I'M BACK!
Just a quick post to answer some of the questions that were raised before I left on the Wonder last week.
The cruise was "Wonder"ful, but too short! I can't believe I am home already. Can't wait for the member cruise. Here's a short rundown:
1. If your flight arrives after 10 p.m. in Orlando, Magical Express will no longer pick up your luggage and take it to the resort for you. You have to go get your own luggage and then take it to ME check in downstairs yourself. Now considering I arrived at 11:30 p.m., it was no fun to schlep all my luggage on my own all the way to ME. So, for those arriving after 10 p.m., don't worry about calling and getting extra luggage tags, cuz they are of no use.
2. The DVC on-line resort check-in was awesome. It was nice to arrive at Old Key West after midnight and although there was no one at check-in, it did save me time by not having to fill out anything and just sign and be on my way. My room key was ready and all!
3. Check in for the Wonder ran late at the DVC terminal. We did not start boarding until about 12:25 p.m. They were not handing out boarding cards at the top of the elevator, they gave them to us once we were standing in line. They also did not start check-in until 10:30 a.m. so we waited in the terminal for about 45 minutes because we got there at 9:45 a.m.
4. The new road to the terminal is completed. The parking lot where we park is closed and they have now started the new parking garage for the new ships. I believe it will be between 4-6 stories high. They are now just putting pilings in for the foundation. The parking lot is off to the end as far out as possible.
5. The ship was full, there was only one upgrade available. It was for a category 5.
6. The room safe in the stateroom has NOT been upgraded yet. The plan is to change during dry dock. The Wonder is going to Freeport in the Bahamas for dry dock and not to Norfolk. Supposedly they will save lots of money by going to Freeport. The ship is suppose to get the new flat screen tv's in dry dock and a bunch of other stuff, but they are pretty quiet about it. No pre-work for dry dock was being done yet.
7. The laundry bag in your stateroom closet is now fabric and plastic bags are no longer used. (So, if you store your wet swimsuits in the plastic bags when you leave the ship, plan on bringing your own.) The new reuseable fabric bag can be yours if you want. If you take it from the ship they will charge you $5.00
8. Joan from DVC was onboard. There is a great offer going on right now for those cruising. I don't have the discounts with me, but one offer was you could get $24 off per point at Grand Californian and bring the price down to $88 per point. Current point price is $112. There were different discounts for Bay Lake and Animal Kingdom, but Grand Californian had the best offer. Joan did not know the offers that are going to be presented on the DVC Cruise.
9. The stateroom host delivered some really nice posters two nights on the bed promoting DVC. They are about 11 x 14 inches in size and I brought home to frame. It was promoting DVC and how to vacation for less.
10. No bandanas on pirate night.
11. Toy Story has been toned down a little, but personally, I wish Hercules was back.
12. Christian will be our cruise director. Peter gets off the ship next week and Christian is taking his place.
13. Captain John will be our captain.
14. Marco is the Palo Manager.
15. The day at
Castaway Cay was wonderful. Water warm. They have expanded the eating area at the adult beach. I had a great Rib Eye Steak for lunch!
16. There was an unusual wind when we were trying to dock at CC. Captain John had us there (basically sitting in the ocean a mile out) by 6 a.m. But when he started to back the ship in at 7:45 a.m., it took over 45 minutes to get the ship in, so we weren't cleared til 9 a.m. The parasailing, glass bottom fishing, snorkeling, etc., were cancelled.
17. There are pilings in the water at the family beach across the water and we were told they are building private cabanas that will be available for rent for the day.
18. The dock is being expanded to accomodate the new ships. There are three cranes on the island at the dock and tons of rocks, sand and construction while you are there. There was a letter in with our CC event flyer explaining that there is construction going on and to pardon the mess.
19. The seas were calm. 2-4 feet most of the time. They said 4-8 once I think on the tv, but I couldn't tell. The ship was smooth as can be.
20. No luggage tags at Guest Services, however, if you need more, you can ask at the desk.
21. No secrets revealed about the DVC cruise. No one on the ship has been given any information. I mentioned to Joan if they weren't going to update the website, they just need to take it away.
22. We had 19 staterooms participate in the FE exchange. Got some great little gifts. It is always fun to come back to your stateroom and find gifts in your fish mail!
I think that's it. If someone has a particular question, let me know and I will attempt to answer.
He won his division in Missouri a few months ago.
This competion goes all week, so we wish them the best.
Happy Anniversary Connie and Chuck
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