Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[OMD13]

CAR POOL UPDATE: For those who expressed an interest in carpooling from DL area to San Diego~
WE ARE 'train pooling'! It worked out better to take Amtrak from Anaheim to San Diego on the 12th. , 9:08 am- reserved, business class seats for $84.00 , or less with senior /AAA/military discount, for 2 adults.
3 couples are booked. Let's us know when you do.

The plan will be to meet at the train station so we can board and sit together. The Anaheim station is appx. 5 miles from DL and get the main station in SD is less than 2 mi from the port.

You can book online at Amtrak.com or call them for reservations.

PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES and one WONDER-ful SHIP!

Bob and I are booked September 12, 9:08 reserved business class San Diego downtown station.

 

[bbkeough]

OK, just kidding…(mostly)

OT, but I'm so excited! My eldest son is a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy, following in his father's footsteps as it were. We just found out that he has been selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer! So very proud of him, he's Number one of the four in his career field selected! He puts on his new rank in October. His father has already informed him he will not be saluting him!
Seriously, we are so very proud….

Congrats, that is very exciting

 

[kdeans1010]

Can't you meet us at the train station on the 12th coming from your friends/family area?

A big part of this trip is the fact that it is a road trip. And the car drop off is in San Diego. It is what it is. I'm thinking when Mom and I run the Disney half marathon next year I'm going to take the coastline train trip. Plus I just read that Amtrak is doing a writer's residence thing...? I'm very tempted to apply for that. Very very very tempted (like my bad writing skillz there?).

OK, just kidding…(mostly)

OT, but I'm so excited! My eldest son is a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy, following in his father's footsteps as it were. We just found out that he has been selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer! So very proud of him, he's Number one of the four in his career field selected! He puts on his new rank in October. His father has already informed him he will not be saluting him!
Seriously, we are so very proud….

Congrats!

I booked our rental car. How big is a Versa? Am I going to need to strap a friend on the roof of the car?

 

[Brixton]

We just got off the Wonder on Sunday, and the cruise was too short We loved Key West, but they closed most of CC due to weather. At one point, there were 70kt winds, the most I've ever experienced on DCL

We can't wait to meet all of you in September and settle in for fifteen days of fun Tastings, FE, and all of the fun activities this group is putting together sound WONDERful

I think it would be great to schedule a kids DISmeet, as well as a PJ breakfast, unless someone's already done this and I just haven't looked yet

I'll have to go back and read all of the missing posts and cruise info. i've missed over the last few weeks.

Welcome to the new cruisers who recently joined the group

Hope everyone is as excited as we are See you in San Diego

 

[JJJnE]

Greetings fellow cruisers!

Me, my wife, and our 4 year old boy will be joining you all on this cruise on deck 5 and elsewhere! My Mom and her husband are going to be joining us as well, so this should be quite fun meeting everyone!

I am a resident of San Diego, and could possibly do some trading for help in Florida with getting to our rental car in exchange for courier service here in San Diego.

We are quite interested in the FE program as well! (I will sign up on that document shortly).

 

[davidls]

Greetings fellow cruisers!

Me, my wife, and our 4 year old boy will be joining you all on this cruise on deck 5 and elsewhere! My Mom and her husband are going to be joining us as well, so this should be quite fun meeting everyone!

I am a resident of San Diego, and could possibly do some trading for help in Florida with getting to our rental car in exchange for courier service here in San Diego.

We are quite interested in the FE program as well! (I will sign up on that document shortly).

Let me be the first to JJJnE and family to the cruise. So glad ya'll are joining us on the fantastic cruise. We are going to have so much fun during the cruise. Again, welcome aboard!!!

 

[OMD13]

Greetings fellow cruisers! Me, my wife, and our 4 year old boy will be joining you all on this cruise on deck 5 and elsewhere! My Mom and her husband are going to be joining us as well, so this should be quite fun meeting everyone! I am a resident of San Diego, and could possibly do some trading for help in Florida with getting to our rental car in exchange for courier service here in San Diego. We are quite interested in the FE program as well! (I will sign up on that document shortly).

Welcome to our fun cruise!! Looking forward to meeting you.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Greetings fellow cruisers! Me, my wife, and our 4 year old boy will be joining you all on this cruise on deck 5 and elsewhere! My Mom and her husband are going to be joining us as well, so this should be quite fun meeting everyone! I am a resident of San Diego, and could possibly do some trading for help in Florida with getting to our rental car in exchange for courier service here in San Diego. We are quite interested in the FE program as well! (I will sign up on that document shortly).

glad to have you and your crew joining us!! We really do have a great group here and I know it's going to be a lot of fun! Sooooo ready for that warm sea breeze, done with the cold and snow! Jump in, we can't wait to get to know you!

 

[bbkeough]

Greetings fellow cruisers!

Me, my wife, and our 4 year old boy will be joining you all on this cruise on deck 5 and elsewhere! My Mom and her husband are going to be joining us as well, so this should be quite fun meeting everyone!

I am a resident of San Diego, and could possibly do some trading for help in Florida with getting to our rental car in exchange for courier service here in San Diego.

We are quite interested in the FE program as well! (I will sign up on that document shortly).

Yay, welcome JJnE and family!! Looking forward to getting to know you here and meeting you on the cruise Becky

 

[kdeans1010]

Greetings fellow cruisers!

Me, my wife, and our 4 year old boy will be joining you all on this cruise on deck 5 and elsewhere! My Mom and her husband are going to be joining us as well, so this should be quite fun meeting everyone!

I am a resident of San Diego, and could possibly do some trading for help in Florida with getting to our rental car in exchange for courier service here in San Diego.

We are quite interested in the FE program as well! (I will sign up on that document shortly).

Welcome!

My friend Emily, who is going on the cruise, and I tried on our formal type dresses today (nothing like trying on fancy clothes after being up for 24!). My fancy sparkly dress from last cruise was super big! Like it's supposed to look drape-y and cowl neckline. Yeah... it looks like something from the 1970s... like a deflated beach ball- in a good way. It was just funny because last year it barely fit.

 

[JJJnE]

Welcome!

My friend Emily, who is going on the cruise, and I tried on our formal type dresses today (nothing like trying on fancy clothes after being up for 24!). My fancy sparkly dress from last cruise was super big! Like it's supposed to look drape-y and cowl neckline. Yeah... it looks like something from the 1970s... like a deflated beach ball- in a good way. It was just funny because last year it barely fit.

Congrats on that!! I know it feels great being more aerodynamic...hehe!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Welcome!

My friend Emily, who is going on the cruise, and I tried on our formal type dresses today (nothing like trying on fancy clothes after being up for 24!). My fancy sparkly dress from last cruise was super big! Like it's supposed to look drape-y and cowl neckline. Yeah... it looks like something from the 1970s... like a deflated beach ball- in a good way. It was just funny because last year it barely fit.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[penguinaddict]

I think it would be great to schedule a kids DISmeet, as well as a PJ breakfast

I think the kids DISmeet is a great idea! I'll keep watching the boards to see if there's an announcement for a place and time.

 

[Shelljay]

Congrats!

I booked our rental car. How big is a Versa? Am I going to need to strap a friend on the roof of the car?

so....which one of your friends is riding on the roof??? Versa is a pretty small car.

 

[padalyn]

I booked our rental car. How big is a Versa? Am I going to need to strap a friend on the roof of the car?

oh my - a VERSA???? you won't get two adults and ANY luggage in there. You need a larger car - consider - two checked bags per person (2x3=6 full sized bags) one carryon each (1x3=3 small bags) purses and misc carry stuff????

I see a midsize in your future! Seriously!

Keep watching the FB page folks - I will be posting my packing lists (as asked for) for a 23 day trip - this list is from a trip that covered tropical to winter environment (trans-atlantic to Paris to Iceland to NYC).


Cayla

 

[CrockettTraveler]

Just booked our return flight from Orlando (MCO) to San Francisco (SFO). JetBlue was $47 dollars cheaper than SW. I love to save $$

DH thought I was crazy to make a spreadsheet with the different airlines and prices to the different airports in the San Francisco/Bay Area. I also listed their departure and arrival times and connecting flights. The best fit for our departure from MCO was 12:40 pm. We plan to use the DCL ground transportation and onboard airline check-in for $35 pp.

Everything is almost in place!

 

[kdeans1010]

so....which one of your friends is riding on the roof??? Versa is a pretty small car.

oh my - a VERSA???? you won't get two adults and ANY luggage in there. You need a larger car - consider - two checked bags per person (2x3=6 full sized bags) one carryon each (1x3=3 small bags) purses and misc carry stuff????

I see a midsize in your future! Seriously!

Keep watching the FB page folks - I will be posting my packing lists (as asked for) for a 23 day trip - this list is from a trip that covered tropical to winter environment (trans-atlantic to Paris to Iceland to NYC).


Cayla

I read that I could fit 5 adults and 2 pieces of luggage per person. Push comes to shove we squish and get really comfy. We are only driving from Long Beach to Ontario (so like an hour and change.), then from Ontario to San Diego (so like 2 hours). There was one in the parking lot of the diner we go to after work and Em and I were looking at the size of it... I'm so, off when it comes to car sizes though because I am tall and I'm used to people folding into my old Elantra. "Stuff in there!" Personal space is over rated.

How much is a good price for a rental car? I couldn't get anything under like $60 a day and there were huge amounts of taxes.

 

[padalyn]

Just booked our return flight from Orlando (MCO) to San Francisco (SFO). JetBlue was $47 dollars cheaper than SW. I love to save $$

DH thought I was crazy to make a spreadsheet with the different airlines and prices to the different airports in the San Francisco/Bay Area. I also listed their departure and arrival times and connecting flights. The best fit for our departure from MCO was 12:40 pm. We plan to use the DCL ground transportation and onboard airline check-in for $35 pp.

Everything is almost in place!

UMMM - if you are flying into San Francisco you might have a problem - I think we are sailing from San Diego!

I read that I could fit 5 adults and 2 pieces of luggage per person. Push comes to shove we squish and get really comfy. We are only driving from Long Beach to Ontario (so like an hour and change.), then from Ontario to San Diego (so like 2 hours). There was one in the parking lot of the diner we go to after work and Em and I were looking at the size of it... I'm so, off when it comes to car sizes though because I am tall and I'm used to people folding into my old Elantra. "Stuff in there!" Personal space is over rated.

How much is a good price for a rental car? I couldn't get anything under like $60 a day and there were huge amounts of taxes.

yikes - we are renting from off property - get away from the airports - the rates are much better. We have a car to pick up from DLR and return to the airport in San Diego for about 70.00 one way.

 

[JJJnE]

UMMM - if you are flying into San Francisco you might have a problem - I think we are sailing from San Diego!




yikes - we are renting from off property - get away from the airports - the rates are much better. We have a car to pick up from DLR and return to the airport in San Diego for about 70.00 one way.

I am going out on a limb, but I am guessing they are from San Fransisco...hehe.

I found a post somewhere that showed how much more it was to rent from places like the ports of call, or airports and it was usually around 10 dollars per day more.

Also, I don't know if anyone else has tried using foreign travel sites like expedia.uk or not, but we were able to get rooms at WDW Boardwalk Inn for about 60% of the normal price...I haven't yet tried seeing how that works on rental cars, but I will shortly as I am in need of getting a rental car from Florida in order to take my parents to the airport and then continue on to stay at WDW for a couple days and then return the rental to the airport in Orlando. Any advice on where to rent is greatly appreciated!

 

[mmbl]

I am going out on a limb, but I am guessing they are from San Fransisco...hehe. I found a post somewhere that showed how much more it was to rent from places like the ports of call, or airports and it was usually around 10 dollars per day more. Also, I don't know if anyone else has tried using foreign travel sites like expedia.uk or not, but we were able to get rooms at WDW Boardwalk Inn for about 60% of the normal price...I haven't yet tried seeing how that works on rental cars, but I will shortly as I am in need of getting a rental car from Florida in order to take my parents to the airport and then continue on to stay at WDW for a couple days and then return the rental to the airport in Orlando. Any advice on where to rent is greatly appreciated!

Are you're parents going from the cruise ship to the airport? You, from the cruise ship to WDW? Just get the 'transfers' through DCL; it'll save you a headache and get everyone where they need to go. If you really want to rent a car, I would suggest National or Alamo so you can return it right at WDW.