You bet your aft we had a good time! A Wonder trip report Update 12/30 p.59-611

[rentayenta]

Joining in!!!

Julie.

Philly was exhausting. My cold is still lingering and I'm completely wiped out. Hopefully I can get to the TR this weekend..maybe Sunday since its supposed to be cold and snowy here again.

Jill in CO

Snow? Say it ain't so. I'm sorry you're still sick. Sometimes crappy weather is best when you're not feeling well as it allows for a little down time sans the guilt. Feel better. ​

That'll be fun to read

I like it, reminds me of the trip.

Mom and I both agree WDW after, because the cruise is so amazing it's hard to go home right after. And then the vacation continues with more Disney magic but I'm sure a lot of people think the opposite and WDW before.

For the upcoming trip we're doing one day before and three days after. If you do a cruise from Port Canaveral it's very convenient to go back and forth to Orlando.

True gluttony

You get used to it, the layout is very similar. The biggest difference is there are two extra floors of rooms between all the main stuff, and you guys preferred walking. It's an absolutely gorgeous ship though, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to sail on her again. But I do prefer the smaller size of the Wonder.

What a pain that school schedule makes for vacation! Any way to do the homework before leaving? I know some teachers aren't very accommodating.

I like the idea of WDW after. Lets the dream live a little longer.

The schools are a total pain. I learned tonight that most of the week we are looking at is full. So now I'm thinking either a 2 bedroom or maybe the week after. Before Dec. 1 is out if we want our friends to join us as I cannot borrow into 2015 if the trip happens before Dec.1 That deserves a second headache.

Two extra floors of rooms? Are the common areas just packed? I assume the restaurants are much larger as there are only two options for dining times still? I can't I,whine the pools.

Is Port Canaveral close to Orlando?​

Clearly I needed a bat signal for this TR because I didn't know it had started. But I'm here now and the start of your trip looks like a blast. I'm glad you had an uneventful, yet long, travel day. Too funny that divine intervention canceled your party plans.

How fun that you got to stay with one of your friends. She is very stunning. The kids look like they are having a blast.

Yayayayayay to finally arriving on the cruise you have been counting down for FOREVER!

friend. Yes, it was the longest countdown ever. All that for 5 days. ​

We booked the 11 night Northern European cruise on Disney Cruise Line!

Amanda

Congrats! What ports?​

Yes, in October 2010. The Halloween cruise. We didn't get talk really on the actual cruise itself, which I really regret, but we chatted lots before and after. Hoping our paths will cross again someday on either DCL or in WDW.

For Jamaica, I'd really like to go to Dunns Falls. I don't think my kids can actually climb them yet, but I'd still like to see them. Part of the DCL excursion goes there and also someplace where you can see dolphins, lizards and birds....that's definitely something they would love to do.

I bet a Halloween cruise is a blast. Do they do pirate night still?

Your Jamaica plans sound fun. How old are your kids? The falls would be neat to see even if you can't get right up next to them. Animals are always a hit too. Do you usually do excursions through Disney or private companies?​

Not this trip to WDW in less than 2 months, but our next one just a little over a year from now, we are adding on a Dream cruise after the WDW portion. For us we figure that we run ourselves somewhat ragged even though we are still relaxed compared to most at WDW. Also we are taking two of our friends with us. We figured it would be better for us all to arrive together, and then they can go home, and the two of us would go on with our journey.

We will need the cruise to recover from the running around that our friends will probably end up making us do!

Also we are on the Halloween Cruise on the Wonder, I suppose we should consider some easy costumes because I can't imagine a sail away day on October 31 without a Halloween dress up party!

Sail away on Halloween? Halloween seems like the time to cruise. I bet Christmas is crazy fun too. And NYE.

Your soon cruise is the one where you stay on the ship, right? The back to back?

What's the one next year? I'm sure you've told me but I'm lousy on the details. Who is going with you guys? I think a big group on a cruise sounds like a blast.​

 

[perfectmatch300]

I am enjoying your TR so far. Looking forward to reading the rest of it. We have only sailed the Dream and Fantasy on DCL. I am planning on trying both the Wonder and Magic as well, so I am looking forward to all of your pictures.

 

[Pinkocto]

Port Canaveral is a straight shot to the coast from Orlando, about an hour and 15 minutes away. For 5 it would be more cost effective to rent a car or do a private shuttle to get there because DCL charges $75 round trip pp.

The pools on the Dream and Fantasy are the failure of the ship. Not big enough for the amount of people, but on the Fantasy there is a huge adult only area on the bows top deck and there is also a water play area in addition to the pools. The common areas aren't any more crowded than the Wonder was. And the restaurants are much bigger.

I hope you can work everything out for your DL trip, sounds like a lot of factors in play.

 

[franandaj]

Sail away on Halloween? Halloween seems like the time to cruise. I bet Christmas is crazy fun too. And NYE.

Your soon cruise is the one where you stay on the ship, right? The back to back?

What's the one next year? I'm sure you've told me but I'm lousy on the details. Who is going with you guys? I think a big group on a cruise sounds like a blast.​

Girl, not your job to keep up on my trip plans, but you're totally confused! Here's my Disney plans...

1) May 28-June 5, SWW trip to WDW, just me and Fran
2) October 31-Nov 5, 5 Night cruise out of Miami on the Wonder followed by 4 day band conference/concert in Ft. Lauderdale along with 200 of our closest band friends.
3) April 13-20 2015 Stay at VWL with our friends for their 1st trip to WDW, followed by me and Fran on a 4 day Dream cruise to Nassau and CC.
4) May 17-22, 2015 B2B Wonder cruise out of San Diego, 2 night Cruise to Nowhere (CTN), followed by a three night Ensenada cruise.

That's just the Disney part of our travels. We're going to be busy this summer, and now with moving looming on the horizon being gone so much will not be the best idea!

 

[rentayenta]

I am enjoying your TR so far. Looking forward to reading the rest of it. We have only sailed the Dream and Fantasy on DCL. I am planning on trying both the Wonder and Magic as well, so I am looking forward to all of your pictures.

Thank you and The Dream and Fantasy look gorgeous. I'm really glad we got to sail one of the classics before they're both re-imagined. I bet they'll seem tiny compared to the bigger ships.​

Port Canaveral is a straight shot to the coast from Orlando, about an hour and 15 minutes away. For 5 it would be more cost effective to rent a car or do a private shuttle to get there because DCL charges $75 round trip pp.

The pools on the Dream and Fantasy are the failure of the ship. Not big enough for the amount of people, but on the Fantasy there is a huge adult only area on the bows top deck and there is also a water play area in addition to the pools. The common areas aren't any more crowded than the Wonder was. And the restaurants are much bigger.

I hope you can work everything out for your DL trip, sounds like a lot of factors in play.

I can imagine the pools are a total failure. Our afternoon at the Cove Pool was perfect and uncrowded. I bet the newer ships adult pools are so cool.

Our friends are coming out here Dec 15 on or about. I suppose we could move Disneyland to the week before but I'd rather do the 1-7. I am now thinking about a 2 bedroom. M and I can have the master (of course), our friends and their DD's can have the Studio and my kids can sleep in the common area. Our friends are sleepers so I won't have to worry about my kids being woken up. We haven't vacationed with them in this close of quarters with kids so Thats why 2 Studios would have been perfect but wi 6 nights a full kitchen might be okay. Candlelight is that weekend of the 6-7 and there aren't any one bedroom or studios that weekend. 2 bedrooms are the last to go so I'm needing some major pixiedust. Fortunately we make reservations in just two weeks so if we're out of luck Dec 1-7, the 8-14 would work. I'll clean before our guests come and if by chance they arrive early, they can let themselves in. That might be nice for them too to have a chance to settle after the 3 day road trip out here.​

Girl, not your job to keep up on my trip plans, but you're totally confused! Here's my Disney plans...

1) May 28-June 5, SWW trip to WDW, just me and Fran
2) October 31-Nov 5, 5 Night cruise out of Miami on the Wonder followed by 4 day band conference/concert in Ft. Lauderdale along with 200 of our closest band friends.
3) April 13-20 2015 Stay at VWL with our friends for their 1st trip to WDW, followed by me and Fran on a 4 day Dream cruise to Nassau and CC.
4) May 17-22, 2015 B2B Wonder cruise out of San Diego, 2 night Cruise to Nowhere (CTN), followed by a three night Ensenada cruise.

That's just the Disney part of our travels. We're going to be busy this summer, and now with moving looming on the horizon being gone so much will not be the best idea!

We need Cynthia to keep a spreadsheets of all of our plans. I plan so last minute, comparatively, that I'd love to overlap when possible.

You've still got the west road trip too, right?

And don't forget a day with ME! Haha!

Have you been to Nassau?

The 5 night out of Miami.

I am loving your back to back! That would be one I'd like to do. Damn school. And location wise it would work. I really really really wish Disney would reinstate the Mexico cruise out of CA.

​

 

[franandaj]

We need Cynthia to keep a spreadsheets of all of our plans. I plan so last minute, comparatively, that I'd love to overlap when possible.

You've still got the west road trip too, right?​

I'm actually writing the first post of the TR now! Researching and writing at the same time. I found a Triple D restaurant in Flagstaff and they have Navaho Tacos. Fran will be so THERE! We're now staying at Harrah's the first night. Seafood Buffet!

And don't forget a day with ME! Haha!​

Are you really going to come to Cedar City? I haven't got that far in the TR as to when we plan to arrive. It's more a an "overnight" sort of stop on the way home. We decided to stay at Sam's Town instead of the Gold Strike. It's more fun to be IN Vegas than drive right past it!

Have you been to Nassau?​

The 5 night out of Miami. ​

That's the one I'm sort of least excited about, but only because there aren't a ton of nice DISers on the cruise, in fact they started a FB group before I started the Meet thread on the DIS, they already had the FE set up and everything.

I am loving your back to back! That would be one I'd like to do. Damn school. And location wise it would work. I really really really wish Disney would reinstate the Mexico cruise out of CA.

​

I know I'm super stoked about this one. We have an awesome group for the three night cruise, really active on the DIS. A whole bunch of us are doing the B2B thing. Most of the folks I'm talking to are LA locals. Who knows we might even all meet before the way everyone is getting all chummy!

 

[Pinkocto]

This is part of the adult only area at the bow of the ship. The water isn't deep but you can sit in it.

Adult pool area

As you can see quite closed off to the sun

Cool water area called the Aqua Lab

Main pools from different angles

Shaded area for the littlest ones

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm quite confused and of course you don't have to explain if you don't want to. Are the friends going to first meet you in CA and then go to Utah? or are these different people? And where does the three day road trip start from?


Fingers crossed you can get the room you want

 

[rentayenta]

Two sets of friends Pam. Sorry for the confusion. Our friends from PA are coming west for a visit mid December. Our Utah friends are joining us in Disneyland.


I'll be back to reply to the rest. LOVE the pics!​

 

[twindaddy]

Stop torturing us and work on your TR! You did such a good first post, keep it rolling!

 

[ACDSNY]

You do? Is the Magic's just like the Wonder's? Same room number. PM me if necessary.....

The cabin and verandah should be the same on the Magic. Once we're on the Magic in October we can say we've sailed on all four ships.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm actually writing the first post of the TR now! Researching and writing at the same time. I found a Triple D restaurant in Flagstaff and they have Navaho Tacos. Fran will be so THERE! We're now staying at Harrah's the first night. Seafood Buffet!

Love those DDD restaurants. I didn't realize Johnny Rebs was a DDD until I read your report.

Seafood buffet and blackjack! ​

Are you really going to come to Cedar City? I haven't got that far in the TR as to when we plan to arrive. It's more a an "overnight" sort of stop on the way home. We decided to stay at Sam's Town instead of the Gold Strike. It's more fun to be IN Vegas than drive right past it!

I was talking about December. If you guys were staying more than overnight, we would. No Cedar for me. May is bonkers with soccer and dance and end of the school year events. But if you're plans change and you're in Utah longer, let me know.​

You don't like Nassau?​

That's the one I'm sort of least excited about, but only because there aren't a ton of nice DISers on the cruise, in fact they started a FB group before I started the Meet thread on the DIS, they already had the FE set up and everything.

Ask about starting a new group. Our FB group was so kind and friendly. We had a bunch of latecomers and Jeff, our organizer extraordinaire, helped start a third group in addition to setting up groups one and two. I have to admit, this FB/DIS meet group will be hard to top. I met some women I expect to keep in touch with for a long time. About out the Beth and Jenn and of course Pam. . I'm sorry your group isn't as open as your other cruises.​

I know I'm super stoked about this one. We have an awesome group for the three night cruise, really active on the DIS. A whole bunch of us are doing the B2B thing. Most of the folks I'm talking to are LA locals. Who knows we might even all meet before the way everyone is getting all chummy!

I priced it our for gits and shiggles. To bad it's only offered so infrequently. Why dozens they offer more from the west coast?​

Stop torturing us and work on your TR! You did such a good first post, keep it rolling!

No torture. If you're wanting a speedy report, I'm not your gal.​

The cabin and verandah should be the same on the Magic. Once we're on the Magic in October we can say we've sailed on all four ships.

Isn't that a grand slam?


Pam, that's a Fantasy's adult pool right? Wow! It's a lot grander than the Wonder's. I'd like to take one more cruise on the Wonder before it gets re-imagined. I did enjoy the Wonder's pool though.




Update coming. Photobucket is giving me a heck of a time this morning........​

 

[Pinkocto]

Yes, that was the Fantasy's adult pool. Might be prettier but much smaller, only the two smaller circle areas are deep, the biggest is only ankle deep. I do not like the set up at all. The Wonder's QC area is so much better. I anticipate us being up top where the first pictures are from. Its called Satellite Falls. Very quiet and lots of sun.

I realized when looking at the pictures again that the two family pools are not separated by the food stations. Which I'm sure helps parents that have kids in both pools. And there's lots more loungers on the pool deck.

I agree, hopefully I can get in another Wonder cruise before they change her. I think she's perfect just the way she is.


Thanks for explaining about the two sets of friends, I couldn't wrap my head around your December

 

[rentayenta]

Yes, that was the Fantasy's adult pool. Might be prettier but much smaller, only the two smaller circle areas are deep, the biggest is only ankle deep. I do not like the set up at all. The Wonder's QC area is so much better. I anticipate us being up top where the first pictures are from. Its called Satellite Falls. Very quiet and lots of sun.

I realized when looking at the pictures again that the two family pools are not separated by the food stations. Which I'm sure helps parents that have kids in both pools. And there's lots more loungers on the pool deck.

I agree, hopefully I can get in another Wonder cruise before they change her. I think she's perfect just the way she is.


Thanks for explaining about the two sets of friends, I couldn't wrap my head around your December

I guess because its empty, it looks larger. Smaller pool with double the capacity of folks? Like our trivia girl said: failed it! Im sure it's worse in theory though because once on the ship, the magic takes over.

Do you know when the Wonder set for the facelift? I'm of the camp of why mess with a good thing but I hate change.

Hope you're having a nice weekend. .

Yeah, I though the separating of pools was odd but like it. I could have never enjoyed the deck with the screen had it been attached to the kiddie pool. Man, it was like kid soup in that thing. I saw lots of swim diapers and even a few kids in the regular diapers that fill up when they get wet. No bueno.​

 

[rentayenta]

After many times disinfecting our hands and a very smooth and totally blurred check in process, it was time to board the ship. Joshua and I had originally wanted to be announced as The Faaaar family from Mulan but as we were waiting we realized it may not translate into the funny we wanted. We opted for The Sheets family, praying that the sweet thick accented CM didn't make it sound like the Shiits family which often happens when non English as a first language folks pronounce our last name. True story friends.

We were announced and on our way. The first thing we recall seeing is this. I had seem it so many times in the course of reading reports and I could not believe we were seeing in person. We were on our cruise:

We were directed to the Beach Blanket Buffet (BBB) however we did not want to start this cruise out in the buffet but rather out by the pool. I wanted to sit, grab a cocktail, and get my head on straight. I had been texting with Pam and chatting on and off with Michael and the girls and needed to just chill. I am fairly high energy by nature (read anxiety) and I knew I was nearing overload. A drink and a pool chair with a little sunshine were needed.

Side note: In anticipation of this report, I made sure to grab 2-3 Navigators so I could a) share them here and b) I knew I wouldn't take one single note and I would need them along with photos to recall what we did or wanted to do. These would provide so helpful during the cruise. I didn't want to chance getting roaming charges with my phone so opted out of using the app. I am happy with my choice. For you first time cruisers, your Navigator is your friend.

I hope folks find the Navigators helpful. Here is today's, Sunday March 30, 2014 Navigator:

And the insert:

Navigator inserts would would come to be our bible. We're Jews, we can make bible jokes.

The pool was fairly empty due to everyone still boarding and being at the buffet. We grabbed some towels and found chairs. I knew Pam was boarding soon so I saved her a chair. I know, I know, party foul number 1. The pool was not crowded and I had no intention of moving for a good hour or so. I believe it was just after noon at this point. When checking in, the CM told us our cabin would be ready about 1:30. Joshua was crazy eager to check it out.

I couldn't have been sat more than a minute when Krish, a CM from India, approached and offered me a drink. Well thank you sir, I think I will! If you recall from my pre-trip report, I had a lofty goal of trying every Drink of the Day (DOTD). Today's drink was a Cool Breeze. The base was vodka and this girl wanted rum so I opted out of the DOTD and ordered a Rum Runner. Rum speaks to me on vacation. It doesn't make me sick like other alcohols and no heart burn. Oh the pains of aging.

We began to immediately pour over the Navigator, making mental notes of where we had to be and things we wanted to do. We knew our stateroom would be ready about 1:30, the muster drill was at 4:00 pm and the sail away party started at 4:30. This cruise was starting to feel real. Joshua is a smart kid with a stellar memory so all I had to do was tell home once, when and where, and he'd remember and remind us. The beauty of being young and sharp. I miss those days.

While going over the Navigator we realized two things: there weren't any movies in the theater we had to see as Monsters U wasn't playing anymore and Joshua wasn't game for character meet and greets. As i named off the characters, his eye rolls got more intense. LOL! I made him promise he'd at least let me get photos of us with Captain Mickey and he agreed to it. I can't believe how many meets the ship has. What a super cool way to see the characters and avoid the long lines in the parks. Well played Disney cruise. Nice touch.

We also wanted to tour the Edge, the tween club for Joshua, tour the spa as I had a pre-purchased one day Rainforest Pass, and get a general feeling for the ship and the lay of it. Dinner was at 8:15 pm and Joshua's icebreaker of his club started at 9:30 pm. Both of those were musts. The show for the evening was All Aboard slated for 6:15 pm. From the beginning stages of planning I was iffy on how many shows we'd attend. My instincts were correct, more about that later. Don't want to put a spolier in my own report.

Joshua declared immediate hunger and went to find pizza. We had discussed the multitude of food options and Joshua is a huge pizza fan. I knew he'd overdose on pizza this trip. We both would.

The views from my lounger:

I am so sorry if I am posting the butt of someone reading here, that's not my intent but its a pool and people are in swimsuits. I am sure I am in random shots all over.

At this point, I am starting to relax, sitting in my loung chair by the pool, had chatted with a very sweet lifeguard named Kelly from the US, enjoying my Rum Runner from Krish, and my new friend Pam walks up. She recognized me right away and we became instant friends. We had been chatting here for a good 6 months about this cruise. You know those people you meet that you feel like you've known forever? That's Pam. Joshua and I felt an instant connection with her that would grow throughout the trip.

Joshua's first meeting with Pam differed from mine. I was expecting her as we'd been texting and chatting for months, Joshua was not.

Per Joshua's words: so I'm going to grab some pizza and a soda and some random girl walks up to me and goes: Joshua! And I was like: what? I said (hesitantly) yeaaahhh? Pam asked, where's your mom? I pointed to the pool and I was kinda scared. Then I realized it was a DISer but still I was a little scared.

Joshua returned with his pizza and drink and then told us how he met Pam. We all got a good chuckle. Joshua swam a little but it was fairly windy and the pool was not warm.

Pam decided it was also time for a drink and ordered a virgin Konk Cooler. Not sure if the cooler in Konk Cooler starts with a C or K but I'm not a fan of putting Ks where Cs should be. Don't know why but its always been a pet peeve.

Pam's gorgeous drink. Note some DOTD on the server's tray in the background.

Joshua wanted to check out the jacuzzi so I joined him. Pam snapped a few pics of us too. Thanks girl!

An empty jacuzzi. Believe it or not we'd see it empty again and Joshua would take full advantage of it.

Pre bubbles:

Ahhhh bubbles:

Me and Joshua.

And the first of many selfies, me and Pam:

It was nearing the 1:30 hour. Up next, a quick drop by BBB (remember this is Beach Blanket Buffet NOT Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique), our stateroom, and a tour around the gorgeous Wonder.


To be continued.....​

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh I LOVE it!!! That was so funny! And I also think he said he almost soiled his pants it so wasn't my intention at all. I was on the hunt for you guys and while walking up the ramp to the pizza counter I couldn't believe my luck that the person walking towards me looked familiar and I knew it was Josh. I pointed at him and asked 'Joshua?' and you know the rest.

I felt like we were old friends getting together, not people that had never met in the flesh before.

 

[rentayenta]

Oh I LOVE it!!! That was so funny! And I also think he said he almost soiled his pants it so wasn't my intention at all. I was on the hunt for you guys and while walking up the ramp to the pizza counter I couldn't believe my luck that the person walking towards me looked familiar and I knew it was Josh. I pointed at him and asked 'Joshua?' and you know the rest.

I felt like we were old friends getting together, not people that had never met in the flesh before.

So funny and please feel free to chime in with details, pics, and accuracies. You took a ton of notes, I admittedly didn't take one and my order of events could be confused. He did say that day that he about crapped his pants. Ah, the vivid language of a 12 y/o boy. ​

 

[Pinkocto]

So funny and please feel free to chime in with details, pics, and accuracies. You took a ton of notes, I admittedly didn't take one and my order of events could be confused. He did say that day that he about crapped his pants. Ah, the vivid language of a 12 y/o boy. ​

I'm laughing thinking about it, he is a hoot and a half!


I forgot to say, I have no idea of any plans to reimagine the Wonder but I'm often late with that kind of news. Will let you know if I hear anything.

 

[franandaj]

nice update! I'm usually starved by the time I get on the ship and want me some buffet food, mac n cheese, salad....

Too funny with Pam and Josh!

I didn't mind so much the picture of the person's butt, it was more the beer gut of th guy laying in the lounger that I could have done without!

Nice on the empty Jacuzzi! I love the Jacuzzi!


Oh, and no Johnny Reb's has never been on DDD, it's just a DDD "style" place. I thought I said that in the thingy. It's the place that I found for my roadtrip that actually was on DDD.

 

[ACDSNY]

Isn't that a grand slam?

Loving the start of your trip, and your priorities are spot on, pool chair, drink and sunshine. The meet up with Pam is cracking me up too.