Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[Va-NanaTink]

..... And looking forward to sailing on her again through the Panama Canal. Our first DCL experience was aboard the Dream, which is a gorgeous ship. We were curious to see how the Wonder would stack up. Even though she is an older ship, her smaller size made it easier to learn our way around.... not to mention fewer steps to get where we wanted to go!

We were in Cabin 6132, which was ideally located close to aft elevators/stairs..... a quick trip up to Deck 9 for the buffet, other casual food venues and the SOFT-SERVE. Even in Alaska, the soft-serve always had customers.

We'll be in a different cabin for the Panama cruise, but as luck would have it my brother-in-law and his wife will be in that cabin on the cruise. We hid a little note in the cabin. It'll be interesting to see if it's found or not before the cruise.

The crew and cast members were wonderful, which was to be expected. While not as glitzy as the Dream, the Wonder has a charm of her own. We especially loved the Cadillac Lounge. We took in a few movies while onboard. Planes was the featured entertainment in the Walt Disney Theater one night, and we also watched Monster's University, Lincoln, and The Long Ranger in the Buena Vista Theater. The Lone Ranger may have been panned by reviewers, but we loved it! Johnny Depp as Tonto is priceless. Those who wanted to see something true to the 1950 TV series will be disappointed.... Tonto is the hero in this one. A really fun movie if you just go with the flow.

We enjoyed every minute of the Alaska trip. I can see us going back someday. But now we'll be looking forward to Caribbean cruise on the Ruby Princess in March 2014, followed by the Disney Panama one following in September. Life is good

Karen


Karen

The Wonder was the first ship we sailed on. We've done all four ships now, and looking forward to being back on the Wonder. We love the Cadillac Lounge and it's sister Sessions on the Magic, and kind of feel that is the one thing both the Dream and Fantasy are missing in some sense. Though Skyline comes close, it still doesn't really have that same feel for me. Looking forward to relaxing before dinners in one of the club chairs by a port hole!!!

 

[Bellecruiser]

Cadillac and Sessions lounges are our favorite places to hang out before dinner. On our Med cruise this summer we hung out there before dinner for an evening couple. There were a number of people who did the same. The piano player got us going on "guess the music" trivia and we ended up laughing, making friends, it was so much fun.

 

[kayaker35]

The Wonder was the first ship we sailed on. We've done all four ships now, and looking forward to being back on the Wonder. We love the Cadillac Lounge and it's sister Sessions on the Magic, and kind of feel that is the one thing both the Dream and Fantasy are missing in some sense. Though Skyline comes close, it still doesn't really have that same feel for me. Looking forward to relaxing before dinners in one of the club chairs by a port hole!!!

That's what we did several times... both in the daytime and evening. There was a piano player/singer there in the evening, Larry King. He was terrific. It was a totally relaxing place to be.

Karen

 

[OMD13]

We have sailed on the Fantasy and the Dream and loved them both. We are looking forward to cruising on the Wonder.

 

[BigJon]

Hello Panama Canal cruisers, I'm not on this cruise, but me and my wife did this cruise on the Wonder back in December of last year, and we had a great time. It was an awesome cruise. All the different entertainment (the surprise for me was the crew talent show), the menus, it was all fantastic. We had a retired Pilot (Captain Puckett), who gave lectures each day before we went through the canal, and I missed his first couple of lectures in the Walt Disney Theater, because I thought it might be just boring facts. But let me tell you, I was wrong. I finally went, and he was very interesting. I learned so much about the history of the canal, what pilots do, how they get on the ship, and how much Disney had to pay to cross the canal. (I was shocked at the cost) Hope you guys have a great time!
(my picture below proves, there's not much room for error in a lock for the Disney Wonder)

 

[tobyjasper1970]

I think the chocolate tasting would be awesome!

The chocolate tasting was amazing, we did the first one in May 2013 on the WBTC.

Mike and Tracy from Edinburgh,Scotland and our friends Susan & John from Aberdeen will be joining us for their first Disney cruise,

I see some familiar names from May 2013 andlook forward to seeing you again ttxx

 

[Shelljay]

@TobyJasper1970 --- do your friends from Aberdeen know our friends from Aberdeen ? Wendy & her "mum" Doreen MacGregor? We sailed with them on our first Disney Cruise back in 2004 and have kept in touch with them ever since. They are huge Disney fans!

 

[Shelljay]

@BigJon...do you have any Navigators from your PC cruise or menus? Would love to see some updated Navigators and menus.

 

[BigJon]

Here's the front cover of the Voyage Navigator. (more to follow.....)

 

[BigJon]

Inside of Voyage Navigator (left side)

 

[BigJon]

Inside of Voyage Navigator (right side)

 

[BigJon]

And finally, the back cover...

 

[kdeans1010]

What did you think of Colombia?

 

[tobyjasper1970]

@TobyJasper1970 --- do your friends from Aberdeen know our friends from Aberdeen ? Wendy & her "mum" Doreen MacGregor? We sailed with them on our first Disney Cruise back in 2004 and have kept in touch with them ever since. They are huge Disney fans!

I will check with th them and let you know if it is truly a small world ttxx

 

[OMD13]

Here's the front cover of the Voyage Navigator. (more to follow.....)

Thanks for the Navigator. Looks like lots of fun things to do on board.

 

[davidls]

..... And looking forward to sailing on her again through the Panama Canal. Our first DCL experience was aboard the Dream, which is a gorgeous ship. We were curious to see how the Wonder would stack up. Even though she is an older ship, her smaller size made it easier to learn our way around.... not to mention fewer steps to get where we wanted to go!

We were in Cabin 6132, which was ideally located close to aft elevators/stairs..... a quick trip up to Deck 9 for the buffet, other casual food venues and the SOFT-SERVE. Even in Alaska, the soft-serve always had customers.

We'll be in a different cabin for the Panama cruise, but as luck would have it my brother-in-law and his wife will be in that cabin on the cruise. We hid a little note in the cabin. It'll be interesting to see if it's found or not before the cruise.

The crew and cast members were wonderful, which was to be expected. While not as glitzy as the Dream, the Wonder has a charm of her own. We especially loved the Cadillac Lounge. We took in a few movies while onboard. Planes was the featured entertainment in the Walt Disney Theater one night, and we also watched Monster's University, Lincoln, and The Long Ranger in the Buena Vista Theater. The Lone Ranger may have been panned by reviewers, but we loved it! Johnny Depp as Tonto is priceless. Those who wanted to see something true to the 1950 TV series will be disappointed.... Tonto is the hero in this one. A really fun movie if you just go with the flow.

We enjoyed every minute of the Alaska trip. I can see us going back someday. But now we'll be looking forward to Caribbean cruise on the Ruby Princess in March 2014, followed by the Disney Panama one following in September. Life is good

Karen


Karen

Welcome back Karen & your DH. Glad to hear you had a GREAT time. Alaska is on the ol' bucket list for us. We are going to do it one of these times. Like Stephanie said we too have done all 4 ships. The Magic was our first cruise with Disney. We love the newer ships, the Dream and the Fantasy, but there is a special place in our hearts for the classic ships, the Magic and the Wonder. They all have their own special charm. We are really looking forward to getting back on the Wonder. It's been awhile since we have been on the classic ships. It's almost just 1 year away until we get on board for our cruise. Time sure flies when you are having fun...............doesn't it??!??

 

[davidls]

Hello Panama Canal cruisers, I'm not on this cruise, but me and my wife did this cruise on the Wonder back in December of last year, and we had a great time. It was an awesome cruise. All the different entertainment (the surprise for me was the crew talent show), the menus, it was all fantastic. We had a retired Pilot (Captain Puckett), who gave lectures each day before we went through the canal, and I missed his first couple of lectures in the Walt Disney Theater, because I thought it might be just boring facts. But let me tell you, I was wrong. I finally went, and he was very interesting. I learned so much about the history of the canal, what pilots do, how they get on the ship, and how much Disney had to pay to cross the canal. (I was shocked at the cost) Hope you guys have a great time!
(my picture below proves, there's not much room for error in a lock for the Disney Wonder)

THANKS BigJon for the picture of the Wonder going thru the Panama Canal!!! And, also, of the pictures of the navigators. These were Great to see, again thanks for sharing them with us. If you have any others you wouldn't mind sharing with us, we would love to see them.

 

[kerstfan1]

well i think im now for 98% sure im booking this cruise im waiting for flight prices to be released then i will book this one

 

[Va-NanaTink]

well i think im now for 98% sure im booking this cruise im waiting for flight prices to be released then i will book this one

It is definitely worth it!!!

 

[kdeans1010]

I've only been on the Fantasy, so I'm kinda' nervous about this. But I just did a check about how eco-friendly the boat is. Disney Wonder is 3rd on list of best boats. Yay! I'm an echo friendly nerd.

Fall has hit the Pac-Northwest.