Uhm....Bahamas is now requiring vaccinations for all passengers over 12..

[sethschroeder]

It wasn't meant to be funny. Disney does cruises to Mexico that do not stop in the Bahamas, and Nassau is a public port. I personally find Castaway boring and I can't stand Nassau. Whether it's "worth it" is subjective. There are a lot of people that won't find cruising "worth it" for many months to come for a variety of reasons. A lot of people didn't think DCL was "worth it" prior to Covid. If you don't believe me do a thread search on here.

Except aren't the Mexico cruises without Castaway from Galveston and on the smaller Wonder? Its also a smattering of cruises not 2/3 cruises a week for 2+ months.

 

[Cheburashka]

It wasn't meant to be funny. Disney does cruises to Mexico that do not stop in the Bahamas, and Nassau is a public port. I personally find Castaway boring and I can't stand Nassau. Whether it's "worth it" is subjective. There are a lot of people that won't find cruising "worth it" for many months to come for a variety of reasons. A lot of people didn't think DCL was "worth it" prior to Covid. If you don't believe me, do a thread search on here.

I don't think DCL will find enough cruisers to fill the Dream & Fantasy to even their desired pandemic capacity if those cruises don't go to Castaway Cay. Not on a regular basis, especially given the hassle of cruising now, the risk, and all of the cutbacks onboard. People cruising DCL from Port Canaveral expect Castaway Cay. You're very much in the minority in your dislike for Disney's private island.

Most people who sail the Wonder on those short Mexico-only cruises do them because they're geographically convenient & economical (for those who live in the central or western U.S.), not because they consider Mexico a good replacement for Castaway Cay. And given the risks and limitations of visiting a public foreign port during a pandemic, non-Castaway ports will be even less appealing than usual.

Nassau is a public port.

DCL has so far avoided sailing to Nassau, which is part of my point. They don't want to deal with public foreign ports right now, and neither do a lot of cruisers.

 

[sethschroeder]

not because they consider Mexico a good replacement for Castaway Cay

Mexico is probably the last place I want to cruise honestly and I am not even a huge fan of Castaway. Castway just has the benefit of being fully controlled and will be "empty".

I could give up Castaway though if they brought back the Fantasy for a 7 night and announced they would have 3-4 different shows occurring in the evenings. I don't seem them doing it though Castaway is a huge draw to many especially with these low capacity cruises.

 

[orum]

Well another day gone and no word..not that I expected something on Saturday.

Any takers for a surprise Sunday email?

Monday 9am at the earliest.

 

[Marrila]

Monday 4:30pm Eastern

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

Monday 9am at the earliest.

Thursday, 9/2, 10am.

 

[sethschroeder]

Monday 9am at the earliest.

8am EST was when the Fantasy info launched on their website.

My thought is they already decided what to do but didn't want everyone calling all weekend long since they likely have less call center people possibly working over the weekends.

 

[jrapps]

It wasn't meant to be funny. Disney does cruises to Mexico that do not stop in the Bahamas, and Nassau is a public port. I personally find Castaway boring and I can't stand Nassau. Whether it's "worth it" is subjective. There are a lot of people that won't find cruising "worth it" for many months to come for a variety of reasons. A lot of people didn't think DCL was "worth it" prior to Covid. If you don't believe me do a thread search on here.

Sorry, but I just don't follow your logic at all.

I am sure there are PLENTY of people who prefer Mexico to islands such as Castaway in the Bahamas, and PLENTY of people who don't find Disney "worth it", and people who don't find any cruise worth it right now.

And I am also sure that almost none of those people are booked on the Dream over the next 2-3 months. Why would they be? If they didn't find those cruises worth it, they would have booked another cruise, or a different vacation. So to say Mexico makes sense for the next 2 months of Dream cruises because other people would prefer it just makes no sense. The people booked on the Dream to Castaway booked these cruises because they found it worth it. To take away the thing that makes it worth it to them because "other people" find "other things" enjoyable does not correlate.

 

[jrapps]

8am EST was when the Fantasy info launched on their website.

My thought is they already decided what to do but didn't want everyone calling all weekend long since they likely have less call center people possibly working over the weekends.

This actually makes a lot of sense. I'm going to guess 9am Monday website update, 10am emails go out, and the Safe Passage website updates with new rules 3-4 days later!

 

[sethschroeder]

This actually makes a lot of sense. I'm going to guess 9am Monday website update, 10am emails go out, and the Safe Passage website updates with new rules 3-4 days later!

When I called Monday morning right after the news dropped the call center didn't even know how I knew about the change. They also didn't even have the codes or anything active to allow me to switch to the b2b Dream that I moved to. About 2 hours later, a manager, and a business operation team being brought in I was switched with a refund inbound for the difference.

I have to think Disney is going to allow refunds again for everyone on board but we will see.

 

[jrapps]

I have to think Disney is going to allow refunds again for everyone on board but we will see.

Refunds, yes. 125% FCC, No.

 

[TinkerMouse]

My thought is they already decided what to do but didn't want everyone calling all weekend long since they likely have less call center people possibly working over the weekends.

If that was the case then they were very naive because the cast member I spoke to on the phone explained that people have been calling with the same questions, many of which can only be answered by supervisors. Even more questions currently can't be answered at all since they still don't have it all worked out.

 

[DCLMP]

I don't think DCL will find enough cruisers to fill the Dream & Fantasy to even their desired pandemic capacity if those cruises don't go to Castaway Cay. Not on a regular basis, especially given the hassle of cruising now, the risk, and all of the cutbacks onboard. People cruising DCL from Port Canaveral expect Castaway Cay. You're very much in the minority in your dislike for Disney's private island. If you don't believe me, "do a thread search on here."

Most people who sail the Wonder on those short Mexico-only cruises do them because they're geographically convenient & economical (for those who live in the central or western U.S.), not because they consider Mexico a good replacement for Castaway Cay. And given the risks and limitations of visiting a public foreign port during a pandemic, non-Castaway ports will be even less appealing than usual.


DCL has so far avoided sailing to Nassau, which is part of my point. They don't want to deal with public foreign ports right now, and neither do a lot of cruisers.

They are not going to find enough cruisers even if those cruises do go to Castaway. People that cruise on other cruise lines don't cruise for the private islands. I think the Disney theme is what draws people not just the Island. Have you ever looked at European cruises on DCL they are four times the cost of any other cruise line and they sell.

 

[DCLMP]

Sorry, but I just don't follow your logic at all.

I am sure there are PLENTY of people who prefer Mexico to islands such as Castaway in the Bahamas, and PLENTY of people who don't find Disney "worth it", and people who don't find any cruise worth it right now.

And I am also sure that almost none of those people are booked on the Dream over the next 2-3 months. Why would they be? If they didn't find those cruises worth it, they would have booked another cruise, or a different vacation. So to say Mexico makes sense for the next 2 months of Dream cruises because other people would prefer it just makes no sense. The people booked on the Dream to Castaway booked these cruises because they found it worth it. To take away the thing that makes it worth it to them because "other people" find "other things" enjoyable does not correlate.

I never said it makes sense- read my post. I just said Disney could do it if they want to. None of this nonsense makes sense... the world is nuts right now. Arguing about where cruises should go and shouldn't go is nuts, but it's a therapeutic distraction.

 

[tvguy]

True, no castaway would be a deal breaker for us. I do the Western cruise at least once a year, but not a fan of Cozumel.

LOL. I think my mom did a half dozen cruises on other linez "to Mexico" and in her 90 years never set foot on Mexican soil. She had no desire to get off the ship in Mexico and instead enjoyed the ship when it was docked there.

 

[Jacq7414]

Worst case they take their time and really study the data And they don't become available until sometime around December.

I don’t think really studying the data for kids is a worst case scenario personally, they should absolutely do that.
im assuming they would have to give a grace period once approved for children. There’s no way all of the kids (parents) who want the vaccine will be able to get it right away

 

[sethschroeder]

If that was the case then they were very naive because the cast member I spoke to on the phone explained that people have been calling with the same questions, many of which can only be answered by supervisors. Even more questions currently can't be answered at all since they still don't have it all worked out.

You were always going to get that group of people but right now you have a larger set of people just waiting or completely unaware. So I don't agree that they have the call volume the same either way. Additionally someone calling and CMs telling people "no information" take a few mins compared to the much longer and indepth calls that will come from actual changes/cancellations.

Have you ever looked at European cruises on DCL they are four times the cost of any other cruise line and they sell.

Destination, limited sailings, and valuation of US vs EU cruise budget.

Just like Mexico it works when its limited. You have like 3 Norway Fjord sailings and 8 Med sailings for the whole year which is on a smaller ship.

LOL. I think my mom did a half dozen cruises on other linez "to Mexico" and in her 90 years never set foot on Mexican soil. She had no desire to get off the ship in Mexico and instead enjoyed the ship when it was docked there.

Yup and part of the issue right now is the limitation of on ship entertainment. Said it earlier they could remove Castaway but they would need to go back to pre-pandemic levels of entertainment if not surpassing it.

 

[Clojel]

Thursday, 9/2, 10am.

Honestly….this is what I’m afraid of since the cancellation w/o penalty deadline they just gave Fantasy cruisers is 9/1.

 

[n2mm]

unless it’s changed — I believe the fantasy is posting the new sept 4-night cruises on Thursday 8/26 for new bookings. I believe we’ll hear something before that release. I want to say tomorrow, Monday Mid-day

 

[Lewisc]

Cruise lines are, for the most part, requiring vaccinations. The new requirement by the Bahamas is causing other lines to ignore, or work around, FL's policy. How long before other ports follow ?
I think DCL has to either require vaccinations, shut down (at least from FL) or attempt to negotiate a CC exception with the Bahamas.

Disney has a huge FL operation. Could Disney be attempting to negotiate with FL rather then go to court or ignore FL law?

A 4 day cruise from Port Canaveral to Cozumel isn't really practical. PP did the math. A lot of fuel. Need for on board activities. How many potential passengers would accept Cozumel as an alternative to CC? Does anyone think Disney could sell a 7 day cruise out of Port Canaveral with port stops in Key West, Miami and Cozumel?