Aug 14 Magic - Unhappy w/ Changes?

[abitjaded]

Everyone seems to hate Nassau. Is Grand Bahama better? Why does the Magic or the Wonder even use this port? Are there any alternative ports that close? Do any of the other Bahama Islands have a port? (Eluthera, for instance, is an amazing place, but not if you want to shop or do much sight seeing.) Bermuda? Something that would work for three and four day itineraries and as a safe port in hurricaine season? Cannot think of any other ports you see used by the large ships on the southeast side of Florida. If the raunchiness of Nassau is the problem, what could the alternative be? Maybe if some cruises do get rerouted, a better choice would help assuage the anger at missing a beloved port.

Carla

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by RJake1
Why does Disney obess over Nassau?

<. . . >

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.

I think it is much easier and cheaper to dock at Nassau on a moment's notice than anywhere else. And once they cancelled the GC stop, it might have been a hassle to rereserve it.

I know that you are disappointed, but, IMNSHO, safety is the number one concern of any ship captain. he could have made the call to cancel the cruise all together, but he found a route of safety. For that, all cruisers should be thankful.

Charley proved that the path of a hurricane can shift fairly quickly, so better safe than sorry.

(And GC is NOT particularly exciting, if that helps at all!)

 

[IrishCowboy]

RJake1,
I understand your disappointment with Nassau being substituted for Grand Cayman. Its like comparing The Disney Magic to the Big Red Boat.

I'm sure the Captain/DCL made the decision based on safety and logistics. Weather and travel time made it impossible to go to Grand Cayman and DCL did the best that they could on short notice. I'm sure every ship in the Western Caribbean that week was scambling for alternative ports of call.

I understand your need to 'vent' and get things off your chest. However, this is a 'disboard' and any anti-DCL sentiment is dealt with swiftly and harshly. I apologize for some of my fellow dis-ers behavior for making this a personal issue and some of their attacks.

Besides, now you have a reason to book another DCL cruise to go Grand Cayman.

 

[RJake1]

Thanks, Irish. I can't believe the anger and venom of some of the posters. You'd have thought I questioned their religious beliefs (which maybe in a sense I did).

DCL (which actually is a fictious name and not a legal entity) never offered an explanation as to why GC was not considered for Weds, so I thought someone on this board might have some tangible information.

Fact is, nobody on this board (including me) knows what the weather was like at GC on Weds, or what sea conditions were like, or whether harbormaster placed restrictions on port. Its all speculation at this point.

I wonder if there is a website where I could look up climatological records and sea conditions for that date?

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by RJake1
Snip...
I wonder if there is a website where I could look up climatological records and sea conditions for that date?

That is a great question. I was curious about our cruise's records also. Anyone??

PS I am also sorry about the fact that you had to go to Nassau instead of GC. I went to Nassau about 15 years ago and don't plan on stepping foot on that soil again! So if we ever go on a cruise and it docks there, it will be an enjoy the Magic/Wonder day!

 

[wnissen]

I wonder if there is a website where I could look up climatological records and sea conditions for that date? [/B]

http://www.wunderground.com/history/station/78384/2004/8/18/DailyHistory.html

Has data for a weather station in the Cayman Islands. It doesn't record precip. correctly, but it does show the wind speed and list any meteorological events. For Wednesday, it doesn't list anything happening. But isn't this a moot point anyway? They were chasing the sun, and that's what they got. This thread is just a reminder of how important it is to be flexible and enjoy a vacation, especially when nature is in the way.

Walt

 

[Poly Pal]

Wow! I think RJake1 is getting more negative responses than he really deserves. We are all allowed to express our disappointment and disatisfaction and none of us really know the answer as to why the Magic didn't just sail to GC on Wednesday once Earl had dissipated (but I'm sure the reason was a good one.)

Like RJake1 and markey, we were on the 8/14 cruise. We were disappointed after a year's worth of planning to not get to Grand Cayman. But calm seas and good weather (not to mention safety of tendering) were more important to us than getting to Grand Cayman.

It will be a long time before we spend as much on a vacation as we did with the Disney cruise, so to suggest that the diversion is another reason to go back is unkind in a Marie Antoinnette "let them eat cake" kind of way.

I am certain that logistics and safety were utmost in the Captain's decision. I wish the choice of an alternate port had been different. Nassau is just not nice and the street vendors are too aggressive with the tourists.

 

[MarkRG]

Actually Georgetown is the 'big' town on GC.

And this link to there is a little better to read.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=IGEORGET1&month=8&day=18&year=2004

And if you go down a little bit on the page, Winds of up to 19 in gusts. And from the history of the day, it looked like the winds picked up at 8am and gusted till 6pm at night. They did the right thing going someplace else. That would have been unsafe for mooring in the harbor and even moreso for the tenders.

 

[wide awake]

Irish Cowboy,
I don't think you're being quite fair to the posters on this board. I have read some BAD reviews of DCL cruises, things that DCL had absolutely no control over, and people on this board were very "I'm so sorry you didn't have a good time, that is just terrible, blah, blah, blah". In fact 99.5% of the time it seems to be a group of Pollyannas. I don't have any sympathy for the OP...people died in this disaster, and he is upset because he didn't see Grand Caymen. They're taking donations for the Ritter family, perhaps he thinks we should do the same for him.

 

[allears]

Rjake1,

I would think after over 65 posts, the vast majority of which perceived your first two posts the same way, you might be reflect back on the wording and tone of your query. You blew off the first reasonable suggestion and pretty much everyone after that. Throw in little jabs, like "...I questioned their religious beliefs (which maybe in a sense I did)." and "DCL (which actually is a fictious name and not a legal entity)"and ..."Please...no more "I had it worse" stories. Demonstrate a bit of contempt for those not willing to validate your complaint.

Someone from your sailing posted the following earlier on this thread...

"...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."


Apparently the captain did offer an explanation for the change in plans.

And perspective is what people were trying to share with you. Sure we share in the dissappointment of missing something you've planned and looked forward to, but we should never loose sight of the bigger picture.

Maybe next time try working on your phrasing and tone, could have gone like this, 'We were on the 8/14 sailing. We were disappointed that the captain chose to not go to Grand Cayman, ended up in Nassau, not our favorite place. Would any of you have some insights as to how the captain makes those decisions? It seemed like the weather in the area cleared enough for us to go to GC?'

Guys, how would that have hit you all?

One last thing, it really doesn't matter if there is a hurricane, tropical storm or a clear day. Ships sometimes just can't go to their planned destinations. The Disney Cruise Line ships have had to make changes many times, even not docking at Castaway Cay due to sea conditions a different times of the year. Part of what we pay for is the experience and judgment of a seasoned captain and crew who will be looking out for the well being and enjoyment of all the passengers and crew.

 

[izzinmac]

In summary:
1. RJake didn't like the fact that the Magic bypassed GC

2. A bunch of people are upset because he questioned the decision

3. no one likes Nassau

Next subject!!!

 

[HumphreytheBear]

Originally posted by abitjaded
Everyone seems to hate Nassau. Why does the Magic or the Wonder even use this port? Do any of the other Bahama Islands have a port? (Eluthera, for instance, is an amazing place, but not if you want to shop or do much sight seeing.) Bermuda? Something that would work for three and four day itineraries and as a safe port in hurricaine season? Cannot think of any other ports you see used by the large ships on the southeast side of Florida. If the raunchiness of Nassau is the problem, what could the alternative be?

I agree with you izzinmac this needs to be "let go". I agree that the correct decision was made to skip the port and I don't think questioning the Captains motives would ever cross my mind, but it is over...Rjake1 is getting a lot of flack for asking a legitimate question. I agree the tone may have been taken wrong, but let's move on.

The reason I am posting is to answer the question from abitjaded... the reason that the Magic and Wonder use the port of Nassau is because that is where the ships are registered. Disney is required to make X amount of stops at the port in Nassau every year in order to keep their registry. As Libertybelle pointed out in an early post you will see that when the Wonder goes down for rehab the Magic takes over the 3/4 night cruises instead of continuing on the 7 night cruise (even though more money can be made on a 7 night) because of the Nassau docking requirements. Also when the Magic leaves for the West coast the Wonder will continue making the 3/4 night sailings and there will be no 7 night cruises for this same reason. Agreed that the dock requirments where not the case in this situation but that is why they continue to use the port of Nassau.

On a side note, other than the fact that Rjake1 had already been to Nassau and wanted to see something different, I may be the only one here that actually likes Nassau. I have been there about 8 or 9 times and while it is not my favorite port of call (that would be Cozumel in the Caribbean) I enjoy Nassau. I think it gets a bad rap and that people go there with expectations of it being horrible. The people are very friendly, you just have to be firm with the hairbraiders, you can get some great deals on merchandise and Paradise Island is beautiful (that's why the celebrites vacation at Atlantis).

Rjake1 I understand your frustration and I am sorry that you missed Grand Cayman, I also understand the Captains decision is based on the safety of not only the passengers but the ship as well.

 

[CM_Mom]

As Libertybelle pointed out in an early post you will see that when the Wonder goes down for rehab the Magic takes over the 3/4 night cruises instead of continuing on the 7 night cruise (even though more money can be made on a 7 night) because of the Nassau docking requirements.

FYI, the posted schedules during the first two weeks of October this fall while the Wonder is in dry dock have the Magic doing 7 day cruises rather than changing to the 3/4 day schedule the Wonder follows.

 

[jellybungsters]

OH! I'm sorry that you...paid money...to go on a ship...during hurricane season. (Actually I'm not sorry but the sarcasm has a good effect on the point I am trying to make) I was on the Magic the cruise before you. And I missed my flight and had to sit..in an airport.. for..7...HOURS! And I was on stand-by....I am actually grateful that I was on the ship. But we had to reroute and stop at Freeport during the night because P.C. was closed and we needed to refuel the boat. I, with my family, had to eat dinner with my water vibrating while the ship drank some fuel-liquid-stuff. And then people w/ early seating had to wake-up at 6:30AM to eat breakfast while I ate Breakfast at 8:30...I think that the crew should have made breakfast early because they very well knew that we would be arriving at P.C. at 10:30... I would have loved to stay on the ship longer, but since I couldn't go back to my room because the stewards were cleaning for you to arrive in all your glory, I had to haul my pjs to breakfast wait a few hours and finally get off the ship. Now you on the other hand, RJAKE1, seem to think that the captain will risk his ship and the people on it because YOU want to go to G.C.
Contemplate this.
By the way, the hurricane center website is nhc.noaa.gov

 

[RJake1]

Allears, with all due respect, I think you're missing the point. I am not, and never have, questioned the original decision to bypass GC on Tuesday.

What I am wondering is why we didn't go to GC on Weds., a day later than originally scheduled.

I am not 'second guessing' because I have yet to hear any reason (factual) why GC was unavailable on Weds. Perhaps there are good reasons. DCL never offered an explanation as to Weds. option. The letter everyone is quoting refers to the original Tuesday diversion which, once again, I don't have an issue with.

Might the weather have been less than ideal? Perhaps, but should that justify a diversion? Safety is a legitimate issue, but passenger inconvenience IMHO is not. Again, there might be other reasons that aren't known.

Someone in an earlier post said if I wanted to see GC I should book a land vacation there.

I suppose, in reply, I would say if you're afraid of seasickness and bad weather you should book a land vacation to Arizona.

What gives "them" the right to expect sunny skies when they book during hurricane season? I paid to see the ports advertised and I'm willing to accept rough seas. I guess it depends on whose ox is being gored.

In any event, I digress.

My original question as to why GC was not an option for Weds remains unanswered. I'm going to check out the websites suggested above for some clues.

 

[jellybungsters]

I agree that I like Nassau. I spent 5 days at Atlantis on Paradise Island. Beaches are almost as beautiful as Castaway Cay.

 

[HumphreytheBear]

Originally posted by CM_Mom
FYI, the posted schedules during the first two weeks of October this fall while the Wonder is in dry dock have the Magic doing 7 day cruises rather than changing to the 3/4 day schedule the Wonder follows.

I saw that which means that they will be meeting their requirements for the Nassau port of call. When the Wonder went down for the extended rehab a few years ago the Magic was immediatly switch to the 3/4 night run for this reason. We sailed on the Magic 4 night during that time frame just for the opportunity. It was explained to us that they had to make the change because of the ships registry and that if they did not they would be fined for breach of contract as they have to stop in Nassau X amount of days a year.

 

[RJake1]

Isn't it possible that the need to meet a contractual duty with Bahamian govn't influenced DCL's decision to quickly reroute to Nassau instead of considering steaming for GC a day later than scheduled?

Again, I am not questioning original decision to divert on Tuesday. I'm talking about the next day.

I'm just looking for information but when I read comments about potential "breach of contract" with Bahamian govn't I must confess it makes me curious.

Does anyone know the record for number of replies posted to a single topic on this board?

 

[Debcip]

I was very disappointed. I do not feel as though I got the cruise I had booked. We got on Sunday night in Key West, so I missed both Key West and GC, and I had already been to Nassau on a cruise once before.
However, I didn't feel angry at anyone--it was just one of those "What can you do?" things. And ultimately we still had a fabulous time. (Once we settled in. It took me til Tuesday) We did our planned excursion in Cozumel, and went to the wonderful Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau. We of course loved Castaway Cay and the ship activities were still great. The shows and the food were great. The kids (8 and 11) had the time of their lives. How could we really complain? There were some scheduling mix-ups but everyone did the best they could. It was a mess of a week for everyone, and I felt badly for the crew as well.
We got a $100 credit and a bottle of champagne due to our late arrival. I thought a bit of a bigger credit or a discount for a later cruise would have been nice. Not necessary, just nice.

 

[JenKatt]

we hit over a thousand on our cruise last year, so you're not even close... Jake, just call DCL, none of us have the answers you want