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

[Huskiesrule]

Wow Molli, that is an awesome picture! It gets cold her (minus figures in the winter) but is generally fairly mild (around 40F in the winter, 60F in spring). I like to be WARM though and can't imagine going on vacation to somewhere that I would need to take a coat.

That being said, I do REALLY want to do an Alaska cruise, it looks so beautiful.

I visited my sister in July a couple years ago(she lived in Alaska for 3 years) and it was warm enough I was in shorts. Oddly enough, the further north you went the worse the mosquitoes got though! My problem with summer in Alaska is it doesn't get dark, that 24 hours of daylight is odd. If you cruise and need dark to sleep, make sure the curtains are fully shut. You really should do Alaska at least once if for no other reason than to say you did It is beautiful by cruise and then add some land to go to Denali. The dogs, and glaciers and bears - oh my!

 

[INDY1919A4]

Golly you all are making me want an alaska cruise ....

We went a few years back with Father & Mother in Law.. Beautiful cruise... Went on Royal Caribbean, (This is before Disney did this cruise)... The ship was Radiance of seas, And where as the ship had lots of pluses over the Disney ships,
The service and atmosphere lacked.

 

[Huskiesrule]

I did NCL for Alaska and it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't up to my Disney standards either. Looking back I wish I had done Princess or somebody to combine the cruise/land instead, but the road trip with my sister to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton highway is a memory

 

[siburdue]

Many thanks, My main like is animated and Disney flicks and Sci-fi.. But I must be honest
my true love is "Free" movies on board the ship... I can watch bits and pieces and walk out when I need... Many a time I have set in the BV theater Watching a "Free" movie, munching on a "free" snack from the upper deck with a "free" soda.. and wonder just how this place can stay in business...

Ok, so this just cracked me up - DH & I just love to watch the "free" movies. We sometimes bring "Theatre" candy that we purchased at Walgreens or CVS, and always a "Free" drink from upper deck. I think we saw more movies in the 14 days on the ship last year than we have seen in the year since our PC cruise LOL

 

[KalamityJane]

View attachment 162882

Wow! That totally looks like parts of Idaho!

 

[INDY1919A4]

I did NCL for Alaska and it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't up to my Disney standards either. Looking back I wish I had done Princess or somebody to combine the cruise/land instead, but the road trip with my sister to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton highway is a memory

If I may ask what did you find Lacking in the NCL Alaska cruise????.. And like wise what was the Positive of the cruise...

Seriously, We were thinking about a nice road trip up Alaska rt 1 someday .. But when we were on the bus ride from Anchorage to the Royal Caribbean Seward Terminal, the Bus driver would recall how on the last trip the bus was delayed 3 hours because of a wrecked RV on the road... And when you looked you would see some vehicles that were stranded and some burnt out.. And then he would call out flats that if you got into you would sink like quicksand. And the "Highway" we were driving there were no signs, no Id posts, large towns on the map were not as large as one would think and did not look like any highway I have ever driven.. So we all agreed that we were to ignorant to do that drive.. So next time to Alaska we will take another cruise.. We have thought the Roll on Roll off cruise ships, that would be a nice adventure..

 

[Huskiesrule]

If I may ask what did you find Lacking in the NCL Alaska cruise????.. And like wise what was the Positive of the cruise...

Seriously, We were thinking about a nice road trip up Alaska rt 1 someday .. But when we were on the bus ride from Anchorage to the Royal Caribbean Seward Terminal, the Bus driver would recall how on the last trip the bus was delayed 3 hours because of a wrecked RV on the road... And when you looked you would see some vehicles that were stranded and some burnt out.. And then he would call out flats that if you got into you would sink like quicksand. And the "Highway" we were driving there were no signs, no Id posts, large towns on the map were not as large as one would think and did not look like any highway I have ever driven.. So we all agreed that we were to ignorant to do that drive.. So next time to Alaska we will take another cruise.. We have thought the Roll on Roll off cruise ships, that would be a nice adventure..

It was nothing major, but the one memory all of us still talk about is the sanitation wipes. Disney hands them out everyday when you go to eat, but NCL only did it until they had their audit by whoever does it and then they disappeared. 3 days of hand wipes and then it was like the crew wanted nothing to do with us. I would still sail them if I liked the itinerary so it wasn't a breaking point for us, just very strange. I highly recommend driving Alaska, we did Anchorage up to the Arctic Circle and back and had no issues. Just beware the rest area bathrooms-it is essentially an outhouse as there is no flushing toilets!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

Am I seeing correctly from the trip reports and Navigators I've seen that we will have two formal nights, a semi-formal night, and Pirate Night?

 

[Lunarias]

Hi, glad to finally be able to join! This will be our honeymoon cruise and first Disney Cruise! we are very excited, and sure this year will fly by

 

[Huskiesrule]

Hi, glad to finally be able to join! This will be our honeymoon cruise and first Disney Cruise! we are very excited, and sure this year will fly by

and congratulations, glad you could join us!

 

[INDY1919A4]

Hi, glad to finally be able to join! This will be our honeymoon cruise and first Disney Cruise! we are very excited, and sure this year will fly by

Wow, 1st Disney Cruise and jumping feet first into one of the big cruises .. Salute Have you been on other cruises?????

 

[Lunarias]

Wow, 1st Disney Cruise and jumping feet first into one of the big cruises .. Salute Have you been on other cruises?????

Yes, our first was to Alaska and I LOVED it! Honestly I think it spoiled me, second was down to Mexico, it was fun but nothing compared to Alaska, but all in all a good cheap vacation. both were week long 8 and 7 nights respectively. So we know we like cruising and we both love Disney, used to be passholders for about 5 years before it became too expensive to justify....but we still miss it, so when I was pricing out panama canal cruises and they were pretty much the same as the other lines I pretty much decided this was the trip to do Disney. Cruising works for us because my fiancee likes to relax on vacation and I like to DO stuff and cruising lets us do both, its a good compromise...although now that we are leaving out of PC I have to decide if I want to drag him on a two day park trip too.....hmmmm decisions

But seriously if you are contemplating Alaska....GO.... it doesn't matter the cruise line, Alaska is just worth it, my favorite place in the world right now next to Costa Rica

 

[siburdue]

Am I seeing correctly from the trip reports and Navigators I've seen that we will have two formal nights, a semi-formal night, and Pirate Night?

FYI - there was also a Prince/Princess night where a lot of folks dressed up. I was one of many wearing a tiara that night

 

[PrincessShmoo]

FYI - there was also a Prince/Princess night where a lot of folks dressed up. I was one of many wearing a tiara that night

Well, that would be formal night. Not really a themed night, like the Pixar night or Pirate night.

 

[MouseWivesSarah]

This will be my first cruise with a "real" formal night. (Our prior cruises were only 3-4 nights). How dressed up do people get? Since this cruise is so long I'm worried about packing enough clothes!

 

[ohMom]

Well, that would be formal night. Not really a themed night, like the Pixar night or Pirate night.

@siburdue are you referring to Prince/princess Menu night? I haven't had this menu yet, but I understand you to mean that night and not formal?

This will be my first cruise with a "real" formal night. (Our prior cruises were only 3-4 nights). How dressed up do people get? Since this cruise is so long I'm worried about packing enough clothes!

I think we will see a wide variety of dress, I usually wear a comfy but nice dress and almost all of them I have bought at consignment or second hand stores DH wears a coat and tie. Beyond that, I don't see an issue with repeating dinner outfits if you choose to save on packing.

 

[INDY1919A4]

This will be my first cruise with a "real" formal night. (Our prior cruises were only 3-4 nights). How dressed up do people get? Since this cruise is so long I'm worried about packing enough clothes!

Do not worry to much about Formal night. Get as Dressed up as you want and want to pack.. Honesty you will be pretty much accepted no matter what. (Maybe underwear only may raise an eyebrow).. I have seen formal wear from Shirt with Tie to tux.. Ladies in Gowns to simple nice dress.. No one will care, so pack as you want for your special night out on the "town"... Here are some photos of formal night that I found, it will show the range...

I myself like to place a beautiful woman on my arm and no one much looks at me...

By the way I do not know any of these people, but that guy in the center of the second photo, I am next to positive I have sailed with before...

 

[wilma-bride]

Am I seeing correctly from the trip reports and Navigators I've seen that we will have two formal nights, a semi-formal night, and Pirate Night?

Yes, there will be two formal, a semi-formal and pirate night. As Sheri said, there is also a night where the prince/princess menu is served in the dining rooms. A lot of people, especially the kids, did dress up for that one too.

Hi, glad to finally be able to join! This will be our honeymoon cruise and first Disney Cruise! we are very excited, and sure this year will fly by

Welcome aboard

Well, that would be formal night. Not really a themed night, like the Pixar night or Pirate night.

Hey PrincessShmoo, this is the third time I've seen you post on this thread. Am I to take it that you will be sailing with us next year? By the way, the prince/princess night was NOT a formal night on the last PC cruise. It wasn't even semi-formal but, as Sheri said, a lot of the ladies DID dress up and wear tiaras.

This will be my first cruise with a "real" formal night. (Our prior cruises were only 3-4 nights). How dressed up do people get? Since this cruise is so long I'm worried about packing enough clothes!

People wear all kinds of different things, from full formal outfits and tuxes, to nice dresses and suits, to pants and tops. I have seen all sorts. I think, on the longer cruises, people (certainly me) tend to 'recycle' outfits to try and save on luggage. I wore the same dress for Palo and formal night last year. And fully intend to do the same next year. I think our group is actually planning on skipping the dining room on one of the formal nights (or maybe going to Palo that night). My husband doesn't wear a tux, only a suit and tie (he leaves the jacket off for semi-formal).

 

[Huskiesrule]

I am so dreading trying to pack for a 2 week cruise. I have a 7 day down pat and the thought of double that amount or having to do laundry Maybe I need to learn to pack less, I've always wanted to cruise with just a carry on(not for 2 weeks though!)

 

[wilma-bride]

I am so dreading trying to pack for a 2 week cruise. I have a 7 day down pat and the thought of double that amount or having to do laundry Maybe I need to learn to pack less, I've always wanted to cruise with just a carry on(not for 2 weeks though!)

DH and I totally overpacked for last year's cruise. My top tip is more underwear, less shorts and 'dress up' clothes. Sea days I more or less lived in swimsuit and cover-up and I wore far less normal clothes than I thought I would. I didn't wear half of what I brought to wear in the evenings either. Oh, and top tip number 2 - bring something WARM for the final sea day. Not sure if this is the norm, but last year it was cold more or less as soon as we left Cabo. One minute it was hot and the next it was chilly. I wore jeans and a sweater that night (for the Frozen deck party) and I was still cold.