hurrican frances

[KANSAS]

what should i be doing today, if i am all set to go on dcl eastern caribeean cruise on this saturday??

 

[WILDCATMICKEY]

PRAY.

 

[Poly Pal]

After having Charley mess up our cruise plans on 8/14, the OP deserves a serious answer (not that praying is a bad idea!)

Stay in touch with your travel agent or DCL as the week goes on. If you are flying to Orlando and have the extra vacation time, consider flying in 2 days early (that's what we did and we made it to the Magic on 8/14 when lots of folks flying on Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th missed the ship. Orlando airport sustained major damage and was closed from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon.) Some airlines will waive penalties in the event that weather is likely to cause service disruptions.

The Magic will sail unless Frances prevents her from getting into port. If Port Canaveral is closed or damaged, it is likely that the ship will put in to port in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa. In that event, DCL might make arrangements to bus you from Orlando or an alternate airport to the new port (this is what they did for 400 to 500 passengers who missed the 8/14 sailing when DCL bussed passengers who arrived at Fort Lauderdale and Miami to Key West on Sunday 8/15).

If you have not purchased travel insurance, you may still be able to (less likely an option as the storm approaches). This will at least protect the cruise fare if you miss the ship due to hurrricane related travel disruptions.

The ports of call for the Eastern itinerary are all threatened by Frances. Psych yourself up for changes to your itinerary. A mystery cruise will be more fun if you are prepared for any potential disappointment of missing a port. On the 8/14 we went to Nassau (UGH!) insteads of Grand Cayman. A big disappointment, but we still had a great time!

Hope everything is smooth sailing for you and you have a great cruise!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Chances at the point are unlikely that the ship will be able to return to PC--keep tabs with your TA or directly with DCL. Hurricane updates are updated at present every 6 hours at 11pm, 5am, 11am, and 5pm--and additionally a coordinates update is also available at 8am and 8pm. Once it begins to threaten US soil--then full updates are available every three hours at all 6 of the above times.

Checking twice daily with your TA or DCL might be wise--once in the morning and once in the evening--as lots of changes can happen in one day. By Wednesday evening--if a Hurricane Warning is issued for East coast florida inclusive of PC--there is no way the ship will be able to return there on Saturday morning as Saturday is the predicted strike day. At minimum, by Wednesday--begin checking frequently.

Keep updates on the coordinates--we are posting the links, and text for updates as they occur on the Officialy Hurricane Frances thread.

I agree--immediately try to make plans to fly in earlier than you intended to if it is possible--maybe if you don't have an extra vacation day, you can use a personal day or floating holiday. But call the airlines NOW--once the threat becomes more imminent, it would be very difficult to modify your flight plans as everyone will be trying to do the same thing. Also, if you are succesful in doing this, be sure to book a new hotel as well for the extra night you are down here. Be sure your TA and DCL know where you are and carry there phone numbers in case there are last minute changes after you are already down here.

Do not try flying standby--my hubby changed his flight so that he could be home before Charley--he did this in advance--and there were standby people having trouble getting on flights. He ended up getting stuck in Atlanta due to terrible whether up north from where he was flying. Since he was ticketed--he was able to reschedule a flight (though for the next morning)--standby passengers trying to beat the hurricane, but without a confirmed reservation were having much more difficulty.

YOUR CRUISE WILL HAPPEN--it is just a question of WHERE it will start and WHERE it will go! Happy Cruising!

 

[rae519]

Thanks for sharing all of that. I know we are all a "little bit" concerned at this time!!

Rae

 

[WILDCATMICKEY]

Originally posted by Poly Pal
After having Charley mess up our cruise plans on 8/14, the OP deserves a serious answer (not that praying is a bad idea!)

POLY PAL MY RESPONSE WAS VERY SERIOUS. SO, GET OFF OF MY RESPONSE.

 

[bemily]

Great ideas given! I think most importantly, dont let the hurricance mess up your travel plans in terms of stress level, etc. As Lisa said, your cruise will happen, but where and when is the question, which can be stressful, but I think keeping it in check will make for a much less stressful experience, and I wish all the cruisers luck this weekend!

 

[pogopossum]

as far as changing flights, american agent i talked to earlier tonight said that they would do everyhting to get us changed if necessary, be open to change of airport not just time.

 

[Bigbaby]

Well I start my drive down tommorow from NYC, and have a ressie at the Rad in PC. I'm going to give them a call a see how they will work things out. I do have family in Tampa and if this is the case I will drive there instead and spend the night b4 boarding ( this is of course if the Magic goes there). Wish we could get a better picture... but this is not going to happen.

Im leaving some great weather here... Just wish I could say the same for the next few days down south.

 

[rae519]

Disney did call us last night to verify information in case there are changes. Just glad that we have a great TA (All Seasons) and some great CM's at DCL!!

Rae

 

[KEH]

Hi Rae, sending pixie dust that this works out okay for you. let us know how you get on.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Has anyone heard if the Wonder that is due back into Port early Sunday morning will be affected? Do you think this cruise will take a different route than usual? My SIL works on the Wonder & would love to know what is going on with it - I know it goes to the Bahamas area & that is where Frances is supposed to be soon. She is actually supposed to fly home Sunday - starting to think that might not happen now. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Wishes for a safe & happy cruise for everyone!

 

[rae519]

Hi Karen - just answer this for me.......why did I ever change my plans and decide to sail in Hurricane Season? Ohhh, I remember...it's Indiana!

Thanks for your wishes - prayers out to everyone in the path and those who are still planning to travel!!!

Hugs to my favorite Brits!
Rae

 

[MBFergie]

rae---i sent you a pm

 

[rae519]

Got it Marie and thanks so much!


Word to the wise - if you haven't gotten your DCL transfers, get them and learn Spanish.

Rae

 

[KEH]

That's what you get for not cruising at Halloween with us, Rae.

 

[mmouse37]

Arizona Colbys.....this was mentioned on another thread....

Disney has just released information concerning the 3-night sailing of the
Disney Wonder on September 2, 2004. Due to Hurricane Frances, this sailing
will not visit any ports of call. The ship will sail as scheduled on
Thursday, September 2, 2004 and spend the entire time at sea. Disney has
advised that they will give a $300 shipboard credit to each stateroom on
this sailing for this inconvenience.

Not sure about the sailing after that of the Wonder. Good luck and hope your SIL is safe as well as other crew and passengers.

MJ

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by KEH
That's what you get for not cruising at Halloween with us, Rae.

I remember the first Octoberfest cruise when we were diverted by Hurricane Lili from the Western Itinerary to the Eastern -had CC twice, San Juan and St. Thomas! Not too shabby! But turnabout is fair play so I guess we are all going to be speaking Spanish on this one!

Do envy the Wonder this week - imagine 3 days at sea! LOVE IT!

Rae

 

[savsawmom]

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2004/9/1/53902.html

"NASA says the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral will be closed tomorrow and Friday to allow workers time to board up their homes and evacuate if necessary."


I'm sure others will follow quite quickly because this is a HUGE and powerful storm.

 

[SandraLee]

rae519 . . . Are you saying you can add transfers this late in the game and DCL will help you? That would be so cool.

If the Magic leaves out of a different port, will they help get people to that port? I guess that is what they did last week with Key West?

Interesting. And, I wish you all the best of luck.