Disney Cruise Line is emailing guests booked on tomorrow’s Disney Fantasy sailing informing them of the contingency plan that is place due to a tropical system that is brewing in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting the tropical depression to intensify into a tropical storm on Saturday.
As of this evening, the Disney Fantasy plans to sail from Port Canaveral tomorrow as scheduled, there is a chance that due to the storm the ship may need to delay it’s departure. Should this occur, the ship will remain at Port Canaveral on Saturday evening and all of the events and activities onboard will occur as scheduled.
Additionally, if the ship’s departure is delayed, there is a possibility that your client’s itinerary may be impacted, including having to cancel your visit to Cozumel, Mexico.
A copy of the email sent to travel agents is below. Thanks to Heather from Storybook Destinations for sharing this information with us.
We look forward to welcoming your clients aboard Disney Fantasy tomorrow, Saturday, September 14.
You may be aware that a tropical weather system is currently located in the Caribbean and slowly moving northwest. We have been closely monitoring this weather system to ensure our guests enjoy safe and comfortable cruises, and to make certain our ships steer clear of a potential storm. Your assistance in sharing this information with your clients is appreciated.
While we plan to sail from Port Canaveral tomorrow as scheduled, there is a chance that due to the storm we may need to delay our departure. Should this occur, the ship will remain at Port Canaveral on Saturday evening and all of the events and activities onboard will occur as scheduled. Additionally, if the ship’s departure is delayed, there is a possibility that your client’s itinerary may be impacted, including having to cancel your visit to Cozumel, Mexico. We will continue to monitor this system and keep you clients informed of any needed changes once they are onboard.
In addition, as you may know, Hurricane Dorian passed through the Bahamas last week and there was some impact to our private island, Castaway Cay. We are pleased to let you and your clients know that the necessary work following the storm has been completed. While we currently plan to dock at our private island during their cruise, please know that they will see some signs of the recent storm. The most notable is the landscaping and foliage, which will take time to regain its lush tropical look. They will also notice that work continues on some structures and with relocating sand that shifted due to the storm.
The following experiences and areas will be available for Guests to enjoy on the island:
Family Beach (including swimming for all ages)
Pelican Point & Pelican Plunge water slide
Serenity Bay (swimming for Guests 18 years of age and older / beach chairs only
– no loungers or umbrellas)
All food & beverage locations
Floats, tubes, bicycles and recreational water craft are available for rental
Merchandise locations (both DCL and the Bahamian retail areas)
Island Tram transportation service
Experiences that will not be available include Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, the snorkeling area, and the play structure adjacent to the Family Beach, all of which are undergoing additional work before they can be reopened. If your clients pre-booked reservations for Castaway included the experiences listed above, note that their account will be automatically credited and there is no need for them to stop by the Guest Services desk.
Port Adventures operated by third parties may also not be available. If you clients have a reservation for one of the following experiences, we ask that they stop by Marge’s Barges (the excursion check-in point on the island) to confirm that the experience will be offered:
Guided Watercraft Ski Adventure
Parasailing
Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Voyage
Banana Boat Thrill Ride
Fishing experiences
We appreciate your and your client’s understanding and look forward to seeing them soon!
Sincerely,
The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line
We will continue to monitor this tropical system and share any updates from Disney Cruise Line as they become available.