To celebrate the end of my Panama Canal trip report, I’m hosting a giveaway! The prize is a 24 oz. Disney Cruise Line insulated Tervis cup that I picked up while onboard the ship.
To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter below. You can enter until Midnight EST on Sunday, June 18. The winner will be announced Monday morning, June 19. Good luck!
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I love your blog posts about your trips! I am glad to see I am not the only crazy picture person.
Ha ha! Glad to make you feel better!!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences so I can plan for my first cruise with my family! Your information is so so helpful!
You’re welcome Vanessa!
I have enjoyed following along on your trip report. Thank you for all that you do!
You’re welcome Christine!
I’m really enjoying reading about your latest cruise! I can’t wait to go on another one!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for your trip report. Especially Cabo! I’ll be there soon . I was worried about tendering and you have eased my nerves.
Have fun!!! Tendering is nothing to worry about!
I’m trying to think of a new topic idea for you to cover but I really do think you are very thorough and informative already! Maybe some fun DCL trivia or something?
Love the trivia idea! Thanks Christine!
Are you planning to use your waterproof camera in Alaska or will you be taking a different one?
I will use my waterproof one just because right now it’s the highest quality camera I have. I know a DSLR would take better pictures but I can’t get myself to fork over that much $$$$ when my current camera would be just fine. I also like how small my waterproof Olympus is compared to a DSLR.
So sad your trip report is at an end. I’ve loved following along and now have a PC cruise at the top of my bucket list! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed it!
The WBPC trip in on my bucket list and I have loved reading about your family’s experience!
So glad you enjoyed it!
So glad you enjoyed it!!!
Thanks for all the great info! My first cruise is coming up soon!
You’re welcome Jennifer!
This would be awesome for our September cruise! Loved reading your trip report!
Thank you Charlene!
I absolutely love your blog!!! I checked it ar least 3 times a week to catch up on any updates. We are taking out 1st Disney Crusie this August and already have plans to book more in the future. I have learned so much from your blog and feel like I am so prepared for our upcoming trip. Thank you for sharing!!! 🙂
You’re so welcome Bianca! Glad you are enjoying the blog!
I’ve been reading each day as the reports became available. I may have to go back and read them all together again! I too am not sure what to suggest writing about since you seem to cover so much. We hope to do an Alaska Cruise for my next “big” birthday do I will be interested in the research you do on preparing, excursions, etc. Thanks!
What a great birthday celebration!!!
We’re taking a 4 night Disney Cruise in August & I’ve been looking at your blog for months! I love the tips you’ve provided. I’ve already ordered the hooks, shoe holder & packing cubes you’ve mentioned. I’m hoping these help me stay organized. I’m one of those people that a bit of frustration constantly dig around suitcase(s) or drawers for things, lol! Thanks for the tips!
You’re so welcome Joie! Enjoy your cruise!!!
Love everythign you write.
Thank you Jessica!
I know before you went on your Panama cruise you were going to have your kids study/read some books on the topic. Which books and resources did you end up selecting/find particularly helpful? I remember us writing about it a bit, but I don’t recall if you posted anymore on the subject afterwards. Do you plan on doing a similar study before your Alaska cruise?
We used this book (http://amzn.to/2sAsoPW) and also watched several videos on youtube that demonstrate how lock systems works. We also watched a show on TV called “Impossible Engineering” which detailed the construction of the new locks. I do plan to do lots of studies on Alaska before our next cruise, but I haven’t looked for any materials yet. I would love suggestions if you have any!
We don’t have that book, but it looks like it got great reviews. If we ever do the Panama Canal cruise, we will definitely give it a read.
As for the Alaska resources, we have honestly never studied it in detail. The Eyewitness Arctic and Antarctic book is really very good. We own that one. Other than that, the most Inuit studying we have done lately was looking up the care guide for my Alaska Cutlery ulu knife online (which comes with some good videos on its use).
If you are looking for fiction, Julie of the Wolves is a good book. (I taught it once in a 6th grade class…there are a number of literature studies based on it.) You might also want to check out Very Last First Time. It is a picture book, but it is worth a read for any age, especially if you can get it from your local library. It is about how the Inuit would cut a hole in the ice of the ocean in winter, then slip down underneath it to hunt for mussels when the tide was out.
Thank you for all of the suggestions! I will look them up ASAP.
Does your Alaska Cruise start in Seattle? I live in Seattle so let me know if you need any advise. I for sure would read up on the wildlife you could see as well as the great history around the inside passage. If I think of anything I will let you know. The San Juan Islands are beautiful and I hope you see Orcas. Also, when the tide comes in at the Straight of Juan de Fuca, it cases currents that are beautiful to see. Enjoy every moment.
Thanks for the advice Janelle! And no, it starts in Vancouver.
I would love if you went very in-depth about what you take off the ship and into port for excursions!
And any and all other travel organization tips, ideas, tricks, etc you have!
I have no children, and it’ll only be me and my fiance for a while, so anything newlywed directed would be awesome!
Great ideas Elizabeth! I have often thought about doing a “What I Pack for Excursions” post, so now I will add that to my list! I will add a post about cruising DCL without kids (I’ve done it twice) to the list as well.
Love your blog! We’re going on a disney cruise in 2018 and we’ve already used some of your tips to prepare! Keep up the good work 🙂
Thank you Kerry! So glad you’re enjoying it!
Thanks for sharing your Panama trip experience. Looking forward to my Panama cruise this Fall!
You’re welcome! Enjoy your cruise!!!
Thank you for your great blog, you are one of the reasons why we are going on our first Disney Cruise i october ?
You’re welcome Linda! I hope you have an amazing cruise!!!
Really enjoy reading about your adventures and the tips for your trips!! Thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome Jami! So glad you’re enjoying it!
Truly enjoyed following along on your trip.
Thank you Jennifer!
Since finding your blog I have read everything. Love it. Thanks for sharing. We are going on platinum cruise next May out of San Diego on Wonder. Hoping to find someone with new pictures of Walt Suite as crossing off bucket list and staying in Walt suite. So excited for trip and reimagined Wonder.
How incredible!!!! I haven’t seen any pictures yet but I hope that you will take some and send them to me for the blog!
I would be happy too. Do you ever post blogs from others? I would love to write something up about our trip, even if just to share with you. Especially about our experience in the Walt Disney Suite. We have one daughter, 11. She rarely goes into clubs as she does not easily meet people. Hoping we can take a friend for her with us. If not, maybe post about what kids can do on ship outside of the clubs? Thanks so much – Janelle
I would consider having you guest post about your trip, so take really good notes and photos and then we’ll discuss more when you get back. I think that would be great. Your daughter sounds a lot like our 12 year old – she is very introverted and does not meet people easily either. Which sailing will you be on?
April 29, 2018 — 5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego
We also have planned for 2018, December 1, 2018 — 7-Night Very Merrytime Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral
So excited for both. It has been a long time since we have taken a 7 day, so the December trip will be so relaxing. I enjoyed reading your Merrytime post, even though out of a different port, still think it gives me an idea on what it will be like.
I love your blog. LOL I have no topic ideas!But I am doing the 14 day East Bound Panama Canal Cruise next year! I can’t wait!!! Your post is getting me so excited and prepared for my cruise! I also love the camera you use I’m hoping to get one like it before our cruise.
Thanks Mackenzie! You are going to LOVE the cruise!!!
Really enjoyed the trip report! I am taking my two year old son on his first cruise this summer and all your info on the site is super helpful!
Thank you Lindsay!
I would love to do this cruise!
Really enjoyed this series about your Panama Canal cruise. We are booked on next year’s west bound and are eagerly looking forward to it (more so after reading this). Thanks for all of the great information that you put into your posts!
You’re welcome Curtis! So glad you found it helpful and I am jealous that you get to do it next year!!!
Love your tips and trip reports. I used so many of your tips on our first DC and I am trying to convince my husband to do Panama Canal in 2018. We have a Very Merry Christmas Cruise in December. I would love to hear more tips with young kids like maybe challenges and successes you had with your girls or I wish I knew then what I know now kind of things, I know about pain away for the jellyfish issue but maybe some more? Like for example on our first one December 2016 every time I went to craft activities with my little one 3.5 years old they had 4 scissors for 20-30 people when I got home I added scissors for crafts to my packing list. Any other tips or tricks like that would be great since you have been on so many.
Great suggestions! I will put them on my list! And I hope you are able to convince your husband!!!
As always I have enjoyed reading your cruise blogs and am sorry that there is only 1 more entry. I am looking forward to my eastern carribean in July!
Thank you Linda, and enjoy your cruise! It is almost here!!!
I enjoyed your crusie report!
Thank you Jess!
It’s been 13 years since my last Disney Cruise, and I’m about to take my husband and 2 young daughters on their 1st Disney Cruise in 85 days! Your posts are helping me get when more excited!!
So glad you’re enjoying it! Have a great cruise!!!
I always learn so much from your blog posts!!!! Thanks for being so thorough in your postings.
You’re welcome! And thanks for all of your wonderful comments, I look forward to them!!!
I love all the information you give and the pictures too. After stumbling across your blog last year and reading all of the wonderful things about DCL we decided to book. We took our first cruise ever in December and were hooked! Now my husband reads your blog too and we both loved your Panama trip report. We have a cruise coming up in October and are super excited.
Thank you so much Tiffany! I’m so glad you and your husband are enjoying the blog! It’s pretty easy to get hooked, isn’t it? Enjoy your cruise in October, it will be here before you know it!!!
Your trip must have been so magical. Thank you for letting us live vicariously through your blog!
It was absolutely magical!!! It’s going to be hard to top but we’re going to try!
I’ve loved reading all of your posts about the PC cruise! We have taken one (non-Disney) cruise, and will be doing our first Disney cruise next Spring. It will be on the Wonder, so it was neat to see it and read about your experiences on the same ship!
So glad you enjoyed the trip report and I think you will LOVE the Wonder!
Really enjoy your blog and all the great info here. I’m trying to convince hubby to take a Disney cruise next year for our anniversary w/o kiddos – but he’s hesitate thinking he’ll feel out of place as adult-only cruisers. I”m trying to win him over – fingers crossed! 🙂
Tell him that my husband and I have done a kid-free Disney cruise twice for our anniversary and it will not be as issue at all! There are many adult-only spaces on the ship and there will also be many other kid-free cruisers, I can almost guarantee it! There are tons of adults who sail DCL without kids. I plan to do a blog post soon about it, so maybe if he reads it it will help!
I regret not buying any DCL specific souvenirs, like this Tervis Tumbler, last time we cruised. I was so focused on enjoying everything that we never slowed down to shop.
My husband is a gift shop junkie so we spend LOTS of time in the shops! Good luck with the giveaway!
I love following your blog posts about your cruises. The Panama cruise is on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your time!
Thanks Jerilynn, glad you enjoyed it!
Love reading your blog posts and have enjoyed reading your Panama Canal cruise trip report.
Thank you Tammy!
We are sailing on the Wonder in Nov 2017 and love reading about it. The Wonder is the only Disney ship we have not yet sailed on and we are very excited about it.
I love your blog! So many great tips and tricks. We are sailing the Wonder this September, I’m so excited!
Thank you Ursula!
Love your blog! We sail with our 3 kids next summer so I’m trying to learn all I can!
Thank you Cindi!
I would love to hear a “packing debrief” with things you wish you would have packed, extra stuff you left at home, and how laundry was on the ship!
Thanks for the great ideas Sarah!
I’m especially interested in those details, because our family will be on the WBTA this year!! Our kiddos are younger (4 and 2!), but I’m sure we can apply the same ideas for them!
I’m sailing on the wonder in a few months, Your recent trip reports are great and have really given me a good idea of what will be on the ship. thanks!
You’re welcome Laura! Enjoy the Wonder!
I’m not sure if you’ve posted about this before, but information about transportation options to and from the port and the airport/Disney resorts would be good. Thanks for your blog, I enjoy it!
I cover them briefly in my post about embarkation, but I think I will give them their own post, with more details, so that people can find the info easier. Thanks for the idea!!!