what does dcl do if you arrive at port and a hurricane is heading towards ur dest.

[jacksmom2009]

my husband just asked what does dcl do if there is a hurricane heading towards your destinations. when you are at port in florida. do they still go out but just reroute to different islands? we are going either eastern end of july 2012 or 1st august 2012

and if it is going to hit port canaveral do they refund you for cruise or maybe put u up in disney hotel with passes for disney world?

 

[kcashner]

The captain will take you somewhere that isn't experiencing the storm. The big problem occurs when a hurricane closes Port Canaveral.

We've had at least 3 cruises with "alternate ports" because we like to cruise in September and October. As long as you won't go crazy with the alternate ports, you'll be fine. Some people need to have everything planned and plotted before their cruise and a change of plans bothers them.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Also, if cruising in hurricane season, buy insurance that covers weather related issues such as missing the boat altogether & not sailing!

We've sailed several times in late August through late September and have not had any issues with missing a port due to a hurricane, but the cruise before or after ours was diverted a couple of times due to a hurricane. We always know that we might miss one or all of our ports. As long as you're okay with that, the fares are a lot less expensive in September!

 

[sullins5]

The captain will take you somewhere that isn't experiencing the storm. The big problem occurs when a hurricane closes Port Canaveral.

We've had at least 3 cruises with "alternate ports" because we like to cruise in September and October. As long as you won't go crazy with the alternate ports, you'll be fine. Some people need to have everything planned and plotted before their cruise and a change of plans bothers them.

So, how soon do you find this out? We wouldn't go crazy, but say we're flying down the day before (you know we are ), how would we find this out, when we get to PC? Did you find out when you got there on the day of departure?

Thanks again Kathryn!

 

[MouseLovinMom]

We had this happen in 2005 (Wilma, I think). We live in a coastal area so we were aware of the storm situation and had a pretty good idea that our western itinerary was out the window. We called DCL the day before we were to fly down (Thursday, I think) and they had just made the decision to change it to an eastern cruise. When we checked in, they gave us new shore excursion choices and we signed up for them once on board. Overall, a bit hectic, but not a bad experience. Had spectacular weather despite the hurricane.

 

[DVC96]

We were to sail on the Magic's Eastern Caribbean in August of 2009. We were diverted due to a possible hurricane forming in the Atlantic and heading that way. We actually didn't find out until we were checking in at the terminal. They ended up sending us on a western route with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and a double dip to Castaway Cay. We had already done a "special" western in 2006 with stops at Cozumel (which was just recovering from a hurricane in 2005), Costa Maya and a double dip to CC. So even though we had done it before, the second time at least had one different stop and it was fun to see how Cozumel had bounced back from the previous trip. Besides, who can argue with two stops at CC! (We ended up having gorgeous weather, too.)

 

[hollybud68]

We were booked on an Eastern cruise in November of 08 and a hurricane was heading right in that direction. We found out when we got to the port that we were changing to a Western itinerary with a bonus of two stops at Castaway Cay. I was thrilled with that! The weather was beautiful all week.

 

[sullins5]

Since we love adventure (and hate to tell people, but something always happens when we're on vacation) , I don't think I'd mind it if we were diverted. But what if you've already booked an excursion? Do you get your monies back? And is it solely our responsibility to call DCL the day before to get the info? Or do they notify everyone when they make the change? Just curious!

 

[lbgraves]

You need to give DCL your cell phone numbers. They contacted people when decisions were made to delay a cruise one year due to a hurricane. They will give you your options if that happens with cancelling without penalty or going on the cruise when it can head out and usually a good OBC and discount for the shortened cruise days.

ETA: If you booked an excursion through DCL you aren't charged for that until the day of the excursion so there is no refund to give. If it is with an outside company make sure it is their policy that if the ship doesn't make it to port you won't be charged or will be refunded if you already paid a deposit. If the ports are changed then everyone starts from scratch. DCL will have excursions available at boarding for the new ports. You just have to be patient because everyone else will be starting over too.

 

[CandyMandy]

The good news others have pointed out is true - DCL will give as much advance notice as possible of itinerary changes and is very accomodating in terms of other elements they manage such as their excursions.

However, what others have not mentioned is the havoc that erupts if the itinerary changes right before a sailing where you have booked private excursions (especially major ones). That can cost you depending on cancellation fees.

 

[DVC96]

In our case, the decision to divert was apparently made on very short notice. We only had booked one excursion (outside of CC) and our money was refunded to our account. The real fun came when trying to book new ones - the lines were tremendous! You need to consider that they need to contact each port and excursion provider ahead of time to find out what they still have available a few days out. We did get shut out of an excursion we wanted on Grand Cayman, but found something else to do instead. I think Disney handled the whole thing tremendously well.