Panama Planning

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for this great thread! All the info and pictures just make it that much more exciting!! We can't wait.

Our group has 4 verandah's on deck 7 - 2 port, 2 starboard. So I'm hoping we have things covered for viewing one way or another.
I'm curious if there are rules to having banners on the verandah and how you attach them.

Well firstly you are very well covered, with regards to deck / verandah banners, Captain Tom doesn't like making the Magic look messy, so he will not allow people to tie things to the verandahs, on our med cruise some dissers were told to take them down, firstly a polite message then a bit firmer.

In Panama in 2005 we had a Union jack flag and we did have it up during the PC transit and was OK. My guess is for PC day do it, but not all cruise.

 

[aan1701]

I think I may add watching a movie or pin tradeing to the day. The movie all depends on what is being showed. I can say that if AND I DO MEAN If there is a deck party I will go to that. I was just thinking just because they did that before does not mean they will do it again, but I am hopefull.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I think I may add watching a movie or pin tradeing to the day. The movie all depends on what is being showed. I can say that if AND I DO MEAN If there is a deck party I will go to that. I was just thinking just because they did that before does not mean they will do it again, but I am hopefull.

There could be up to three night time deck parties and two afternoon deck parties,

The main ones will be of course Pirates night, a Tropical night, maybe a Mexican deck party, we are also told about a dancing under the stars event.

We know there Will Be a deck BBQ Panama day.

 

[aan1701]

We know there Will Be a deck BBQ Panama day.

How do you know this. I was told about all the others, but this was never mentioned to me. Not that I am doughting you as you are a welth of knowlage, just wondering. I would be so happy for a BBQ on PC day.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

How do you know this. I was told about all the others, but this was never mentioned to me. Not that I am doughting you as you are a welth of knowlage, just wondering. I would be so happy for a BBQ on PC day.

I am going by what they did last time on the two PC transits and also repeated in the Med.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just to add to that quick answer posted during my lunch, I have found DCL to be creatures of habit, they do not change things too much, the keep the menus, and entertainment very similar, and do not change the route too much.

So I feel they will go with the flow, and have a Deck BBQ again, Most people will be up on deck all day long, and it will take pressure off topsiders and all of the other fast food places on deck 9.

They might close down/ cut back the lunch in Lumière's for that day, not sure on that.

 

[lillygator]

I called today asking about entertainment and they told me there will be deck parties on Aruba, Aca and Cabo days as well as 2 more afternoon deck parties.
6 specialty shows as well.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I called today asking about entertainment and they told me there will be deck parties on Aruba, Aca and Cabo days as well as 2 more afternoon deck parties.
6 specialty shows as well.

Thank you for that, it helps, we had something posted like that on the E/bound thread yesterday, thats for the Westbound, the Eastbound will have the same shows, but the deck parties might be in different ports.

The deck parties should be Pirates, Mexican and Tropical, and there is a dancing under the stars.

Entertainment as well as the usual shows, will be When mickey dreams and the Art of the story, I saw these in the Med in 2007 and are very good indeed.

In additional they will have entertainers and local entertainers in some ports if they stay late, IE Mexican dance at PV/ Cabo

 

[ibouncetoo]

Westbound folks are getting their GTY assignments today AND......

there have been upgrades!

.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Westbound folks are getting their GTY assignments today AND......

there have been upgrades!

.

Great to hear/read, re assignments and the upgrades, congrats.


Lets us know more!

 

[ibouncetoo]

There's a Cat 11 available on the WESTBOUND.

Know anybody who wants to go?


.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

There's a Cat 11 available on the WESTBOUND.

Know anybody who wants to go?


.

I am committed time-wise for holidays but someone should snap up!

 

[aan1701]

As of 1421 Pacific daylight time, the Cat 11 is gone, only cat 4. I am happy that some have been upgraded, just happy it was not me.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

As of 1421 Pacific daylight time, the Cat 11 is gone. I am happy that some have been upgraded, just happy it was not me.

Someone has been lucky to get on that great cruise.

Although, if anyone has just been looking through the reservation process, sometimes it drops off for a short time and then comes back into the online stock.

 

[aan1701]

Just to add to that quick answer posted during my lunch, I have found DCL to be creatures of habit, they do not change things too much, the keep the menus, and entertainment very similar, and do not change the route too much.

So I feel they will go with the flow, and have a Deck BBQ again, Most people will be up on deck all day long, and it will take pressure off topsiders and all of the other fast food places on deck 9.

They might close down/ cut back the lunch in Lumière's for that day, not sure on that.

I agree that they are creatures of habit. I just hope they change some things up a bit. personaly I would love to see another pin line. I had a blast sleeping in Beet street, and I am %100 serious about that. It was fun.

 

[Diznyfan68]

Westbound folks are getting their GTY assignments today AND......

there have been upgrades!

.

WooHoo ! Maybe some in the future for us EBer's!

 

[granmaz]

Andrew, we have been assigned a starboard room going WB. Will we see much of the land, we both hope so?

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Andrew, we have been assigned a starboard room going WB. Will we see much of the land, we both hope so?

I'm not Andrew, but I did sail the repo in 2005 (and will again 1 month from today!) and you will indeed see plenty from all sides of the ship. In my opinion, there isn't a 'good' side. The starboard side heading west will have the Mira Flores webcam. My advice is to move around the ship to view from all sides. Besides the locks, you will see jungle type greenery along with lots of cargo ships. The ship also passes under 2 bridges which is awesome! I don't recall seeing any passenger boats. The Disney Magic was a sight to behold for those who work on the cargo ships. They all waved, shouted and took pictures of the ship. I do recall the captain sounding off the horn several times. If you'd like to get a different view of the canal, go down to deck 3 while the ship is in a lock to watch the canal walls move up and down and ever so close to the ship. My advice for canal day if you have a verandah or not is to wear plenty of suncreen, drink lots of water, move about the entire ship and duck inside now and then to cool off. One more tip is to attend the educational sessions (hopefully they'll have them again) offered on the history of the canal. These sessions were offered prior to the canal transit. We had a woman whose name escapes me at the moment who gave a fabulous presentation. DCL recorded it and it was available on our stateroom television. It was just awesome!

 

[granmaz]

I'm not Andrew, but I did sail the repo in 2005 (and will again 1 month from today!) and you will indeed see plenty from all sides of the ship. In my opinion, there isn't a 'good' side. The starboard side heading west will have the Mira Flores webcam. My advice is to move around the ship to view from all sides. Besides the locks, you will see jungle type greenery along with lots of cargo ships. The ship also passes under 2 bridges which is awesome! I don't recall seeing any passenger boats. The Disney Magic was a sight to behold for those who work on the cargo ships. They all waved, shouted and took pictures of the ship. I do recall the captain sounding off the horn several times. If you'd like to get a different view of the canal, go down to deck 3 while the ship is in a lock to watch the canal walls move up and down and ever so close to the ship. My advice for canal day if you have a verandah or not is to wear plenty of suncreen, drink lots of water, move about the entire ship and duck inside now and then to cool off. One more tip is to attend the educational sessions (hopefully they'll have them again) offered on the history of the canal. These sessions were offered prior to the canal transit. We had a woman whose name escapes me at the moment who gave a fabulous presentation. DCL recorded it and it was available on our stateroom television. It was just awesome!

Thanks for the info - very helpful. We will certainly go to the presentations on the history of the canal.

How about the rest of the journey being starboard? How close to land are we?

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Thanks for the info - very helpful. We will certainly go to the presentations on the history of the canal.

How about the rest of the journey being starboard? How close to land are we?

The canal is not very wide so either side of the ship is rather close to land. At the last lock, Mira Flores heading in the WB direction you will see the lovely skyline of Panama City, Panama. Also at the Mira Flores locks is a (I think) a restaurant (this would be on the starboard side for the WB travelers) and there were lots of folks waving and holding up signs.