12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[drag n' fly]

I think I remember reading here on the Boards that Atlantis treats Disney cruisers like red-headed stepchildren at their beach. There is only a small beach segment that DCL passengers are allowed on, and I am thinking that you couldn't use the Atlantis beach chairs and umbrellas. Whatever I read, it was enough to change my mind about going there. Was a few months ago, though.

A

I am glad to hear this. Honestly I am reading very little that is positive about the Nassau stop. Not really the way I planned our Christmas Day. Makes me want to stay on the boat!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I am glad to hear this. Honestly I am reading very little that is positive about the Nassau stop. Not really the way I planned our Christmas Day. Makes me want to stay on the boat!

Awww... it will be swell. When we were in Cozumel, we made a less than fabulous choice on our shore excursion and bad weather complicated it further. Our shore excursion nearly kept all of us who had booked it, including one cast member in training, from making the boat. There were really unhappy people on our bus who were being pissy (loudly) and we just chose to make it fun. We kept drinking the free beer and laughing about what a funny story it would be to tell our grandkids about being marooned on a Mexican Island. One of the things that I found most helpful in planning this trip and the one prior was to use the ratings in Passporter. They give less than stellar ratings to Atlantis. They were spot-on on everything we did on the Western. Unfortunately we chose to try a new and unrated shore excursion in Cozumel. We were sorry. A little bit... not much... let me tell you about the time I was kidnapped by a beer drinking Mexican Tour guide and his amigo Don Francisco...

 

[drag n' fly]

Awww... it will be swell. When we were in Cozumel, we made a less than fabulous choice on our shore excursion and bad weather complicated it further. Our shore excursion nearly kept all of us who had booked it, including one cast member in training, from making the boat. There were really unhappy people on our bus who were being pissy (loudly) and we just chose to make it fun. We kept drinking the free beer and laughing about what a funny story it would be to tell our grandkids about being marooned on a Mexican Island. One of the things that I found most helpful in planning this trip and the one prior was to use the ratings in Passporter. They give less than stellar ratings to Atlantis. They were spot-on on everything we did on the Western. Unfortunately we chose to try a new and unrated shore excursion in Cozumel. We were sorry. A little bit... not much... let me tell you about the time I was kidnapped by a beer drinking Mexican Tour guide and his amigo Don Francisco...

Well I did exactly as you suggested and went back to my passporter. We are going to do the stingray encounter. It provides the kind of day we are looking for without being gouged to death. We love Mexico it is a cheap and easy trip for us being out west. For our honeymoon we went to Huatulco and snorkled the seven bays it was so beautiful. However since we are Canadian we will never step foot in there again. They are knocking Canadians off left right and centre and the Mexican police are very corrupt. I wish I could go back. Anorther reason we bought DVC at least it is safer!

 

[brendalee59]

We're supposed to get some with ya! Don't forget. The water park is expensive. I think we will do the dolphins in Nassau and do a city walking tour. Gotta get DD (Victoria) in a picture in front of the statue of Queen Victoria!! She played her one time. She kept going around saying "Off with their heads!!" Mind you, that was in 6th grade.

As for CC....what is SB, Brenda? I know I want to snorkel at least. Will have to go without DD so I can go first thing in the morning to get good pics. Don't know what to do with DS 11 yet. Is there a group for him or will he have to be with us? Always wanted to do a banana boat ride but DH will most likely sing the theme song to JAWS while on it. I think I might like the parasailing too.

Serenity Bay. it's the adult only beach,and it is sooooo beautiful and peaceful there. Last time, Dale and I spent the morning at Serenity Bay,while the kids were in their area. (yes, I forgot what it was called) We picked them up had lunch and spent the rest of the day on the family beach.

Dale would be singing it too. I'm really hoping the kids do the teen activity,so Dale and I cab have a couples massage at SB. Then Lindsey and I can parasail after lunch.

Oh yeah, I have gotten a couple recomendations for restaurants that serve good conch

 

[brendalee59]

I think I remember reading here on the Boards that Atlantis treats Disney cruisers like red-headed stepchildren at their beach. There is only a small beach segment that DCL passengers are allowed on, and I am thinking that you couldn't use the Atlantis beach chairs and umbrellas. Whatever I read, it was enough to change my mind about going there. Was a few months ago, though.

A

I doubt it's just Disney they treat that way. I'm pretty sure it's all the cruislines. After all, they have plenty of folks staying at their resort, so any revenue they get from cruise ship passengers is just icing on the cake. I enjoy the beach, but feel no need for two in a row. If we get off the ship for more than lunching on some conch will depend of if the captain alters the itinerary so we aren't in Nassau on Christmas day. I have little disire to mingle among locals who have been celebrating Junkanoo all night. Esp if the shops aren't going to be open.

 

[brendalee59]

Well I did exactly as you suggested and went back to my passporter. We are going to do the stingray encounter. It provides the kind of day we are looking for without being gouged to death. We love Mexico it is a cheap and easy trip for us being out west. For our honeymoon we went to Huatulco and snorkled the seven bays it was so beautiful. However since we are Canadian we will never step foot in there again. They are knocking Canadians off left right and centre and the Mexican police are very corrupt. I wish I could go back. Anorther reason we bought DVC at least it is safer!

We've done the stingrays in Grand Cayman twice. Loved it the first time. The second the waves were much to high,and kept rolling over my head Needless to say that experience wasn't as much fun as the first.

Cozumel is one of my favorite ports. been there three times, and could go back again and again. The shopping is affordable(or was in 2006 at least) Plenty of great shore excursions to choose from too. Last time we did the Royal dolphin swim. OMG that was incredible!

 

[brendalee59]

Awww... it will be swell. When we were in Cozumel, we made a less than fabulous choice on our shore excursion and bad weather complicated it further. Our shore excursion nearly kept all of us who had booked it, including one cast member in training, from making the boat. There were really unhappy people on our bus who were being pissy (loudly) and we just chose to make it fun. We kept drinking the free beer and laughing about what a funny story it would be to tell our grandkids about being marooned on a Mexican Island. One of the things that I found most helpful in planning this trip and the one prior was to use the ratings in Passporter. They give less than stellar ratings to Atlantis. They were spot-on on everything we did on the Western. Unfortunately we chose to try a new and unrated shore excursion in Cozumel. We were sorry. A little bit... not much... let me tell you about the time I was kidnapped by a beer drinking Mexican Tour guide and his amigo Don Francisco...

Yes, do tell Adrianna,we're all ears errr eyes

 

[drag n' fly]

Well today we made a minor adjustment to our holiday plans. We are knocking off one day in Tampa and adding it on at Disney. We booked Por one night and then will move over to AKV the next morning. That gives us one more full day in Disney and the kids can do MK also.

 

[brendalee59]

Well today we made a minor adjustment to our holiday plans. We are knocking off one day in Tampa and adding it on at Disney. We booked Por one night and then will move over to AKV the next morning. That gives us one more full day in Disney and the kids can do MK also.

Great news Annette So how many days are you guys going to be in WDW? I just realized, we get to make our ADRs in 10 days And I STILL don't know for sure what we are going to get Lindsey is going to sit down with me and hopefully, we can get it figured out. I'm about ready to say we will stick to counter service.

 

[drag n' fly]

Great news Annette So how many days are you guys going to be in WDW? I just realized, we get to make our ADRs in 10 days And I STILL don't know for sure what we are going to get Lindsey is going to sit down with me and hopefully, we can get it figured out. I'm about ready to say we will stick to counter service.

That gives us Sun, Mon and Tues now. We have to book everything ourselves for Sunday because we are at Por but concierge is going to do the rest of the bookings for us for Mon and Tues! We have everything planned out so we are good to go I just hope we get the bookings we want!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Well today we made a minor adjustment to our holiday plans. We are knocking off one day in Tampa and adding it on at Disney. We booked Por one night and then will move over to AKV the next morning. That gives us one more full day in Disney and the kids can do MK also.

Woo-hoo! We love ya Disney!!!

We did the stingray encounter at Castaway Cay.

 

[brendalee59]

That gives us Sun, Mon and Tues now. We have to book everything ourselves for Sunday because we are at Por but concierge is going to do the rest of the bookings for us for Mon and Tues! We have everything planned out so we are good to go I just hope we get the bookings we want!

That's great. We arrive Sat. morning. Man trying to figure out what time we want to eat is hard work. It shouldn't be this hard,but we usually wing it. I'm afraid I'll make ADRs and then no one will want to stop what we are doing to go clean up and make the restaurant for dinner. I know where, just trying to nail down a when.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Yes, do tell Adrianna,we're all ears errr eyes

Better told in person. I'm funnier that way! I'll just say that it was evident that our tourguides were getting kickbacks every time they stopped. We were stopping a lot. Jim Bob's house of scuba, this silver emporium, that silver emporium, some museum's gift store. It was so bad that at one point we stopped at some sort of Reggae Bar and nobody would get off the bus.

It was supposed to be a 4 hour snorkel and beach adventure that took 7 hours, mostly surprise shopping stops. We were on board minutes before the "all aboard" time. And the tourguide was drinking beer the whole time. Always an adventure!

 

[brendalee59]

Woo-hoo! We love ya Disney!!!

We did the stingray encounter at Castaway Cay.

Hiya girl.
You snuck in while I was typing didn't ya? How is your little guy now? All better I hope.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hiya girl.
You snuck in while I was typing didn't ya? How is your little guy now? All better I hope.

Yeah, he's mostly back to normal. Just in the last few days he's been willing to eat regular food, but he still complains it makes his cheeks and ears hurt. The Dr. said that ear pain would be normal, but this long? We have our follow up post surgery visit with Dr. Snell Monday. His breath stopped stinking a few days ago. I thought that was going to kill me. I had the flu and every time I smelled his breath I got queasy. He has been a trooper, though. I am very proud of him! Quite the little man.

Thanks for asking.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hi all! I just discovered that December park hours/Extra Magic Hours are posted for the month of December on the WDW web site. I think I checked last week and they were not yet posted. This may help some of y'all deciding where to make your ADRs based on which park you think you'll be in that day.

Toodles. We're off to the community pool before the thunder storms roll in.

 

[TXdeVille]

I think I remember reading here on the Boards that Atlantis treats Disney cruisers like red-headed stepchildren at their beach. There is only a small beach segment that DCL passengers are allowed on, and I am thinking that you couldn't use the Atlantis beach chairs and umbrellas. Whatever I read, it was enough to change my mind about going there. Was a few months ago, though.

A

I wouldn't be surprised. I was talking to someone the other day who has friends that are at Atlantis right now and did the dolphin thing at the resort. I didn't know it was actually at the resort and mentioned how I would like to know which one because it was probably the same one we will be doing. She looked at me like "Yeah, right. It is definitely not the same one. It's only for the resort guests." Snobs....Makes me think twice about ever using our DVC points to go to Atlantis...

 

[TXdeVille]

We did the stingray encounter at Castaway Cay.

Annette,
You might want to consider doing the stingrays at CC. I remember reading a post somewhere that the stingrays at CC have their barbs removed and someone wasn't sure about the ones in Nassau. Passporter even said that if you are unsure about which port to do the stingrays in to do it at CC. With all the deaths lately about stingray barbs, I got antsy. The only downside to CC was some said that the sand gets stirred up and the snorkeling is poor. Wonder if we can do more research about this???

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Both stingray excursions rate a 9 in Passporter, so I don't think you can go wrong. Hands down, this was my favorite excursion and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Not sure how many people they let in the water at a time in Nassau, but at Castaway Cay, they only let 25 or so people in the water per hour. I imagine the sand gets stirred up regardless, but here is a picture of my son chasing a stingray near the end of our time in the stingray area and you can see it pretty clearly in the water:

Courtney, your snotty friend was wrong. There are actually 2 dolphin encounters at Nassau and one is at Atlantis. The difference is the price:

Atlantis Dolphin Encounter:
$285 Adult/$245 Child
Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter:
$99 Adult/$84 Child

Granted, the Atlantis one gets you into the Atlantis water park as well, but Sheesh. That would be $1060 for my little family. "Holy Chowdah!" my east coast auntie would say. And the Blue Lagoon gives you the option of taking members of your party as observers for $35 and they can just enjoy the beach day. Since the baby is too young to go in... and free... hubby will just hold her. So that's $218 for our family which is not chump change by any means, but like 25% of the Atlantis price.

 

[drag n' fly]

Annette,
You might want to consider doing the stingrays at CC. I remember reading a post somewhere that the stingrays at CC have their barbs removed and someone wasn't sure about the ones in Nassau. Passporter even said that if you are unsure about which port to do the stingrays in to do it at CC. With all the deaths lately about stingray barbs, I got antsy. The only downside to CC was some said that the sand gets stirred up and the snorkeling is poor. Wonder if we can do more research about this???

good point I will ask on the main board!