As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
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There are other changes as well.
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Our family took the 3-night cruise to Nassau in December, combined with a week at WDW (woooo!). We enjoyed the cruise so much that we agreed a 7-day would be just wonderful.
My husband will be at WDW for a conference in October 2009, so we are looking at going on the Western Carribbean Oct 3 cruise. (I prefer Eastern, I think, but the date is determined by this conference.)
So, hurricane season has me worried. I really want us to be able to do it, but I don't want to rush into it and have it turn out that a little research would have shown something drastic for the beginning of October.....
What have your experiences crusing in October been like?
and !
I hope travel insurance will help alleviate some fears of trip inturruptions . You may wish to look at some of the other threads here and read some trip reports while you await a reply! I am sure there is someone here with a good answer!
October is hurricane season, but the ships can outrun the storms nowadays Your ports of call might change, but you'll be safe. I'd go for it, as it's one of the least expensive times to go
Thanks for the quick replies. I saw that travel insurance would cover any interruptions, but I was/am concerned about the quality of the trip, like:
Is it worse for seasickness?
Would we be confined to the ship (not that that's a bad thing) if a port is missed or would an alternative be found?
Would I have to miss Castaway Cay, which is the whole point (for me) in going DCL?
Stuff like that, that hurricane forcasts and tables don't tell us. Thanks!
Hurricane season runs from June to November so for an October cruise, you'd be missing the peak storm months of August-September. Storms can happen in October but seem to be the exception, rather than the rule.
I'll be cruising during the peak of the season this year (from August 17-September 1) and I'm really not too concerned. I know there's always a chance of bad weather or a rogue storm at sea, which can close ports and alter courses during any month of the year, not just 'hurricane season'. Passenger and ship safety are of utmost priority and concern, of course, but I'd rather be stuck on a cruise ship with all the luxuries and amenities than huddled down in my resort room playing cards by flashlight because of a hurricane! Cruise ships can alter course, head out to sea or choose alternate ports.
Rougher than normal seas are a concern for Castaway Cay as the ship won't be able to dock. Now that would be depressing but something that I could live with in the bigger picture of safety. I'm also cruising next October with no worries!
They will seek out alternate ports, if available and if close enough to travel. The year we did the Western itinerary was after the hurricanes that closed Cozumel so we went to the alternate port of Costa Maya. That December also found us with rougher seas due to the remnants of at storm at sea so I was glad I brought Bonine!
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Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
I have previously gone to Aruba in October 1996, the Bahamas in October 2007, and to Florida in October several times in the intervening years. We encountered a brief sun shower or thunderstorm once or twice, but otherwise the weather was gorgeous. Not the extreme hot of August, and not the cooler weather of December..... a pleasant in between. I am hopeful we will be just as lucky this time.
I would say go for it if it is a good time for you to go. It is a fairly cheaper month to travel and it is closer to end of the hurricane season, rather than the prime months.
I would say go for it if it is a good time for you to go. It is a fairly cheaper month to travel and it is closer to end of the hurricane season, rather than the prime months.
Thanks! The date is non-negotiable, since it's based on DH's conference at the Contemporary. So, if hurricane season scares us off, then we'll be waiting a bit longer for the next cruise
But it looks like we might be willing to take a chance - especially since Travel Insurance would cover an "interrupted" trip.
We did not cruise but went to WDW in October!! We encountered a lot of brief rain storms(It is the tropics after all) but had a great time. I don't know what to tell you about hurricanes, but I would say get insurance and go!!
Just remember that while cruise insurance might cover an interrupted trip, there are almost never interrupted trips. One way or the other, you're going to have a cruise. if there's a storm in the Eastern Caribbean, your itinerary will shift to the Western. if the Bahamas are inaccessible, you may end up visiting Charleston, SC and/or Savannah, GA. When the ships couldn't dock in Port Canaveral, they bussed everyone down to Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale).
Travel insurance is much more useful if weather conditions prevent you from getting to the ship (snow storms up north, a hurricane that shuts down the airport, etc.). For that reason, it's important to have a policy that covers you from the moment you leave home. The policy that DCL sells only covers air travel-related problems IF DCL also books your airfare. If you book your airfare on your own, get a policy from another provider.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
I've never been blown out by a hurricane. We usually travel during hurricane season because rates are lower. The ship might divert to a different port, but it is unlikely that you will feel more than a slight increase in waves due to a hurricane. Unlike the Galveston hurricane of 1900, they just don't sneak up on us. Heck, down here (Tejas), the weather people will start talking about lows in the Cape Verde area. That's the West Coast of Africa.
There is only one time in recent history when I can think of significant affects on cruises due to hurricanes. Remember when there were 23 ships in Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the same day? And the Magic and Wonder were docked next to each other? The other incident is when Carnival's Sensation was diverted to Galveston after Katrina. But in that case there was nothing to go back to
I would worry more about getting to the port on time. I'm assuming (ooops) that you are sailing after the conference. In that case, getting to Port Canaveral should be no problem.
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Your ports of call might change, but you'll be safe. I'd go for it, as it's one of the least expensive times to go 
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