Castaway Cay Cancelled :(

[meldobbs]

Stepped off the Wonder 4-day this morning. We had a great time, but there was a huge disappointment...our Castaway Cay day was scrapped. After about 3 attempts to dock, they determined the water was too choppy and dangerous, so the ship bailed out and headed straight to Nassau. Nooooooooooo! We had no interest in Nassau, so it turned into 2 days of staying onboard. What a letdown! Of course everyone made the best of it, but still a downer.

We heard this was the first time this had ever happened. I can't imagine how that could be, maybe they just meant for the Wonder, or just that captain.

So, yeah, we've already booked our next attempt.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

This was what, the first time it had happened? Not being able to dock? That happens pretty often due to wind and currents. Not every time but it can happen particularly closer to winter months. Unless I misunderstood your post, whoever said that was the first time it has happened was bonkers. Also Nassau is WONDERFUL. We chose our specific next cruise because it goes to Nassau, andboth our cruises in 2013 had been there. Clearly it offers a lot or the cruises would stop going there. You guys missed incredible port and beach options but that was your own choice. But not docking at CC?! You definitely aren't alone on that one.

 

[meldobbs]

Yeah, I thought it seemed unlikely that it has NEVER happened before. Probably more like the first time it has ever happened to whatever CM someone had been talking to. I was hearing third-hand, so it was like that telephone game - the story changed a bit by the time I heard it.

I gather there is some really great stuff to see in Nassau as long as you book an excursion or otherwise venture out of the immediate port area. We just stepped off for about 30 minutes and got so turned off to the place that we got right back on. We just had all our off-ship eggs in the CC basket.

 

[JavaHound]

While the Fantasy (which I was on) was able to dock at CC 1 day after the Wonder had to abort, I understand that it (the Fantasy) couldn't dock one week before. It was windy and a little cold, but was sunny and nice otherwise.

 

[Computer Magic]

Yeah, I thought it seemed unlikely that it has NEVER happened before. Probably more like the first time it has ever happened to whatever CM someone had been talking to. I was hearing third-hand, so it was like that telephone game - the story changed a bit by the time I heard it.

I gather there is some really great stuff to see in Nassau as long as you book an excursion or otherwise venture out of the immediate port area. We just stepped off for about 30 minutes and got so turned off to the place that we got right back on. We just had all our off-ship eggs in the CC basket.

We were on the Wonder back in Feb and we had choppy water. We were able to dock but all port adventures was cancelled. They were proud of the captain for being able to dock and there have been times they had to cancel CC.

As for Nassau, I agree, the immediate area isn't impressive. We walked around the main area. I'm sure a Port Adventure would take you to nice areas, but you have to be careful.

 

[MaleficentRN]

That stinks. Sorry to hear you missed Castaway Cay. I know I'd be sad. There is a bad storm headed up the coast. It must have been really hard to dock.

 

[lbgraves]

Stepped off the Wonder 4-day this morning. We had a great time, but there was a huge disappointment...our Castaway Cay day was scrapped. After about 3 attempts to dock, they determined the water was too choppy and dangerous, so the ship bailed out and headed straight to Nassau. Nooooooooooo! We had no interest in Nassau, so it turned into 2 days of staying onboard. What a letdown! Of course everyone made the best of it, but still a downer.

We heard this was the first time this had ever happened. I can't imagine how that could be, maybe they just meant for the Wonder, or just that captain.

....

This is a crock! Each of the ships has missed CC. In fact, the Fantasy missed it two cruises ago.

 

[CruznLexi]

I wave missed CC only 1 in the 8 cruises have gone there. The Capt tried multiple times but could not and we made it to Aruba early on a PC cruise.

 

[wajones2]

On our May 2013 cruise we were able to dock, but all excursions were cancelled due to winds.

 

[bbn1122]

CC was cancelled on us in 2011. Hurricane Irene had just went thru the Bahamas. Our first stop Nassau, we dock there but not many got off the ship because excursions were cancelled and they were still cleaning up the island. The whole night we were hoping they would not announce that CC would be canceled. But it was so they return to Nassau for a second Day. A lot more people got off the ship this time, but we did not. It was a 3 night cruise, so it was a real bummer.

 

[lilroo442]

Sorry you didn't get to dock! I was really worried about not being able to dock on our Dream cruise last week since it was windy and the Fantasy didn't dock a few days prior. But to my delight I woke up and we had already docked, yay Captain Gus! All excursions were cancelled though. Just gives you an excuse to go on another cruise!

 

[Capt_BJ]

We heard this was the first time this had ever happened.

that's funny

Been a while since we did a DCL but way back when we did we had about a 50% success rate at getting into CC.

Being a fellow uniformed ship driver the Master not only invited me to the bridge for a CC departure but sat with DW and I in a lounge one evening for well over an hour after a missed CC day and we swapped ship driving stories . . .

I mentioned I was impressed how long he'd tried to get into CC - I'd heard the engines maneuvering and went on deck to watch and he tried WAY longer than I would. HOURS!!

(for the technical part: the channel into the pier is not long but VERY narrow. If the ship is made to crab sideways due to winds or current there is LITTLE extra room.




A ship will crab a little going forward but A LOT when backing. For this reason a ship that pulls in head first CAN get stuck at CC because it can not safely BACK out. This happened at least once in the early days and while it SOUND cool, the folks stuck on CC who missed flights home were NOT amused. So normally, and ESPECIALLY if there is ANY question about the weather the ship BACKS IN TO the pier. If they safely back in there is a HIGH probability they can power out.)

I discussed with the Master the impact of this decision and it was obvious 2 me it was NOT taken lightly. He KNEW that overall 'satisfaction' feedback on the cruise would go down as much as 50% and DCL takes those numbers SERIOUSLY . . . not to mention the one on one grief he'd hear from pass' as he walked about the ship . . .

It happens much more often in the winter . . . but trust me, they make EVERY reasonable effort to get in.

***

Why don't they have tugs to help?
a) no other business for the tugs
b) little room for a tug to operate

Why not expand the channel?
) how much more are YOU willing to pay for your cruise?

Why not tender?
a) not set up for it
b) offshore water not favorable for anchoring at CC
c) DCL was the first to offer 'walk ashore' private island (now copied by many) ... don't think they want to give that up even if they are no longer exclusive . .

*****************
dd sounds the Whistle on MAGIC leaving CC

 

[StDebb]

Ships, regardless of what cruise line, have to change itineraries all the time. I agree with what others have said. VERY hard to believe it hasn't happened before, but maybe the Captain is new and it hadn't happened to _him_ before . . . maybe.

 

[bumbershoot]

I gather there is some really great stuff to see in Nassau as long as you book an excursion or otherwise venture out of the immediate port area. We just stepped off for about 30 minutes and got so turned off to the place that we got right back on. We just had all our off-ship eggs in the CC basket.

Had the same experience our first time in Nassau. Second time we did the chocolate factory tour and it was much better.

I'm glad you've booked a second attempt.

 

[masylimed]

If excursions are cancelled, do you get your fee refunded?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If excursions are cancelled, do you get your fee refunded?

DCL excursions? If DCL cancels an excursion, you don't get charged for it (our experience, excursions are charged to the onboard account the day they are to take place).

Private excursions? Depends on the tour operator. If you get your money back because the ship doesn't port is something that you should check out and confirm with private tour operators before booking with them.

 

[cindy_k]

If excursions are cancelled, do you get your fee refunded?

Yes, they refund it.

We had that happen on the Disney Dream cruise we took last year.
They tried twice to get into port, but the winds (in April) were so strong the ship was literally being pushed away from the island.

Not a huge disappointment for my mom and I as we had been there before but I can understand how its really sad for a lot of first time Disney cruisers.

Hopefully you will get there next time.
I have another April cruise booked on the Magic, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[stowe75]

Would that apply to a massage as well? DH and I have a couples massage booked on Castaway Cay.

 

[Dogsambam]

I am confused. Did you goto Nassau instead?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Would that apply to a massage as well? DH and I have a couples massage booked on Castaway Cay.

If DCL cancels the massage, they won't charge for it (or will credit back the charge if already done). This would be the case if the ship was unable to port. However, if the ship does make port, but cancels some excursions due to weather, or whatever, it's possible that not all excursions/activities will be canceled. If DCL doesn't cancel the massage, but you opt not to go (because of weather, or whatever), you will be charged.