Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[padalyn]

So a co-worker mentioned to me that the new canal is due to open next year...I wonder (LOL) which canal we will be going through!

 

[mmbl]

Guess I didn't realize that August 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the Canal opening. Maybe if we all write to DCL, they will know we're looking for special PC 'activities' or an 'unscheduled' port stop in Panama! Maybe we could plan our own little 100th Anniversary Celebration!
Facts about the Canal:

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/panama-canal-celebrate-centennial-2014-trip-7784112.html

 

[mmbl]

I work night shift. I work 11pm- 0730. And with my schedule I work 1 week on, 1 week off. My bedtime on my week on is 1pm and the alarm goes off at 9:30. On my week off that's where I'm weird. The first couple nights off I go to bed at 5:30-7pm, wake up at 3am. Then as the week progresses I get more and more towards a normal schedule. By the time I'm back to days mentally, I have to go to work. So if you see weird posts at like 3am Pacific time from me...that's me waking up. But working nights allows me to cruise once a year and still go to school (night shift differential. If I gave that up I couldn't work part time-ish and still go to school and cruise. I'd have to work full time to pay for school and not cruise). Plus weird stuff always happens at night and the energy at the hospital is different, I like it.

What does NOC stand for? I use to work nights and we called it 'nights.' I think I'm just old. Now I'm just up most nights except on cruises where I sleep like a baby : ) zzz

 

[mmbl]

We are planning on staying a week in Florida once we get there and we were considering staying at one of the resorts. I know that there is suppose to be a bus that you can get at the Transportation Center that goes to Universal but I don't know exactly how that works. Does anyone here know? Last time we took a cab and it was $40 each way; but the bus is suppose to be $15 round trip. Thanks!

We rent a car whenever we want to go. Then we are no ones mercy! It's easy, we can come and go as we please and if we decide to make a pharmacy or store run, we do it then. The cost for a one day rental is cheaper than the bus.

 

[davidls]

Who knows, David, maybe in about 6 years we might move down the street from ya!!
I'm am so ready to leave the beltway and all it's headaches and hassles behind. More than I can ever say!

That would be great. DW and I will look for you & your DH in about 6 years!!!! Let's see by then..............in six years I'll be.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47 years old..................yep..........47 years old...........again.

 

[davidls]

Guess I didn't realize that August 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the Canal opening. Maybe if we all write to DCL, they will know we're looking for special PC 'activities' or an 'unscheduled' port stop in Panama! Maybe we could plan our own little 100th Anniversary Celebration!
Facts about the Canal:

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/panama-canal-celebrate-centennial-2014-trip-7784112.html

I forgot all about it too Maria. Thanks for the link to the info about the Panama Canal. Interesting reading. I ordered the book kdeans recommended, The Panama Canal by Cruise Ship. Suppose to arrive here today I think. Amazon sure made allot of money from our group for that book!!!

That's a pretty good idea about us writing DCL about some special activities, or even a port stop because of the 100th anniversary of the canal. What do the rest of you think??

 

[Va-NanaTink]

So a co-worker mentioned to me that the new canal is due to open next year...I wonder (LOL) which canal we will be going through!

The new locks won't be fully operational until mid-2015. It's supposed to be ready for testing by October 2014. Plus, the plan is smaller ships will still use the smaller locks, thereby increasing the number of ships the locks can handle.

 

[kdeans1010]

What does NOC stand for? I use to work nights and we called it 'nights.' I think I'm just old. Now I'm just up most nights except on cruises where I sleep like a baby : ) zzz

I have no idea. My dad worked nights/NOCs and used that years and where I work now on the schedule they have it on the charge RN has it on their schedules.

I think this time next year we're going to all be leaving or thinking about leaving for the cruise. Yay! Today I have the very less fun task of taking the cat to the vet.

In regards to the 100 year anniversary: I just want something to bring home to my grandparents. Both of them love doing the Panama Canal and I am going to be reading "The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914" by David McCullough coming up (buying that next week) and sending that to Grandpa next when I'm done. That book has a super high reviews (4.5 stars) if anyone wants to pick up another book. Like if I could get a lithograph or something that they can put in their living room. I want to take a picture of me in the crossing so I can frame it. I was telling my mom, sister, and dad when I heard about this and normally they don't get into my cruise planning (especially if they aren't going) and even my sister was like "oh wow that's really cool."

I heard Panama City is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

 

[kerstfan1]

True nut i wont leave before the 10th because i hate spending my birthday away from home alone

 

[kdeans1010]

True nut i wont leave before the 10th because i hate spending my birthday away from home alone

Wait when is your birthday and are you cruising alone?

 

[kerstfan1]

today is my birthday
my mom would love to go but it would be too much for her for different reasons

 

[Va-NanaTink]

today is my birthday
my mom would love to go but it would be too much for her for different reasons

 

[kerstfan1]

Ty

 

[kdeans1010]

today is my birthday
my mom would love to go but it would be too much for her for different reasons

 

[kerstfan1]

ty

 

[OMD13]

Guess I didn't realize that August 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the Canal opening. Maybe if we all write to DCL, they will know we're looking for special PC 'activities' or an 'unscheduled' port stop in Panama! Maybe we could plan our own little 100th Anniversary Celebration!
Facts about the Canal:

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/panama-canal-celebrate-centennial-2014-trip-7784112.html

Wouldn't that be fun

 

[OMD13]

today is my birthday
my mom would love to go but it would be too much for her for different reasons

Hope you have an awesome day.

 

[kerstfan1]

Ty i had a good day

 

[kayaker35]

Doing a search for Panama Canal 100th anniversary and Disney Cruise Line brings up a lot of links to what Holland America is planning. I hope Disney is missing the boat, so to speak! I would imagine at the very least there would be commemorative souvenirs in the gift shop, but it would be nice if there was something more special than that planned for the 2014 crossings. I guess we'll know once the May 2014 takes place.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Doing a search for Panama Canal 100th anniversary and Disney Cruise Line brings up a lot of links to what Holland America is planning. I hope Disney is missing the boat, so to speak! I would imagine at the very least there would be commemorative souvenirs in the gift shop, but it would be nice if there was something more special than that planned for the 2014 crossings. I guess we'll know once the May 2014 takes place.

When we crossed in 2005, they had several different things to commemorate the crossing. As we crossed, they had a retired pilot from the canal who gave out information about the different areas.
One of the special items they had was a set of pins, large ones, one for each port of call and one for the Panama Canal in a great looking wooden box. It was really nice. Plus, Ducky was on board and he did a special piece for us! It was super! I can't remember all the special things. There was a special crossing dinner as well and they had a barbeque for lunch, grills on deck!