WBPC May 6th 2013 Wonder - Pirates Pillaging and Plundering the Panama Canal again...

[Mom323]

Hello everyone!

We're not sure if we're going on this cruise or not. Originally we booked on the Fantasy for March 23rd next year. But then we started talking about Alaska. When the new itineraries came out we were shocked at the Alaska prices. But the EBTA was a steal! So we booked that. But then we looked into what the airfare might run and were a bit taken aback. So then we looked at the WBPC. The prices were a shocker, but the airfare would be so much more doable. When we did cost breakdowns of all three cruise, the Eastern ended up being the most expensive on a nightly basis and the PC the least expensive. And we wouldn't have to fly over the Atlantic, something that I find scary.

Anyway, I think we're leaning toward this sailing, though we won't be canceling any of them for a few months while we really look into every aspect of them.

You all seem like a pretty happy, tight group. I hope you have room for us!

It'll be me (Kirsten), my husband and our twin girls. DH and I will be 43 and 44 ( ) and our girls will be 8. We've only been on one previous cruise (last year on DCL to the MR) and we're going on our next cruise in four weeks, also DCL on the MR. We don't consider ourselves to be Disney people, but we are finding that we really are DCL people, so I guess we're becoming Disney people .

I started a thread asking for copies of previous navigators. But I'll reask it here with the experts!

sent you a pm.

 

[Kirbo]

sent you a pm.

Got it, thank you very much!

 

[Gdes1]

We will be bringing our kids. DS will have just turned 4 and DD will be 15 months.

So, wow, less than 100 kids?!?!?! I guess that means the pools are not crowded on the sea days? And it's easy to get reservations at Flounders?

Grandma came on our last cruise and handled the childcare, and she is booked on this one with us, but isn't going for sure. DS will have started pre-school by then, so he should be OK going to the kids area on his own and being with the counselors without us.

Does anyone know how they staff the kids clubs and Flounders when there are so few children on board? I'd hate to find out that anything is stripped down or "less than" what we experienced before.

We intend to hang out as a family, but are looking at options for dinner since it's so hard for kids to sit through the 2 hour meal.

 

[Alexis Green]

DBf and I are hoping to arrive to Miami a day before to see sights and get adjusted from the jet lag. Since I know most of us are probably getting in early I have a few questions.

Where are people staying?
I'd like to be near the port and close to things to do/see.

Are you renting a car?
Which place?

What kinds of things are there to do?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions.

 

[DisneyHeather]

It's not booked yet but I'm pretty sure we'll be on this cruise. It will be me, DBF, DS2, DBS11. It will be my 3rd Disney cruise but everyone else's 1st. I hope we get to join all of you.

 

[MrsMork]

Congratulations on the new baby!

We also booked a 10C. I read the room reports and all the 10Cs on the second level had me really worried . But when I read the reviews of the ones on the first level they were all really good, so we booked down there.


Hello everyone!

We're not sure if we're going on this cruise or not. Originally we booked on the Fantasy for March 23rd next year. But then we started talking about Alaska. When the new itineraries came out we were shocked at the Alaska prices. But the EBTA was a steal! So we booked that. But then we looked into what the airfare might run and were a bit taken aback. So then we looked at the WBPC. The prices were a shocker, but the airfare would be so much more doable. When we did cost breakdowns of all three cruise, the Eastern ended up being the most expensive on a nightly basis and the PC the least expensive. And we wouldn't have to fly over the Atlantic, something that I find scary.

Anyway, I think we're leaning toward this sailing, though we won't be canceling any of them for a few months while we really look into every aspect of them.

You all seem like a pretty happy, tight group. I hope you have room for us!

It'll be me (Kirsten), my husband and our twin girls. DH and I will be 43 and 44 ( ) and our girls will be 8. We've only been on one previous cruise (last year on DCL to the MR) and we're going on our next cruise in four weeks, also DCL on the MR. We don't consider ourselves to be Disney people, but we are finding that we really are DCL people, so I guess we're becoming Disney people .

I started a thread asking for copies of previous navigators. But I'll reask it here with the experts!

Absolutely there is room for all!!! Lots of us have sailed together on one cruise or another (or will be on the upcoming Hawaii cruise), but I really hope we don't come across that we don't welcome others. We are excited to make new friends as well!

 

[Namsupak]

Hello everybody!

We will be joining you on this cruise as well. We booked opening day but then got on the Dream for a 3 nighter.

It will be me, DH James, DD Lorelei (3 yo), New baby (6 months), DMIL Jib, and DSIL Amy.

We were going to wait for the WBTA but the timing of this cruise works out better for us. DH and I have always wanted to see the PC so we're so excited we have the chance!

Can't wait to see what fun things we have in store.

 

[goslingl]

Hi! Dh (TOm) and I (Leisha) have booked this cruise and are very excited. We are empty nesters and enjoying ourselves. We are also going on the 10/20/12 Eastern on the fantasy. You can never have too many cruises booked. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

 

[Mom323]

Hi! Dh (TOm) and I (Leisha) have booked this cruise and are very excited. We are empty nesters and enjoying ourselves. We are also going on the 10/20/12 Eastern on the fantasy. You can never have too many cruises booked. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

DH and I will soon be empty nesters!. DD and her fiance close on their home tomorrow. They are getting married in April.

As you can see by my signature we have 3 cruises booked.

I am Corky and DH is Rich.

 

[cwdefouw]

Congratulations on the new baby!

We also booked a 10C. I read the room reports and all the 10Cs on the second level had me really worried . But when I read the reviews of the ones on the first level they were all really good, so we booked down there.


Hello everyone!

We're not sure if we're going on this cruise or not. Originally we booked on the Fantasy for March 23rd next year. But then we started talking about Alaska. When the new itineraries came out we were shocked at the Alaska prices. But the EBTA was a steal! So we booked that. But then we looked into what the airfare might run and were a bit taken aback. So then we looked at the WBPC. The prices were a shocker, but the airfare would be so much more doable. When we did cost breakdowns of all three cruise, the Eastern ended up being the most expensive on a nightly basis and the PC the least expensive. And we wouldn't have to fly over the Atlantic, something that I find scary.

Anyway, I think we're leaning toward this sailing, though we won't be canceling any of them for a few months while we really look into every aspect of them.

You all seem like a pretty happy, tight group. I hope you have room for us!

It'll be me (Kirsten), my husband and our twin girls. DH and I will be 43 and 44 ( ) and our girls will be 8. We've only been on one previous cruise (last year on DCL to the MR) and we're going on our next cruise in four weeks, also DCL on the MR. We don't consider ourselves to be Disney people, but we are finding that we really are DCL people, so I guess we're becoming Disney people .

I started a thread asking for copies of previous navigators. But I'll reask it here with the experts!

I'll second the question about the navigators. We always love to look at those from previous cruises to get ideas for our trip.

 

[hhh]

I just booked two 10C rooms on Deck 1 too! We considered an ocean-view on a higher deck, but decided having the extra space for the same price was worth not having a window! My husband and I loved the idea of having the second room for the kids (DS will be 6 and DD will be 4). Everyone except DD sailed before on the Wonder back in 2007. So excited to go back!

- Helen

 

[Politzania]

Hey howdy hey! Looks like my husband, Scott, and I will be joining ya'll on this cruise! Just booked a Cat 10B cabin - our first Disney cruise was an Alaskan cruise this past September and are *SO* looking forward to being back on the Wonder!

Thanks to Carol for posting the link to her Jan 2011 Panama canal cruise trip report - gave us a general idea of what to expect (tho I'm sure we won't be visiting Palo as much as you guys! )

 

[Jcmh]

It looks like several of you have been on the PC crossings before. I looked at past itineraries, and although the cruise is the same number of days, there were more ports. Is it possible ports will be added to this cruise as the date grows closer? Or will we just sail much more slowly between the ones that are listed? Overall, I'm just curious why there are fewer number of ports this time and thought some of you PC veterans might have an answer.

 

[Mom323]

It looks like several of you have been on the PC crossings before. I looked at past itineraries, and although the cruise is the same number of days, there were more ports. Is it possible ports will be added to this cruise as the date grows closer? Or will we just sail much more slowly between the ones that are listed? Overall, I'm just curious why there are fewer number of ports this time and thought some of you PC veterans might have an answer.

It could be possible, it looks like they already changed or dropped ports from the EB. I enjoy the sea days. We won't be doing any excusrions at PV or Cabo and may not even get off the ship. We cruised the WB in 2008. We went to Aruba, this time it is Cartegena and the only port missing is Acapulco. I wasn't impressed with Acapulco.

As long as they don't mess with our CC stop, I'll be happy.

 

[Jcmh]

It could be possible, it looks like they already changed or dropped ports from the EB. I enjoy the sea days. We won't be doing any excusrions at PV or Cabo and may not even get off the ship. We cruised the WB in 2008. We went to Aruba, this time it is Cartegena and the only port missing is Acapulco. I wasn't impressed with Acapulco.

As long as they don't mess with our CC stop, I'll be happy.

Oh, interesting! I hadn't noticed that they'd already changed things on the EB. I am with you, though - the CC stop is why we wanted this one over the EB so we would be so sad if something changed about that.

 

[Kirbo]

Absolutely there is room for all!!! Lots of us have sailed together on one cruise or another (or will be on the upcoming Hawaii cruise), but I really hope we don't come across that we don't welcome others. We are excited to make new friends as well!

Thanks!

I'll second the question about the navigators. We always love to look at those from previous cruises to get ideas for our trip.

I will forward you the PM I got

It looks like several of you have been on the PC crossings before. I looked at past itineraries, and although the cruise is the same number of days, there were more ports. Is it possible ports will be added to this cruise as the date grows closer? Or will we just sail much more slowly between the ones that are listed? Overall, I'm just curious why there are fewer number of ports this time and thought some of you PC veterans might have an answer.

I had wondered the same thing. But came to the conclusion that we really want to do this sailing for Castaway Cay (we've only done the MR before) and the canal itself. But I did find it odd that we have fewer ports.

Folks, I set up our travel insurance for this sailing, so it's really looking as if we'll pick this one. I very much look forward to getting to know you all.

 

[cquick]

I'm so mad.....we tried to book the west bound but there are no handicap accessible staterooms !!!!!!!

 

[Mom323]

I'm so mad.....we tried to book the west bound but there are no handicap accessible staterooms !!!!!!!

Keep checking everyday!!! fingers crossed

 

[Jcmh]

Hello everybody!

We will be joining you on this cruise as well. We booked opening day but then got on the Dream for a 3 nighter.

It will be me, DH James, DD Lorelei (3 yo), New baby (6 months), DMIL Jib, and DSIL Amy.

We were going to wait for the WBTA but the timing of this cruise works out better for us. DH and I have always wanted to see the PC so we're so excited we have the chance!

Can't wait to see what fun things we have in store.

Hi Lauren,
We'll be on board with our boy/girl twins who were born July 2, 2009. Looks like your Lorelei is the same age!

 

[Jcmh]

Thanks!


I will forward you the PM I got
I had wondered the same thing. But came to the conclusion that we really want to do this sailing for Castaway Cay (we've only done the MR before) and the canal itself. But I did find it odd that we have fewer ports.

Folks, I set up our travel insurance for this sailing, so it's really looking as if we'll pick this one. I very much look forward to getting to know you all.

Would you be willing to send me the info on the Navigators, too? They were so helpful in planning our last cruise (also the Mexican Riviera). Can't wait for Castaway Cay! It looks like a blast.

I see you have twins, too. How old are they? Mine are 2.5 now. We just got back from the MR cruise on the 22nd and they are already asking when we'll go back to Mickey's Big Cruise ship.