WB Panama Canal | Mar 4 - Mar 18 | Cruise-Along Thread

[DisneYE]

View from Cartagena Colombia this morning
Just leaving the port now.
hope to post more tomorrow from the Panama Canal


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[DisneYE]

I loved Cartagena so much I plan to come back later this year via a regular vacation
The town is very charming, it feels so safe, my ideal weather... 90 F , no wind (I h8 wind), not very humid. Just perfect weather... I was told it's like this more or less all year. Love at first sight
People are so nice too... the stories about locals harassing you to buy stuff at the port, or badgering you for pictures, etc is mostly fake news. Just say "no gracias" to a few of them and that's it.
Anyway, losing wifi signal... will try to post from the Canal tomorrow.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Following along. Getting on in San Diego when this cruise docks, for the 2 day Ensenada cruise. Needed one more cruise to reach Platinum.

We're doing the same thing! Have to level up before our Vancouver to Hawaii cruise.

 

[Intr3pid]

Quick updates before the crossing tomorrow.

1. Scheduled to enter the Atlantic-side locks with the convoy at 4.30 AM and exit at 6.00 AM or so. Enter the Pacific-side locks at about 2.00 PM and exit at 4.30 PM or so.

2. Had the Frozen deck party earlier tonight - the usual 'freezing the night away' with Anna, Elsa, and crew at hand. A 'Pirate IN the Caribbeans' party is also on the menu after the crossing. Those will probably be the fireworks.

3. Yup, Gold/Platinum events still very much on. There was one earlier today in the theater where they walked us through a lot of backstage stuff, including the animation of the on-stage characters. Key entertainment crew was introduced.

4. They also announced that the Wonder had received permission to show 'Turning Red' on board! Apparently, the movie is a Disney+ only affair - and outside of that one theater in LA, this WBPC cruise is the only physical venue in the world where the movie will be premiered.

 

[otten]

Who is Captain?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Our best friends are in this cruise and really enjoying it! Many schools in Canada have their March break this week or next.

 

[FWRR3]

At 6am the Wonder is about to go through the Agua Clara locks of the Panama Canal. You can watch it here:
Multimedia | Panama Canal Authority (panama-canal.com)
The Wonder is approaching in the upper right corner of the image, which updates every few seconds.

 

[FWRR3]

Now it's just getting light, it would be beautiful to be there! I am so jealous!

 

[scrappinginontario]

 

[diablodancer]

I loved Cartagena so much I plan to come back later this year via a regular vacation
The town is very charming, it feels so safe, my ideal weather... 90 F , no wind (I h8 wind), not very humid. Just perfect weather... I was told it's like this more or less all year. Love at first sight
People are so nice too... the stories about locals harassing you to buy stuff at the port, or badgering you for pictures, etc is mostly fake news. Just say "no gracias" to a few of them and that's it.
Anyway, losing wifi signal... will try to post from the Canal tomorrow.

People definitely do get harassed to buy things, it’s not ‘fake news’ just because people have a different experience lol. I was on the 2018 April Panama Canal sailing and there were a lot of pushy sellers, including people banging on the bus windows near the fort to try and show off what they were selling. It didn’t bother me, I’m likewise comfortable just saying no, but I know there were a number of people on my tour who were uncomfortable with this.

Agree Cartagena is lovely and also plan to go back at some point to explore more.

 

[happycamper47]

I loved Cartagena so much I plan to come back later this year via a regular vacation
The town is very charming, it feels so safe, my ideal weather... 90 F , no wind (I h8 wind), not very humid. Just perfect weather... I was told it's like this more or less all year. Love at first sight
People are so nice too... the stories about locals harassing you to buy stuff at the port, or badgering you for pictures, etc is mostly fake news. Just say "no gracias" to a few of them and that's it.
Anyway, losing wifi signal... will try to post from the Canal tomorrow.

We did a private car tour while there and when we ask the driver about the weather he said they have two seasons, "Hot & Hotter"...I agree a very nice city, we had no issues with locals either, no more so than any other port.

 

[DisneYE]

People definitely do get harassed to buy things, it’s not ‘fake news’ just because people have a different experience lol. I was on the 2018 April Panama Canal sailing and there were a lot of pushy sellers, including people banging on the bus windows near the fort to try and show off what they were selling. It didn’t bother me, I’m likewise comfortable just saying no, but I know there were a number of people on my tour who were uncomfortable with this.

Agree Cartagena is lovely and also plan to go back at some point to explore more.

I'm saying *this time around* there were hardly any. At least we didn't see that many of them... the handful we encountered a quick 'no thanks' was enough, there weren't pushy at all..

 

[DisneYE]

Who is Captain?

Capt. Damir

 

[DisneYE]

Going thru the canal now.
Passing thru the locks is impressive. Deck 10 fwd was completely full around 5.30am... I woke up at 5 and headed to the smoking area where it was less crowded. Around 6-6.30 went thru the first locks and... it's quite an experience.. I definitely get the hype now, it's super cool to watch.
Weather continues to be beautiful. In the 80s, calm winds, sunny.
We've been so fortunate so far, weather wise.

There was/is some kind of major leak on deck 6 - fwd starboard, they semi-cordoned off the hallway and lots of maintenance people trying to repair it.

Getting ready for 4 straight sea days - since I don't drink much and not being very social, sea days are kind of boring to me, but lots of ppl like them. There doesn't seem to be a lack of activities, haven't heard anyone complaining... there's lots of trivia, silent dancing, karaoke. I just don't go to them. I only go to the shows
You can definitely see 'Covid' related restrictions are being slowly reduced or lifted. Lots of activities, almost feels like pre-pandemic.

We liked Palo brunch the other day so much, we booked another one on day 12 (only one available)

Was also able to snag a mixology tasting spot for today.

For me so far, I give this cruise a 9.5/10.. only complaint I have is too many sea days.
Other than that, it's been perfect so far and I'm so glad we came and didn't cancel.

 

[caheffe]

Can you tell me a bit about The French Quarter lounge? The hours, if any of the drinks/beers unavailable, what events/entertainment take place here, etc... Thank you!

 

[LovesBelle]

Hoping for more updates!

 

[Calantha]

Hoping for more updates!

Me too. Maybe they're on sea days right now?

 

[LiZaArd]

Me too. Maybe they're on sea days right now?

Hoping for more updates!

Me three! I believe today is last at sea day and tomorrow is Puerto Vallarta!

 

[Intr3pid]

In Puerto Vallarta today in some fantastic weather.

Let's get some pictures in from the last few days.

Day 6 - Cartegena

 

[Intr3pid]

We were on a DCL excursion that also gave us a couple of hours in the city on our own. The walled part of the city - including the historic neighborhoods - is very pretty, and the weather phenomenal. The three key attractions to visit are the walled city center, San Felipe Fortress, and Getsemani neighborhood.

Yes, there are street vendors - we had to say 'No, thank you' probably about 40 times during our 5 hours in town - but 95% of it happens inside the walled city where the cruise excursions congregate. The vendors know the exact spots, and they will make it a point to hear you decline their offer before moving on. Once you are away from these spots, however, it's smooth sailing. The Getsemani neighborhood - IMO the prettiest - had zero street vending, and it was great to slow down and see the Colombians go about living their daily lives.