Live From 9/7 Magic

[Carol RN]

We are finally onboard. What a fiasco is all I can say. Disney was completely unorganized in their handling of transportation to the port, among other issues. They switched ports without notifying anyone, to Port Everglades.

Long, long, long story about all their screw ups. Will post complete comments when I return from this abbreviated cruise. By the way, we are STILL in port in Fort Lauderdale. I don't know what time we will be cruising, as there are still people boarding.

 

[tink5]

I hope you have a magical cruise inspite of everything going on.

 

[dharma517]

Glad that you are finally on board and hopefully you can relax and unwind now. Is the bar open? I am sure you will try to make the best of it. Have a great cruise.
Jenn

 

[Kitster]

Be thankful you are onboard. You could be replacing roof tiles / shingles, trying to cope without electricity for the second time in 4 weeks......etc. Or you could be homeless.

 

[lbgraves]

It has been a VERY stressful week for everyone on board right now...both passengers & CMs. I hope that you are able to set sail soon & wake up to a relaxing cruise.

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

What do you expect?

The entire state is an a total uproar.

People have lost their homes, businesses, and a few people even lost their lives.

I know that vacationers are upset about their shortened or cancelled cruises but have a heart.

Disney is doing the best they can with what they have to work with.

I don't understand how people can be so supportive and tenderhearted when it comes to tragic situations that effect people on this board, specifically EmmasGrammy's family, and then can't seem to understand that the cruise line can't control the aftermath of the largest hurricane to hit this country since 1992.

Even though my cruise isn't scheduled for another 2 months, there is a good possibility that CC won't be a part of our itenerary. This is something we have looked forward to doing for 15 months, but instead of crying and whining about it, we're trying to make the best of a bad situation.

The only thing I can say to all the PO'd people cruising this week is, if you don't want the hassel of dealing with uncontrollable weather, don't plan on sailing during hurricane season.


Putting on flame retardent suit now.

 

[WILDCATMICKEY]

Originally posted by KyCruisinSusan
[
The only thing I can say to all the PO'd people cruising this week is, if you don't want the hassel of dealing with uncontrollable weather, don't plan on sailing during hurricane season.


Putting on flame retardent suit now. [/B]

Since you didn't go through all the problems that DCL helped great, you cannot relate to what the cruisers on the 9/4 Magic cruise went through. Yes, DCL cannot control the weather, but they can do a better job handling these situations, because this is not the first time they have delat with the issues.

 

[ppiew]

I am certain DCL did not go out of their way to 'ruin' anyones vacation - they had plenty to deal with themselves and I am sure tried extremely hard to ease the pain of changes. After all, the cruise was changed from 7 to 9 to 10 days, port changed twice, etc. Having adequate food, fuel, and a port to dock at were HUGE logistics to address in a very short time frame. Contacting cruisers had to difficult if not impossible, with each ship having 2600 passengers and the itinerary changing daily. Let's not beat a dead horse - they did the best they could, and maybe - just maybe - some of the CM's would really appreciate people saying 'thanks, you did the best you could.'
Have a nice cool drink, listen to the whistle, and ENJOY your cruise. I wish I were there.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Originally posted by KyCruisinSusan
What do you expect?

The entire state is an a total uproar.

People have lost their homes, businesses, and a few people even lost their lives.

I know that vacationers are upset about their shortened or cancelled cruises but have a heart.

Disney is doing the best they can with what they have to work with.

I don't understand how people can be so supportive and tenderhearted when it comes to tragic situations that effect people on this board, specifically EmmasGrammy's family, and then can't seem to understand that the cruise line can't control the aftermath of the largest hurricane to hit this country since 1992.

Even though my cruise isn't scheduled for another 2 months, there is a good possibility that CC won't be a part of our itenerary. This is something we have looked forward to doing for 15 months, but instead of crying and whining about it, we're trying to make the best of a bad situation.

The only thing I can say to all the PO'd people cruising this week is, if you don't want the hassel of dealing with uncontrollable weather, don't plan on sailing during hurricane season.


Putting on flame retardent suit now.

Well said. If you book a cruise during hurricane season you should be prepared that hurricanes might happen and your plans might be changed. DCL did get people options, not ALL cruise lines even did that. It's not easy on the cruise lines when this happens either. They don't enjoy it believe me.

 

[mrsltg]

People have lost their homes, businesses, and a few people even lost their lives.

Honestly, I am SO SICK of hearing this everytime someone says that DCL isn't handling something well. You know what? There are worse things than a hurricane. Sending your child to school and having it overtaken by terrorists who then killed your child would be a lot worse than having lost the roof of your home. Walking down the street and being shot in the head simply because some teen wanted to see what it felt like to kill. Living in a refugee camp in Ruwanda and being killed when another tribe decided you needed to die.... Really, the list goes on and on. Going by this reasoning NO ONE SHOULD EVER COMPLAIN. Of course that's ridiculous, and so is the "at least you didn't" argument.

Erin

 

[bemily]

Carol, I hope you are able to finally relax and enjoy what is left of your vacation...and everyone else on the ship...

BUT, I too am sick of everyone's complaining (not directed at Carol, but just in general). I follow the RCCL boards on cruisecritic, and the same stuff was being said over there. Seriously, cruise lines are damned if they do, damned if they dont this week. We had two major hurricanes hit Florida within three weeks, and DCL's home port is damaged beyond their control. What more can you expect right now? I think it is generous of them to give discount's and future cruise vouchers, this is hurricane season for goodness sakes.

I agree with the poster that basically said take a look around you and someone else is worse off, and get your priorities straight. For instance, baby Sophie, Amanda and Emma, those poor kids in Russia...my cousin killed in Iraq for goodness sakes!! Can you imagine the terror they were feeling? and here we are complaining about a 7 night cruise being shortened into a 4 night one...What is wrong with this picture?

Just look at the big picture and it should put it all into perspective...

Sorry for rambling, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Now, I, too, will put my flame suit on!

 

[Quirky Cruiser]

I have been hesitant to post, as I have seen a range of responses, some of which have been downright nasty on this board. I was scheduled to go on the Sept. 4th cruise with friends. Well, my friends made it and hopefully boarded the Magic today. I had to make my decision last Thursday evening when I heard the trip was going to be shortened. The airlines made it very clear that they didn't think they could get me there in time. I didn't want to temp fate, so I decided that I would cxl and take the refund - it was my personal choice, which everybody was entitled to. Sure, I was disappointed, but Disney did a phenomenal job considered the situation they were put in - they had no control of the situation that was handed to them - they knew they couldn't please everyone. I looked to see what other cruise lines were doing for compensation, and Disney was giving the most BY FAR. I was so impressed with Amy at DCL and Tammy at Dreams Unlimited - they were so helpful - it was a tough decision for me to make - since I knew I was the only one in the group who couldn't make it - and they were both very sincere with me. I wish those who made it to the ship a most Magical time - make the best of the situation that has been handed to you and always remember that "a day on the Disney Magic is much better than a day at work!!!". I would give anything right now to hear the magic sound her horn - but this trip wasn't meant to be for me. Enjoy your time, relax, and remember to have fun!
-Tenley

 

[dharma517]

I hope some of you are around when someone complains about what someone else is wearing in the dining area!

It is true that there are horrible things happening in the world we live in, but it doesn't mean that someone who has had a bad day (for them) can't vent about it without getting flamed. The OP has had a rough day (for her) and does not deserve getting dumped on due to your hostile feelings regarding other peoples complaints about the way disney is handling things.

Jenn

 

[WDWLVR]

Sitting here in Chicago I can only begin to imagine what any of you have gone through the past couple of days.

Those in Florida have suffered so much. Lost homes, maybe pets, lots and lots of destruction. Please remember that many of those Disney CM's have homes and families in Florida as well.

Those whose cruises got cancelled or shortened. I'm really sorry. It is hard to look forward to something for so long and then not have it happen. I've had that happen before under different circumstances. It hurts. If you are on the ship now, please enjoy it.

Disney has, in my opinion, done the best they could with the info they have. It would have been much better if they could have come into Port Canaveral, but they couldn't. It would have been much better and more organized if they could have sailed out of Port Canaveral, but they couldn't. If there didn't have enough people down in Ft. Lauderdale maybe, just maybe, it was because not all the castmembers who work at Port Canaveral could get down there.

Bottom line - everyone is one edge. Everyone wants the best. Please all take a deep breath. Count your blessings for what you have and let the anger go. I know much easier said than done but maybe, just maybe, it will help.

 

[jlawall]

I feel for both sides of this equation. Disappointment is always hard when the unexpected occurs.

In regards to CC, for the last two summers, my day is CC was rainy. We've had incredible bad luck and haven't enjoyed this island to it's potential in a long time. As disappointing as that was, next summer there will be no CC on the West Coast.

There's nothing you can do if the weather doesn't cooperate!

Best wishes on your "minnie-cruise." I hope you get an outstanding full week of incredible weather when you sail next.

 

[RDS912]

I am tired of all the whining. DCL created no problems. Do you understand the logistics of changing a port, trying to shuffle loading and unloading cruisers, all while trying to set up new ports of call and repair an entire island, OMG shut up or get off the boat. You should be happy there still is a port to go to. You should be glad you still have your home abd family. I do not fell sorry for you one bit. This is not a hardship but a slight inconvenience at most.

 

[TChrist05]

Hello all.....I guess I just have to add my two cents....my wife and I were part of the cancelled cruise two years ago due to the illness on board the cruise ships....DCL did the best it could to accomodate us as they could....we were basically very satisfied with what they did for us for the week of our cruise and the re-scheduled cruise we took the following May....there were many posters that were critical of Disney.....posters that were critical of the people who got there cruises cancelled...we were lucky enough to be upgraded on our May cruise to a category 4 from a 10...and people felt that we got too much both a 50% off cruise and an upgrade.

Life is real short people. My wife, daughter and myself just escaped a horrific house fire on July 4th....we lost our pets and totally lost our homes. I have a new outlook on life. I refuse to be bitter about anything anymore....and I feel much better as a person now. We are having our home rebuilt...thanks to great insurance and the grace of God.....

I truly think it is time to lighten up and enjoy life....stop and smell the flowers instead of looking at them and saying how pretty they look....

Oh, and by the way.....we had to change our contact phone number with Disney Cruise Line and they got our details of our fire...and they are now sending us towels and Disney CL parapanalia......they always try to do the right thing in my opinion.

Thanks for listening.....

Tom

 

[Rock'n Robin]

While I understand the frustration of the OP, DCL has not gone through hurricane problems to this extent before. It sounded like the cruisers were getting compensation--discount, credit, future booking discounts. Perhaps if this happens again (and I hope it does not) DCL will have this experience to learn from.
That said, I am having such a sucky week that I wish I was on even a 4 day Magic, sipping on a BBC and sailing to who-knows-where.
Robin M.

 

[westjones]

I hope tomorrow bring sunshine and pixie dust to everyone!

Thank you for posting and letting us know what is happening on the ship. I love reading 'live' reports and it was thoughtful of you to take the time to send us a message.

Hope the cruise goes well. Don't miss the Golden Mickeys show, it is super!

DJ

 

[burns44]

Originally posted by WILDCATMICKEY
Since you didn't go through all the problems that DCL helped great, you cannot relate to what the cruisers on the 9/4 Magic cruise went through. Yes, DCL cannot control the weather, but they can do a better job handling these situations, because this is not the first time they have delat with the issues.

You are correct in saying this is not the first time they have dealt with these kind of issues, but every situation is unique, and to say that they could plan for all of the unplesantries is ridiculous. They are doing the best they can, give them a break!