Trip Report - A Magical Time Through the Panama Canal and Beyond

[twall0415]

I guess better late than never ... around the beginning of October my husband and I took the 14 day westbound journey through the Panama Canal. This was part of a larger trip that started in Miami, continued through San Diego and Anaheim before finishing in Las Vegas for a work conference. I'll try to remember as many details as I can and share all the photos I took. I also apologize in advance that it might take me a while to get through all of the details of the trip. We were gone for most of the month of October and I'm just finally getting back into a routine! Hope you enjoy the story of my adventures!

 

[twall0415]

Our journey started early in the morning, way before 6AM with Starbucks in hand. Our destination, Miami. Our hotel, the Loews Miami Beach. We have stayed here a few times and is a classic. Jacob and I actually stayed here before our first Disney cruise together in 2016, so it holds a special place in our hearts.I hate that I didn’t get any better pictures of the room but it was very spacious and modern. During this trip, we were going to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary, so it was definitely a time for us to celebrate.

We were in Miami bright and early around 8 in the morning which meant plenty of time for a full day of fun. Today, we planned a beach and pool day so we could just relax and get our vacation off on the right start. We had a room in the St. Moritz building which was a unique experience for us. This was a historic building that the hotel had renovated and modernized. We definitely enjoyed the classic Miami art deco vibes. I hate that I didn’t get any better pictures of the room but it was very spacious and modern.One thing that has always stood out during our multiple stays at the Loews is the service. Everyone went above and beyond during our stay. The staff always remembered our name and had great conversations.

Since the surf was rough at the beach, we still made the best of the day. After a couple hours, we found ourselves at the pool. Service was quick, efficient, and the pool staff quick to help us find a few lounge chairs for us to enjoy.

 

[twall0415]

This evening we decided to treat ourselves and splurge on dinner at Mila, an amazing restaurant that was pretty close to the hotel. This was a great way to start the trip! The food was amazing and we were stuffed by the end of the night. This was one of my favorite places I have ever eaten at. We decided to have the chef’s menu which meant no need to decide on what to get. This restaurant is unique and a hybrid of Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine. The staff here was also amazing and super attentive. Also they had a fire dancer... it was definitely an event we wouldn't forget.

 

[ChuckElias]

Happy Anniversary!! I'm definitely going to tell my daughter about Mila. We are of Lebanese descent, but she also loves sushi and Asian menus. Maybe she'll try it next time she sails out of Miami!

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

I hope to do this cruise one day. I think I'm going to have to wait until the kids are out of my house.

 

[twall0415]

Pre-cruise day 2: Today started off with checking on some things back at home while lounging at the pool. Then some lunch (and drinks) by the pool bar. My frozé was perfect in the hot summer weather of Miami. While the menu wasn’t insane with choices, the food and service were great and I was impressed how many of the staff remembered us by full name each time across the resort.

 

[twall0415]

In the afternoon we headed to Superblue, an interactive art exhibit. This exhibit was hands on and full of a ton of interactive exhibits. We started off going through the “clouds”, then onto some interactive projection. There was an exhibit that turned your heartbeat and pulse into a pattern mixed in with thousands of other lights. This was definitely worth the experience even though it was a little out of the way for us. I would definitely go back again in a heartbeat.

 

[twall0415]

Happy Anniversary!! I'm definitely going to tell my daughter about Mila. We are of Lebanese descent, but she also loves sushi and Asian menus. Maybe she'll try it next time she sails out of Miami!

We’ve actually been here a couple times now. It is great. And if she visits in August, that is their restaurant month so they have great deals.

 

[twall0415]

When we got back to the hotel we were a bit tired but also excited because the next day our cruise began. We ordered room service and called it an early night. From our room we were treated with a view of one of the Virgin ships sailing away.

 

[twall0415]

We finally made it to embarkation day. While this wasn’t the best experience boarding … it wasn’t the worst. Definitely less efficient and easy from a month ago but still not bad. We were on board by noon and finally on vacation. We decided to try the buffet for lunch and enjoy the views of Miami.. While I prefer Port Canaveral, the views from Miami are a close second best. Plus getting to do my best Leonardo DiCaprio can never be beat haha.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

A Panama Canal cruise is on our bucket list, curious to read how It compares to other Disney cruises.

 

[ChuckElias]

A Panama Canal cruise is on our bucket list, curious to read how It compares to other Disney cruises.

We're going through the canal with Royal Caribbean in April. We'll share our experience, too, even though it won't be Disney

 

[twall0415]

A Panama Canal cruise is on our bucket list, curious to read how It compares to other Disney cruises.

It was definitely a different type of Disney cruise. The age demo of the boat definitely shifted with not too many kids on-board. It still had all the charm of a cruise but a more relaxed vibe.

 

[ChuckElias]

The age demo of the boat definitely shifted with not too many kids on-board. It still had all the charm of a cruise but a more relaxed vibe.

Similar to a Trans-Atlantic, maybe?

 

[twall0415]

Similar to a Trans-Atlantic, maybe?

I haven't personally been on a trans Atlantic but from what I hear, that's about right. I'm going on a trans-pacific cruise in February so I'm curious to see how that compares.

 

[twall0415]

Miami has one of my favorite views to sail out of. I really enjoy the skyscrapers next to the ocean. The rest of the evening was relaxing. We started our dinner rotation at Lumieres for the let the magic begin dinner. After taking a few pictures, we spent our first night in Fathoms where I might have found myself on stage … Now how I wound up on stage is a different story that I wish I could forget ...

 

[ChuckElias]

What's the name of the cast member who is on stage with you? I'm sure I recognize her, but I can't come up with her name.

And let's hear the story of how you got on stage. Come on, it'll be fun!

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I was watching a DCL YouTube video this morning and this scene looked familiar… were your on stage for the 3:10 section of the video?

 

[twall0415]

Sorry for the long delay. The holidays were a bit crazy for me.

I was watching a DCL YouTube video this morning and this scene looked familiar… were your on stage for the 3:10 section of the video?

No that wasn’t me. But I definitely remember that happening. I am definitely going to watch that entire video though. It basically does a better job of me summarizing this trip than I could ever do haha

 

[twall0415]

What's the name of the cast member who is on stage with you? I'm sure I recognize her, but I can't come up with her name.

And let's hear the story of how you got on stage. Come on, it'll be fun!

Tisa (spelling?) was her name. She has been with DCL for a while and I know has at least been on the Wonder.

And so I was the last one on the stage from a game of essentially never have I ever … well apparently I had done a lot… So I won while also divulging a lot of crazy things about myself.