Freaking out a little....how bad can the weather be and a Disney Cruise still depart on time???

[DisneySunPrincess]

So, we are scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on the Fantasy on Saturday, September 9th and right now Tropical Storm Irma appears to be a possible issue for us. Will the ship still depart in a tropical storm. I am confident that it would be delayed by a Category 1 or higher, but I am just trying to plan for what to expect. Thanks in advance.

 

[MUN]

So, we are scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on the Fantasy on Saturday, September 9th and right now Tropical Storm Irma appears to be a possible issue for us. Will the ship still depart in a tropical storm. I am confident that it would be delayed by a Category 1 or higher, but I am just trying to plan for what to expect. Thanks in advance.

It probably won't be able to depart during a tropical storm. Also, don't forget that the ship has to arrive back at the port before it can depart for your cruise. So if the ship can't get back because of the storm, your cruise will be impacted. There are loads of people whose cruises out of Galveston are cancelled because of the storm. Plus, there are many who have cruises extended because their ships can't get back to Galveston. It may sound like fun to have a cruise extended, and for some that may work out fine, but for others it may be a nightmare. Chances are you'll be fine and the storm won't impact your cruise.

MUN

 

[kiford]

It also depends on where the storm is when they are leaving and if they can plan a route around it (both directions). If it's still way out to sea, much farther south, etc. they may still leave on time but the route and ports will be very much subject to change. They won't simply look at the weather, determine that there's a storm somewhere and just not leave. There's a lot of factors they'll take into account and the Captain has the last word on what is and isn't safe. Just be prepared for any and all possibilities. If you have medications, take extra in case you're delayed, make sure you have extra cash or financial resources to make unexpected stays or flight rescheduling, everyone knows how to contact you and vice versa in case you need people to look after mail or pets for longer, etc. If you've got trip insurance, make sure you have a copy of the terms and conditions and know what you can and can't file for and what documentation or proof you need in case you're delayed either direction and have to incur additional costs. Go with the mindset that unexpected things may happen and be prepared to deal with them logistically and mentally. Harvey and Sandy notwithstanding, cruises generally continue to occur during hurricane season as (mostly) normally scheduled with just a few detours or the odd skipped port.

 

[lorimay]

Irma is about 2600 miles from Miami right now ( we're in Ft lauderdale and watching closely) She is a category 3 right now
According to our local weatherman, there is nothing out there to slow her down, scary stuff.
Don't worry just yet, its too far away at this point. The future tracks only track her to the Leeward Islands at this point and even that isn't 100% accurate.

Hang in there!
Go AwaY IRMA!!!

 

[Sytrace]

We live in Orlando and are leaving on a quick 3 nighter on September 8th. It is way too soon to freak out or worry. Hurricanes change path on a dime.
Disney and other cruise lines are keeping an eye on things and will notify guests as needed and as soon as they can make a judgement call on safety for passengers, crew and very expensive ships.

The worst case scenario, they have to cancel the cruise because the port closes (like what happened with the Dream due to Matthew last October for example) There might be a delay if the ship arriving back in port is delayed due to port closure (as what happened to the Fantasy due to Matthew in October)

The ships will sail to avoid a hurricane or bad weather and will change port /itinerary to make that happen.

Matthew made a 4 night cruise into a 6 night cruise, and a 7 night cruise into an 8 night cruise and cancelled one complete cruise on the Dream due to the port being closed.
Ironically enough, Matthew was supposed to be much worse for Central Florida than what it actually turned out to be. This happens too.

Relax, keep calm and try to avoid following projected paths of the storm at this stage in the game.

 

[Beverly McGonigal]

I am with you lady! We leave Thursday to go down for the Halloween party and leave Saturday on the same cruise as you. I'm just more nervous about getting trapped somewhere and having to pay extra money to change trip plans or losing money because of Irma. I'm Dvc so not sure what happens if they cancel. Trying to look stuff up now. I hope we can be laughing together on the cruise about how paranoid we were with bright sunny skies!

 

[mevelandry]

I am with you lady! We leave Thursday to go down for the Halloween party and leave Saturday on the same cruise as you. I'm just more nervous about getting trapped somewhere and having to pay extra money to change trip plans or losing money because of Irma. I'm Dvc so not sure what happens if they cancel. Trying to look stuff up now. I hope we can be laughing together on the cruise about how paranoid we were with bright sunny skies!

Did you buy travel insurance? I know my insurance covers three extra days if transporters are delayed.

 

[Spize]

Irma won't be an issue departing. The worst case scenario is they change itineraries.

As of right now there are no models that put Irma anywhere near Canaveral on 9/9, however she has a 50/50 shot at being in the path to the Virgin Islands and a chance of hitting them less than a week before scheduled port day.

Would depend on if and any extent of damage on the Islands.

I'd be more worried about the development area behind Irma. 70% chance of development of "Jose" behind Irma. Which would likely make landfall on VI the same time as the Fantasy. It's not an organized storm yet and may never be, but I guarantee you there are several sets of mouse ears paying attention to it.

So at this point be less worried about IF you sail, but be prepared for WHERE to possibly change.

 

[Spize]

I am with you lady! We leave Thursday to go down for the Halloween party and leave Saturday on the same cruise as you. I'm just more nervous about getting trapped somewhere and having to pay extra money to change trip plans or losing money because of Irma. I'm Dvc so not sure what happens if they cancel. Trying to look stuff up now. I hope we can be laughing together on the cruise about how paranoid we were with bright sunny skies!

Even the area behind IRMA would be past Canaveral by then if traditional models hold up. Also, Irma and any storm behind it have a strong likelihood of hooking harmlessly north anyhow.

 

[Spize]

I'd be more worried if I was on the Dream the following week.

 

[Spize]

Btw, like I said in another thread, stop watching the weather channel or weather.com

TWC are teledrama more than actual meteorology.

Example: their projections vs actual spaghetti models

https://weather.com/storms/hurricane-central/irma-2017/AL112017

https://www.cyclocane.com/irma-spaghetti-models/