From today's (9/1) Orlando paper

[perdidobay]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...1,1,5157995.story?coll=orl-business-headlines

Disney Magic rearranges stops; Wonder due back Thursday

By Jerry W. Jackson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 1, 2004




The Disney Magic cruise ship, which has its home port in Brevard County and now is in the midst of a seven-day cruise, made several itinerary changes to avoid bad weather from Hurricane Frances.

The 2,600-passenger ship moved its stop at Castaway Cay to Sunday from Thursday and dropped Key West altogether. A stop at the port of Costa Maya in Mexico was added instead, and the ship is scheduled back into its home of Port Canaveral on Saturday, although that could change based on the timing of the storm, said Disney Cruise Line spokeswoman Rena Langley.

"You can easily change your path," Langley said, one of the advantages that cruise lines have over theme parks and hotels.

Disney's second cruise ship, the Wonder, which also carries up to 2,600 passengers, is on a four-day cruise to the Bahamas and is due back Thursday morning, well before the storm is projected to be off Florida's east coast.

 

[232271]

If the 7 day cruise cannot dock on Saturday what does it do?

is there an alternate docking location?

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

The Wonder also goes on a 3 day starting Thursday which usually goes to Nassau on Friday and Castaway Cay on Saturday and back on Sunday. All of those areas are in the direct projected path. This sailing could be a real mystery cruise.

 

[outahere]

When we took the galley tour in April, the chef told us that they have at least 2 days worth of extra food onboard, just in case they have to remain at sea. Since the safest place for a ship in a hurricane is at sea, I would guess that they will stay at sea instead of trying to dock. The current forecast map from the Hurrican Center shows it just off the central Florida coast at 2:00am Saturday.

The Wonder cruise leaving Thursday, may end up somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico to stay out of the way.

 

[232271]

Then the Magic is the 7 day ship? So you could get 9 days out of it? what about air fare? people will miss their flights and all.

Oh, I will pray that the storm will go another way!!

 

[Doctor P]

I'm curious about what the Wonder has done on the current cruise, with the Bahamas and CC taking some of the effects of the hurricane right now.

 

[TiggerKing]

The Magic has the option of docking in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami or Tampa. It is highly unlikely that these three, plus PC, will be unavailable at the same time.

As for the Wonder, CC and Nassau are really not feeling the effects of Frances just yet, and since today is the sea day, they most likely did not have to alter their itinerary. As for the cruise leaving tomorrow, like another poster said, that could be a REAL mystery tour!

 

[outahere]

If the storm follows the forecasted track, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Tampa could be rough as well. I hope they have lots of Dramamine/Bonine on board.

 

[markey]

Well that's really neat, we missed GC two weeks ago and got to go to the lovely Bahamas and they miss Key West and get to go to Costa Maya in Mexico. I know, now everyone will say they couldn't go to the Bahamas because that is where the hurricane is going. But why couldn't we go to Costa Maya? Anything is better than the Bahamas, even a sea day would have been better, ok I know just stay on the ship and you have a sea day, not the same like the nice breezes that sailing causes.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I hope the employees at Castaway Cay are off in plenty of time and the island itself doesn't sustain any major damage! Everyone down there please be safe!

 

[TheWog]

I read some where the Magic can't fit under the bridge in Tampa. Is that true? If so that is out as an option.

 

[ohMom]

i'm just curious -- as a newbie more or less to cruising -- is it just me or are there more than usual tropical storms/hurricanes this year??

 

[232271]

I am new to cruises too.
Does a day at sea mean the boat is moving?

 

[mmouse37]

Check out the "official Hurricane Frances thread" it is very interesting and I feel awful about the people cruising and flying into the Orlando area this weekend.

As of this morning DCL has still not decided if it will switch ports and if it does which one. The posters on that thread are keeping about an hourly watch on the hurricane with constant updates.

MJ

 

[*Fantasia*]

As of this morning DCL has still not decided if it will switch ports and if it does which one.

I am WDW vet, but a newbie to DCL. Never cruised before, but will be this Dec. What happens if they do switch ports? I purchased a DCL ground transfer, will the bus take us to the other port instead of PC? Will that cost us more money cause the other ports are further? Thanks in advance!

 

[mmouse37]

Typically DCL will bus passengers to a new port. The problem this time seems to be how are people meeting up with the buses...if they evacuate Port Canaveral and close down the Orlando airport...I have no idea how and when they will be able to get all passengers to the ship, especially at a new port. It will a logistical nightmare....

They mentioned on the other thread that DCL was contacting all guests sailing this weekend and getting their cell phone numbers and hotel information so they have a way to contact them if ports change and to keep them abreast of what is going on.

It is anyone's guess right now what they will do this weekend. But, DCL has NEVER cancelled a cruise due to weather.

MJ

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by TheWog
I read some where the Magic can't fit under the bridge in Tampa. Is that true? If so that is out as an option.

I read that too. I'm going to see what cruise ships actually leave out of TPA and see what their size is. My guess is that the other cruiselines taht usua;;y leave out of TPA are using all the space for their ships.

 

[CPM]

MJ__________________
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much....

7/30/98 - The Official Maiden Voyage of Disney Magic - 4 Day



MJ,
I was on the Maiden Voyage of the Magic too!
Sunday will only be my second DCL cruise. Guess I don't have much luck booking Disney cruises! LOL

 

[*Fantasia*]

The problem this time seems to be how are people meeting up with the buses...if they evacuate Port Canaveral and close down the Orlando airport...I have no idea how and when they will be able to get all passengers to the ship, especially at a new port. It will a logistical nightmare....

Good question. Maybe they will meet up at one of the WDW property?

 

[mrsltg]

Whoever asked about the occurrence os hurricanes this season - yes, it's busy this year. I read back in June that forecasters were calling for a more active hurricane season Aug/Sept/Oct. Guess they were right!

Erin