Sailing in September

[DisneyPoly]

Can anyone share their experiences of sailing the 7 night Eastern in September? We are contemplating a 7 night Sept. cruise versus a 4 night July cruise. The 7 night is less expensive, which is making it very attractive.

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[pearlieq]

Well...

Our 7 night Western in September became a 7 night Eastern and then it eventually became 7 nights of aimless drifting through the Caribbean.

We still had fun, but the stress of wondering if we were going to be able to go and what we'd find when we got there put a bit of a damper on the experience. Sept. cruises are cheap for a reason. Just something to keep in mind!

Hope you have fun, whatever you decide!

 

[scrapperjill]

pearlieq what Sept cruise were you on?

We were on a Sept Western cruise that turned into a modifyed Eastern. Overall the cruise was wonderful...we had a great time even though the plans changed daily. I'm the kind of person who likes to plan and know what there is to do in the places were going...which made the changes hard....but we had no choice...and after we were cleared to set sail...I didn't care where we went...just as long as we had fun along the way.

The weather was great...wet at times...but nice since it was so hot. I didn't feel the ship was to crowded or there was a lack in activities. We also debated between a 3 or 4 night vs the 7 night...and I'm sooooo glad we picked the 7 nights....it still wasn't long enough.

We picked the Western because it was scheduled to make more stops ....therefore we would have less "boaring" days at sea....little did I know those days at sea were wonderful...and I'm glad we ended up having as many as we did.

I'm not sure what else you want to know about Sept cruises...so I'm not sure what else to tell you.

Keep in mind it is durring hurricane season...but so are a few other months...I don't remember at the moment what the hurricane season is...but I know it's a good four months atleast. The first two weeks of Sept are the height of the hurricane season....which means you could have some changes or cancled dates....Cancled cruised don't happen offten at all...I think this years cancled dates were one of the first for Disney. The ships cruise fast...and can out sail/avoid the hurricanes...and go around them in most cases....The captian knows where to go and where to stay away from. I'd just make sure if you do decided to go with Sept...to make sure your protected with travel insurance. And after the season this year....I'd guess that next years season has to be better.

 

[alexandrew]

cruising in September is an excellent time....great value, not as crowded...However, September is the peak of hurricane season, and while this fact does not pose any danger, you should be prepared for the possibility for an unexpected change in itinerary...also, September is hot....But not as hot as July, which is sweltering....

I would overwhelmingly recommend the 7 day September vs the 4 day July....not a single doubt...

 

[glindamood]

I would do the 7 day as well - I have sailed in both September and October and both were MAGICal!

 

[DisneyPoly]

Thanks for all of your advice -- I think the 7 night it will be!

 

[missyoh8]

We are exclusively (thus far) September cruisers. Our first was a 4 day which was not nearly enough time! We chose a 7 day last year, which did indeed turn into a 5 night! Looking back on the experience, it was something I probably would not change. We came away being better people for the trouble. Driving around Florida with 7 people and 11 suitcases in a minivan was not exactly what we had planned, but we did have fun! Please head the warning to get travel insurance. We stayed in quite a variety of accomodations as we kept getting evacuated, however the Westin in Hollywood was our favorite........nothing like $100 for 2 cheeseburgers from room service! Insurance picked up all of our expenses and we actually had a wonderful time and met some great people.

We are booked on an Eastern this September and Grandma and Grandpa are going to try again (even after Hurricane Jeanne last year). Would love to see you there.

We are booked on a Western September 2006 with the family we met on these boards and ran away from the hurricane with!

What an adventure,

Missyoh8

 

[zeke11]

Two words regarding our September 2004 cruise:

NEVER AGAIN!

Our next cruise is at the end of November.

Kris