I was also on the Fantasy cruise mentioned above. I have a little different version and opinion than that of the initial poster.
Upon arrival at the terminal, everyone was informed that due to weather related issues, the itinerary for our cruise was changed. I would assume that most of the cruisers knew that there was a hurricane coming to Florida. On Tuesday evening all of us were informed of the early return on Thursday afternoon. That was providing us with about 40 hours notice. Information was presented by the Captain that if you had arranged your cruise thru Disney Travel that your flights would automatically be changed. The main issue that customers stood in line is that they had booked their flight transportation on their own, rather than using DCL. It is not DCL fault that customers did not purchase their airfare thru DCL. However, Fantasy staff went above and beyond providing assistance for those passengers that needed assistant with reservations.
DCL has an obligation to it's stakeholders as well as passengers to do what is in the best interest of all concerned. With the forecasted devastation for the Florida, DCL chose to end the cruise early. No matter what DCL did, someone would complain.
Can you imagine being left on the boat till the hurricane passed. Then what, couldn't go to the Miami or Port Canaveral port because they were closed and the not knowing about other hurricanes in the area. Even if passengers who drove got off after the hurricane, the roads were flooded and there was limited availability of gas. For the folks who lived in Florida. A lot of them would have not know the status of their house or the potential of flooding in route to their homes. And for the folks traveling by air, there will limited flights out for days. I can really go on and on and on.
Usually I drive a long distance to the port, but if I choose to fly rather than drive, I will now really look at the opportunity cost associated with purchasing airfare on my own or letting DCL take care of it.
It is unfortunate what happened to us, by cancelling our cruises. But, if everyone would stop for just a minute to think of those cast members working in Florida. Along with employees that covered the MCO airport, staff at WDW along with everyone else who was directly affected by the hurricane.
And folks are griping, full refund of the lost days of the cruise plus 25% off a future cruise.
And finally, automatically booking people at WDW resorts, providing transportation, food, entrances to the parks....... Our society wants to be compensated for the hurricane. If you think DCL prices were high, wait till DCL had to adjust future cruises due to the extreme losses by the hurricane. Refunding, 25%, moving the ship for the hurricane, future changes in itinerary due to all the storms.
if you aren't happy with DCL after a storm of the century, do me a favor and cruise with someone else. IMHO only! No offense intended to anyone on this thread. Just calling it as I saw it.