Update on the Magic

[briternik]

My sister was one of the unfortunate people who had their 7 night cruise turned into a 4. Their flight arrived at MCO at 3 yesterday and DCL put them up at Port Orleans and gave them park passes. However, the rooms were dirty and weren't clean until 5:30, so by the time they ate and freshened up, the parks were an hour from closing. Only MK and Epcot were open.
DCL was providing transportation to the port, but they elected to rent a car and get there early. They got there about 11, and were one of the first in line. Only 3 crew members were working behind the desk and they said that was all there was going to be. It took them about 10 minutes to get checked in. The first Disney busses didn't arrive until about 3:00. Apparently there is quite a bottleneck in the terminal right now. Everyone is grumbling. She said that the crew onboard isn't being very friendly. Hopefully, things will get better.
It doesn't look like they will leave on time.
Maybe the cast-away party will cheer everyone up (fingers crossed).

 

[Scotsman]

Once the horn toots; "when you wish upon a star" their grumbles will turn into smiles and tumbles!

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by briternik
Everyone is grumbling. She said that the crew onboard isn't being very friendly. Hopefully, things will get better.
It doesn't look like they will leave on time.
Maybe the cast-away party will cheer everyone up (fingers crossed).

I'm not sure why everyone is grumbling?? They all got a great deal inspite of everything, and are lucky enough to still cruise.

 

[mrsltg]

I'm not sure why everyone is grumbling?? They all got a great deal inspite of everything, and are lucky enough to still cruise.

I'll venture a guess and say that it's because their cruise (through no fault of anyone) has been shortened 3 days, they probably spent 3 hours or so on a bus, only 3 CM's to check in 2000 people, followed by no definite departure time, and no clear idea of where they will dock on Saturday. I probably would be a little grumpy, too. Of course, I would start smiling after I had a drink and could relax a little bit. I am sure everyone is stressed to the max, including the crew. This has not been fun for anyone.

Erin

 

[figment52]

If Disney put you up on property couldn't you have checked in for the ship at the hotel? They do it all the time for land/sea packages.

junst wondering.....

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I really hope their cruise gets better. I'd have to agree with a previous poster that as soon as they hear those 7 magical notes, things will turn around!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

This has been so hard for everyone. Nerves must be on edge. I know my family gets grumpy on the travel day when everything is going normally, I can only imagine how stressful the travel part has been for these cruisers. All will be Magical once the ship sets sail I hope.

 

[westjones]

This is hard for everyone, I'm sure. I hope that the passengers AND Cast Members have a comfortable and relaxing cruise.

DJ

 

[mmouse37]

The only way to check into the cruise from a WDW resort is if you are on an official land/sea package...those ressie are linked. Regular room ressies at WDW are not linked to the cruise database.

MJ

 

[Cinjewel]

Obviously, you didn't have to go through a week of wondering if you were going or not. I spent ATLEAST 4-5hrs a day on the phone or the internet trying to get info out of Disney. (much of the time to no avail) It was extremely stressful. Then we realized that we had to cancel. I can only imagine still being able to go and putting up with those conditions.
You can't imagine having 6 flights cancelled, rude Disney reps, and then having Port changes....Then only 3 people to check all those people in. I'd be ticked too!
And, yes, before anyone says it, I'm very grateful that I don't live in Florida. I thank God that it wasn't my home destroyed and my life turned upside down.

 

[Debbie H]

It seems like from all the grumbling, DCL should have just cancelled the cruise. It sounds that no matter what they do, they are to blame. I imagine the CM's are pretty tired of having all the people complaining to them for something that is beyond anyone's control. If only one could predict from minute to minute what the weather was going to do. It seems that the crew got everyone on that ship back safely, including themselves, with no loss of life and stayed out of harm's way. Kudo's to them!!!All reports for over a week said it would be a bad storm. It appeared DCL gave people the choice of cancelling originally and many held out to see "what Disney was going to offer them for compensation".

 

[Mary Anne]

I just got off the 8/28 cruise. I have to say I thought this morning of us getting off was not working well and could just imagine how those trying to get on were going to be a problem. I saw those few people that were going to be doing the checking in. We were also told 5,000 people were going to be sailing As they combined both the Wonder and Magic sailings this week.

We were one of the first off only because we started moving towards where we thought we'd be let out. As of the time I left the Magic about 9 am, we did not hear one announcement that it was ok to leave the ship. We even had a bag lost in the shuffle. I'm hoping to get it back,

I think some of the crew has about had it and while it's wonderful to have gotten an extra day or two, by yesterday most everyone was ready to get off and get home anyway they can.

I truly hope those that did get onboard today do get a few days of a wonderful time.

 

[travellady]

I suspect there were fewer than 5000 people boarding - the info I saw for the Magic is max passenger capacity is 2400. Nevertheless, still a lot for 3 people to check in - if the cruise was at capacity.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Originally posted by travellady
I suspect there were fewer than 5000 people boarding - the info I saw for the Magic is max passenger capacity is 2400. Nevertheless, still a lot for 3 people to check in - if the cruise was at capacity.

I think she was combining both the Magic and the Wonder since she mentioned both in the post.

As far as DCL cast members, I work in the travel industry and have been dealing with this hurricane since late last week. It has been extremely stressful for everyone. People tend to take it out on us like we could control a hurricane. We didn't want the hurricane to disrupt your vacations anymore than you did so try to remember that when dealing with the cast members. Although I can understand your frustration, it isn't easy on them either.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Debbie H
It appeared DCL gave people the choice of cancelling originally and many held out to see "what Disney was going to offer them for compensation".

Contrary to your negative attitude towards us, I held out because I desparately wanted to make it on that cruise. When it seemed that a 5-night was going to turn into a 4-night, we asked for our money back.

You aren't being very nice.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Cinjewel
Obviously, you didn't have to go through a week of wondering if you were going or not. I spent ATLEAST 4-5hrs a day on the phone or the internet trying to get info out of Disney. (much of the time to no avail) It was extremely stressful. Then we realized that we had to cancel. I can only imagine still being able to go and putting up with those conditions.
You can't imagine having 6 flights cancelled, rude Disney reps, and then having Port changes....Then only 3 people to check all those people in. I'd be ticked too!
And, yes, before anyone says it, I'm very grateful that I don't live in Florida. I thank God that it wasn't my home destroyed and my life turned upside down.

Actually I was supposed to cruise. I had to cancel. I think the people that are still cruisng have a great deal since it was a natural disaster and they really didn't have to cruise at all.
I just spoke with a GF of mine that is on the ship right now. They are having a great time, even got an upgraded cabin on top of everything else. I would do anything to still be cruising right now. Especially after dealing with two storms.

 

[briternik]

Actually, my sister wanted to cancel and rebook. However, DCL was going to charge her $600 more to go next month. She had originally booked with the early booking rate. She couldn't afford that and didn't want to disappoint the kids by completely canceling.
Now, I'm reading that some people were allowed to switch without paying last-minute booking prices. Apparently, several passengers on the ship had also heard about this and are not happy about it.

 

[WILDCATMICKEY]

Debbie H. Didi not have to go through what all the 9/4 cruisers went through. I changed my flights 4 different times including buying other tickets to airports only to havbe all them cancelled. I realize DCL did not cause the hurricane, but they did create problems by not keeping their informed. If it was not for this board we would have not known of several changes. We did not hold out to see the compensation, we couldn't get any flights after they were all cancelled yesterday. Now, the cruise ends up being a 3 day cruise, because as of 8:00pm they still had not left port. So until Debbie H. goes through what we all went through, she needs to but out of our disappointment and feelings.

 

[Monstro]

Originally posted by CPM
I'm not sure why everyone is grumbling?? They all got a great deal inspite of everything, and are lucky enough to still cruise.

They also had the option to rebook or cancel with a full refund.

 

[eek40]

Originally posted by WILDCATMICKEY
Debbie H. Didi not have to go through what all the 9/4 cruisers went through. I changed my flights 4 different times including buying other tickets to airports only to havbe all them cancelled. I realize DCL did not cause the hurricane, but they did create problems by not keeping their informed. If it was not for this board we would have not known of several changes. We did not hold out to see the compensation, we couldn't get any flights after they were all cancelled yesterday. Now, the cruise ends up being a 3 day cruise, because as of 8:00pm they still had not left port. So until Debbie H. goes through what we all went through, she needs to but out of our disappointment and feelings.

Ok I am so going to try here to be understanding, as I do know first hand what it is like to lose your vacation plans last min. But the line that bothers me above is HOLD OUT TO SEE THE COMPENSATION.
DCL or any other airline or vacation or cruiseline is obligated to do ANYTHING when things happen due to acts of God. Nothing they owe us nothing when this happens. What DCL has offered is way above the call of duty. Sure I am sure they made some mistakes, I am sure things could have been handled better in some places. Thats the case for everyone in a disaster situation. Everyone feels for those that have lost time on their long awaited cruises, but I am sorry some people are just taking this to far. No names, this is a wide spread comment. Everyone needs to take a deep breathe and relax. Including me
Aimee