Disney Cruise from Florida in Sept?

[Lou Rindner]

Ok so this is a bad example but I am planning to take the Disney Cruise out of Florida in 2005. Does anyone have any thoughts about hurricane season and taking the cruise? Does it get cancelled? Do they travel around the weather?

Thanks

Lou R

 

[glindamood]

Lou,

Yes, DCL will sail around bad weather - they will do their best to give you smooth sailing. That said, they could change your itinerary if necessary. September is also hurricane season - some years there may be none and well, then there is this year!

Our first cruise (10/00) we didn't have any problems and hopefully there will be none for our next cruise either.

 

[westjones]

This is our 5th year sailing in September. We have always got to stop at CC and all the other ports we were suppose to stop at. We have been in some rough waters at time, but never too bad.

This is the first year I am nervous about sailing. We are suppose to go in a couple of weeks, and it seems like these tropical storms keep popping up! Now there is Ivan!

So I guess with the weather in September, you just never know what you might get into, but once you are on the ship they take you away from the problem weather. You may have to miss a port, but you will be safe.

DJ

 

[kcashner]

We've sailed 4 times in Sept (and 2004 is booked). We've never had a bad trip, and always made Castaway. We have had some "mystery cruises" where we don't do the schedule, but instead go wherever the captain wants to.....so if you're up for a little adventure, it's a great time to sail.

Never had problems like they are having now...but I wouldn't mind that either. I do feel sorry for people needing to get back for work, etc.

 

[Bigbaby]

Originally posted by Lou Rindner
Ok so this is a bad example but I am planning to take the Disney Cruise out of Florida in 2005. Does anyone have any thoughts about hurricane season and taking the cruise? Does it get cancelled? Do they travel around the weather?

Thanks

Lou R

Funny, I asked this question before booking my seven day first ever Disney Cruise. Now i sit in a hotel room in Tampa for the past three days. I can tell you now I will NEVER book a cruise this time of year again!

This was our first family vacation, and well I never thought I will be in a hotel room with nothing to do for 3 days. I am VERY upset with the way DCL handled this and would not use them again, just for the fact that they DO NOT tell you anything until the last minute! Im here hoping to sail tommorow, but who knows now. SURE I saved some money on the cruise... BUT Im spending that savings NOW for hotel, and food.

Now I understand this storm was not their fault, but what is... was their delay in COMMUNICATNG with the passengers.

So you make the call, this can happen anytime but this time of year is more likely than others. Our first ever cruise with Disney has not come and I'm upset for my family as I try to keep their spirits up and wonder what if? What if I just booked it for the start of summer instead of the end. My next trip will be as always june/july from now on.

*edit* Also we will miss CC due to the damage in the islands for sure, and this was one of the MAIN reasons for booking with DCL, so as you can see this will be just another western cruise you can do on RC or Carnival.

 

[wildernessgirl]

It is a let down when you do not get the trip you expect. On our first cruise (4day Wonder2000) we took it in Jan. Well, we missed castaway cay because they were still working on the dock that got destroyed during a hurricane that happened in the fall. We were extremely upset and complained to DCL and anyone who would listen. CC is the big selling point and when you don't get to go, it is horrible! After we returned from our cruise and spoke to representives of DCL and calmed down, we did give DCl another chance and had a great time! We have our 4th cruise coming up in Oct. and are hoping for the best! I realized that it isn't DCL's fault for mother nature.

I do see your frustration about this week, but NO ONE knew when and where exactly Frances was going to hit, how fast it was going to be going etc. Would you have felt better if DCL canceled this weeks cruise on Sat? you still would be sitting in a hotel, right? DCL was hoping for the best. They truely believed that both ships could dock tomorrow by 10am and have the new passagers on and sailing by 10pm. They have to wait on the COAST GUARD to give them the all clear to re-enter the port. Disney has no choice about when they can dock at the port until they are given the word. Also, decisions are being made by what the airports are doing as well. These other cruiselines that have cancelled their cruises for this week didn't wait for the coast guard's decision or the airports and just cancelled it. Would you have gotten mad at DCL if they too decided to cancel this weeks cruise and then you found out that they dock and you COULD have sailed on a shorten cruise?

DCL is making their decisions on the info GIVEN to them. Frances was to hit Friday night late early Sat. Well, this didn't happen because Frances slowed down. I knew friday that all cruiselines had to be out of the port. Once disney had the correct info, they got the word out as fast as they could. With eveyone calling disney and disney trying to the word out to TA's and other crusiers, and mandatory evacuations that were being issued, it wasn't an easy time for anyone! This has not happend tp Florida where 2 hurricanes hit within3 weeks of each other and with the size of Frances, everyone in Florida was worried about thier homes and families.

I know it is extremely upsetting for those of you who had a cruise booked, but you also have to remember the ENTIRE STATE was in a state of emergency and no one had the exact route that Frances was going to take and how long it would take to travel threw Florida.

Bigbaby, look at it this way, you will have a great story about how you went through hurricane Frances. LOL! If I was in your shoes, I think I would just rebook so you can truely enjoy your trip. At this point, I really think you won't have a good time even if you guys still sail out tomorrow. I'm sorry to hear about your family trip, but let me re-assure you that when DCL has everything that THEY can control, the cruise is a wonderful experience!

 

[WDWLVR]

Disney is doing everything they can. They can't predict how fast the storm will move or where it will blast through. They did what they had to in order to keep the ships and their current passengers safe. They are trying to do all they can for those who should already be cruising. I would dare say they are probably doing more than the other lines.

We missed CC on our very first cruise due to Floyd. It was sad but it gave us a reason to cruise again.

Please remember too that most of those working for DCL are dealing with the storm in real life as well. They are under a lot of stress.

My prayers go out to all those who are dealing with the storm.