Just Relaxin’ on the Wonder – Nowhere, Nothing, Nada. - Complete! and Final Thoughts

[franandaj]

Well that didn't take too long, did it? Talk about nerve wracking though! I so wanted to comment, but I said I was going to wait until we hit page two and I didn't want to make a liar out of myself! So let the comments begin!

Nice! We were either on the same cruise or similar... the cruise to nowhere concept is so much fun, isn't it? I had no idea it was technically illegal! Haha, wow! Glad to hear the logistics worked out for you two to take this cruise. Can't wait to hear all about the food.

We were on the October 16, and 18th cruises. It was great fun. If you're interested, here is a good and brief article on why the cruises are illegal and being discontinued.

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Customs-says-cruises-to-nowhere-were-never-legal

Looking forward to reading your report. I was on the last 2 day cruise to nowhere, too. I had no idea it was the last one until I read your post.

Perhaps our paths crossed and we didn't even know it!

Looking forward to hearing all about the cruise! Hope this page fills up fast!

It took less than 24 hours!

I'm sorry, I just posted on your other thread as you were posting to come over here. I can hardly keep track of all the fun trips! Looking forward to seeing the pictures on this trip report Glad Fran felt up to going on the cruise

Post wherever you like! I can hardly keep track too! I need to move this one along so that I don't have three trip reports going at once!

Here!

Glad you had fun with Pam and sorry we missed the cruise. Sounds like you relaxed which is fabulous!

I'm sorry you ladies missed the cruise too. We would have had a blast!

We didn't eat any of that on the cruise!

Looking forward to your DCL.

Thanks Bret!

I'm here and caught up! Can't wait to raead more, more, more!!!

I'll be interested to see what similarities and differences we had on our cruises!

Securing my spot and now going back to read!

And thanks for all your pointers that I put to good use on this trip!

I am here! Will add some comments later, but wanted to help getting the first page full as quickly as possible!

Well it filled up quickly! Now time to get on with the report!

 

[dizneeat]

Woohoo! And we are off!

 

[cheermom2four]

Im here as a newbie to cruising

 

[franandaj]

Here!

I'm in! Cruise to nowhere is my utopia what a shame it's the last one. Never mind any cruse can be made so by just not getting off the ship and enjoying a new view with less people on board! Like Nassau days..

Tell me about it! We don't plan on getting off the ship in Nassau either!

I am excited to read this. Love the photo of you and my dear friend Pam. I adore that older photo of you and Fran I wanted to hear more about how you guys meet. Am I greedy for history!

Not much to tell there. I sat next to her in band for a year, we got to know each other, and the rest is history!

OK - you sold me!!!!

That's an interesting item to be sold on, but whatever works!

I'm gonna say this applies to me.

Sure! Why not?

Wow! You had an entire cruise ship all to yourself!

You'll see later in some really empty ship pictures.

This I gotta see.

Oh believe me, there will be food porn, and drinks. Lotsa drinks.;

I'm here!! I can't wait to read all about it. You and Fran SO deserved this trip!

Thanks! We sure did!

I'm in! Looking forward to reading about your cruises! Sounds like it must have been a nice, relaxing trip.

It was definitely relaxing, it was a nice change.

I'm here! Great intro!

Jill in CO

Glad you enjoyed it!

So excited!!! I love LOVE reading your trip reports!!!! 2 1/2 weeks until my little family sails on the Wonder!!!

I hope your family has a great trip!

 

[franandaj]

Woohoo! And we are off!

Yes we are!

Im here as a newbie to cruising

Well we are taking it nice and slow, so you can ease into it!

 

[franandaj]

Departure Day has finally arrived!


Advance Plan:
Car loaded, check
Carry on loaded, Alison, check

Departure day Plan:
feed cats
load scooter
load final carry on
on the road by 6AM

Actual:
Wake up, "shoot! It's already 5:30 AM." (Dialogue may be slightly modified to fit the friendly family boards.).






Breathe.









There is no plane to catch. If we run late that only means we have to wait less time for our stateroom to be ready.









((((Sigh))))








As always, Fran has spent the night before we have to leave making a list of all the last minute items we need. Bless her heart.

Her timing?
Not so much.

A week earlier would have been helpful.

Usually I've thought of most of it already and its a matter of her reading the list and me saying, "already packed." Cats fed, scooter loaded, last minute items packed, we are actually on the road by 7AM.

The beauty of my planning? I KNOW we are NEVER going to leave the house when I say. If we're going to dinner with friends, a party (maybe someday), or something local, I build in half a hour. If it involves suitcases or overnight, I double it. So technically we were still leaving with plenty of time to make an 11:00AM PAT (Port Arrival Time).

The drive down was uneventful, a few potty stops along the way, the requisite Southern California traffic, and rain. RAIN? WT@$&!? Well, most of you probably don’t consider it rain, but the ground and air had moisture in them. You could see the port from the freeway, and here was our first glimpse of the Wonder.



As we approached the port we had a better view of the ship.



We were pulling. into the port around 10:45, perfect timing! What we did NOT count on was that the knuckleheads directing traffic were only letting folks picking up passengers drive up to meet the porters and drop off luggage.


Oh sure, if we wanted to wait until after 12PM, we could drive on in, let a porter unload the luggage from our car, then I could drive across the street to the Wyndam, park my car, walk back across the street and THEN go through the boarding process.







HELLO???????







By then I expect to be well on my way to the buffet or hearing the CMs announce our name over the loudspeaker!

OK.
Maybe I won't be boarding or even on the ship by noon, but darned if I'm not giving it my best shot! I'm not waiting until noon to start this party! So we sucked it up. I unloaded the car, parked Fran behind the K-rails. The following pictures were actually taken on our departure day, but I wanted to include them here so you could understand the stupidity of the port logistics.

So here is the drop off area. Cars were only allowed to the left of the K-rails. So Fran pulled our car up as close as she could get, we offloaded the scooter and then unloaded the suitcases, all four of them. We also had a couple carry ons as well. I left her with everything but my purse and drove across the street to park at the Wyndam. She was about 10 feet back from where that family is standing.



I drove the car over to the Wyndam and handed it off to the Valets, so glad I spent the extra $2 or so a day for Valet parking! On my way walking back to the port, I got this picture of the ship. By the look of this picture, the weather has cleared up a little bit since we arrived.



Once I got back, I loaded her carry on to the back of her scooter. I loaded my carry on to the floorboard of her scooter. Thank goodness she has been buying new luggage for us, you know the kind with the wheels that roll in 360 degrees? That way she could roll one of the suitcases while driving the scooter. I rolled two of the 360 rolling suitcases with my right hand, and dragged the traditional rolling suitcase with my left hand. We had to wait to cross this entrance where they were letting people drive in to pick up passengers.



We had to schlep our suitcases all the way down to go around this trash can and planter barrier where there was somewhat of a line forming. Not really a line but more a clump of people lurking. I’m not sure what they were waiting for.



At the desk here, they were checking your little booklet. Actually they weren’t checking them, you just had to have one. They didn’t even look inside the book to check the date or anything.



After showing your booklet, you headed through this gate.



Once you were inside the gate, you took your checked baggage over to this sign, if you can see it beyond the gate.



Once we were rid of our checked baggage, things were a lot easier. I took my carry on out from under Fran’s floorboards and she was her own little luggage cart. I just had my purse and small suitcase filled with beverages. We entered the terminal and got in line for the initial customs check and baggage screening. By this point it was 11:25, I stopped looking at the time after this. From here on out we were practically home free! After security, we grabbed our Navigators, and stepped up to the check in counter. We gave them all the appropriate documents, and were handed two Silver lanyards and our KTTW cards. They also gave us this.



I had just heard the announcement and they were currently boarding group 3.

Sweet!

We headed to the entrance and within about two minutes they called our boarding group. We didn’t even have a chance to look at our Navigators yet! We stopped for the obligatory photo, and I’m sure glad we bought this one, because on a B2B you only get to take one embarkation photo!



Once we were on the ship, we headed directly to Guest Services to see if there were any tasting classes that we couldn’t miss. There weren’t and it turns out that was a very good thing. So we headed off to lunch. I’m going to wrap up this update here. Even though we still hadn’t had a chance to peruse the Navigators, I’ll leave them here for you to take a look see.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Checking in. I have acute cruise withdrawal symptoms to I am looking forward to reading along.

Oh sure, if we wanted to wait until after 12PM, we could drive on in, let a porter unload the luggage from our car, then I could drive across the street to the Wyndam, park my car, walk back across the street and THEN go through the boarding process.

Why does that not surprise me. We have never departed from San Diego, just arrived there, but this was by far the worst port we have encountered.

At the desk here, they were checking your little booklet. Actually they weren’t checking them, you just had to have one.

I would have been sunk right there. I don't think I have ever taken the booklet. I do online check in and just bring the signature form.

We stopped for the obligatory photo, and I’m sure glad we bought this one, because on a B2B you only get to take one embarkation photo!

I am sure when we did our back to back, we got embarkation photos for both cruises, but that may have been because the change over port was Vancouver.

Corinna

 

[dhorner233]

Very interesting! You guys look great! Thanks for including the Navigator, that was interesting. Looks like a fun cruise!

 

[pkondz]

Weeellll.... Having never been on a cruise, I'm already completely confused!

But I had to note how much I enjoyed how you pointed out that you had a better view of the ship as you got closer.
Yep! That's usually how it works!

Really looking forward to this Alison!

Now to go back and re-look over your Navigator.
Maybe I'll even be able to figure it out!

 

[pepe3penelope]

The day you embarked is the day we disembarked. I remember how cloudy and misty it was! We went straight for a weekend at Disneyland and the mist didn't let up til we left San Diego County.

I REALLY do NOT like how snail like it was at San Diego to disembark. I'll note it on my TR at some point. It took us forever to get cleared by customs. Part of the problem may have been the two separate overhead pages for some passengers. I heard that was for some foreign passengers. Have you ever heard of that? I just remember how super speedy and efficient it was in Los Angeles (San Pedro) and Port Canaveral.

When we arrived, I remembered pulling up to the area past the gate/check in point. We unloaded the luggage and waved to a porter w/o problems. This was around 10am. Soooooo inconvenient and non-sensical what they made you do! DH took the kids and carry ons while I also parked across the street at the Wyndham's valet. Agreed that it was absolutely worth it!

I'm very interested in your take of a 2 nighter. Must have zoomed by! No wonder you also booked the 5 nighter to follow. Another tidbit of info...we were originally booked on your 2 nighter but cancelled due to the cost for us.

I like how you mentioned that other DISers have stopped and said hello. If I ever see you at disneyland, I definetly will!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Love how your actual morning *so* matched your plans. LOL.
*sigh* Your drop-off and parking sounds like an exercise in patience.

But.....did I understand correctly? You managed to get on-board by noon anyway? YAY.
Great picture of the two of you.

 

[jedijill]

San Diego sounds like a mess for embarkation! I'm so used to how smoothly it works in Port Canaveral. Yay for being on board on time anyway!

Jill in CO

 

[jodippls]

I'm following along! I can't wait to read about your illegal cruise to nowhere and your slightly more legal cruise to somewhere .

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Holy moly no that does not work DCL for folks with disibilities! Thank godness you got valet parking. Not like PC where you park, a member of the crew takes your bags and you are good to park. That is crazy.

I often joke to Jo that I should get a little u-haul trailer for my scooter! Those suitcases with 360 wheels are fantastic. Glad you got some.

What a lovely embarkation photo. I will take note of that you only get one we would like to do a b2b. Also that you said you can book 2 placeholder cruises. Cool.

The Wonder looks lovely! Looking forward to reading more. She is 1930's style art neuveau isn't she? The Fantasy style and the Magic is like The Dream I think 1920's Art Deco?

 

[franandaj]

Checking in. I have acute cruise withdrawal symptoms to I am looking forward to reading along.

I was thinking that it has been a while since you have been on a cruise. I s the December one still a possibility?

Why does that not surprise me. We have never departed from San Diego, just arrived there, but this was by far the worst port we have encountered.

This was by far the worst port I have ever encountered. Not that I have a ton of experience, but the San Diego port workers were not at all helpful and most were pretty rude!

I would have been sunk right there. I don't think I have ever taken the booklet. I do online check in and just bring the signature form.

I'm sure they would have eventually let you in, but pretty much I flashed the little pamphlet at her. And when I tried to open it to show we were on this cruise she just waved me in.

I am sure when we did our back to back, we got embarkation photos for both cruises, but that may have been because the change over port was Vancouver.

You left the port between cruises and so when you came back general boarding was in progress. We got right back on the ship before they started general boarding so the photographers were not set up yet.

Very interesting! You guys look great! Thanks for including the Navigator, that was interesting. Looks like a fun cruise!

Reading the Navigators is one of the things I like when reading other people's TRs, so I always include them. It gives you an idea of just how much there really is to do on board the ship!

Weeellll.... Having never been on a cruise, I'm already completely confused!

What part? The point I was making in the last update was just how rigid and unaccommodating the port staff was. At most ports you drive right up, leave your luggage on the curb and a helpful porter comes by with a cart to take it for you. This port was like, "You're on your own, deal with it!"

The rest is very similar to boarding a plane, security check, ticketing, or with the case of a cruise they give you your stateroom key. You don't get a photo when you board the plane, but essentially after that you get on the ship. The nice thing with Disney Cruise Line is that they announce your family name as you walk on to the ship. It make everyone feel special.

But I had to note how much I enjoyed how you pointed out that you had a better view of the ship as you got closer.
Yep! That's usually how it works!

I see that I need to make my words count with you following along! You'll point out when I state the obvious!

 

[cruisehopeful]

The San Diego port is awful. It's my home town port, so I like having DCL use it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to dump it. We were on the first cruise to nowhere out of San Diego about a year and a half ago. We had a board time of noon, got in line about 11:45 and it took about 2 hours to get on board. We parked a mile away and road the shuttle, but that took forever because traffic was gridlocked. The line went way down the downtown harbor. Later, a DCL server told me that something was wrong when they docked and nobody could get off the ship until after 10:00am. They didn't begin boarding until after 1:00pm. There was nowhere for anyone to wait. We all stood in the long line in full sun.

This time, when I took the last ever cruise to nowhere, I remembered that long line and just walked from where I parked my car, which was about a mile away at Aladdin airport parking. I had noon boarding time again and this time was able to walk right in without a line going down the harbor. It improved, but it is still pretty bad as you noted as far as not being able to drop off your luggage. Bottom line, it is far away from the service expected from a DCL cruise.

At any rate, I am anxious to hear about your experience on the 2 cruises.

 

[rentayenta]

Yay for boarding even if drop off was a cluster.

Thanks for posting the Navigator! Seeing them makes me happy. Love the obligatory photo. You gals look great!

 

[jetskigrl]

I'm here I was so happy to be one of those that finally got to say Hello in person on this cruise!! I can't wait to hear all about your 5-night also. We really enjoyed that cruise and I hope they repeat it again in the future.

 

[franandaj]

Really looking forward to this Alison!

Now to go back and re-look over your Navigator.
Maybe I'll even be able to figure it out!

Glad to have you along! It's not that complicated, I'm sure you'll figure it out.

The day you embarked is the day we disembarked. I remember how cloudy and misty it was! We went straight for a weekend at Disneyland and the mist didn't let up til we left San Diego County.

That sounds like a great way to stave off post cruise depression!

I REALLY do NOT like how snail like it was at San Diego to disembark. I'll note it on my TR at some point. It took us forever to get cleared by customs. Part of the problem may have been the two separate overhead pages for some passengers. I heard that was for some foreign passengers. Have you ever heard of that?

I heard that for your ship the port inspectors were two hours late. We also had foreign passengers that kept being paged to various locations. I remember getting annoyed at hearing their names over and over while we were getting dressed.

I just remember how super speedy and efficient it was in Los Angeles (San Pedro) and Port Canaveral.

When we sailed out of San Pedro we were home by 10:45AM. I noticed in my pictures outside the port, that it was 10:25 and I hadn't even picked up the car yet!

When we arrived, I remembered pulling up to the area past the gate/check in point. We unloaded the luggage and waved to a porter w/o problems. This was around 10am. Soooooo inconvenient and non-sensical what they made you do!

They let the people on our second cruise pull right up, but I noticed that the PC folks who were getting ready to board had to unload outside the gates. So random!

I also parked across the street at the Wyndham's valet. Agreed that it was absolutely worth it

That was the smoothest part of the process!

I'm very interested in your take of a 2 nighter. Must have zoomed by! No wonder you also booked the 5 nighter to follow. Another tidbit of info...we were originally booked on your 2 nighter but cancelled due to the cost for us.

I'm so glad we did the 2 nighter first. It was like a warm up.

I like how you mentioned that other DISers have stopped and said hello. If I ever see you at disneyland, I definetly will!

The first time it really blew me away. We were in Epcot and a gal came up to me and said, "You're the ones who put a huge chunk of meat in your suitcase and cooked it on your vacation! I read your Trip Report!" Now it doesn't even bother Fran. In fact while we were getting in line to board, another DISer recognized us and said hi.

Love how your actual morning *so* matched your plans. LOL.
*sigh* Your drop-off and parking sounds like an exercise in patience.

I'm used to things not going as planned. Not only patience but suitcase wrangling as well!

But.....did I understand correctly? You managed to get on-board by noon anyway? YAY.
Great picture of the two of you.

If not noon it was close. But I was sure starving by the time we got on!

San Diego sounds like a mess for embarkation! I'm so used to how smoothly it works in Port Canaveral. Yay for being on board on time anyway!

Jill in CO

It was a mess both coming and going. I would hesitate to sail from there again. I wish they would go back to San Pedro!

 

[jetskigrl]

It was a mess both coming and going. I would hesitate to sail from there again. I wish they would go back to San Pedro!

Me too!!! I really missing having the ship right here in our backyard. We were lucky with embarkation on both of our cruises this time (walked right up, dropped off luggage and away we went), but debarkation was a mess on both.