Weather can affect Disney Dream Castaway

[SonicGuy]

Nothing of any real consequence to add but this - we missed our CC day this past December. First time missing for us after 8 cruises. We were all disappointed of course, but I was IMPRESSED how quickly they re-issued the Navigator for the day with added on board activities. A disappointing day quickly turned into a fun day that all the kids (of all ages) loved!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

It almost sounds like they were calling the parks (where you are not allowed to bring in outside food) and not the cruise line. Just a thought? And depending on how it was phrased, you are supposed to bring homemade items on board. That is not Disney, that is a customs rule. Maybe, just maybe she did not ask her questions well or only heard what she wanted.

Except that the parks allow outside food to be brought in as well, just no glass containers or alcohol. She says she was specifically asking about the Pediasure, which is obviously a pre-packaged, commercially produced product so the homemade food rule would not apply. I think that either she didn't ask the question well, misunderstood the answer, or the CM on the line gave her the wrong answer. Unfortunately, the last option is known to happen.

I couldn't even read her entire complaint. It was giving me a headache. But from what I did read, she was completely unprepared and uninformed.

 

[Julylady]

I just read her "review." It's hard to imagine how her mind works. She is like Teflon in that all the blames just slides right off from her. the ONLY thing Disney was at fault for was possibly giving her bad information over the food. Why couldn't she just go to Cabanas and pick up food for her kid to eat in the stateroom? She has it set in her mind how things should be, and when reality differs from her imagined scenario, she casts blame.

 

[Baileykiko]

I am not going to repeat what others have already stated, as I agree with them 100%. I am going on my first DCL cruise in one week and I am already preparing that there is a chance we may not dock at CC, due to weather conditions that are posted (as Im sure it will change by them). It seems to me that the captain does everything he/she can to do to dock the ship safely. Disney doesn't have the ability to control the weather. Yes, we pay a lot of money for our vacation, but I think some of us have high expectations for our vacations and then become angry, disappointment if it doesn't live up to that expectation. I understand that going on this cruise that there is a chance I may make all, some or none of my ports. The cruise line does not "owe me" anything because of weather situation that happens. Yes, I will be disappointed, but life goes on! As DH says "a rainy, windy day on the ship is a hell of a lot better than being at home/work where is it snowing and cold!"

Hope you can look back on your cruise/vacation and see some positives you had with your family and not let this ruin it for you...It's not worth it!

 

[MunFam]

Except that the parks allow outside food to be brought in as well, just no glass containers or alcohol. She says she was specifically asking about the Pediasure, which is obviously a pre-packaged, commercially produced product so the homemade food rule would not apply. I think that either she didn't ask the question well, misunderstood the answer, or the CM on the line gave her the wrong answer. Unfortunately, the last option is known to happen.

Luckily, the smart ones (like me! har, har) find the DIS and read and read and read some more before our trip so I knew what questions to ask, who to ask and what kind of answer I should expect to get back. Example, my DD has food allergies. the DIS schooled me 100% on the matter and DCL backed up what DIS already told me. Had that poster been on DIS, they would have known that pediasure would have been okay on the ship.

 

[piglet33]

One of our cruises had CC cancelled, because we couldn't dock, and we went to Freeport instead. I would have rather had a sea day. It happens. Another time on a four day cruise, the Captain decided to give us another day at CC instead of a day at sea. That was great. We even got to keep our Palo Brunch since it was supposed to be a day at sea.

 

[lbgraves]

(OP has already come back and thanked people for insights, no need to keep kicking him. It pays to read the whole thread before responding.)

Unfortunately, most don't do that but only respond to the initial thread, even after the initial issue has been resolved and the conversation has moved on.

that's entirely too much complaining for me to read. geez.

OMG! I was cracking up reading that. What a nut case! Reading about how the child wasn't allowed to take a bucket of shells from CC and the heartless DCL security guard poured them into a "bowel" was too much. I thought that blogger who reviewed his cruise a few years ago was the craziest review I would ever read. This one takes the cake for sure!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

One of our cruises had CC cancelled, because we couldn't dock, and we went to Freeport instead. I would have rather had a sea day. It happens. Another time on a four day cruise, the Captain decided to give us another day at CC instead of a day at sea. That was great. We even got to keep our Palo Brunch since it was supposed to be a day at sea.

That's better than a sea day because less people on the ship and you just stay on! Less crowds by the pools!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I get the sense they may have both been on the same disgruntled cruise, but maybe I am wrong.

If you want to see something that will REALLY confuse you as to whether it could possibly be real/troll, check out this review I found last night:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=219449

Omg I couldn't keep reading after about 1/4 of the post! Was this girl for real? Your mom charged up $1500 on her card and blamed DCL for not disabling it? Her mom is an idiot who charged up $1500 and not realize it. If I had to guess I bet they assumed after the $300 they wouldn't get charged anymore and thought they were getting away with something. And really the whole seatbelt thing? She's never been on the Disney World buses apparently. Idiot…

 

[MUN]

I understand that Disney can't control the weather,...

Yet!

 

[dawne98]

I am sorry to hear you didn't get to get to castaway cay..... we just off the ship Sunday the 15 and we had been told two ship's early in the week where not able to stop at castaway cay due to the weather.... so when we got up on Thursday and show we had made it yes we where really happy but the water was cold!

 

[rhinodadz]

Unfortunately stuff happens which is out of our control. What we can control is how we react when those things happen. When travelling I tend to hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and recognize that a bad day on vacation usually beats a good day at the office!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

that's entirely too much complaining for me to read. geez.

OMG. I couldn't even get past the cash on the KTTW card. Really! It's amazing what a little pre-planning and research can do to make your vacation pleasant. Obviously she didn't have a clue before booking this cruise.

 

[lbgraves]

LOL! That KTTW card thing made me think of one of my roommates in college. Parent weekend her dad was livid because she was bouncing checks all over town. She said ... well, the bank said the first checks they gave me were free. She actually thought they would cover whatever she wrote the starter checks for. It takes all kinds!

 

[cgattis]

From the DCL Terms & Conditions contract (that all cruisers agree to when making a reservation):

RIGHT TO CHANGE ITINERARY/DETENTION
Disney Cruise Line may in its sole discretion and without prior notice change, substitute, postpone, cancel or deviate from any scheduled sailing, itinerary or call at any port, and may substitute another vessel for the ship, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by a Guest as a result of any such change, substitution, postponement, cancellation or deviation. The Guest shall pay any and all expenses incurred if a Guest is detained on board ship or elsewhere at any stage of a voyage because of quarantine, port regulations, prevailing applicable law, illness or other cause.
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/terms-and-conditions/?country=us

Ugh, it really DOES say that--they can cancel and by agreeing to sail (have to sign to sail), you agree that they owe you nothing if they cancel altogether. I've certainly never heard of Disney doing that--when they've canceled, they've always refunded the cost (as far as I know, anyway). So I guess that makes it that much more important to have trip insurance, in case they ever decide to actually implement that right! Ugh again. Hard to believe they even put that part in there.

 

[Love2Cruz]

ANY day on ANY cruise beats ANY day in the office.


Ahhhhh, first world problems. Honestly, I can see disappointment, but to have that ruin a vacation is a stretch. Go with the flowwwwwww....it's an easier way to live and no migraines or ulcers.

 

[Tiffylv]

.

 

[lanejudy]

I lost it when she had to change her sons "dippers" too much because of all the apple juice and fruit loops. Also is it really true they only have one size

Supply onboard is rather limited, so I wouldn't be surprised that by the last day of the cruise there might well have only been one size left in stock. But she also should have been able to find some at the airport, rather than buying 3 new pairs of pants. Some people create their own problems, it's a shame. Should have been a fun vacation for the family...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ugh, it really DOES say that--they can cancel and by agreeing to sail (have to sign to sail), you agree that they owe you nothing if they cancel altogether. I've certainly never heard of Disney doing that--when they've canceled, they've always refunded the cost (as far as I know, anyway). So I guess that makes it that much more important to have trip insurance, in case they ever decide to actually implement that right! Ugh again. Hard to believe they even put that part in there.

To be fair, this is pretty standard across all cruise lines. It's not unique to DCL. They have lots of experience with bad weather/port changes that it's in their interest to have such language in their cruise contracts.

 

[jtba]

i would've approached other families with similar-aged kids and see if i could buy some off them. i mean, if someone approached me with a sob story like that i would've gladly given some "dippers" to them, and for free!

Supply onboard is rather limited, so I wouldn't be surprised that by the last day of the cruise there might well have only been one size left in stock. But she also should have been able to find some at the airport, rather than buying 3 new pairs of pants. Some people create their own problems, it's a shame. Should have been a fun vacation for the family...