October 22, 2005 Roll call

[scrapperjill]

Pdarrah...we'll keep an eye out for 5 pirate And if you see a group of pirates and a tinkerbell (at least 7 pirates..maybe more) ... that'll be us. Arrr....

Hi ScrapperJill - you aren't the only one for Thursday MNSSHP - that is when we are going. If you see a group of 5 pirates, that's us!

pdarrah

 

[Eric95403]

The weather was just on and they reported that storm #24 Wilma is reforming but it looks like it will track the west side of Florida. I hope its over by cruise end as we are scheduled to go to the park for 3 days after the cruise.

Here is the link to the hurricane center...it looks like Friday, it will just pass through Cozumel and enters the Gulf (from there...who knows). I sure hope this doesn't form into a hurricane, but it will still at least be a TS. Sitting right smack dab in the Gulf. I'd like to have positive thoughts, but does anyone think we'll be doing the Eastern itinerary or some other modified itinerary???

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

 

[scrapperjill]

I think it's to early to tell...(Eastern V.S Western)...We'll just have to sit it out and see what happens. Should be able to have a better idea by the end of the week...or at least after seeing what she's going to do. I don' think if there is a hurricane in the area (Western) we'll be going that way. I just don't think they'd risk it. But if the TS keeps moving and is up out of the way...by Saturday then I'd say we'd have a good chance of keeping the same route....even if it turns into a hurricane...and has moved on up/out of the way there could be a good chance of doing the Western.

GOSH...I hope we do the Western. I guess I wouldn't mind doing the Eastern...but this is the second time we've booked the Western...and still haven't been.

 

[Mrs.Abuboo]

After working at WDW for many years, I know that we will definitely make good of a bad situation.

I guess we'll just keep an eye out on the storm and hopefully everything will work out.

Come on Tink, work your magic.

 

[MNmousecouple]

Lookie <-- We earned our ears! perfect way to start our vacation

 

[pdarrah]

Congratulations MNMouseCouple!!! The DIS is certainly addicting isn't it?

Well, I checked various sites for info on Wilma. The current predictions (which of course are probably totally inaccurate!) are looking a little better for us. They are showing the hurricane still down near the Yucatan when most of us are flying/driving to florida. It would be entering the gulf on Saturday (no where near Port Canaveral) and if it continued on that track would be in the middle of the gulf by Sunday. If it plays out like that, I wouldn't be too surprised to miss Key West. One possibly scenario would be an extra day at sea and take the "long way around cuba" to Grand Cayman on Tuesday. By Tuesday, Wilma should be well away from the Caymans (again assuming any of this is accurate) and probably striking somewhere on the gulf coast. Most projections seem to have it heading for western Florida, but, again, for us it should be well over before we get back the next Saturday....

I'm sure we're all going to keep watching!!!

Pdarrah

 

[MelissaE1]

I know I am. I have bits of packed stuff all over the house, my living room is filled with suitcases and and I can't focus on one thing at a time. Now, I am always scattered (classic Flylady material here) but it seems even worse this week. And while I doubt anyone I know would label me as hyper, I can't seem to sit still. Is this some kind of pre-cruise malady? Is there medication for it? I think I need some chill pills!

 

[joemuseum]

Is this some kind of pre-cruise malady? Is there medication for it? I think I need some chill pills!

LOL Wanda and I are actually a little more relaxed. After worrying about Wilma, we finally decided that whatever happens, we will have a wonderful time. Something about putting your trust in the Disney cast just makes it more relaxing.

 

[Dyerneeds]

I just saw this on the DCL site...

Weather Update


As of 11:00 a.m. EST - Monday, October 17, 2005

We are currently monitoring Tropical Storm Wilma very closely as it moves through the western Caribbean.

The latest predictions from the National Weather Service indicate the storm will have moved through the region by the end of this week. At this time, we do not anticipate any changes in the October 22, 2005 voyage of the Disney Magic®.

This week's Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder® voyages will not be impacted by the storm.

The safety and security of our guests is always our top priority. If necessary, our Captains are always prepared to alter the ships courses or itinerary to navigate away from inclement weather.

HAPPY DAYS... LET'S HOPE IT STAYS THIS WAY

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Thanks for that "official" DCL update. I forgot to look on the site for those! Funny, the NOAA website shows the storm still in the southern part of the Gulf as of Saturday, so unless it really picks up speed I doubt it will have "moved through the region" by the end of this week. Not knocking DCL, but that's my take on it. The good news is that if the current forecast is accurate those of us travelling in on Friday and Saturday should not have weather-related issues getting in and shipping out!!!

 

[Mrs.Abuboo]

i'm still hoping for that disney magic. of course, if it comes through orlando my husband and i will have to board up before we leave.

 

[Dyerneeds]

Dr. Steve Lyons on the weather channel didn't make it sound too good for us.

And we thought waiting for our docs was bad.

That's ok. We will still have a great time no matter where we end up.

 

[Eric95403]

That's ok. We will still have a great time no matter where we end up.

Exactly...I really don't care where I go (just as long as I go!!). The only place I had my heart set on was Key West, I have always wanted to go there. Other than that, I have no real cares where we stop.

On another note...still being the killjoy (or would that be eeyore)...I was listening to my XM radio today and was passing by the MSNBC channel. I heard it looks like the start of another TD in the Eastern Carribean. I have found nothing about this at all. I know I heard it correctly because they said the next storm would have to be a Greek name because all the regular (A-W) have been used up this season. This would be just horrible news. If the Western and Eastern are clogged up w/ storms. Do they just say forget it and try again another time...My family would be devastated.

 

[scrapperjill]

Is there medication for it? I think I need some chill pills!

Melissa....I think the med for that would be called a Miami Vice or a Bahama Mama

I too didn't even think of checking the DCL web site for updates...Last year I was glued to the site until we left ...checking for updates. I have to laugh this time around....after thinking of the bundle of nerves I was last year. We were having a heck of a time...Our youngest daughter just got out of the hospital after spending two weeks at Childrens...having multiple surgeries and IV antibiotics...France was tearing up Flordia while still another hurricane was forming (Ivan) in the Western Caribbean...our dd's Wish trip was cancled (at the last min..just a couple days before we were scheduled to fly out) which ment we no longer had transportation (airfare) to Orlando. ....We finally got the airfare figured out...only to run into the possablity of not being able to even fly into MCO due to hurricane damage and closures for Frances...Then we found out Port Canaveral was closed...and wasn't expected to open back up for a month or so...so there was a good chance we might have to go to Port Everglades to board...Then our transfer company told us they would NOT be driving us to PE...so we'd have to find another way ...This was all that was hapening the week/days before we were leaving....Talk about STRESS.

Luckly all the stress was for nothing...EVERYTHING worked out just fine....We were able to fly into MCO..the Port opened up the day we arrived in Orlando...so we were able to keep our original transfer plans...The ship left on scheduled...BUT was rerouted. Even though we had planned and looked forward to the ports we were suppose to go to...we were releived just because we were on the ship...I think we could have had a super time even just sailing around with no stops.

So...I'm not to concerned about Wilma...we'll still get on the ship and go someplace....even if it's not exactly what we've been planning. Plus we have travel insurance just incase so everything should work out fine.

I was also looking over the predictions for Wilma...and what she's been doing...It looks like for the most part she's been moving west-southwest. Maybe she'll run into Hunduras (sp??) and puter out. But I do agree with ThreeSmiths...I don't see how by the end of the week she'll be moved out of the area...according to the predictions...she'll not even be into the gulf by the end of the week.

I'll go ahead and Wish for some PD to be sprinkled on us and for some Magic to "poof" Wilma away.

 

[ReneeQ]

Oh, this weather is driving me NUTS! I really hope we can do the Western. We've planned two years for this. Did the Eastern last time and never thought we'd get to do the Western because of my work schedule. I do payroll for 60 employees every OTHER Monday, and I'm the only one that does it. So the Eastern schedule is no problem, as it falls the weeks I don't "have" to work that Monday. But the Western falls the weeks I HAVE to work on Monday.

I got special permission from my boss TWO YEARS ago to miss a payroll Monday (first time in 16 years), as this trip is for our 15th anniversary. I've spent weeks training someone to do the payroll for me next Monday. It's been a ton of work. I could have EASILY gone on the Eastern and avoided all this. Don't get me wrong, we'll still have a great time, no matter where we go, but if it ends up being the Eastern, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble. Oh please Wilma, move faster!

Don't know if anyone can answer this, and I'm not meaning to complain, I'm mainly just curious. If we end up doing the Eastern instead of Western, do we get anything for the price difference? The Western cost more than the Eastern. We "paid" using DVC points, so used 26 more points than would have needed for the Eastern. Do we just lose that?

And no, we didn't buy insurance. I really meant to, but time got away from me. Then when I checked into it, I found out I'd waited too late for it to cover any of my pre-existing medical conditions. I checked with my medical insurance and they verified they'll cover me, so I didn't check into insurance further. Live and learn!

 

[Mrs.Abuboo]

well, just got done looking at Central Florida News (i live in orlando). right now it has it saturday morning in the gulf up above the keys. heading towards tampa and panhandle. my husband thinks we'll still go to caymen and cozumel, they may just reroute the other way around.

 

[marnight]

The good news is that I just checked my reservations and we were moved to early dinner. With my 10 and 11 yr old, no big deal, but my two nieces are 2 and 4 and definitely would not have been happy campers eating so late.

The bad news is that I keep thinking about Wilma and hope it stays away from Orland airport Sat. morning. I keep thinking our flight will be delayed and we'll miss the ship. I could kick myself for not arriving a day earlier just in case. oh well, I will just keep hoping and praying for no flight interruptions.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Don't know if anyone can answer this, and I'm not meaning to complain, I'm mainly just curious. If we end up doing the Eastern instead of Western, do we get anything for the price difference?

Last year we did a "modified" eastern instead of the western, with stops in San Juan, Nassau and CC. We ended up getting a tiny (I believe it was less than $5.00 per person) refund. The refund was for port taxes at the ports we did not make it to. However there was no refund for the cruise fare. DCL gave each stateroom an unframed Disney lithograph and one afternoon the captain had free "hurricanes" (the drink) for all for about an hour if I remember correctly.

As for DVC, I don't know if they would refund you any points. It's certainly worth looking into.

I really hope we get to do the full Western as well, especially since we got diverted last year. But after reading your post, ReneeQ, I hope even more that we go for you!!!

Looking at the most recent forecast this evening my DH, too, believes that we'll still make GC and Cozumel by possibly going around Cuba. I don't know when he became a ship navigator, but I'll go along with him.

Stacy

 

[hyandui]

Last year we did a "modified" eastern instead of the western, with stops in San Juan, Nassau and CC. We ended up getting a tiny (I believe it was less than $5.00 per person) refund. The refund was for port taxes at the ports we did not make it to. However there was no refund for the cruise fare. DCL gave each stateroom an unframed Disney lithograph and one afternoon the captain had free "hurricanes" (the drink) for all for about an hour if I remember correctly.

As for DVC, I don't know if they would refund you any points. It's certainly worth looking into.

I really hope we get to do the full Western as well, especially since we got diverted last year. But after reading your post, ReneeQ, I hope even more that we go for you!!!

Looking at the most recent forecast this evening my DH, too, believes that we'll still make GC and Cozumel by possibly going around Cuba. I don't know when he became a ship navigator, but I'll go along with him.

Stacy

5 days on we are on the sea, able to go around just about any storm, and if we do end up some place new, we are still on vacation and boy is that something to feel good about. I do hope we all get the trip we desire but any port in a storm will do,
Has anyone heard anything from the ship as to what is new?

 

[MelissaE1]

Well... DCL still has the same thing on it's page, but the latest (11 p.m. Eastern) forecast for Wilma doesn't look so great for us I must say. Depending on the circumference of the storm it could make boarding difficult if it does what they say right now. I am still not too worried as I've been watching these things for about 10 years now and between now and Saturday it could end up in Texas for all we know. But, FWIW, here's the graphic. Interesting to see if/when DCL changes its stance.