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

[busdriverbrad]

It already feels like we are running out of time.

 

[Kelly/Clem]

Hello all..

Reporting in on this cruise also, My Bride and I will be sailing on this cruise.. Just our selfs, No kids, no one under 18 invited, JUST US,.. Never sailed the PC before.. We are so excited to be going... We love the days at sea and love Movies on the BV.. Infact.. got one of my dream room on the Magic/Wonder class ships.. One of the Navigator Verandas with the Port hole & setting areas on deck 5 so we can walk right down and watch movies each night... And for added magic for this cruise, was able to book the cruise, on opening day, while waiting in line to get into Magic Kingdom...

We too will be sailing without the kids! Fourth cruise, second time on the Wonder, first time on the PC Cruise and really excited for that! We too like movies, we are hoping that the new Beauty & the Beast will be one of them! Also hoping Guardians of the Galaxy will have a Midnight showing, it is released on the 5th! My daughter and I attended a midnight premier of Bridge to Tarabithia (sp?) on one of the last cruises. We booked this cruise while on the last one (Jan 2016 Dream) and got a nice discount!

72 Days!

 

[Kelly/Clem]

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!



I'm getting the impression you are a dessert connoisseur... Do you have a favorite or are you an equal opportunity sweets-eater?



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?


We usually leave our car at the airport for flying vacations, but with this trip being so long, we were looking at other options. I was looking at hiring a car service to drive us there and back since the local airport shuttle at the hotel near us doesn't run on Saturdays. The cost compared to parking is about a break even for a vacation of this length. Does anyone else ever use a hired car service for airport transportation? Any general tips for using a car service?

We are trying this service for this cruise. They will pick you up at the Orlando airport on Saturday, drive you to a hotel for the night, then bus you to the port on Sunday. $129 price seemed reasonable, and is based on the hotel you stay at (we are staying at the Econo-Lodge Near Florida Mall but many other options in both Orlando and Cape Canaveral). All the ones I've found at the San Diego end seem to be based on round trip cruises in and out of SD, but we are still looking for something similar to the Orlando deal.

Check it out at https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/fly-snooze-cruise.php

 

[Kelly/Clem]

We usually leave our car at the airport for flying vacations, but with this trip being so long, we were looking at other options. I was looking at hiring a car service to drive us there and back since the local airport shuttle at the hotel near us doesn't run on Saturdays. The cost compared to parking is about a break even for a vacation of this length. Does anyone else ever use a hired car service for airport transportation? Any general tips for using a car service?

Tried this reply once and goofed it up somehow!

We are trying Go Port Canaveral for this cruise. They will pick you up at the Orlando airport on Saturday, drive you to a hotel for the night, then bus you to the port on Sunday. $129 price seemed reasonable, and is based on the hotel you stay at (we are staying at the Econo-Lodge Near Florida Mall but many other options in both Orlando and Cape Canaveral). All the ones I've found at the San Diego end seem to be based on cruises round trip cruises in and out of SD, but we are still looking for something similar to the Orlando deal.

Check it out at https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/fly-snooze-cruise.php

 

[Kelly/Clem]

So maybe some of you vet DCL cruisers could help me out. I have a week long trip to WDW planned the week before Thanksgiving. I'm entertaining the thought of doing a 4 night cruise on the Dream instead to kind of prepare me of Disney cruising before I do the 14 night Panama Canal. I do love the parks but I can only tour during the day so would miss out on all the cool night shows. And due to affordability would be staying at POP or possibly AoA which is not really my ideal location for relaxing. The con to the cruise of course would be that it's only 4 nights!!! And also that the Dream is a bigger ship which means more people and possibly less quiet spaces?
Thoughts?

Our first cruise of any kind was a 3 day park/4 day cruise on the Wonder. We went with the short cruise to for our first to see if we would like it. This WBPC will be our 4th cruise, all with Disney! We were on the Dream last January and it does not feel much larger than the Wonder or Magic although they said it's 40% bigger. It's a very nice boat and still small compared to some of the Carnavals and Princesses. Plenty of quiet spaces.

 

[Kelly/Clem]

Is anyone arriving a day before we cruise? We are flying in from California. I need some suggestions for a hotel near MCO so we can take DCL transportation to Port Canaveral on Sunday morning. DH doesn't want to rent a car. I know Hyatt is at the airport, but it's too expensive for me. I'm looking in the $150 range per night.

We are trying GO Port Canaveral for this cruise. They will pick you up at the Orlando airport on Saturday, drive you to a hotel for the night, then bus you to the port on Sunday. $129 price (includes shuttle, hotel and bus) seemed reasonable, and is based on the hotel you stay at (we are staying at the Econo-Lodge Near Florida Mall but many other options in both Orlando and Cape Canaveral). All the ones I've found at the San Diego end seem to be based on cruises round trip cruises in and out of SD, but we are still looking for something similar to the Orlando deal.

Check it out at https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/fly-snooze-cruise.php

 

[Family Cruise Planner]

Excursions in Mexico? We did the Disney cruise a few years ago with two of these ports and I was not impressed. Loved the ship just not the ports. I have signed up for the Puerto Vallarta City Tour since the pirate boat the family did before was cancelled. Considering not getting off the boat. Has anyone done this excursion before and is it worth getting off the boat? What about Best of Cartegena is it worth it? I think I saw were there are shops at the terminal for Cartegena. We live close to the beach in Florida and are not really interested in doing beach excursions. We will have a 2 year old with us this time as well. Just trying to figure out if I want to lug everything off for an excursion with her. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Huskiesrule]

I have heard good things about the Best of Cartegena tour, my only concern is the vendors when you shop. I have heard/read that they are beyond pushy. It makes me not want to do any tour there but I really want to see the city. I think all the DCL tours just have to much shopping time included so that is turning me to a private tour or taxi. Can't help you with the Mexican stops as most of them are new to me.

 

[wilma-bride]

We did the Best of Cartagena tour and really enjoyed it. The vendors were super pushy at the fort but everywhere else was pretty bearable, no worse than any other ports we have been to before.

 

[INDY1919A4]

We too will be sailing without the kids! Fourth cruise, second time on the Wonder, first time on the PC Cruise and really excited for that! We too like movies, we are hoping that the new Beauty & the Beast will be one of them! Also hoping Guardians of the Galaxy will have a Midnight showing, it is released on the 5th! My daughter and I attended a midnight premier of Bridge to Tarabithia (sp?) on one of the last cruises. We booked this cruise while on the last one (Jan 2016 Dream) and got a nice discount!

72 Days!

Oh cool, did not realize that the new Guardian movie was released then. Looks like May 5th.
Now that will be a nice way to go from the all the May the 4th celebrations to walk into a Midnight showing of a Sci fi movie.. And you will get to watch it for free ... Makes you kind a wonder how Disney can stay in business giving things away like that... We also love those midnight showings, Was on when they released Doctor Strange.. It was great treat.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

We did the Best of Cartagena tour and really enjoyed it. The vendors were super pushy at the fort but everywhere else was pretty bearable, no worse than any other ports we have been to before.

This. Exactly this. Thought it was going to be horrible all day because of the fort but it's much better elsewhere. However, even at the fort, I thought a firm "No" worked fine. I liked Cartagena.

 

[wishuponstars]

I need some (instruction) on how to get the t shirt made with the logo ......please help

Thanks!

 

[dcr]

Oh cool, did not realize that the new Guardian movie was released then. Looks like May 5th.
Now that will be a nice way to go from the all the May the 4th celebrations to walk into a Midnight showing of a Sci fi movie.. And you will get to watch it for free ... Makes you kind a wonder how Disney can stay in business giving things away like that... We also love those midnight showings, Was on when they released Doctor Strange.. It was great treat.

There haven't been any May 4th celebrations aboard the Wonder when I have been on, or that I have heard of. It isn't a Star Wars cruise, and May 4th isn't a recognized date, apart from some fans.

 

[dcr]

Excursions in Mexico? We did the Disney cruise a few years ago with two of these ports and I was not impressed. Loved the ship just not the ports. I have signed up for the Puerto Vallarta City Tour since the pirate boat the family did before was cancelled. Considering not getting off the boat. Has anyone done this excursion before and is it worth getting off the boat? What about Best of Cartegena is it worth it? I think I saw were there are shops at the terminal for Cartegena. We live close to the beach in Florida and are not really interested in doing beach excursions. We will have a 2 year old with us this time as well. Just trying to figure out if I want to lug everything off for an excursion with her. Any advice would be appreciated.

You can always go trolling for crew members at the Wal-Mart in PV.
The port in Cartegena is a great place to look for howler monkeys, tamarins who sneek down and try to steal your snacks, lots of macaws and parrots, flamingos, and quarantine station with some small animals.
For the most part, Columbia and the west coast of Mexico is a great place to enjoy a half empty ship!

 

[dcr]

I need some (instruction) on how to get the t shirt made with the logo ......please help

Thanks!

Use a Chinese company like ArtsCow. Every American company that I use has refused in the past, citing copyright violations for the use of any Disney logo or name.

 

[Kelly/Clem]

Still plenty of time to sign up if you are interested. All you need to do is supply your name and stateroom number. Hope this answers your question.

Can I still get in on the Fat Quarter Exchange? This is our 4th DCL cruise, but the first time getting involved in these kinds of activities! Can't wait!

Kelly Clement
Stateroom #7537

 

[Kelly/Clem]

Is this the right spot to give that info or do i need to post it somewhere else, is there a link to it?
Thanks,
Kelly

 

[Huskiesrule]

Is this the right spot to give that info or do i need to post it somewhere else, is there a link to it?
Thanks,
Kelly

I don't know if the organizer for this is on here or if this is only organized through FB.

 

[wilma-bride]

Can I still get in on the Fat Quarter Exchange? This is our 4th DCL cruise, but the first time getting involved in these kinds of activities! Can't wait!

Kelly Clement
Stateroom #7537

Is this the right spot to give that info or do i need to post it somewhere else, is there a link to it?
Thanks,
Kelly

Kathleen aka @QuiltTeddy is on here - hopefully she will add you. I've dropped her a message

 

[wilma-bride]

I need some (instruction) on how to get the t shirt made with the logo ......please help

Thanks!

We have had some members who have had success in ordering from Vistaprint.