11/18 Wonder, pros and cons

[wide awake]

Just back from the 11/18 Wonder, so thought I'd post our pros and cons, pros first.
1. Ship is beautiful. As someone mentioned a week ago there are areas where you can see wear and tear, but these in no way take away from the beauty of the ship.
2. CC jet ski excursion, so much fun! We will definitely do this again.
3. Jo from Entertainment. So funny.
4. Our room hosts were the best we've ever had, so tipped extra and wrote their names on the guest evaluation form.
5. Tiana's Place. Loved the decor, the entertainment, and the food. Favorite restaurant on the DCL ships.
6. 5K at CC.
Cons: Take the below with a grain of salt. I had some bad health news two days before leaving, so while that didn't spoil my trip, it made it harder for me to get into cruise mode. Also, some chronic health issues with DS.
1. I get this is a holiday cruise, so multi-generational groups. That said the kids were running wild the entire cruise. Where normally they'd be in the clubs they were with grandma or grandpa. There were some charmers...kids sitting in the doors of the elevator and holding it up, kids plopping down on my Kindle, kids playing tag in the hall....
2. I was actually bored on the ship, I didn't think the last day would ever end. This has NEVER happened before, and we've done the PC and 10 day Med. Going back to the multi-generation thing, there were tons of craft type activities. I remember a few of those in the past, but not 3-4 EACH day. I loathe crafty type things so obviously this wasn't a win for me. I'm a reader so never understood how people could be bored on a ship but I get it now.
3. Again, lots of large family groups so I understand why there were approximately one million picture taking opportunities, but got really sick of the lines and commotion surrounding those too.
4. Why do people get on the elevator to go down one floor? I always use the stairs if I'm going down, and the stairs if it is three flights or less going up. Yes, yes, I know, there can be hidden handicapping conditions, but not for everyone!
5. Phones. Really people, you're on a cruise, you're supposed to be getting away from normal life and having family time. So many groups sitting around with each member on their phone. Again, I get that there were probably some guests that need to be chained to their phone, but this couldn't be the explanation for all of the phoners. Whatever happened to the concept of being unavailable?
6. Guests not following directions. The announcements were very pointed about specific instructions, and people still ignored them. Don't take pictures while we're on the navel base...out come the phones the second we get in the trolley while we're still on the navel base.
7. Our family doesn't like the Wonder as a ship. Our one four day cruise was on the Wonder, and that probably tainted it for us. I really wanted to love the newly refurbished Wonder, as we're in California so flying to Galveston is a lot cheaper and easier. MCO looked really good by the end of the cruise.

So, will we cruise DCL again? Most likely, but never a holiday week again. I booked the Southern Caribbean for summer 2017, but we are sailing w/ MSC for spring break, so if MSC is a good fit may cancel our Fantasy booking.

 

[queenofeverything]

We were on this sailing as well. There were LOTS of kids. We expected that since it was Thanksgiving week, but it can get annoying. This was our 5th Disney cruise and the only time we have seen that many kids on board was one cruise that offered kids sail free. Jo WAS hysterical. As for getting bored, never! Sorry about your bad news, hope you get better news soon.

 

[Heard02]

We were on this sailing as well.
Agree with the kids comment and I will add so many disrespectful kids running up and down the halls, and slamming doors. Kids throwing sand on each other at Castaway. Kids throwing rocks at each other on Castaway. Slobs leaving their trash on the beach.
We even heard our neighbor kid(s) talking about stealing our FE gifts and they had FE of their own.
Huge, huge lack of parenting seen this trip.

I have never ever seen such disrespect in all the cruises we have done.

 

[lds0191]

Just back from the 11/18 Wonder, so thought I'd post our pros and cons, pros first.
1. Ship is beautiful. As someone mentioned a week ago there are areas where you can see wear and tear, but these in no way take away from the beauty of the ship.
2. CC jet ski excursion, so much fun! We will definitely do this again.
3. Jo from Entertainment. So funny.
4. Our room hosts were the best we've ever had, so tipped extra and wrote their names on the guest evaluation form.
5. Tiana's Place. Loved the decor, the entertainment, and the food. Favorite restaurant on the DCL ships.
6. 5K at CC.
Cons: Take the below with a grain of salt. I had some bad health news two days before leaving, so while that didn't spoil my trip, it made it harder for me to get into cruise mode. Also, some chronic health issues with DS.
1. I get this is a holiday cruise, so multi-generational groups. That said the kids were running wild the entire cruise. Where normally they'd be in the clubs they were with grandma or grandpa. There were some charmers...kids sitting in the doors of the elevator and holding it up, kids plopping down on my Kindle, kids playing tag in the hall....
2. I was actually bored on the ship, I didn't think the last day would ever end. This has NEVER happened before, and we've done the PC and 10 day Med. Going back to the multi-generation thing, there were tons of craft type activities. I remember a few of those in the past, but not 3-4 EACH day. I loathe crafty type things so obviously this wasn't a win for me. I'm a reader so never understood how people could be bored on a ship but I get it now.
3. Again, lots of large family groups so I understand why there were approximately one million picture taking opportunities, but got really sick of the lines and commotion surrounding those too.
4. Why do people get on the elevator to go down one floor? I always use the stairs if I'm going down, and the stairs if it is three flights or less going up. Yes, yes, I know, there can be hidden handicapping conditions, but not for everyone!
5. Phones. Really people, you're on a cruise, you're supposed to be getting away from normal life and having family time. So many groups sitting around with each member on their phone. Again, I get that there were probably some guests that need to be chained to their phone, but this couldn't be the explanation for all of the phoners. Whatever happened to the concept of being unavailable?
6. Guests not following directions. The announcements were very pointed about specific instructions, and people still ignored them. Don't take pictures while we're on the navel base...out come the phones the second we get in the trolley while we're still on the navel base.
7. Our family doesn't like the Wonder as a ship. Our one four day cruise was on the Wonder, and that probably tainted it for us. I really wanted to love the newly refurbished Wonder, as we're in California so flying to Galveston is a lot cheaper and easier. MCO looked really good by the end of the cruise.

So, will we cruise DCL again? Most likely, but never a holiday week again. I booked the Southern Caribbean for summer 2017, but we are sailing w/ MSC for spring break, so if MSC is a good fit may cancel our Fantasy booking.

So sorry to hear you had so many cons for your cruise. Personally, we prefer the Magic and Wonder over the larger ships but that is just a personal preference. We are booked for a 3nt in February on the Wonder and I hope we do not have the issues with the kids that you experienced. We were on the Magic last year for Christmas and there were a lot of kids but for the most part they were well behaved. We did experience so may people not paying attention. This has also gotten worse at the parks. As far as the phones go we do use our cell phones in order to take advantage of the DCL app.

 

[AquaDame]

Just back from the 11/18 Wonder, so thought I'd post our pros and cons, pros first.
1. Ship is beautiful. As someone mentioned a week ago there are areas where you can see wear and tear, but these in no way take away from the beauty of the ship.
2. CC jet ski excursion, so much fun! We will definitely do this again.
3. Jo from Entertainment. So funny.
4. Our room hosts were the best we've ever had, so tipped extra and wrote their names on the guest evaluation form.
5. Tiana's Place. Loved the decor, the entertainment, and the food. Favorite restaurant on the DCL ships.
6. 5K at CC.

I'm glad to see such a nice statement about Tiana's! I'm really excited to try it though I have to wait until October..!

Cons: Take the below with a grain of salt. I had some bad health news two days before leaving, so while that didn't spoil my trip, it made it harder for me to get into cruise mode. Also, some chronic health issues with DS.
1. I get this is a holiday cruise, so multi-generational groups. That said the kids were running wild the entire cruise. Where normally they'd be in the clubs they were with grandma or grandpa. There were some charmers...kids sitting in the doors of the elevator and holding it up, kids plopping down on my Kindle, kids playing tag in the hall....

I'm so sorry you had bad news..! I hope it ends up better than you thought!

2. I was actually bored on the ship, I didn't think the last day would ever end. This has NEVER happened before, and we've done the PC and 10 day Med. Going back to the multi-generation thing, there were tons of craft type activities. I remember a few of those in the past, but not 3-4 EACH day. I loathe crafty type things so obviously this wasn't a win for me. I'm a reader so never understood how people could be bored on a ship but I get it now.

I *like* those activities but I am not sure I could do 3-4 a day every day... I would be all over the gingerbread house of course! Were the others the "normal' stuff like towel folding and paper crafts? Or were they more seasonal at least?

3. Again, lots of large family groups so I understand why there were approximately one million picture taking opportunities, but got really sick of the lines and commotion surrounding those too.

They must need that many too if they were all so nuts! Yow!

4. Why do people get on the elevator to go down one floor? I always use the stairs if I'm going down, and the stairs if it is three flights or less going up. Yes, yes, I know, there can be hidden handicapping conditions, but not for everyone!

Maybe its down to the generational thing again..? Seems like everyone I know over 60 has bad knees these days. If it was really rocky sometimes stairs get more difficult if someone has balance issues too - if these were mostly newer cruisers I could see them using the elevators more. We try to always take the stairs but when its more than 6 as when we get back from an excursion... I admit I push that button if it isn't crowded down there. ^^;

5. Phones. Really people, you're on a cruise, you're supposed to be getting away from normal life and having family time. So many groups sitting around with each member on their phone. Again, I get that there were probably some guests that need to be chained to their phone, but this couldn't be the explanation for all of the phoners. Whatever happened to the concept of being unavailable?

My husband and I are frequently guilty of this... we have games installed on our phones and when relaxing we are actually more likely to play those than read. Well, except on cruises... I do tend to read a lot more there than at home, but I definitely still play games too. We do zero work but I am sure to others we look very self important and diligent. ::haha::

6. Guests not following directions. The announcements were very pointed about specific instructions, and people still ignored them. Don't take pictures while we're on the navel base...out come the phones the second we get in the trolley while we're still on the navel base.

Happens everywhere... I volunteer at our local zoo and the things people do astounds me. I will ask someone not to use the flash at night (the pics aren't going to come out regardless!) and they do it anyway which really bothers some of the animals. Heck, I cant even convince them that ignoring the signs saying don't climb on the fences/rocks is a bad idea for their kids. It sucks being toothless.

7. Our family doesn't like the Wonder as a ship. Our one four day cruise was on the Wonder, and that probably tainted it for us. I really wanted to love the newly refurbished Wonder, as we're in California so flying to Galveston is a lot cheaper and easier. MCO looked really good by the end of the cruise.

I am not sure I would like going out of Galveston either, but I do dearly love the Wonder. Interesting thought on the short cruise though... the first time we sailed the Magic it was a 3-night and she is definitely my least favorite ship. On the other hand I'm fine with the Dream and we've only had the one 4-night on her... hmm...

So, will we cruise DCL again? Most likely, but never a holiday week again. I booked the Southern Caribbean for summer 2017, but we are sailing w/ MSC for spring break, so if MSC is a good fit may cancel our Fantasy booking.

Thank you! This has given me a lot to think about...

 

[gotomu212]

I never understand why the sight of other people on electronic devises annoy people. I never look at a family reading books and say "ugh look at them reading their books not talking to each other". Why does it matter if they are reading on their phones or playing games.

 

[Dug720]

I never understand why the sight of other people on electronic devises annoy people. I never look at a family reading books and say "ugh look at them reading their books not talking to each other". Why does it matter if they are reading on their phones or playing games.

Ok, I'll give you that for hanging out (I don't get it, but that's probably because I don't live with my family so when we get to hang out it's special), BUT...

The way people go on and on about not wanting to sit with others because "we want family time" and then see entire tables of kids and even parents buried in devices...that does make me roll my eyes. Perhaps the people clamoring for family time aren't the ones on devices, but the last DCL (and RCCL to be honest) cruise I was on, the number of those interacting with devices leads me to believe that at least some of those "dinner is family time" people ARE in fact having "family time" with everyone on his/her own device.

 

[Steve Dexter]

I never understand why the sight of other people on electronic devises annoy people. I never look at a family reading books and say "ugh look at them reading their books not talking to each other". Why does it matter if they are reading on their phones or playing games.

This! x 1,000! I never understand it either.

 

[katellynne]

we were on the first 4 day sailing, but i noticed a few of the things you pointed out even on that shorter cruise. i think dcl-at least on the wonder-is messing with the scheduling of things, like movies in Buena Vista Theater, characters and apparently craft opportunities as well LOL No, but seriously i assumed it was due to the shorter cruise but many people complained about lack of opportunities to get photos or signatures and the lines i was saw were unprecedented. this was my 3rd cruise this year, which isn't many compared to some, and 9th to date but the first one that i never ended up seeing a movie in the theater. and that is a definite first for me teens! the just only offered limiting showings. and 4 day or not this is not the first shorter cruise we have ever taken...we are about 50/50 with the longer 7 days. i am a reader too and even so i could see how if our cruise went the same as yours for 3 more days i just might have been bored too on the last day! i didn't do any of the craft sessions, the ones offered on our cruise were mostly seasonal-ornament etc.

 

[LunaPrincess]

We were on this sailing too. First Disney cruise. Agree with your #1 pro.

We were in Tiana's 3 days and I will say the first two days were great but the last was just ok as there was no live entertainment. I also wish they'd offered the beignets on more than one night!

I can't say we experienced your #1 con. I guess because we had young kids of our own to worry about! We were expecting a lot of kids due to it being Thanksgiving week. The only time I was annoyed by some of the kids was in the kids clubs during open house.

The one day I felt there was a lack of things to do was the last sea day. But it was welcomed as we took a much needed afternoon nap and finished packing.