Would I be crazy to book a September Cruise?

[jenas dream]

Does anyone think I would be crazy to book a September 8th cruise? The reason I ask is it is in the middle of hurricane season. Also for anyone that has been in September, how was the weather and the seas......get sea sick easy.

Thanks

 

[rotary2808]

For starters Sept. is a wonderful time to cruise weather wise. It is still warm, but not too warm. With hurricanes, it is all a matter of whether or not you can handle it. We were with Disney last year, when Hurricane Jeanne struck. The seas were a little rough, but that was only when we were near the storm toward the end of the week. We missed Castaway Cay due to the hurricane, but we still had an awesome time and are going back this year at the same time on the 9/17 cruise. And you never know just because it is hurricane season, there might not be any hurricane. I'd go for it and have fun and don't worry.

 

[pearlieq]

I don't know if I would call it crazy, but you'll need to go in with your eyes wide open. There's a good chance you'll miss your ports--if you're OK with that, then September is a great time to book a cruise--it's so inexpensive. But if you have your heart set on visiting the stated ports, you may want to choose another season.

We were on the Magic between all of the hurricanes this past September--the seas weren't too bad most nights--there was one rough night, but nothing a little Bonine couldn't cover.

 

[ericamanda01]

We were very lucky to be on one of the few cruises last Sept that wasn't affected by the hurricanes. I was curious about hurricane season so I looked on the National Hurricane Center website and the season for FL is May 15 thru Nov. 30th. So all summer there is a big chance of hurricanes. We decided that the lack of crowds at the park made taking our Sept trip (WDW & DCL) made it well worth it. I do have a bit of an equal liberium problem, but I was able to handle the seas fine. We love the cruises but they aren't in our budget too often so Sept prices make it possible.

 

[musicgirl]

Just be prepared. You know there could be a hurricane so anything goes. Excursions cancelled, crummy weather, ports cancelled and even worse, the cruise cancelled!!!

Since I have never had this happen, I can not imagine how disappointing it would be. You plan for months, even years for a dream vacation and then the unthinkable....something goes wrong. But just don't blame DCL for the weather and all the changes. They will do the best they can, but DCL is not God.

Last season seemed to be pretty bad. Maybe your chances will be better for a hurricane free trip.

I love DCL and have been counting down since we disembarked 6-04 for our 6-06 trip. If given the chance to go, I'd risk it!!!!

 

[suez live]

I wouldn’t worry. Unlike being in Florida or along the coast—that can do nothing about the weather but wait for it to come—the ships can (and will) go away from any problems. Granted, you may not see the ports intended, but you will have no problems with personal safety. They seas may be a tad rough, but nothing more than any other bout of bad weather.

Go! You will have a ball!

 

[natsmom125]

First of all it's...hurricane.....

The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

The Eastern Pacific is May 15 to November 30.

Working in Fire Department/Emergency Management..we pray for a safe year on June 1 and celebrate on November 30.

I personally I would not cruise during this time. Not because I would be scared or fearful of being on the ship..but I could not have a good time even thinking about my fellow employees and my home being in danger. I know not everyone lives on a coast or on a barrier island, as I do, so that is just my opinion.

In reading most all of the posts that were written after last year's "hurricane cruises".....there were some who had great times and made the most out of bad situations.....but for the most part, the posts I read were of those moaning, groaning, complaining about this, that and the other.

So, I don't think anyone can make that decision for you...it's just something you have to go ahead and do or not do.....and take your chances!!!!

JMHO
Phyllis

 

[cruzings]

Our first two cruises were in September. The first one on the Wonder in Sept 2003 was our trial run "short cruise" which we enjoyed so immensely, we booked again while still onboard. That cruise went well and we were able to go to Castaway Cay. The second one on the Magic in Sept 2004 went well until the last day when Hurricane Jeanne changed her mind and made a loop back. The Magic tried to outrun it but we did have some very rough seas for a day, missed Castaway Cay and returned to Port Canaveral about 10 hours early. They had us disembark, took us to WDW Swan/Dolphin for free, fed us and took us to the airport the next day....all at no extra charge. On top of that, we got a 50% voucher for a future cruise which we are using this summer! Can't beat that.

 

[mommasita]

We were also on that cruise with Jeanne, and had to disembark Friday night....

I would agree with everyone else, be prepared, think insurance, and do go in with your eyes wide open. The ports are never guaranteed, and obviously a little more uncertain during Hurricane season..If you are ready to go with the flow, and make the best of it, if you have to, then by all means GO GO GO....

We had the most incredible weather last September, but the worst seas I have ever seen...THe pools were completely closed for a whole day, and they literally had water shooting out the tops..IT was a sight. WE made the best, saw movies, did more family time..Kids enjoyed clubs...

Most people were sick, and I even saw a man who fell down a flight of stairs, and had most certainly a broken nose, and his arm was in a sling..I think of him sometimes, and feel badly.

I must be totally crazy, because we rebooked for Sept..17th Eastern.. We will go with the flow, and hope for the best, and be ready for the worst....

 

[CM_Mom]

I think it really depends on your attitude but this is one time I would NEVER sail without trip insurance!

Since DD works on the Magic I followed ALL the threads and the weather very closely last fall. Seemed like folks fell into several groups

1. A day on a cruise - any day - beats a day at the office. I'm planning to go with the flow and have a fantastic time - no matter what. Those people DID have a fun time.

2. I'll have a great time if everything works out EXACTLY the way I want and I get LOTS of compensation for ANY little thing that is changed. By and large, those folks moaned, groaned, whined and complained over lots of stuff and probably WERE miserable...and they shared their misery generously.

3. The somewhere in between folks. They had some REALLY bad days and some REALLY good days but their mood depended on what happened. Hurricane season may not be the best time for them to cruise.

If you go in with your eyes wide open, trip insurance, and a flexible attitude, you'll have a great time.

One thing you can count on...DCL and the crew will do everything they can to help you have a great time.

 

[scrapperjill]

We sailed on our first cruise last September...between Ivan and Jeanne...and had a great time. Although the only port we made it to that was on our schedule was Castaway Cay...we were scheduled for a Western...but ended up doing a modifyed Eastern...with stops in San Juan and Nassau...The weather was great...sunny most days...however we did get rained in on the pirate night...they held the "deck party" in the atrium. The seas were calm...almost glass like on a couple days. The worst part was pre-cruise....just the not knowing if we'd sail or not. We did plan for the whole year before our cruise...and learned all we could on the ports that we were suppose to stop at...but we figured we'd still have a supper time stopping at the scheduled ports...or new ones...and we did.

 

[Echo queen]

Are there children involved? I would never take my children into a situation that could possiblely be dangerous and scar them for life. I guess because my children are young I would think twice about me and DH putting our lives on the line for vacation. I know there are risks with every step we take in life but, I don't play chicken on the interstate either.

What do you have to lose?

 

[CM_Mom]

I don't really think going on a cruise during hurricane season is putting anyone at risk, unless it's getting to and from Port Canaveral before and after the cruise. DCL and the Captains follow the weather very closely and they can stay out of the way of the hurricanes. That's why ScrapperJill talked about a cruise that was supposed to be a Western but turned into a Modified Eastern. They made a decision to go to destinations that were safer and more pleasant to cruise for that time. Remember the Captain's desire is not only to keep you safe but for you to have a Magical or Wonderful time. That can't happen if you're scared.

Last fall I worried WAY more about my MIL in Florida than I ever did about my DD on the ship. And my worries were placed correctly. MIL is just north of Fort Walton Beach and had some hurricane damage and was without electricity for several days. DD just had a really busy time working and we had fun talking each weekend about where they'd been that week.

 

[pogopossum]

having been on two different hurricane affected cruises, i have to say that i never felt that we were at risk or in any danger at any time. in 2000 we were on the second seven day cruise, which altered course due to hurricane debra, and other than some high winds a couple of nights, never noticed any roughness, and we have never used any motion sickness relief, or needed it.
we were disappointed about not going to virgins, but we had a great cruise and enjoyed cozumel.

last sept, we were on the hurricane frances shortened cruise, and after getting some booking and room problems straightened out, we enjoyed ourselves. still disappointed about not getting to st. thomas or san juan, but we had a good time in cozumel.

and during our time at wdw pre-cruise, during the hurricane, i never felt that we were at risk. wdw is really a pretty safe place to be during a storm.

and in case you were wondering, yes we would and have booked again for labor day weekend departure. still taking our children, but this time if it is shortened to less than seven days, we will probably postpone. but as long as you can be flexible and roll with the punches, sept is a good time for a cruise value.

 

[natsmom125]

Raine.....I agree with you 100% However, I'm re-arranging your paragraph numbers like this...

#2 paragraph was #1
#3 paragraph was #2
#1 paragraph was #3


Let's just hope and pray we don't have to WORRY about any of this stuff this year......we've already had SO MANY hurricane meetings here, they've already got me in a PANIC mode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said earlier, no body can tell you what you should or should not do....
you just have to use your own judgement and "roll" with the punches...or waves......

Phyllis


PS Raine...say "hi" to your CM for me..............

 

[westjones]

We were also on the cruise last September that had to out run Jeanne and drop us off on Friday night (staying at the Dolphin).

That was our 5th September cruise and the first time we had problems (before that we never missed CC). I would book that time again if I could. The price is great and the weather is usually nice and the attendance at the parks are low (and we like to go to the parks before or after our cruise). We can't go at that time anymore because my twin DDs will be going to Middle School in August and we need to follow the school schedule for now on. BUT when the kids are grown and we aren't locked into a school schedule, DH and I plan to start cruising in September again.

DJ

 

[mmouse37]

WE have sailed in September a few times and only had a problem last year with Hurricane Jeanne....our cruise was supposed to sail the Saturday the storm hit so we were delayed sailing by 2 days and had to sail out of Ft. Lauderdale instead....we were already in Florida and we had trip insurance so we hunkered down and rode out the storm at the Polynesian resort at WDW and saved all our receipts for meals, room, car, etc.

Our 7 day cruise was shortened to 5 days but we still had a great time and great weather once onboard and DCL refunded 50% of our cruise fare gave us onboard credits, etc.

Plus, our insurance reimbursed us for the money we laid out for the meals, hotel, car for the 2 days we were delayed.

Have no fear of cruising in the fall, just be prepared with trip insurance and be flexible as things can and will change if a need arises....

 

[cathyscrapper]

Having a positive attitude can make the difference on any trip you take! We also were on the same cruise as scrapperjill, September 11,2004. We ended up with a trip to San Juan, Nassau and Castaway Cay. Our original trip was to be Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay. Were we disappointed? Sure, but we had great seas (like glass) almost everyday. The ship is beautiful and there are so many fun things to do onboard just make the most of it.

Keep an open mind and positive attitude and you will have a great time! And don't forget travel insurance.

Oh yeah, we are booked for the Western again in September 2005. Maybe this year we'll see the Western if not, there's always next year.

Good luck!

Cathy

 

[scrapperjill]

I just wanted to follow up and note that the captian will do what ever he can to avoid any danger. And for the most part the ship can out run any storm. Durring our cruise (9/11/04) we were jumping from one port to the next with Hurricane Jeanne not far behind....but far enough away that there were no worries.

 

[webray]

We took our first Disney cruise that exact week you are looking at...7 night western. The seas were calm, the weather was beautiful.

I would not hesitate to book in September again.