May 2, 2014 - A WONDERous trip through the Locks WBPC

[twopeasonepod]

Hi All Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who wished me speedy recovery and I am on that course. I also wanted to say thanks for the info on the room in Miami. I hope everyone has a great day and as always Carry On.

Hi! Glad you are recovering nicely! Take good care.

Also, if you haven't bought your airline tix yet, you might want to consider flying into FLL (Fort Lauderdale). We made that choice after some suggestions here. It saved us about $600, the hotel we are staying at is very reasonable with a free shuttle from the airport, and transportation the next day is about a 30-45 min. drive to the port (versus 15 min. from MIA). Same difference to me!

 

[granmaz]

I think if you can manage the difference to get a veranda then I would as it can be great to watch the locks etc from there instead of battling the crowds up top and also with some cover from the heat of the sun. You would still want to do a bit of that battling though just to experience it, good or bad!! This last trip was our third transit and for the first time it rained. It suddenly began to pour when we were going though the cut so it was really nice to have the veranda then. By the way the rain was wonderful and cooled the temperatures down.

But there is also Deck 4 and you are closer to the action from there too.

 

[jrp]

Hi twopeasonepod If you have already booked your room for the day before could you [lease send me the location and the chain so I can look into it? Thanks

 

[socababy]

For a 15 night cruise, I would definitely go with a veranda! We were very fortunate to cruise in the Roy suite on our PC cruise last Dec. Of course anything I chose for this PC cruise will pale in comparison! We are going with a veranda room though. It will be a great escape for when dd goes to bed or is sleeping in in the morning. Granted we are going in the opposite direction on this cruise than we did in May, we started our way through the Panama Canal pretty early. I remember having to go in and tell the kids several times that they should get up so they could see what happens. So for those with kids who like to sleep, maybe a veranda will be even more important on the day we go through the canal.

We had absolutely perfectly warm weather the whole 2 weeks last December. I know May normally brings more rain. How much rain are we looking at?

 

[aan1701]

Here is a pic I took from the Outlook.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[twopeasonepod]

Here is a pic I took from the Outlook.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

OMG NOOOOOOOOOOO! (oh wait I'll be on the best vacation seeing amazing things with no contact with the real world -- I'm good!)

 

[twopeasonepod]

Hi twopeasonepod If you have already booked your room for the day before could you [lease send me the location and the chain so I can look into it? Thanks

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...e_Airport_Cruise-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html

I picked this hotel because it has a free shuttle that doesn't have a time schedule (forget which other one did, but it was only on the "o'clock" and if you missed it, you had to wait a whole hour). I also wanted a pool, fitness center, and prefer the layout of these rooms. There is a ridiculous deal on the rooms right now. I had originally booked two rooms at $398 and rebooked for $247 just last week. The same prices I paid are up now. Only problem is that you have to prepay. I guess I'm locked in now!

 

[jrp]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...e_Airport_Cruise-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html

I picked this hotel because it has a free shuttle that doesn't have a time schedule (forget which other one did, but it was only on the "o'clock" and if you missed it, you had to wait a whole hour). I also wanted a pool, fitness center, and prefer the layout of these rooms. There is a ridiculous deal on the rooms right now. I had originally booked two rooms at $398 and rebooked for $247 just last week. The same prices I paid are up now. Only problem is that you have to prepay. I guess I'm locked in now!

Hi twopeasonepod thanks for the info. You might want to sit down as it it is now 165 for the same package. I am not booking just yet, but I am going to save the info so I can use it later as I am going to join the club and hope for more discount? Have a great day. It won't be long now

 

[twopeasonepod]

Hi twopeasonepod thanks for the info. You might want to sit down as it it is now 165 for the same package. I am not booking just yet, but I am going to save the info so I can use it later as I am going to join the club and hope for more discount? Have a great day. It won't be long now

Where are you seeing that price? I just tried to reserve again and got the same price. $246 actually is what I paid. Two rooms -- 4 adults, 2 kids.

 

[jrp]

Where are you seeing that price? I just tried to reserve again and got the same price. $246 actually is what I paid. Two rooms -- 4 adults, 2 kids.

Hi twopeasonepod You are right on the money. Your rate was much better than what I got. I booked today for the room/cruise and it was 155.00 but on the other hand I got it done I tried to book the Coronado and will have to wait till Feb to book if I use my DVC points. All is well though and again I want to Thank You for the info. To everyone on the DIS have a great day.

 

[Brixton]

We stayed at Doubletree Grand Biscayne this year, at $135.20/night. It was $20 from hotel to port, with tips. Hilton is offering the same rate next year. There is a Hampton Inn at FLL that's a bit less, and includes breakfast.

I am jealous of the FL residents! Not only are they offered special DCL rates, they have fewer logistical issues

 

[Brixton]

For a 15 night cruise, I would definitely go with a veranda! We were very fortunate to cruise in the Roy suite on our PC cruise last Dec. Of course anything I chose for this PC cruise will pale in comparison!

We had absolutely perfectly warm weather the whole 2 weeks last December. I know May normally brings more rain. How much rain are we looking at?

The rain was quite refreshing, IMO. It was too hot, for me, two days of the fifteen.

Here is a pic I took from the Outlook.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

The Mother's Day Downpour, which we experienced at Palo. Your PC photos are better than ours.

 

[aan1701]

The rain was quite refreshing, IMO. It was too hot, for me, two days of the fifteen.

The Mother's Day Downpour, which we experienced at Palo. Your PC photos are better than ours.

I agree. Normally, like Jimmy said, the rain makes it more unbearable but in this case it help. Thank you for the compliment of my photos. I just point and shoot. I guess I got lucky a few times.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[beaglefan]

I am so impressed how folks are on top of their travel plans so early. You are putting me to shame!

I have been doing some travel for business and accumulated a free night certificate at a Marriott hotel.

I decided to book the Courtyard Marriott Downtown, as it seems to be in a good location, and only 2 miles away from the port. They have a cruise package that includes breakfast and transportation to the port.

Next step, flights -- I will try to get on that this weekend.

Thanks for the motivation!

 

[granmaz]

Good morning. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

I haven't really begun thinking about travel plans for this cruise yet. All we know is that we want some days before and some weeks after!!! Once we actually book our flights I can start on all the planning.

We are planning our October trip at the moment and have to make a decision soon about how to get home after the Westbound Transatlantic part. Either spend an extra week in Florida and fly home, or get up to NY and cruise home on the QM2 at slightly greater expense but enjoy another week of vacation at sea. Nice problem but a problem none the less.

 

[MommyTo5]

Hi All!

We just returned from amazing Toronto/Niagara Falls, so it's time to start the cruise & wedding planning!!!

We are hoping to fly SWA and although their schedule doesn't extend to May yet, I did go ahead and book a hotel near FLL for our pre-cruise stay. I made sure to book a reservation that we could easily cancel with no penalties, if needed, in case we decide to use another airline and fly into Miami instead.

We went with the Best Western Plus Fort Lauderdale Airport South Inn & Suites. The hotel looks nice, the Trip Advisor reviews seem to be fairly positive & I think it would be tough to beat this deal for a hotel with a free full breakfast, microwave/refrigerator and wifi - just $89.90 including taxes & fees. I obtained this great rate by joining the Best Western Rewards program and booking direct thru their website.

We're planning on using SAS Transport to port the morning of the cruise... just $15 per person!

~ Angie

 

[twopeasonepod]

Good morning. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

I haven't really begun thinking about travel plans for this cruise yet. All we know is that we want some days before and some weeks after!!! Once we actually book our flights I can start on all the planning.

We are planning our October trip at the moment and have to make a decision soon about how to get home after the Westbound Transatlantic part. Either spend an extra week in Florida and fly home, or get up to NY and cruise home on the QM2 at slightly greater expense but enjoy another week of vacation at sea. Nice problem but a problem none the less.

Hi Marilyn,

We bought our fares early for the great deal, plus we have to get home ASAP because the boys are still in school and they miss so much that we wanted to get them back for the last two weeks. You have plenty of time!

For the WBTA, we are waiting for the 330 day mark to book the flight using miles from HNL to BCN, then I'll use miles again for my parents to come home. DH, the boys, and I will be paying to fly to DC for about 4-5 days to meet my other parents, who will be there for my mom's reunion, then home. Missing more school again haha. I thought going to DC was a nice change from WDW. Plus, the boys haven't been there yet! NYC sounds awesome, though!!!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Hi All!

We just returned from amazing Toronto/Niagara Falls, so it's time to start the cruise & wedding planning!!!

We are hoping to fly SWA and although their schedule doesn't extend to May yet, I did go ahead and book a hotel near FLL for our pre-cruise stay. I made sure to book a reservation that we could easily cancel with no penalties, if needed, in case we decide to use another airline and fly into Miami instead.

We went with the Best Western Plus Fort Lauderdale Airport South Inn & Suites. The hotel looks nice, the Trip Advisor reviews seem to be fairly positive & I think it would be tough to beat this deal for a hotel with a free full breakfast, microwave/refrigerator and wifi - just $89.90 including taxes & fees. I obtained this great rate by joining the Best Western Rewards program and booking direct thru their website.

We're planning on using SAS Transport to port the morning of the cruise... just $15 per person!

~ Angie

Great deal! Our package has breakfast, too, but is more than $90! So excited for you to celebrate your special day!!!

 

[Old as Disneyland]

We just booked this cruise and are especially looking forward to the days at sea. It's our first time on a Disney cruise!

Teresa & Woody

 

[jrp]

Hi All Just wanted to check in to the board. I went with the Holiday inn, as it has the shuttleto and from and breakfast too. Cool for the BW members and I hope to see all at a meet and greet on board the WONDER.