We are fresh off of Panama Canal cruise

[mom4fun]

Any questions? I know I spent a year researching and answers were hard to find.

 

[jenhelgren]

How old are your kids and how much did they enjoy the cruise? I am still worried that 14 days may be overkill for my kids but they think they are up to it
Do you have any port recommendations? My DD will be 8 and my DS 14 in October for the next Panama sailing. I was leaning toward beach days since we will spend so much time on the ship but I am hoping not to spend as much as DCL charges for their beach days excursions. Anything you didn't like? What stateroom were you in?

 

[southerngirl528]

Did you have a great time? How is the Wonder looking? I'm a diehard fan of the "classic" ships of DCL.

 

[rwcmath]

We were on last year's and it was our best cruise. Was Captain Puckett on board? Did you see whales as you headed north in the Pacific? Who was your captain? Was debarkation in San Diego well organized?

Overall, how was it?

 

[taniahappy]

What other cruises with DCL have you done and how does this one compare?

 

[mom4fun]

How old are your kids and how much did they enjoy the cruise? I am still worried that 14 days may be overkill for my kids but they think they are up to it
Do you have any port recommendations? My DD will be 8 and my DS 14 in October for the next Panama sailing. I was leaning toward beach days since we will spend so much time on the ship but I am hoping not to spend as much as DCL charges for their beach days excursions. Anything you didn't like? What stateroom were you in?

My ds is 14 and he loved it. The cruise flew by. We were in 6516 which I upgraded to at the port. It is an oceanview cabin. I personally wish we would have got on port side for the views in the ports. On panama canal day it doesn't matter where you are. As far as ports we were disappointed that we could not stop at Puerto Vallarta due to it being too dangerous. I love sea days but I also love ports so even though we found plenty to do, I felt the break of a port is needed. We did secret river in Cozumel, a private tour in Cartagena and the outback camel adventure, which we loved.

 

[mom4fun]

Did you have a great time? How is the Wonder looking? I'm a diehard fan of the "classic" ships of DCL.

The ship looks gorgeous. The updated rooms are identical to the new Magic rooms except for the Wonder still has the steamer trunks.

 

[mom4fun]

We were on last year's and it was our best cruise. Was Captain Puckett on board? Did you see whales as you headed north in the Pacific? Who was your captain? Was debarkation in San Diego well organized?

Overall, how was it?

They had the captain Puckett talks daily. We were a little past whale season but we did see dolphins and sea turtles. At cabo we saw many sea lions jumping on the back of boats in the pier. Our Captain was Robert Olmer. Debarcation was pretty crazy but handled well. They kept us moving so it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

 

[mom4fun]

We were on last year's and it was our best cruise. Was Captain Puckett on board? Did you see whales as you headed north in the Pacific? Who was your captain? Was debarkation in San Diego well organized?

Overall, how was it?

Overall it was a great cruise. My only complaint is that I feel on such a long cruise if they have to cancel a port there really should be a plan be. 3 ports in 14 days is not enough ports. 4 would have been suitable but 5 would have been perfect.

 

[southerngirl528]

The ship looks gorgeous. The updated rooms are identical to the new Magic rooms except for the Wonder still has the steamer trunks.

Nice! Thanks! And I love those steamer trunks!!! They store a LOT of stuff, and they're just so cute!

 

[mom4fun]

What other cruises with DCL have you done and how does this one compare?

We have done a 3 night and a 4 night Bahama on the Dream and last year we did a b2b on the Wonder which was a 5 night western carribbean follow by a 4 night Bahama. We really loved our b2b with 5 different ports better for ports but we loved all of the special events that only happen on the Panama Canal cruise. By the end of the cruise you felt like one big happy family. It is kinda of like that feeling after you get back from summer camp.

 

[mom4fun]

Some of the unique events were the Frozen dinner menu and party, complete with snow followed by the buffet. One night we had a desert buffet. There is a crazy character breakfast where they make unique hats out of napkins and all children 17 and under with parents are invited to Ariel ' s princess tea. We went without my son and it was very nice with various hot teas, tea sandwiches and a plate full of pastries, truffles and chocolate covered strawberries. The girls get sashes and tiers and the boys get crowns.

 

[jenhelgren]

So they did the Frozen deck party with meet and greets on your cruise? I asked earlier on the boards if the Frozen party would be on the October Panama Canal-my daughter would be in heaven!! Is Pirate night the only guaranteed themed deck party night with fireworks if the Frozen deck party stops by then? Were there plenty of characters and greet times?

 

[mom4fun]

So they did the Frozen deck party with meet and greets on your cruise? I asked earlier on the boards if the Frozen party would be on the October Panama Canal-my daughter would be in heaven!! Is Pirate night the only guaranteed themed deck party night with fireworks if the Frozen deck party stops by then? Were there plenty of characters and greet times?

I'm not sure but we had both. The only Frozen character that there were picture times with was olaf. They had 2 different opportunities. All of the Pixar characters are on board also with plenty of photo opps. I almost forgot that there was 2 Pixar parties. Also we had a Frozen mystery hunt where 3 clues were given each day for 3 days.

 

[jtba]

Some of the unique events were the Frozen dinner menu and party, complete with snow followed by the buffet.

they made snow on the ship? that is pretty awesome!!!

 

[jenhelgren]

I am not familiar with the Pixar parties-are they new or only for longer sailings? We did get to experience a character breakfast on the Wonder and loved it!!!

 

[mom4fun]

they made snow on the ship? that is pretty awesome!!!

It looked so real and we were getting it blown on us and we were pretty far back.

 

[mom4fun]

they made snow on the ship? that is pretty awesome!!!

I forgot to mention that night the weather really cooperated. The whole cruise it had been warm until that night, it was freezing and everyone was wrapped in blankets. Crazy.

 

[mom4fun]

I am not familiar with the Pixar parties-are they new or only for longer sailings? We did get to experience a character breakfast on the Wonder and loved it!!!

I have only heard of them on Panama Canal and Alaska cruises.

 

[MelSpees]

Pixar Parties are on the Alaska cruises.