Hurricane Season ? Sept 05 Sailing

[jlcbshaw]

Has anyone crusied during this time and if so what are the chances of the cruise being affected by a storm?

Does the optional travel insurance include hurricanes?

Thanks, always a great source for info!

 

[TheWog]

There were huge problems in Aug/Sept 04. Many on these boards were effected. I am sure they will share their experiences with you. Ports closed, buses from Fort Lauderdale, shortened/lengthened trips. Missed ports. That being said, you may be fine. So don't worry.

 

[depomas]

Hi, we sailed this past Sept. and YES we were aware when we booked about the possibilities, and even more so during the start of the season. We did have the oppurtunity to cancel without any penalties. We had the one night shortened Hurricane Jeanne cruise, and can honestly say we loved every minute except the rush to debark the last night. I do think that other sailings, as well as other passengers did not fair as well.

That said, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Can not beat the prices. We saw perfect weather, but did not get to go to CC, and this could have been any time (the chance of missing it).

Good Luck, and I am sure you will see many responses.

Came back to add, that Insurance is really IMPORTANT!!! sorry do now know the insurance answer...

 

[dharma517]

You don't mind any of the following:

1. Port of departure changing 3 times on the day prior to the cruise (think airline changes). Not disney's fault of course but it does happen so you should be aware.

2. A 2 hour bus ride to a new port ..probably arriving after 5pm along with a lot of other people

3. Shortened cruise (but you will get a portional refund)

4. Missing castaway cay

5. Being unsure which port you will be returning to and another possible 2 or was it 4 hour bus ride?

We were on the 4 night Jeanne wonder and while we had a great time I was extremely stressed about getting on a plane and flying down to an area that was having a hurricane and being unsure about my cruise in general. I really thought when I booked this that it "would not happen to me" and that "I would go with the flow" ...lol...but when it came right down to it...I was upset. It was not disney's fault and I do not blame them...this is just what happened and I will NOT book during this season again. We didn't even bring the kids but I can't imagine having to deal with that with kids along or telling them we couldn't go to CC and that the cruise was shortened a night. Not worth it to me.
Jenn

Cruising again December 11th, 4 night wonder...WITH THE KIDS!

 

[bbowers]

We went between 2 hurricanes and were rerouted to Port Everglades. We chose to drive down there instead of taking the bus and were so glad we did, because the ship was deserted for quite a while - we ended up being 1 of 3 couples enjoying the adult pool until drill time.

I got a little stressed over it, but knew there was a big chance of having problems before we left (we drove down to HH first for a few days and I think I was more disappointed there than on the cruise - couldn't do the shark fishing, the beach was closed, and our special dinner with Chef Gordon was canceled twice).

One thing I would do though - make sure that DCL has your CELL PHONE NUMBER. We lucked out entirely in that my mom was staying at our home with our dogs - and DCL called there to let us know of the port changes. Mom answered and called us at HH to let us know, and I had plenty of time to rent a car (had to leave OUR vehicle at PC, since we would be coming back there) and calm down. But, for the cruise THIS Sept (yep, going again), I made sure to call DCL and give them both of our cell phone numbers.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I sailed Aug/Sept in 2003 and have our next DCL scheduled for Sept 2006. I'm aware of the possibilities and therefore will purchase cruise insurance. To me, it's still worth it.

 

[cjsmith]

This past hurricane season was unlike anything that's happened here before. I would book again in a heartbeat as long as I knew I was taking chances. As long as you know that things could change without warning then go for it and enjoy the price breaks. Hopefully we'll have a calm season this summer~I for one can't take another hurricane season like we had last year or I'll have to color a lot more gray hair than I do now!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

We sailed on the Sept 2nd Wonder ... me, my son (31), my DD (29) and three grandkids (10, 9 and 7) ... our 3 day cruise was extended to 5 days and we debarked in Port Everglades and were bused 3 hours back to Port Canaveral to get our rental car.

We missed our flight home (by 2 days) but the airlines was great about getting us re-booked and on a flight home that afternoon ... MCO had just reopened and was a ZOO!!!

I was disappointed to miss Castaway Cay as this was our first cruise, but I loved cruising ... every day was an adventure!!!

And yes, I'd book again in hurricane season.

 

[CaribGirl]

Long story short, was booked for 1st hurricane, postponed trip. Next trip was booked for 2nd huricane. We missed both cruises, since we live where the huricanes hit.
All that said, We are booked for this Sept '05 again.
So I agree with most poster, odds are in favour, but be prepared for a little bit of change...

 

[inkkognito]

We have sailed every Sept. since 1998, and in all that time (and 42 Disney cruises at various times of the year) we have only been affected by a hurricane once. We did sail right before or after hurricanes a couple of times, but were never directly affected except last year, when we had to embark in Ft. Lauderdale. That didn't scare me off...we're booked for that same time this year.
Barb

 

[LuvThatMouse]

The reason the prices are soooo low in September is specifically because of hurricane season. Frankly, it's hit or miss with absolutely no guarantees about anything. Last year, was the worst hurricane season in a very long time with Florida getting hit from all sides by 3 or 4 different hurricanes.
Who knows what this year will be like? I suppose that's why Disney's prices are so low for September. If you feel like taking a risk for a smaller price, go for it. It is doubtful you'd ever be caught in the middle of the ocean on a cruise ship during a hurricane. There's plenty of advance warning. The trip would either be cancelled or detoured.
DH is ex-Coast Guard and has actually been on a ship in the middle of the Carribean during a Hurricane. He said it was exciting but he's a bit of a nut when it comes to storms.

 

[lisa702]

We have always sailed in September ever since we discovered cruising and this past September was the only time we have ever been affected. We were also on the Hurricane Jeanne Wonder cruise that was shortened by one day. Had a fabulous time and rebooked for Sept 03 05 Magic but with just one change. I will now always purchase cruise insurance! Hoping for a quieter weather season this year but have heard predictions for an active season once again.

 

[AspiringCindy]

When does hurricane season end? We are booked for Nov. 6th and didn't purchase insurance! Should we? We have sailed before in Nov. and have hit a hurricane...but I thought that was not typical!

 

[lisa702]

It ends December 1st I believe.

 

[BigAl]

I've sailed and vacationed in the carribean in Aug and Sept. several times in the past, and last year was the first time it affected my travel plans through Jeanne. Its simply one of the reasons to obtain insurance when you cruise. But if you do cruise and encounter a hurricane its nice to know that Disney did more than the other cruise lines to make it right for you.

 

[disneyisfun]

I believe that hurricane season ends Nov 1.

 

[mmouse37]

We have sailed DCL during hurricane season several times and are aware of what can and did happen this past September for our cruise...I would still book again in hurricane season.

We did have insurance and were affected by hurricane Jeanne. We were already in Florida so we did not have to worry about flights, but our cruise was shortened so we had to find 2 nights lodging (stayed at Poly at WDW...hey, if I am gonna ride out a hurricane I want to do in style!!!) and our insurance reimbursed us for all our meals, our extra 2 days with the rental car and our hotel for 2 nights!!!! DCL compensated us for the shortened cruise so were were happy and went with flow!!!

Edited to add that the MAGIC cruise was shortened by 2 days....the WONDER cruise was shortened by 1.5 days due to hurricane Jeanne. Both ships left from Fort Lauderdale. We were on the Magic.

MJ

 

[tink11]

We too sailed on the Wonder in Sept. 2004. When I booked the trip I didn't even know it was hurricane season! We had 14 family members and it was stressful switching airfare, renting a van, finding a place to stay for the night etc.. Would I do it again? You bet! We had a great time-beautiful weather. The only thing I found out is three nights is NOT long enough. We are going again on Sunday!!!!!!! I would purchase the insurance though.

 

[zeke11]

We were on the Wonder Jeanne cruise (shortened by a day and a half). We loved the cruise, but missed out on a LOT.

The good news....we did a land/sea and the parks were virtually deserted on the days before the hurricane -- awesome!!

No lines....went right back on to many of the major rides (rock n roller coaster, among them)....

Bad news....we missed out on a lot of the cruise experience and 2-1/2 days was just not near enought time to relax.

I would never book in September again - I know its a long shot that it would happen again, but we looked so forward to the cruise and it was really messed up in many ways.

We are going on another cruise, but this time in late November.

Kris

 

[4formickey]

We are booked for Nov. 6th and didn't purchase insurance! Should we? !

You should get insurance because it will also affect your trip to the boat and your flight home. What happens if the east coast is snowed in? your insurance will help.If your bags get lost or some one gets sick. It comes in handy.