sk8erguy1978

Those are the same people who enjoy White Castle or Denny's at 2:00 a.m. when the bars close down.

They aren't stupid.  They are going to push the pricing increases, along with decreases in service, as far as they can.  That's what businesses do.  This kind of survey just allows them to find how far they can push without overly upsetting those who regularly cruise with them. 
Frankly, all the changes have helped me be more open-minded to other lines.  We have our cruises booked thru the spring of 2025, but the 2025 Norwegian fjords cruise we want to sail is up for grabs, and RCI/Celebrity won't be our only consideration.  We wouldn't have considered that a year ago. 

The whole “1 housekeeping visit per day” is still a hot one.  Turn the mob in that direction !

I must admit, booking a flight to Orlando is a lot simpler and cheaper than booking one to Panama City.

With the Panama Canal group cruise cancelled this cruise is looking like more of a possibility. I honestly was going to bail at the last minute (refundable fare) but now, why not. 
If I can carry a vacation day or three over to January, then I'm 100% in, right now, 99.9% LOL.

I got that survey today but did not do it as in the part it asked how much you make in a year there was no option for do not wish to answer and would not let me go on without answering.

Record earnings! Best quarter ever! You hear this and you think "Whew!" Maybe now they can stop the death by a thousand cuts that is killing my desire to book anything new. Nope! Let's see how fast and how far they can gut the core experience.
This company under Mr. Liberty has me very much questioning my loyalty to cruising in general. They are going to keep pushing this and in five years they are going to wonder why all the repeat business has dried up.

This is one major reason I love travel agents. Let them deal with the paperwork and phone calls.

With the Panama Canal group cruise cancelled this cruise is looking like more of a possibility. I honestly was going to bail at the last minute (refundable fare) but now, why not. 
If I can carry a vacation day or three over to January, then I'm 100% in, right now, 99.9% LOL.

And thus ends the best group cruise that never happened.

Was very VERY happy to get a full refund of all air miles plus upgrade fees and taxes on our flights to/from Panama City.  So, I have now cancelled the Waldorf Astoria (probably my one and ONLY chance to ever stay in one !!) and have directed my TA to cancel both of the cruises.
Most likely we will do nothing to replace these cruises unless something exciting hits me in the face.  Up through Jan 2024 we are cruising a LOT so maybe this will be a welcome respite.  Hoping (but not holding my breath) that casino comps will come back at some point.  I won't be surprised to see some southern Caribbean cruises out of Panama pop up on their list !!  LOL
Sad that we are going to miss our bucket list Panama Canal crossings but I'm sure there will be more opportunities.

Sad they had to change the itinerary but for the good of cargo I get it. 
Columbia, Costa Rica and The Canal were what attracted us, a "bucket list" cruise. 
We are officially cancelling, hope to see (and meet) you all on another group cruise.
Now I have incentive to keep Icon inaugural that was on my "cancel just before final payment" list.

Who writes this crap!

The Canal has been limiting the largest container ships due to drought.   I'm assuming the Canal is preserving water as we head into a El Niño swing.    They probably don't want cruise ships and running tourists through what amounts to a disaster for Panama isn't a good look. 
 
https://phys-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/phys.org/news/2023-08-drought-hit-panama-canal-die.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16915240024139&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fphys.org%2Fnews%2F2023-08-drought-hit-panama-canal-die.html

In a way, it's similar to some land resorts. "I went to the Dominican Republic." No, you landed at the Dominican Republic Airport, took a semi safe cab to a resort, stayed there for X number of nights, then took a safer cab back to the airport. You could have been anywhere and didn't actually immerse yourself in the culture. 

Got 15 mins?
This YT video does a decent job of explaining the technology behind the original Panama Canal and the overall concept.
There is at least one glaring error in this video when it states ships don't use their own propulsion in the locks.   That was true several decades ago but is no longer the case.  
 

I still remember what a crew member said to me as we walked off the ship the first time we went to labadee.
 
"Welcome to fake Haiti "

Armed guards or is he holding one of those Walkie Talkies that shoots bullets?

Balconies and suites now showing as sold out

Air2Sea prices for me seem to be inline with Google Flights and United/Copa directly and not too terrible. Although, United is charging ~$4100 where booking directly on Copa is ~$1300 (round trip, per person in economy.)
Trying to stick to my "only book non-stop" rule is getting tricky. Returning to EWR is 9AM which means flying home on Sunday. I am fine with that but I REALLY wanted to fly out on the 14th, especially with how crazy flying is these days. The 14th-24th might be too long of a stretch for her, heck we are concerned with 14th-23rd (Nurse, rotating schedule, denied vacations, the usual).
Returning to JFK is 6PM which puts us in the "what to do all day" situation; I also hate driving to JFK LOL. Going to keep watching for now but Copa via JFK round trip is probably the best (& simplest) choice.

Finally saw a break in price on MCO to PTY on Copa..so that's promising. 

Air2sea back up to $4400 for a flight pairing that united offers for $2400 directly 

Looks like for transfers we have options.  I did an Uber estimate from the PTY airport to the Waldorf Astoria (WA) and it should be less than $20.  It's a bit longer from the end of the cruise (Fuerte Amador) back to the airport so that RC excursion that @smokeybandit mentioned might make sense.  It seems the longest ride would be from PTY or WA to Colon and hopefully, MEI or RCB can arrange a van or bus.

I'm still toying with flight prices. Air2Sea is actually cheaper than booking direct with COPA for the flight they're offering. The only issue is the return flight Air2Sea offers is later than I'd like. There is an 11:30 return but I can't book that through Air2Sea. Still holding out as the COPA price hasn't budged since the flights opened.
Booked the Hampton for the night before the cruise. It's 1/3 the price of the Waldorf.
I believe MEI is working on group transport to the port leaving from the Waldorf since so many are staying there. Things wouldn't be finalized until after final payment since there needs to be a count.

I pulled the trigger and we (wife and me) will be also staying at the Waldorf Astoria the night before the cruise.  We won't get in until late (around 9:30pm) but maybe we can all get together and share a ride to cruise port in Colon on embarkation day (Sat 3/16).
I also need to book a hotel room for 1 night after the cruise.  I was thinking of the Crowne Plaza that's very close to the airport since we have a 9am flight the next morning.   For those staying over an extra night, where are you staying?