Scheduling Disaster - Board in Nassau?

[skhall]

I am on the Wonder 3day on Oct 9th and have just gotten terrible news that I have a trial date on the 9th!!!! I can get a flight to Nassau on Friday that will have me there before 9:00 am. Has anyone ever heard about policy or tried to board in another port with disney. I would still send my 5 other family members to board at port canaveral on Thursday like normal. Is this crazy and impossible? I am pitiful........

 

[Grumbo]

I have a trial date on the 9th!!!!

I guess depends alot on whether they find you guilty or not at your trial
Seriously though can't help but hopefully someone here can
Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[moinab]

I have heard of people missing the ship at Port Canaveral and flying to Nassau to board, but I can't provide any details. I would definitely call your TA and/or DCL for more information.

 

[jrabbit]

You should check with DCL and give them your story.

But....
I really believe that they are NOT allowed to board new passengers in any ports other than the port of origin. I think that this is NOT Disney's doing, except that they chose to register their ships in a forgien country. There is some federal law (that may be somewhat outdated - but still inforce) that requires forgien registered ships to stop in a forgien port before returning to their "home" port. Thats why for example you can't catch a cruise ship in New York, sail to Port Canaveral, then on to Key West, then Tampa and on to New Orleans (without going to the Bahamas or Bermuda, etc). That same law prohibits picking up passengers in other ports.

It appears that employees may be picked up in forgein ports because you sometimes see the entertainers packing up and leaving the ship from one of the islands (and you get new ones after that).

 

[coconutty]

skhall, I believe I can help you somewhat. You definitely can board in a port of call, as long as that port is not a US port. We leave tomorrow morning on the 7 day western. My SIL had a family commitment and is missing the first few days of the trip and meeting us Tuesday in Grand Cayman. Her travel agent has helped her make the necessary arrangements, and DCL is aware of the situation. In fact, my BIL (her husband) is bringing her luggage on board with him, so that she only has to worry about her carry-on down to Grand Cayman. She could not board the ship in Key West because of it being a US port, so she has to wait until we dock in Grand Cayman. Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[my3kids]

You can't board the ship at another US port, but you should be able to board at a foreign port(Nassau.) The archaic maritime law prevents boarding at a different domestic port, and also keeps non US built ships from sailing only domestic iteniraries.....they always have to vist a foreign port.

What a shame....no chance of changing the court date? Call Disney for advice as quickly as you can.

 

[skhall]

Thanks to all of you. My TA, the ever helpful Sandie at All Seasons, confirmed as well that I will be able to board in Nassau. Just praying that one big storm turns out to sea and does not impact all of those beautiful islands out there. Your inputs and expressions of concern were a real comfort this morning......except for that one crack about the outcome of my trial !!! LOL

From The Only Temporarily Seperated Hall Family

 

[jrabbit]

Sorry about the info I gave earlier, it looks like I was somewhat wrong about where folks could board.

 

[my3kids]

skhall: So glad you can join the family in Nassau! That's too bad you'll miss part of the trip, but that should make the last days extra special for the whole family to have you meet up with them.

Have fun!