September trip. Should we change because of hurricane concern?

[halfmonkey]

We're looking into going to FL for the first time ever and starting off with Disneyworld for 5 days and then a cruise on the Fantasy. We're from SoCal so late Sept is an awesome time for us but I hear that Sept in FL is the rainiest month and it's also peak hurricane month even though hurricane season apparently runs from like May to November. Out other thought would be to go in November during the week of Thanksgiving but the prices are so much higher and we would have to pull the kids out of class for one week. If we go in Sept, they'll be on fall break so they won't miss any school.

I know cruising in Sept is a gamble and there's always insurance but I'm wondering from the people that live in FL and have cruised during the end of Sept, what are your thoughts? I feel like it's almost like people visiting us for the first time and them asking about our earthquakes where we say we sleep through them but they jump out of bed and freak out.

Has there really been a history of problems for cruisers in the past? I know that the ships will sail around or even reverse itinerary but I think even if they do that, the effects from the hurricane will affect the smooth sailing on the ship. This is also a concern for me because two people going on the cruise is susceptible to motion sickness and I'm worried that even if we're not directly affected by the hurricane, the after effects will not be good and if they're sick, then it won't be fun.

If we do go in November, can someone tell me how warm the waters are at Castaway Cay? I saw the average weather in Orlando at the time is high 70's. That's good but I don't know what humidity is like during November at that time.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[mjfisherdc]

September is the month we usually go to FL. We have done 3 WDW trips and 2 DCL in September. Yes it is hurricane season, but it has never affected us. At WDW it usually rains almost every afternoon for a short time (20 minutes-1 hour). Not long enough to ruin your day. That is when we used to lay down for a nap.
On the cruise we have never experienced bad weather. I have seen cases where ports have been skipped or itineraries changed due to a hurricane.

Go in September! It is a great time. Just have insurance in case of a hurricane. The lines at WDW are usually pretty short in September too!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We're looking into going to FL for the first time ever and starting off with Disneyworld for 5 days and then a cruise on the Fantasy. We're from SoCal so late Sept is an awesome time for us but I hear that Sept in FL is the rainiest month and it's also peak hurricane month even though hurricane season apparently runs from like May to November. Out other thought would be to go in November during the week of Thanksgiving but the prices are so much higher and we would have to pull the kids out of class for one week. If we go in Sept, they'll be on fall break so they won't miss any school.

I know cruising in Sept is a gamble and there's always insurance but I'm wondering from the people that live in FL and have cruised during the end of Sept, what are your thoughts? I feel like it's almost like people visiting us for the first time and them asking about our earthquakes where we say we sleep through them but they jump out of bed and freak out.

Has there really been a history of problems for cruisers in the past? I know that the ships will sail around or even reverse itinerary but I think even if they do that, the effects from the hurricane will affect the smooth sailing on the ship. This is also a concern for me because two people going on the cruise is susceptible to motion sickness and I'm worried that even if we're not directly affected by the hurricane, the after effects will not be good and if they're sick, then it won't be fun.

If we do go in November, can someone tell me how warm the waters are at Castaway Cay? I saw the average weather in Orlando at the time is high 70's. That's good but I don't know what humidity is like during November at that time.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Our first cruise was in early October and there was a hurricane in the area while we were on board. We actually were sailing between the hurricane to the east and a tropical depression to the west. The captain did a great job of keeping things as smooth as possible. Winds were bad enough that we couldn't dock at castaway cay. We ended up with a sea day that day instead and had a great time, and we've been on 3 other DCL cruises since then.

I think your analogy of California earthquakes is spot on. I'd keep your booking and start looking forward to the cruise! The Fantasy is my favorite ship in the fleet, she is great. I also recommend Bonine for your peeps who have motion problems.

 

[Barbydoll8]

If we do go in November, can someone tell me how warm the waters are at Castaway Cay? I saw the average weather in Orlando at the time is high 70's. That's good but I don't know what humidity is like during November at that time.

Living here I can tell you that Nov is normally dry as the humidity tends to start to slack off. Early Nov is still warm but not warm enough for FL people to swim. The waters will start to cool off. Mid to late Nov it can be cool and probably too cool to swim but if you are use to cold water of the Pacific, you might be ok.

The first week of Sept through about the 10th is the peak of hurricane season. After that, it's anybody's game. It's hard to predict hurricanes but it's been since I think 2005-ish since we had a direct hit on the east coast and they were fairly small.

If you book in Sept, I would recommend trip insurance (actually anytime is good for trip insurance) and if there is a storm out there, the ship will do it's darnedest to stay clear of it.
If motion sickness is an issue (it is severely for me personally) I recommend talking to their doctors to see what works. I use the patch and even in rough waters, it isn't 100% for me but with out it, I'd be in bed for the whole cruise (I have experience with this actually). It's the only thing that works for me but others swear by non-script type treatments.

 

[halfmonkey]

So our cruise is the last week of Sept starting on the 24th so it sounds like it's not prime hurricane season but still in hurricane season since it's not early Sept like a previous poster noted.

We booked our cruise with DCL back at the end of December and then finished transferring them to Costco in mid-January. What insurance can you recommend that you've had success with and is cost effective for a party of 6? 3 adults and 3 kids.