Hurricane??

[kevin_254]

okay so im coming from los angeles and im flying in to orlando saturday morning from cali, and im coming aboard disney wonder on 08-31-08, now im just a bit worried that the sailing might get canceled or postponed because of hurricane gustav or tropical storm fay, what do u guys think? from what i've been hearing disney hasn't cancelled that many sailings, do you guys think that it's safe to say that the sailing is going to be on schedule?

 

[kevin_254]

does anyone thinks that gustav would change courses??

 

[WDWLVR]

Welcome to the DIS and the DCL forums.

I've moved this to the main cruise forum for you as this is where general questions like this belong.

As for your sailing I would think you would be fine but it is good to have DCL's number on hand to keep track of any last minute changes (like change in ports etc).

 

[rhondamccollough@hot]

ok....say I wanted to call and check on the chance of a port change, etc. Would I want to call a reservation specialist at the DCL? Sorry, newbie here!
I am on the same cruise as Kevin!

 

[ckg]

I don't think Disney has every cancelled. I sailed with them through Hurricane Charley a few years back and they did had to alter the cruise (was shorter from a seven day we booked), our itinerary changed and we had to leave out of Ft Lauderdale. With that said Disney is not the cheapest by any stretch but the way they handled a weather event was first class as I expected. We live in Orlando and were going to drive and park our car to board originally for the week.

Well to try to accomodate the inconvenience the weather caused with the port change and such. They offered to our family to stay at Port Orleans Riverside the night before and then they would take our luggage from that resort to the ship and us also to Ft. Lauderdale for free (accomodations and transfer). Now that is service! They did the equivalent of a Magical Express to the new port with the night before on them.

Due to the shortened cruise we also got (if memory serves me well). A refund for the days the cruise was shortened by, a half off our next cruise certificate and a onboard credit of I think $400. All in all I am not 100% sure on the specifics but considering that the hurricane was not caused by them and they have no legal obligation to do anything they handled it fantastic from a customer experience point of view. In fact much better than expected ... but then again that is Disney and why it is a premium product .

 

[skibum]

Based on the storm track at this time, I would not expect Gustav to have any effect on your vacation. Should be far weat of you. We sailed during Ophelia, flying in that morning, and Disney was awesome in providing information to us prior to our departure, and then letting us know at the airport that we were leaving from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale). DCL does an awesome job!

 

[mmouse37]

ok....say I wanted to call and check on the chance of a port change, etc. Would I want to call a reservation specialist at the DCL? Sorry, newbie here!
I am on the same cruise as Kevin!

Before you leave home keep monitoring the DCL website...they will post any itinerary changes that may take place. They try to keep it as updated as possible. but, once you leave just call the regular DCL number and they will be able to advise you. Make sure DCL has your cell number. if you have travel insurance, great.

Back in 2004 we were in Florida en route to Port Canaveral for a pre-cruise hotel night at the Radisson and we heard on the radio that Port Canaveral was being evacuated due to hurricane Jeanne. We had not heard from DCL at that point so I called and was advised that the cruise would be leaving on Monday from Ft. lauderdale instead of Sat from Port Canaveral. They offered us a full refund if we decided to cancel but since we were already in Florida we decided to still sail. We diverted to WDW and got a room at the Poly to ride out the hurricane. We had travel insurance and were reimbursed for our 3 night hotel stay at the Poly, our extra days with the car rental and all our meals. Saved all our receipts as they were important to submit to the insurance company.

DCL bused us down to Ft. Lauderdale on Monday for the cruise. Since the cruise was shortened DCL offered a 40% refund on the current cruise, an onboard credit and a 25% discount off a future cruise. This was a very chaotic time for DCL and all the guests on that and the previous cruise. Many tempers flared. My best advice is to keep your cool and just roll with the punches. DCL will try to what they can to make things flow but even they get overwhelmed at times (they have no control over the weather). Keep your sense of humor, you may need it.

Not saying that is what they will do this time but that is what was done in 2004.

 

[luv that cruise]

All you cruisers need to be watching the weather. Gustave will probably make it into the gulf of mexico but they are watching a second "disturbance" right behind Gustave that might become a named storm, "Hannah," later this morning. Things frequently change with the paths of these storms, so I am NOT predicting, but the second storm could impact florida's (and other states) atlantic coast.

Disney doesn't cancel unless they have to but it seems thier alternate port is Port Everglades, also on the atlantic coast. Not sure what would happen if both ports were closed.

 

[Forever42]

There's a pretty good ridge forming over Florida and the Bahamas, so the chances Gustav will come towards us are pretty slim at this point - this may always change.

Fay is long gone

TD8 is looking interesting at this point, but DCL will sail around it to the best of their ability.

 

[karibritt01]

I can't see Gustav effecting your cruise, except it could re-route your flight so as not to cross through it. Fay was bothering NC and north now, and will not effect you. Tropical depression #8 is still a ways out, and shouldn't impact you other than maybe some rough seas and outer rain bands occasionally coming through.

Atlantic Basin map: http://www.crownweather.com/atlantic.html

Tropical Depression #8: http://www.crownweather.com/td08.html

 

[luv that cruise]

I just looked at projected path of depression #8 (likely to be "Hannah") and it looks to impact land later in the week. Disney should be able to get in and out of port canaveral just fine. like poster ahead of me said, they can sail around these storms. Your itenerary may change but I'll bet you will sail. Have fun.

 

[karibritt01]

Fay is long gone

She is actually still plaguing NC right now. She is still dumping massive amount of rain (we had areal and flash flooding yesterday) and spinning developing tornadoes... luckily nothing touched down.

 

[Forever42]

She is actually still plaguing NC right now. She is still dumping massive amount of rain (we had areal and flash flooding yesterday) and spinning developing tornadoes... luckily nothing touched down.

Well, in terms of Florida, sorry

 

[kevin_254]

what about tropical storm hannah? isnt heading right our way??

 

[Forever42]

No one knows at this point. The five day models on her are pretty unsure, plus she has some shear around her that's keeping her from strengthening immediately.

 

[kevin_254]

oh the dcl reported an update

TROPICAL WEATHER UPDATE
As of Thursday, August 28, 2008

Guests sailing today, August 28th who have questions regarding their voyage and the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna should be aware that the safety of our guests and crew is always our first priority at Disney Cruise Line and we continually monitor a storm's progress through the National Weather Service.

At this time, we do not anticipate any changes in the August 28th or August 31st voyage of the Disney Wonder or the September 1st voyage of the Disney Magic.

Should weather conditions change, our Captain can alter the ship's course or itinerary for the safety and well being of our guests.

 

[encmerk]

Karibritt01

We live in Havelock, NC and, we are watching what Hanna does too. Did your weather guy say that there is a good possiblity for it to strike NC. Our weather guy said to keep our eyes on this one!! I am hoping when we sail on the wonder on Sept. 25 that things will have calmed down. (Right now I am having flashbacks to Hurricane Isabel. Not fun.)

I hope everyone stays safe.

 

[cruisinmama06]

oh the dcl reported an update

TROPICAL WEATHER UPDATE
As of Thursday, August 28, 2008

Guests sailing today, August 28th who have questions regarding their voyage and the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna should be aware that the safety of our guests and crew is always our first priority at Disney Cruise Line and we continually monitor a storm's progress through the National Weather Service.

At this time, we do not anticipate any changes in the August 28th or August 31st voyage of the Disney Wonder or the September 1st voyage of the Disney Magic.

Should weather conditions change, our Captain can alter the ship's course or itinerary for the safety and well being of our guests.

Great, now can I get that same response for my Sept 6 WDW trip and Sept 11th, Wonder?

 

[karibritt01]

Did your weather guy say that there is a good possiblity for it to strike NC. Our weather guy said to keep our eyes on this one!!

Right now he has it making a beeline for NC until Wed, but then the model has it all over the place. He said there is an upper level low coming down that may push it south into the Bahamas and Cuba by mid-week. Judging from him, and models I have seen, I think this one may turn south and go to Florida.

I hear you about flashbacks. I get so uptight this time of year because we had a nightmare with Fran. $102K damage to our house! We actually had a small tornado spin off from it and really got us. Yesterday we kept having those tornado and flood warnings from Fay.

 

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

So, by the looks of the model or path, do you think we can sail on Monday? How about getting to Nassau on MOnday? I guess I really wouldn't mind if we didn't go to Nassau, but I have a dolphin swim booked at Atlantis for my DD (10). We have had this trip booked and planned for two years!! Now this~ I know she would be really disappointed and it's non-refundable. Oh well. So, what do you all think?

Scrapbookqueen
Kellie