Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[padalyn]

Two things:

1.) If I am doing the meet I can make "ID tags" for members. All I would have to do is play with my cricut. I have neon paper that I can cut out Mickey heads. When we get there we can put our Disboards name and real name? Maybe room number?

2.) I bought shorts for the cruise. I was told that you shouldn't wear jeans on this cruise because of the heat and humidity (and I live in Western Washington where it's 80 as the high- and we're all dying of heat). So I got these itty bitty plaid shorts that don't make my legs look super pale. But the big accomplishment? SIZE 14! And they're loose! Thought y'all would laugh. So I'm looking at a few smaller outfits.

Kim - we take jeans, slacks and capri. at night it gets cool - also on the ship the A/C is often at stun and we get cold in the theater or at dinner. Lounge pants are a good option for just wearing around the cabin.

Shorts will be fine for excursions or if you are on deck. I have a pretty extensive packing list - I will post it in a couple of months if folks want to see it. We are used to packing for 3 week trips in one checked bag each and one carry on each. This trip we are splurging and taking 3 checked bags because we just don't want to do laundry. Normally we do laundry half way through the trip. This one will be 23 days long total - and NO LAUNDRY!! nope not happening!

Congrats on the size....keep it going! We have found all the pounds you have lost. As soon as we get home after this weekend - we are seriously going on a restriction of intake...too many found pounds!

 

[Sparky47]

Very nicely done Sparky47. Your photo book of your 2013 Panama Canal Cruise was GREAT!!! Thank you for sharing it with us all.

Thank you !

Awesome job! Thanks for sharing. Do you mind me asking what the cost of your photobook was?

I never pay full price for my Shutterfly books. I try to get them prepared and I wait for the 50% off deal (which happens often) and I use Coke Rewards to get free books (first 20 pages). And there are often Groupon deals for the books. For this book I had a free 20 page 12x12 book, a $20 off coupon from Coke Rewards and 50% off - this was bargain for me - the book was $8 plus shipping; I believe the total was $19ish. I think if I didn't have all the discounts it may have been around $50? not positive. The trick is to sign up for a Shutterfly account; they regularly send out specials by email (and watch their facebook account too!)

Wow, I love your photo book. What a great idea. I used to scrapbook, but it just takes so much time. Was the book fairly easy to do? You did a great job at showing all aspects of the cruise and ports, I will have to try your idea of laying down on deck to take a picture, loved it!!

We are on deck 2 this time, we usually get a balcony but opted to not spend the extra money this time. Did you like your cabin there? I can not wait to go, it is going to be so much fun. I am hoping we adjust quickly to being on vacation without our boys. I am sure getting a chance to meet all of you guys from here will help

I do love the different aspect laying on the ground; now I'm trying not to over do it. I posted that picture on FB and my brother (who traveled with us) said "I know how you did that" and my response was I am not embarrassed to admit how I did it - but how I got up from the ground was the embarrassing part! I find working in Shutterfly very easy. I could never get into doing scrapbooks no matter how much I tried. I'm a computer person so I do find it easier for me. Make sure you do a Custom Book (you pick the layouts, embellishments, etc rather than Shutterfly putting the book together). Even with the custom book, I tend to work in the "customize" mode (there's a button on the bottom left, i think), because I have more control over the layouts. In this mode, I can also import other pictures/digital embellishments to use as embellishments (such as the Cove Cafe card that I used on one page - I scanned our card and then used that as a smaller embellishment rather than taking up a picture spot with that scan).

On this cruise, most of my photos were at the ports. Since I've previously photographed all areas of the ship, drink tastings, dinner, etc., I did not incorporate too many of those into this book since they are in other books. I wanted to include as many canal photos as possible. We had taken 900 some pictures THAT DAY ALONE (both of us had a camera)...that was the hardest part of the photobook--choosing the best ones without over doing it.

As for deck 2?! I love it there. That's all I know though - we've always (in 6 trips) only had a deck 2 stateroom and that's because we have NO complaints about our room. Quiet even though we are usually pretty close to an elevator bank and the kids club (can't remember name). Sure we get running in the hallways but that happens on all decks right? Never a complaint so we'll continue to get cabins on deck 2 - we're afraid to try another deck (don't want a balcony because we don't feel we need it AND afraid we'll never want to give it up!)

 

[kerstfan1]

Kim - we take jeans, slacks and capri. at night it gets cool - also on the ship the A/C is often at stun and we get cold in the theater or at dinner. Lounge pants are a good option for just wearing around the cabin.

Shorts will be fine for excursions or if you are on deck. I have a pretty extensive packing list - I will post it in a couple of months if folks want to see it. We are used to packing for 3 week trips in one checked bag each and one carry on each. This trip we are splurging and taking 3 checked bags because we just don't want to do laundry. Normally we do laundry half way through the trip. This one will be 23 days long total - and NO LAUNDRY!! nope not happening!

Congrats on the size....keep it going! We have found all the pounds you have lost. As soon as we get home after this weekend - we are seriously going on a restriction of intake...too many found pounds!

I would love to see a packing list as im going for 3 weeks also

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

I would love to see a packing list as im going for 3 weeks also

I would also love to see one. We will be out 2 1/2 weeks total and there's no way I want to do laundry unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary.

And where is the best and cheapest place to find the luggage locks that you all are referring to. I'm so glad this came up because it's not something that would have crossed my mind until it was time to fly.

I'm soooo excited because I've only ever flown twice before and the last time was 1995 .

Mom and I are also on deck 2. She didn't want to pay for a balcony but insisted on a porthole. I don't plan on being in my cabin anyway unless I'm getting dressed for dinner or going to bed.

How many pairs of shoes are the rest of you gals bringing? I'm thinking 1 pair of sneaker/walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals, and 1 or 2 pair of dress type shoes that I can wear for dinner regardless of the type of evening that is being celebrated. I've never been on a vacation that lasted longer than 10 days and involved so many different situations.

Congrats on the weight loss Kim. Keep up the good work. I'm looking for a gym partner to spend 30-45 minutes a day burning calories if your interested. Just let me know.

 

[Shelljay]

I have a cricut too, but I don't have a Disney cartridge for it and haven't had a chance to research the on-line stuff yet (perhaps during the next snowstorm ) I just thought that if we all made our own from the Disney Paint Chips we'd all have them when we arrived.

 

[gilchrest94]

I was on the September 2013 Panama Canal cruise and we had a great time! Better than I expected!! So I'm sure you will all have a blast! I did not do a trip report but I just finished my photobook. We were two couples traveling without kids (empty nesters cruising!), we did DCL excursions, not many evening shows as we should have and spent a lot of time relaxing and enjoying the ship. I'm not sure if the link will work but here is the photobook; I'm happy to answer questions. http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZtWTZk4bMmjFag

Thanks for sharing! Might put my scrapbooking stuff away and try this.

 

[mmbl]

Awesome job! Thanks for sharing. Do you mind me asking what the cost of your photobook was?

You can usually find Shutterfly coupons. I've done several photo books with them and they have all turned out fine.

 

[mmbl]

I would also love to see one. We will be out 2 1/2 weeks total and there's no way I want to do laundry unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. And where is the best and cheapest place to find the luggage locks that you all are referring to. I'm so glad this came up because it's not something that would have crossed my mind until it was time to fly. I'm soooo excited because I've only ever flown twice before and the last time was 1995 . Mom and I are also on deck 2. She didn't want to pay for a balcony but insisted on a porthole. I don't plan on being in my cabin anyway unless I'm getting dressed for dinner or going to bed. How many pairs of shoes are the rest of you gals bringing? I'm thinking 1 pair of sneaker/walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals, and 1 or 2 pair of dress type shoes that I can wear for dinner regardless of the type of evening that is being celebrated. I've never been on a vacation that lasted longer than 10 days and involved so many different situations. Congrats on the weight loss Kim. Keep up the good work. I'm looking for a gym partner to spend 30-45 minutes a day burning calories if your interested. Just let me know.

Oh my! Shoes??? I never seem to pack less than 5, usually 7 pairs, regardless of cruise length- and that doesn't include shoes I'm wearing and flip flops for the flight! I need very comfy shoes and I'm always afraid that if they get wet or ruined that I wouldn't be able to replace them, do I end up overpacking shoes!

 

[bbkeough]

Thank you !
I never pay full price for my Shutterfly books. I try to get them prepared and I wait for the 50% off deal (which happens often) and I use Coke Rewards to get free books (first 20 pages). And there are often Groupon deals for the books. For this book I had a free 20 page 12x12 book, a $20 off coupon from Coke Rewards and 50% off - this was bargain for me - the book was $8 plus shipping; I believe the total was $19ish. I think if I didn't have all the discounts it may have been around $50? not positive. The trick is to sign up for a Shutterfly account; they regularly send out specials by email (and watch their facebook account too!)


I do love the different aspect laying on the ground; now I'm trying not to over do it. I posted that picture on FB and my brother (who traveled with us) said "I know how you did that" and my response was I am not embarrassed to admit how I did it - but how I got up from the ground was the embarrassing part! I find working in Shutterfly very easy. I could never get into doing scrapbooks no matter how much I tried. I'm a computer person so I do find it easier for me. Make sure you do a Custom Book (you pick the layouts, embellishments, etc rather than Shutterfly putting the book together). Even with the custom book, I tend to work in the "customize" mode (there's a button on the bottom left, i think), because I have more control over the layouts. In this mode, I can also import other pictures/digital embellishments to use as embellishments (such as the Cove Cafe card that I used on one page - I scanned our card and then used that as a smaller embellishment rather than taking up a picture spot with that scan).

On this cruise, most of my photos were at the ports. Since I've previously photographed all areas of the ship, drink tastings, dinner, etc., I did not incorporate too many of those into this book since they are in other books. I wanted to include as many canal photos as possible. We had taken 900 some pictures THAT DAY ALONE (both of us had a camera)...that was the hardest part of the photobook--choosing the best ones without over doing it.

As for deck 2?! I love it there. That's all I know though - we've always (in 6 trips) only had a deck 2 stateroom and that's because we have NO complaints about our room. Quiet even though we are usually pretty close to an elevator bank and the kids club (can't remember name). Sure we get running in the hallways but that happens on all decks right? Never a complaint so we'll continue to get cabins on deck 2 - we're afraid to try another deck (don't want a balcony because we don't feel we need it AND afraid we'll never want to give it up!)

Thanks for all of the info, I think I will try my hand at a photo book, and I will look for discounts on them. We have our last Disney family vacation I could practice on. I feel better about deck 2, you are right though, we always used to just do porthole outside staterooms and then got a balcony and think we always have to have it now, lol.. Truth is we really did not use it that much.

 

[bbkeough]

I would also love to see one. We will be out 2 1/2 weeks total and there's no way I want to do laundry unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary.

And where is the best and cheapest place to find the luggage locks that you all are referring to. I'm so glad this came up because it's not something that would have crossed my mind until it was time to fly.

I'm soooo excited because I've only ever flown twice before and the last time was 1995 .

Mom and I are also on deck 2. She didn't want to pay for a balcony but insisted on a porthole. I don't plan on being in my cabin anyway unless I'm getting dressed for dinner or going to bed.

How many pairs of shoes are the rest of you gals bringing? I'm thinking 1 pair of sneaker/walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals, and 1 or 2 pair of dress type shoes that I can wear for dinner regardless of the type of evening that is being celebrated. I've never been on a vacation that lasted longer than 10 days and involved so many different situations.

Congrats on the weight loss Kim. Keep up the good work. I'm looking for a gym partner to spend 30-45 minutes a day burning calories if your interested. Just let me know.

Susan,

Packing is the hardest part, I always take too much because I want to make sure I have all situations covered, and last time I took way too many shoes. I know for me I have to have comfortable, but cute shoes for the evening, walking shoes, sandals, flip flops, etc... I think this time I may bring a nice pair of black slacks and then I can wear different shirts with them for regular dinners, so maybe I can get away with one or maybe two pairs of dressier shoes. My husband likes to dress up for pirate night so we will have that stuff to pack too....oh well. We will just have to squeeze everything in.

 

[davidls]

I would love to see a packing list as im going for 3 weeks also

I'll put in a second on that one Cayla. DW and I are doing 3 weeks as well.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

The last Disney cruise we went on those of us on Disboards all decided on wearing name tags at check-in & sail-away party so we could recognize each other. We all had the Disney paint color chips (Mickey Heads) in bright green with our screen name & real name & hometown on them. It was really great because they stand out and it was easy to spot fellow Disboard members. Any thoughts???

That's a great idea. One of our cruises we all made shirts with our group logo….but that might not be something everyone would want to do.

 

[davidls]

That's a great idea. One of our cruises we all made shirts with our group logo….but that might not be something everyone would want to do.

The last Disney cruise we went on those of us on Disboards all decided on wearing name tags at check-in & sail-away party so we could recognize each other. We all had the Disney paint color chips (Mickey Heads) in bright green with our screen name & real name & hometown on them. It was really great because they stand out and it was easy to spot fellow Disboard members. Any thoughts???

I agree with Stephanie on this. The shirts may be too much, but the name tags sound great. What does everyone think?

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I would also love to see one. We will be out 2 1/2 weeks total and there's no way I want to do laundry unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary.

And where is the best and cheapest place to find the luggage locks that you all are referring to. I'm so glad this came up because it's not something that would have crossed my mind until it was time to fly.

I'm soooo excited because I've only ever flown twice before and the last time was 1995 .

Mom and I are also on deck 2. She didn't want to pay for a balcony but insisted on a porthole. I don't plan on being in my cabin anyway unless I'm getting dressed for dinner or going to bed.

How many pairs of shoes are the rest of you gals bringing? I'm thinking 1 pair of sneaker/walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals, and 1 or 2 pair of dress type shoes that I can wear for dinner regardless of the type of evening that is being celebrated. I've never been on a vacation that lasted longer than 10 days and involved so many different situations.

Congrats on the weight loss Kim. Keep up the good work. I'm looking for a gym partner to spend 30-45 minutes a day burning calories if your interested. Just let me know.

I bring flip-flops, one pair of sandals, one pair of sneakers and one pair of black flats for dress…I cannot wear heels due to my knees.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I have a cricut too, but I don't have a Disney cartridge for it and haven't had a chance to research the on-line stuff yet (perhaps during the next snowstorm ) I just thought that if we all made our own from the Disney Paint Chips we'd all have them when we arrived.

Where can you get the paint chips….our Home Depot no longer has them. I used them in my scrapbooking and went to get more when I found they were gone.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Thanks for all of the info, I think I will try my hand at a photo book, and I will look for discounts on them. We have our last Disney family vacation I could practice on. I feel better about deck 2, you are right though, we always used to just do porthole outside staterooms and then got a balcony and think we always have to have it now, lol.. Truth is we really did not use it that much.

We always get the verandah, but then I always use it. I love to go out there at night and just sit and relax. So quiet, so peaceful, watching the waves, smells so great…unless you have a smoker somewhere nearby like we did on our last cruise in January….yes I know you can not smoke on your verandah but someone near us decided it did not apply to them.

 

[kdeans1010]

I agree with Stephanie on this. The shirts may be too much, but the name tags sound great. What does everyone think?

I can do something with my cricut. I stock up on neon paper during winter months (I live in gray Washington...I just bought neon yellow yarn). I have the Disney cartridge. I could get crafty.

Oh my! Shoes??? I never seem to pack less than 5, usually 7 pairs, regardless of cruise length- and that doesn't include shoes I'm wearing and flip flops for the flight! I need very comfy shoes and I'm always afraid that if they get wet or ruined that I wouldn't be able to replace them, do I end up overpacking shoes!

Here's my shoe planning:
-Orthaheel flip flops (walking flip flops, good for water play. Plus I have size 11 wide foot and these are comfy. They're bronze/brown.)
-Birkenstock dressy sandals- still comfy but dressy (and named after my favorite place to travel. Tahiti. My mom got these for me because she saw the name) http://www.qvc.com/Birkis-by-Birkenstock-Moorea-Soft-Footbed-Sandals-Search-Results.product.A223599.html?sc=A223599-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-6-_-A223599&catentryImage=http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/a/99/a223599.001?$uslarge$
-Black ballet sparkle flats... I don't do heels. I mean I can, but I am near six foot and clumsy...They work for dressy night or any night.

I am wearing on the flights:
http://www.zappos.com/skechers-performance-gowalk-2-circuit-gray
They are super comfy, lightweight, and even though my sister calls them "old lady shoes" they're comfy. Oh and easy to slip on and off.

Hope that helps!
---
There is a $79 Jet Blue flight that I want to buy, but I want to wait until Southwest comes out with their flight info.

 

[lynandandy]

Thanks for all of the info, I think I will try my hand at a photo book, and I will look for discounts on them. We have our last Disney family vacation I could practice on. I feel better about deck 2, you are right though, we always used to just do porthole outside staterooms and then got a balcony and think we always have to have it now, lol.. Truth is we really did not use it that much.

If you are a Costco member they have photo books also. I just made a 24 page book of our last WDW trip for less then $30. if you pick it up at Costco there is no shipping.

 

[bbkeough]

That's a great idea. One of our cruises we all made shirts with our group logo….but that might not be something everyone would want to do.

I think shirts would be fun, I love t-shirts, but know that may not work for everyone. I think that name tags ahead of time would be great to, that way we can recognize each other on the first day on board and even in the terminal while waiting to board I know we are all going to be best buds by the time Sept. gets here

 

[bbkeough]

If you are a Costco member they have photo books also. I just made a 24 page book of our last WDW trip for less then $30. if you pick it up at Costco there is no shipping.

We do have Costco, I will have to check that out too! Thanks