Western cruisers that have cruised after the hurricanes....

[karebear1]

My DH, BIL and DS and I are going to do the 7 day Western in January. I was talking to my DS and she wants to know how the islands look after the hurricane? I think they're thinking about canceling if they are not "presentable". they're worried that the trees are knocked down etc. Can you please tell me what you have observed in the stops for the western after the hurricanes? DO you have any pics you can post? thanks!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

The last Western cruise -- the 9/27 Magic -- cruised right after Jeanne, and we only stopped at Cozumel and Costa Maya, which were unaffected by hurricanes. I don't think you'll get many responses until after the next Magic sails out on 10/9.

The current Eastern (the 10/2) may have some perspective about Castaway Cay. As far as I know, no one has been to Grand Cayman on a cruise ship since Ivan.

Marcy

 

[mmouse37]

Correct....we only had those two stops and they looked beautiful!!! Grand Cayman will not be open for tourists until mid-November (as reported by the Captain last week onboard) and they are hopeful for a CC visit this week if possible.

MJ

 

[karebear1]

So Cozumel and Key West were not hit? They are so afraid we're going to go to islands that were hit and don't loko beautiful anymore.

 

[kcashner]

Cozumel and Key West are ok. 90% of the homes on Grand Cayman were destroyed, as were most of the tourist venues. They are currently planning to be functional again sometime in November. Castaway was also hit again, no word on when it will be up and functional, but usually it doesn't take long.

You'll have a great cruise no matter where you go. Trust me, if the 9/25 (which sailed on 9/28) could be a good trip, any cruise will. We had a horrible time on land before departure, but once on the ship, it was Magical!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

No flames, but why is see all worried about some knocked down trees after all these poor people just went through. If she doesnt want any knocked down trees then she better not to here to Mississippi, or Florida or Alabama and many caribbean islands. Sorry but If i am coming off strong or somthing but the islands were just hit by a hurricane and could use the tourist giving them money to help rebuild. I just think knocked down trees would be the last of my worries.
MAtt

 

[ThreeSmiths]

We were on the 9/11 Magic and did stop at Castaway Cay. We were the first to visit after Frances. When we were there about 90% of the plant life was brown due to the salt water spray. However you could see the new growth starting to bud. We didn't see any downed trees, as a matter of fact we found some great chairs under a palm tree. The island is still beautiful, however, and Cookies Barbeque, the shops and the rest of the structures were all in great condition. I cannot report on Grand Cayman, Cozumel or Key West because Ivan kept us away. We went to Nassau and Puerto Rico instead. Nassau had been hit by Frances as well, and looked beautiful, although some of the plant life was browned out as well.

I'd say go and have a great time! These destinations thrive on tourism, so clean up and repair are a major priority for them! I would think that by January you might not be able to even tell that there were storms there.

 

[karebear1]

Thanks Threesmiths, kcashner, mmouse37 and Marcyinflorida. I appreciate your responses.

Those poor people on Grand Cayman! I had no idea the damage there was so severe! I doubt that GC will be one of our stops- even in January! Does anyone know where the alternate island stop is for Grand Cayman? Puerto Rico must have been fabulous!

Do palm tree leaves grow really fast? I was surprised when you said you could see buds already!

 

[goin'cruisin']

Not that it will affect you in January, but I did want to say for those going sooner that Costa Maya was hit by Ivan and the sea was not too pleasant by the shore. Ivan ripped up the sea grass pretty badly and when you walked in the water along the shore it was "mushy" and smelled. If you went a little further out it was fine.

We went on the Jungle Beach Break and they had about 90% damage due to Ivan. They repaired things quickly and the only remaining evidence was the sea grass and murky water. The people that worked there were trying hard to clean that up too but it just takes time for the tide to wash it ashore.

It was beautiful even despite the sea grass.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

I hope you I didnt make you mad about my post karebear. I see you ignored it Lots of people seem to be ignoring me lately.
Matt

 

[karebear1]

Not mad. Just didn't know what to say to you. My DS certainly has a right to protect her vacation plans and hard earned money. If she will be unhappy with the way the surroundings look- then she should postpone or cancel. That doesn't mean she's not being compassionate for those that have lost homes etc. (our mom lives in Penesecola, Fl.) due to the hurricanes. All it means is she wants to visually enjoy her vacation.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Yea I am with you. Sorry I have been a little on edge lately with school and all aftermath of ivan. Can you belive we are finally haveing FEMA send clean up crews to our house today to pick up debris. They are behind i guess since all the hurricanes happened at once. Hope you guys can still cruise.
Matt

 

[karebear1]

Oh- I'll still cruise..... just don't know about DS. BTW- I just found out from my TA that DCL is planning on going to Grand Cayman in January. It's amazing to me that they could clean up taht island so quickly!

Good luck with your clean up.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Originally posted by karebear1

Do palm tree leaves grow really fast? I was surprised when you said you could see buds already!

Karebear1, it was actually the viney groundcover (that seems to be just about everywhere that you look) that was all brown, but budding new growth. The palm trees had some brown fronds, but looked as if they'd weathered the storm pretty well.

Stacy

 

[karebear1]

Thank you for that clarification! I really appreciate that!!

 

[karebear1]

bumpity bump for anyone recently back from a Western Cruise!