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- Thread starter kritters4
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kamgen
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2000
Sorry to hear you did not sail. Glad to hear that DCL was trying to accomodate people.
Still, I may be in the majority here, but we don't cruise DCL to go to the Bahamas...we cruise DCL for the ship, service, and Disney magic. There have been cruises that went to the Bahamas and it was cold and rainy.
I think going to SC would be different and a unique cruise, different from any you will ever take again. But that's just me. If people cruise in hurricane season, I say expect any itinerary.
Sorry your trip was changed. I would've liked to hear what it was like with the alternative route.
Hope you get to cruise DCL again.
Kamy
Still, I may be in the majority here, but we don't cruise DCL to go to the Bahamas...we cruise DCL for the ship, service, and Disney magic. There have been cruises that went to the Bahamas and it was cold and rainy.
I think going to SC would be different and a unique cruise, different from any you will ever take again. But that's just me. If people cruise in hurricane season, I say expect any itinerary.
Sorry your trip was changed. I would've liked to hear what it was like with the alternative route.
Hope you get to cruise DCL again.
Kamy
Intresting to hear your opinion, we felt we experienced the "magic" of Disney with four days spent touring the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and MGM. For us the ship was only a part of the experience. Being from the east coast, a trip to SC could have been obtained by car. To experience the "magic" they were offering us we could have stayed at the Disney hotel!!
natsmom125
Performed live, on stage aboard The Magic. Lucky
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2000
In defense of South Carolina....it did NOT rain here this weekend...nor has it since. It has
been very warm during the day..but chilly at night.
According to the news and the newspaper...The Wonder docked in Charleston and passengers and crew had a great time. Charleston is a beautiful old city, full of
tourist things to do and lots of great restaurants. She also has a straw market, similar
to the one Nassau.
Maybe next time you cruise...you should not plan on cruising during hurricane season.
Sorry you didn't want to come to South Carolina..especially the coastal regions...it is
beautiful.
Phyllis
been very warm during the day..but chilly at night.
According to the news and the newspaper...The Wonder docked in Charleston and passengers and crew had a great time. Charleston is a beautiful old city, full of
tourist things to do and lots of great restaurants. She also has a straw market, similar
to the one Nassau.
Maybe next time you cruise...you should not plan on cruising during hurricane season.
Sorry you didn't want to come to South Carolina..especially the coastal regions...it is
beautiful.
Phyllis
gometros
<font color=teal>WDWWDS Chief Weapons Inspector an
- Joined
- May 4, 2001
In answer to your comment about experiencing the magic of Disney in the parks, I can answer you this way. My family has experienced both he parks and DCL. When I asked my kids which they would rather do if they had to make a choice, the cruise or the parks, the unanimous answer was the cruise.
I have to preface this by saying that we've already been to the Bahamas, once with Carnival and once with DCL. We feel the fun of a Disney cruise is not in the destination, but getting there. There are so many activities on the ship itself, we could stay on board and never set foot on land and be totally happy. As a matter of fact, when we sailed with DCL last summer, we only got off in Nassau to do some shopping and then spent most of the time on board. Between the shows, the pools, the kids activities, it's like a floating camp. Granted, different people look for different things in a vacation and I'm happy with sitting with a good book by the pool, while others need to be entertained 24x7, so you have to take my comments with a grain of salt.
Anyway, your decision has already been made and I'm just happy that DCL was able to accommodate you to your satisfaction. I hope you give them another try.
I have to preface this by saying that we've already been to the Bahamas, once with Carnival and once with DCL. We feel the fun of a Disney cruise is not in the destination, but getting there. There are so many activities on the ship itself, we could stay on board and never set foot on land and be totally happy. As a matter of fact, when we sailed with DCL last summer, we only got off in Nassau to do some shopping and then spent most of the time on board. Between the shows, the pools, the kids activities, it's like a floating camp. Granted, different people look for different things in a vacation and I'm happy with sitting with a good book by the pool, while others need to be entertained 24x7, so you have to take my comments with a grain of salt.
Anyway, your decision has already been made and I'm just happy that DCL was able to accommodate you to your satisfaction. I hope you give them another try.
firsttimelongtime
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2001
We were on a 7 day Magic cruise (9/29). I would have been just as happy to have a 7 day cruise with no ports to call upon!! The cruise is what I was looking for, not a trip to shop in a crazed market!! If you just wanted to go to the Bahamas, you should have chosen a much less expensive alternative....maybe Carnival Cruise Lines!! I can understand you being upset that your itinerary was changed due tot he weather, but, DCL has a point.....you signed an agreement that clearly stated that your itinerary may be changed for various reasons.
I just read what I wrote here...it seems a little harsh upon second glance!! It's not meant to be....just the facts!!
I just read what I wrote here...it seems a little harsh upon second glance!! It's not meant to be....just the facts!!
Just back from the 10/21 Wonder.
If I were you, I would have left the cruise ship too. Although the cruise ship experience is great, vacationing on a non-US warm weather destination is always the main purpose of my cruise trip.
Hope you will have a great time on your next cruise.
If I were you, I would have left the cruise ship too. Although the cruise ship experience is great, vacationing on a non-US warm weather destination is always the main purpose of my cruise trip.
Hope you will have a great time on your next cruise.
Kritters,
I understand your disapointment but DCL does not have any control over the weather. I have been on 2 Disney Cruises and both had itinery changes.
The first was 2 years ago. We were booked on the 4 day Wonder one week after Hugo came through and destroyed Nasaua and Castawat Cay. We were diverted to Cosumel and had a wonderful time (even without getting to go to the Disney Island.)
The 2nd just happened. We were on the Holloween Magic cruise and passed through Michelle as she was forming and was still a tropical storm. My heart sank as I watched Captin Hans try 2 or 3 attempts to dock at Castaway Cay and finally give up due to strong winds. (I am now 0 for 2 in getting onto The Island and have had to promise several people to notify them if I plan to go again so that they can make sure that they are NOT booked at the same time.)
Although I was very disappointed I would rather see the Captin and Disney in general put the safety of the passengers above all else. Trying to take the ship through a Hurricane would have been neglegent and endangered your life.
I understand your disapointment but DCL does not have any control over the weather. I have been on 2 Disney Cruises and both had itinery changes.
The first was 2 years ago. We were booked on the 4 day Wonder one week after Hugo came through and destroyed Nasaua and Castawat Cay. We were diverted to Cosumel and had a wonderful time (even without getting to go to the Disney Island.)
The 2nd just happened. We were on the Holloween Magic cruise and passed through Michelle as she was forming and was still a tropical storm. My heart sank as I watched Captin Hans try 2 or 3 attempts to dock at Castaway Cay and finally give up due to strong winds. (I am now 0 for 2 in getting onto The Island and have had to promise several people to notify them if I plan to go again so that they can make sure that they are NOT booked at the same time.)
Although I was very disappointed I would rather see the Captin and Disney in general put the safety of the passengers above all else. Trying to take the ship through a Hurricane would have been neglegent and endangered your life.
natsmom125
Performed live, on stage aboard The Magic. Lucky
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2000
That would have been Hurricane Floyd 2 years ago.....
Hugo was in 1989....
Living on the SC coast...I remember them WELL.
Phyllis
Hugo was in 1989....
Living on the SC coast...I remember them WELL.
Phyllis
mmouse37
DCL Diva!!
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2001
I also understand your disappointment....but...I would have stayed on the ship. That's just me...I am not saying your decision was wrong...it was obviously what you felt was best for your family.
We been on four DCL cruises and next time I cruise I plan on just staying on the ship. We were lucky in that three of our cruises were in July and one was in October. We never had bad weather once!
We love the ship so much that we try to take advantage of everything they have to offer. Sometimes I think the shore excursions take away time from the things I want to do onboard. I know...that is my opinion and my opinion alone. I would have stayed on board and considered it a new adventure. I have been to Charleston and love it!!!!
I think we all try to save as much money as we can when we travel because Disney is pricey, but going in the fall is always a roll of the dice as to what the weather will be. We have to understand that is the main reason the rates become so attractive in the falll - because of the probability of hurricanes and tropical storms.
As I said, we when we sailed in July we had great weather. Try for early summer months next time and hopefully the weather will be better (even though you never can messs with Mother Nature...she rules!!!)
Better luck next time.
MJ
We been on four DCL cruises and next time I cruise I plan on just staying on the ship. We were lucky in that three of our cruises were in July and one was in October. We never had bad weather once!
We love the ship so much that we try to take advantage of everything they have to offer. Sometimes I think the shore excursions take away time from the things I want to do onboard. I know...that is my opinion and my opinion alone. I would have stayed on board and considered it a new adventure. I have been to Charleston and love it!!!!
I think we all try to save as much money as we can when we travel because Disney is pricey, but going in the fall is always a roll of the dice as to what the weather will be. We have to understand that is the main reason the rates become so attractive in the falll - because of the probability of hurricanes and tropical storms.
As I said, we when we sailed in July we had great weather. Try for early summer months next time and hopefully the weather will be better (even though you never can messs with Mother Nature...she rules!!!)
Better luck next time.
MJ
I am in total agreement with you!!! South Carolina replacing the Carribbean?!?!? Not in a million years! I have been to Charleston and Folly Beach and Hilton Head and they are very nice places. But when I book a Carribbean cruise, I am expecting warm weather, crystal clear water, tropical snorkeling, etc... In fact the crystal clear water and the snorkeling is the only reason I want to take the trip!!! If it wasn't, I would have booked an Alaskan cruise or a European cruise. Anybody can get to Charleston, but only a cruise can take you to destinations outside of the U.S. easily for a short visit.
I think DCL should have navigated around Michelle and made sure that you at least got to a Carribbean port of call. Charleston is NO replacement for a warm-weather, Carribbean-like destination.
I think DCL should have navigated around Michelle and made sure that you at least got to a Carribbean port of call. Charleston is NO replacement for a warm-weather, Carribbean-like destination.
Just want to elaborate a bit more for my message. I agree safety should be placed as the number one priority. And I understand the Disney package is a contract and November is part of the Hurricane season. Under the circumstances mentioned by the original poster, if ¡§leaving the ship and credit later¡¨ is a negotiable option. I would definitely exhaust all opportunities to negotiate that option politely.
Having so many passengers willingly to stay on the ship for the whole cruise duration, Disney should build another ship on its theme park to expand revenue.
Having so many passengers willingly to stay on the ship for the whole cruise duration, Disney should build another ship on its theme park to expand revenue.
kamgen
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2000
While I realize that Charleston is not the Caribbean, people need to realize that the cruise was diverted for safety reasons. I would trust the captain made the best decision.
Also, those who cruise in hurricane season should never expect blue skies and crystal clear waters. It is hruricane season and anything goes, especially in terms of ports and weather forecasts.
Again, I am just happy to be aboard the ship and enjoy what it has to offer. If i am that set on a carribbean vacation, I will opt for an all- inclusive resort instead of a cruise. Even when the ship goes to the Bahamas or Caribbean there is no guarantee the weather will cooperate or that you will reach your destination to dock. Just thoughts on the subject. DCL is a great vacation...and it doesn't even need to dock for me
JMHO.
Kamy
Glad to see you realize the difference between the Bahamas and Charleston, as most people would. I do trust that the Captain made the best decision not to go into the storm due to safty reasons and of course Disney can't control the weather. That was never the issue. What I was unhappy with was Disneys refusal to let its passengers know until 25 minutes before leaving the dock of the itinerary change and its choice of destination. Many passengers (including us) had been asking about a change in itinerary, and were told that if the ports were changed it would be a similiar experience (not so). While I don't doubt the beauty of Charleston, it in no way replaces the experiences of the Bahamas. As far as those of you who would be happy never to leave the ship...good for you. Perhaps you will be as "lucky" as us on YOUR next cruise. TOUGH CROWD!!!! 
It is a tough crowd!! Most people realize that people who book a CARRIBBEAN CRUISE want BOTH!! They want to pleasures that a cruise ship has to offer AND they want the destination of the CARRIBBEAN!! If I wanted to just go to the Carribbean and not experience the pleasure of a cruise, I would go to an all-inclusive. If I just wanted the pleasure of the cruise without ever getting off the ship, then I guess I wouldn't care where we went...but I think most people care about where they are going.
How would folks from Charleston and the surrounding area have felt if your long-awaited cruise that you spend years saving for ended up taking you to your home town/area?!?!? I would have been majorly bummed...and if Disney knew it before they sailed, I would have appreciated my $$ back and an opportunity to sail at another time.
It's one thing to run into bad weather once you have sailed, but if they had prior knowledge that they would not be going to the Bahamas, they should have offered the passengers a chance to get off the ship and reschdule what is a DREAM vacation to many people. I don't think many people from Charleston would consider their dream vacation as a trip to Charleston!
With that said folks....I have only one word for you....MAY!!!! In May, you don't have the winter storms (don't forget that "The Storm of the Century" was in the winter.) And you don't have summer/fall hurricanes. You also get the Spring discount because kids are usually in school. Happy sailing!
How would folks from Charleston and the surrounding area have felt if your long-awaited cruise that you spend years saving for ended up taking you to your home town/area?!?!? I would have been majorly bummed...and if Disney knew it before they sailed, I would have appreciated my $$ back and an opportunity to sail at another time.
It's one thing to run into bad weather once you have sailed, but if they had prior knowledge that they would not be going to the Bahamas, they should have offered the passengers a chance to get off the ship and reschdule what is a DREAM vacation to many people. I don't think many people from Charleston would consider their dream vacation as a trip to Charleston!
With that said folks....I have only one word for you....MAY!!!! In May, you don't have the winter storms (don't forget that "The Storm of the Century" was in the winter.) And you don't have summer/fall hurricanes. You also get the Spring discount because kids are usually in school.
Happy sailing!
Deb & Bill
DVC-Trivia Contest, Apr-2006: Honorable Mention
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2000
It's my understanding that the Wonder did get to Castaway Cay today.
When I saw the hurricane forming near Mexico, it was my hope that it wouldn't head towards the Bahamas. But when it started heading for Cuba, I had the bad feeling it would be going right into the path of the Wonder. The Magic hightailed it out of port to get beyond the fury of the storm, but still had two relatively bad nights at sea. (Check out Sue Holland's trip reports on RADP) I kept watching the path of the storm, wondering where the Wonder would head. I was guessing Bermuda, but it is too far to get to in the time they had available. The captain had no other choice than to head north. He could have kept at sea until the hurricane let up, but I'm sure he wanted to give the guests some sort of port to visit in the event that he wouldn't be able to get to the Bahamas at all.
I'm sorry that you didn't have the cruise that you expected. I hope my cruise is less eventful on 11/18. We're supposed to be at Freeport and Nassau, but I wouldn't mind staying at sea instead if those ports are in bad shape. There seems to be so much happening on the ship that I hate to miss any of it. I just want to stay out of the big waves since I get seasick. I'm glad I didn't have to sail through any of this weather.
When I saw the hurricane forming near Mexico, it was my hope that it wouldn't head towards the Bahamas. But when it started heading for Cuba, I had the bad feeling it would be going right into the path of the Wonder. The Magic hightailed it out of port to get beyond the fury of the storm, but still had two relatively bad nights at sea. (Check out Sue Holland's trip reports on RADP) I kept watching the path of the storm, wondering where the Wonder would head. I was guessing Bermuda, but it is too far to get to in the time they had available. The captain had no other choice than to head north. He could have kept at sea until the hurricane let up, but I'm sure he wanted to give the guests some sort of port to visit in the event that he wouldn't be able to get to the Bahamas at all.
I'm sorry that you didn't have the cruise that you expected. I hope my cruise is less eventful on 11/18. We're supposed to be at Freeport and Nassau, but I wouldn't mind staying at sea instead if those ports are in bad shape. There seems to be so much happening on the ship that I hate to miss any of it. I just want to stay out of the big waves since I get seasick. I'm glad I didn't have to sail through any of this weather.
natsmom125
Performed live, on stage aboard The Magic. Lucky
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2000
Maybe Disney didn't know until 25 minutes before sailing that a change was necessary.
Maybe they were waiting until the last possible moment in case the storm lost intensity or
turned away from the Bahamas and they waiting to see if this happened so the trip could
on as scheduled.
I, like Kamgen, am just happy to be aboard the ship, with my family, and not have to think about phones ringing, homework, pagers going off, dh being called back to work, cooking,
cleaning, laundry....I don't care where the ships go...she can sail around in the ocean for
7 days as far as I'm concerned...but I live at the beach so beaching it is not the priority for us
as it is to other people.
I am very anxious to see the trip reports of the passengers on this cruise and The Magic
to see their reactions.
All of this is only MY opinion and feelings and are of course, not condusive to others.
DEB & BILL....what is RADP?????
Phyllis
Maybe they were waiting until the last possible moment in case the storm lost intensity or
turned away from the Bahamas and they waiting to see if this happened so the trip could
on as scheduled.
I, like Kamgen, am just happy to be aboard the ship, with my family, and not have to think about phones ringing, homework, pagers going off, dh being called back to work, cooking,
cleaning, laundry....I don't care where the ships go...she can sail around in the ocean for
7 days as far as I'm concerned...but I live at the beach so beaching it is not the priority for us
as it is to other people.
I am very anxious to see the trip reports of the passengers on this cruise and The Magic
to see their reactions.
All of this is only MY opinion and feelings and are of course, not condusive to others.
DEB & BILL....what is RADP?????
Phyllis
natsmom125
Performed live, on stage aboard The Magic. Lucky
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2000
Sandy.........thanks.......
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