute port, we just skipped GC.

It's the risk you take when you cruise. I'd rather be safe than sorry, and I had no problem with that took place. DCL did a great job in scheduling onboard activities.

 

[bettemom]

Originally posted by RJake1
Why didn't Disney just swap days between Cozumel and Grand Cayman?

Why does Disney obess over Nassau?

Since the 3 and 4 day cruises go to Nassau, do you feel your 7 day Magic cruise was 'devalued' by Disney decision to swap GC for Nassau?

IMHO, if I wanted to see Nassau (again) I'd have booked a 3 or 4 day cruise. I specifically booked 7 day western to see new ports of call.

I understand the weather issues but the weather had cleared sufficiently to allow Magic to sail into GC Weds so I don't understand why we didn't.

If anyone has any thoughts or information, or wants to vent, please respond. Thanks.

WOW, A meteorologist and a ship captain all rolled up in one....

Honestly Safety is the captains 1st priority, if you read your cruise contract they can change ports of call at any time. On our first Disney cruise ever ,the captain and crew were trying to keep us away from 3 hurricanes, so we did not make ONE scheduled port visit. The crew made an uncertain trip fantastic. We had extra sea days and 2 days at CC. My feelings are you make the best of the situation, you are after all fortunate enough to be able to make the cruise and if where the ship is going is unacceptable you can always get off ASAP and fly home.

We leave on 10/2 cruise and understand fully the risks involved with cruising during the storm season.

 

[tracyl921]

I can understand your being upset about missing GC. I;ve been there before, I don't think you missed much, so don't fret!.

I wonder what's involved in changing ports. I would think arrangments would have to be made in advance. I don't think a ship can just show up in a port and expect to be docked. Perhaps Nassau was an easier port to switch to.

In any event, I don't even look at the itinerary when I cruise anymore. I look at how many days at sea there are. That's the best part for me!

 

[natdencro]

As a parent of a CM on board the Magic for the last 4and half years, I am only TOO PLEASED that the Captain takes care when and where he sails during possible rough weather. Disney make it quite clear that the ports on the itinerary are "subject to change". Stop whingeing, and be glad you all returned home safe and sound. ANY cruise is better than NO cruise! Nat

 

[Boomerwon]

My family was on board both E. (Aug 7th) and W (Aug 14). Just for clarification we did not go to GC because of the tender situtation. They are very dangerous during any sort of windy/wavy conditions! 2 years ago a crew member from Norweigan was killed while trying to board a tender. A wave came up and through him between tender and ramp. I, for one, am very happy that they are taking our safety and well being into concern and we absolutely love GC. The captain was right on with making the decision!

Everyone we spoke to was okay with the decision after being somewhere in the area, or trying to get to the ship during Charlie. It was fun having a new destination to go to and spending the extra time in Cozumel.

Jody

PS--CC on Aug 6th was extremely windy for the first few hours and that was winds less than 25 knots. I would not have wanted to be tendered to GC in anything but calm and smooth conditions.

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by RJake1
Why didn't Disney just swap days between Cozumel and Grand Cayman?

Why does Disney obess over Nassau?

Since the 3 and 4 day cruises go to Nassau, do you feel your 7 day Magic cruise was 'devalued' by Disney decision to swap GC for Nassau?

IMHO, if I wanted to see Nassau (again) I'd have booked a 3 or 4 day cruise. I specifically booked 7 day western to see new ports of call.

I understand the weather issues but the weather had cleared sufficiently to allow Magic to sail into GC Weds so I don't understand why we didn't.

If anyone has any thoughts or information, or wants to vent, please respond. Thanks.

You know what, that's the chance you take when you cruise during hurricane season, sorry. The captain made the decisions he made due to the weather. You have no idea why he made the decision he did, but believe me, I'm sure he had a good reason to do so. Just because the weather had cleared sufficiently doesn't mean a darn thing. The winds and seas may have been horrible and the tendering wouldn't have been available. YOu are warned a head of time that the ports may change and you accept it.
Like I said on the other thread, be happy you were on the Magic enjoying yourself. There are those here in southwest Florida who lost EVERYTHING they owned due to the weather and are still suffering. Watching the incredible devastation down here makes you put things into the proper prospective.
If missing Grand Cayman and doing Nassau instead ruined your vacation, it's your own doing.

 

[Michele25]

I was on that cruise too and was just thankful the captain kept us in beautiful weather with, what I thought were very calm seas, considering some of the storms around. Yes, I would've like to see Grand Cayman, but I would have rather been completely safe and in sunny weather.

I quote from the announcement he sent,

"...The tropical wave has wind around 25 to 35 knots which is 40 mph. The system will be approaching Grand Cayman tomorrow afternoon and over the Cozumel area on Wednesday. The weather system will make the tender operation very difficult and unsafe. The update from the hurricane center is that they expect this system to re-generate and this is another thing we have to take into consideration.

I promise you that this is not a decision that we make lightly and that we do carefully consider all of the options. We have been in contact with the National Hurricane Center in Miami for updates on the system after 11 am. My number one priority is the safety of you our Guests, my crewmembers and the ship. I trust you understand that this change is necessary in order to make sure that we keep a safe clearance away from any weather system that may potentially harm us."

Kudos to this captain--I have the utmost respect for him and his decision--consider yourself lucky you even made it on the ship and that we had awesome weather while sailing....


Michele

 

[mrsltg]

I cruised Carnival in 99 with sea conditions of 20'-24' swells. Trust me - you should be glad that DCL steered around that sort of weather. I was on the Destiny and she is far from small but was still being tossed around like a dinghy.

Regardless of everything else, maybe Grand Cayman was full on Wednesday and wouldn't allow another ship???

And finally, to put a little perspective on things, take a gander at the posts regarding Emmagrammy... Hopefully you'll feel differently about pretty much everything in life...

Erin

 

[*Fantasia*]

Be thankful that the Captain kept you safe. This will give you a reason to book another Disney Cruise! Isn't that great! Then you will finally see Grand Cayman.