December 7, 2013 - Winter Fantasy Cruise

[Dixielady908]

Travel AdvisoriesTropical Weather Update

10/25/2012

We are currently monitoring Hurricane Sandy very closely as it moves north through the Caribbean towards The Bahamas.

As this time, the October 25, 2012 Disney Dream sailing will depart Port Canaveral as scheduled. However, given the predicted path of the storm, we realize that the ship's itinerary will need to be altered as the storm passes through The Bahamas.

Unfortunately, the storm is expected to produce tropical storm and hurricane force winds near Nassau and our private island, Disney's Castaway Cay for most of the day on Friday and early on Saturday.

The revised itinerary is as follows:
Thursday, October 25 - Port Canaveral, Florida
Friday, October 26 - Day at Sea
Saturday, October 27 - Nassau (pending weather conditions)
Sunday, October 28 - Port Canaveral, Florida
The safety and security of our guests is always our top priority. If necessary, our Captains are always prepared to alter the ships' courses or itineraries to navigate away from inclement weather.


Nothing about the Fantasy sailing on the 27th. I've seen lots of screaming about the fact they will miss Castaway CAy. I'm sorry, that just makes me mad. READ THE CONTRACT!!! They don't guarantee and you are warned so get off it! Yes, it's disappointing, but Disney cannot control the weather. You still get to cruise, and now it's a surprise! I don't understand people.

I agree, when you cruise its a shot at weather conditions....in 2008 cruised the Western, did not make Grand Caymen, waters to rough to tender....
2011 re-routed to eastern....I wasnt mad, I was glad that we still got to sail...and actually on last years cruise, I think Wally and I had a better time, more sea days plus, (because of last minute) we didnt book any excursions once we got on the ship, we decided to "do our own thing" and we had a great time at St Maarten and Tortola.....then we didnt dock until after 11:00am at Castaway because of some rough water...so we had limited time there...by the time we got off the ship it was noon....it is what it is and deal with it and make the most of what you do have. I'm just sayin
OK, I'm done with that rant!!!

 

[philatiger]

I agree, when you cruise its a shot at weather conditions....in 2008 cruised the Western, did not make Grand Caymen, waters to rough to tender....
2011 re-routed to eastern....I wasnt mad, I was glad that we still got to sail...and actually on last years cruise, I think Wally and I had a better time, more sea days plus, (because of last minute) we didnt book any excursions once we got on the ship, we decided to "do our own thing" and we had a great time at St Maarten and Tortola.....then we didnt dock until after 11:00am at Castaway because of some rough water...so we had limited time there...by the time we got off the ship it was noon....it is what it is and deal with it and make the most of what you do have. I'm just sayin
OK, I'm done with that rant!!!

There isn't much we can do about the weather. We went through that last week with Rafael. All we got was a little rain and rough seas.

We missed a port on one of our other cruses due to bad weather. Saved on excursions and got credit for the port taxes. I do feel bad though for those who are on their first DCL and miss CC. It can be very disappointing.

 

[philatiger]

Looking at a Hurricane Tracker, looks like it's going to impact those of us in the Northeast...

 

[philatiger]

Just got a call that they changed the narrator for our candlelight service at EPCOT. Was supposed to be Olivia newton John and now it is Lea Salonga (voice of Jasmine)

 

[philatiger]

Ok, going for it....

 

[philatiger]

Oh Happy Day !!!!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Oh Happy Day !!!!

Congrats!!!!

I'm freaking out over the weather, and it's not about the cruise...will I be able to get out of here on Wednesday morning or not? That is the question.

 

[philatiger]

Congrats!!!!

I'm freaking out over the weather, and it's not about the cruise...will I be able to get out of here on Wednesday morning or not? That is the question.

By Wednesday the storm will have passed. We will be getting it sometime on Monday and we are north of you.

Just in case....

 

[Marlea98]

I'd be upset if we missed CC only because it's such a long way for us to travel (and so darn expensive, we're budgeting $8000 for airfares to and from America and about $2000 for internal flights). Our cyclone season starts in another month or so, so I will have to start getting our cyclone kit checked and updated.

I'm on my phone so I can't do multi quotes here with it. Thanks for the tips, I will try them out later

Can someone tell me how Thanksgiving holidays work? I know it's on 28th November next year but because it is a Thursday does everyone usually take Friday off work to make it a long weekend? We have Wyndham timeshare and I'm wait listing with RCI for an exchange to DVC - any of them. Actually I've wait listed for any 3 bedroom close to Disney DVC or not because of Thanksgiving. I can't book Wyndham until the 28th of this month. It's been suggested I try DVC for after the cruise but we wanted to do WDW before the cruise and a couple of days after the cruise doing Universal and Cape Canaveral before our road trip to South Carolina/Dollywood/Graceland/Nashville/New Orleans/Houston/Dallas before heading to Montana for Christmas.

 

[Marlea98]

Oh look at that! If I wasn't typing out one finger at a time on my phone I would have made top of page again! Silly little letters on phone screens . Oh we'll best get up and start my day - 7.25am here And it's Friday

 

[Va-NanaTink]

By Wednesday the storm will have passed. We will be getting it sometime on Monday and we are north of you.

Just in case....

Thanks, I wasn't worried until I read the latest forecast that its gonna widen out and hang around through Halloween. That makes me a tad nervous!
If I have to, I will rent a car and DRIVE to Florida!!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I'd be upset if we missed CC only because it's such a long way for us to travel (and so darn expensive, we're budgeting $8000 for airfares to and from America and about $2000 for internal flights). Our cyclone season starts in another month or so, so I will have to start getting our cyclone kit checked and updated.

I'm on my phone so I can't do multi quotes here with it. Thanks for the tips, I will try them out later

Can someone tell me how Thanksgiving holidays work? I know it's on 28th November next year but because it is a Thursday does everyone usually take Friday off work to make it a long weekend? We have Wyndham timeshare and I'm wait listing with RCI for an exchange to DVC - any of them. Actually I've wait listed for any 3 bedroom close to Disney DVC or not because of Thanksgiving. I can't book Wyndham until the 28th of this month. It's been suggested I try DVC for after the cruise but we wanted to do WDW before the cruise and a couple of days after the cruise doing Universal and Cape Canaveral before our road trip to South Carolina/Dollywood/Graceland/Nashville/New Orleans/Houston/Dallas before heading to Montana for Christmas.

Yes, I understand being upset, I would be too, but would you bad mouth DCL? These people were really over the top, saying Disney needs to make it right. What would make it right? It's a hard place to be in. It's not like they had any choice and the contract states they will make changes to the itinerary as needed to ensure the safety of those on board.


As to Thanksgiving, yes quite a few people take the day after Thanksgiving off or their offices are closed....unless the work in retail, then it's all hands on deck, nobody gets the day off!! I usually work because its quiet, and I get a lot done. I don't go shopping at all !!!

 

[philatiger]

I'd be upset if we missed CC only because it's such a long way for us to travel (and so darn expensive, we're budgeting $8000 for airfares to and from America and about $2000 for internal flights). Our cyclone season starts in another month or so, so I will have to start getting our cyclone kit checked and updated.

I'm on my phone so I can't do multi quotes here with it. Thanks for the tips, I will try them out later

Can someone tell me how Thanksgiving holidays work? I know it's on 28th November next year but because it is a Thursday does everyone usually take Friday off work to make it a long weekend? We have Wyndham timeshare and I'm wait listing with RCI for an exchange to DVC - any of them. Actually I've wait listed for any 3 bedroom close to Disney DVC or not because of Thanksgiving. I can't book Wyndham until the 28th of this month. It's been suggested I try DVC for after the cruise but we wanted to do WDW before the cruise and a couple of days after the cruise doing Universal and Cape Canaveral before our road trip to South Carolina/Dollywood/Graceland/Nashville/New Orleans/Houston/Dallas before heading to Montana for Christmas.

Thanksgiving is a big holiday here and many people take off the whole week, but at a minimum a majority of people take off Friday. WDW will be VERY crowded Thanksgiving week and over the weekend. If it was me I would arrive December 1st, but if you do the timeshare swap for the week then do Nov 30. I would just avoid the parks that Sunday and start fresh on Monday.

Boy you are really packing in a lot in your travels, but with the airfare costs I can see why. I have been looking at visiting Australia again and it is just so expensive. I look at the cost and I think about how many cruises I could do for the price.

We are cruising in December, after hurricane season, so that is a plus. But you never know what mother nature has in store. CC is amazing and I always feel terrible when I hear a cruise had to skip it.

 

[Dixielady908]

There isn't much we can do about the weather. We went through that last week with Rafael. All we got was a little rain and rough seas.

We missed a port on one of our other cruses due to bad weather. Saved on excursions and got credit for the port taxes. I do feel bad though for those who are on their first DCL and miss CC. It can be very disappointing.

I agree, I didnt mean to sound heartless, I feel bad that they are missing out, however, its not Disney's fault and they should not fault Disney. When you cruise, no matter what time of year, this is something that you should expect....
I would feel bad if we missed Castaway, its so relaxing and beautiful there, but if it came down to weather and being safe, I would be upset, but would understand and I would not blame Disney...

Ok, I think that we beat that topic into the ground.....

Stephanie, I think you should be good to go on Wednesday...even if somewhat rainy you may get out without any problems.

Maryann, sounds like you have a great trip planned.

well the weather is really changing here, been nice all day, in the 70's now we are in the 50's and the rain is really moving in, and really windy....the next 12 days they are saying it will only be in the 40's.... gotta love Chicago weather...


later

 

[philatiger]

I agree, I didnt mean to sound heartless, I feel bad that they are missing out, however, its not Disney's fault and they should not fault Disney. When you cruise, no matter what time of year, this is something that you should expect....
I would feel bad if we missed Castaway, its so relaxing and beautiful there, but if it came down to weather and being safe, I would be upset, but would understand and I would not blame Disney...

Ok, I think that we beat that topic into the ground.....

Stephanie, I think you should be good to go on Wednesday...even if somewhat rainy you may get out without any problems.

Maryann, sounds like you have a great trip planned.

well the weather is really changing here, been nice all day, in the 70's now we are in the 50's and the rain is really moving in, and really windy....the next 12 days they are saying it will only be in the 40's.... gotta love Chicago weather...


later

I didn't think you were heartless. I agree, people forget that safety comes first. They would be the first to sue if the ship docked because they said it should and then someone got hurt. Weather happens and you have to make the best of it. I have been staying away from the DCL boards lately, glad I am missing all the hoopla.

We have 44 days and counting until we are in the world... I really need my Disney fix, it's been almost a year. I did read exciting news today (at least for me) that the MSEP is leaving early next year and that Spectromagic may be coming back. I so miss that parade.

 

[Marlea98]

I wouldn't complain to DCL if weather forced changes. We're used to nature upsetting plans here anyway. Two years ago we had something like 500mm of rain in a week over Christmas. We even had a turtle come up to the back porch - he'd come all the way from the back paddock's creek! It must have just been too wet for the poor little fellow. On our MR cruise last year they cancelled Mazatlan which was disappointing but we ended up with an extra 1/2 day in Cabo which was nice.

Australia is such a beautiful, diverse country and we truly are a lucky one. It's extremely diverse and very vast so to do it properly you do need a lot of time. Most tourists just do Melbourne and Sydney and maybe Ayers Rock/Uluru and fly but if you had time you'd be better off driving. Just be prepared for long distances of 'nothing'.

 

[philatiger]

I wouldn't complain to DCL if weather forced changes. We're used to nature upsetting plans here anyway. Two years ago we had something like 500mm of rain in a week over Christmas. We even had a turtle come up to the back porch - he'd come all the way from the back paddock's creek! It must have just been too wet for the poor little fellow. On our MR cruise last year they cancelled Mazatlan which was disappointing but we ended up with an extra 1/2 day in Cabo which was nice.

Australia is such a beautiful, diverse country and we truly are a lucky one. It's extremely diverse and very vast so to do it properly you do need a lot of time. Most tourists just do Melbourne and Sydney and maybe Ayers Rock/Uluru and fly but if you had time you'd be better off driving. Just be prepared for long distances of 'nothing'.

On my trip I did 3 days in Sydney, 3 in Melbourne, 3 in Ayers Rock/Uluru, and 3 in Cairns. It was a great trip, wish I would have had more time. But like you said, you live in a vast and diverse country and it would take years to see it all. I am glad I at least got to visit once.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I agree, I didnt mean to sound heartless, I feel bad that they are missing out, however, its not Disney's fault and they should not fault Disney. When you cruise, no matter what time of year, this is something that you should expect....
I would feel bad if we missed Castaway, its so relaxing and beautiful there, but if it came down to weather and being safe, I would be upset, but would understand and I would not blame Disney...

Exactly the point I was trying to make! Not that they shouldn't be upset, but that they shouldn't be cursing Disney over it. I'm not a heartless person either. The posts I was seeing (on fb, not Dis) was cursing Disney's plans.

Now I'm just watching the weather, glad we padded our cruise with a few days at WDW....we haven't been since January. We actually haven't been on vacation other than a couple days here and there since January and I am sooooo tired.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I wouldn't complain to DCL if weather forced changes. We're used to nature upsetting plans here anyway. Two years ago we had something like 500mm of rain in a week over Christmas. We even had a turtle come up to the back porch - he'd come all the way from the back paddock's creek! It must have just been too wet for the poor little fellow. On our MR cruise last year they cancelled Mazatlan which was disappointing but we ended up with an extra 1/2 day in Cabo which was nice.

Australia is such a beautiful, diverse country and we truly are a lucky one. It's extremely diverse and very vast so to do it properly you do need a lot of time. Most tourists just do Melbourne and Sydney and maybe Ayers Rock/Uluru and fly but if you had time you'd be better off driving. Just be prepared for long distances of 'nothing'.

One of these days we'd like to get there....only I have to stop spending all our vacation money on cruises and WDW stays..... Therein lies the rub....

Today is my last day at work...see me working hard ? OK I truly need to get back!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

OH, but first......