Official Hurricane Frances Thread - Part II

[westjones]

The 25% off is just for these cruisers. Normally they offer 10% off future 7 night cruises with a $200 onboard credit, and for 3/4 night they only offer a $100 on board credit. This is ONLY if you book while still onboard.

DJ

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We really still wanted to make the 5-day cruise they rescheduled for Monday BUT, after speaking with Delta and trying to get a Sunday evening or Monday morning flight, they could not do it. They said Delta does not expect MCO to be operational until Monday afternoon. So we cancelled our cruise and got our 100% refund for fear our flight would not make it in time.

We are really disappointed that we will not be able to make it down there. We thought about driving, but were afraid of what we'd run into when we reached Florida on Sunday or Monday.

 

[figment52]

Originally posted by LAMPSKIES
What is happening for all who have flights booked to fly in on Saturday? Are the airlines being cooperative about switching? What about the cost of transfering? And no doubt there ARE some people already there.......just thinking back to our cancellation in Nov. of 2002............

There were reports in the news this morning that the airlines were asking people already to plan to change their plans and waiving all fees for changing reservations.

 

[Diznut84]

Originally posted by alexandrew
If in fact DCL is refunding 40% for the 9/4 cruisers who elect to sail on 9/6, a $200.00 stateroom credit, and 25% future cruise, I would be ecstatic...

Have you guys confirmed these accommodations as firm? My TA called me at 5 and had no idea...I'm on hold now with the DCL "Hurricane Team" as they were called when regular agent transferred me...been on hold now 15 minutes...

If this is all true, I'll be very psyched, since now I can book our 1/4/05 special 4 day on the Magic at a great price....

Yes, that is accurate. A friend of mine scheduled for this cruise was offered exactly what you quoted above.

 

[allears]

I actually posed the flight question on the "Live from the Magic" thread. I'm really curious as to how all of those passengers' travel arrangements are being changed. Quite a logistical nightmare, but one I think I could live with if it meant two more days on the Magic.

 

[alexandrew]

DCL rep told me I had til 10pm tonight to take the Monday deal...I took it, and I'm glad I did!!!! All of the accommodations (40% off, $200.00 stateroom credit, 25% off future cruise) were indeed fact...

She mentioned that if my home sustains damage and cant make this sailing,since I reside in S FL, I will have the option to re-book a future cruise w/o penalty...

I think DCL has been really great, and exceptionally fair with this entire situation - this further solidifies my feeling that DCL is the greatest family vacation experience in the world!!!

God willing I will be doing this on Monday

 

[tevagirl]

Prayers and pixie dust going out to all you Floridians. Stay safe...don't take any unnecessary chances.

 

[cruisenewbie2004]

Isn't anyone worried the seas will be very rough even after a big storm? I would think that alone would make me think twice.

 

[MarkRG]

And now the 'cruise to nowhere' 3 day is now a 4 day cruise to Cozumel! They are actually going to get a sweet deal out of this.

 

[lookingforward]

alexanddrew, I am glad you got a good deal! If you are in boca tonight like I am I wish you all the best and please be safe. We sail on the 26th and I will be dreaming of that this weekend!

 

[sillylxix]

To all those that posted the Magic info many thanks

Spent the day buttoning up work and will probably be spending Monday recovering at work, so no visit with my Magic sailorette

For those getting to do the 6th cruises

My Current Position:
N 28° 50.896'
W 81° 54.169'

Distance To WDW:
55 Miles

 

[alexandrew]

Best to you as well....are you in east or west Boca?....we are out west, close to 441 and Glades, so I think that may be a good thing....

 

[ganurse]

Well after leaving atlanta pretty sad, i cheered yp and assumed our cruise was to be cancelled. DH and I made plans as to what to do on our vacation. When disney and DU called to say we were still sailing but on the 6th plus that refund, i was sooooo excited. We are in newsmyrna and heading to orlando in the morning. Things are so quiet here but we will be ok. The hurricane has slowed but may pick up within 48 hours. no one knows where it will land.!

 

[CM_Mom]

Here's the latest for those of you who are interested:

HURRICANE FRANCES INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 36A - 8pm 9/2/04

HURRICANE FRANCES DISCUSSION NUMBER 36 5 pm 9/2/04

Quick summary:
REPEATING THE 8 PM EDT POSITION...24.3 N... 75.1 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140 MPH.

This is now in the category of YIKES-A-RAMA!!

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the folks in Florida and the Bahamas.

 

[my3kids]

I know you were comparing the DCL offer and the Carnival offer. I was set to sail on Holland America on Saturday, so I'll give you their options for comparison also.

Their ship(only one in the Caribbean this time of year) will sail on Sunday at 8 pm. The current passengers are staying onboard until Sunday morning instead of Saturday. HAL will provide a 100% refund if we tell them by 6 pm Saturday that we do not want to sail. It was the western trip, and they have removed Half Moon Key(Little San Salvador) and Key West, and added Ocho Rios, Jamaica. If we choose to sail, there will be a shipboard credit of between $150 and $500 per person depending on cabin category which the remainder can be cashed out at the end. (third and 4th passengers in the cabin receive $75 each) They will also offer a discount on a future cruise of 25% of the cruise fare paid.

It sounds like maybe the Magic and Zuiderdam might be in some ports together during the week.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We are comfortably at the Wilderness Lodge. Looks like different resort hotels have different plans. Overheard at Grand Floridian from a manager speaking with guests trying to get a connecting room. He said they are keeping are not booking anything unless Frances takes a dramatic turn which she has not done). This is the same for all resorts. But evidently GF, once the restaurants close this evening, they will stay closed through Monday. They will do a "hurricane meal plan" which is boxed meals "that won't be gourmet" but will feed you.

Wilderness Lodge plans on having their restaurants open as long as possible--but Whispering Canyon will only be serving their skillet meals on Saturday and Artist Point will do a buffet meal. Roaring Forks will be open.

Thanks to all the feedback for Charley on the DISBoards...we have a refrigerator cooler filled up.

We left our home at 5am on Thursday to "beat the traffic". Wasn't too bad--but definitely it looked more like 7am going to work traffic as opposed to early morning traffic. By 4pm--the news said drives of 1 to 2 hours were taking 3 hours and more. The drive to Jax was becoming a 5 to 6 hour drive.

On a sad note--we had to leave our 5 cats at home. We are not too worried about them--but we opted to go to Disney instead of our in-laws home--which is in the current projection for some of that ill weather. Unfortunately--one of our indoor/outdoor cats who completely reminds me of a rebellious teenager--got out. We tried to catch her, but then she went into some dense foliage. It was too dark to try to find her. We continued to get ready to leave and came out annd she was right there in arms reach and then just darted away as I reached for her. Hopefully, worst case--we just return to an extremely windblown wet furball of a cat.

Looks like DCL is planning to take good care of you guys! As far as those who will have to make their own flight arrangements--at least they are in the same boat as everyone else with the airlines and will get a flight out. Post Charley--once flights resumed--it took 2 to 3 days to get back to normalcy and get all those displaced passengers to their destinations.

Lots of people are stranded here. Its funny--b/c we keep running into people and everyone assumes everyone is a stranded vacationer...then we share that they we had to evacuate and their mood changes. We met a family who decided a week ago to make a "quick trip" down here--they came on Monday...and are on one of the last flights scheduled this a.m. home to Virginia. Grand Floridian will hold a room for them should they require it (though they will have to call from the airport if they really need it). The KUDOS--they were offered the Florida Residents Discount--which will save them $100 to $200. So Disney is being compassionate.

I hope that you can salvage your cruise vacations--be sure to add clippings on Frances to your scrapbooks not that you'll need a visual reminder to remember your topsy turvey vacation.

Last note--I washed all my laundry so that we would have clean clothes even if power was lost and I accidentally left the last load in the washing machine--EWWWWWWWWWW! The story of my life--hubby says I do that all the time (no I don't) and not to worry--but in those times we just restart the washer when we get back

Have a good day all--keep the DCL postings up--they and other cruise lines either haven't told the media or they are just too busy reporting from I-95 to share the news. I can share it with others in case I run into any (though I am sure by now--they've personally been told by Disney).

Greetings from Wilderness "Frances" Lodge!

 

[selvey]

alexandrew,
We haven't gotten the call yet about the 9/4 cruise but I'm sure we will hear from them this morning. When you tell them you will still cruise, did you have to also tell them which one you want to book on at the 25% off??
Of couse, we are also wondering if the Florida whoever will let us drive into Florida on Sunday - does anyone know or know who to call? Thanks for the help?
Karen

 

[selvey]

Lisa loves Pooh,
Hey there. Glad you got there safely. Thanks for all the updates you have posted - they have been very helpful.
We are still planning to cruise Monday but wondering if we can get there Sunday - I can just imagine the traffic. Or, do you think a lot of people will wait until Monday - any opinions?
Have fun at the lodge.
Karen

 

[lookingforward]

The local news here is South Florida is reporting that the drive from Yeehaw Junction (about one hour from WDW) to the Georgia border is now approximately a 15 hour drive due to evacuees. (normally a three hour drive, I think) They are also reporting hundreds of stranded motorists who have over-heated, run out of gas, or had fender benders. If you all choose to drive please be careful and give yourself lots of time. Make sure you have a full tank. They are reporting that the stations on the Turnpike do have gas but most city and town gas stations are out.

The storm is now slowing down and weakening a bit. Right now it is a catagory three. Please pray for it to continue to weaken. Here is palm beach county it is very scary. Amazing though, how people are helping each other. Other than the gas line yesterday, most people are being polite (unusual for south florida!

I am a certified crisis responder so I am on call once this is all over and will have to deploy to wherever the damage is worst. I will be dreaming of our September 26 cruise! By the way, they are saying that Hurricane Ivan is now forming and on its way. Ivan had better take a HIKE out to sea if he knows what is good for him!!!!!

alexanddrew, we live in central boca, off saint andrews. Glad to hear there is another DIS board fan in town. Take care!

 

[lovepuzzles]

We haven't gotten the call yet about the 9/4 cruise but I'm sure we will hear from them this morning. When you tell them you will still cruise, did you have to also tell them which one you want to book on at the 25% off??

When we were contacted by AllSeas They said we had to book the next cruise by October 1, 2004 and the cruise had to be taken no later that October 31 (I think, either the 31st or the 1st) of 2005. They also said that you could not combine the 25% with the 10% onboard booking credit. Hope this helps.