Cruising The Canal May 1, 2015 (Roll Call in Post 1)

[spirit7759]

This will be our fourth Disney Cruise! Our first was the westbound transatlantic in 2010. We have taken two "last minute" cruises since then, one on the Magic (before refab) and one on the Dream this past winter. This Panama Canal cruise will be for our 35th anniversary. So excited...mostly, for the days at sea! Can't wait to meet you all!

Roll Call: Just DH and myself....both a young 55!

 

[GooniesAndy]

Flight prices have gone down so much that I bit the bullet and booked our flights today on American, instead of waiting for Southwest. It's slightly more expensive than it would have been (around $100 total), but I decided that having seat assignments and knowing the kids and I could sit together was worth it! Plus, we get in an hour earlier than we would have. So excited to feel like I am actually doing something in regards to this trip!

So, now I can start thinking about other things like ground transportation! We are flying into Fort Lauderdale, since it was still a lot cheaper than flying into Miami. I was looking at the cost of shuttles, and it seems like it's about $40 per person ($120 for the three of us). I looked up the cost of a cab and it is claimed that it is in the $80 range, give or take $20 depending on traffic. Does anyone have any experience with this? If that is true, we will absolutely just take a cab!

 

[mom4fun]

OK, I'll keep looking then. I've only gone through Cartagena so far, but there is a street food tour that sounds fun to me. And it includes some history/site seeing etc I believe. It's reviewed well. Once I have more, I will post again.

I know this was posted a long time ago but I'm interested in tours out of cartagena. Would like to be kept posted on info.

 

[heatherfugee]

Booked this cruise for our honeymoon. Can't wait to go on it!

 

[mom4fun]

Anyone flying into ft. Lauderdadale, there is a group staying at Homewood suites airport, that will be taking group transportation from the hotel to miami port for $12 per person as long as we have at least 20 people. If not there is also hotel transportation for $25.00 per person.

 

[GooniesAndy]

We will be heading straight into Miami Thursday afternoon when our flight lands and staying with the group at the Doubletree. I think I have decided to rent a limo since our flights ended up being so much less than expected. This is a very special trip for my children, and I think they will be SO excited to be met by a chauffeur holding a sign with their names on it and then escorted to a limousine! I'm not telling them about it, so I can either change my mind or surprise them at the airport.

 

[granmaz]

We can recommend Dora(the explorer) for Cartagena tours. We enjoyed ours in 2013 and another group had a great time this year. She was very good with the 2 little ones on the tour too. She gets you up to the monastery(La Popa) first so you are there before the big groups arrive.

We had a mini bus for about 15 I think. Have a look at her recommendations.

http://cartagenatour.com/

 

[JAM9842]

Anyone flying into ft. Lauderdadale, there is a group staying at Homewood suites airport, that will be taking group transportation from the hotel to miami port for $12 per person as long as we have at least 20 people. If not there is also hotel transportation for $25.00 per person.

We would love to be added to the group transportation and have already booked the Homewood Suites. There will be 4 of us, 2 adults, one 6 year old and one 4 year old. Thank you!

Jessica Moore

 

[mom4fun]

We would love to be added to the group transportation and have already booked the Homewood Suites. There will be 4 of us, 2 adults, one 6 year old and one 4 year old. Thank you!

Jessica Moore

Christina Ramos has called about transportation so I will let her know. This will definitely give us our 20 plus people now! It be will be so nice traveling to the port as a group. Are you on Facebook also?

 

[mom4fun]

My husband is on Facebook and he has joined the group. He does not get on it a whole lot so any information posted here would be GREATLY appreciated. I am also hoping we will be able to leave earlier than the 11am time frame Homewood Suites gave us. Thank you!

We'll keep you informed. I would like to be at the port by 10:30 if possible. Has he let Christina know that you want to be included? If not just let me know how many will need transportation in your party so we can keep a running tally.

 

[JAM9842]

We'll keep you informed. I would like to be at the port by 10:30 if possible. Has he let Christina know that you want to be included? If not just let me know how many will need transportation in your party so we can keep a running tally.

There will be 4 of us: 2 adults and 2 children (ages 6 and 4). I agree with you and would love to be at the port that early. Thank you SOOOOO much!!!!

My email is: 3ksandme@gmail.com in case you need it.

Jessica

 

[granmaz]

Though I love to be at ports early, the Miami terminal is quite poor even though it seemed modern. Not as bad as some we have gone from though. DCL's Port Canaveral is by far the best. Last year at Miami we had to stand and wait outside for quite a while till everthing was cleared and ready, and there aren't many seats inside either. There really is no rush, though I do understand the excitement. The first time we went we had to stand inside for the whole time till embarkation. Or sit on the floor. Last time we did have a couple of seats and just watched people coming in and checking in, coming in and checking in, coming in and checking in, and some more!!!

 

[mom4fun]

We'll keep you informed. I would like to be at the port by 10:30 if possible. Has he let Christina know that you want to be included? If not just let me know how many will need transportation in your party so we can keep a running tally.

Never mind, I found it. We have you added to the list. Should definitely be a go since we have 20 required people. We will be filling in more details as they become available.

 

[JAM9842]

never mind, i found it. We have you added to the list. Should definitely be a go since we have 20 required people. We will be filling in more details as they become available.

thank you!!!!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

Hi! My small family of three will be joining you on this exciting adventure! I actually booked on opening day, as I see many of you also did, but we have another sailing coming up in November and so I have been busy getting ready for that. It's fun to see that this group is so active! I spent the first nine years of my life in Panama City and have been hoping to find a way to take my little girl. Since my husband is not such an adventurous type, I figure this is as close as we are going to get.

We are Tim, Alexis (that's me!), and Lilia (8) from Wilmington, NC. This will be our 6th DCL sailing and our first not on the Magic (we are creatures of habit!) We have late dining. I have not had a chance to read through all 35 pages of the thread, but I will get caught up! In the meantime, we would like to be added to all activities in which there is still space (meets, FE exchange, mixology and tastings, etc.) I would also be interested in purchasing a t-shirt for my daughter. Ok, well...I have to prepare to log in and do my DCL check-in, but I'll be back! Looking forward to sailing with you!

 

[granmaz]

I love the tees and design, well done to those involved. Unfortunately I look terrible in high neck tees(high neck anything) so don't buy them these days since realising that. I did actually buy one of the DCL ones from our 2008 PC which I occasionally wear on embarkation days but I know I don't look good. I was just so excited actually being on a PC cruise. Never ever wear it anytime else. The ones DCL do these days aren't anywhere as good quality as they were then.

However it will be great to see these around the ship and know which group the wearers belong to and I always love the idea of a group tee or shirt.

DCL usually have a design available all the time in the shop though sell quickly, but also have a special one available on the crossing day. They usually sell out on the day apart from the very less popular sizes which they leave in the shop sometimes.

 

[rlrose313]

I love the tees and design, well done to those involved. Unfortunately I look terrible in high neck tees(high neck anything) so don't buy them these days since realising that. I did actually buy one of the DCL ones from our 2008 PC which I occasionally wear on embarkation days but I know I don't look good. I was just so excited actually being on a PC cruise. Never ever wear it anytime else. The ones DCL do these days aren't anywhere as good quality as they were then.

However it will be great to see these around the ship and know which group the wearers belong to and I always love the idea of a group tee or shirt.

DCL usually have a design available all the time in the shop though sell quickly, but also have a special one available on the crossing day. They usually sell out on the day apart from the very less popular sizes which they leave in the shop sometimes.

I'm really sorry, I forgot to mention in my post but the ladies t-shirts will be v-neck. It's good to know how fast the DCL shirts sell out. Thanks!

 

[Bookwood]

DCL usually have a design available all the time in the shop though sell quickly, but also have a special one available on the crossing day. They usually sell out on the day apart from the very less popular sizes which they leave in the shop sometimes.

I guess I never realized the shops were open in the canal (with the closed in port rule, and watching the passing thru the canal) it never dawned on me they would be open. LOL (although it should have as my camera died the night before the PC on our last cruise during dinner in Animators and I got a new one as soon as Shutters opened)

I'll show the DH a picture of the shirts tonight and check if he wants one. Since they have v-necks I'll probably get one.

 

[granmaz]

I have to be honest and say I am not sure if the shops are open on canal day but I do think they are. I remember once some of the staff, in uniforn, coming out onto deck 4 to watch the progress. Plus of course there is plenty of shopping time that day. I remember staff going round on deck on our first crossing selling the special tees but haven't noticed since. I would think the shops would be open.

 

[granmaz]

I'm really sorry, I forgot to mention in my post but the ladies t-shirts will be v-neck. It's good to know how fast the DCL shirts sell out. Thanks!

V necks are definitely more flattering, particularly for those of us more well endowed in the upper regions!!