Missing Castaway Cay - Captain's Comments?

[allears]

As for the orginial question, the CMs, captains or any official Disney rep. will not probably ever appear on these boards. This board is not sponosred or officaly sanctioned by Disney, therefore they are not going to put anything in writing here that they could be held responsible for.

We do know that these boards are read by CMs in various positions, I have a great story about that, but too long for here. But that's just a good business stratagey. Anything esle has to come from official channels, like the offical Disney websites or phone centers.

 

[MickeyB426]

I don't think that anyone wants safety to be compromised to get into CC by any means, shape or form.

The issue and we are seeing many come out to tell us is that CC is not a guarantee and it might just be missed more than you think. This needs to be disclosed during your booking. If they were to eliminate the CC stop altogether you would see a steady drop of bookings because at that point they are no longer anywhere near competitive with other cruise lines.

1) Castaway Cay is not set up properly for routine weather docking. It appears as though anything less than picture perfect weather prohibits the ship from docking.

2) Castaway Cay is heavily marketed by DCL to keep the bookings coming. It is a dirty little secret that they do miss it in routine weather. Look at the picture from the attempt on 3/2/2005 in another thread with sunny skies an <2 foot seas. So close yet unable to dock. These were not gale force winds, thunderstorms or violent weather patterns,........just a normal day. There should be some responsibility from DCL to offer some sort of a discount on future cruises PERIOD. Do you think this is going to break their piggy bank? Absolutely not, this is a for profit company. Why many of you are jumping onto DCL's defense wagon is beyond me. All that said they would not want a discount were already to CC.

You would swear that Disney is signing your paychecks.

And judging by your comments and by what you chose as your new screen name and the fact that the majority of your 17 posts thus far deals with negative comments over ONE incident, it's not a stretch to say, then, that RCCL's signing YOUR paychecks.

All ports get missed from time to time. That's a fact.

All legal documents state that you may miss a port, from virtually ALL cruise lines. That's also a fact.

What's not a fact is your statement that DCL needs optimum weather to dock.

What's not a fact is that it's a "dirty little secret" that they miss it in routine weather.

What's absolute folly is the thought that one should be compensated for it. And that's what you're asking for if you want a discount on a future cruise just because you missed Castaway Cay.

I've done three cruises in February and March. We never missed CC and 10 days ago we docked in windy and rainy conditions. If the captain can dock, he will. THAT'S a fact.

 

[Grumbo]

Why lately does any rational question that is asked on this forum end up being a slamming thread. Unbelievable. Look at the intial question for God's sake.
Maybe I'll go start a thread saying I'm wearing swimwear to Palo. Give some of you something else to go after people for.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[allears]

"Why many of you are jumping onto DCL's defense wagon is beyond me. All that said they would not want a discount were already to CC."

Just a point of clarification (for lack of a better term) most of us come to the boards because we enjoy the Disney cruise experience and are big Disney fans. True there it is also a great information exchange, good and bad. But for many of us it's a way to stay connected to the experience many of us enjoy. That's why many will jump to Disney's defense.

And Grumbo ~ very true and very funny.

 

[BuzzMan]

I am the OP for this thread and as I have stated previously. it certainly was not my intention that it turn into yet another debate/slam session. Since a few folks did respond to the original post (thank you) and since it appears that it probably would not be possible to get DCL management cast members to provide commentary, I suggest that a moderator close this thread. Please!

Happy Sailing!!


BuzzMan

 

[allears]

Buzzman, It certainly has taken on a life of it's own, far from what I think you intened

 

[HappyLawyer]

two things
1st is there a pattern during the times in which they do not stop, if it is near a certain season then perhaps people might want to cruise at a different time,

next
I think anyone can say what ever they want but, that does not mean going after the attack, as many of you know i am fast to debate and stand my ground because i think many things are just said and not meant any harm

 

[izzinmac]

I don't know about anyone else, but I never booked my first DCL cruise based on Castaway Cay. In fact, I think CC is boring. Maybe that's why I wouldn't need to be compensated if we missed it.

Stace...way off topic (who isn't here) but I just gotta ask. If you don't like CC that much, watcha doing on one of the double dose CC cruises???? Just curious!

 

[Scott5150]

I was on the February 5th Magic cruise that was not able to dock. The captain tried 3 times and you could tell that he really wanted to dock. The winds were SO strong that most people were in sweat suits and no one was near the pools all day.

Each time he tried he gave a detailed account over the PA. It sorta reminds me of DCL before they had cruise directors. We used to to hear Captain Hans all the time over the PA, now you generally just hear the cruise director.

Again, safety first - its hard to believe that people have a problem with that. But any frequent air traveller knows that when a flight is delayed for mechanical problems, there is always some dolt is screaming for them to just hurry up and take off. If DCL would run the ship into the dock, or worse the ground, you could imagine the bad press.

I did not hear one person on my cruise ask for compensation. If Disney would do something wrong, I would EXPECT compensation (Like that couple that was in a porthole room and the waves crashed through the porthole window drenching the room). But for weather or other similiar issues, that is just life.

Scott

 

[justmestace]

Stace...way off topic (who isn't here) but I just gotta ask. If you don't like CC that much, watcha doing on one of the double dose CC cruises???? Just curious!

I was waiting for that!! I wish that cruise was going to Key West, when we cruised at Christmas, my husband and I renewed our vows on the beach in Key West, so we haven't seen the town. But...to answer your question.....there is a GREAT group of Christmas cruisers that are sailing on that trip.....and I'm excited to sail with them again. AND....the price was good!!
We really enjoyed CC at Christmas...no one was allowed in the water because the predator net was down....the weather was windy and chilly....so we walked all the way past the adult beach, we hit a couple of the bars....just strolling. You can't really do that when it's hot hot hot out there....so I loved it that day!!

 

[maminnie]

Just a couple of questions/thoughts:

1) Do you think there are more problems docking at CC since the damage due to the fall '04 hurricanes? I think they had to do some dredging but maybe things aren't back to the way they were around the dock re water depth etc. since these hurricanes.

2) Could two stops at CC be included in both the eastern and western? It seems that the extra stops next year are tied to western routes. I would love to see two days for both seven day itineraries. At least you would have two shots to make it.

Thanks, maminnie

 

[my3princesses]

Maminnie - From what we could see last week there was no real visable hurrcaine damage left and the ship made it into the channel it just didn't have the power to go the extra 100ft to the dock.

The weather on the 4 day trip was ideal on the last two days of the trip and these were the two days we tried to get into cc. On the Nassau day it was cloudy and rainy so we probably wouldn't have been able to get on this day either. I guess to guarantee getting to CC you need to take the 7 day cruise which would give you more options for good days.

As the cruise both before and after this Feb 27th cruise had good weather I think it was the "unluckyness" of the draw. Unfortunately it had to be our trip!

 

[BeenHad]

Maybe there are former employees who have some inside information

 

[natdencro]

"CRUISE" - (As per dictionary) - travel about in a ship:

No mention of missing ports in the dictionary!

If you decide to "cruise" then you have chosen to sail the seas. Yes, I know the cruises chosen often depend on the ports of call, but in Disney's case - the name "Disney" is the "magnet".

We have just returned from a back-to-back on the Magic, and had 2 "magical" but DIFFERENT weeks on board. The Western week (apart from Key West) suffered badly from the weather conditins, but the ship provided more than enough entertainment for everyone.

The Eastern week had 90% hot weather and calm seas (although some guests will complain, Im sure). Again, there was plenty to keep everyone occupied - even if they didn't disembark at all.

The captain managed to dock both weeks at Castaway Cay, although it was "touch and go" last Thursday evening that he would make it. Our first Friday was cold...no....freezing.....but we donned sweaters and jeans and made the best of it. Last Friday was pretty good until early afternoon - and again we found plenty to do.

Frankly, dont book a cruise if you want to sit on a beach most days - or you MAY be disappointed. Cruising, is by definition, a voyage on the sea.

And GRUMBO................Gem got the digital camera at the ready for your repo cruise! (phew - speedos?) haha
Nat

 

[BeenHad]

I know the definition However, but, However, etc, etc. The itinerary has scheduled stops. These stops are designed to entice cruisers.

 

[dwkwootton]

Let's don't be ridiculous. I'm sorry, but your post lacks thought. Of any kind. {opinion}

The definition of "eat" is "to chew and swallow". From now on, bread and water only on a cruise. Oh wait, eating wasn't in the original definition of cruise.

Even better, to cruise per definition, there will be no eating for the week. There ya go, no ports, no eating. Thank you Webster's.

 

[cjsmith]

TDC Nala, are you reading the same thread everyone else is? What kind of question was that last post? Who would think that anyone would skip a port to cause problems with customers? Helloo.............is anybody in there?

Has anybody else but me noticed that there are so many posts by people who have not spent a lot of time here getting very negative? It almost seems like mnay of the on-line altercations here have been started by people with only a few posts? Now, I'm not putting down new posters, so please don't take it that way. I was simply making an observation...
I know I'm going to get slammed for this, but I still wanted to throw it out there!!

 

[lbgraves]

No reason to be slammed for your observation. It is obvious by the poster's ID and the fact that they registered here after a cruise that they were not happy with that the majority of the posts would be negative. Their only purpose was to voice their displeasure with DCL. Too bad they didn't find this board prior to their cruise so that they could have made a more informed decision and known of possible senarios if things didn't go exactly the way they are printed in the brochure. They also would have known of the special cruises next year with two stops at CC when they were first announced and transferred their reservation to one of those dates if that was so important to them. Most importantly, they would have shared in the wisdom that we all gained on the DIS boards last year from angels Nate and Sophia where most of the things in this thread just wouldn't matter.

 

[BeenHad]

lbgraves has one of the best posts to put things in perspective. I wish we knew more from this site prior to booking. Day late and a dollar short.

It is my opinion that without CC the Disney cruise is not worth it it you don't have small children.

Disney is blowing me off about this completely and I am of course not happy, hence the name "BeenHad".

I am not going to apologize for my negativity when we spent almost $10,000. after saving for years for a one time blow out because 4 of the 5 kids are teenagers and will be out of school at a rapid rate and we know we will probably never get them together like this again at this young age.

CC was the deciding factor in booking with DCL and missing the port is beyond upsetting. It does not take away from the rest of the experience but dampners the whole thing from a "get what you pay for" thought.

some of don't have the money to cruise 5-10-20 or more times and only have one shot when the kids are still in the home and all together.

Pardon me but DCL should of at the very least offered a discount on future cruises. Very poor customer service.

 

[BeenHad]

Hopefully other folks like myself will see my and other's posts and get the clearer picture that i was lacking. With so many threads about missing CC I would have thought differently and looked harder at other cruise lines.