Wonder anchored off coast Glveston TX

[MichelleCanada]

We were delayed by fog in Galveston in January 2017. We had a flight at 5 p.m. that we missed. The port was closed to all ships when we arrived at 6 a.m. and we sat 30 minutes out until we started to move at 1 p.m. We didn't clear customs at the port until 3:30 p.m. They provided lunch at Cabanas though! They did turn off the wifi in the morning and there was much confusion - families had been using the ship wifi to communicate through the DCL app and now could not find each other. You were not allowed into your room (makes sense they were trying to clear for next guests). There were people in all of the hallways trying to keep their families and luggage together while trying to phone and get their flights changed. There was nothing to do - so I don't know why anyone would stay! We left and went to the Starbucks close to the port to make our hotel and flight arrangements.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

Well, the issue is, this isn't a situation that DCL has often had to deal with. It's basically a "Galveston problem". And DCL hasn't cruised out of Galveston for that long.

And, remember, it's not "Disney" to obviously push people. Usually people will just leave when there's nothing to do, but I have to wonder if those lingering were trying to rebook flights they had missed/were going to miss and just felt like staying put until everything was set up.

Interesting, because I have never once not felt pushed off that ship. I know its time to leave. Also, what do you mean by a Galveston problem? The fog or does the lingering occur more often in Galveston? People miss flights in Port Canaveral. The best way to get a new flight is to be at the airport and Houston is about as far as MCO. Better to head to the airport and see what you can do. Lodging is better in Houston as well. That just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Disney prefered the optics of a few inconvenienced onboard to a few thousand in line at the port? Makes zero sense.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Interesting, because I have never once not felt pushed off that ship. I know its time to leave. Also, what do you mean by a Galveston problem? The fog or does the lingering occur more often in Galveston? People miss flights in Port Canaveral. The best way to get a new flight is to be at the airport and Houston is about as far as MCO. Better to head to the airport and see what you can do. Lodging is better in Houston as well. That just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Disney prefered the optics of a few inconvenienced onboard to a few thousand in line at the port? Makes zero sense.

The fog is the issue at Galveston. Not a rare occurrence.

I have never once not felt pushed off that ship.

Does that mean you DID feel pushed off the ship?

 

[Adventurelawyer]

The fog is the issue at Galveston. Not a rare occurrence.



Does that mean you DID feel pushed off the ship?

I’ve always felt like it was time to go and the CMs were like “bye!” Always. Never have I felt like I was not being rushed off ship or that I could casually linger in any space on ship. Ever.

 

[lilmc]

I don’t understand how this would be different than the parks, Target, the grocery store, or anywhere saying, “I’m sorry, the park/store/ship is now closed, I’m going to have to ask you to leave”, but since it is Disney add, “Hope to see ya real soon!”

 

[Narnia_girl]

Yikes, now I'm re-thinking our noon flight out of Houston in January.

 

[mocodis]

Yikes, now I'm re-thinking our noon flight out of Houston in January.

Yikes, now I'm re-thinking our noon flight out of Houston in January.

we were on the panama canal cruise ending in Galveston right before this cruise, no fog. Got off the Wonder at 9am and easily made our 1pm flight out of Hobby.

 

[lanejudy]

Yikes, now I'm re-thinking our noon flight out of Houston in January.

Personally, I would look into pushing that flight later. From what I've read, December and January have a particular problem with fog in Galveston - delayed return is very likely. You may get lucky, but I'd rather have a later flight with no worries than stress if a delay occurs.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Yikes, now I'm re-thinking our noon flight out of Houston in January.

We have sailed twice out of Galveston. First one was January 2017 cruise. I think we were getting on the day @MichelleCanada was getting off. It was significantly delayed. On our return, we were again delayed by fog and I think it was close to noon by the time they started letting people off the ship.

Second time was January 2109 and no fog delays at all.

I live in Houston, but for our family that flies in, we book the outbound flight around 4:00 just in case.

 

[Lisa Skier]

We got off as soon as our luggage tag number was called but it was closer to 2, as I recall, maybe later because we didn't get home (Ft Worth) until 7 ish. I knew when I looked out the morning of debarkation, that we would be late. As soon as our luggage tag was called we got in line but it still took about 20 minutes from the atrium. The one thing that actually made it quicker, once we got off, was that we had gone through customs in Key West. We had the 24 hour drink station, a million chocolate chip cookies, and cove cafe for food I have been out of Galveston a number of times and more times then not there was no fog. I have also been delayed a full day before. It was my 2nd Merry Time cruise out of Galveston and I have signed up for next year! A good time was had by all.

 

[jlynch924]

We were on the January 2017 cruise when we weren't able to get off the ship until afternoon. There was no choice in lingering, as we could not get off the ship until then. The cast did a great job of trying to keep passengers entertained as best they could - up until a point when they had to begin closing various parts to get ready for the next cruise. Basically, all the passengers were in the lounges and main common areas... we weren't allowed back in our rooms. I felt bad for the people waiting to get on the ship... I think they didn't end up leaving until the next morning.
That said we've cruised out of Galveston several times and that was the only time we had a problem with fog. We're headed out again in a few weeks...