Panama Canal as your first exposure to DCL?

[KeithVH]

With the final DD moved out, we decided to pull the trigger on a cruise - Panama Canal in August 2016. We'll be celebrating our 30th on the ship. I have small concern over the Wonder not being spiffy and new like the Magic was after it's most recent drydock. But I can deal with that.

The big question is whether doing a 14 day cruise as our first ever is smart. Should we do a shorter one first? Honestly, the idea sounds great but can we say we're going to love it? We're normally park people (since 1977) and we've done a lot of research. But 14 days on a boat is a long time when you've never done it before. We're doing a cat 5A so no worries about the room.

Thoughts? Opinions? I'm curious if anyone else picked this kind of cruise as their first.

 

[Lvant]

My parents did the Panama Canal cruise a few years back, and they absolutely loved it. They didn't think it was too long at all. You get enough ports along the way to keep everything exciting but then you also have plenty of days on the ship to relax and enjoy what it has to offer. It is like the best of both worlds!

 

[ChuckElias]

The solution is obvious, isn't it? Take a 3-night just to wet your whistle and see if you really enjoy being on a ship.

 

[flynnibus]

The main issue will be you will be SPOILED on a 14day cruise and will want nothing less

 

[KeithVH]

The solution is obvious, isn't it? Take a 3-night just to wet your whistle and see if you really enjoy being on a ship.

Yeah, you would think. And we had done some pricing. But we're in the Soviet Socialistic Republic of Seattle so that means RT flights to somewhere else and the costs really start piling up. And DW, who used to be in the travel industry (and did some time with Holland) can see spending 6K+ for 14 days but starts to balk at $1,600 for 4 days (for an inside room too).

So yes, we're trying to be a little cheap. But that may be our solution.

 

[KeithVH]

The main issue will be you will be SPOILED on a 14day cruise and will want nothing less

That is our current attitude, yes. Maybe we're just being too paranoid.

 

[ChuckElias]

Maybe try a different cruise line out of Vancouver for 4 nights, just to get a taste of cruising. There are some very inexpensive options in
September. Holland America has a 3-night from $469 pp for a balcony on 9/26. Princess has a 3-night (Vancouver to San Francisco) on 9/12 for next to nothing. Per person pricing: Inside Cabin: $179.00 | Ocean View: $199.00 | Balcony: $249.00 | Suite: $289.00

 

[KeithVH]

Surprisingly, we're looking at that. Great minds think alike . . .