Panama Canal - Anyone Else Waiting Eagerly?

[TrySomethingNew]

We are doing the EBPC at the end of August. Looking forward to it. I'll give you a heads up when we finish.

It might be the last until they complete the new Canal. Part of the delay for Wonder's drydock was waiting for the canal to be done since it won't fit through after the overhaul. Apparently DCL is either hopeful the new canal won't be delayed much longer, or they just couldn't hold off on the drydock any longer.

http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/press-releases/

New canal expansion opens this June! You'll see it when you go through!

 

[RedSox68]

I'm waiting -- but not eagerly as I dread to see the prices and be disappointed again. I have a place hold with my TA for the PC and also the Westbound Transatlantic. The PC would depend on what ports they are stopping at as we did this in 2005, but we had to skip Cabo San Lucas because of a hurricane. It would be nice to finally stop there. The Eastbound PC cruise was probably one of the most relaxed we've had second to the Transatlantic in 2007. I love multiple days at sea, or site cruising.

Is it true that the new locks are nowhere near the old ones, so it would almost be like a different cruise (more or less)?

 

[Disney4Us&D]

I'm waiting -- but not eagerly as I dread to see the prices and be disappointed again. I have a place hold with my TA for the PC and also the Westbound Transatlantic. The PC would depend on what ports they are stopping at as we did this in 2005, but we had to skip Cabo San Lucas because of a hurricane. It would be nice to finally stop there. The Eastbound PC cruise was probably one of the most relaxed we've had second to the Transatlantic in 2007. I love multiple days at sea, or site cruising.

Is it true that the new locks are nowhere near the old ones, so it would almost be like a different cruise (more or less)?

First, Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!(okay, that's enough)

RedSox68, I agree, the prices are killing me! This is our first DCL cruise and, since it's for a number of special events that are set to occur in the year before the cruise, we were going to go BIG. But based on the WBPC prices, we're going to have to downgrade - it's just too much. My only hope is that, by booking first thing, we'll get a price we can afford. There's also hope that the stateroom level we want didn't sell out at the 2016 prices. With the cost going up, I'm almost sure there will be staterooms available when we check in, and maybe we can get an affordable upgrade.

Regardless of our stateroom, I do look forward to sailing through the new canal (that's a story my 7-year-old could share with his kids someday!) Based on what you've heard, I'm surprised they didn't change up some of the ports (at least one) for the 2017 WBPC cruise. Maybe they're just being cautious.

 

[belac]

We have a place holder waiting for EBPC 2017 to come out, yes prices are going to be a shock, but still hoping....for something.
After digging from the Summer-Sept sailing it is looking closer to end of September.
She is showing Sept 4th as a 7 night, if (BIG IF) that is the last of the Alaska then a 5 night from Vancouver to San Diego puts the EBPC at September 16th. If that is a 14 night trip that makes her destination landing on the East coast on September 30th. So the Fantasy is at PC on the 30th so would she go to Miami?
So you see I have been waiting and speculating and calculating and Basically wasting my time, but it is kinda fun
Anyway this all means.... it is going to be a tough sell to DS's school as well, but still hoping...If you can dream it you can do it, Right?

Happy Cinco de Mayo to you all too!

 

[SEVP]

We have a place holder waiting for EBPC 2017 to come out, yes prices are going to be a shock, but still hoping....for something.
After digging from the Summer-Sept sailing it is looking closer to end of September.
She is showing Sept 4th as a 7 night, if (BIG IF) that is the last of the Alaska then a 5 night from Vancouver to San Diego puts the EBPC at September 16th. If that is a 14 night trip that makes her destination landing on the East coast on September 30th. So the Fantasy is at PC on the 30th so would she go to Miami?
So you see I have been waiting and speculating and calculating and Basically wasting my time, but it is kinda fun
Anyway this all means.... it is going to be a tough sell to DS's school as well, but still hoping...If you can dream it you can do it, Right?

Happy Cinco de Mayo to you all too!

Another poster on another thread had it calculated to Oct 23-Nov 7 - hoping that one is accurate for school purposes . . . In your research, what was the price ranges you were finding? category 9a/b or 4a info?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We are doing the EBPC at the end of August. Looking forward to it. I'll give you a heads up when we finish.

It might be the last until they complete the new Canal. Part of the delay for Wonder's drydock was waiting for the canal to be done since it won't fit through after the overhaul. Apparently DCL is either hopeful the new canal won't be delayed much longer, or they just couldn't hold off on the drydock any longer.

The last I read the new locks were open in late May or June. They are taking reservations at this time.

AKK

 

[Judyat]

Just got off the PC Disney Wonder trip and it was wonderful. Really enjoyed everything and the talks by former panama canal pilot Capt Ken Puckett were great. He has piloted over 1,400+ ships through the canal. They did mention that it costs over $400,000 for the Wonder to go thru the locks. And when the new locks open in June it could easily go to over 1 million for cruise ships. Looks like if that happens many cruise ships will stop going through. $400,000 is already outrageous. They may just keep a ship on the West coast.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Just got off the PC Disney Wonder trip and it was wonderful. Really enjoyed everything and the talks by former panama canal pilot Capt Ken Puckett were great. He has piloted over 1,400+ ships through the canal. They did mention that it costs over $400,000 for the Wonder to go thru the locks. And when the new locks open in June it could easily go to over 1 million for cruise ships. Looks like if that happens many cruise ships will stop going through. $400,000 is already outrageous. They may just keep a ship on the West coast.

One reason it is so expensive for cruise ships is they pay extra for daylight passage and transit on arrival at the canal. No anchoring awaiting your turn.

ALK

 

[dclpluto]

Just got off the PC Disney Wonder trip and it was wonderful. Really enjoyed everything and the talks by former panama canal pilot Capt Ken Puckett were great. He has piloted over 1,400+ ships through the canal. They did mention that it costs over $400,000 for the Wonder to go thru the locks. And when the new locks open in June it could easily go to over 1 million for cruise ships. Looks like if that happens many cruise ships will stop going through. $400,000 is already outrageous. They may just keep a ship on the West coast.

The guests pay for the ship to go through the canal that's why the port fees and taxes are so high on the Panama Canal cruise. About 760 dollars for 2 people. So it will just mean higher taxes for the guests. Now if they can't get enogh people to sell out the ship they will have to re think about going through the Panama Canal all the time.

 

[SEVP]

Get ready to book everybody!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ok.....waiting for the price tomorrow!