So about this Hurricane - 10/7 Dream cancelled, 10/7 Magic Canadian, 10/8 now 10/9 Fantasy 6-night

[MCO737FO]

Supposed to be on the Dream Oct 7 for our first cruise. This was supposed to be a pre-deployment treat for my 10 year old so we could do Halloween before I leave in a few weeks. I guess I'll have to wait till I get back to experience DCL. Hope they announce soon so we can stop thinking about it.

Governor of NC has ordered over 1 million evacuated in that state, but DCL is still "monitoring the situation."

 

[kimkreis]

Governor of NC has ordered over 1 million evacuated in that state, but DCL is still "monitoring the situation."

Where did you see this? The only evacuation I have seen is for the students at UNC Wilmington.

 

[perditax]

Governor of NC has ordered over 1 million evacuated in that state, but DCL is still "monitoring the situation."

Do you possibly mean SC? I'm in NC and I haven't heard of mandatory evacuations affecting 1 million people here.

I'm sympathetic to those hanging in limbo, but it seems likely to me the port will be open and doing business again by this weekend.

There's also been some trending of the models east (away from land) but I'm not sure when/if the NHC will change their track to reflect that.

 

[MCO737FO]

Where did you see this? The only evacuation I have seen is for the students at UNC Wilmington.

Correction, SC
http://www.wxii12.com/article/sc-go...hew-nc-gov-urges-residents-to-prepare/4493094

 

[MCO737FO]

Do you possibly mean SC? I'm in NC and I haven't heard of mandatory evacuations affecting 1 million people here.

I'm sympathetic to those hanging in limbo, but it seems likely to me the port will be open and doing business again by this weekend.

There's also been some trending of the models east (away from land) but I'm not sure when/if the NHC will change their track to reflect that.

Time will tell.

 

[Weedy]

Disney may be trying to arrange things. If they have to dock in a different port they have to see where space is available. If buses are available to transport people. If the weather will be safe enough for buses to be on the road. These things take time.

 

[AquaDame]

I know that folks are anxious and nerves are short, but this thread is an important source of information and personal attacks are just going to get the thread closed.

Please refrain from the attacks for the sake of everyone else who is relying on this thread.

Well said! Was just coming back in to express a similar sentiment. I don't want to go overboard with controlling the conversation or editing stuff out, but lets try to be nice to each other please!

Dirk,
We were supposed to sail out on the Dream yesterday and cancelled because one in our party is in a wheelchair and we weren't comfortable with what could happen, where we'd end up coming back into port. We were informed there is no refund and the insurance claim would definitely be denied. We might possibly have 75% applied to a future cruise but it's not definite. So disheartening.

I hope it comes through for you!

Hope you get at least 75% back! Doesn't hurt to lodge a claim with the insurance anyways. If you paid with a credit card see if they have some insurance too.

Agreed on all counts. If you know anyone who DOES go on the cruise, or are in any way able to get some first hand reports of what it is like out there it may be worth sharing that info in your report as well to try and help them understand exactly why you felt it was dangerous to take a wheelchair in buckling waves (seems pretty straightforward to me...)

 

[AquaDame]

Disney may be trying to arrange things. If they have to dock in a different port they have to see where space is available. If buses are available to transport people. If the weather will be safe enough for buses to be on the road. These things take time.

If they are as smart as I and others give them credit for, they have been doing this for the last couple days and are closer to finalizing... fingers crossed there will be better info very soon now that so much has changed today!

 

[MCO737FO]

Disney may be trying to arrange things. If they have to dock in a different port they have to see where space is available. If buses are available to transport people. If the weather will be safe enough for buses to be on the road. These things take time.

You know when Disney would know if the roads are safe? When the hurricane is either on top of them on Friday, or it isn't.

This isn't about planning, it's about greed. Look how all the non-Disney travel providers have already stepped-up.

#dclgreed

 

[Holly033]

Hope you get at least 75% back! Doesn't hurt to lodge a claim with the insurance anyways. If you paid with a credit card see if they have some insurance too.

That's a great idea! Thanks for the tip!

 

[AquaDame]

You know when Disney would know if the roads are safe? When the hurricane is either on top of them on Friday, or it isn't.

This isn't about planning, it's about greed. Look how all the non-Disney travel providers have already stepped-up.

#dclgreed

You don't think it is at least partly due to them having more options for people..? They have zero control over flights they didn't book for the cruisers so comparing them to what Delta, Southwest, JetBlue or any of the other operators there do isn't fair. They have a slew of hotels and an armada of buses at their disposal in the area and maybe they can pull more strings to make things right like bus them all to another port as some others have said.. They may still pull a fast one though I admit and leave people scrambling. I'm just going to save my judgement on it until they do what they're going to do... I absolutely think that offering cruisers some kind of out in regards to rebooking/refunding better be in there somewhere though. Just my own opinion!

 

[ScottakaMickey]

Disney may be trying to arrange things. If they have to dock in a different port they have to see where space is available. If buses are available to transport people. If the weather will be safe enough for buses to be on the road. These things take time.

The Dream will stay at sea additional time. I don't see any alternate port as an option to,try and stick to a schedule. The port closes at noon tomorrow, so it will have to wait for it to reopen. Unless it comes back early and sits the storm out in port.

 

[Tim Heaslip]

You don't think it is at least partly due to them having more options for people..? They have zero control over flights they didn't book for the cruisers so comparing them to what Delta, Southwest, JetBlue or any of the other operators there do isn't fair. They have a slew of hotels and an armada of buses at their disposal in the area and maybe they can pull more strings to make things right like bus them all to another port as some others have said.. They may still pull a fast one though I admit and leave people scrambling. I'm just going to save my judgement on it until they do what they're going to do... I absolutely think that offering cruisers some kind of out in regards to rebooking/refunding better be in there somewhere though. Just my own opinion!

 

[AquaDame]

I couldn't agree more. This is a unique storm, unique situation, and DCL should have led the way in giving their customers options instead of being last.

Absolutely. I saw your comment before you edited it though and FWIW, that is entirely within your right as an unhappy customer. Might be a little awkward if they already have their magic bands on though...

 

[Ofinn]

I never buy cancel for any reason insurance. It's expensive and only covers 75% anyway. I hope DCL does the right thing and offers people a full refund. I certainly would not want the headache of flying into Orlando. Not only that, but if flights into Orlando are cancelled things will be backed up for days. Not fun.

 

[AquaDame]

I have now removed a few posts that do not follow our guidelines. Up to now there have been EIGHT reports on this thread of being mean to one another. I understand this is a useful thread so although tempers are high I would like to keep it open. Please treat each other with kindness and understanding so we may keep it going!

Thanks!

 

[KayKayJS]

I'm a disney fan girl and even I'm dissapointed with Disney's response thus far.

I live in Orlando and stores are being wiped clean. People are starting to really ramp up preparations and regardless of whether we get hit or not, I don't see the Dream being able to make it to Port Canaveral Friday. Maybe they'll pull off a miracle, I don't know, but I would be livid at the lack of information if I were on Friday's cruise.

 

[PlanoNana]

The Dream will stay at sea additional time. I don't see any alternate port as an option to,try and stick to a schedule. The port closes at noon tomorrow, so it will have to wait for it to reopen. Unless it comes back early and sits the storm out in port.

When the Coast Guard closes the port it means essentially EVERYBODY OUT. It's much more dangerous for the ship in port where winds could slam the ship into the terminal. The ships are MUCH safer at sea where they can stay away from the storm.

Depending on the speed of the storm, the Dream might be able to port in Miami or Ft Lauderdale if those ports aren't damaged since the storm will pass them before it gets to PC.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Any chance they could take the Dream or Fantasy to Galveston instead or is that too far?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Any chance they could take the Dream or Fantasy to Galveston instead or is that too far?

Could be New Orleans, also.

More likely, if the Dream can't get into port on Friday, they would stay out at sea for another day. Arriving back at Port Canaveral Saturday.

Not sure how large a ship Galveston (or New Orleans) can handle, though.