Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[kdeans1010]

All checked in excursions are all selected. Now all we have to do is wait 105 days. Very mixed feelings about this. I want it to be here but when we get back summer in Washington state will be over

There are a handful of Washingtonians. Yay! I am mixed about summers here. I like them, but here versus California (where I'm from) WA doesn't have air conditioning. I like the heat if I can deal with the air conditioning. I roast.... Plus I work nights...

 

[mmbl]

$439.95 for pix and cd? Did I read that right? I guess I just don't like the way I look enough to spend that much extra on all the pix! Now for $150. at WDW for our family reunion, that was worth it; but $440. for just us two not so young or pretty people, I just don't know!
Those of you who have gotten it before, how many pictures did you end up with? Were they all the posed pix or random shots, parties, etc. In addition to them? Thanks!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

We just booked the Panama Canal cruise today and couldn't be more excited! I will be celebrating my birthday on the 21st (in Columbia!!), but more importantly we will be celebrating the 4th anniversary of my daughters Make-A-Wish trip. Her Wish was to cruise (for the first time) on the Disney Dream in 2010. She was so sad when we got off the boat that we promised her that we would take her on a Disney cruise every year. It's been 4 years and this is our 4th cruise!

Our family:
Brooke (me)
Eric (husband)
Ireland (daughter, 12 years old, diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica- a rare auto-immune disease)

Yay on the 4th cruise! And what a way to celebrate your birthday!!

Hi everyone!

I just booked my parents on this cruise and I hope they will enjoy 14 days together with time to relax They're meeting my kids, DH and I in WDW for F&W. Woohoo!

What's everyone booking for the excursions? We're Gold so their window opened up tonight.

Wondering if people have any suggestions. They are mellow retirees and this will be their 7th DCL cruise.

Cozumel -- they did the Twister boat and Island thing last time they were on the Fantasy and LOVED the speedboat ride. So just FYI for anyone on the fence. They said it was really fun.

Does anyone have suggestions for Cartagena and Puerto Vallarta? TIA!

Edited to Add: I just saw the Photowalk thing and he signed up for it! Very excited! I'm their official spokesperson b/c they don't DIS but they love the DIS community (if that makes any sense). They usually participate in FEs with my kids but never sign up for themselves.

when we did the PC cruise in 2008, we did the Old City tour…it was fantastic, very vibrant and wonderful photographic opportunities!

Very excited as I just checked in and picked some excursions.

This is our second time on the Disney Wonder Panama Canal cruise - we did the same crossing September 2013. If anyone has any questions then I will do my best to answer. Seems like a very active group here!

We did the Panama Canal on the Disney Magic in 2008, our most favorite cruise to date…

I just booked this cruise for myself, my husband and my mother.

Very much looking forward to it.

Irelandsmom, I will also be celebrating my birthday on the 21st. Having dinner in Palo, the same place I celebrated it last year, except I was on the Dream!

and Happy birthday cruise to you too!

Hi everybody! My husband and I are contemplating this cruise for our tenth wedding anniversary but are nervous about pulling the trigger. Neither of us have cruised before, so we're a little anxious about 14 days... And wondering about what kind of stateroom to book, etc. we'd love any input!! Thanks!

PULL THE TRIGGER!! Seriously, though, not knowing what your concerns are about cruising, I can't really say, but if it's that you will be bored or 'stir crazy' or not have anything to do….rest assured that will not be the case! There are TONS of things to do! I've been wanting another long cruise since our last EBPC!!! Now I have two in the pipeline…this one and the EBTA next year! So, come join us!!

Hello,
We booked this cruise. We just got off the Panama Canal a week ago and it was great. We just have to go the other way. Cannot wait.

There was alot that they did for the Panama Canal cruise. Pixar party and picture day, crew talent show, extra crew show, kids sleep over, princess tea party with all princesses, beach boys concert, Beatles concert, adult time in the oceaneers lab and club (we made flubber). Way more entertainment, hide and seek with the senior officers, crafts and trivia alot, and just a laid back fun time. Not too many kids so the pools were not filled also the kid spaces were lighter. Since there were a lot more adults the pirate buffet and desert buffet was jammed packed. Jimmy the cruise director was great.

NOthing like taking the ship over and bringing her home again! We should try that!

Wow, the WBPC sounds like it was lots of fun! On our EBPC in 2008 they did a crew mystery that ran for several days. A painting of Capt. Tom was stolen. Clues were scattered all over the ship…and it ended with a big show in the theater…even Capt. Tom was involved in the mystery and there at the end! Lots of fun!!

Wow, can't believe how big this group is getting! Fantastic!

 

[mmbl]

You can have all my excursions. I do not plan to book any. I have been to Cozumel several times. Nothing I want to do there. I have been to Puerto Vallarta before, both land and sea vacations, so nothing new for me there. Cabo is not really accessible for me with my knees, and not really interested anyway. The only place may do something is Cartagena. I did not do anything the last time I was there. Too nervous. I will not book anything until I discuss with shore excursion staff aboard. I love having the ship to myself. Lesa

Our first visit to Mexico, Cancun and Cozumel, was on our honeymoon (33 yrs ago) and can't tell you how many times we have been there since We are doing a private beach club in Cozumel, Nacci Cocom (Naci Coccom?); we've been a few times before and if you want a relaxing beach day, this is very nice. Chancanab National Park is also nice and has swimming area, dolphin area, some ruins to explore, snuba; we've also been there and it is also nice although a bit busier. XCaret is also a very nice outing- with beaches, some wildlife, trails- but it's a ferry ride from Cozumel over to Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. We haven't been to Tulum Ruins in many years, and you could climb them when we were there,but we thoroughly enjoyed touring them and then snorkeling at a local beach afterwards.
In Columbia, we are doing a private tour and thought we were fully booked but it looks as if one couple has backed out. We do have another single lady going with our group. There is a detailed post on this board or I can send you the info if you're interested.

 

[mmbl]

My group is talking about doing the funny bus excursion in Cartegena. I forget what it is called, but for some reason that one really appeals to me. That or the other bus tour. My grandpa said not to do Cartegena without someone/a guide/a group. You can join our group for the excursion there. Be warned my plan is I want to try some really weird/crazy/adventurous food while I'm there. Like last cruise I had oxtail stew and mofongo. Em and I every birthday get each other a bottle of Cupcake wine. She gets me a white wine, I get her a red. We've done this for years. And then we sit and drink the bottle together. And since my gut exploded this tradition is my one alcoholic beverage every couple months.

We had Mofongo at a nice little place in Puerto Rico. Loved it, but, I love fried plantains! We usually like to try something that is a local specialty- unless things are really weird or 'personally' offensive- such as eating kangaroo. Spouse ate it, but I couldn't; I like kangaroos too much!

 

[mmbl]

Hi everybody! My husband and I are contemplating this cruise for our tenth wedding anniversary but are nervous about pulling the trigger. Neither of us have cruised before, so we're a little anxious about 14 days... And wondering about what kind of stateroom to book, etc. we'd love any input!! Thanks!

Not sure I'd start with a 14 night, during hurricane season and very limited shore time. We have about 3.5 hrs in Cabo and 4 hrs in Puerta Vallarta and only 2 full days on land ( Cozumel and Cartagena). What if you get sea sick or really hate it- unlikely but there are people who do? Our first cruise was 7 days with, if I remember correctly, 4 shore days, and that was perfect. We only had one really rough night where I ended up in the infirmary for a shot of Reglan.Additionally, this is not the biggest ship and while they're will be plenty of things to do, for your first time out- if on such a long cruise- you might want to look for a ship with a lot more 'built in' things to do, such as zip lining, ice skating, etc. Those are just a few things I'd think about before booking this particular cruise.

 

[AlisonM]

What were some of the more different activities offered during sea days? Thanks

There were lots of activities which are not normally offered. 2 of the best were the Galley Tour and Behind The Scenes at Walt Disney Theatre. It was very interesting to get to see what the kitchens actually look like!

The Behind The Scenes Tour took you to the backstage areas - you even got to ride on the moving platform on the stage.

The officers got involved in a lot of things as well. The Hide and Seek with the Officers was fun. Even Captain Thord took part. He did a Q and A as well which was interesting.

Captain Thord and Cruise Director Jimmy had a Wii Competition on Deck as well as a Cooking Competition.

One thing which made this cruise extra special was the involvement of the crew in things that they normally just don't have time to do.

The Crew Talent Show was a lot of fun. The crew who took part were from all parts of the ship not just the entertainment crew so that was good.

They had the Pixar Party which is usually just for Alaska.

I hope it is Jimmy as the Cruise Director again. I know he is on board the Wonder at the moment so hoping he has the summer off so he can get back to the Wonder for September!

 

[kerstfan1]

$439.95 for pix and cd? Did I read that right? I guess I just don't like the way I look enough to spend that much extra on all the pix! Now for $150. at WDW for our family reunion, that was worth it; but $440. for just us two not so young or pretty people, I just don't know!
Those of you who have gotten it before, how many pictures did you end up with? Were they all the posed pix or random shots, parties, etc. In addition to them? Thanks!

for me it is worth it as im going solo and with the price of one pic being 20 dollars i will have it back in no time

 

[dsnydaddy]

There were lots of activities which are not normally offered. 2 of the best were the Galley Tour and Behind The Scenes at Walt Disney Theatre. It was very interesting to get to see what the kitchens actually look like!

The Behind The Scenes Tour took you to the backstage areas - you even got to ride on the moving platform on the stage.

The officers got involved in a lot of things as well. The Hide and Seek with the Officers was fun. Even Captain Thord took part. He did a Q and A as well which was interesting.

Captain Thord and Cruise Director Jimmy had a Wii Competition on Deck as well as a Cooking Competition.

One thing which made this cruise extra special was the involvement of the crew in things that they normally just don't have time to do.

The Crew Talent Show was a lot of fun. The crew who took part were from all parts of the ship not just the entertainment crew so that was good.

They had the Pixar Party which is usually just for Alaska.

I hope it is Jimmy as the Cruise Director again. I know he is on board the Wonder at the moment so hoping he has the summer off so he can get back to the Wonder for September!

Are they really strict about behind the scenes pictures? Reason I ask is that I'm building a Wonder replica in Minecraft and only guess at some if the behind the scenes areas. Commiting things to memory is somewhat faulty. When I got the bridge tour I was able to take pics.

 

[kdeans1010]

We had Mofongo at a nice little place in Puerto Rico. Loved it, but, I love fried plantains! We usually like to try something that is a local specialty- unless things are really weird or 'personally' offensive- such as eating kangaroo. Spouse ate it, but I couldn't; I like kangaroos too much!

I love love love plantains! So yummy. I love Caribbean food to begin with. I'm with you on the trying the local specialty. My grandparents one year got my family chilis (you know the kind you eat with cornbread) with different types of meat. I think there was alligator, kangaroo, rattlesnake, and buffalo. We had then all but the kangaroo... that was kept in our pantry for years. But even now my siblings and I are like "what's weird?" Our local "shrimp shack" has alligator burgers, my brother gets those. I do the prawns. But I barely eat beef anymore so my adventurous is very limited. Although tonight I am going to eat lamb (!!!!). I don't eat lamb a lot because I have a lamb tattooed to my ankle and it kinda' weirds me out.

 

[AlisonM]

Are they really strict about behind the scenes pictures? Reason I ask is that I'm building a Wonder replica in Minecraft and only guess at some if the behind the scenes areas. Commiting things to memory is somewhat faulty. When I got the bridge tour I was able to take pics.

Unfortunately they were very strict about it for the Behind the Scenes Tour. You could take as many pictures as you wanted of the Galley, but not backstage theatre.

That's exciting that you are building a replica in Minecraft. My sons are just getting into that and really enjoy it.

 

[SMITH2615]

$439.95 for pix and cd? Did I read that right? I guess I just don't like the way I look enough to spend that much extra on all the pix! Now for $150. at WDW for our family reunion, that was worth it; but $440. for just us two not so young or pretty people, I just don't know!
Those of you who have gotten it before, how many pictures did you end up with? Were they all the posed pix or random shots, parties, etc. In addition to them? Thanks!

We are two adults. We have done both on longer cruises. We ended up spending more on pictures not getting the CD than paying for the CD. The other thing getting the CD encourages you to take advantage of as many photo opportunities as possible and ask the photographers to take extra shots.
We will get the CD again on the EBPC.

 

[SMITH2615]

Anyone else staying onboard for the 5 day double dip?

 

[lilpooh108]

There was alot that they did for the Panama Canal cruise. Pixar party and picture day, crew talent show, extra crew show, kids sleep over, princess tea party with all princesses, beach boys concert, Beatles concert, adult time in the oceaneers lab and club (we made flubber). Way more entertainment, hide and seek with the senior officers, crafts and trivia alot, and just a laid back fun time. Not too many kids so the pools were not filled also the kid spaces were lighter. Since there were a lot more adults the pirate buffet and desert buffet was jammed packed. Jimmy the cruise director was great.

Thank you for your post! The adult time in the kids club sounds really fun. Senior Officer hide & seek?! How fun

There were lots of activities which are not normally offered. 2 of the best were the Galley Tour and Behind The Scenes at Walt Disney Theatre. It was very interesting to get to see what the kitchens actually look like!

The Behind The Scenes Tour took you to the backstage areas - you even got to ride on the moving platform on the stage.

The officers got involved in a lot of things as well. The Hide and Seek with the Officers was fun. Even Captain Thord took part. He did a Q and A as well which was interesting.

Captain Thord and Cruise Director Jimmy had a Wii Competition on Deck as well as a Cooking Competition.

One thing which made this cruise extra special was the involvement of the crew in things that they normally just don't have time to do.

The Crew Talent Show was a lot of fun. The crew who took part were from all parts of the ship not just the entertainment crew so that was good.

They had the Pixar Party which is usually just for Alaska.

I hope it is Jimmy as the Cruise Director again. I know he is on board the Wonder at the moment so hoping he has the summer off so he can get back to the Wonder for September!

Wow, amazing! Thanks so much for posting this. My mom was concerned about so many sea days but it looks like there's plenty of new & fun activities to keep everyone busy!

My dad and I were on the May 19th Wonder and Jimmy was the cruise director. I think he is taking a break and Peter was coming onboard, but I didn't think to ask whether Jimmy was coming back. He is by far my favorite cruise director.

 

[ChipperMerlin]

I registered for the FE and sent a private message to be included in the Facebook group. Hope that includes everything?

I just did the same. I checked in here on December 7th, and today is my first day back. We are really looking forward to this cruise and a chance to meet everyone.

 

[Thnlk]

Anyone else staying onboard for the 5 day double dip?

I wish. Doing a double dip is on my list of future cruises I want to do

 

[Shelljay]

just ordered our photo package!!! Stupid me didn't see the package of all pictures and CD on the website, so I just got all the pictures...but I can scan them myself and put them on a CD if I need to.

 

[ChipperMerlin]

Anyone else staying onboard for the 5 day double dip?

Not this time - we're getting on the Wonder in Vancouver on September 1st, heading for Alaska, then doing the Coastal repo on September 8th. After the PC cruise, we have 11 days at WDW — we're signed up for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler on October 4th.

You'll have a blast on the double dip, though!

 

[AlisonM]

Unfortunately they were very strict about it for the Behind the Scenes Tour. You could take as many pictures as you wanted of the Galley, but not backstage theatre.

That's exciting that you are building a replica in Minecraft. My sons are just getting into that and really enjoy it.

Thank you for your post! The adult time in the kids club sounds really fun. Senior Officer hide & seek?! How fun



Wow, amazing! Thanks so much for posting this. My mom was concerned about so many sea days but it looks like there's plenty of new & fun activities to keep everyone busy!

My dad and I were on the May 19th Wonder and Jimmy was the cruise director. I think he is taking a break and Peter was coming onboard, but I didn't think to ask whether Jimmy was coming back. He is by far my favorite cruise director.

There was definitely a lot to do. That's great that you sailed on the Wonder in May. How was embarkation in San Diego? We were there as we were meeting a crew member off the ship and it looked a bit chaotic!

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Hello,
We booked this cruise. We just got off the Panama Canal a week ago and it was great. We just have to go the other way. Cannot wait.

Oh how I hope we get to make flubber on our cruise. I've always been jealous of my DD getting the chance to do this in 04'.

Anyone else staying onboard for the 5 day double dip?

I'm pushing my luck taking 8 days of vacation that span 2 1/2 weeks. If I tried to do another 5 day cruise I would be forced to take a personal leave of absence.