We didn't make it to Castaway Cay

[SaratogaShan]

We missed CC on our 12/17 cruise as well!

I was disappointed but we had a fun day at sea! We booked a Dream cruise with two stops at CC (I figure what are the chances that we would miss it twice?!?)

 

[MagicMe]

are they going to refund you some money or give you some sort of voucher to make up for it? I know its natures fault, but I would think they would do somethign to make up for it.

As noted, the contract specifically states that they can not guarantee a port. Although it's disappointing, they adapt and offer additional activities for all. Our first cruise it rained in Nassau (most of the day) and they just added activities and movies to keep everyone busy (since most if not all of the excursions had to be canceled). Disney is not responsible to compensate you for missing CC.

 

[pmama]

I too was on the 12/17 Wonder that also missed CC. HUGE bummer. But we too have booked the DREAM! We are booked for B2B 4/3 days. We're thinking the same thing. Surely we'll get there at least once, and probably twice.

 

[KSandbergFL]

are they going to refund you some money or give you some sort of voucher to make up for it? I know its natures fault, but I would think they would do somethign to make up for it.

Have you ever REALLY read the cruise contract that Disney requires you to sign before you get on board? They don't even guarantee that a qualified captain will be on board or that a crew will be present to serve you. The only thing Disney guarantees in the contract is that you will get the time you paid for, on the ship... technically, they don't even have to leave Port Canaveral.

Too bad about missing Castaway Cay... happened to us once, we got back home feeling like we didn't even cruise at all.

 

[MintJulep]

was on the 2/4 3 night and we were unable to dock at CC due to weather conditions. Got back into port to find out our flight home to Pittsburgh was cancelled- still stranded here in Orlando and hoping to get home tomorrow. Don't think I will be travelling in the Winter again in a big hurry.

I live south of Pittsburgh and it just started snowing again and they told us to brace for another winter storm.

Hope you guys can get out of there soon!

 

[NancyIL]

I'm sorry you missed Castaway Cay.

As far as getting "stranded" in Orlando - I keep hoping that will happen to me!

 

[catzle]

People need to understand that it is okay for some of us to be bummed if we do not make it to CC. It doesn't mean we hate Disney or are mad at Disney it just means we spent thousands of dollars to go on a cruise and if you can't dock at CC we are bummed and upset. Is it Disney's fault, no, they don't control the weather but it is also okay for people to be upset. It's okay for people to feel this way. I certainly would if it was me. I don't understand why we can't feel bad for those who didn't make it. I would never blame Disney in any way but I would be upset because you so look forward to going to CC.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Have you ever REALLY read the cruise contract that Disney requires you to sign before you get on board? They don't even guarantee that a qualified captain will be on board or that a crew will be present to serve you. The only thing Disney guarantees in the contract is that you will get the time you paid for, on the ship... technically, they don't even have to leave Port Canaveral.

Too bad about missing Castaway Cay... happened to us once, we got back home feeling like we didn't even cruise at all.

I think I need to read the cruise documents more closely from now one.

People need to understand that it is okay for some of us to be bummed if we do not make it to CC. It doesn't mean we hate Disney or are mad at Disney it just means we spent thousands of dollars to go on a cruise and if you can't dock at CC we are bummed and upset. Is it Disney's fault, no, they don't control the weather but it is also okay for people to be upset. It's okay for people to feel this way. I certainly would if it was me. I don't understand why we can't feel bad for those who didn't make it. I would never blame Disney in any way but I would be upset because you so look forward to going to CC.

I think everyone agrees that the OP is disappointed and I, for one, believe she has every right to be. I know I would be. In fact, the OP hasn't even come back on to comment on the thread. She is hopefully traveling home now.
I think some people feel Disney should refund money for not getting to CC. I agree with the disappointment but not with the refunding of money. I think that's the cause for the varied responses.

 

[jsmjovi]

People need to understand that it is okay for some of us to be bummed if we do not make it to CC. It doesn't mean we hate Disney or are mad at Disney it just means we spent thousands of dollars to go on a cruise and if you can't dock at CC we are bummed and upset. Is it Disney's fault, no, they don't control the weather but it is also okay for people to be upset. It's okay for people to feel this way. I certainly would if it was me. I don't understand why we can't feel bad for those who didn't make it. I would never blame Disney in any way but I would be upset because you so look forward to going to CC.

Very well stated. We were not able to make it in December and were totally bummed. When I always read that another ship hasn't been able to dock, I feel bad for those people as I know how I felt and how my daughter felt.

 

[HallsofVA]

On the money refund question, I think there have been cases when DCL has missed a scheduled port, and has refunded the port fees paid for that port (or the difference between the original fees and any fees charged by the port you stopped at instead). But I don't know if there are any port fees involved with Castaway Cay so I don't know that there is anything to refund, other than the canceled excursions which DCL refunds automatically when they are canceled.

 

[DVCMikey]

Have you ever REALLY read the cruise contract that Disney requires you to sign before you get on board? They don't even guarantee that a qualified captain will be on board or that a crew will be present to serve you. The only thing Disney guarantees in the contract is that you will get the time you paid for, on the ship... technically, they don't even have to leave Port Canaveral.

Too bad about missing Castaway Cay... happened to us once, we got back home feeling like we didn't even cruise at all.

I never really noticed that. that is nuts. hopefully a qualified captain will be on our ship.

 

[ranidayz]

This happened to us on the 3-1-2008 Eastern - and there was a near riot in the ships atrium. They ultimately gave every stateroom $100 OBC, which also caused issues because some staterooms had two people and some had five. The fact that this happens more than it should and is partly attibuted to the way CC's dock is constructed should indicate to them to reconstruct the dock so it's not so narrow a throughway to get into. That being said, I also think that they've got to have a better plan in place should the port of CC not be reached as that is one of the exlusive attractions of the Disney Cruise. They can all go to St. Thomas or St. Martin -- but no one else can get to CC. Hopefully we'll get to see it on our next cruise.

 

[NancyIL]

This happened to us on the 3-1-2008 Eastern - and there was a near riot in the ships atrium. They ultimately gave every stateroom $100 OBC, which also caused issues because some staterooms had two people and some had five. The fact that this happens more than it should and is partly attibuted to the way CC's dock is constructed should indicate to them to reconstruct the dock so it's not so narrow a throughway to get into. That being said, I also think that they've got to have a better plan in place should the port of CC not be reached as that is one of the exlusive attractions of the Disney Cruise. They can all go to St. Thomas or St. Martin -- but no one else can get to CC. Hopefully we'll get to see it on our next cruise.

Castaway Cay is the only cruise line private island that is accessed by docking rather than tendering. I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise in December 2008, and we were unable to tender in Coco Cay due to high winds.

 

[Figment_Fan]

I was on the 3-1 cruise with Ranidayz. I remember the near riot. It was very disappointing to miss CC. If I remember correctly the Captain tried 4 times to dock, no success. Every time he got close, the wind would knock us off. Close enough to get pictures, but not to disembark. Cruising is still an adventure vacation. You never know what will trully happen. Ports can change. Rain can keep you below decks.

We have gone on another cruise and did get to CC. It was worth the wait. Hope you get another chance Rani!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've made it to CC on all 3 DCL cruises we've been on, but we had a rainy, windy day there last May.

We've missed the RCL private island Coco cay, as well as Princess Cay on Western Caribbean cruises. It's a disappointment when that happens. That's one reason that I do book something in Nassau, usually snorkeling, because if I willingly didn't do some beach activity there and then missed CC, I would be mad at myself and disappointed to boot!

Bobbi

 

[ranidayz]

I was on the 3-1 cruise with Ranidayz. I remember the near riot. It was very disappointing to miss CC. If I remember correctly the Captain tried 4 times to dock, no success. Every time he got close, the wind would knock us off. Close enough to get pictures, but not to disembark. Cruising is still an adventure vacation. You never know what will trully happen. Ports can change. Rain can keep you below decks.

We have gone on another cruise and did get to CC. It was worth the wait. Hope you get another chance Rani!

Figment! Good to see you!

I think what added salt to the wound on our cruise was the people had been waiting since 8 am to disembark and it wasn't until about noon or so that they were told it was highly unlikely -- so they'd wasted a half day standing at the door.

Figment - how was your cruise meet on your other cruise?

 

[KSandbergFL]

I never really noticed that. that is nuts. hopefully a qualified captain will be on our ship.

I Googled and found an online copy of the contract here... don't know if this is the most-current version of the contract, but the clause I am referring to is #30. The "spirit" of the clause seems to be in the context of helping out another vessel in distress (perhaps the captain might have to board another ship to help).... but the "letter" of the clause is -- DCL does not guarantee that you will have a captain on board at all times

"The Vessel may sail without pilots, tow or be towed, and assist vessels in all situations and deviate for the purposes of saving life or property without any liability whatsoever to Guest."

Clause #29 is where it says that the ship could even "remain in port", there is no guarantee of any destinations.


http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruise-contract/

 

[Tarabra]

People need to understand that it is okay for some of us to be bummed if we do not make it to CC. It doesn't mean we hate Disney or are mad at Disney it just means we spent thousands of dollars to go on a cruise and if you can't dock at CC we are bummed and upset. Is it Disney's fault, no, they don't control the weather but it is also okay for people to be upset. It's okay for people to feel this way. I certainly would if it was me. I don't understand why we can't feel bad for those who didn't make it. I would never blame Disney in any way but I would be upset because you so look forward to going to CC.

That's how I took your post catzle. I was stunned at all the smarmy replies.

 

[tikibirds]

We're HOME!!!!

Was able to get in on a direct Southwest flight just in time for the next storm that is about to hit. VERY thankful to be here - as much as I love the Mouse - I wanted to get home to be near the rest of my family.

As for my OP - I'm not at all mad at Disney - totally understood why they could not get in after watching the second attempt - I was just looking SO forward to that Conch Cooler at Serenity Bay! That said, I did have one next to the adult pool and we made the most of our day at sea. DCL did a good job of lining activities and communicating them to everyone.

We ended up at Pop Century for two nights after the cancelled flight - DH has an AP so I purchased a one day base ticket and we went to the MK (my favorite!) yesterday. Got a great rate on the room, extended the rental and used counter service, so the overall cost was way less than it could have been. That said - note to self - PURCHASE TRIP INSURANCE NEXT TIME!!!

Thanks for the well wishes - glad to be home!

 

[dan and scott]

This happened to us on the 3-1-2008 Eastern - and there was a near riot in the ships atrium. They ultimately gave every stateroom $100 OBC, which also caused issues because some staterooms had two people and some had five. The fact that this happens more than it should and is partly attibuted to the way CC's dock is constructed should indicate to them to reconstruct the dock so it's not so narrow a throughway to get into. That being said, I also think that they've got to have a better plan in place should the port of CC not be reached as that is one of the exlusive attractions of the Disney Cruise. They can all go to St. Thomas or St. Martin -- but no one else can get to CC. Hopefully we'll get to see it on our next cruise.

We are Platinum members just finishing our 18th sailing of 2/4-of the 18 sailings we have missed CC 3 times- 16 of those sailings have occured during Hurricane season.--that in my book is a good record!!
We could immediatley waking up on 2/6 tell we would not be docking at CC. I think Cpt. Gus really gave it a good try to dock the Wonder--I certainley would be sitting on pins and needles that day trying to back a $375 million dollar ship loaded with passengers and crew into the channel.--Just ain't going to happen with 38mph gale winds and 8-13ft white capped waves.
The channel has been dredged and widened? before after hurricanes--if they were to widen the channel people would be complaining about not enough beach too play on.
DCL always has put more activities if we missed CC as they did on 6th if you sit and be bummed all day because you missed CC then that is your own fault!!

Scott