Traveling during hurricane season??

[mousefan73]

We are booked for the dream on Sept 3rd. Last year around this time Irma was in action. We were in WDW and got out the night before MCO closed. Was simple luck as that was our scheduled departure anyways. We go each year this time. We risk it. This year is our first cruise and first time we took insurance. The hurricane what ifs depend on so many variables. You cannot plan teally for anything besides 1. Buying insurance 2. Flying in a day or two before and adding a night on disembarktion day.

Dont worry about it, think about it you cant change anything. But mentally prepare that scheisse can happen.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We were on the Fantasy western Caribbean in October 2016. Instead of going to Castaway Cay, we just went to Cozumel twice. We also got an extra day, so it turned into an 8 night cruise instead of a 7 night. They gave out free phone time from your room so that you could call and change your flight arrangements since we were getting back a day later. On the last night they hugged the Florida coast while heading up to Port Canaveral so that you could pick up U.S. cell tower service and make flight/travel changes via your phone. Everything was handled pretty well with the exception of the debarkation herd when trying to get off once back at port. The Dream was already at port and had to move out so that we could port at DCL's only terminal. It was cool seeing both ships together, you don't get to see that very often.

Lucky you. We were on the Fantasy, western Caribbean, October 2012 with Hurricane Sandy. The ship skipped CC in order to out run the hurricane. The Dream stayed between the Keys and Cuba, but the Fantasy ran right into the hurricane just off of Miami. Second seating dining was cancelled. Water from the pool was pouring under the doors of the top deck and down the stairs. The Captain was on the intercom instructing everyone to stay in their room. We hung on to the bed all night as the ship rock, rolled and dropped several feet in between waves. The next morning the interior of the ship was trashed. No breakfast because the kitchens were trashed. When we finally were allowed, by the Coast Guard, to enter the port, there was a very long line of trucks with white conexs ready to rebuild the interior of the ship. "Paying passengers" received a 25% off voucher for their inconvenience. We were DVC and received nothing for our equal inconvenience. Complained to DVC but nothing was done. Treated like a barnacle on the bottom of the ship by DVC members services.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We've been on several hurricane related cruises and are go with the flow people, so we just cruise whenever and don't let the season derail us.

We have had a port changed due to a hurricane and they give you enough notice to cancel if you wish to, we have also had a port cancelled and they refund you the cost to port at that locale, we have had an extra sea day because of that and they are more than prepared for the extra hours onboard with loads of extra activities! We have had CC cancelled due to being able to port because of weather and though disappointing they were excellent with other activities. We've also had an entire cruise cancelled at the last minute 2 years and this one was really hard on people that did NOT do Disney before, because they cancelled at the LAST MINUTE and many people still flew in and then had to scramble for what to do. We were already in Disney and for us it was no big deal to upgrade our passes to annual passes and stay the extra time in Disney, since we were planning on staying more after the cruise anyway. When they cancel, they refund you the full amount (but it takes a bit of time and a lot of back and forth) AND offer you a rebooking discount. We went ahead and booked for December of last year, since our trip was already booked for that time and it went off without a hitch finally! LOL!

 

[ahain]

We have sailed in April 3 times, October twice, and in August once. We had nearly perfect weather every time. On several occasions, the captain "steered around" bad weather, but the only port we've ever missed completely was Castaway Cay one time due to strong winds & the ship was not able to dock.

If they opt to sail (and not cancel the sailing), the captain will steer around bad weather as best as possible and/or make port itinerary changes/add sea days when deemed necessary (and based on whether alternate port schedules are available).

 

[jlynch924]

We've sailed during hurricane season twice (without insurance) and had no major issues. One time, we sailed around a storm, and it had us rocking and rolling, but we didn't miss any ports. A more seasoned cruiser now, I'd probably do the insurance were I to sail again during hurricane season.

 

[pjacobi]

I remember seeing a photo after a Texas hurricane where all the cars parked at the port were underwater. The ship may be able to avoid the weather, but your car is stuck!


-Paul

 

[nittanyliongirl02]

Any cruise line reserves the right to alter the itinerary as they see fit. I have almost always (with the exception of once) cruised during hurricane season on various cruise lines. Only once did we incur bad weather, but still made it to all of our original locations.

I think the important part is to get to Orlando early. We are cruising at the end of October and are getting there 2 days before our cruise. I also plan on shopping around and buying insurance. This is too large of an investment to lose!

Good luck!