Disney Wonder crossing the Panama Canal, Aug 26, 2016

[MickeyBoat252]

Soooooo excited! Just booked this cruise. We always wanted to do a Panama Canal crossing and the dates were never right. But now they ARE!!!!!!!

Before we took our first cruise we were sure that this would be a one time thing, but like everything else at Disney, we fell in love with cruising and this will be cruise no 16 since 2009.

Looking forward to get to know many of our fellow cruisers!


Cruisers Roll Call:
dytx
NYStuckey
MickeyBoat252
Kim Sandoval
AZRose
PontiusPython
MeekoPooh
Pinkocto
melglnh2o
PrincessBrit
slykrab
pj2216
MomOf2inSD
ahain
Spacecase1
Lisa
DisneyEJT
Jareds_mommy
Amunet
Krissy22222
MrsMork1
Liat
GarakDS9
Dizneeat


Fish Extender participants:
ffenk
NYStuckey
MomOf2inSD
MickeyBoat252
Amunet
PontiusPython
melglnh2o
PrincessBrit
slykrab
Spacecase1
Dizneeat

Link to the FE list with details ---- HERE​

Anyone in for a FE exchange?
​

FE Exchanges are very popular, so the number of participants can get quite large, especially as the cruise date nears.

So not to scare someone off by a giant group, the group will be broken up into smaller groups (of about 15 “participant groups” – works better than staterooms as often a family has more than one stateroom).

Be aware that the groups will be divided BY DECKS to minimize the time you will need to deliver the gifts.
​

To give everyone time to prepare, the deadline to join the FE Exchange will be JULY 15, 2016. I will then post links to all the individual groups.

Please let me know if you would like to join MORE than 1 group.

To join the FE Exchange, please send me a “Private Message” with the following information:

*Stateroom Number

*Names of everyone in your cabin

*Ages of children

Fish Extender 101


Fish Extender Info

So, do you want to join our Fish Extender Exchange?
​

Sorry, but can you please remove us from the FE list? Thanks in advance.

 

[slykrab]

We are trying to come up with some ideas for port excursions.

Cartagena is covered. We are still willing to share a cab with other folks to Chankanaab in Cozumel, as I believe the original group who wanted to go with us had to cancel. My original post with details is here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...anal-aug-26-2016.3411562/page-9#post-54835443

Does anyone have ideas, or recommendations if you've done them before, for Cabo and Puerto Vallerta?

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm trying to figure out Cabo and PV as well. I'd like to do beach/snorkel excursions and just need to sit down and look at them all. Your ticker really surprised me, I know it's less than 6 months but to see it printed out is exciting!

 

[slykrab]

I'm trying to figure out Cabo and PV as well. I'd like to do beach/snorkel excursions and just need to sit down and look at them all. Your ticker really surprised me, I know it's less than 6 months but to see it printed out is exciting!

I know!!!! So close yet just far enough for me to shed some pounds for pictures lol

 

[Nazarushka]

Hi! We are Michelle and Chris from Arizona. Two adults, no kids, love Disney, but this will be our first Disney cruise. We've done Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Holland America before, so this will be interesting. Chris was very happy to see BLT's on the room service menu, something he couldn't get on RCL. We have been to Panama and seen the locks, but never been through the Canal, we're quite looking forward to it. We had Disneyland annual passes for a couple of years, but found that 3 days in Disneyland cost almost as much as a 7 day Caribbean cruise, so we started doing two cruises a year instead. Chris is hoping to find some Tigger stuff, his favorite character, and not something found in Adult sizes often. My favorite character is Grumpy, he's just a big softie inside, really he is! We both have Disney lanyards and a few trading pins, but not much of anything.

I see that we need 10 posts before we can PM anyone, but I have a few question if you wouldn't mind.

First, I've done a little research on the FE, but can't find a good place to tell me what kind of "bag" I should have, how many gifts we should bring, etc. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Second, we are looking at doing a tour in Cartagena with Dora de Zuburia, but I thought I saw some other people looking at a tour with her also, could you please let me know if there is already a group that we could join, and, if so, what tour you are looking to do? I use a cane to get around, so I can't do a lot of walking. We emailed Dora separately and her regular tour includes an hour of walking, which I'm really not sure I can do.

We are quite looking forward to this cruise and to making new friends.

 

[dizneeat]

I definitely need to get organized for my FE gift planning. I don't want to lose track of everything!

Me too! I want to take a few things with us when we go to WDW in 12 days and leave them in our Owner's Locker. Less to carry with us in the summer!

We are trying to come up with some ideas for port excursions.

Guess we will not do much in Cozumel. Been there, done a few things - no need to repeat. Cabo and Puerto Vallerta are wide open, but I have not done much research yet either.

Does anyone have ideas, or recommendations if you've done them before, for Cabo and Puerto Vallerta?

Very interested as well!

I know it's less than 6 months but to see it printed out is exciting!

It's getting so exciting ..... we are under the 5 month mark already (given we are spending a bit of time at WDW and DL before the cruise ). It seemed FOREVER when we booked and now it is coming up fast.

Hi! We are Michelle and Chris from Arizona. Two adults, no kids, love Disney, but this will be our first Disney cruise.

to the Disboards and welcome to our cruise meet thread!!
You are going to love cruising with Disney and especially since you love Disney already. We are two adults, no kids too, we love Disney too, live in Europe and this will be our 16th Disney cruise. Given that I said I only want to cruise once in a lifetime (and that was in 2009) I guess we are doing well.

I see that we need 10 posts before we can PM anyone, but I have a few question if you wouldn't mind.

Yes, you need 10 messages before you can PM someone, but it's easy - just post a few comments here or on any other thread and you will soon be able to. You can ask away here as well. I am sure someone will be here to answer your questions.

First, I've done a little research on the FE, but can't find a good place to tell me what kind of "bag" I should have, how many gifts we should bring, etc. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

It's kind of a little organizer. I know people have been buying some from Ikea and just decorated them. I make my own and this is the one we are currently using (showing a little European pride )

And this is the one we used beforehand

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Let me know if you want to join and I can put you on the list.

Second, we are looking at doing a tour in Cartagena with Dora de Zuburia, but I thought I saw some other people looking at a tour with her also, could you please let me know if there is already a group that we could join, and, if so, what tour you are looking to do? I use a cane to get around, so I can't do a lot of walking. We emailed Dora separately and her regular tour includes an hour of walking, which I'm really not sure I can do.

I am in the group that has booked with Dora, but we are doing the regular tour that requires walking.

We are quite looking forward to this cruise and to making new friends.

You came to the right place. Glad to have you on board and looking forward to chatting with you even more.

 

[slykrab]

Here's a pic of our last FE

 

[slykrab]

First, I've done a little research on the FE, but can't find a good place to tell me what kind of "bag" I should have, how many gifts we should bring, etc. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

As far as bringing gifts, it's really up to you. Some folks bring one gift per cabin. Others bring individual gifts for each person in each cabin. On shorter cruises we tended to get one gift (or set of gifts if they are individual gifts) from each cabin in our group.

Since this is a longer cruise, I'm sure some folks will plan to bring a few rounds of gifts to keep it going for the duration of the cruise.

Once the FE list gets finalized (usually after the paid in full date), then you'll know how many people / cabins and it gets easier to plan.

 

[slykrab]

Cabo and Puerto Vallerta are wide open, but I have not done much research yet either.

My husband wants to try to find a certain restaurant in Cabo because Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives filmed an episode there.

 

[Nazarushka]

After talking it over, we would like to be added to the Dora tour in Cartagena if possible. If not, Dora said she had room on her "Dora 2" group.

And, yes, definitely please add us to the FE list. We're already trying to figure out what we can do for gifts.

Does anyone happen to know anything about eating gluten-free on Disney? I had a pretty easy time of it on RCL last month, but that was the first time I had tried to follow it on a cruise. I have a whole bunch of health problems and we've found through experience and blood work that eating wheat, along with a few other odd things, makes me worse. I actually made it to shore in every port on our last cruise, for the first time in 13 cruises, so it is probably worth following, even if it is a pain in the butt.

 

[slykrab]

Does anyone happen to know anything about eating gluten-free on Disney?

This thread may be helpful to you: http://www.disboards.com/threads/gluten-free-eating-on-disney-cruise.3261460/

My husband has a nut allergy which is severe only if eaten directly. They went out of their way to prepare his food and make sure there wasn't even contamination, even though we assured them that contamination isn't an issue unless the nut is directly in his food.

I also have a friend who sailed Disney, allergic to tons of stuff (cinnamon, corn, wheat, dairy, nuts, melons, carrots, onions...the list goes on!). He had no issues whatsoever and they prepared him versions of meals he could eat.

My mother in law is allergic to gluten (causes seizures) and we feel safe recommending DCL to her.

So we have found that, at least for allergies, including gluten, DCL does very well. Good luck!

 

[Pinkocto]

After talking it over, we would like to be added to the Dora tour in Cartagena if possible. If not, Dora said she had room on her "Dora 2" group.

And, yes, definitely please add us to the FE list. We're already trying to figure out what we can do for gifts.

Does anyone happen to know anything about eating gluten-free on Disney? I had a pretty easy time of it on RCL last month, but that was the first time I had tried to follow it on a cruise. I have a whole bunch of health problems and we've found through experience and blood work that eating wheat, along with a few other odd things, makes me worse. I actually made it to shore in every port on our last cruise, for the first time in 13 cruises, so it is probably worth following, even if it is a pain in the butt.

I have a gluten allergy and last cruise I finally told them upfront instead of trying to figure it out on my own and always having issues. You need to call them and have them put it on your reservation. Then on the first night your servers will address it with you. The first night was difficult because you can't preorder anything, but every night after that they gave me the menu for the next night and had me choose what I'd like and they'd make sure it was gluten free. If there was nothing I wanted they'd make me what I asked for. Several nights I had gluten free pasta with different sauces. One night a white sauce with mushrooms, another night a lemon sauce with olives. They basically made me personalized meals. Which I was very impressed with considering how many other meals must be made. You can also order breakfast and lunch with your evening servers and they will have it ready for you at the restaurant you'd like to eat at and the time you will be there. I didn't utilize them for breakfast or lunch but I should have. They can make you gluten free pizza, gluten free fries, and gluten free chicken fingers at the QS out by the pool. Of course all those have to be made special so you'll have a little bit of a wait while it's made, 10 minutes max. They're very serious about allergies on the ships. I will be making sure to ask the chefs about safety in the buffet. I completely had a brain fart and had hashbrowns for breakfast several days not even thinking they were fried in the same oil as the wheat covered items. I was ordering gluten free fries out by the pool, why didn't I think about the hashbrowns... They have lots of options, I'm sure you'll be happy with what they can provide. For the last morning when you eat in the same restaurant as your last dinner I did order breakfast and they made me pancakes. They were fabulous! Too little of a portion but very delicious. I'm looking forward to the different things on this nice long trip

 

[Nazarushka]

Thank you for the information on the gluten free, it sounds like it works much the same as it did on RCL. I've done a lot of research, but it helps to have someone who has definitely done it, not just a random post on the internet somewhere. I will have to remember I can pre-order breakfast, our last cruise I was very, very tired of eggs and bacon by the time we got done with 8 days, and I can't imagine 14 days. The hardest part about not eating wheat is that I have a major sweet tooth and all my favorite cruise desserts can't be eaten. No bread pudding, souffle, etc. I got quite tired of mousse-type desserts on our last cruise, it will be interesting to see what Disney comes up with instead. I will have to remember the gluten free fries, that is something else I've been missing. Our travel agent already put the gluten free on our reservation, but thanks for the tip.

 

[Pinkocto]

Yes, I had lots of icecream and mousse desserts. I've heard that they have gluten free pastries for breakfast but since I didn't ask for help with breakfast I can't tell you from first hand. I will be asking this time though. I was having breakfast envy when mom was eating Krispy Kremes every morning and I couldn't! Oh, I forgot to say that every dinner they brought me a basket of my own bread. Nothing fancy like everyone else gets, just plain white bread, but at least they thought of me.

 

[Nazarushka]

Where did everyone go, I didn't mean to scare everybody off!

 

[Pinkocto]

We're going on a cruise in 164 days!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Can't believe we are leaving for THAT holiday in just 141 days - tomorrow I can say 20 weeks!

Oh, and we are going to leave for our next WDW vacation in just 5 short days - well, almost four, as this day only has two more hours left.

AND ..... I booked another short weekend trip (4 days) to Italy today. Yes, life is good!

 

[Pinkocto]

Karin, safe travels and have a fabulous trip!!!

Exciting about the Italy trip as well!

 

[Nazarushka]

Me again.

I have more questions, please.

Does Disney have any excursions in Port Canavarel? You know, the kind where they pack up your luggage into a bus, take you wandering around town and then take you to the airport? Our flight doesn't leave until 6pm, so we're trying to figure out how to spend our day. Hopefully without fighting our luggage the whole time!

Somewhere on the internet it was mentioned that you could get a day pay for the Hyatt Airport, has anyone done that?

I've read through several threads and got the impression that if you have early dining, that means you also have early breakfast on disembarkation day. Can anyone tell me what time that is? And how long can you hang around if you go to the buffet instead?

Thanks!

 

[Nazarushka]

Oh, one more question, sorry. Does anyone know what the procedure is for getting a wheelchair for getting off the ship? I assume the process for getting one to get onboard is about the same as the other cruise lines, and I've cruised on both Holland America and Carnival out of San Diego before. But the procedure for getting off seems to be a little different for each line.

Thanks again!