Debbie’s Panama Canal Disney Wonder Cruise March 2020

Thanks to our client Debbie for giving us  permission to share her family’s experiences on the Disney Wonder Panama Canal cruise in March 2020.  This cruise was one of the last Disney cruises before they temporarily suspended their cruises due to the corona virus threat.  Note the attention to cleanliness Disney maintained on the ship that Debbie mentions.

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I thought the Panama Canal cruise was wonderful, although I’m bummed that we didn’t get to actually see three of the ports that I’ve never before seen.  While I completely enjoy sea days and the ability to relax and just soak in the atmosphere, my family was irritated and getting more so as each day passed.  (we were at-sea from the evening of 09 March until the morning of 19 March when we docked in San Diego)They are not as able to sit back and relax as my one son (who is also a paramedic like me and LOVES some downtime!) and I enjoy whenever possible.  The biggest disappointment for this son (Will) was the inability to collect a sand sample from Colombia, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.  He had his containers and was SO excited for the possibility of expanding his collection.  He already has samples from Cozumel and Grand Cayman from previous visits, so going to beaches there was not a priority in any sense.  Oh well, it is what it is.

Disney, as usual, is all about cleanliness and protection of its guests and I didn’t see HOW they would be able to increase the coverage for folks but of course, they did!  I think by about day 3, we were no longer permitted to serve ourselves at the buffet, drink machines, ice cream, or any other place that we could usually do that.  Instead, there were numerous additional cast members there to serve us in all things.  Also, in each and every stairwell I walked … regardless of hour, I was consistently seeing cast members with pails of water and disinfectant washing down the handrails and in all other parts of the ship, additional cast members were disinfecting any other surfaces that people would touch all day, every day.  

I don’t think anyone should be concerned about sailing with DCL … there’s no company I trust more.  Even before the day 3 change-over to passengers no longer serving themselves, the cast members at the buffet were changing the serving spoons, tongs, etc. out every 10 minutes.  This company is the best!

We would hear reports that folks on other cruise lines were coming up sick, but Disney was NOT one of those floating petri dishes!  I know that we turned around to go back to Grand Cayman in the night, on our way to Colombia, because someone was sick and needed to be air-lifted, but I was hearing “stroke.”  I sincerely doubt that ANYONE would be airlifted because of a virus.  That’s ridiculous.  The Captain said we were unable to go to Colombia because of that return trip and the time delay , but I think he knew already that we’d not be allowed in Colombia.  I DON’T think he knew we’d not be allowed to get fuel, so we did make the attempt to go partway into port — for a few hours, before leaving.  Interestingly enough, we did see a Princess Cruise Line well into the area where folks might have been able to disembark, but I don’t know if they actually were able to do that.  My family (and MANY others) were convinced that those folks got to go into Cartagena, and were a little upset about it.  When I reminded my folks that if someone THEY loved was having a stroke, and how time is of the essence for that person’s very life, they contained their ire.  We were finally refueled on the other side of the canal by a floating fuel barge.  There was one other Brightstar alert I heard, a few days before the end of the cruise, but apparently all turned out well on that one. My sister-in-law was at Guest Services when an older woman was also there, and was thanking them for the quick and efficient response of the medical team for their emergency, and said all was well with them.

I can’t thank you enough for all you do for us in managing our cruises. We know that all will be well with you in charge and all we have to do is pack and enjoy!

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Heather’s 14-Day Southern Caribbean Norwegian Gem Holiday Cruise From New York (December 2019)

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Thanks to our client Heather from New Jersey in sharing these comments on her family’s holiday cruise in December 2019/January 2020.   Pictured above is Heather’s family at St Lucia.

“The trip was amazing! What a special way to celebrate 50. My Mom was so happy we convinced her to upgrade to the balcony. It was wonderful having our rooms adjoining. The islands we went to were incredible. This itinerary was hard to beat. One island we visited was Antigua (our first time there). Out if the 8 stops on this cruise, this was our favorite. This island is stunning! Also our first time to St Lucia (loved St. Lucia!), Barbados (this was a scenic beautiful island), and St Kitts.  

Thank you so much for your patience with me and all my changes. The trip was so wonderful and without you, it would not have happened. The food was average, but the itinerary and staff made the trip. This cruise may have changed my family’s minds about cruising in the future!! If I get the green light, there is no one else I would work with but you to plan another great family vacation!”

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Teresa and Mike’s Oasis of the Seas Western Caribbean Cruise (July 2017)

photo courtesy of royal caribbean
photo courtesy of royal caribbean

Thanks to our client Teresa from Missouri for sharing her family’s experiences on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.

You have done it again!  Thanks for arranging a wonderful cruise for us!

This cruise was fantastic!  We all had a great time.  Our stateroom arrangements worked out really well for our family since we could open the joining door.  It gave our grandson a little more room to move around during those rare times we were in our room! Mike and I missed the balcony a little bit because we enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets; however, for this cruise we felt an interior room was more practical. It worked out really well for us!

Thank you for the chocolate fudge brownies.  They were a huge hit!

We took an excursion in Cozumel to Playa Mia (Deluxe Beach Break) and had a lot of fun.  We swam at the beach as well as the pools.  Carter enjoyed the kid’s pool and play area.  Jessica and I tried the water slide and liked that a lot.  Also, we used the paddle boats.  It was a perfect day!  The food and drinks were equally as nice.  Mike and I have visited this resort three times and are so amazed at how much it has grown over the years. We feel it is a great value and do recommend it.

The updates at the Cozumel Port were really nice.  We were glad they added the Tiki huts, so that we could wait for our excursion in the cool shade.

We wasted away in Margaritaville in Jamaica. We ate a delicious lunch then swam in the pool. We learned that you should be sure to wear your Jimmy Buffet shirt, so that you can get a free Margarita! We did some shopping at the port, too.  Another great day!

We explored new areas on Labadee.  Maybe they were there last time and we didn’t notice, but it seemed like it had expanded since our last visit.  We always enjoy that port of call sunning and swimming at the beach!

We took the All Access Ship Tour and liked learning about all it takes to navigate and run a ship of that size.

This was a great cruise.  We have enjoyed all of our cruising experiences and this one was no exception.  We are always happy with the services and dining experiences.  Royal Caribbean does a great job of letting you be on vacation!

Thank you as always for your help in booking this cruise!  You are always very helpful and punctual in answering any questions we have.  We appreciate you and your excellent travel agent service!

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Snapshot Story: Fun on a Carnival Bahamas Cruise

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Thanks to our client Dale from Massachusetts for sharing these pictures from a recent Carnival cruise with her family.  She writes:

“We loved the cruise and would do carnival again in a heartbeat.  The options with kids were fantastic!  We went on our own and booked Atlantis water park online saving hundreds of dollars.  We just took can for $4 each each way.  We will for sure do another carnival cruise in the future.”

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