Live From the May Repositioning Cruise

[moocow35]

A HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to take pictures of us and the video clips are unbelievable! The line here at the internet cafe is big, and I almost feel like I haven't got the $200 worth of time online, but who has time for it being on this cruise?

Please eveyone behave so this thread doesn't get shut down or removed so I can read the whole thing once I get home.

Again, a big thank you to everyone!
Robin

 

[turtle51]

CAn anyone tell me how much the internet costs to use on the cruise ship. Is it per minute or can you pay so much an hour? Did they offer any specials on the repo?


Can family members call you on the ship? How much does it cost per minute?

 

[WDWLVR]

That would be me......I stayed up Friday night May 13 at 11:30 p.m. painting the banner that spread 60 feet across our hotel room floor. The luggage came in real handy. I had the banner winding between all our luggage!!! Told my parents, if you get out of bed during the night don't run into the banner! Got to take care of the important stuff!

The banner says "TAKING THE MAGIC KINGDOM TO KINGDOM ~ DISNEY'S 1ST PANAMA CANAL CRUISE"

Yes, we have digital pictures from the sailaway and yesterday the ship's photographers took pictures of us from the AFT on deck 6 verandah which will be in Shutter's sometime today.

We cannot post pictures during the cruise as the internet cafe will not let us upload anything. But after we get home on May 28, I will upload the banner and put on the site for all to see.

Let me just say Alvaro was wonderful! It was absolutely incredible to be able to share the day with him during his free time from piloting the Magic through the canal! Memories to last a lifetime!

Linda

Linda - that is very cool. Can't wait to see the pictures. We did see the banner at sailaway and yesterday but both times it wasn't very clear. Enjoy your second week onboard as you take the Magic to California!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I would like to learn some things about the panama canal before we go through. Canyone tell me any good books to read that talk about the Panama canal and where to buy them?

I would check www.barnsandnoble.com Or go to their store if there is one in your area.

 

[figment52]

Wow - I didn't didn't get a chance to get back on yesterday afterthe first lock so I just caught up and this was FANtastic!!!! I have been throught locksbefore but seeing the Magic - WOW!!! The camera people were great. I hope there is a movie or pics available when i board for the first cruise out of CA on 5/28.

Thanks to all, including the posters, pilots and panama camera folks for bring this adventure into my home.

Next week at this time I"ll be on board (if I ever pack).

 

[taeja71]

That would be me......I stayed up Friday night May 13 at 11:30 p.m. painting the banner that spread 60 feet across our hotel room floor. The luggage came in real handy. I had the banner winding between all our luggage!!! Told my parents, if you get out of bed during the night don't run into the banner! Got to take care of the important stuff!

The banner says "TAKING THE MAGIC KINGDOM TO KINGDOM ~ DISNEY'S 1ST PANAMA CANAL CRUISE"

Yes, we have digital pictures from the sailaway and yesterday the ship's photographers took pictures of us from the AFT on deck 6 verandah which will be in Shutter's sometime today.

We cannot post pictures during the cruise as the internet cafe will not let us upload anything. But after we get home on May 28, I will upload the banner and put on the site for all to see.

Let me just say Alvaro was wonderful! It was absolutely incredible to be able to share the day with him during his free time from piloting the Magic through the canal! Memories to last a lifetime!

Linda

All I can say is, WOW! I can't wait to see the pic of the banner. Too bad you couldn't get a pic of the banner winding through your luggage to keep it pristine! I hope you have a large cabin. Continue to have a magical time.

 

[dzneprincess]

The MAGIC is 106 feet wide and the locks are 110, but don't forget about the other measurements... the locks are 1000 feet long and the MAGIC is 965 feet long... that's tight too!

I was there yesterday but I'm home today

I was one of 3 pilots assigned to take the MAGIC through the Canal, and had the opportunity to spend most of the day with DIS boards members (some I remember: Scott & Lynn - Scoot H -, Linda & Robert - seaulater -, Tony & Adrianne, Leslie & Joe, Elaine & Margaret, and, of course, Kelli & Keith... there were a lot more than that but I did not get all the names)

Got on the ship at 0630am, just before we entered Gatun locks, and as soon as we left the locks (around 8:15am) I went to meet my "new friends" at Kelli's cabin (the one you saw the DIS sign hanging from the balcony) We had breakfast together and basically spent the whole morning touring the ship and chatting with a group of wonderful people who kept showing up at Kelli's stateroom. Stayed with them until it was time for me to work again (Pedro Miguel locks) and saw them again for a couple of minutes between locks (PM and Miraflores). Sadly I had to say good bye (talk about wanting to stay on board )...

That was my quick report...

Alvaro from Panama

Ok can someone please explain this to this dumb girl? (me??) Does this mean that Alvaro was actually drving the ship,per se, through the locks? WOW WHen and how did you get off the ship after you were done? Ah man, I sooo wish I could go on the Aug repo cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooo sad that I can't. I wish DCL would offer 14 days regularly...

 

[AlvaroLuis]

BuzzMan, I'll make sure the camera man gets a well deserved "Thank you!" They really did a good job, I just had a chance to look at some of the still pictures from the MF camera.

I'll try my best to be on the MAGIC when she comes back on August 28... I'll try but I know there's a lot of pilots who want to be there too.

 

[DisneyPata]

Ditto
Thank you and hope to see you in August

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Dzneprincess, the MAGIC requires 3 pilots to transit the Canal. 2 pilots on the bridge, with the ship's Captain (that would be Mickey) and one pilot on the stern (I was exactly under lifeboat #21 when we were at Miraflores locks). I was the pilot on the stern.

I wanted to be on the bridge but it worked out better for me not to be there, because I ended up having more free time between locks to share with other DISers. I was standing right next to regular passengers (not just ship's crew and VIPs) with whom I was able to talk during the lockage.

Getting off the ship was the hard part... there were many offers from fellow DISers to let me hide in their cabins... they would bring food and the ocassional drink.... sadly I had to decline. I was there the whole day and, if you remember when the ship was leaving the locks a launch came alongside on the left side of the ship... that's the one that took me ashore.

 

[kellib36]

I would like to learn some things about the panama canal before we go through. Canyone tell me any good books to read that talk about the Panama canal and where to buy them?

If you can get through it, "Path Between the Seas" is a VERY comprehensive book on the history of the canal. There are also SEVERAL more picture-book types books that are also a great read, with a lot less reading, if you get my drift....we did get a PC book onboard that has pics from PBtS and also pics from Willie Friar's onboard talk.

I didn't recognize her at first at Miraflores locks, but she was VERY emotional, and made me cry. OK, so that isn't too tough to do....I cry at coffee commercials.....but she was hugging us and blowing kisses back at us.

The canal transit is THE MOST incredible thing I've ever witnessed, and I would love to do it again....and I'm not even off the ship yet!!!!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

If you can get through it, "Path Between the Seas" is a VERY comprehensive book on the history of the canal.

I was about to suggest that same book Kelli. It's long and at times hard to read but it does have A LOT of information.

 

[kellib36]

I was about to suggest that same book Kelli. It's long and at times hard to read but it does have A LOT of information.

HI! How is your day off going? It's taken me till now to get onto a computer....Disney REALLY must do something about all these technogeeks onboard.....I just need my internet fix more often!!!

The seas are MUCH rougher since the canal.....I put on a ptach for the first time last night before bed, and this am, I'm glad I did....Talk to you soon!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Let me just say Alvaro was wonderful! It was absolutely incredible to be able to share the day with him during his free time from piloting the Magic through the canal! Memories to last a lifetime!

Linda

Thanks Linda... you guys were wonderful too... let me just say that I've been feeling down all day... We had another beautiful sunny day here in Panama and somehow it feels like I should be somewhere else...

Maybe I should have taken on the offer... would be sipping a Pina Colada right now!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

I should have known this was YOU!!! Hi Kelli! You spoiled me yesterday, now I want ALL transits through the Canal to be like yesterday... Funny you mentioned the sea being rougher today... that means you were lucky in the Atlantic. Talk to you soon, enjoy your week!

 

[kellib36]

You spoiled me yesterday, now I want ALL transits through the Canal to be like yesterday... Funny you mentioned the sea being rougher today... that means you were lucky in the Atlantic. Talk to you soon, enjoy your week!

Sent you a PM, Alvaro, and I do know how lucky I was not to have to use my patches earlier....considering I use them at carnivals, etc. I'm glad to hear its sunny again today, pixie dust goes a long way!!! We had a storm chase us out of the canal and follow us....skies are still overcast, but at least it got a little cooler when the clouds moved in.

Guess I should get off here for a while, and let some of these other people IN LINE get their chance....To all those planning a PC crossing--THINK LONG AND HARD before cancelling. It's an absolutely AMAZING experience, and I'm SO glad I did it!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Just replied to your PM Kelli. And I thought 10 computers were more than enough... it probably is unless you have 300+ DISers on board... LOL...

 

[Verandah Man]

a launch came alongside on the left side of the ship... that's the one that took me ashore.

How very sad for you!!!

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I was one of the fortunate few to have been able to meet Alvaro yesterday.

Thank you so much Alvaro...you made the entire journey a trip of a lifetime for my Mom & I. I will treasure my book and all my memories of the day forever.

Thanks again for an incredible day.

Elaine

P.S. Thanks Kelli for opening up your balcony for all of us to use!!!! Good thing there were lots of chairs!!!!!!!!

 

[georgeat]

Just checked the DCL sight and they are showing only Cat 9, 10, and 11 left. I am so glad to be able to make some of my excursion and Palo reservations tomorrow for the eastbound repo. Enjoyed all the pictures and posts from Alvaro Luis.