What will happen to 2022 cruises scheduled to dock in Key West?

[mrsgthatsme]

Trying to decide if we should reschedule to another itinerary... the main reason we chose the itinerary we did was because my dad has always wanted to visit Key West. Do you think there is any chance of things changing before then, or would you make the change now? Do you expect they will substitute another port for Key West, or will they just have 2 ports (Nassau, CC) on a 5 Day?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

There's no way to tell at this point. The rules have been voted in and there is apparently a legal challenge. Who knows how long that will take.

DCL may substitute a port or just add a sea day. They are probably playing it by ear given they can't even sail at all right now and can't be sure what the Key West situation will be come 2022.

 

[mrsgthatsme]

If we wait it out and then they don't add an alternative port and we want to move our booking to another itinerary, will we still get opening day pricing, or will we have to pay whatever the price is for the new itinerary when we book?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

You will pay the prevailing rate at the time you book the new cruise.

 

[mrsgthatsme]

You will pay the prevailing rate at the time you book the new cruise.

That's what I was afraid of. So hard to know if we should wait it out or make the move now. How long do you think Disney will wait to officially remove Key West from their itineraries and potentially post the replacement ports?

 

[Karin1984]

A change of itinerary can always happen, even after the cruise has started. If you are set on visiting Key West, best to plan a land trip.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't think they'll adjust 2022 itineraries until they are well settled with plans for 2021... I just don't see that being a priority for them at this point in time. A lot can happen between now and then, including whether or not there are still any restrictions or limitations on cruising in general or specific ports.

 

[jtntx34]

I have basically this same issue with a Dec 2021 cruise. The stop at Key West plus Castaway Cay from Galveston appealed to me. Now I’m looking at alternate itineraries too and wondering if I will just have to bite the bullet and lose my non-refundable deposit. I am irritated at myself for ever booking concierge right now.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The legal challenge looks pretty weak, FWIW.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

As someone who plans their cruises based on ports more than almost anything else, I know it can be really frustrating with the Key West situation right now.
I was on a WBTA with 4 port stops. 2 of them ended up being canceled mid-sailing due to a hurricane. I stood on the ship and watched a lot of cruise guests berate the crew over and over about how their entire trip was ruined because we had to miss these ports. I chose to look at it a different way. There was nothing I could do to change the hurricane and suddenly go to the ports I had planned on. What I could do was sit back, relax, enjoy an extra sea day and all the super creative and last minute entertainment the crew thought up.
One of the best shows I've ever seen onboard was created within 4 hours and presented solely because there was a hurricane that added a sea day.
Sure it was sad to miss 2 ports, but I was on a Disney Ship, on vacation, and really what better place to be?
I say all that because I think if going to Key West is the only reason you are taking this cruise, you may want to change to a land vacation or add on a land trip pre/post cruise. Ports are never guaranteed. With the changes in the laws, even less so. If you think you can still have a good time, roll with the changes. Maybe DCL will add a second day at Castaway. Who knows. What I think is a safe bet, is that if you go in relaxed and knowing Disney will provide a good time regardless, then you may be surprised with something you didn't expect.
Our rerouted WBTA missed 2 ports, but we overnighted in NYC. Never in a 100 years would I have thought I would get to stand on the ship and look out a million dollar view of manhattan at night. If I had to pick in hindsight, I'd probably pick the extra day/night in NYC than the original ports we had anyway.

 

[mrsgthatsme]

As someone who plans their cruises based on ports more than almost anything else, I know it can be really frustrating with the Key West situation right now.
I was on a WBTA with 4 port stops. 2 of them ended up being canceled mid-sailing due to a hurricane. I stood on the ship and watched a lot of cruise guests berate the crew over and over about how their entire trip was ruined because we had to miss these ports. I chose to look at it a different way. There was nothing I could do to change the hurricane and suddenly go to the ports I had planned on. What I could do was sit back, relax, enjoy an extra sea day and all the super creative and last minute entertainment the crew thought up.
One of the best shows I've ever seen onboard was created within 4 hours and presented solely because there was a hurricane that added a sea day.
Sure it was sad to miss 2 ports, but I was on a Disney Ship, on vacation, and really what better place to be?
I say all that because I think if going to Key West is the only reason you are taking this cruise, you may want to change to a land vacation or add on a land trip pre/post cruise. Ports are never guaranteed. With the changes in the laws, even less so. If you think you can still have a good time, roll with the changes. Maybe DCL will add a second day at Castaway. Who knows. What I think is a safe bet, is that if you go in relaxed and knowing Disney will provide a good time regardless, then you may be surprised with something you didn't expect.
Our rerouted WBTA missed 2 ports, but we overnighted in NYC. Never in a 100 years would I have thought I would get to stand on the ship and look out a million dollar view of manhattan at night. If I had to pick in hindsight, I'd probably pick the extra day/night in NYC than the original ports we had anyway.

That’s great perspective, thanks for sharing!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We were booked for the January 15, 2021 cruise out of Galveston. This potential change of Key West is a no-go for us. Just moved everything to our May Eastern Caribbean cruise and up-graded to concierge.

 

[AquaDame]

I have basically this same issue with a Dec 2021 cruise. The stop at Key West plus Castaway Cay from Galveston appealed to me. Now I’m looking at alternate itineraries too and wondering if I will just have to bite the bullet and lose my non-refundable deposit. I am irritated at myself for ever booking concierge right now.

You can move your deposit - I wouldn't cancel it outright unless you KNOW there is a 0% chance you will sail again with DCL.

 

[mevelandry]

So... When is it starting? I have a cruise with a stop to Key West in April.

 

[ngl]

So... When is it starting? I have a cruise with a stop to Key West in April.

The referendum is binding but no start date was noted. The talk is that it will be in effect when cruising resumes in 2021. One of the reasons for the ban on larger ships is to transform Key West into a small-ship cruise destination that mostly caters to upscale vessels.

A change of itinerary can always happen, even after the cruise has started. If you are set on visiting Key West, best to plan a land trip.

SO true. We have been on many a cruise where we did not make it to our intended port due to weather issues. While we haven't had it happen to us, you can read the boards for all the cruises that could not even get out on Castaway Cay due to weather.

 

[bobbiwoz]

As someone who plans their cruises based on ports more than almost anything else, I know it can be really frustrating with the Key West situation right now.
I was on a WBTA with 4 port stops. 2 of them ended up being canceled mid-sailing due to a hurricane. I stood on the ship and watched a lot of cruise guests berate the crew over and over about how their entire trip was ruined because we had to miss these ports. I chose to look at it a different way. There was nothing I could do to change the hurricane and suddenly go to the ports I had planned on. What I could do was sit back, relax, enjoy an extra sea day and all the super creative and last minute entertainment the crew thought up.
One of the best shows I've ever seen onboard was created within 4 hours and presented solely because there was a hurricane that added a sea day.
Sure it was sad to miss 2 ports, but I was on a Disney Ship, on vacation, and really what better place to be?
I say all that because I think if going to Key West is the only reason you are taking this cruise, you may want to change to a land vacation or add on a land trip pre/post cruise. Ports are never guaranteed. With the changes in the laws, even less so. If you think you can still have a good time, roll with the changes. Maybe DCL will add a second day at Castaway. Who knows. What I think is a safe bet, is that if you go in relaxed and knowing Disney will provide a good time regardless, then you may be surprised with something you didn't expect.
Our rerouted WBTA missed 2 ports, but we overnighted in NYC. Never in a 100 years would I have thought I would get to stand on the ship and look out a million dollar view of manhattan at night. If I had to pick in hindsight, I'd probably pick the extra day/night in NYC than the original ports we had anyway.

We were on that cruise, and that NYC night was such a bonus!

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

As someone who plans their cruises based on ports more than almost anything else, I know it can be really frustrating with the Key West situation right now.
I was on a WBTA with 4 port stops. 2 of them ended up being canceled mid-sailing due to a hurricane. I stood on the ship and watched a lot of cruise guests berate the crew over and over about how their entire trip was ruined because we had to miss these ports. I chose to look at it a different way. There was nothing I could do to change the hurricane and suddenly go to the ports I had planned on. What I could do was sit back, relax, enjoy an extra sea day and all the super creative and last minute entertainment the crew thought up.
One of the best shows I've ever seen onboard was created within 4 hours and presented solely because there was a hurricane that added a sea day.
Sure it was sad to miss 2 ports, but I was on a Disney Ship, on vacation, and really what better place to be?
I say all that because I think if going to Key West is the only reason you are taking this cruise, you may want to change to a land vacation or add on a land trip pre/post cruise. Ports are never guaranteed. With the changes in the laws, even less so. If you think you can still have a good time, roll with the changes. Maybe DCL will add a second day at Castaway. Who knows. What I think is a safe bet, is that if you go in relaxed and knowing Disney will provide a good time regardless, then you may be surprised with something you didn't expect.
Our rerouted WBTA missed 2 ports, but we overnighted in NYC. Never in a 100 years would I have thought I would get to stand on the ship and look out a million dollar view of manhattan at night. If I had to pick in hindsight, I'd probably pick the extra day/night in NYC than the original ports we had anyway.

I always love to hear when people take a different route when frustrated. We were on the Fantasy the week before Easter last year and couldn't dock at Castaway. They opened up Enchanted Garden for lunch and while down there, we could hear guests on the floor above just yelling and screaming at guest services. It was so embarrassing to hear. We just enjoyed the extra day. Sure Castaway is amazing, but at the end of the day, we had an amazing time on the ship and the Crew could not have been lovelier that day.

 

[sethschroeder]

Personally prefer another sea day. Could easily visit Key West on a WDW or some other trip to Florida.

On a trip that was supposed to stop there. Happy if the port is dropped and the only port on 6 nights is CC.

 

[jtntx34]

Personally prefer another sea day. Could easily visit Key West on a WDW or some other trip to Florida.

On a trip that was supposed to stop there. Happy if the port is dropped and the only port on 6 nights is CC.

I love just being on the ship. My issue is this trip I will be taking my mom who believes just being on the ship is not a real vacation. She prefers to see interesting things she can’t see at home, and she feels like most of what you do during a sea day she can do for free at home.

Key West seemed like a good stop for her. And going out of Galveston eliminated airfare for us, but it looks like we will be changing...or at least moving the deposit. No point in taking my mom on a trip she won’t enjoy. It may be her last trip since she 77 now, and traveling is getting harder for her. I’d like it to be a good one that she enjoys.

I wonder how many times I could move the deposit.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I love just being on the ship. My issue is this trip I will be taking my mom who believes just being on the ship is not a real vacation. She prefers to see interesting things she can’t see at home, and she feels like most of what you do during a sea day she can do for free at home.

Key West seemed like a good stop for her. And going out of Galveston eliminated airfare for us, but it looks like we will be changing...or at least moving the deposit. No point in taking my mom on a trip she won’t enjoy. It may be her last trip since she 77 now, and traveling is getting harder for her. I’d like it to be a good one that she enjoys.

I wonder how many times I could move the deposit.

As of now, as many times as you want.