Info. Needed - Thinking about cancelling 2/19 cruise

[kfields1]

This will be our first cruise with sons age 5 and 7. Five year old has begun getting concurrent ear infections (2 in the last 3 weeks) and gets motion sickeness very easily as it is. Also, hearing about viruses and bad seas. Experienced cruisers - Would you rebook for June/July or forge ahead??? I'm really leaning towards rebooking. Help![/COLOR]

 

[mmouse37]

First off, do you have travel insurance??? It seems that you are only a few weeks from sailing so most cancellation penalties will be in effect. If you have insurance then I think you can cancel due to medical reasons if your doctor deems that your son cannot travel....but if you don't have insurance then you are looking at losing quite a sum of money!!!

You know your son the best....but don't let talk of rough seas sway you...you can have rough seas in June/July as well!!! And for the virus....you probably have a greater chance of catching the virus in school or at you local mall or grocery store than on the ship...

MJ

 

[kfields1]

Yes, we have travel insurance and the dr. is ok with us not going. I think that there would be less of a chance of bad seas in July isn't there? We were on the Big Red Boat in Feb. 2003 with rough seas and I"m having bad flasbacks!!! Thanks for your input and I welcome more input from others!!!!

 

[my3kids]

Are you okay with paying the increased fare for July? It literally could more than double in price.

 

[DCLgodess]

Yes, we have travel insurance and the dr. is ok with us not going. I think that there would be less of a chance of bad seas in July isn't there? We were on the Big Red Boat in Feb. 2003 with rough seas and I"m having bad flasbacks!!! Thanks for your input and I welcome more input from others!!!!

watch out for hurricanes. That is a month into the hurricane season. I know most don't come until august/september, but just be wary of that risk. We went in august and had really calm seas despite being in between two hurricanes. The captains of these ships really know what they are doing. hope that helps.

 

[mackymaddyconnorsmom]

I would go in Feb. My daughter has problems with her ears. (She has tubes in them now). She also gets motion sickness. She got sick one time, but she kept eating pizza for lunch and dinner. I gave her kids dramamine and she never got sick again. She also gets sick sometimes from eatting too much greasy food. My son gets motion sickness, but no ear problems. He never got sick once and we had some nights of rough seas.

 

[kfields1]

When did you go?

 

[jehma]

Are you okay with paying the increased fare for July? It literally could more than double in price.

Do you think so? Her original date is Presidents' week, which is already quite high.

 

[michael e]

I would hate to go with a sick 5 year old but they can bounce back pretty quickly at that age.

Consider if you can rebook for the cabin you want and other travel like airfare (if needed). Don't worry about the cost. We are going on the Magic Feb 19 and it is one of the most expensive weeks all year. Might even save a little in early June. Also the weather will be much different. Alot hotter in the summer and as stated hurricanes can be a factor.

It is a tough call so consider all your options and see when is the latest you can cancel.

Good luck,
Michael

 

[my3kids]

When I've priced things, summer was always a lot higher than President's week, plus consider it is pretty late to book for summer, so you'd loose any early booking incentives.

 

[dwkwootton]

If you're talking about a date change for the Magic, remember it will be on the West Coast this summer.

 

[michael e]

My3kids is right. Most weeks in June/July are going to be around the price of Presidents week. What occurred to me after my post is that the Magic will be on the West Coast in Summer, 2005. Adds to the complexity of making a decision on whether to go or not.

Good Luck,
Michael

 

[lbgraves]

Considering the fact that the Magic will be on the West coast this summer and the fares were high when they were first released, I would expect the cost to be high now with such short notice. Living on the east coast I know that we have had hurricanes hit in June & July but IDK about the history of them on the west coast.

 

[MickeyB426]

Your bigger issue with the ears, I think, would be flying, not so much cruising.

I've cruised twice with DCL, once in February, once at the beginning of April. I can definitely tell you that in February, I didn't feel a thing, and in April we had 1 1/d bad days. And that's with a DW who catches motion-sickness VERY easily!

We'll be on the 2/19 cruise as well. I fully expect there to be no issue with the motion-sickess issue. We hope to see you there!

 

[mackymaddyconnorsmom]

We went in December

 

[BuzzMan]

Here is a link to an article concerning Norwalk virus. It is from an Orlando TV station web site.

Norwalk Virus News Story

It is an old article but still applicable and it addresses land based vs sea based Norwalk outbreaks. It even includes a specific reference to an Outbreak on the Disney Magic (I believe from a couple of years ago).

As others have noted, the Magic will be sailing from the west coast during June, July and August.

Finally, should you need them, IMHO the medical services onboard the Magic are first rate (at additional cost in most cases).

 

[kfields1]

We're actually going to be on the Wonder. I'm also concerned about the weather. It seems to only be in the 60s and very low 70s. Kind of cuts out swimming. Has anyone been on the Wonder lately and can tell me what kind of seas they had, weather, etc.

Thanks for all of your info!!!

 

[lbgraves]

Bumping for OP.

 

[jehma]

Here is a link to an article concerning Norwalk virus. It is from an Orlando TV station web site.

Norwalk Virus News Story.

Thanks for posting the article. Now I understand the increased incidence of illness on the ships - it's not just there. It still makes me nervous, though.

 

[smchan]

This will be our first cruise with sons age 5 and 7. Five year old has begun getting concurrent ear infections (2 in the last 3 weeks) and gets motion sickeness very easily as it is. Also, hearing about viruses and bad seas. Experienced cruisers - Would you rebook for June/July or forge ahead??? I'm really leaning towards rebooking. Help![/COLOR]

On average, July is the same at Feb. with respect to seas and winds. I suspect the only difference will be warmer weather and more kids onboard in July. I'd stick with my original plans, personally.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/wcaribwave.htm

Sam