Official Hurricane Thread - post info and concerns here - Please read first post

[Grandma4ever]

We are booked this Sept. and the worry of hurricanes came into our mind for a second. Not much you can do. It seems Disney is more than accomodating in these situations. If you're really worried I'd say get the trip insurance all around that way you're covered if some weather act causes a disruption in your trip. We're from the midwest so we're not used to knowing days ahead of time of the possibility of a strong storm. Normally we get a 5 minute warning if we're lucky. We'd be the ones out trying to walk around on the deck with 60 plus mile an hour winds thinking it was just a normal day back home. That said we also don't have to worry about waves and the other things that go along with a hurricane. I'm not trying to downplay the severity of these storms at all. I'm just a bit hesitant to worry over weather when it changes drastically every 12 hours or so where I live.

Nice to see another from Kansas city on the DIS. You are right we sure do not get any notice when our storms hit. Insurance is a must and let the rest of it go.

 

[Jey12]

Nice to see another from Kansas city on the DIS. You are right we sure do not get any notice when our storms hit. Insurance is a must and let the rest of it go.

We have to get out of the middle of the country somehow! Yes that's all you can do, make sure you are current on insurance and whatever will be will be. Love going on vacation with others from the KC area and like areas. I seriously think we'd all be up on deck 9 in the middle of a tropical storm waiting to laugh at a certain local weather person, with our drinks in hand asking what weather????

 

[thwinters]

We are booked on a med cruise in a little over a week...fly out of philly on 9/7...

I'm not that experienced with flying. It looks like there will be at least 2 hurricanes spinning out in the ocean. Will the airlines fly around these? How do they handle? Should we be overly concerned?

 

[disneylove69]

Just like ships they go around them. You could hit a little turbulence but that can happen any time and normally the pilots know its coming and warn you. They also adjust the altitude to try and avoid it. Don't worry just relax. Planes are the safest mode of transportation.

 

[NancyIL]

Are you arriving at least one day before the ship sails? If a hurricane happens to be going up the east coast, it can shut down airports that are in its path. That would be my worry, rather than flying conditions once you're in the air.

 

[thwinters]

Unfortunately no. Due to requirements at work we weren't able to leave until 9/7 which puts us there the date of departure.

 

[maria-fan-22]

Unfortunately no. Due to requirements at work we weren't able to leave until 9/7 which puts us there the date of departure.

You should be fine but don't fear the actual flying part. Once you are in the air you are good to go. The most dangerous part about flying in the landing and take off.

 

[NancyIL]

Unfortunately no. Due to requirements at work we weren't able to leave until 9/7 which puts us there the date of departure.

I hope you have trip insurance.

 

[kay1864]

You should be fine but don't fear the actual flying part. Once you are in the air you are good to go. The most dangerous part about flying in the landing and take off.

Actually the most dangerous part is driving to and from the airport

 

[travscot]

They will definatly fly over them. It won't be a problem at all.

 

[tvguy]

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/...-norwegian-line/110512/1?loc=interstitialskip

 

[Disney-Kim]

That is a lot people/ships diverted

I t
Hope the islands get thru ok

 

[JKSWonder]

I realize hurricanes happen and cruise ships can and will divert to a different port or cancel a port visit altogther, but I do still feel badly for those who were expecting to go to Grand Turk and are headed for Port Canaveral instead.

Safety is of course the priority, but I still hope that they are able to enjoy their vacations even with all of the changes.

 

[noladave]

This is prime time tropical season (late Aug, early Sept), that's why cruises tend to be cheaper this time of year.

I agree that swapping an island trip for Port Canaveral - it's just not the same.

 

[jerseygal]

Alot of cruise ships are being re-routed this week obviously! Royal Caribbean's ships, etc...

What is Disney policy if for example hurricane threatens the destination?

Example:On the Bahamas cruise, what happens if Hurricane activity is threatening Nassau? Guess Castaway Cay would be nixed as well as Nassau?
Where would ship go instead?

Thanks from a "newbie" Disney cruiser! Can't wait for Disney Dream, August 2011!

 

[mmouse37]

Alot of cruise ships are being re-routed this week obviously! Royal Caribbean's ships, etc...

What is Disney policy if for example hurricane threatens the destination?

Example:On the Bahamas cruise, what happens if Hurricane activity is threatening Nassau? Guess Castaway Cay would be nixed as well as Nassau?
Where would ship go instead?

Thanks from a "newbie" Disney cruiser! Can't wait for Disney Dream, August 2011!

The destination would be determined by the Captain and I guess shoreside personnel but they could go anywhere to find nice weather. We have missed ports before due to weather and wound up at other ports. A ship may do the Western instead of the Eastern (like some cruiseline are doing now because of the hurricane). They rarely cancel a cruise. They have changed the port where you get on the ship...meaning in the past they have had to arrive and depart from Ft. Lauderdale instead of Port Canaveral and they bussed everyone there and back or you could opt to take your own car there.

They may even just stay at sea and not go to a port. It all depends on the current forecasts at the time.

I would suggest getting travel insurance, though.

MJ

 

[JenGC]

I am wondering what they do in situations like this. I am due to go on a cruise the end of September and this sudden spike of hurricanes make me wonder what they would do.

 

[JenGC]

The destination would be determined by the Captain and I guess shoreside personnel but they could go anywhere to find nice weather. We have missed ports before due to weather and wound up at other ports. A ship may do the Western instead of the Eastern (like some cruiseline are doing now because of the hurricane). They rarely cancel a cruise. They have changed the port where you get on the ship...meaning in the past they have had to arrive and depart from Ft. Lauderdale instead of Port Canaveral and they bussed everyone there and back or you could opt to take your own car there.

They may even just stay at sea and not go to a port. It all depends on the current forecasts at the time.

I would suggest getting travel insurance, though.

MJ

If you are doing a 4 day or a 3 day cruise (Bahamas), would there even be enough time to make it to the Caribbean? If they change ports, isnt that like a 6 hour drive?? I guess if they leave out of ft lauderdale, they could make it to the caribbean countries in 4 and 3 days. Wow, if they change ports, that will be a BIG inconvenience. Having a hurricane in that area will really give you rocky weather even if it isnt raining correct? I have no idea what to expect being on a cruise ship with a hurricane in the area. (Can you tell?? )

 

[teroot]

We cruised in 2008 5 day cruise during Hurricanes Ike,Gustav and Hannah

Disney changed our itinerary a little to keep us all at a very safe distance from the storms. They were planning on switching our day at CC and the Bahamas day but the storms stayed away for us to continue with our regular itinerary until our 2nd day at CC. We wound up staying at sea for our 2nd day at CC. They hurried up added activities on the ship and made hot cocoa, cookies in the lobbies and we just had a wonderful time. They had talked of switching us to go to Mexico but it all worked out.

Captain Tom and our wonderful cruise director Brent kept us all informed through out each day what was happening and it was all done with a lot of Disney class and Magic.

I wouldn't hesitate to cruise again during Hurricane season.

The waves were 30 foot high and you really didn't go out on deck at certain times of the day other times it was pretty calm.

I did take bonnine with me and took one each day and I had no motion after the first night and it didn't make me sleepy like Dramamine does. I had never had motion illness before but the bonnine worked like a charm.

Just remember it's vacation go with the flow and the captain will keep you informed as often as he needs to. You will also get letters in the fish or in your room letting you know af any changes.

They didn't charge people for any shore excursions booked through Disney and even The Comfort Suites was going to refund our deposit for our room if we didn't make it in to port that day. We were the on;y ship to go to port that day and we took a taxi to the Atlantis and spent the day there with the comfort suites room deal. the resort was deserted and it was like having your own private resort. The Atlantis had guards at the beach entrances and wouldn't let you go out but we felt very safe in the Atlantis compound.

It was interesting driving with the cab over to the Atlantis because they were boarding up the town getting ready for the worst. The cabby told us we had a very brave Captain as he was the only ship not canceled for the day. It wasn't even very windy but you could see the storms from a distance and it was quite an adventure.

Hopefully this will help ease your mind some just enjoy and expect changes.

 

[BobandLee]

Hey teroot, we were on that cruise too.

Here is a video of the last day. >> http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/CanalCruiser/Videos/?action=view&current=Hanna.mp4