Panama Planning

[lauritagoddess]

Laura checked on the numbers:

Confirmation passenger total: 2200, 500 which are kids.

Hopefully, they won't sell out the EB one as well.

What is the max number of passengers that could be on the ship?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

What is the max number of passengers that could be on the ship?

3,000 if everything used to the max, but often 2750.

 

[joksten2000]

92 days, close enough that I can smell it. Everything has been done, 1st time I've bought trip insurance, figured a $1,000 is cheap to protect this trip that is closing in on $30K for the nine of us. I've started to break out the trip albums from the other cruises to get me excited.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

92 days, close enough that I can smell it. Everything has been done, 1st time I've bought trip insurance, figured a $1,000 is cheap to protect this trip that is closing in on $30K for the nine of us. I've started to break out the trip albums from the other cruises to get me excited.

Thats a lot of $ but the insurance is important

 

[smeecanada]

Thats a lot of $ but the insurance is important

Ours was almost $700 for the 4 of us. That was only for cancellation insurance for cruise/flights. Medical was on top of that with a different insurer.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Ours was almost $700 for the 4 of us. That was only for cancellation insurance for cruise/flights. Medical was on top of that with a different insurer.

Its worth it I have seen many 'situations' either on the cruise or posted here where insurance was required.

 

[smeecanada]

Oh, I know. I've read/heard too many horror stories to even think about going across the border or out of the province without insurance even for a few hours.

Can't believe the numbers people who still take a chance without it. The medical one we have now is a yearly one - good for upto 10 days at a time - we can extended the numbers of days when we need to - like this trip.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Oh, I know. I've read/heard too many horror stories to even think about going across the border or out of the province without insurance even for a few hours.

Can't believe the numbers people who still take a chance without it. The medical one we have now is a yearly one - good for upto 10 days at a time - we can extended the numbers of days when we need to - like this trip.

Yes often the ship is out at sea and, the medical center can assist for the first hour or so, so it might be necessary to call in at an extra port or fly you to this all costs.

 

[Belle Beast]

I think she has the first number wrong, the ship is full, the 1800 repeat guests seems correct, it was 1750 for the 2005 E/bound,

Unless they add the kids 500 to the 2100 adults, that would make sense.

Laura would not mind me saying this, she is easily confused!

Could someone explain who Laura is and how she could get this kind of information?

I am curious if you can find out how many children will be onboard (ballbark). Do you think the Mickey pool and children's activites will be less crowded on the EB than normal seven day cruises?

TIA for any input.

Belle

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Could someone explain who Laura is and how she could get this kind of information?

I am curious if you can find out how many children will be onboard (ballbark). Do you think the Mickey pool and children's activites will be last crowded on the EB?

TIA for any input.

Belle

Laura is a Disser who has been on a number of cruises (I cruised with her in the Med last year)and is currently on the Westbound repo, on the 2005 E/bound repo they made an announcement as to the number of CC members, and kids on board, presume did the same again.

She is also coming back on the E/bound this summer.

 

[lauritagoddess]

I am curious if you can find out how many children will be onboard (ballbark). Do you think the Mickey pool and children's activites will be less crowded on the EB than normal seven day cruises?

TIA for any input.

Belle

I'm curious about that too. With so many at sea days it would be great if the Mickey pool and kid's clubs weren't quite as crowded.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm curious about that too. With so many at sea days it would be great if the Mickey pool and kid's clubs weren't quite as crowded.

I would say from my experience, the pools will be very crowded and the kids clubs full, its a long cruise and so everyone will want to explore the ship and enjoy it to the full.

Bar Panama day and port days it will be busy.

I also found places like topsiders more busy for longer periods than usual cruises as people have lots of time to kill.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

One Cat 10 avail at this time,

15-NIGHT EASTBOUND PANAMA CRUISE
August 17-September 1, 2008
(Ship: Disney Magic)
Stateroom: 2 Adults and 2 Children (Ages 12 and 9)
Cruise Price: $ 7,883.16

 

[Joy2theWorld]

What is everyone planning on doing in Cartagena? I honestly thought we probably wouldn't get off the ship, but after speaking to my best friend who is traveling there in Sept. for a conference, we've changed our minds. However, I'm not quite sure what to pick. I don't like the idea of 45 min rides to places for some of the excursions.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

What is everyone planning on doing in Cartagena? I honestly thought we probably wouldn't get off the ship, but after speaking to my best friend who is traveling there in Sept. for a conference, we've changed our minds. However, I'm not quite sure what to pick. I don't like the idea of 45 min rides to places for some of the excursions.

1/ Do get off the ship, its a great town.
2/ Do a DCL shore trip,
3/ This is however one place not to do it on your own,

The city is compact if you do not wish to travel long do one of the city tuors or shopping etc.

I have been there before, you have to take care, but also do not panic, loads of cruise ships go there, and its ''generally' safe. I do remember however seeing crowds of people at the port gate as the coaches came out of it, everywhere wanting us.

The tourist shopping zones are safe.

The beaches in the city are poor, go out on a DCL trip to the Rosario islands if you wants a good beach.

 

[Joy2theWorld]

I looked at that excursion, but can't do 5.5-6 hours. Even with travel time, that is way too much time in the sun for me all at one time. I have a horrible time with sun stroke no matter what I do. Have you ever done any of the city tours? The one says there is a 10 minute shopping stop, so, that made me think that shopping might not exactly be safe or the best to do there.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I looked at that excursion, but can't do 5.5-6 hours. Even with travel time, that is way too much time in the sun for me all at one time. I have a horrible time with sun stroke no matter what I do. Have you ever done any of the city tours? The one says there is a 10 minute shopping stop, so, that made me think that shopping might not exactly be safe or the best to do there.

With Princess cruises I did the Best of ....tour, it was very good, the city is very compact, we went past the fort and up the hill to La popa, great views up there, and you can look down over the port and the Magic, a bit like the view in St Thomas from above of the ship, this is a nice place to view, Then the fort, and then a walking tour of the old town, a bit hot and humid take water, and its on different surfaces like cobbled stones, this is a few years back, then the coach took us to the shops and we went emerald buying, be careful again, as you would consider these good value but on valuation at home in London there wasn't any bargain just normal cost price.

Its nice to see, but a very hot humid day. I love the little colorful buses around the town.

Beaches in the town are rubbish, you have to go out of town.

What about the Mangroves tour, its long, but very good,

 

[lauritagoddess]

The beaches in the city are poor, go out on a DCL trip to the Rosario islands if you wants a good beach.

Do you know how this trip is with a younger child?

 

[minnieandmickey]

Can someone advise me on whether or not we will need to exchange our american dollars for mexican pesos or for columbian money (sorry don't know what they use )? And do we do this on the ship or at the ports?

 

[lonegungirl]

Hi ho--trying to piece together excursion plans at the last minute, and soliciting opinions:

There appear to be 2 zipline activities--one in Puerto Vallerta and one in Cabo--anyone hear of one being better than another?

There are also 2 Acapulco tours with cliff-divers. Again, any preferences?

Am I the only one who is a little frightened of the cleansing Shaman in Puerto? Or at least of the unknown prices?