Missing Castaway Cay

[caribbeandreaming]

We were on the 11/16 Magic cruise and missed CC due to strong winds and currents. Talk about a huge disappointment It seems like most every time I read on these boards about a cruise missing CC, it's the Magic that doesn't make it. Is this because the ship is smaller and more susceptible to the force of the winds and currents? Or do you feel it's mostly just the luck of the draw? I'm not a regular on the Disboards and tend to log on much more the few weeks leading up to our cruise, so I don't really know of any trends of missing CC. This was our first time on the Magic and we loved it. We'd like to sail on it again, but I want to make sure I'm maximizing our chances of making CC. I know it's a chance you take with a cruise, but I'm just trying to determine if it's the smaller size of the boat that makes it more likely to miss or if it just pure luck. Thanks!

 

[tnkrbell]

We just got off the Wonder yesterday and we couldn't dock in Key West I was sooo disappointed so I feel for you.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I wouldn't think the smaller ships would be more likely to not get into CC. They have a smaller size in their favor. The larger ships have more mass so wind could affect them more. I think it's more luck of the draw. I could be wrong. Just seems like there would be factors working for/against for both classes of ships but ultimately not puting one class at more of a disadvantage than another.

I'll lay ya money Tonka's Skipper could give us some solid comparisons and detailed ship info to better elaborate on this question!

 

[allears]

It is totally the luck of the draw and the sea conditions. All of the ships have had this issue, though it's not as frequent as we sometimes glean from the boards.

 

[caribbeandreaming]

We just got off the Wonder yesterday and we couldn't dock in Key West I was sooo disappointed so I feel for you.

So sorry to hear that! It must have been the same weather system affecting both ships. We weren't sure we'd be able to get into Grand Cayman because of high winds and swells affecting tendering operations. We ended up having to anchor/tender in Spotts Bay which a more protected area than George Town where we were originally scheduled. However, our excursion was canceled because of the rough seas. We had a couple of really rocky nights, too. The funny part is the weather wasn't that bad - it was just windy with rough seas.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

On our first cruise (Dream), we had to skip CC because of bad weather/wind conditions, second cruise (Fantasy), had only a couple hours there because of a medical emergency. Something happened to a passenger during the night we were headed to CC and the caption had to take us to Nassau to drop off the passenger, so we didn't get to CC until after lunchtime. But, we were docked next to the Dream for a little bit in Nassau so that was kind of cool, captains did a horn competition. I have to say, the cruise staff did an incredible job of keeping us all happy and busy on both occasions when we couldn't dock.

Our third cruise (Fantasy) weather was perfect and we had a great time at CC, I highly recommend parasailing.

I think it is luck of the draw and has nothing to do with size, the classics were docking there for years before the large ships ever set sail. If would have been a major problem, DCL would've done something different to fix the problem.

 

[ocspartan]

We were on the 11/16 Magic cruise and missed CC due to strong winds and currents. Talk about a huge disappointment It seems like most every time I read on these boards about a cruise missing CC, it's the Magic that doesn't make it. Is this because the ship is smaller and more susceptible to the force of the winds and currents? Or do you feel it's mostly just the luck of the draw? I'm not a regular on the Disboards and tend to log on much more the few weeks leading up to our cruise, so I don't really know of any trends of missing CC. This was our first time on the Magic and we loved it. We'd like to sail on it again, but I want to make sure I'm maximizing our chances of making CC. I know it's a chance you take with a cruise, but I'm just trying to determine if it's the smaller size of the boat that makes it more likely to miss or if it just pure luck. Thanks!

Unfortunately luck of the draw, was on the Fantasy in March when we missed out on CC. Weather looked perfect in the morning but then the dark clouds and downpour came in sometime after the time 5k check-in started, by the time I made it up to the pool deck to grab a drink it was full on downpour and crew was working on securing chairs etc....

 

[Bear3412]

What month did you miss CC? POLL;

http://www.disboards.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=27501

 

[Belle1997]

I would love to see the statistics of which captain was in charge of the ship that could not get in.

 

[momof2halls]

This happened to us 5 years ago when we sailed on the Wonder the week of Christmas. Our captain tried 3 separate times to dock us at CC but was not successful. Thankfully he quit trying, it was very scary for our family (all veteran cruisers) the boat jerked and shook to the point we were afraid it was going to fall apart. If i recall correctly they gave us all onboard credits to compensate us for missing CC.

 

[Savikins]

We were able to dock in CC when I was on the Fantasy's 10/18 sailing, despite the weather being extremely windy and rainy all day. We weren't able to enjoy the island at all, unfortunately.

 

[disnyprincess]

I have been on the Magic 16 times and this was my first CC miss. Was on the same cruise last week btw! Hello!

 

[Bear3412]

I would love to see the statistics of which captain was in charge of the ship that could not get in.

 

[dadster]

This happened to us 5 years ago when we sailed on the Wonder the week of Christmas. Our captain tried 3 separate times to dock us at CC but was not successful. Thankfully he quit trying, it was very scary for our family (all veteran cruisers) the boat jerked and shook to the point we were afraid it was going to fall apart. If i recall correctly they gave us all onboard credits to compensate us for missing CC.

Hmm onboard credit would have been nice..but i get the Disney doesn't control the weather thing too..
I was on the same cruise.. 11-16 11-23 and yeah the boat was a rockin a couple of days, but yeah weather was pretty good even the day we were suppose to be on CC. I remember at 12 noon being pretty sunny out. So disappointed, but i think DW and I were more than the kids..

I just regret not going to the beach in Jamaica which was the hottest and best day because we where going to CC the next day.

Hector

 

[bceagle76]

Been on 10 cruises. 9 that went Castaway Cay . 8 of those were on Magic or Wonder. All made in and one cruise went twice because of a hurricane.
Knock on wood going again on 12/28.

 

[caribbeandreaming]

Thanks for all of the replies, and thanks to the person who posted the poll results - I had not seen that before. This is our 3rd cruise - we've sailed in April, May and November. We had perfect weather for our cruises in April and May and not so great weather in November, and it looks like the missing CC poll somewhat reflects this. I guess we can lessen our odds of missing by changing when we sail instead of what ship we're on.

This happened to us 5 years ago when we sailed on the Wonder the week of Christmas. Our captain tried 3 separate times to dock us at CC but was not successful. Thankfully he quit trying, it was very scary for our family (all veteran cruisers) the boat jerked and shook to the point we were afraid it was going to fall apart. If i recall correctly they gave us all onboard credits to compensate us for missing CC.

We didn't get anything for missing CC. I know the weather is out of DCL's control, but it would have been nice for them to do something extra to compensate for the huge disappointment. I wish they would have given away a photo package - I'm sure they just throw away all of those unpurchased pictures anyways, so why not just give them away as a small gesture of goodwill?

We were able to dock in CC when I was on the Fantasy's 10/18 sailing, despite the weather being extremely windy and rainy all day. We weren't able to enjoy the island at all, unfortunately.

So sorry to hear that! Luckily for us, the weather was fine with the exception of gusty winds. It was relatively warm with the sun coming and going, so we were still able to enjoy the day on the pool deck.

I have been on the Magic 16 times and this was my first CC miss. Was on the same cruise last week btw! Hello!

Hi! That's good to know - we loved the Magic and can't wait to go back. We've only been on the bigger ships and can't wait to experience CC with smaller crowds

Hmm onboard credit would have been nice..but i get the Disney doesn't control the weather thing too..
I was on the same cruise.. 11-16 11-23 and yeah the boat was a rockin a couple of days, but yeah weather was pretty good even the day we were suppose to be on CC. I remember at 12 noon being pretty sunny out. So disappointed, but i think DW and I were more than the kids..

I just regret not going to the beach in Jamaica which was the hottest and best day because we where going to CC the next day.

Hector

I totally agree with all of your points. We were very lucky the weather was good for our unexpected sea day. However, I think that made me miss CC even more - it would have been less of a disappointment if it would have been pouring down rain and we couldn't have enjoyed it anyways. However, if we could have docked it would have been a perfect day on the island. I think me and DH were more disappointed than our kids, too!

Jamaica was definitely the best day of them all, and we didn't do the beach there either for the same reason you mentioned. We like the beach, but don't want to do it every day on vacation. CC is our favorite beach so we saved most of our beach time for that day. The only beach we ended up going to the entire cruise was Playa Mia in Cozumel. And even then, our kids wanted to stay in the pools most of the time. And the water wasn't as blue as in Jamaica or CC.

 

[dadster]

Thanks for all of the replies, and thanks to the person who posted the poll results - I had not seen that before. This is our 3rd cruise - we've sailed in April, May and November. We had perfect weather for our cruises in April and May and not so great weather in November, and it looks like the missing CC poll somewhat reflects this. I guess we can lessen our odds of missing by changing when we sail instead of what ship we're on.



We didn't get anything for missing CC. I know the weather is out of DCL's control, but it would have been nice for them to do something extra to compensate for the huge disappointment. I wish they would have given away a photo package - I'm sure they just throw away all of those unpurchased pictures anyways, so why not just give them away as a small gesture of goodwill?



So sorry to hear that! Luckily for us, the weather was fine with the exception of gusty winds. It was relatively warm with the sun coming and going, so we were still able to enjoy the day on the pool deck.



Hi! That's good to know - we loved the Magic and can't wait to go back. We've only been on the bigger ships and can't wait to experience CC with smaller crowds



I totally agree with all of your points. We were very lucky the weather was good for our unexpected sea day. However, I think that made me miss CC even more - it would have been less of a disappointment if it would have been pouring down rain and we couldn't have enjoyed it anyways. However, if we could have docked it would have been a perfect day on the island. I think me and DH were more disappointed than our kids, too!

Jamaica was definitely the best day of them all, and we didn't do the beach there either for the same reason you mentioned. We like the beach, but don't want to do it every day on vacation. CC is our favorite beach so we saved most of our beach time for that day. The only beach we ended up going to the entire cruise was Playa Mia in Cozumel. And even then, our kids wanted to stay in the pools most of the time. And the water wasn't as blue as in Jamaica or CC.

Man that is a great point with the photos, getting all those photos would have been sweet. We got pictures from our package and bought the photobook.

In Cozumel we ended up talking to someone and ended up going to the other side of Cozumel to a beach called Chen Rios via cab. We were rolling deep 14 of us. Charged us 150 bucks round trip from 1030 to 2pm. Beach was real nice. If it was just DW me and the kids I may have not been so brave.

Grand Cayman was nice but the water was vicious, took a cab to 7 mile beach. Bought the rum cake which was pretty great.

In jamaica we just did Margaritaville the kids LOVED the pool. It was there favorite.

Made the best of the last sea day did aquadunk like 5 times..and caught a movie..... did the chipt it golf and hit up that 80's madness at Fathoms..

I think missing CC and it being the last day too just bummed me out. But ahgain overall had a blast!!

I guess your right need to maybe book it closer to april mayish but man those prices go up dramtically...

Hector

 

[DahliaRW]

They're not going to compensate with photos regardless because the photo operation is run by a seperate company from Disney. But really, Disney does not control the weather, they really don't need to compensate, it's right there in your cruise contract. I don't think most other lines would compensate you for missed ports either that are weather related.

 

[n2mm]

Yep, we didn't get into CC on our cruise in 2010 November. It was to celebrate my retirement. We took our daughters and their families for their first disney cruise. While we had been before twice, both families never got to enjoy CC. One daughter has cruised again and finally got into CC, but the other family never returned.

 

[caribbeandreaming]

They're not going to compensate with photos regardless because the photo operation is run by a seperate company from Disney. But really, Disney does not control the weather, they really don't need to compensate, it's right there in your cruise contract. I don't think most other lines would compensate you for missed ports either that are weather related.

Please stop reading into my comment. There are lots of negative nancy's on these boards. I don't expect to be compensated for bad weather. I understand that weather is completely out of every cruise line's control and it's the risk you take with cruising or any other type of vacation for that matter. I simply stated that it would be nice for them to give away something that they would dispose of anyways as a gesture of goodwill. Little things that are not expected, but appreciated, go a long way in customer relations.