WONDERous adventures on the Panama Canal - 4/23/17

[QuiltTeddy]

Do I win a Mickey Bar if I guess correctly? I'm really bad at tests so I confess, I googled 'teddy' and 'ny'. Does it refer to the Teddy Bear?

While that was DH's nickname as a kid, it does not refer to that. It would appear you did not win the Mickey bar! LOL

 

[Huskiesrule]

Now I feel like I should help figure out the name, and the only Teddy I can think of is Teddy Roosevelt. Maybe your name is Theodora? That's all I got

 

[o&smom]

Hello Everyone! Myself, My hubby, and our two children, DS 13 & DD 10 will be joining you all on this journey from coast to coast. This will be our 5th Disney Cruise. After reading so many positive reviews of the Panama Canal cruises, and the huge pitch from our server on our Wonder cruise 2 weeks ago, I added this to my bucket. I'm so excited! I am looking forward to participating in several of the many group activities already being organized. Sounds like this will be a really fun group.

Yay! Finally more kids! DS Owen will be 13 and DD Spencer will be 6. Nice to know we will not be the only ones bringing our kids. Did you get any info about the changes to the Wonder this Fall while on your recent cruise?

 

[o&smom]

Ooh, a dessert buffet. Yet another reason to enjoy a longer cruise.

There was a dessert buffet on our very first cruise. (Med 10 day). Unfortunately it was also our first dinner at Palo and we stuffed ourselves with all the yummy goodness there. We stayed up late for the dessert buffet to take pictures of it! Not one bite! This will NOT happen on this cruise! I am taking full advantage of trying as many of the desserts as humanly possible. Cannot wait!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

How do you know about the dessert buffet and the barbecue on Canal day? Are they listed in the Navigator, or do you have to hope your server tells you about it as he gives you the rundown for tomorrow?

 

[wilma-bride]

How do you know about the dessert buffet and the barbecue on Canal day? Are they listed in the Navigator, or do you have to hope your server tells you about it as he gives you the rundown for tomorrow?

The servers were very good about telling us what was going on that night/the next day. There were actually 2 BBQs on the 2015 WBPC - one on Canal day and one on the last day at sea. The dessert buffet was listed in the navigator.

 

[INDY1919A4]

The servers were very good about telling us what was going on that night/the next day. There were actually 2 BBQs on the 2015 WBPC - one on Canal day and one on the last day at sea. The dessert buffet was listed in the navigator.

I am sorry I must have fallen asleep here... BBQs?? on board... Please can you describe this??? Is it like what they have at cookies at Castaway Cay???? It is like lunch time??? Where at on the ship???? Never before have I thunked such a wonderful thing...

 

[o&smom]

I am sorry I must have fallen asleep here... BBQs?? on board... Please can you describe this??? Is it like what they have at cookies at Castaway Cay???? It is like lunch time??? Where at on the ship???? Never before have I thunked such a wonderful thing...

I have seen it on the back deck outside of what will be Cabanas.

 

[INDY1919A4]

I have seen it on the back deck outside of what will be Cabanas.

Mufasa --- That sounds cool... So on the Wonder is the upper aft deck restaurant still in the old Topsiders style??? is it looking to be changed to the Cabanas ???

 

[arielmomma]

Yay! Finally more kids! DS Owen will be 13 and DD Spencer will be 6. Nice to know we will not be the only ones bringing our kids. Did you get any info about the changes to the Wonder this Fall while on your recent cruise?

Keep in mind that CMs do not tend to be the best sources of valid information, but according to Thatree, our server, the Wonder is getting a complete Magic-esque makeover. It would be great to see the differences next spring. Personally, I loved her the way she is, but change can be good too.

 

[KalamityJane]

Keep in mind that CMs do not tend to be the best sources of valid information, but according to Thatree, our server, the Wonder is getting a complete Magic-esque makeover. It would be great to see the differences next spring. Personally, I loved her the way she is, but change can be good too.

They are being tightlipped about the changes, but she is going to be in dry dock in Cadiz for 2 months (with no TA cruises scheduled, so they can work on the way over and back) so I'm assuming it will be big changes.

 

[o&smom]

Mufasa --- That sounds cool... So on the Wonder is the upper aft deck restaurant still in the old Topsiders style??? is it looking to be changed to the Cabanas ???

All signs point to yes, that it will be changed this Fall. The flow of the space works better, and there is no main buffet line so it is easier to get different food items. The actual decor of Cabanas is slightly different from ship to ship so it will be fun to see what they do on the wonder.

 

[Linda67]

I just remembered that I haven't popped over here and said hello to everyone yet!
I'll be on this cruise with my husband and it will be our first Panama Canal cruise.
So excited to finally be doing this sailing, it's been on the bucket list for some time!
Looking forward to getting to know everyone and will certainly be participating in as many of the events as possible

 

[Huskiesrule]

I just remembered that I haven't popped over here and said hello to everyone yet!
I'll be on this cruise with my husband and it will be our first Panama Canal cruise.
So excited to finally be doing this sailing, it's been on the bucket list for some time!
Looking forward to getting to know everyone and will certainly be participating in as many of the events as possible

It's great to have another Canal newbie joining! I see by your ticker you are doing the Magic overseas, lucky you. I so want to do a Norway/Iceland cruise, but DCL keeps drawing me into other ones first

 

[runskyhy]

Hello @arielmomma and @Linda67 !

While that was DH's nickname as a kid, it does not refer to that. It would appear you did not win the Mickey bar! LOL

Google let me down?!? Luckily, there is still usually ice cream at the lunch buffet.

Keep in mind that CMs do not tend to be the best sources of valid information, but according to Thatree, our server, the Wonder is getting a complete Magic-esque makeover. It would be great to see the differences next spring. Personally, I loved her the way she is, but change can be good too.

I always like to think that change is good, too. I really enjoyed all the re-imagined changes on the Magic but I fear they will convert the Outlook Café to a concierge lounge. Since there is one on all the other ships now, its almost a given, but that really has become one of my favorite areas of the ship. Fingers and toes crossed they don't take it away from the rest of us.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Oddly enough I think I have only been in the Outlook Café once or twice since I am not a coffee drinker. I am hoping they do put a concierge lounge in as we are sailing concierge in November. I wish I could do it next year to but the cost was insane. I would love to know who booked the Walt and Ray suites though

 

[Cruisin]

I'm another one who would vote against a change in the Outlook Cafe.

We loved it up there during our last Panama Canal cruise.

Spent a lot of time sitting there watching. Nice and peaceful and yet still has a nice view of the deck.

I remember the days when the entire Disney cruise ship was available to all passengers and that was one feature that I really liked. It felt like everyone was treated with the same kind of special, no matter what level you were sailing at.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Like I said, nothing against the Café as I didn't use it and actually used the concierge lunge just as much on the Dream - which is to say I was in there a couple times. Not my cup of tea As long as they put a lounge somewhere so we can get our "free" popcorn for the movies I'll be happy. I also can't say I felt we were treated better as concierge though, or it could be the team was just that unhelpful and annoying that I didn't visit them more. I am hoping this years cruise redeems the concierge experience because I feel we are treated better when we don't sail concierge.

 

[Cruisin]

So questions for anybody who sails or has sailed concierge?

What makes sailing concierge (which would cost us $25,500 more for our cruise with 3 adults in our group) worth that amount of price increase?

I understand the cabins are larger but what else makes it worth that much of a price difference to you?

Edited to add: I'm asking purely out of curiosity.

I'm not judging nor condemning anyone for choosing whatever category they wish to sail. Everyone has their own priorities and can choose what's comfortable for themselves. Also it's their money and their choice how to spend it.

 

[Huskiesrule]

For us(3 adults), we usually do 2 balcony rooms and to go concierge this year was another $500 for a 1 bedroom. We like the space, it still has 2 bathrooms and a guaranteed cabana at Castaway. Like I said, I don't feel you are treated any better for spending that amount of money but when the cost difference is so low we will sail concierge. The canal cruise is running $18000 for the 3 of us, so sailing concierge is a big no! I have read others that say once you do it you won't want to go back, but I am not addicted and I like having options that are cheaper. But, maybe they will treat us fabulously and we will be addicted after November