Sept. 11th, 2004!!! Roll Call!

[mrsltg]

Personally I don't think that the 9/4 cruise will be happening at all at this point. If the Magic isn't even porting at best guess till 4, they need 3 hours to turn the ship around. Plus, there is no guarantee that the roads will be open headed to the port. I really think that DCL will cancel the sailing altogether. We'll have to wait and see.

Erin

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Erin,

I think you're right. I might check the boards to see if anyone from the 9/4 cruise has heard.

Stacy

 

[HookedonMagic]

Hey 9/11 Cruisers,

Greetings from the sunshine state! All is fine here in Orlando...windy and raining, doomy and gloomy, but with what we feared we were facing, we feel we really dodged quite a bullet. Once again, we feel blessed (tired and confined, but lucky too!)

Tracy, I hope you and your boys are doing well up in Winter Springs. My husband got to come home tonight! The hospital was virtually empty. It was the same with Charley...the ER got really busy in the days after the hurricane with chainsaw accidents, carbon monoxide inhalation, dehydration,etc. I hope your husband is safe and will be home soon, as well.

***Warning...selfish venting ahead*** Now if Ivan continues to head our way, my sense of humor may just head right out the door. My husband and I NEVER take a trip without the kids (we waited until our daughter was 12 before we so much as spent a weekend away from her) and are really looking forward to this very special break. I'm not sure how I'll react if our cruise is canceled, delayed, postponed or otherwise affected by a hurricane. Really, I think we've paid our dues and I am MORE than ready for a nice, sunny week at sea.

Pictures from the Port area are just starting to come in. It is too early to tell for sure, but they are reporting that damage is not as great as they originally predicted. Hopefully the airport and your hotels will be up and running in plenty of time for your arrivals. I guess only time will tell. I fear poor Castaway Cay will definately be off our itinerary.

I'm glad to read that some of you got your packing and shopping done this weekend. With these two hurricanes, life down here has been anything but normal for weeks. It really is comforting to think of life as going on as normal in other parts of the country. I look forwad to turning my attention back to such things soon!

Okay, enough rants from me. Really, I'm not a crazy person. Just feeling a little cooped up tonight. Six days until our turn for fun in the sun! Welcome newcomers! Take care.

Lisa

 

[scrapperjill]

HookedonMagic, I'm glad to hear everything is all right in your area. I to am more than ready for a sunny week at sea. Hope to see everyone sooon.

 

[HookedonMagic]

Scrapper,

Please forgive me for my "rant!" When I think about what your family (and especially your daughter) has been through, I feel so petty for complaining about my bad weather. I'm glad your daughter is doing well and looking forward to this cruise. No one deserves a nice vacation more than her!

GO AWAY, IVAN. WE WANT TO CRUISE!

 

[scrapperjill]

Hookedonmagic...No worries I know where your comming from with your "rant" and I'm right there with you. I was feeling bad about wanting this trip sooo bad...and wanting Frances to out of town faster.....that I was feeling guilty for thinking of what we wanted and need...when our thoughts should be on all those stuck in the middle of it. Sure it's disrupted our lives...and plans for vacation....but it didn't reek havoc on our homes or area...like it did to all you who are there. I'm just hoping lots of pixe dust is flying around...with the wind and all ...that some pixe dust will reach Ivan and he will not interrupt our new plans.

At this point we all need a good helping of Pixe dusts.

GO AWAY IVAN!!!

 

[natale1980]

I just heard some kinda good news on TV... they said that Ivan will be in the Bahamas on Friday.... that means (to me) that we will have time to get on the boat and get the heck out of Florida before anything hits..... I hope so much for the Flordians sake that Ivan decides to go away completely.....
Living in Chicago we just have the occasional tornado warning... and those never seem to come near my house (yet).
We did have one hit just down the street but it wasn't that big and just took down one house that was old, abandoned and ready to come down.
I have already started talking to my Brother & Sister-in-Law to figure out what we want to do if our trip is postponed... but hopefully it won't come to that.
Now one of my biggest fears is driving all the way from Chicago and getting in to Florida and there being no gas left.
At that point.... I'm WALKING.... (if you see me please pick me up -I am pregnant so it would be the nice thing to do )

Hope to see all of you soon!!!!

-nat & baby

 

[NancyDVC]

Hookedonmagic,
glad to hear that you are doing well even if fighting cabin fever. And at this point a little rant is okay by me. I haven't been cooped up for 3 days and I am going a little nuts just watching the weather channel. As for weather here in NY we have had our share of hurricanes, an occasional small tornado, blizzards, nor'easters (sort of a northern hurricane like storm that doesnot originate in the tropics-lots of wind and rain & damage) and my sympathy is with you.

naytalie1980, If there is any gas left, so that we can get a rental car, we will gladly pick you up. Just wear a 'DIS lime green ribbon' so that I will know who you are! I will stop for pregnant women!

scrapperjill, just keeping your spirits up with all you've been through is tough but you seem to be doing a great job!!!


Ivan GO AWAY!!! Far, far away!!! Florida has had enough (as have all those nice people from the weather channel who have been out in Frances for so long!!)

And I am not going to even consider a postponement of this trip because I need to get away from work so badly right now!

And maybe we will be making history with a 7 day cruise to nowhere because all the ports are closed!

Now for all of us and lots and lots of days

TTFN Thinking positive here!

 

[mrsltg]

Alright, I took the GIANT leap of faith and packed tonight. I said I wasn't going to do it, but I just started with a few little things and next thing you know... anyway, I have 5 zipped and full suitcases which means I'll be easy to find... I'll be the one in the wrinkled clothes!!!

Erin

 

[NancyDVC]

Most current info from DCL on cruise status is right here: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...otificationPage

This is the latest from DCL on a popup on the cruie line page. Our cruise looks okay for now. The 4 day Wonder for 9/5 was cancelled, the 7 day Magic is a 4 day to Cozumel. The ships are due in tomorrow.

At least things are looking up for our cruise!

 

[amgpmg]

I too am going to pack today. I am very unmotivated but have to do this so that I am not running around like a crazy lady on Thursday night when Ivan has petered out and the cruise is still on. Lets pray that is what happens, because I am really freaking out about this storm coming in.

Natale1980 - we are scheduled to fly, but may be driving if need be. I am getting on that cruise if it goes no matter what.

Lets keep chanting - Ivan go away! Ivan go away! Ivan go away!

Kathy

 

[mrsltg]

I too am going to pack today. I am very unmotivated but have to do this so that I am not running around like a crazy lady on Thursday night when Ivan has petered out and the cruise is still on. Lets pray that is what happens, because I am really freaking out about this storm coming in.

Hi Kathy-

It really doesn't look like it'll be close to PC on Saturday. If anything, I think we're looking at an Eastern Itinerary as opposed to a Western (Ivan looks like it's going to hit southern Florida, so Key West is probably out). No matter what, get me on that boat and let me off every couple of days and I'll be happy!

Erin

 

[ThreeSmiths]

I got motivated, did my packing, and am now dreading the thought of unpacking. But Ilike you, Kathy, I will have no time after this weekend to pack. I'm glad I did it, as it took me MUCH longer than I had anticipated.

Erin, I hope that you're right. At this point, I'll take eastern, western, northern, southern, you name it!!! I do not like the idea of a 7 day cruise to nowhere though. I really would like to be able to get off the boat now and again....that's why we chose the western....one more stop than the eastern.

I'm joining in the chant: Ivan GO AWAY! Ivan GO AWAY! Ivan GO AWAY!

Stacy

 

[cali4niacruisin]

Okay, I'm ready to pack now. It looks as though we will get to fly to MCO tomorrow and stay at Pop Century as planned. We have all our fingers and toes crossed that we can get on the Magic on Saturday and get out of Ivan's way. We will take a cruise to anywhere, hopefully not 7 days at sea, but will take that too.

Is anyone else going to Orlando before Friday?

Erin

 

[mrsltg]

We'll be in Orlando as of Thursday morning. We're staying at the BCV and planning on a half day at AK, followed by a full day at MK.


Have a safe trip!

Erin

 

[NancyDVC]

So if Ivan goes west, we may go east but the Bahamas suffered damage. The Virgin Islands escaped, the Lesser Antilles (way south) are currently in a direct line as are Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. So we may be going where? How about Bermuda? It is north and east but out of the current hurricane track I think.
It is a lovely island but the government strictly regulates cruise ships so they probably won't let the 20 or so ships that are currently circling and waiting to dock somewhere in Florida all go to Bermuda. Hmmmmm confused here

Ivan go away!!!!!!! Far far away!!!!!!!!!!!
Just back from the east end (of Long Island) have to do the laundry and start packing.
Still thinking positive here!!!

 

[NancyDVC]

This is the link to the latest DCL update:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...otificationPage
Apparently Port Canaveral is closed until Thursday! And they are rerouting both ships to Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale!
Here is the announcement:

The impact of Hurricane Frances has necessitated changes to the timing, port of arrival and port of departure for upcoming voyages of both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder:

Disney Magic
The seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing, originally scheduled for September 4th, will be shortened to a four-night cruise and will depart on Tuesday, September 7th from Port Everglades, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The ship will arrive back at Port Canaveral as scheduled on Saturday, September, 11th. This voyage will sail to Cozumel, Mexico.

Guests have the option of:

Canceling and receiving a full refund OR
Sailing and receiving a 50% discount off of their original voyage fare plus a $200 onboard credit and a voucher for 25% of a future 3-, 4-, or 7-night cruise.
Guests who choose to sail will be provided transportation via motor coach to Port Everglades from the Walt Disney World Resort, the Orlando International Airport or Port Canaveral

The September 11th, seven-night Western Caribbean sailing is still set to depart as scheduled from Port Canaveral.

Disney Wonder
The four-night Bahamian sailing originally scheduled to depart on September 5th has been cancelled. All guests will receive a discount voucher for 25% off a future 3-, 4-, or 7-night cruise PLUS one of the following:

Canceling and receiving a full refund,
A four-night Walt Disney World Resort stay with length-of-stay theme park tickets or
Sailing on the modified Disney Magic 4-night itinerary to Cozumel scheduled for September 7th.
Rescheduling to a future sail date at prevailing rate. Change fees will be waived. Due to high phone volume, guests selecting this option will be contacted after Wednesday, September 8th.
The September 9th three-night cruise to the Bahamas is still set to depart as scheduled from Port Canaveral.



Arrivals of both the Disney Magic, which departed on Saturday, August 28th and the Disney Wonder, which departed on Thursday, September 2, have been delayed to the late evening of Monday September 8th at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale. Guests will be able to disembark Tuesday morning. Transportation will provided back to Orlando International Airport, The Walt Disney World Resort and Port Canaveral for guests to pick up their personal vehicles. A shuttle will also be available to transport guests to Ft. Lauderdale airport, or other south Florida airports, if necessary.

hmm Am I worrying yet?
Still thinking positive here!!!

 

[TraSee]

Hello all from Central Florida! We made it! Frances only took our power for 26 hours this time, unlike Charley who took it for 5 days!

Lisa, glad to hear you and your family are okay and that your husband was able to come home early. Mine wasn't so lucky. He worked straight through the storm. My son, however, was able to be home during the storm but is working today at the Sheriff's Dept.

I have been watching local tv this afternoon as they are looking at all the damage Frances caused. Brevard County...home of the port...seemed to really get hit hard. The Space Center has had a lot of damage. I haven't seen pictures of the port yet. Lisa, have you? I think the worst part of this storm was that it seemed it would never end! Charley was in and out; Frances brought wind and rain and then more wind and more rain, and then more rain... Whew! Our pool was up to the tip top. We also had water leaks into our living room and master bedroom. So the carpet, baseboards, and walls are wet. I called State Farm and imagine I will be added to the list! BUT...we are so lucky and I am very thankful that is all we have. Thank the Good Lord!

As for our cruise...I can't wait and really don't care where we go! Ivan...get outta of our way. Everyone keep a positive attitude and don't let go of all of that excitement we have had over the past months as we have planned our vacations together. I can't wait to meet everyone

Talk to you soon!
Tracy

 

[HookedonMagic]

Tracy,

Glad to hear your power is up and running and your husband and son made it through safely. A big thanks to them for helping to keep us all safe before, during and after the storm! (I hope they get every last looter...can you imagine how desperate those people must be...I hope they "throw the book at them!") Your son has certainly had a quick introduction to life as a law enforcement officer!

Glad to see that everyone is so optimistic about next week's cruise. I have to admit I've become quite depressed about it. Ivan's path seems to be making a beeline for Florida. I can barely imagine leaving my kids at home in the best of circumstances. There is just no way I can leave them if they are about to be hit by yet another hurricane. We've been relatively lucky so far, but I could never enjoy a vacation knowing I've left them in a potentially dangerous situation. Anyway, this is all speculation at this point. Perhaps we'll get some good news in the next few days. Turn Ivan, turn!

Lisa

 

[Tampacruisers]

Hi, we are on the 11th cruise. Our 1st Disney cruise. What timing...
We have been watching all the excitement over there on the East coast. Hope you are all doing ok... We reside over here on the West coast in Tampa... The near miss of Charley... Our DD is sooo excited about the 11th cruise and hope there will be other 6 year old princesses to play with. We on the other hand hope we can stay dry...
We were planning on staying Friday nite at the Raddison... Not sure how likely that is if it is closed.

We sure love hurricane season...