Hurricane Charlie

[ann-e-mator]

Just curious... Is anybody on the cruise or going on the cruise during the hurricanes? Does anybody know whats being done with those cruises?

 

[lbgraves]

It will be interesting to see if this week turns into a mystery cruise. I hope that the storm doesn't keep The Magic from docking on Saturday morning on time so that the next group can board on time.

 

[MarkRG]

More than that, all the transportation to get to Orlando to get on the ship ios going to be so backlogged it's going to be a very iffy thing if the ship gets off on time.

 

[lizanne]

We're supposed to arrive Friday for departure on Saturday. After worrying about this all day I have finally decided that this is out of my control, there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, so I'll just go with the flow and hope for the best.

I just hope the best is that Charlie fizzles and all is well (not only for me but for the areas that are supposed to be hit hard).

 

[kristen821]

If there is a hurricane will the cruise to different ports or do they cancel the cruise completely. Do you get your money back if it is cancelled?

 

[newholiday]

When they cancelled our cruise Nov 02 we were refunded and given another cruise at half price

 

[ivanova]

they would go to alternate ports, I don't think DCL has ever cancelled a cruise due to weather.

 

[WDWLVR]

The last thing Disney wants to do is cancel. They'll change ports or even change where you sail out of if needed, but they will do everything in their power to sail. Susan is right Disney has never cancelled a cruise due to weather.

 

[Ginny]

For anyone who is scheduled to sail in the upcoming days. We had a superb cruise during Hurricane Floyd. Our Captain did an awesome job of finding the BEST Weather!! We may not have been able to dock at any of our ports.............................. and our view of Castaway Cay may have been because we were rescuing folks from the island.............................BUT we wouldn't have missed a minute of our special and, certainly, unique cruise. It was one of my favorites!!

Have faith in your captain................they are the best!! Enjoy your cruise!

 

[legs22]

Cruise ships rerouted away from Key West


BY TIMOTHY O'HARA

Citizen Staff Writer

KEY WEST — Local business owners are not the only ones feeling the economic pinch of Hurricane Charley. The city port could also stand to lose $15,125 in tourist dollars.

Two cruise ships slated for arrival in Key West this week have been rerouted and another cruise ship may have to change course, city port officials said.

The cruise ship Majesty, carrying 2,350 passengers, was rerouted and not able to pull into port Thursday, after city officials closed the Key West port earlier in the day.

The Enchantment, carrying 1,950 passengers, was slated to pull into port today, but it has also been rerouted. The 1,750 passengers on the Disney Magic may come to Key West on Sunday, depending on weather conditions and if the cruise ports sustain damage during the storm.

The Key West port closed as of Thursday afternoon, Key West city spokesman Michael Haskins said. If all three ships don't come to Key West, the city will lose $15,125 in disembarkment fees. If the Magic arrives Sunday, the city will lose $10,750, Haskins said.

The closures come after months of lost revenue from cruise ship disembarkment fees. The Outer Mole Pier cruise port has been closed for several months, while the Navy dredges the main shipping channel there. The city plans to take money out of reserve funds to cover the lost revenue from cruise ship cancellations.

The city has tentative plans to take $415,000 out of reserves, city records show. Passenger and ship counts are down 4 percent from October to June, compared to the last fiscal year, but revenues are up 5 percent, port records show. Last year, the city raised cruise ship fees by $2.60, starting in January.

 

[js'smom]

Lizanne, We are also set to fly out of Harrisburg PA Saturday morning for the Magic cruise. I am going crazy watching the weather channel and wondering how hard it will hit. I know already that even if we got off ok Saturday, we won't make Key West as they are going to be in the middle of it and hit hard. I am also concerned as my brother in law's family is in Jacksonville and they are battening down the house for the hurricane. I wish I could be as calm as you, but I can't. This is our first ever cruise, and I have been so excited about going. Talked husband into spending the extra bucks (we are still paying off the bill) for the Disney cruise and my daughter is very excited. I know I won't get much sleep tonite, and we have to be at the airport at 5:00 a.m. Saturday (assuming we have a flight to catch).

Everyone say a prayer that all goes well.

I also hope those currently on the ship do ok as there is no way they will be docking on Castway Cay tomorrow.,

 

[buzzdad100]

Keep the faith. Last year we were set to fly down on Friday and sail out on Saturday. Of course, on Thursday all heck broke loose as the northeast was plunged into a blackout. After spending the night packing by candlelight, and after getting no assurances from the airline, we bit the bullet Friday at 1pm, threw my father-in-law and two kids in the car, and drove straight through from New York to Port Canaveral. We stopped to eat, get gas, and go to the bathroom.

Needless to say, made the port with about an hour to spare. Soooo, if things are looking bleak, hit the road and make it more of an adventure.

Good luck.

P.S. - let us know how it goes, as we sail out on Aug 21. This year, we are heading down on Tuesday, and spending a few days in Canaveral. As great an adventure as the drive was, a little cushion is nice.

 

[CM_Mom]

Looking at the Western Atlantic satelite image on the NOAA site, it looks like Castaway is far enough east to miss the storm. The Nassau forecast is for sunshine Friday so Castaway has a good chance of good weather.