12/16/2004 Wonder

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Hello! :wave:

This is our first ever cruise!! Thought we'd get the roll call started b/c we're so excited! :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

Our crew includes myself, DH, DD-15, DD-13, DD-10, DS-9, &
DS-5 :D

Looking forward to seeing who else is going!! ~Dardi

[travellady]

Just paid my deposit yesterday after debating between the 12/16 3 day and the 12/19 4 day. Since this was much cheaper than the 12/19 and our first cruise we decided on the 3 day. Besides me and my DH, my DS-11 will join us. And it's our 15th anniversary celebration so should be lots of fun :-)

[DISNEYMOMx5]

YEAH!!! I was beginning to think I was the only one planning way ahead or maybe I smelled bad! :confused:

Congrats on the anniversary plan!! What a wonderful way to celebrate! I'm looking forward to seeing who else is going!

[iloveokw]

This will be our 4th 3 day cruise. DD 12, DH and me. What a way to start the Christmas holidays!

[HappyLawyer]

Hi all i am so excited we are a party of three and we are so excited i am glad to see others going on the same date, is anyone doing land portion first

[travellady]

We've decided to do the land portion last - cheaper to do it seperate from the land/sea package and I'm already taking my 11 year old out of school for 3 days as it is (though he won't mind at all). We'll head home on the 23rd - just as Disney gets super crowded.

[DISNEYMOMx5]

We are also doing the land portion last for the same reasons travellady mentioned re: school. Where is everybody staying? We are tentatively using our DVC pts at the BCV, but we're hoping to change over at the 7 mo window to VWL for a change of scenery. We LOVE the BCV, but we'll be there again in June & heard the WL is really neat at Christmas. We'll see what happens! :cool:

[sdwjones]

My family (2 adults, 2 kids ages 1 and 7) are going on the Wonder 12/15-19. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise. The last time we were on the Magic and our oldest child was 3....and we didn't see Castaway Cay at all because Hurricane Floyd blew most of it away. We're looking forward to seeing the ship dressed up for the holidays. We will follow the cruise with a week at the parks. Can't wait!

--Sdwjones

[travellady]

We are currently back and forth between the Contemporary Tower and the Grand Floridian garden view. Difference in price between the two are negligible - it's our 15th anniversary so are thinking we should splurge. We'll have an AP so am hoping AP discounts will be available at that time for whichever we choose.

We are staying at CSR in April and want to do a little more than a moderate for our anniversary/Xmas celcebration. Have stayed at AKL savannah view in the past and though that was fun, we like to try new things.

[DISNEYMOMx5]

:Pinkbounc :bounce: BUMP! :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[sdwjones]

I'm ever so slightly bummed because I just realized we'll miss the Mickey's Very Magical Christmas Party. The last MVMCP nights will occur while we're on the ship and I can't (or won't) take my daughter out of school any earlier...but, oh, well...at least we'll be on the ship! Can December get here any faster?

[DaveCindy]

I am just as excited about this as the rest of you. I've been looking for someone to start this roll call. I didn't dare start it so early. I'm glad you took the plunge:p
This is our very first cruise. At least I'm saying it is, because we went on a very dorky small boat for a 1 night. Got sea sick didn't enjoy myself, was worried about the kids the whole time and just decided to forget it ever happned.:rolleyes:
Anyway I am bringing my dh my dd9 and dd7. My girls are a couple of princessesprincess: and are so looking forward to this.
We are doing the parks before. I'm one of those parents that believe there are so many educational experiences at Disney World that it is worth taking them out of school. At least while they are still young and can do most of the work they will miss on the flight over. So we are starting our vacation on December 4th and plan to hit a couple of the other parks besides Disney and sit back and relax some too.:teeth:
Can't wait to see you all there:wave2:

:earsgirl: :earsboy: princess: princess:

[8 Ears]

Hello DaveCindy, sdwjones, DisneyMomx5, travellady, HappyLawyer and iloveokw :wave:

DaveCindy told me about the thread, can not believe we had missed it. :rolleyes:

We will be going with you too!
CM members me(will be 33) DH (35) and DS (10 and 13) :)

DaveCindy and I have been chatting for a while. Hopefully we all can do the same. ::yes::

But for now it is off to work I go.

Everyone have a WONDERful day

::yes:: :wave2:

[sdwjones]

Bump!

6 months to go...

[NZ KIWI]

Glad to see a thread has started for all of us on the 12/16/04 Wonder! Our crew is myself
:earsgirl: , DH :earsboy: and 9yr DS . pirate: We have done the 7 day Magic before and truly LOVED it. This Wonder cruise is a surprise Christmas gift for my husband and son... I can't stand having to Keep it to myself, I am so excited! Wish it was December already!! Any idea what kind of weather we can expect?

[travellady]

Glad to hear there are more people on board - and with kids close to my son's age :-)

I got so anxious, I went ahead and booked a cruise on Voyager of the Seas this summer - up to the Canadian Maritimes. I started to get impatient and couldn't wait for the Disney Cruise so found this one for August :boat:

I'm not sure if 3 days will be enough but at least we're headed to the parks after.

[sdwjones]

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little brighter....y'all still out there planning and waiting?

[DaveCindy]

We are so excited!!!:Pinkbounc Time seems to be flying by this summer.:sunny: .
We have bought our airline tickets, didn't get as good of a deal as if we had booked an earlier cruise, all great deals ended Dec 15th :mad: . But we still got a good deal:D . We have also booked a rental car:) .

It's so exciting to see my counter get fewer and fewer days!!

See you all on the Wonder:earsgirl: !!


:earsgirl: :earsboy: princess: princess:

[sdwjones]

We bought our airline tix way back in January when we booked the cruise, so we did alright.

Our princess is about to turn 8 years old, DaveCindy, so she is sure to meet your two princesses at the kids club while we're cruising...

[travellady]

Well we are back from the Voyager of the Seas cruise and had a superbly wonderful time. Now I know 3 days on the Wonder won't be enough cruising days for us so went ahead and booked 4 more days on the Carnival Fantasy leaving out of Port Canaveral 8 hours after we are due to arrive back on the Wonder. What a crazy thing for me to do ::yes::

Would have booked the 4 day on the Wonder after the 3 day gets in but the cost is really high and one of my 25 year old sons will join us for the Carnival Fantasy - more people in his age group on board this one.

Regarding airline tickets, did we ever luck out. We were bumped on Alaska Airlines out of Phoenix last Feb so got vouchers for a free flight. I immediately called Alaska to book my December flights to Orlando and am thankful I did. Just tried to change the return date and there is no more voucher availability for any of the surrounding airports so we'll stick to our original plan on that one.

This cruise will be so much fun - see you all in a few short months !

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Hi All! Just thought I'd check in--16 weeks from today. I have to admit, we have been kind of "floundering", thinking maybe we should cancel. We've never been on a cruise & I feel we definitely got a good deal, but DH works at a school & they have all agreed to a pay freeze in the wake of 2 failed levies. I don't know how any of your school funding is, but ours stinks!! School levies are failing everywhere, we now have to pay for our children to participate in extracurriculars, school fees have gone up, we've lost our bussing, etc. Soooo, we're trying to decide what to do before cancelling would incur a penalty. We currently have BCV booked for 4 nights after the cruise through our DVC, & the way break falls, we would only be pulling the kids out of school for 3 days to have the cruise. It's just hard, b/c having never been on a cruise, I guess I don't know what I'm missing so it seems easier to just not go, but the way our schedules are getting (we have 5 kids), I'm afraid we won't have another opportunity to do this before my oldest graduates in 3 yrs.

So, thanks for letting me vent all that's swimming around in my head!! Feel free to give me your $.02--I think I'm waiting for someone to talk me into or out of doing this! Hope everyone's kiddos have had (or will have) a great start back to school! ~Dardi

[travellady]

I'll be the first to try to talk you into it. Cruises, at least to my family, are the most relaxing type of vacation we've had. I was a bit apprehensive before taking my Voyager cruise this summer - mainly because it was my idea but wanted everybody to have as much fun and be as excited as I was. Now we are all hooked and can't wait until our December cruises. We even cancelled our plan to go to WDW after this cruise and instead are hopping on the Carnival Fantasy out of Port Canaveral just hours after we get back on the Wonder.

From the financial perspective, only you have the answer to that one. In the long run, will it matter? will the kids be fed? have shoes? etc. This is a great rate for a cruise - going a week later would have been more than double for us - seems crazy for the same ship and the same itinerary.

Lastly, I suspect you've been keeping up on the threads regarding EmmasGrammy's tragedy. It's a testament to how short life can be and how quickly it can change. I think of this as I plan family time - a cruise allows for more family time than we normally get due to our hectic busy lives. And, since the kids are kept busy a lot of the time, it's a chance for you and your husband to reconnect as adults.

You now have my .02 worth.

[sdwjones]

I totally understand. I am an educator too. The pay sucks. People think that because we have summers off we should not complain. Many teachers do not have summers off...we teach or tutor or work on the mall or whatever we can to make ends meet.

Teachers always have and continue to make the world go around. AND most do it because we have a passion for it.

I am a special education teacher, working with emotionally disturbed students. I am kicked, punched, bitten and scratched --all in a day's work, sometimes. I NEED a cruise. :-)

It will be a sacrifice for us to cruise and vacation...but like another poster said, our kids will have food, clothes, shelter, etc...so we will bite the bullet and do without some extras for a little R-n-R and some lasting memories. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise and even though our first one was four years ago...we have not stopped reminiscing over it. It is, in our opinion money well spent.

A friend of ours likes to say, "What are you working for if you don't use the money for pleasure when you can?"

If you are a faith-based person, just know that He has his eye on even the little sparrow... so He will take care of you, too.

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Thank you, Travellady! Your $.02 is priceless. I actually have been away from the boards awhile but somehow came across the horrible tragedy you are referring to. In addition, one of my dearest friends at this time last week was fine (had been feeling tired, but attributed it to other things) & is now on a ventilator with a diagnosis of AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia). They have almost lost her a few times, but she finally seems to be taking some "baby steps" forward. Time will tell. These times really make you take stock in what's going on, how often you've told your children & spouse how much you love them, etc.

So, in your opinion, aside from the cost of the actual cruise, how much do you think we can get away with as far as extra expenses? We do not go crazy on alcoholic beverages (okay, so my DH might partake of a beer--MIGHT--& I might have some tropical drink just to say I did!:rolleyes: ) & from what I've read, we don't necessarily have to do any excursions. Someone told me that since it's our first cruise & b/c it's short we might just want to explore/enjoy the boat. I read about tipping (yikes!). What do you think?

Again, thank you for your input. It hit me where it counts--in my heart--now if my brain would just cooperate!

[DISNEYMOMx5]

LOL--sdwjones, we must have been posting at the same time!! My DH is a school administrator, he was a teacher first. I'm not sure which is more thankless!! We are a faith-based family (thankfully...after some of the trials life has brought & continues to bring, I'm afraid if we weren't, we'd be pretty hopeless!). I think I struggle w/ this cruise decision sometimes b/c of my faith b/c I don't want to feel like I'm being excessive, extravagant, or something. I don't tell people often that we own DVC b/c I feel like they'll look at me like, "You're a one income family (I stay home w/ the kids), you have bills out the wazoo, blah, blah, blah" But, that's when I think, "Yep, we have lots of bills, but they're getting paid, the kids are fed, & as my MIL would say, I haven't asked anyone for a loaf of bread!" I treasure our family time & it just seems that the kids will be gone before I know it! I wish I had a switch to turn off my brain sometimes! :D

[sdwjones]

This will be our 2nd cruise and we still don't plan to do excursions. We'll save that $$ and enjoy the boat and maybe do a little walking tour! We have had a chance to see Nassau before and will enjoy the boat much more than an excursion...but that's just us. Many others really do enjoy the excursions, so it's just a personal decision.

We'll use our spending money for a few drinks and photos.

[sdwjones]

So...the 60 day mark has passed. Everyone still on board? Paid off the cruise? Getting ready? Can't wait? We know how you feel!

Our DD, who is now 8, doesn't remember much about her first cruise nearly 5 years ago, so she is really excited. It will the be the first Disney trip of any kind for our DS, who is 15 months old. We're doing the parks after the cruise and until Christmas Day. I have just started to buy a few things we'll need, but I don't really know yet how to pack for December weather on a cruise. Any suggestions?

[travellady]

We are counting the days and can't wait. I thought I'd check out availability on Travelocity now that the 60 day mark had passed and it looks like we'll have a decent crowd though not full. It's funny but I'm in a cat 7 on Deck 5 and only 3 of the 10 Cat 7's look to be booked on this deck. All others are available so if people don't hurry and get booked by the time we sail, sounds like it will be nice an quiet down in our area.

DISNEYMOMx5 - are you still onboard with us? Your last posting had you really thinking about it. We're hoping you still plan to go - cruises are a great way to have family time but get mom and dad alone time as well. I look forward to both of these.

Also, we cancelled our plans to sail on the 4 day Fantasy with one of my 25 year old sons 8 hours after the Wonder docks in Port Canaveral. Instead, we are headed over to Tampa the next day to sail a 5 day Western Caribbean on the Inspiration. One extra day and different itinerary than the Wonder - for this trip we go to Cozumel and Grand Cayman (if open after the devastating hurrincane).

So, I'm double psyched and the days are passing all too slowly - especially now that the winter rains have taken hold up here in the Great Northwest. I'm praying for sunshine during these 2 cruises!

[DaveCindy]

Yes, we are still on board!!! We paid our final payment the beginning of this month.
We are really looking forward to this cruise, and our whole Orlando Vacation!!:Pinkbounc We leave for Orlando on the 3rd to spend almost 2 weeks at the parks and the other various things to do in Orlando. We have been saving up vacation time so that we could go and not feel like we need to rush around to see everything. This way I hope it is more relaxing and don't get vacation burn out. But we booked the cruise for last so we can still recouperate on the beaches.:sunny:

See you all there!!

[sdwjones]

Here's a heads-up for you first-timers with kids. Try not to schedule any spa treatments or other appointments on the last full day between 4-7. That's usually when the kids who have been attending the Oceaneer's Club/Lab participate in a little show with Mickey Mouse for the parents on the big theatre stage.

I cancelled a much-anticipated spa treatment on our first cruise to attend because I didn't know about it earlier. It is a very cute slide show and sing-a-long with Mickey. The kids get souvenir t-shirts. Bring your video camera and a box of tissue. I got a little "misty" and was just feeling so blessed to have been able to cruise with my family. I'm sure I'll feel the same way this time, too. Seeing my DD in that little show (she was SO tiny in the smallest t-shirt they had, which looked like a big dress on her) was worth a few missed spa treatments. :D We watch the video every now and then and laugh. Now the t-shirt is so little, her baby brother wears it. Time really FLIES!

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Hello, everyone! Just before the 60 day mark, we decided to cancel. It was such a difficult decision, but I think it's for the best. I think I mentioned that we are in a pay to participate mode in our school district b/c of failed levies. Well, my oldest DD just made basketball cheerleading ($350 + shoes, etc) & I've got 2 doing swim team, & the list goes on. Not to mention my DH is already taking heat for the days he's taking off for our trip to Disney. (Must be nice to be so needed :rolleyes: ) Anyways, we are happy with our decision b/c we will still have a nice vacation at BCV & since we're not doing the cruise, my parents have decided to come with us again! (Two years ago was their very first trip & now they're hooked!)

So, bon voyage in advance!! We'll look forward to our first cruise another time!

[8 Ears]

Sorry to hear you will not be joining us.

[travellady]

DISNEYMOMx5 - sorry you won't be joining us. I know how plans can change and I'm glad to hear you'll still be having fun and with additional family.

We had initially planned on going to WDW after the cruise but when one of my 25 year olds decided to join us in Florida, we opted for another cruise instead of WDW as that's what he really wanted to do. To me, it's far more important to spend time with family in a relaxing mode when you can. Life is all too short!!!

One of these days, when the time is right, you'll find yourself cruising the Bahamas or the sunny Caribbean on a Disney ship :-)

[sdwjones]

DISNEYMOMx5, enjoy your Disney trip with your family!

[cinprin00]

Hi,
Wow! I'm glad to hear about all the people going on the December 16, 2004 sailing.
We will have several young people with our group of 18 people.
We will have a 10, 13, 17, 18, 2-19 year olds and older adults who are kids at heart. We are located on deck 6 (is what the initial paperwork from AAA states). I am hoping we get our documents soon. It is getting close...26 days until the cruise, but 22 day until we arrive in Orlando. We are staying at the Pop resort before and after the cruise.
I have enjoyed reading the posts. I hope to maybe visit with some of you on the cruise.

[sdwjones]

I'm assuming we should start getting our cruise documents in the next week or two. I don't remember exactly when we got ours before our last cruise, since it's been 5 years. I do remember how it exciting it was to get them.

The only "stress" I'm experiencing this time around is packing for hot/cold/whatever kind of weather we'll experience. DH is hot natured and will wear shorts in 30-degree weather, so he is easy to pack for, but I am very cold natured, so I'll be packing clothes for "layers" for me and the kiddos.

I'll check back in whenever I receive cruise documents!:earsgirl:

[8 Ears]

Hey everybody! We are now in the teens :earseek: Wow, we are all very excited! Still does not seem like we are REALLY going:p

[DaveCindy]

We are getting very close!!!
We are getting in to Orlando Dec 3, so we decided to get our cruise Docs as a pier pick up to avoid missing them. Hope that goes well.
I have been reading on the boards about state room magnets. I have made one to stick on my door. Is anybody else going to be doing this?
I agree that packing is a challenge, and it makes the suitcases fuller than I would like. But it is the price we have to pay to have fun!!!:sunny:

See you all there!!!

:earsgirl: :earsboy: princess: princess:

[travellady]

Well, I received docs for our 12/20 Inspiration cruise last week but still no docs for the 12/16 Wonder. Oh well, I'm partially dancing :cheer2:

I'm getting ready to make a list of all the things we need to do before we leave such as stopping the paper, the mail, getting the dog ready before she heads off to Doggy Haven Resort (well, it's the kennel but I hate to think of sending her off to the kennel and this is a really nice place where she gets spoiled), figure out what clothes to pack, ensuring all our travel papers are in order etc. etc. Thankfully, we celebrated Xmas with my husband's family over Thanksgiving so much less gift shopping to do. But I do need to get those Xmas cards purchased, written, stamped and mailed. And we do want to put up a tree, at least a small one. And there are still the kids and husband to shop for. And I have to make those Xmas cookies like I do every year. I will be more than ready to board the ship come 12/16.

Now if only those docs would show up in my mailbox real soon...

[travellady]

Our Wonder docs arrived today so now I'm jumping. :jumping4:
14 short days and we're outta here headed to Orlando and then on to Port Canaveral. Now that the grey Northwest winter rains have really set in, I am so ready for this trip. :cool1:

[sdwjones]

Our package was on the front porch when we got home from school today. Yipee! 14 days and counting...! :boat:

Is anyone else renting a car that will be parked at the port during the cruise? Did you get a good deal?

We're spending one night at the Poly prior to the cruise and then the week after at our timeshare, so it seemed like more of a hassle to use Disney's buses.

It's getting sooo close! Yay! :cool1:

[DaveCindy]

We are renting a car, but we rented from budget so we are dropping off the car and then getting a new one when the cruise is over. It was cheaper for us to do it this way than pay for parking and the car while we were ot even using it. Besides there is nothing like coming back to a nice clean car!!

See you all soon! :cheer2:

[travellady]

...just one week from today we'll be setting sail on the Wonder. Too much left to do before we leave but I know we'll get it done. Maybe a little stressed by the time we get there but relaxation will slowly set in as we head towards the Bahamas, sunshine, palm trees, pina coladas...

[sdwjones]

See ya real soon! :cool1:

[NZ KIWI]

You know... I am begining to think we will be in for some chilly weather during this cruise! I live here in Naples, Florida and it's COLD right now! Not so cold for those of you from Northern areas though. Tomorrow's high is only 64 degress, and the low is 41 Degrees.... Brrrr!! I cannot imagine getting in the water, either in the pool or at Castaway Cay. We surely need some Pixie Dust and prayers for warmer weather!! However, either way, it's not going to stop us from having a wonderful time!!!! Only 1 more day to go! :Pinkbounc