PC - Anybody know anything??

[Kalypso]

DCL is being very evasive about whether or not we're sailing out of PC on Thursday -- they are saying they will let us know by tomorrow if there are any changes...well....I'm flying from Los Angeles tomorrow

I want to know before I leave

 

[Shooter]

Just spoke to DCL because I wanted to check about the port being open for this Saturday and the representative said that Saturday was no problem and that Thursday they were planning on being at Port Canaveral also.

Seems like DCL is getting back to normal rather quickly. I just wish that the islanders and Floridians could do the same but it's going to be a long painful process.

Good Luck & God bless.

 

[Kalypso]

Thanks Shooter! It seems that DCL is continuing to assure people that all will be back to normal at PC on Thursday - we sail on the Wonder that day. Flying from L.A. tomorrow...trusting that I'll be sailing out of PC?

But holding on to my Thrifty rental car reservation just in case

 

[CM_Mom]

Just remember that Disney ISN'T the one who makes the decision about Port Canaveral. The Coast Guard makes the decision about when they will open the port to cruise ships and what size ship can dock safely.

After Frances, the Magic and Wonder could dock but one of the Big Box ships (sorry I can't remember which one) couldn't.

Also, you can be sure that Port Canaveral is working to get the port operational ASAP. After Frances, it was reported that it cost the area a MILLION dollars a DAY in lost revenues when the port was closed.

 

[Kalypso]

I am REALLY ticked off right now and I am a castmember, so this REALLY bothers me even MORE because I think it's embarassing!!!!

Right after posting the news article that I found on www.floridatoday.com on the "cruise meets" thread for our 9/30 Wonder cruise? The article that stated CLEARLY that PC was open again for cruise and cargo ships (except for one of RCL's bigger ships, I think maybe Sovereign of the Seas?) as of LATE Tuesday (about 6:30 eastern time)...one of my cruisemates posted that she had JUST gotten off of the phone with a DCL rep named Elsie who told her we were DEFINITELY cruising?....from PORT EVERGLADES???? What the heck is going on with these DCL reps??? I had one not one hour earlier tell me she wasn't sure, call back tomorrow. I called the "castmember" line - since I AM IN FACT a castmember...and I thought maybe I could use the old "hey, I work for the company too, you can tell ME..." and they told me the same thing...then I find a story on a reputable Florida news site telling me the Port is open for cruise ships with a draft of 30 feet or less (Disney is 25.3 feet) and I come home late tonight, log on, happily thinking about how nice it's going to be to leave from PC...only to see Michelle's post about some CM at DCL telling her we're leaving DEFINITELY from PORT EVERGLADES...are they living in some parallel universe??? I am mortified that people I work with are giving out information like this...I mean...talk about getting three different opinions in the same hour...and meanwhile? Local news reports that PC is open....whatEVER! My cruisemate, Michelle, then told the CM that she had heard PC was reopened? The CM put her on hold and then cut her off.

Now? I don't know WHAT'S going on. I'm supposed to fly from L.A. tomorrow.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Good morning,
I realize what anguish everyone is in - as far as I know the dredging is still going on at PC - there was a large shoal that Jeanne placed at the entrance of the waterway - Norm and I drove out to the port yesterday and could see that they were working like beavers to get the port open - now the questione is can the ships be brought in - I am going to call the port today to try and find out and if I do will post later on this morning.
If I can help in any way - call the shop ok
Always
Shirley

 

[traycie2201]

Shirley , great to see you back on the boards, i trust you and norm are as well as can be expected.

 

[Kalypso]

Shirley, bless you - and to all who read my frantic post last night, I heartily apologize. It was 11pm Pacific Time and I had just had my celebratory "we're going on vacation" margarita which will ALWAYS make me run off at the mouth I called DCL this morning, nicely explained the confusion about the news yesterday and what my cruisemate was told, she put me on hold to go and check for sure...but it is PC now....definitely.

I think I was just frustrated at all the different information...I should just know to come here where I have gotten all my answers in the first place...but I think it bothered me a bit that I couldn't get the same answers from my brethren at DCL - lol.

But...then again...I also trusted the press (and I work in publicity so I should know better - LOL) when they could have easily been wrong about PC...

Shirley - you are truly a saint - thanks for the update I will keep checking throughout today just to be safe

Again, thanks for not flaming me last night and I heartily apologize for my selfish tirade

 

[snelsonbrown]

OK this is the information I got from the port - all the ships will be back to normal starting tomorrow (Thursday) November 30, 2004 EXCEPT for the Mariner BUT they are still dredging at the port and I expect the Mariner to be here Sunday - this is the same thing that we experienced after Francis - soooooo I will double check again this afternoon just to make sure and will post around 3pm or so -----hope this will easy some anxities as to what to do and where to go.
Always
Shirley

The Port Authority number for your records is 321-783-7831 and put 0 for operator - they will connect you to the right department.

 

[HumanCookie]

meaning September 30, 2004 not November.

 

[HumanCookie]

Port Canaveral Back on Course: Cruise, Cargo Ships Can Return

September 29, 2004
Cruise, cargo and all vessels once again are able to call at Port Canaveral, which was shut down twice in less than a month because of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. The rapid re-opening is credited to an unprecedented level of cooperation among federal agencies and port stakeholders to safely and quickly open the channel for commerce.

"We survived the storms and evolved into a stronger Port team in the process," says Stan Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the Canaveral Port Authority. "The team of professionals from the Canaveral Pilots Association, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the cruise lines and commercial vessels worked tirelessly and passionately to reopen our region’s economic engine. "

Some restrictions will remain as dredging continues to restore the harbor, which has a shoal buildup at the channel entrance. The U.S. Coast Guard has limited access to vessels with drafts up to 30 feet and up to 32 feet at high tide.

"Our staff has proven again that the Commission has a good team in place that can navigate through difficult times," says Commissioner Joe Matheny, chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Commission.

Landside operations also have re-opened, including Port parks. The fishing pier at Jetty Park sustained damage as well as the docks at the public boat ramps.

Businesses at Port Canaveral are returning to normal with several restaurants now open.

 

[Kalypso]

Thanks Shirley and Human Cookie! Yes, I have kept the PC number handy - if you call, you get a recording and you can listen all the way through and they offer you an option to hear the "latest news" and you press 3 and they tell you the port condition. I haven't called again today but I am being assured by DCL that we're definitely sailing out of PC tomorrow - I am so happy I'll get to see the terminal!