Panama Canal

[warrenite]

Afternoon,

We are in the initial planning stages for a cruise through the Canel, would love DCL but a quick search reveals that Disney seems to be almost double other cruises.

If you were to take a cruise through the canal with a company other than DCL which would you choose?

Thanks,
John

 

[stsomewhere]

We have done it on NCL.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Disney is double everyone else because they only do it twice per year. A lot of other lines also offer more dates.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Afternoon,

We are in the initial planning stages for a cruise through the Canel, would love DCL but a quick search reveals that Disney seems to be almost double other cruises.

If you were to take a cruise through the canal with a company other than DCL which would you choose?

Thanks,
John

Our first DCL cruise was a Panama Canal one. We've since done the canal on Holland America.

As noted, DCL is, basically, more costly than other cruise lines for similar itineraries. The difference being "it's Disney".

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

I've heard this more often, but in regards to the Panama Canal, I haven't found this to be the case.
Sure, it's cheaper if you get a last-minute deal. But if you plan ahead, which many people have to for a two-week vacation, I found the price difference to be quite small.

Comparing inside stateroom for two adults:
14-night with DCL in November $5,106
15-night with Celebrity in November $6,422.62
14-night with Holland America in November $4,528 (on an old ship... I've been on a new one and liked the service and food, but I was bored and ready to get off the ship after just 7 nights.)

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have done the Panama Canal on crystal cruise, an all inclusive line. It was A while ago and was still expensive but it’s a luxury line. I’ve looked at the Disney prices because we would like todo it again The prices didn’t seem that bad to me. It’s a wonderful trip. Going through the canal is delightful and so interesting. You need a really good lecturer. On our trip we had the grandson of one of the original builders. It was fascinating. He had copies of the original plans and great stories.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

We have done the Panama Canal on crystal cruise, an all inclusive line. It was A while ago and was still expensive but it’s a luxury line. I’ve looked at the Disney prices because we would like todo it again The prices didn’t seem that bad to me. It’s a wonderful trip. Going through the canal is delightful and so interesting. You need a really good lecturer. On our trip we had the grandson of one of the original builders. It was fascinating. He had copies of the original plans and great stories.

I’m interested in Crystal and a PC cruise. Out of curiosity, what was the average age on that PC cruise you did?

 

[KVH]

For the most part, you get what you pay for in cruising, regardless of line. We've been on several and I would always pick DCL. As has been noted, 14/15 days is a long time and if you're on a ship that doesn't offer enough to keep you stimulated, you'll be unhappy. And considering DCL is always rated among the best for food, entertainment, and service (this is proly the MOST important), you can really see that the price is actually worth it.

The key is (a) book on opening day and (b) use a placeholder for the 10% discount. If you wait, yeah, DCL can get expensive. Fare Tracker tells me a 5B on this fall's EBPC is already up ~$1,000 from opening day. So planning and strategy can save you money.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

Afternoon,

We are in the initial planning stages for a cruise through the Canel, would love DCL but a quick search reveals that Disney seems to be almost double other cruises.

If you were to take a cruise through the canal with a company other than DCL which would you choose?

Thanks,
John

We just got off the NCL Joy and had a fabulous time at half the cost.

 

[BartmanLA]

Over all for the longer cruises on DCL, I've found that the Panama Canal (Westbound is all we've done) is the biggest bang for your buck, the Alaskan and Trans Atlantic/European cruises on DCL are much more expensive ($ per day) than the Panama Canal ones are, that's why we've done it 2 times already and have booked the 2021 WBPC again. That's why we like it, aside from it being the longest itinerary DCL offers.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I’m interested in Crystal and a PC cruise. Out of curiosity, what was the average age on that PC cruise you did?

We have done several crystal cruises. The average age is 60ish upwards. There are younger people but not many. I just turned 70. But in general the people on the cruise are very active, healthy. Crystal has a paddle court that is always busy, the fitness room was packed and active excursions like snorkeling or hiking were full. The staff is lovely and know your name within a day. The food is excellent. The shows are entertaining. We had a magician on our last cruise who was incredible. There are lots of onboard activities like cards, painting, lectures, trivia, etc.

There is always dancing with a cadre of single men waiting to dance with the ladies and several bars to choose from. The casino is small and out of the way but adequate.

The cabins are well appointed. Our last cruise we upgraded to a butler suite. It had a walk-in closet, sepArate shower and tub, large balcony with really comfortable chairs and our Butler, Boris, was wonderful and attentive.
Also crystal has very interesting itineraries. Last time we did Bali to Singapore. It was a fabulous trip.

We always like having a set table at dinner although you can dine whenever you want. And our table mates have always been fun and very interesting.

it’s definitely an adults only cruise but I would highly recommend.

 

[GPaLarry]

Our first cruise ever was with DCL through the PC, like PrincessShmoo, above. We booked it the second it was posted which is the cheapest price you will get with the mouse. After nine DCL cruises I agree, they are a bit more $$ perhaps, but I tell people that you are taking the park with you. If you consider the price of admission to Disneyland and add food, lodging and misc. goodies, the price of a DCL cruise is, for us, reasonable. We took a Princess cruise last month for 10 days to Mexico. I counted 17 kids total on the ship and the average age of the passengers was probably 70+. It was very low key and, with the exception of a cooking demonstration, talks about the ports we were to visit and two good evening musical shows, it was great for reading a book, playing canasta, eating, gambling, repeat. I won't even get into the cigar smoke...yikes! Being in our late 70s, we still like signs of life around us when we cruise...not a booze or snooze cruise. DCL lets us be kids again and relive being pirates, poohs, princesses and Pumba. Even having dinner aboard is an adventure. OK, off my soap box.