On Sunday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center published the final Hurricane Dorian advisory officially closing the chapter on the devastating storm system that moved from the Eastern Caribbean, to The Bahamas, and up the East Coast. However, the story of Hurricane Dorian will go on for quite some time as the storm did a number in The Bahamas.
Disney Cruise Line continues the process of cleaning up areas of Castaway Cay, making repairs related to the tropical storm conditions experienced last week. We anticipate re-opening the island on Thursday, September 12, as long as all necessary work is completed. Guests going ashore will see signs of the recent storm’s passing and some experiences on the island may be unavailable.
As a result of the island cleanup work, Disney Cruise Line issued an update on the Disney Dream’s September 9, 2019 sailing indicating Castaway Cay will be ready to welcome the first guest back since Hurricane Dorian on Thursday September 12th, as long as all necessary work is completed. The final two days are simply swapped as the Dream was originally scheduled to visit Castaway Cay on Wednesday, and Thursday was a day at sea. The revised itinerary is as follows:
- Monday September 9, 2019 – Port Canaveral
- Tuesday September 10, 2019 – Nassau
- Wednesday September 11, 2019 – At Sea
- Thursday September 12, 2019 – Castaway Cay
Friday September 13, 2019 – Port Canaveral (Debarkation)
Disney Cruise Line, has committed more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help relief and recovery efforts for those in The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian. Disney’s commitment includes a $1 million donation to non-profit relief agencies that will be undertaking recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as the provision of supplies – including food staples and basic construction materials – to those in impacted areas.
Last week, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy dropped off food and water at Castaway Cay for distribution in Sandy Point on Great Abaco Island, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Dorian and is home to many of our Crew Members. Both ships are scheduled to make additional deliveries in the coming weeks when they visit Castaway Cay.
One of the stories that went viral during Dorian’s wrath was that of Jermaine Bell of Jacksonville, Florida. Jermaine was visiting his grandmother in South Carolina as the hurricane was approaching the coast of South Carolina. The six year old emptied his piggy bank and bought hundreds of hot dogs, bags of chips and bottled water. He stood along Highway 125 in Allendale, South Carolina with two signs on each end of the highway reading FREE Hot Dogs & Water to make sure he got evacuees attention. He served nearly 100 evacuees with the money he was saving for a trip to Walt Disney World.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, Jermaine celebrated his seventh birthday. Mickey Mouse and a group of Walt Disney World cast members made a surprise visit at the birthday party where Jermaine learned that he and his family are going to Walt Disney World after all.
The family will enjoy a VIP getaway at the vacation kingdom later this month.
Jermaine’s a great kid. Have fun at Disney!