10/31 Wonder cruise was OK - not as good as I expected

[lisajanetx]

My 3 yr. old DD and I, along with my Mother, sailed on the Disney Wonder on 10/31. This was my 3rd cruise, the first 2 cruises having been on the now-defunct Premier Cruise Lines in the late 1980's. All in all, it was a bit of a disappointment. The food was very average, with lunches being the particular weak spot. Service was lacking in spots. The cabin steward wasn't so great - he even threw out the shells we'd collected at the beach. One morning for breakfast a French woman who was supposed to be serving us kept bugging me about what kind of tea my mother wanted. I didn't have a clue, but she just stood at the table waiting for my mom. Finally, wanting some peace, I got up from the table and went to get my mom to answer her question. Too bad the French waitress didn't put the same emphasis on refilling coffee or even initially filling the water glasses.

My 3 yr. old seemed to enjoy the cruise the most. She never tired of lining up to greet characters. I would do this cruise again, but only while she's young enough to enjoy the characters. The kid's pool was great for her, and she really enjoyed the island. I thought Castaway Cay could have used a lot more hammocks. I remember Premier's island (Salt Cay) had a lot more hammocks. If you want a hammock, you'd better be 1st off the ship. We got to the beach early, but apparently not early enough.

If you're an adult or have older children, I'd really recommend another cruise. I think some of the problem is that it's just such a large ship and everything has to be done in large quantities for the masses. Just no personalized service at all. We did, however, enjoy our dinner servers.

 

[fudget]

Sorry you didn't enjoy the cruise all that much
lisajanetx
I will be taking my 1st cruise on the Wonder Nov 21. I can't wait
I do think it is very poor that there aren't enough hammocks to go around.
It's vacation and it should be fun and should not feel rushed by having to be the 1st ones off the ship on CC to get a "good" spot or a hammock.
Most of what I've read here has been great but I have also read some shocking and disapointing things, like waiters at the tables going on and on about the survey or just poor service, the spa people up-selling or adding items to your bill that you did not ask for or were not even asked if you wanted them, photographers harassing people at the tables and throughout the ship and other things here and there.
It's a shame that things like that have to ruin someone's trip that they paid soooo much for, or maybe not "ruin" it but make it less than enjoyable.
I am going on my trip with an open mind though and plan on having lots of fun and hopefully no "seasickness"
I hope if you go again it will be much better next time!!

 

[MelissaE1]

That must have been a real disappointment for you, especially after reading all the nice things about the service (in general at least) on the DIS board here. It sounds like you encountered the exception and not the rule, and hopefully you filled out the survey and let Disney know about it so they can adjust. People are surely not going to pay their prices if the service becomes mediocre.

Glad to hear your DD at least had a great time.

 

[inkkognito]

I agree about the hammocks, although you don't have to be quite as early on the adult beach as on the family beach to get one.
I'll throw in my two cents worth from the adult perspective...we have done RCCL 4 times and actually felt that Disney was better for adults. There were very few adults-only areas on RCCL, and none were ever enforced (not even the spa!). On Disney I know that I'll always be able to escape for some peace and quiet.
Salt Cay sounds nice...I remember being pleasantly surprised by RCCL's island, CocoaCay. While it is not themed like Castaway Cay, it had its own natural charm (hubby also loved the fact that they offered a jet ski tour). But beware of Labadee, the other supposedly "private" RCCL island. It's not a true island and not private at all...there were natives looking for money when you went to sit in one of the cruise-line-provided lounge chairs (they warn you on the ship not to pay, but they should just eliminate the problem), and in the bathroom I was blocked from leaving by another woman wanting money. In the shopping area they literally grab you...I've never had that happen before, even in Nassau. I know that happens in tourist areas, but not on something billed as a private island. Labadee was awful, but at least CocoaCay was truly private.
Oh well, enough yammering about RCCL! I'm sorry you had bad service and glad your daughter had fun.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[taswira]

Sorry the Halloween Wonder cruise was a disappointment to you, lisajanetx. I took my 35-year old nephew on that one and we had a FABULOUS time - good food (I've gone enough now to know what I like and don't like so I make the right selections), EXCELLENT service from everyone, no complaints whatsoever except the slightly rainy very windy weather on Castaway Cay that was of course beyond DCL's control but soon improved. This was my 3rd DCL cruise this year and I leave this Sunday on another. As an adult with no kids, I prefer DCL to any other line. Everyone has their own experience, and a lot depends on the CMs you encounter. I am sorry it didn't live up to your expectations.

 

[lisajanetx]

Thanks for everyone's comments. Thanks especially to Barb for the "heads up" on Royal Caribbean. I will probably take an RCCL cruise next, and will make sure to avoid Labadee. It sounds awful. Coco Cay sounds great!

 

[BabySam99]

I just returned from Nov 3 Wonder. I have to say it was one of the best things I have ever done. From begining to end it was perfect, food, drink, fun. My stateroom attendant we loved he was so attentive. Our servers, Slivi and Wayan were the best!!!! Our kids were treated like royalty. All of the food was great and Palos was fabululous. The spa, music, characters I could go on and on...this was THE BEST vacation me and my family has ever experienced!

I am sorry for your trouble...I hope your next cruise will be better!

 

[markey]

I have been to CC 3 times. I think the hammock race is a joke. I really don't care if I get one or not, I never even have time to sit in a chair. I love the water, and we also rent bikes and boats. We also stay from open to close. The part about the hammocks that is funny, and I made sure I keep looking at the hammocks from the water as much as possible this year, is that 99% of the time they are empty, or just holding someone's stuff. On our 2nd time I did get one, and the kids used it a little, but there were also kids next to us that I told to go ahead and use it. It's just like the tables and chairs at the water parks, and around the pools. Why do people think they have to claim something, and sometimes a lot more than they need, not use them and deprive other people from having them?

 

[gottaluvdisney]

I am sorry to hear of your bad experiences.

I just wanted to chime in with my .02 about your stateroom host. He probably threw away the shells that you had collected because you cannot bring shells back. Some shells have living creatures in them and they do not want the possibility of bring back a 'live' shell.

Also - my mother used to say.....if everyone before us had taken shells/rocks/sand, etc. there would be nothing pretty for you to look at- So we must leave them for other people to enjoy.

 

[kamgen]

Sorry you did not enjoy your cruise. I was surprised after reading your post. We have been on 4 cruises with DCL and loved all of them.
As a matter of fact, we didn't get off the ship right away in the morning at CC and we got a hammock. We saw many empty hammocks on our trip.
Also, lunch is one of our favorite times. The buffet is good and we love the pizza, chicken fingers and burgers you can get at the counter service.

Hope you will give DCL another chance someday. It is the best!

Kamy

 

[Bosjoe]

Sorry your vacation wasn't the best. I was on the same cruise you were on. The service I got was great, I guess this all depends on the servers you get. If you thought your service was awful I hope you didn't tip them what the deserved, this should teach them a lesson ( How else will they learn the bad service is not acceptable). Or at least leave go to customer service and tell them your disatifaction. But you are right on with the Hammocks not enough, but then again I was in the water most of the day. If I got one or not it was not going to make me think it was bad.

As for other cruise lines. I think if you have older kids, 14 and up Rccl Mega ships are more geared for adults and older Children. The shows were great. If I had a choise of the 2 It would be RCCL Megas over Disney, main reason is I do not have kids.
and thier adults pool section was lavishing, I broke the rules
on the this last disney cruise with my 14yo brother and used the adult pool with him, He in no way wanted to use the childrens pool area when he could not use the Family pool area when it was being used for the deck shows, or it was close.

One big yes to RCCL is thier Cocoa Cay beach. Hands down fabulous. Labadee wasn't to bad, but they do have the natives there and the beach was to rocky. I understand that these natives need to make money and I didn't feel bothered by them.
Woman seen to have the worst problems with them (not bashing woman here) But you just need to say NO, you show the slightest interest and they are on you like wolves. I think they know woman are more adapt into buying something compare to men.

No flamies please..


Joe

 

[inkkognito]

Originally posted by markey
On our 2nd time I did get one, and the kids used it a little, but there were also kids next to us that I told to go ahead and use it. It's just like the tables and chairs at the water parks, and around the pools. Why do people think they have to claim something, and sometimes a lot more than they need, not use them and deprive other people from having them?

I agree...as a matter of fact, a few trips back we shared our hammock with the people next to us on the adult beach. They turned out to be very pleasant and interesting people to chat with. Why let it sit empty when you can only be in it part of the time anyway? It's like that old fable about the dog in the manger...he didn't eat hay but wouldn't let the cows have any just because it was HIS.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com