Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[Thnlk]

Hello All,
My wonderful mother has decided that she is taking everyone on a vacation and was excited when I brought this one to her attention. She said yes and we are now officially booked! Woo Hoo! Anyways I've been doing my research and checking things out on tips, secrets, etc.., etc... So whats the best tips out there? Also anyone use the nursery? I see you have to have reservations for it, but how do you know when you would use it? My youngest will be just shy of 2 when we go. Any info will help. Thanks!

melissa

Welcome to our group. The best tip is very simple. Don't try to do everything and don't over schedule. When we got back from our first cruise we had a great time but were exhausted when we got done. Every cruise since has been way more relaxing.

 

[madipatamy]

Welcome! You will enjoy Disney! Dumb question where are you coming from if you are doing the Vancouver trip? I was thinking about doing that one because Vancouver is like an hour from me... okay an hour and a half, but a.) I have a needy golden retriever and b.) Part of the appeal to this cruise was I get to fly home/Ontario, CA the city adjacent is home, and as cool and as western Washington as I am... every so often I need to put my feet in that Rancho Cucamonga soil.

We are coming from Calgary, Alberta and because this is our first Disney cruise we want to make it a good one! We were throwing around the idea of adding the 5 night Bahamas onto the end but have decided against it for now...we'll see

 

[madipatamy]

Hmm...that sounds like a fine idea. How long is the first cruise? Maybe we should add that on too.

The first cruise is only 4 nights leaving from Vancouver with a stop in Victoria and then ending in San Diego.

 

[madipatamy]

If you want to post your email address here - I will add you to the FB page. The two are seperate (FB and the Dis). There is more activity there, since I think most folks find it easier to read the threads there.

Welcome aboard!

Thanks my email address is ...it won't let me use the @ button to create an email address, apparently my posts have to be above 10 for that too

 

[madipatamy]

I'm a planner so I've already looked into things to do even though the excursions aren't available for a while. We usually book things on our own unless there is something really specific that we want that is offered through the ship. There seems to be less to see/do in Cartagena so I was wondering if anyone has been and if so, what have you done there?

 

[padalyn]

Thanks my email address is ...it won't let me use the @ button to create an email address, apparently my posts have to be above 10 for that too

done. welcome aboard. I have a co-worker who is from Columbia - he suggested the overview excursion as being the best of all there is to see in such a short time.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I'm a planner so I've already looked into things to do even though the excursions aren't available for a while. We usually book things on our own unless there is something really specific that we want that is offered through the ship. There seems to be less to see/do in Cartagena so I was wondering if anyone has been and if so, what have you done there?

When we did the EBPC in 2008, it was the first time a Disney ship had pulled into Cartegena. We did a tour of the Old City and the fort. It was great! The Old City is so vibrant with colors. Flowers envelop the balconies, they have actual competitions! There are people in traditional dress and others painted to look like statues…but be forewarned if you take a picture, money is expected. If that is something you might wish to take a picture of, have some cash. The tour ended with a dancing exhibition. It was a busy day, but lots to see. Of course, there was the obligatory shopping stop as well!

 

[mmbl]

Santa brought me a pair of kick tushy walking shoes and was like "those will be good for your cruise..." I love Sketcher's Go Walk shoes for cruising. They are so comfy. But my green ones are getting a beating. That and I received an amazing first aide kit. I just don't want to be ill prepared for the inevitable injury I will have. I am so clumsy and klutzy. Hope everyone was fun and safe!

I love Sketchers! I am not a 'sneaker' person, but Sketchers I will wear! They are the only truly comfy sneakers I have found.

 

[mmbl]

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[kdeans1010]

I'm a planner so I've already looked into things to do even though the excursions aren't available for a while. We usually book things on our own unless there is something really specific that we want that is offered through the ship. There seems to be less to see/do in Cartagena so I was wondering if anyone has been and if so, what have you done there?

I haven't been there but one idea we are tossing around is going to the monastery. I think there's a tour going to it. I love going to religious places (partly because my faith has been so all over the place I find that I find a lot of peace going into different churches, temples, missions, etc. I find they're really beautiful). That and I want to get coffee while I'm there. Oh! And I need sometime on the trip to get my brother hot sauce! Everywhere I go I get him hot sauce from around the world.

My friend figured out how much I have paid, how much she has paid, etc (because I just put money into the account, I don't pay attention to how much I've paid.). I'm almost done paying it off!

 

[Lexa]

Hello fellow cruisers....we officially transferred our reservation from WBPC 2014 to this one and looking forward to another cruise on Disney Wonder.

We are family of 4, me Alex, my DH Chris, DS Luke who will be 10 at the time of sailing and DD Maya who will be 9. I'm was reading thread from the beginning, but still have lots to go! Looking forward to get to know all of you!

 

[OMD13]

Hello fellow cruisers....we officially transferred our reservation from WBPC 2014 to this one and looking forward to another cruise on Disney Wonder.

We are family of 4, me Alex, my DH Chris, DS Luke who will be 10 at the time of sailing and DD Maya who will be 9. I'm was reading thread from the beginning, but still have lots to go! Looking forward to get to know all of you!

Welcome Alex and family! Look forward to meeting you.

 

[davidls]

Hello fellow cruisers....we officially transferred our reservation from WBPC 2014 to this one and looking forward to another cruise on Disney Wonder.

We are family of 4, me Alex, my DH Chris, DS Luke who will be 10 at the time of sailing and DD Maya who will be 9. I'm was reading thread from the beginning, but still have lots to go! Looking forward to get to know all of you!

I too would like to Lexa, (Alex, Chris, Luke & Maya), to the cruise. So glad ya'll are joining us on this cruise. This is going to be one FANTASTIC cruise. We are going to have soooooo much fun. Again welcome aboard!!!

 

[davidls]

I haven't been there but one idea we are tossing around is going to the monastery. I think there's a tour going to it. I love going to religious places (partly because my faith has been so all over the place I find that I find a lot of peace going into different churches, temples, missions, etc. I find they're really beautiful). That and I want to get coffee while I'm there. Oh! And I need sometime on the trip to get my brother hot sauce! Everywhere I go I get him hot sauce from around the world.

My friend figured out how much I have paid, how much she has paid, etc (because I just put money into the account, I don't pay attention to how much I've paid.). I'm almost done paying it off!

We were thinking of taking the tour to the monastery as well in Cartagena. It sounds interesting. Stephanie have you taken this tour or been to the monastery?

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Hello fellow cruisers....we officially transferred our reservation from WBPC 2014 to this one and looking forward to another cruise on Disney Wonder.

We are family of 4, me Alex, my DH Chris, DS Luke who will be 10 at the time of sailing and DD Maya who will be 9. I'm was reading thread from the beginning, but still have lots to go! Looking forward to get to know all of you!

Glad to have you join us!!! It's an awesome cruise to be a part of and this looks like it's going to be a fun group....Sooooo looking forward to two weeks of sun and relaxation....

 

[kdeans1010]

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome new people!

 

[davidls]

And one last thing before I go for the day folks, my pals, my friends, my cohorts, my fellow cruisers, my ship board mates, my....................well you know who you are. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all have a
SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

[OMD13]

And one last thing before I go for the day folks, my pals, my friends, my cohorts, my fellow cruisers, my ship board mates, my....................well you know who you are. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all have a
SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Bob and want to wish all of our fellow cruisers a Happy and healthy New Yeat.

 

[kerstfan1]

Happy and safe new year all i still can say it inkt 90 minutes more

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Hello fellow cruisers....we officially transferred our reservation from WBPC 2014 to this one and looking forward to another cruise on Disney Wonder.

We are family of 4, me Alex, my DH Chris, DS Luke who will be 10 at the time of sailing and DD Maya who will be 9. I'm was reading thread from the beginning, but still have lots to go! Looking forward to get to know all of you!

and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!! This cruise is going to be the best!! We are going to have the most amazing trip. The monastery tour sounds like a lot of fun as well as the shopping. I will have to bring home coffee as well.

Does anyone know when Southwest starts booking flights for September? Right now they are only booking thru June 30th. It looks like we will most likely be flying home instead of renting a car. Who would have thought it would be cheaper to fly than rent a car .