lookingforward
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2001
- Messages
- 3,065
As most of you know, our Wonder cruise was delayed by the horrible hurricane Jeanne. We were very nervous that the Wonder would be cancelled but DCL offered us a three night cruise with a 40% discount, so we decided to sail anyway. I live in South Florida so we decided to head to Orlando to wait out the storm at the Hard Rock Hotel. It was a bit nerve racking driving up there because DCL did not contact us at all about the change in plans, etc. I learned everything I knew from fellow disboarders who were also sailing. The few times I managed to get through to DCL they were giving out conflicting information. I understood that they were trying to do their best. Originally we planned to drive up to Orlando and leave our car at Port Canaveral and take a DCL bus to Ft. Lauderdale (where the ship was departing). But...
Every time I called DCL they changed the bus departure times to later in the day. First call said we could board a bus at the Port at 9 a.m. Sounds great, right? Second call, 11 a.m. Third call, 1:30 p.m. We decided that we did not want to get to Ft. Lauderdale in the evening and thus cut almost a whole day off the cruise. SO....
We drove our car Back to Ft. Lauderdale and parked there. More about that later...
Our stay at the Hard Rock Hotel was great. Until the end! They have full generator power so even though Orlando got socked by Jean we never lost power or cable. They locked the doors ( curfew) so no one could leave. Many people had to sleep in the lobby. They had great buffets and activities for the kids. They did the best they co uld. When we got ready to leave I discovered they had triple charged my credit card! They were "holding over $900 for a one night stay. Although this was not an immediate problem it was very unprofessional. The desk manager stated he would "personally" take care of it immediately. Needless to say, five days later, I am still waiting!
The drive to Ft. Lauderdale on Monday was quick and painless on the Florida Turnpike. No tolls either! We got to the port at 12 noon and there were just a handful of families there. The check in process was a bit strained as the workers were from the Port Canaveral area and thus VERY upset about the hurricane and their families in it's path. The women who checked me in was very rude and short with me. I tried extra hard to be nice to her. At one point I said "do you need this document" and she snapped "WHEN I HAND THEM BACK TO YOU I'M FINISHED WITH THEM!" Oh my! She gave me "everything" and we proceeded to board. We were the first family to approach the two men at the gate. But you can't board they said. No boarding passes! Excuse me??? Back to the lady who checked me in and she said "Oh yea, I forgot to give you the passes but you had already walked away". Okay!
On board it was very exciting, they announced our names and clapped. Very nice. The ship is absolutely beautiful. Truly. Had lunch in Parrot Cay which was lovely. The dining room is beautiful and cheerful. The food was better than expected!
We were so happy to be there and VERY glad we did not take the busses. They kept arriving until 9 p.m. We had finished dinner and on our way to Hurcules when we saw exhausted and very angry families still boarding. I felt badly for the babies and small children.
One thrill was seeing the Magic enter the port and sound it's horn to greet the Wonder. It was beautiful. We were looking forward to our cruise!
Every time I called DCL they changed the bus departure times to later in the day. First call said we could board a bus at the Port at 9 a.m. Sounds great, right? Second call, 11 a.m. Third call, 1:30 p.m. We decided that we did not want to get to Ft. Lauderdale in the evening and thus cut almost a whole day off the cruise. SO....
We drove our car Back to Ft. Lauderdale and parked there. More about that later...
Our stay at the Hard Rock Hotel was great. Until the end! They have full generator power so even though Orlando got socked by Jean we never lost power or cable. They locked the doors ( curfew) so no one could leave. Many people had to sleep in the lobby. They had great buffets and activities for the kids. They did the best they co uld. When we got ready to leave I discovered they had triple charged my credit card! They were "holding over $900 for a one night stay. Although this was not an immediate problem it was very unprofessional. The desk manager stated he would "personally" take care of it immediately. Needless to say, five days later, I am still waiting!
The drive to Ft. Lauderdale on Monday was quick and painless on the Florida Turnpike. No tolls either! We got to the port at 12 noon and there were just a handful of families there. The check in process was a bit strained as the workers were from the Port Canaveral area and thus VERY upset about the hurricane and their families in it's path. The women who checked me in was very rude and short with me. I tried extra hard to be nice to her. At one point I said "do you need this document" and she snapped "WHEN I HAND THEM BACK TO YOU I'M FINISHED WITH THEM!" Oh my! She gave me "everything" and we proceeded to board. We were the first family to approach the two men at the gate. But you can't board they said. No boarding passes! Excuse me??? Back to the lady who checked me in and she said "Oh yea, I forgot to give you the passes but you had already walked away". Okay!
On board it was very exciting, they announced our names and clapped. Very nice. The ship is absolutely beautiful. Truly. Had lunch in Parrot Cay which was lovely. The dining room is beautiful and cheerful. The food was better than expected!
We were so happy to be there and VERY glad we did not take the busses. They kept arriving until 9 p.m. We had finished dinner and on our way to Hurcules when we saw exhausted and very angry families still boarding. I felt badly for the babies and small children.
One thrill was seeing the Magic enter the port and sound it's horn to greet the Wonder. It was beautiful. We were looking forward to our cruise!
