Just Back From 3/9 Magic - What an Adventure!

[johnf]

Hi all,

We're just back from the 3/9 Magic and let me tell you it was quite an adventure. I guess you have all heard about the fire we had on Thursday morning. It was pretty scary and inconvenient but the crew and the Captain did a magnificent job in handling the fire, the passengers and the fallout.

While there were some assembly stations that were released earlier, most of the ship was in our life jackets and by our life boats from about 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. on Thrusday morning. There seemed to be extensive damage to the rear smokestack with a lot of smoke damage as well. Mickey's Pool was closed all day on Thursday and Friday (along with Pluto's Pup) but they opened up the other pools to all guests and even opened up the crew pool for adults only. Wwe got to Castaway Cay right on schedule and only a few events were cancelled.

I would be happy to answer anyone's specific questions about the fire or about the cruise. It was a GREAT time and we have alreay rebooked another 7 day cruise (Western this time) for April 2003.

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL

 

[Michelle]

Hi johnf! Thanks for the first-hand report from the voyage. It sounds like you were very good-natured about the inconvenience. Glad you had a great time!

One question for you, just out of curiosity -- how did you access the crew pool? And did they put out some deck chairs there for adults? Also, is it a fresh water pool as the others are? (Okay, so that was three questions!)

 

[pal2pluto]

yeah, we were wondering where, how to get to the crew pool....obviously through the crew quarters?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm glad to hear that the captain and crew handled the situation well.

What is the nature of the "extensive damage" to the funnel? Is there any indication whether the repairs can all be done at sea, or whether the Disney Magic will need to be taken to a shipyard for repair? Is the damage visible or hidden, and will it detract from the passenger experience until it is repaired?

We're sailing on March 23, so I imagine we will be affected in some way by the effects of the fire.

I'm glad nobody was hurt, and that the March 9 cruise was such a great experience anyway that passengers such as johnf are already booking future cruises.

 

[Hopkins]

On Thursday and Friday were you allowed to walk near Mickey's pool/Pluto's, or was that entire area off limits? Were they cleaning up? Painting? How bad did it look? Was the damage just to the very top of the smoke stack? Describe the damage? Did people think it was a false alarm so early in the morning? Was it calm? I bet it was very upseting. I'm upset here on land. We don't know anything. What did the captain say afterwards?

Thanks.
Tina
Western 1/18/03
I love cruising on DCL!!!

 

[johnf]

Hi again!

I'll try and answer all of your questions.

First - The crew pool is on Deck 5 forward and they did put out deck chairs and opened a bar (this pool took the place of the Quiet Cove for adults only).

Second - Yes you could walk on Deck 9 but the area was roped off by Mickey's pool and they were working on it for the rest of the cruise.

Third - From what I could tell, there was extensive smoke damage right above the Mickey slide and part of the smokestack was melted (they had it covered up with a banner by the time we got into port). Also, Mickey's "Glove" on the slide was black but was fixed fairly quickly.

Fourth - Although Pluto's Pup was closed, they opened up a table right next to Scoops that had all of the same food as Pluto's Pup.

Fifth - The crew was marvelous and very professional. We were given progress reports regularly all day on Thursday.

From what I understand this was the first time ever that all of the passengers were mustered to their assembly stations in a real emergency for both the Magic and the Wonder.

On the last night at the Variety Show, the Captain came onstage to thank the passengers for our patience and he got a standing ovation for 10 minutes. He then introduced the entire fire fighting team of officers and crew and had them come onstage to get applause and recognition - very classy.

It was very scary but the Captain and his crew should be commended for their professionalism.

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL

 

[RellingTwin]

John, Who is the current Captain? Thanks for all the info, we've been worried about our DIS friends on board since we heard the news of the fire. Glad everyone is ok!

 

[johnf]

I'm sure that I'll mess this name up but the current Captain is Hans Mattebour.

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL

 

[Pryd]

Did they offer any incentives or discounts to you for your next cruise?

 

[Michelle]

Very close, actually, John -- it's Hans Mateboer.

 

[johnf]

Pryd,

I don't think that the incentive they were offering to rebook was any different just because of the fire. We all DID get a $100 onboard credit applied to this cruise along with a letter from the President of Disney Cruise Lines.

BTW, my personal best to our Head Server Sandra (who arranged for an Officer to sit with us one night and reaaranged our Palo reservation to accomodate this), our Server Cecilia and Asst Server Marco. Also, our Palo Brunch Server Zita, and our Palo Dinner Server Louise - WELL DONE!

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL

 

[Thumper1]

We had a server at Palo's for brunch and dinner, his name was Louis and he was a great server. Do you think this was the same server?

 

[johnf]

Thumper1,

No I don't think so...ours was a young woman from the UK.

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL

 

[pal2pluto]

Ah, yes, I remember Zita well...very professional, thoughtful (brought extra appetizer for me when dh ordered 2) and beautiful to boot!

I'm so glad you had a good experience despite the fire. What a great attitude!

 

[snelsonbrown]

The Magic has been going under extensive repairs - It is now 9:30pm and she is still sitting at the docks - took a ride to see what was happening and I understand she will not be available for sailing until 12 midnight - better safe than sorry
JohnF - glad everyone was safe - Disney is great about taking care of their passengers - understand everyone will be given $100.00 credit off their trip -
Stay safe
Always
Shirley

 

[johnf]

Shirley,

BTW, thank you SOOOOOO much for the basket! My wife was so thrilled and surprised. My son also was thrilled at seeing his Mickey backpack surprise. Your store really does a GREAT job!

Yes you are right about the $100 onboard credit. We all were given a letter from the President of Disney Cruise Lines late in the afternoon on Friday telling us of the onboard credit.

It's a shame about the Magic being delayed so much now. I gues that this week's itinerary will be changed somewhat.

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL

 

[wovenwonder]

Was the credit that was offered a per stateroom credit -- or a per person credit?

 

[plutospup]

It was a stateroom credit, not per person.

When you have a substantial fire aboad ship, and you can walk away and say what a great cruise this was... well, I guess Disney must be doing something right!
After the initial "code red aft" announcement Capt. Hans, and Cruise Director Jackie had numerous announcements keeping us apprised of the situation. By keeping all guests well informed it most certainly averted a possible panic situation. However, when I heard the "seven whistles" telling us to muster on deck even I became concerned. However, right away Capt. Hans was on the PA system informing us of why this was done. The funnel extends all the way to the bottom of the ship. As a result, alarms were going off on each passenger deck. (Also, smoke had been detected in other areas). It must have been quite a hot fire in order for the aft funnel to wrinkle, and the insulation on the port stacks to burn. On deck though, even the Assembly Leaders said the muster went more smoothly than a normal Saturday drill!

We had a great time, and also rebooked for Western Cruise end of April '03. We can look forward to that. In the meantime, Mom was taken to the hospital today with heart problems. I'm glad I got home in time to help her. When time allows I'll post some of the wonderful things about our cruise!

 

[Jobro2]

Glad everyone was ok...it certainly sounded scary but also like it was handled in a professional and calm way (Disney, of course!)..Let us know about the chicken tenders!! Did our "protest" work?

 

[wovenwonder]

It sounds like Disney handle things very well --- and you are taking it like a champ!!

Would you mind posting in detail the on board booking offer for each category?

Thanks