IMPORTANT PORT CHANGE for those on the Wonder 9/8/05

[tracyl921]

FYI - ON DCL WEBSITE

Weather Update


As of 1:00 p.m. EST - September 7, 2005

The safety and comfort of our guests is always our highest priority, and we are always prepared to modify our itineraries to avoid severe weather.

Due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Ophelia along the Central Florida coast, the Disney Wonder cruise ship will operate out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale rather than Port Canaveral on Thursday, September 8, 2005. The September 8, 2005, three-night cruise will depart from Port Everglades and return to Port Canaveral on September 11, 2005.

Disney Cruise Line® reservation's agents are in the process of contacting guests scheduled to depart on the September 8 cruise and are making transportation arrangements for them to get to Fort Lauderdale. In addition, transportation arrangements are being made for those who are returning on the four-night September 4th cruise.

Guests who were planning to drive to Port Canaveral on September 8th should still plan to do so. We ask that you arrive no later than 2 p.m. on Thursday for transport to Port Everglades by bus.

At this time, there are no additional changes to upcoming itineraries. The Disney Magic is expected to set sail as scheduled from Port Canaveral on September 10, and the Disney Wonder is expected to depart as scheduled from Port Canaveral on September 11.

Guests who are scheduled to sail on the September 8, 2005 cruise may call (800) WDW-CRUISE or 800-939-2784 for more information

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Thanks for the update. We'll keep everyone in our prayers!

 

[atigeg]

This is inkkognito, posting under her husband's ID:

We must be the jinx...this is the second year in a row that we'll be doing a Fort Lauderdale/Port Canaveral cruise!

Barb

 

[CM_Mom]

Oops Barb, sorry about the diversion. At least now you have a better idea of how to plan for it. I'm putting money that you're still one of the first on the ship! Have fun anyway.

 

[inkkognito]

That's what we're aiming for!
Driving worked out really well last year. We beat the crowds and had the ship to ourselves for a while. I just feel sorry for our fellow cruisers, especially those who are now going to have to disembark at Port Everglades and who have early morning flights. Our friends Jan and Tom are on the cruise right now, but thankfully they are coming back to WDW rather than flying right home. But I'm sure there are many people who need to get to MCO early. Let's all keep them in our prayers that they will all be able to change their plans successfully.
Barb

 

[barkley]

This is inkkognito, posting under her husband's ID:

We must be the jinx...this is the second year in a row that we'll be doing a Fort Lauderdale/Port Canaveral cruise!

Barb

double jinx-we've been on 2 disney cruises before and never been on castaway cay (keeping fingers crossed that third times a charm this november ).

 

[Choc_marg]

double jinx-we've been on 2 disney cruises before and never been on castaway cay (keeping fingers crossed that third times a charm this november ).

Barkley - Some things are best kept a secret from your Nov cruisemates.....

 

[barkley]

Barkley - Some things are best kept a secret from your Nov cruisemates.....

well we have to keep somethings to discuss over cocktails -now you'll just have to wait to hear the one wherein my son (then 3) hooked up with a hot, blonde crewmember and hit the bars every night

3rd times a charm (or i'll be jumping off the #$@* boat!)

 

[Choc_marg]

well we have to keep somethings to discuss over cocktails -now you'll just have to wait to hear the one wherein my son (then 3) hooked up with a hot, blonde crewmember and hit the bars every night

Now that one sounds interesting. Guess I better keep my eye on that son of yours. Hope he just likes blondes. Or do I need to keep an eye on the crew too? My DS could follow in your DS's footsteps. Looking forward to all our meets especially Lord Sheffields.

 

[CPM]

I was scheduled on three, that were all canceled! @@
Two of them I was able to reschedule, thankfully.
Fingers crossed for January.

 

[CM_Mom]

From the postings from the Member Cruise, Castaway Cay was beautiful today if Ophelia didn't mess up Castaway today, she shouldn't be a problem for you guys. After all, Castaway is farther south than Ft. Lauderdale.

I just looked at the Tropical Weather Map and don't see anything that should cause a problem for your cruise except Ophelia messing up a Port Canaveral departure.

Hope everyone remembers to go with the flow and have a WONDERful adventure.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

I won't be cruising until Sept 2006 but I think travelers to FL in Sept need to stay flexible and gear up for the possibility of less than ideal weather conditions and rescheduling hassles. Sept 04 and Sept 05 cruises both had hurricane issues.

------------------
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/09/02/more_storms.html
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More storms coming for U.S.
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 14:09:01 EDT
CBC News
Amid the unfolding disaster that is the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there are now predictions that the U.S. should expect more storms over the next two months.

Researchers at Colorado State University said Friday there is a 43 per cent chance an intense hurricane will hit the U.S. coast in September, and a 15 per cent chance in October. They said the very active season we've seen to date is far from over.

 

[ColeenD]

We were diverted last Sept due to Charlie and disembarked in Port Everglades. The biggest problem was re-doing the air arrangements, but the airlines were excellent in assisting us. Good luck to all of you, and hope you have a fabulous cruise!

 

[vossjemi]

So, Barb if you are driving to Ft Lauderdale, how are you getting your car when the ship takes you back to cape canaveral? I'm just curious how this works in case we have to deal with this issue next week. We have a minivan rental, and I'd prefer to drive myself to the other port versus all 6 of us on a bus (2 of them young uns). However, I'm confused how I'd do this if DCL takes me back to a different port.

edited to add: oops. I just realized she is probably already gone. WEll, if anyone knows a game plan, I'd sure love to hear it.

edited to add again: Ok, I answered my own question. I just saw her comment on another thread that she got a 1 way to ft. lauderdale. I guess we could change to that if necessary and if the price was right.

 

[mott]

I've been reading this thread to see how things go for the affected cruises. We sail at the end of hurricane season, so although unlikely, we still could have this issue. I just went to budget.com and plugged in our dates and got a rate of just under $70 for 2 days (we fly in 2 nights before the cruise departure). Then, I tried todays date just to see if the demand was so great that the prices were more. For 2 days the rate was just under $50. Both of these are rates with the costco discount code. So, hopefully if you are in this boat next week (or we are in a couple of months) we will easily be able to rent the car from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale. Now I need to check my cancelation policy for my current rental.