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

[dolphingirl47]

How about one session in the morning and one in the afternoon? I rather liked the idea of an afternoon meet on the day we are in Cartagena.

Corinna

 

[jrp]

Hi All
I hope we have a morning and an evening exchange of pins with the DIS group. I still have a few from the 2004 ghost cruise to swap out. I also think the idea of the meet and greet in the promenade lounge after the initial boat drill is a pretty good idea. I hope everyone has made their ressie for palos brunch or dinner alreadymanga or something like that lol. They only let me one for brunch- oh well I hope everyone is having a great day and of course carry on!!!

 

[Muushka]

Hi All
I hope we have a morning and an evening exchange of pins with the DIS group. I still have a few from the 2004 ghost cruise to swap out. I also think the idea of the meet and greet in the promenade lounge after the initial boat drill is a pretty good idea. I hope everyone has made their ressie for palos brunch or dinner alreadymanga or something like that lol. They only let me one for brunch- oh well I hope everyone is having a great day and of course carry on!!!

I imagine on a cruise of this length there will be more opportunities for Palo brunch and dinner. We can hope!
When did it go to $25? I remember when it was $5!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

How about one session in the morning and one in the afternoon? I rather liked the idea of an afternoon meet on the day we are in Cartagena.

Corinna

Well have fun. 10 is just to early for this night owl.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

Hi All
I hope we have a morning and an evening exchange of pins with the DIS group. I still have a few from the 2004 ghost cruise to swap out. I also think the idea of the meet and greet in the promenade lounge after the initial boat drill is a pretty good idea. I hope everyone has made their ressie for palos brunch or dinner alreadymanga or something like that lol. They only let me one for brunch- oh well I hope everyone is having a great day and of course carry on!!!

aan1701, we are "early to bed and early to rise" sort of people, and on the RCCL cruise we just finished, I do not think we were out after 10PM on any of the nights, it's what works for us. I don't mean to exclude anyone! I know that the Officers Pin trading that they had on the EBTA was held before the show on certain nights.

So as far as Pin Interest how about at Diversions at 10-11ish AM on day 6 . In Cartagena, time scheduled to leave is 2:45, so is 3:30 suitable?
If we wear trading pin lanyards at the "Meet" people may find that's convenient as well.

 

[aan1701]

aan1701, we are "early to bed and early to rise" sort of people, and on the RCCL cruise we just finished, I do not think we were out after 10PM on any of the nights, it's what works for us. I don't mean to exclude anyone! I know that the Officers Pin trading that they had on the EBTA was held before the show on certain nights. So as far as Pin Interest how about at Diversions at 10-11ish AM on day 6 . In Cartagena, time scheduled to leave is 2:45, so is 3:30 suitable? If we wear trading pin lanyards at the "Meet" people may find that's convenient as well.

Oh it is what it is. I am hardly ever up before noon when I am at home. On vacation I normally wake up around 10-11 but still go to sleep around 3 AM. That's why I was thinking Cartagena. Since the ship leaves at 2:45 there should be nothing going on till about 2 or so, so it should be easy to find a space to sit and trade for a bit. Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Mrs Homedisney]

I feel like I should say hello. I have been reading all of the great posts in this thread and on the Facebook page, and I am beyond excited for our cruise!

We will be coming from the Pacific Northwest, and this will be the second cruise for my husband, our tween daughter, and myself. Our first one was the inaugural West coast Mexican Riviera Cruise on the Disney Magic, when the show, Twice Charmed, premiered. (Too many years ago!) Our daughter was just a toddler at the time, so it's all brand new for her. My husband and I already know that the cruise will be amazing, but we're really looking forward to seeing our jr Mouseketeer discover the magic at sea.

 

[dolphingirl47]

aan1701, we are "early to bed and early to rise" sort of people, and on the RCCL cruise we just finished, I do not think we were out after 10PM on any of the nights, it's what works for us. I don't mean to exclude anyone! I know that the Officers Pin trading that they had on the EBTA was held before the show on certain nights.

So as far as Pin Interest how about at Diversions at 10-11ish AM on day 6 . In Cartagena, time scheduled to leave is 2:45, so is 3:30 suitable?
If we wear trading pin lanyards at the "Meet" people may find that's convenient as well.

That sounds great.

I feel like I should say hello. I have been reading all of the great posts in this thread and on the Facebook page, and I am beyond excited for our cruise!

We will be coming from the Pacific Northwest, and this will be the second cruise for my husband, our tween daughter, and myself. Our first one was the inaugural West coast Mexican Riviera Cruise on the Disney Magic, when the show, Twice Charmed, premiered. (Too many years ago!) Our daughter was just a toddler at the time, so it's all brand new for her. My husband and I already know that the cruise will be amazing, but we're really looking forward to seeing our jr Mouseketeer discover the magic at sea.

Welcome on board.

Corinna

 

[CaptJackFan]

We will do the pin trade! Sounds fun!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[CaptJackFan]

Any progress on the group #2 FE list?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Thanks Jeff! We were on the May, 2010 Med cruise with you. That was our first and only DCL to date. I'm taking that as a sign that I should book this cruise.

Cathy! Yes, I remember.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I've been thru most of the pages of posts but don't see much as far as non Disney sponsored shore excursions or things to do on most of the port calls. We did the western 11 years ago with Key West and Cozumel but haven't been to Columbia or the Pacific ports on this trip. Could certainly use some suggestions for these cities.

Some will tell you that you're taking a big chance by not doing Disney tours...nothing personal to those people but that just isn't true. As long as you reserve tours with reputable tour providers they will pick you up on time and get you back on time...if they didn't, the adverse comments to their business on places like tripadvisor or cruisecritic or disboards would quickly put them out of business. I've done almost exclusively non-cruise ship tours for 25 plus years and have never, ever had any issues with any of them even being close to not getting you back to the ship on time. The only tour that I've been on that was late was a Disney tour! You can check out out the excursions page of the EBPC cruise we did in Dec. 2012. Unfortunately, in Puerto Vallarta, Disney has booked up and apparently signed an exclusivity contract with Vallarta Tours as when I contacted them they pointed me back to Disney. In Cartagena, we used Marelvy Pena Hall. She was fabulous. We're likely going to do the Segway tour this time, combined with a culinary demo.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I imagine on a cruise of this length there will be more opportunities for Palo brunch and dinner. We can hope!
When did it go to $25? I remember when it was $5!!

There will be a ton of opportunities. Anyone wanting to do more than one dinner or brunch will be able to. They were almost begging us to come back up and see them on the EBPC in 2012.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I recall someone was wanting to zip line in Puerto Vallarta but found the Disney shore excursion sold out. That tour is done by Vallarta Adventures and they do a great job; however, all of their early morning tours are sold out to DCL. As an alternative, you can book the Los Veranos Canopy Tour. I've confirmed they have availability. They are one of the top rated providers per tripadvisor.

I'm not sure I'd get Susan up on a zipline again *BUT* she and I are foodies and have taken some food tours (South Beach, FL, and in Nassau, Bahamas) and loved them both. It just so happens the two top rated things to do in Puerto Vallarta are food tours! Yay! Here are the links. Anybody else interested in doing a food tour?

Vallarta Food Tours

Vallarta Eats Food Tours

 

[allie7]

Looking for any college age cruisers on this trip. I'm 20, and going with a friend that's also 20. Last cruise we were 17 and in the Vibe, and on this cruise there is no club for our age.

 

[Muushka]

There will be a ton of opportunities. Anyone wanting to do more than one dinner or brunch will be able to. They were almost begging us to come back up and see them on the EBPC in 2012.

Oh, that's great news. Thank you.

Gee, on Celebrity when they are wanting to fill their specialty restaurants they discount them, 30% off, buy one get one free. Hmmmm, think DCL would do that??

I'm kidding, I know they won't.

 

[Jitensha]

FE # 2 has closed, and the list has been sent to both group 1 and group 2. It has 21 rooms because 19&20 signed up within seconds of each other! As before, if you want in on group 3, please fill the form out again. I will lock the group again at 20 staterooms, and start the next group when #3 closes.

Edit: group 3 already has 6 rooms.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Dang it! The Camel Adventure is sold out!!!

I just booked this today so you might want to check back.

 

[ERDocG]

I just booked this today so you might want to check back.

We did too. Dropped the one we had to go ride some camels!

 

[aan1701]

With all due respect to Jeff. When it comes to private tours he is correct. The good ones will do everything possible to get you back in time for the ship. After all this is how they make their living. It's the unforeseen or the completely unpredictable that worries me and that's why I will never do a private tour. If those issues arise on the DCL trip, they either wait or get you caught up to the ship on DCL's dime. That won't happen if you are not on one of their excursions.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Hello all! Finally getting around to figuring out what we want to do in the various ports. This year, we wanted to do something different in Cartagena so I contacted Segway Cartagena there. For those that have not done a Segway tour, they are a lot of fun and a great way to do a "walking" tour...especially when it is hot. After the Segway tour, they have a culinary experience add-on that has the following description:

Stage 1 (The Bar)
Guests will be greeted with a traditional beverage of the Colombian coast (Coconut Lemonade), you choose whether you want to spice it up with a hint of alcohol!! An experienced mixologist will take you step-by-step through the preparation process, while you sip your lemonade comfortably seated at the bar.

Stage 2 (The Kitchen)
The group will be moved to the kitchen area, where our head cook will start you up with some of the most delicious local appetizers (carimañolas, buñuelos y empanadas), and an in-depth explanation of the different ingredients and cooking techniques used to elaborate them. As you enjoy your appetizers, the main dish ingredients will be presented along with a quick demonstration of the cooking process.

Stage 3 (Lunch Time)
You will be directed to your table, where you will enjoy the drink of your choice (natural juice, local beer, or glass of wine) along with your main dish.

If I can get a group of 6 (need 4 more people) they will reduce the price from $100/person to $90/person. Post back if you'd like to join us or send me a PM. This tour is one of the top recommended in tripadvisor and fellow cruisers back in 2012 took this tour and loved it. To ride a Segway you must meet the following:

Users should be in good health, with full reflexes and able to stand the entire tour.
Users must weigh from 80 to 260 pounds to operate the Segway PT.
Cannot be pregnant.