Which cruise?

[mike314]

I'd go with EB Panama Canal

 

[Intr3pid]

We only started going in 2008 so I don't have the past to compare it to... My husband's grandpa came with us to Maui for our wedding and felt the same about how much it had changed. We've been to the four larger islands and Lanai, but still prefer Maui. Likely because it was our first? It just feels like a nice middle ground of some busier areas and some quieter... we didn't really have expectations besides nice beaches since its still the US. We certainly still felt "island time" though. We usually rent a condo in Kihei and have a great time every time, its not expensive at all. Oahu was too busy for us also - getting out of Honolulu can be a pain as is parking.

FWIW we've been to the Cook Islands and French Polynesia as well - Hawaii still has a special place in my heart. Bora Bora is what I would call way oversold, but I'd happily go back to other islands there too.

Haven't been to Cook Islands (yet) but plan to visit Fiji at the end of our month-long Australia/NZ trip in December 2021. It's the looong-haul Pacific flights that douse the excitement - particularly when you can sample something similar 'next door' in the Caribbeans.

We are booked on the Wonder for the WBPC in Feb 2021. I very much doubt it will sail. But, if we miss it this time, I hope they find a way to stop in Costa Rica on this itinerary. I don't know how anyone can just sail past it - - with a straight face.

 

[BartmanLA]

Based on personal experience with 2 WBPC's (2017 & 2019), we found not only is that itinerary beneficial to use as we live in Los Angeles so ending up on the West Coast puts us about 2 hours from home by car. But the cruise itself is done mostly in great weather, (although it can rain in the Panama Canal transit portion), we also have been fortunate enough both times to sail with people we've sailed with before so it's friendly, a LOT of fun and getting to spend time with people you already know makes it even better. I was fortunate enough to be part of a "social media" cruise group for both trips and we had hundreds of people participate making the whole experience incredible for everyone. So my vote is for the WBPC it's a amazing experience that includes one of the engineering wonders of the world! Pic is of our "group" we stage for a group photo during the trip.

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks all! Lots of great points here and things I hadn't thought about. I've got holds on both new itineraries and already a booking on one of the cruises so no worries about the pricing (I did spot how much things had gone up yesterday so was glad of this). I think I have now ruled out Hawaii as I think all the points made about extra time and wanting to see it rather than the ship are valid and therefore it would be easier to do a trip to Aluani instead. Now to decide between WB and EB. The 3 hours is not putting me off as I'm coming from the UK so gaining or loosing that amount of time on top of the at least 5 hours I loose anyway isn't a huge issue. The EB is a Merrytime which I haven't tried and might be nice to get something a bit extra but then the WB has better end ports. The actual ports on the cruises are identicle so no difference there

 

[AquaDame]

Thanks all! Lots of great points here and things I hadn't thought about. I've got holds on both new itineraries and already a booking on one of the cruises so no worries about the pricing (I did spot how much things had gone up yesterday so was glad of this). I think I have now ruled out Hawaii as I think all the points made about extra time and wanting to see it rather than the ship are valid and therefore it would be easier to do a trip to Aluani instead. Now to decide between WB and EB. The 3 hours is not putting me off as I'm coming from the UK so gaining or loosing that amount of time on top of the at least 5 hours I loose anyway isn't a huge issue. The EB is a Merrytime which I haven't tried and might be nice to get something a bit extra but then the WB has better end ports. The actual ports on the cruises are identicle so no difference there

It took me 9 cruises before I tried a Merrytime... I do really enjoy Christmas anyway but I loved it so much it made me very excited to book another. There are lots of little details around the ship in addition to everything advertised. If you're otherwise undecided it would certainly be a point in the EB's favor if you haven't done one yet. On the other hand I'd be more inclined to choose whichever gave you a little time at Disneyland first and foremost if that is possible. It is a compact park so a couple days is enough unless you are a diehard.

 

[Sakura1017]

Go with itinerary! Go with the areas you wanna see and explore. I went with Hawaii since I haven't been to the other islands, and I didn't want to keep flying to each destination.

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks all. Both itinerarys are practically the same which is the biggest problem.