WBPC or EBTA?

[KalamityJane]

I'm seriously torn! I want to do both... but I have to pick one. I have reservations on both currently, sideways 11Bs on the WBPC on deck 5 and oceanview 09Cs on deck 2 on the EBTA. The EBTA is cheaper and a night longer, but cooler in weather. The WBPC is going to be HOT but my kids just adore swimming, so that would be okay by them. Hubby may die though LOL He likes the cold.

Kids are youngish and the beach excursions for the WBPC would probably appeal a lot, but there are some awesome stops in Europe that would really rock as well (Hello Tivoli Gardens!). However, there's the flight back and the massive jet lag on the EBTA that will not be anywhere near as bad on the WBPC given that there is only 3 hours total time difference versus 8? or so as we are on Mountain Time.

We would likely stop over in Iceland on the way back from Copenhagen and stay a couple of nights to try and break up the flights.

If you had/have youngish kids (they will be all under 9), which do you think would work out better?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

WBPC is fantastic, so much to see and do, and you get extra hours in bed. The seas will be OK, and it's warm/hot.

The EBTA you loose a lot of hours in sleep, and potentially have very bad seas, it's likely to be cold and rainy, why would anyone do it, bar it's cheaper?

Kids may well be more bored on the TA with so many sea days, the Panama crossing however was fascinating to my children, they watched all day on each of my three PC cruises.

Cruises " in " Europe are great, just avoid the TA where the seas can be very rough, and it's very cold.

 

[dclpluto]

Panama Canal weak ports. But good weather

Transatlantic good ports but probably bad seas.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have been on both, and doing another EBTA next year.

Your children like warm weather and swimming. Well, my most memorable experience of the WBPC took place while snorkeling in Cozumel. Wild dolphins came by and swam with us for awhile, it was very special!

I would pick the PC experience at this time in your children's lives.

 

[Allabouthemouse]

We sailed the WBPC and the EBTA in consecutive years with our children who were 6/7 and 9/10 at the times. Hands down, we all favored the WBPC. Differences:

WBPC
- awesome ports for kids- they LOVED the transiting of the Canal and even the little one to this day talks about how the locks work and how the boats transit through. They loved the different beach excursions in Mexico.
- warmer weather overall even super HOT the days before and the day we were in Cartegena (Except when we were in the Pacific - brrr)
- itinerary (at the time) included Castaway Cay
- best cruise staff in over 9 cruises
- Captain Puckett lectures were not only informational but captivating


EBTA
-our itinerary traveled from PC to Barcelona
- loved all the sea days and the seas were calm and gorgeous. The weather was much cooler than the PC cruise on the sea days. So much so that we didn't spend a ton of time at the pool. Loved the Aquadunk. The kids did not like the cooler weather and we ended up spending more time watching movies, and doing indoor activities.
- Our ports were Malaga, Madiera and Barcelona. The adults loved exploring these places but the kids- well not so much


Overall, we would cruise the PC again in a heartbeat but probably only do the TA as an adult only trip.

 

[ldo]

I would save Europe for older kids. IMHO. My kids do not remember much about Europe, and they were 9. They loved Carib. beach stops when they were younger. Plus, it sounds like you could have a quick, inexpensive flight home from WBPC at the end vs. a long (connecting) flight, if that matters.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

To me, for everyone it's personal preference, but children say 7 and up, Europe is great, highly educational, and inspiring, and leads then to learn far more than at school.

I agree maybe under 5s will forget, but over that, Europe is fantastic.

 

[KalamityJane]

Plus... reimagined Wonder. Now I'm leaning back towards the Wonder/WBPC. You all make some great points!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

Don't leave us, Kalamity Jane!!! We're an awesome group!!!

 

[Ofinn]

DCL does the PC cruises twice a year same ports. The TA ports change every year. If you really, really want to see the TA ports on this cruise I would do the TA, and save the PC for next year. I'm assuming this is not your last cruise and you will eventually do both. I've wanted to do the PC and Alaska cruises for years, but other cruises that are unique keep popping up like Hawaii and Iceland. I feel like the Panama and Alaska cruises aren't going anywhere so I've got time for everything.
For me it would depend on how much the TA ports interested me, and the fact that there might not be another TA with the same ports. Weather would not be a factor in my decision the kids are going to have a great time in any kind of weather. I think the TA next year has a great itinerary, but Panama from what I've read is always great too. Good luck with your decision.

 

[KalamityJane]

DCL does the PC cruises twice a year same ports. The TA ports change every year. If you really, really want to see the TA ports on this cruise I would do the TA, and save the PC for next year. I'm assuming this is not your last cruise and you will eventually do both. I've wanted to do the PC and Alaska cruises for years, but other cruises that are unique keep popping up like Hawaii and Iceland. I feel like the Panama and Alaska cruises aren't going anywhere so I've got time for everything.
For me it would depend on how much the TA ports interested me, and the fact that there might not be another TA with the same ports. Weather would not be a factor in my decision the kids are going to have a great time in any kind of weather. I think the TA next year has a great itinerary, but Panama from what I've read is always great too. Good luck with your decision.

This is a good point. I am mostly interested in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. I loved the Netherlands and want to go back, and Copenhagen looks cool. The rest I could go either way on.

Definitely will be cruising again

 

[Hundredacre]

Pc. No flights to Europe.

 

[Ofinn]

This is a good point. I am mostly interested in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. I loved the Netherlands and want to go back, and Copenhagen looks cool. The rest I could go either way on.

Definitely will be cruising again

I hope that helped. I know most people answered this like it was your one opportunity in life to do one or the other. I don't approach decisions like that. I guess I'm an optimist I think at some point I'll do everything, and I'll take advantage of the best deal at that time.

 

[Dixielouaj]

I have done both the WBPC and the EBTA I agree with PP the WBPC will always be there the EBTA changes
Both are awesome cruises!
It also looks as if you haven't cruise before, brave to do 14 nights with little one's who haven't cruised!

 

[plutos1fan]

I can only speak for the EBPC cruise so,I would recommend doing the Canal cruise. It is fantastic! I have been on two separate EBPC cruises and it is something to experience. The last Panama Canal cruise my family went on they had Susan Egan who was the first person who played Belle on Broadway. That is just one of the many great perks you may get to experience on the WBPC cruise because they usually have a Broadway performer on board the panama canal sailings. Both cruises you are considering sound like and great cruises. Good luck making a decision!

-Plutos1fan

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I agree with above.. WBPC will be there.. (And this year has no stop at Castaway)
EBTA changes all the time.. If you love the ports I'd go with EBTA..

So jelly.. Dying to do the EBTA.. But worked out better for us with WBPC..

If you cancel you WBPC please update here..
We have been trying to switch rooms to a sideways, but none are open..
Thank you

 

[KalamityJane]

I agree with above.. WBPC will be there.. (And this year has no stop at Castaway)
EBTA changes all the time.. If you love the ports I'd go with EBTA..

So jelly.. Dying to do the EBTA.. But worked out better for us with WBPC..

If you cancel you WBPC please update here..
We have been trying to switch rooms to a sideways, but none are open..
Thank you

I will do! I have 2 sideways rooms on deck 5 and a SPH room Also, keep checking right before PIF date, people change rooms a lot then.

 

[ldo]

And I was wondering about your EBTA rooms. I wanted to change my 9C.

 

[KalamityJane]

And I was wondering about your EBTA rooms. I wanted to change my 9C.

I think we have 2138 and 2140? It's not anything supremely awesome.

 

[Dixielouaj]

WBPC in 2017 will also probably be a crowded sailing. Tail end of Spring breaks as well as first year of Canal renovation. Always nice to be on a less crowded ship, I think EBTA will have less passengers.