Which repositioning cruise would you take?

[Lisa F]

DH and I have been saying forever that if DCL did a repositioning cruise, we would be on it. So now, we have a choice. Do we take the one going there, or the one going back?

We are on the east coast, and would combine the trip with a visit to Disneyland. I think the weather will in general be nicer in May than August. We are also wondering if the cruise going over there would be neater because it's the first, the crew will be hyped up over the new itinerary etc. A few days at disneyland would help with the let down after we get off the ship.

On the other hand, it seems nicer to have the long icky flight to california at the beginning of the trip. Castaway Cay would be the last port instead of the first. That's the high season for DL so it would be more crowded but things will be running more (fantasmic every night etc).

Decisions, decisions. What would you do (or are you planning to do) and why?

 

[westjones]

If we could do it, I would pick flying to California first, visiting Disneyland a few days (they have great 5 days for the price of 3 passes), and then come back to Florida on the ship. It would be nice to get in a few days at WDW at the end.

This would NEVER happen for us. BUT if we could, that is what we would choose to do.

DJ

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Lisa, quick, redo this as a poll and see which one wins out.
I'm voting the CA to FL, because as you said, CC would be the last stop, instead of the first and it'd be nicer the fly out instead of back.
Of course I'm in OH, so it don't much matter. I have to fly both ways.

 

[lneeley]

We are taking the 1st. Reasons: this cruise we are not taking any kids as they are still in school. We did the Panama Canal last year in May on RCCL, very few kids. In August, you will see many more kids. Doesn't really matter either way for me, but to some people that may be an issue.

There are 8 of us. Parents, and us kids and spouses all in 40's or early 50's. The demographics will be different in May than August.

In either case, I think you will have a great time no matter which one you take. In August, you can always use fast pass at Disneyland and that makes the wait more bearable. We get in the parks first thing in the morning, go back to hotel in afternoon and go back in evening. You can even work the fast pass more to your benefit if you are willing to be a single rider.

Okay, I'm sure I didn't help much, but there is my two cents worth.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I am hoping to get on the first one, but as far as stops, I wonder if this will be a straight through the canal cruise. I very rarely come over to this board, so maybe someone can tell me where I can see the itinerary? Never mind, I found it!!! Wow, what a cool cruise, now I really hope I get to go.

I am not a huge DCL fan, but am willing to try it again as I have seen some good comments about food improvement.

Oh, I will be booking category 12 of possible, leaving all the verandahs and porthole rooms for the rest of you.

Edited for poor typing!!!!

 

[ivanova]

I'm thinking August will be HOT!!!!!!!!!! May weather will be much nicer. Both @ DL and on the ship.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

If we could come up with the $$$ to do it, we'd take the FL to CA cruise. Starting off the cruise with CC would be awesome and ending with our first trip to DCL would be awesome, too.

 

[outahere]

I will be on the phone at exactly 1:00 tomorrow (ok, I might try to sneak in a couple minutes early, to get into the queue) to book the CA to FL cruise. I really don't want to take my DS out of school for 2 weeks in May.

The only drawback I can see with the "homeward bound" cruise is that it is hurricane season. Yes it will be hotter than in May, but....... oh well.

 

[Grumbo]

Yep the heat will be much higher PLUS it IS hurricane season.
I wasn't sure about that and went to the Hurricane Centre in Florida and most of the big ones hit right around when the West - East cruise will be returning to Fla.

We are going to try and book the West - East ONLY because our daughter is out of school then and 2 1/2 weeks out of school near the end of the school year isn't a viable option.

It was -1 C this morning and snow on Monday here so I don't really care HOW hot it is. Still better than snow!!!!

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[jrabbit]

I'm thinking of taking the Magic "back home" to Florida since during the west-east cruise DW and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. Will bring the kids because 1) they won't be back in school yet and 2) they would kill us for going without them!!

JRA

 

[BethC1952]

I won't be able to take the first cruise because of work-related scheduling, but I want to try and make the second one. Unfortunately, I can't book it now, I'll have to wait until much closer to the time (I work in Special Events in a Jersey Shore community, and during the summer it's very hard to get away) even though the price will be higher and the availability will be lower.

DH has never been to California, and has always wanted to do a Panama Canal cruise, so we'll just have to save even more of our pennies!

Beth

 

[rae519]

August - because Andy and I are having our Birthday Cruise on 4/30!!

Rae

 

[bobf320]

I am hoping to do the return back to Florida. I would rather get the six hour flight over with at the start of the cruise. I know once I get off the ship, I wouldn't want to take the 6 hour flight back to Jersey.

Bob

 

[MickeyB426]

You're all not looking at this right.

If you take the boat from California to Florida, I'd think you'd spend more days west of the Panama Canal than east of it.

Therefore, you'd have more opportunity to gain weight, and you wouldn't fit through the canal.

Come on, people, THINK!!!

:thewave:

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

 

[Lisa F]

Don't worry, I checked! My butt is definately Panamax-class!

I appreciate all of the input, we are very much leaning toward May.

 

[GoofyFD]

May for us. May 14 is my Birthday.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by MickeyB426
If you take the boat from California to Florida, I'd think you'd spend more days west of the Panama Canal than east of it.

Therefore, you'd have more opportunity to gain weight, and you wouldn't fit through the canal.