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

[jotabs]

Yes, I'd be willing to parcipate in the cabin crawl. We are category 6b, handicap rm 7138.

 

[Cruisin]

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

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Linda67]

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

I'm actually from the UK so it's not so exciting to be cruising out of Dover but I needed a quick DCL fix!
We did the Norway and the Baltics cruises last year and they were both wonderful. I haven't sailed to Iceland yet but hopefully one day

 

[busdriverbrad]

We had debated on this or the Norway/Iceland repositioning cruise. We went with the one during school since our little guy will be in elementary school still during this one and the Iceland one we are saving for the year or two after in the summer vacation time. Then it will be time for an orient cruise on the new ships and new disney(hopefully)

 

[INDY1919A4]

Yes, I'd be willing to parcipate in the cabin crawl. We are category 6b, handicap rm 7138.

Oh many thanks, I have often wanted to look into those aft rooms like that..

 

[ohMom]

just added to our growing list of activities - an adult May the Fourth white elephant exchange (star wars gift exclusively) and meet on Deck 9 at 10 p.m -- trivia, cocktails, wear your Star Wars t-shirt!

 

[mickey9170]

Hi y'all.....another Canal newbie here too.....Not our first cruise tho....So excited to meet everyone and pick your brains over the next several months!!! Sailed on the Wonder back in 2010 and it was only a 3 night, I WAS HOOKED!!! Twice on the Fantasy since and so excited for this one!!! EXCITED!!!!

Headed to Punta Cana this year for 10 days, so if you have any words of wisdom there too, I'll be listening!

 

[jotabs]

Count us in on May the fourth activity. Guess now I had better get paper and pen to make a list of all activities I'm joining and what I need to know about them. All ready starting my FE gifts.

 

[Huskiesrule]

I'm actually from the UK so it's not so exciting to be cruising out of Dover but I needed a quick DCL fix!
We did the Norway and the Baltics cruises last year and they were both wonderful. I haven't sailed to Iceland yet but hopefully one day

The one and only time I went to Europe, we tried to pack to much in and I love the history over there. As Americans we have history, but not nearly like some of the European countries. I want to go back as I feel I missed so much, but here is hoping that my sister goes to Germany next year so I have to visit her. She's family so I would have to suck it up and go

just added to our growing list of activities - an adult May the Fourth white elephant exchange (star wars gift exclusively) and meet on Deck 9 at 10 p.m -- trivia, cocktails, wear your Star Wars t-shirt!

I thought of doing the Star Wars activity, but I suck at trivia(plus I haven't watched anything past the original 3). I may go to watch though-cheer on my favorite competitor, whomever that will be.

Count us in on May the fourth activity. Guess now I had better get paper and pen to make a list of all activities I'm joining and what I need to know about them. All ready starting my FE gifts.

I can't even think about the FE yet, I have to finish the one for November first Since I am in charge of the FE on that cruise I have a feeling people will find us in the summer and then it will be a mad rush like last years cruise. I am not sure why I do this to myself every year, but thankfully I am not in charge of the FE for this cruise.

 

[wilma-bride]

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...

They actually had two BBQs on the last PC (May 15). They were out the back of Beach Blanket Buffet. Chicken and steak were on offer, plus the lovely banana bread they have at Castaway Cay. And the other usuals like salads, pasta and breads.

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

Linda lol. I am so glad you are joining in this time - although I find it ironic that we live only a few miles away and we have to go to the Panama Canal to get together. I blame you for your hectic social life

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.

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.

Totally agree with you both. I loved all the changes on the Magic (with the exception of the AquaDunk - I am just not daring enough for that) but I honestly feel like the concierge outside deck is wasted space (on the Magic there was never anybody in it) and - pardon the rant - I detest the fact that, because of that space which is unused, they have now put the smokers up on deck 10 on port side. that is my favourite side of the ship to sit at the pool but we couldn't sit there as the smell was so bad

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.

I had never used the Cove Cafe before our WBPC cruise but we actually sat in there a couple of times, just to get together and chat. it was particularly handy on the last day, when the weather was bad.

Yes, I'd be willing to parcipate in the cabin crawl. We are category 6b, handicap rm 7138.

That's great, I'll put you down. Thank you so much

just added to our growing list of activities - an adult May the Fourth white elephant exchange (star wars gift exclusively) and meet on Deck 9 at 10 p.m -- trivia, cocktails, wear your Star Wars t-shirt!

Thanks for adding that - I didn't check, are you maintaining a list of activities on the first post too?

Hi y'all.....another Canal newbie here too.....Not our first cruise tho....So excited to meet everyone and pick your brains over the next several months!!! Sailed on the Wonder back in 2010 and it was only a 3 night, I WAS HOOKED!!! Twice on the Fantasy since and so excited for this one!!! EXCITED!!!!

Headed to Punta Cana this year for 10 days, so if you have any words of wisdom there too, I'll be listening!

;welcome: The Wonder is our absolute favourite ship. Our very first cruise was on the Wonder and she has a special place in my heart, for no reason other than she made my husband fall in love with Disney cruising

Never been to Punta Cana, sorry I can't help with that one.

Count us in on May the fourth activity. Guess now I had better get paper and pen to make a list of all activities I'm joining and what I need to know about them. All ready starting my FE gifts.

I just love that there are so many activities going on - we are almost getting to the point where we are going to need our own navigators

Actually, on our last WBPC cruise, one of the group members made a handy printable schedule - I have started to update it for this cruise and plan to post it on the FB group for others to utilise. I would be happy to share it with anybody here, by email, if they would like a copy.

 

[busdriverbrad]

Count us in in the May the 4th exchange also(how exciting). If someone could pm me the FB group name that would be great.

 

[ohMom]

@wilma-bride , yes I added it to post #1 thanks for the reminder. I'm trying to keep up but if anyone notices an event I haven't listed please PM me, I'm very scatter brained and forgetful!

 

[missyp]

I called in on opening day tentatively booked this cruise, then i talked to the DH. I put my deposit down today...

We are from Ontario Canada and this is our 20th anniversary cruise. We've been talking about it for what seems like forever. It will be just the two of us on our 6th cruise. Back on the Wonder! Love the Wonder and can't wait to see her after Dry Dock!

On our last cruise I was able to book a private Mixology class for us DISers, So once we get closer, if any are interested, we can try to set something up!

 

[Cruisin]

If someone could pm me the FB group name that would be great.

Me too please?

 

[arielmomma]

Hello @arielmomma and @Linda67 !

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



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.

I agree. I love the Outlook Café. That's where I like to sit and read on really humid days. My fingers are crossed with you!

 

[arielmomma]

Me too please?

Same here if you could. Thank you!

 

[Huskiesrule]

If no one pm's @busdriverbrad, @Cruisin and @arielmomma, I will do it when I get home in an hourish.

 

[Cruisin]

If no one pm's @busdriverbrad, @Cruisin and @arielmomma, I will do it when I get home in an hourish.

Thanks.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Not a problem. I would do it now but I am not allowed on certain sites at work so I have to play by everyone's rules. Thankfully they don't block the DIS!

 

[INDY1919A4]

I thought of doing the Star Wars activity, but I suck at trivia(plus I haven't watched anything past the original 3). I may go to watch though-cheer on my favorite competitor, whomever that will be.

Not alot to really know after the original 3..

Evil Emperor.. Was really evil and a general bad egg
Luke Sky Walker.. Was still a good guy all along
Darth Vader.. Somewhat morally challenged and Misunderstood
Han Solo.. Scoundrel with a heart of gold
The robots: The Gold one can be annoying, the little one saves the day again..

So you may as well play