Wonder dry dock?

[truck1]

What issue hasn't come to light yet? I'm on the wonder in December - looking forward to a newly done ship!

The cause of the cracking. There was a core sample pulled and it was full of air. Not to mention they didn't put enough steel in the cement to properly hold.the concrete together. They put a really big bandaid on the problem.

 

[truck1]

http://gcaptain.com/a-concrete-samp...panama-canal-locks-and-it-does-not-look-good/


http://www.thepanamanews.com/2015/11/two-new-sets-of-cracks-in-the-new-pancanal-locks/

http://www.universalcargo.com/blog/a-little-mistake-costing-the-panama-canal-expansion-big-time


In one of the articles, it says that basically the way it's termed is to avoid bankrupting several large construction companies insurance companies to name a few. Not to mention the explanation that someone or several someone's has to make.

 

[BruinEd03]

http://gcaptain.com/a-concrete-samp...panama-canal-locks-and-it-does-not-look-good/


http://www.thepanamanews.com/2015/11/two-new-sets-of-cracks-in-the-new-pancanal-locks/

http://www.universalcargo.com/blog/a-little-mistake-costing-the-panama-canal-expansion-big-time


In one of the articles, it says that basically the way it's termed is to avoid bankrupting several large construction companies insurance companies to name a few. Not to mention the explanation that someone or several someone's has to make.

I thought all the leaks were fixed? http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2016/02/panama-canal-crack-fixed/

 

[truck1]

I thought all the leaks were fixed? http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2016/02/panama-canal-crack-fixed/

Yes and no. The leak it self that has been reported may have been fixed but there apparently 2 others and the root cause of the leak wasnt. It's a giant bandaid over the problem. From reading one of the reports the contractor is supposed to deliver a problem free build. I think what they might do is quietly ignore the problem until after next month then go back and fix it correctly.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Yes and no. The leak it self that has been reported may have been fixed but there apparently 2 others and the root cause of the leak wasnt. It's a giant bandaid over the problem. From reading one of the reports the contractor is supposed to deliver a problem free build. I think what they might do is quietly ignore the problem until after next month then go back and fix it correctly.

Can they do that without closing down the new locks?

 

[C6PT7]

Can they do that without closing down the new locks?

The locks haven't been officially commissioned or opened yet AFAIA so they do not need to close them?

 

[Adreyer]

I really hope they don't skip Alaska in 2017. We put a placeholder down the last cruise banking on alaska for 2017

so did we!!!

 

[truck1]

Can they do that without closing down the new locks?

I'm not 100% sure. I know that the core samples show a lot of air in it. More then what should be there, and thats the reason for the main leak, and the lack of steel to hold everything together. To do it right would say to not open it, demo the concrete already poured, install the new steel then repour. But so far everything they have done defies logic. If you ask the pilots, its a mistake the way the locks are designed, and the tugs don't have the measure of control that the mules do on the original locks. So this should be interesting.

 

[jdb in AZ]

The locks haven't been officially commissioned or opened yet AFAIA so they do not need to close them?

Since 70 heads of state have been invited to the opening ceremonies next month, they're going to expect to see a demonstration and/or be on the first ship to use the new locks.

 

[C6PT7]

Since 70 heads of state have been invited to the opening ceremonies next month, they're going to expect to see a demonstration and/or be on the first ship to use the new locks.

That doesn't mean as truck1 said they have just put a band aid on the root problem, just to open the locks.
Until they are fully open and running, then they are opened. Much like a ship having to go through sea trials before they are handed over. All the ceremonies and fan fair are great, but until they are in use.....
Time will tell.

 

[Jennifer777]

I just got off the Wonder this morning and this is what I was told by CMs. They said staff has been given notice that once they finish their trip back through the Panama Canal after Alaska, they have two months off. Immediately following the return from the PC, Wonder will head to Europe for her reimagination. None of the CMs I spoke to knew very many details but the things they all repeated were as follows;

1. Bleach Blanket Buffet will be gone and will be replaced by a Cabanas. The space will be expanded.
2. They will be adding a slide of some sort but a couple of them said that DCL didn't get very good reviews on the Aquadunk added to the magic because it was too short and the drop was too scary. No one knows what Wonder will end up with but they said it sounds like they may do something different than Magic in this area.
3. Concierge guests will have their own dedicated space/lounge.
4. The arcade will most likely be gone but no one seemed to know what it might be replaced with.

They all seemed very confident that the entire process will only take two months. Their reason being that DCL has already been there, done that with the Magic so they know what to do and expect.

I would take all of this with a grain of salt considering how many rumors we've all heard about changes that have never come to fruition, but the four things I listed above were repeated to me by multiple CMs and they didn't seem to be speculating so we'll see.

 

[maui2k5]

Any word on if the dry dock this Sept/Oct 2016 will be an overhaul like the Magic had a couple of years ago? Or will the Panama Canal situation postpone it a year? We are cruising in late Nov out of Galveston and hoping it will get the same treatment as the Magic or better.

 

[truck1]

Right now Id say its about a 70-30 chance shes getting the full reimagination. The 1 question is whether she gets the ad like the Magic. According to recent cruisers, the ad hasn't exactly been popular among guests. So o the assumption that they don't do the ad on the Wonder, and not do anything else, the only changes will be no ducktail, no aquadunk, and shell retain her secret deck a little longer. All of the other changes will take place.

The 2nd question is if they take the new locks off line again to completely fix the issue. which might throw another wrench into the plans. Right now the only thing that is for sure, is that the new locks will be dedicated next month. They could have prolonged testing and not officially open for a while.

 

[OKW Lover]

The 1 question is whether she gets the ad like the Magic. According to recent cruisers, the ad hasn't exactly been popular among guests

I'm not surprised that the AquaDunk hasn't been popular. Saw it on one of our cruises last year and wasn't impressed at all. Didn't even bother to try it. All it does is that drop, a quick swirl and you are done.

 

[Shea&Van]

Following...after reading this thread I'm more anxious than before "wondering" about Alaska 2017. Like other PPs, we too have booked a placeholder for an Alaska 2017 trip. Come on DCL...what does next summer look like!

 

[RAD]

I'm less worried about what they do/don't do with the dry dock but what they'll do with the pricing. The way DCL's been rising pricing, if they give Alaska a big jump, that will be the deciding factor for our family.

 

[Quellman]

Just got off of the Wonder a few days ago...
From the Castaway Club reception, Capt Robert said that the Wonder will go to dry dock and there is a lot of discussion going on right now in Celebration about what will be done. A few comments later the Panama Canal issue was brought up and he did say that if the Canal update is late and the Wonder gets the duck tail that the Magic has, it will not fit through the old canal.

End of Castaway Club/Capt Robert discussion


My comments: I expect that there is an analysis on the cost of adding the duck tail and skipping Alaska in 2017 vs keeping the current footprint, do major updates without changing structure and sailing Alaska in 2017. I have no idea if skipping Alaska for one year is possible since the ports are very much in demand with a short cruising season. I know that in 2014 when we did our Alaskan cruise, the staff was iffy about Alaska cruises after 2016. I truly believe that DCL will follow the current mindset of the Disney company and it will be a cost issue.

Can Disney just skip Alaska? I thought that Alaska had strict limits on berths and the number of ships, (I could be thinking Tracy Arm). If they decide not to sail for a year, would they then give up that berth to someone else? Why not do a South America Cruise and go around the long way? It would certainly provide a new itinerary. Not sure about the cost effectiveness. But I'd do 21 days at sea if the internet was reliable enough to do some work.

I'm not surprised that the AquaDunk hasn't been popular. Saw it on one of our cruises last year and wasn't impressed at all. Didn't even bother to try it. All it does is that drop, a quick swirl and you are done.

I don't like how it isn't clear like the Duck. The opaque plastic really doesn't do much for me. Granted, since when I was on the Magic it hadn't been added, so I would at least do it once.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Can Disney just skip Alaska? I thought that Alaska had strict limits on berths and the number of ships, (I could be thinking Tracy Arm). If they decide not to sail for a year, would they then give up that berth to someone else? Why not do a South America Cruise and go around the long way? It would certainly provide a new itinerary. Not sure about the cost effectiveness. But I'd do 21 days at sea if the internet was reliable enough to do some work.

You're probably thinking of Glacier Bay. Permits are so limited that even DCL can't get in there.

I would love a South American cruise too, but in order to sail before/after the Alaskan cruising season, the South American repositioning cruises would have to be during the school year, and not many families can take their kids out of school that long. That's a major complaint of the Panama Canal cruises -- 2 wks is too long.

 

[closetmickey]

I'm not surprised that the AquaDunk hasn't been popular. Saw it on one of our cruises last year and wasn't impressed at all. Didn't even bother to try it. All it does is that drop, a quick swirl and you are done.

My 3 girls LOVED the Aquadunk.

 

[Megan Cocke]

What issue hasn't come to light yet? I'm on the wonder in December - looking forward to a newly done ship!

Looks like we'll be on the ship with you! It'll be our first cruise, let alone Disney.... I'll be starstruck no matter what!