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

[Lunarias]

Looks kinda like Puerta Vallarta ? I loved that port on my last cruise, excited to visit again

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Looks kinda like Puerta Vallarta ? I loved that port on my last cruise, excited to visit again

It is Cartagena. I love being up on deck when arriving at a new port. I was one of the few at this time and it was so eerie. The picture doesn't really do it justice but the sees were really calm and there was hardly any activity on shore. And with the city being so much at sea level, it was added to the feeling for some reason.

We actually skipped Puerta Vallarta in 2015. Too much "unrest" I think they called it. One of the few times I felt that Disney kind of missed a step. They were not prepared for another sea day I think. But it turned out all right.

 

[wilma-bride]

Hey everyone, we booked this opening day but I just wasn't committed to it - since we've done it once already. However, after lots of soul searching, how can you argue with such a cruise?! We did transatlantic too once, but this is better for a bunch of reasons. We're now fully committed. Airfare and hotels are now booked. We'll be flying in Friday (almost missed the WBPC in 2015 due to fog at home so added an extra day in advance) and staying at the Residence Inn Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach for those couple days. I hope that's the Marriott Residence Inn that many people here at Dis recommend.

We've got lots of previous PC cruisers on board already I see, but I can try to help answer any questions anyone has.

To help with some excitement, how about a picture? One of the neatest ports I've entered so far. It was so surreal at such an early hour - just shortly after sunrise on a quiet foggy morning. Can anyone guess which port?

Kim, I'm glad to hear you will definitely be on board. Looking forward to seeing you again x

 

[o&smom]

It is Cartagena. I love being up on deck when arriving at a new port. I was one of the few at this time and it was so eerie. The picture doesn't really do it justice but the sees were really calm and there was hardly any activity on shore. And with the city being so much at sea level, it was added to the feeling for some reason.

We actually skipped Puerta Vallarta in 2015. Too much "unrest" I think they called it. One of the few times I felt that Disney kind of missed a step. They were not prepared for another sea day I think. But it turned out all right.

Have you done a Med cruise yet with a stop in Malta? Sailing into that port with the rising sun making everything glow is our favorite.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Kim, I'm glad to hear you will definitely be on board. Looking forward to seeing you again x

Hey Joh, this is Kim's other half. I'm the Disboarding one in the family.

Have you done a Med cruise yet with a stop in Malta? Sailing into that port with the rising sun making everything glow is our favorite.

Nope, haven't been able to swallow the total costs of the Med. Closest was the EBTA - stopping in Barcelona. We've love to do one someday.

 

[wilma-bride]

Hey Joh, this is Kim's other half. I'm the Disboarding one in the family.

Oops, sorry Chris, I forgot you were the DISer. Whatever, I'm glad to know you will definitely be on board. Will be great to see you again. Although you'll forgive me if I don't take the same flight as you to Orlando this time

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Oops, sorry Chris, I forgot you were the DISer. Whatever, I'm glad to know you will definitely be on board. Will be great to see you again. Although you'll forgive me if I don't take the same flight as you to Orlando this time

Oh, no worries. Just lettin' you know. Would you believe that we're taking the same flight to Orlando this time as that ill-fated one? 2nd time lucky?

 

[wilma-bride]

Oh, no worries. Just lettin' you know. Would you believe that we're taking the same flight to Orlando this time as that ill-fated one? 2nd time lucky?

Hoping you don't get delayed/diverted this time. We're taking no chances though, we're flying direct. I assume you are at least flying in the day before?

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Yes, we'll be flying Friday for the Sunday departure. After our 2015 WPBC close call, we're adding an extra day. I'm looking forward to watching the boat come in on Sunday from Port Canaveral. I did that in Galveston for the EBTA. Starts the cruise off early and gets the excitment up.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Anyone have any thoughts/info on what would be the procedure for trying to upgrade my room at this point in time? It was a OBB. I'm pondering it. Does it mean a new booking? Alternatively, since I'll be gold (for the first time) and staying at the port, I'll be there bright and early. Do you think my chances of upgrading there are decent? Every cruise I've ever taken has been sold out by the time I check in.

 

[wilma-bride]

If you are upgrading your room, it should be based on the rate when you first booked. On the 2015 cruise, if I remember rightly, there were no upgrades available at the port.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

On the 2015 cruise, if I remember rightly, there were no upgrades available at the port.

By the time we got there, there certainly wasn't. But we were just happy to get onto the boat at that point. I hadn't heard if there had been anything earlier. When did you get there? Although, think this cruise is even more popular than 2015? seems like Veranda sold out earlier to me.

 

[wilma-bride]

By the time we got there, there certainly wasn't. But we were just happy to get onto the boat at that point. I hadn't heard if there had been anything earlier. When did you get there? Although, think this cruise is even more popular than 2015? seems like Veranda sold out earlier to me.

We weren't exactly early so I don't know if there was anything available earlier. Our PAT was 12 noon.

 

[Cruisin]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to let you know that we are backing out of this cruise.

It's for a happy reason though. We have our second grandchild due during the time of this cruise. I'm not willing to miss that event.

So, everyone have fun and I'll be looking forward to reading all of the reports when you get back.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Anyone heard if the re-imagining of the Wonder included magic portholes? I had a quick look but I can't see anything.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Anyone heard if the re-imagining of the Wonder included magic portholes? I had a quick look but I can't see anything.

I haven't heard anything but let's be honest, DCL hasn't really been very forthcoming with the dry dock changes.

 

[wilma-bride]

Anyone heard if the re-imagining of the Wonder included magic portholes? I had a quick look but I can't see anything.

No, it does not - apparently the wiring that would have been needed to install them would have required far more work than they had time for. The Magic didn't get them during her reimagining either.

 

[wilma-bride]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to let you know that we are backing out of this cruise.

It's for a happy reason though. We have our second grandchild due during the time of this cruise. I'm not willing to miss that event.

So, everyone have fun and I'll be looking forward to reading all of the reports when you get back.

Sorry you are leaving us but congratulations on the second grandchild

 

[Cruisin]

I'm sorry to be leaving too. Seems like a really nice bunch of people cruising on this sailing.

 

[roboender]

Thinking of booking this cruise, however there are no veranda rooms left...might just book oceanview and hope for a cancellation to open up...