Westbound Panama Canal March 4-18 2022

[ruadisneyfan2]

We are not yet empty nesters. I know ds21 would love to sail with us but he can’t getthat much time off work. Ds25 doesn't want to spend that much time on a cruise.

 

[missyp]

We are not yet empty nesters. I know ds21 would love to sail with us but he can’t getthat much time off work. Ds25 doesn't want to spend that much time on a cruise.

DS 23 moved out and DS 19 in college so it will be just the two of us this time around. We have sailed twice without them already but we sailed with friends both times, so this time around it feels strange to be just the two of us.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We love sailing with friends but it can’t always be. We started cruising when our kids were 4 & 7. It felt strange at first to be just the two of us but I’m thankful that after 30 years together we still have plenty to talk about.

 

[Luv2CruiseDCL]

Anyone else here sailing without kids? We are empty nesters

We are empty nesters as well! Can't wait for this trip.

 

[uncw89]

I really hope this cruise sails. It's definitely a bucket list item for us. Our original plans included 2 days in NO to see the city and visit the WWII Museum but we changed our flight to late evening the night before the cruise and hope to lay low for the 2 weeks leading up to our cruise.
It's great to see covid numbers dropping here in NJ. I was able to get a PCR appt for the end of January just to see where we stand. I might move this to mid-February. If we have had an asymptomatic case and still testing positive, it gives us some time to show our doctor that by departure date, we are fully recovered and safe to travel.
Not so smart of DCL to plan this so close to Mardi Gras. I would have felt better if it were a few weeks earlier or a few weeks later. The scenario described by a pp about spending time in NO and then cruising is a very realistic possibility. I wonder what Disney's plans are for when multiple people turn up positive during the cruise. Does the whole cruise end? Do those positive people and their contacts go to deck 2 to quarantine? I really hope those people change their minds about visiting NO. We will return to visit some other time when we can spend more time there and not deal with MG crowds. NO will still be there next summer and next year; another PC cruise with DCL won't.

I agree with this! It's a bucket list trip for me. I really hope that it goes. My DS (will be 21 on the cruise) found out that he has tests that week, so he's not going to be able to go. It will just be DH and I if we go. We will be arriving Wed night before the cruise.

 

[missyp]

Seems like a lot of empty nesters in this little group. Maybe we can meet up for a drink. Anyone interested? ( even if not an empty nester)

 

[Luv2CruiseDCL]

Seems like a lot of empty nesters in this little group. Maybe we can meet up for a drink. Anyone interested? ( even if not an empty nester)

Yes, we would be interested! Our last cruise was a Members Only and we met 3 lovely couples! We are looking forward to this trip.

 

[missyp]

Yes, we would be interested! Our last cruise was a Members Only and we met 3 lovely couples! We are looking forward to this trip.

we did the WBPC 2017 and met 3 couples that we had dinner with. We had a great time and remained in touch and have seen each other since. I do miss the fact that they are not seating people outside their traveling party. We have made many friends like that over the years. Maybe we could meet one evening in Cadillac Lounge

 

[Luv2CruiseDCL]

we did the WBPC 2017 and met 3 couples that we had dinner with. We had a great time and remained in touch and have seen each other since. I do miss the fact that they are not seating people outside their traveling party. We have made many friends like that over the years. Maybe we could meet one evening in Cadillac Lounge

That would be great! So you have done this itinerary before? Are the ports the same? Did you see the islanders in the San Blas Islands in Lake Gatune? I'm curious because that was a highlight when I did the PC in high school.

 

[missyp]

That would be great! So you have done this itinerary before? Are the ports the same? Did you see the islanders in the San Blas Islands in Lake Gatune? I'm curious because that was a highlight when I did the PC in high school.

Yes it was the same itinerary, same ports. Only difference is that it left from Port Canaveral not New Orleans. Going through the locks of the canal was fascinating! We were the first cruise ship to go through the new locks so there was lots of fanfare from Panama when we went through. Mickey was given the key to Panama. Lots of press about it. We did not see any islanders as we went in Lake Gatune. The only place we saw people was when we were going through the locks of the canal. The people of Panama were so excited to see the Disney Cruise ship that lots of people came to watch us go through. Our favorite port by far was Cabo. Beyond beautiful. We are doing a general tour this time because we want to get to see as much as we can there.

 

[missyp]

What is everyone's thoughts on port arrival time? I am starting to think a little later may be better. We are onboard for 14 days so I don't feel the need to soak up every second and be the first onboard. The initial rush is going to be crazy at the port (based on what I saw in November). At this point I am leaning towards taking a later PAT.

 

[missyp]

How was everyone's check in last night? I found it very very glitchy but got through it

 

[Travel60]

Could not get checked in last night. Called DCL and they said lots of people having problems (DUH). Tried again this morning...no luck.

We know our accounts are messed up on Disney side (haven't been able to get virtual cards, Magic thing, etc.) Hope that isn't messing up cruise....it shows up in account, says to check in, but goes nowhere.

 

[Luv2CruiseDCL]

Could not get checked in last night. Called DCL and they said lots of people having problems (DUH). Tried again this morning...no luck.

We know our accounts are messed up on Disney side (haven't been able to get virtual cards, Magic thing, etc.) Hope that isn't messing up cruise....it shows up in account, says to check in, but goes nowhere.

Try using Chrome. If that doesn't work, Disney needs to fix on their side.

 

[missyp]

Could not get checked in last night. Called DCL and they said lots of people having problems (DUH). Tried again this morning...no luck.

We know our accounts are messed up on Disney side (haven't been able to get virtual cards, Magic thing, etc.) Hope that isn't messing up cruise....it shows up in account, says to check in, but goes nowhere.

Years ago (I cannot remember how many) Disney changed their website completely. Ever since then I have found it to be a nightmare. I keep getting pop ups to do surveys regarding my experience on their website. I keep complaining in the surveys as I am sure many are but yet they do not seem to change or fix anything.
@Travel60- I hope you were eventually able to check in.

 

[Travel60]

Years ago (I cannot remember how many) Disney changed their website completely. Ever since then I have found it to be a nightmare. I keep getting pop ups to do surveys regarding my experience on their website. I keep complaining in the surveys as I am sure many are but yet they do not seem to change or fix anything.
@Travel60- I hope you were eventually able to check in.

I was, thanks. Called. They "refreshed" something and it worked.

 

[Intr3pid]

Howdy everyone, we are a party of five on this sailing. Anyone else on board with teens/tweens?

 

[Intr3pid]

What is everyone's thoughts on port arrival time? I am starting to think a little later may be better. We are onboard for 14 days so I don't feel the need to soak up every second and be the first onboard. The initial rush is going to be crazy at the port (based on what I saw in November). At this point I am leaning towards taking a later PAT.

We are staying right outside the city the night before (just extra care) and will drive in to drop off the car rental at port. 11.00 AM is what we picked - if only to get that test result out of the way as early as possible.

 

[missyp]

That would be great! So you have done this itinerary before? Are the ports the same? Did you see the islanders in the San Blas Islands in Lake Gatune? I'm curious because that was a highlight when I did the PC in high school.

if still interested we can set up a time and place to meet for a drink. Can't send you a private message yet, I believe you have to post 12 times on Disboards before they allow you to send or receive private messages

 

[Luv2CruiseDCL]

if still interested we can set up a time and place to meet for a drink. Can't send you a private message yet, I believe you have to post 12 times on Disboards before they allow you to send or receive private messages

We are interested and open to meeting for drinks anytime. Are you in the Facebook group?