8/17/2008 Double Dip 4-day Wonder

[Ski-and-Sea]

Hey everyone,

Wanted to post the news that we'll be leaving Nassau at 5:15pm and not 7:15pm; so that's two hours earlier.

Yet the ship still arrives at the same time so we all have two hours less time in Nassau.

We had booked a private snorkeling excursion and had it cancelled because we would have gotten back too late.

We're really bummed about this.

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Is 5.15 the time we embark on the ship, or the time it leaves the port? I'm trying to figure out what to do at Nassau.

Also, what is there to do at Nassau if we don't book any excursions? We want to go to the Ardastra Gardens but we only get an hour there. That seems such a shame Is there anyway we can spend longer there?

Sorry so many questions ~ we're all excited!

 

[5lilfish]

Also, what is there to do at Nassau if we don't book any excursions? We want to go to the Ardastra Gardens but we only get an hour there. That seems such a shame Is there anyway we can spend longer there?

We took a cab to Ardastra Gardens and did it on our own. We got there in plenty of time to do the first Flamingo March. We absolutely loved feeding the lorakeets. I'd say we probably spent 2 - 2 1/2 hrs at the Zoo.

Jess

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

We took a cab to Ardastra Gardens and did it on our own. We got there in plenty of time to do the first Flamingo March. We absolutely loved feeding the lorakeets. I'd say we probably spent 2 - 2 1/2 hrs at the Zoo.

Jess

Thanks ~ I'm just worried about getting back for the ship ~ is it easy to get a cab back on time?

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

The 5:15 is when we have to be back onboard.

I seem to remember the last time I was in Nassau that cabs were easy to find. Just leave plenty of time.

I'm really miffed at the time change. When you are visiting a port, you should have the time to explore the place at a leisurely pace and not be rushed.

What's the point in visiting if you are there for such a short period of time?

And let's be honest.....the ship is not sailing long distances to go from Castaway Cay to Nassau and back to Castaway Cay. I don't see the need to depart early.

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Why are we departing early? I haven't been notified of anything ~ I'm glad I signed up to this thread.

 

[Pixiedustdawn]

Hi Ski,

How did you find out about this? Is there a problem witht he port, or the ship?

Dawn

 

[Coach Rick]

Hello all. Well I am in a better frame of mind than I was before. Dad has recovered somewhat, but I still know there is no way he would be stable enough to travel. He is being moved to a rehab facility to get some of his strength back. I canceled their reservations (moms request), along with my sisters (her request), but have held on to mine. I don't know how to break it to dad that it's canceled. He mentioned it today that he is really looking forward to it, but he is so much weaker now, and I don't see how he can travel like that. As for us, I figure if worse comes to worse, I will just put a claim in for the insurance. That's why we pay for it, right. Anyhow, as of now, the Coach will sail.

I will have that link up for the shirts by mid week next week. I will announce it right here.

I want to thank you all for all your kind words, and prayers. It certainly is comforting, and appreciated very much! And more importantly, I believe in my heart they are working!

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Hello all. Well I am in a better frame of mind than I was before. Dad has recovered somewhat, but I still know there is no way he would be stable enough to travel. He is being moved to a rehab facility to get some of his strength back. I canceled their reservations (moms request), along with my sisters (her request), but have held on to mine. I don't know how to break it to dad that it's canceled. He mentioned it today that he is really looking forward to it, but he is so much weaker now, and I don't see how he can travel like that. As for us, I figure if worse comes to worse, I will just put a claim in for the insurance. That's why we pay for it, right. Anyhow, as of now, the Coach will sail.

I will have that link up for the shirts by mid week next week. I will announce it right here.

I want to thank you all for all your kind words, and prayers. It certainly is comforting, and appreciated very much! And more importantly, I believe in my heart they are working!

It's so good to hear your dad is recovering slowly ~ and good to have you back too. We'll keep our thoughts with you. If there's anything we can do to cheer you at all, or make things easier, let us know

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Coach Rick - that is encouraging news....we're all pulling for you. What a terrible situation.

For everyone else.....here's how I found out about the time change:
A trip report from a 4-night double dip cruise mentioned the change
A navigator from the first 4-night double dip lists the departure time as 5:15pm
I emailed DCL and they confirmed the time change for both the 3 and 4-night Wonder cruises.

And yes, DCL has not "publicly" announced this.

The email from DCL didn't give a reason.

I don't like that DCL is not contacting all the passengers about the time change. Its one thing to spend more time in a port (that happened to us once in Cozumel) but cutting time short by 2 hours is something that should be mentioned.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Glad to hear the positive news Coach. I hope your dad does better each day.

As for the other news, I can't believe we are leaving Nassau that early. I agree, it's not like we sail anywhere. Last year while we were "at sea" it was the slowest moving ship I was ever on going around in circles. With oil prices, we'll probably go even slower.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

As for the other news, I can't believe we are leaving Nassau that early. I agree, it's not like we sail anywhere. Last year while we were "at sea" it was the slowest moving ship I was ever on going around in circles. With oil prices, we'll probably go even slower.

I remember the same thing the last time on the Wonder - I swear it seemed like the Captain turned off the engines and we just coasted during the sea day.

 

[Lynda Silk]

Coach Rick, I' was also so happy to hear the latest news about your dad, and as everyone has said, we're all here for you and sending out positive vibes.

Well, maybe it is due to the oil prices that they've changed the departure time from Nassau. It's a good thing you found out now, Sea-and-Ski, and were able to cancel your snorkelling excursion, although it's a shame that you have to miss out on that. It's a good thing you are so organized and are keeping an eye on such things. Imagine how awful it would have been to not know until you were onboard!

 

[Pixiedustdawn]

Coach Rick, we will continue praying!


I agree with Lynda, I believe it has something to do with the price of oil.

They should let people know because plans are being made.

Dawn

 

[delauzons]

Coach Rick-Glad to hear your spirits are a little better! Prayers are with you.

Question about our cruise-are we doing the fish extenders on our cruise? If so-I would like to be included and I'm pretty sure the family we are travelling with would like to also! Please let me know.
Stephanie

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

I agree with Lynda, I believe it has something to do with the price of oil.


Dawn

With the way gas prices are going I bet the castaway club present will be a pair of oars and we'll be rowing the ship to Nassau and CC. Maybe that's why we have to leave Nassau so soon.

Question about our cruise-are we doing the fish extenders on our cruise? If so-I would like to be included and I'm pretty sure the family we are travelling with would like to also! Please let me know.
Stephanie

I don't think we've talked about fish extenders......

What are everyone's thoughts?

 

[Dizzyworld]

I can't believe that I have to tell my DD(13) that Disney changed the groupings for the kids, she will not be able to go to the Loft. She is placed with the new 11-13 group. My DS will be almost 15, and they were looking forward to hanging together. The only reason we are doing another DCL cruise is because she said she wanted to try the teen level at least once. I know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but to her it is.

 

[delauzons]

I have a 13 year old also but I thoght the change was on trial on the Magic for the summer. I posted a question about it on this board and was told it wouldn't affect our cruise. Anyone else hear any info on this?

 

[disnutz]

It doesn;t effect the Wonder because there is no Lab on the wonder, so there is no way to change the groups. It is only on the Magic.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Don't worry Dizzy......the change is to Oceans Quest on the Magic. Everything is the same on the Wonder.

But speaking of changes.....did you all see the post about the time change to the pirate party. Its now at 7:30 instead of 9:45.

And I also read there will be only one early dinner time and one late dinner time rather than the staggered dining times.

I bet the pirate party starting earlier is the reason we're leaving Nassau earlier. The ship probably has to be far enough in open waters to launch the fireworks.

It is brutally hot here in NJ. Yesterday it hit 97 degrees. And it will continue that hot through Tuesday. No way I can be outdoors with the cast on.

Had another scare last week when I fell trying to get up out of a chair. Landed right on the cast. I bruised my knee and my big toe but everything else is okay.

The cast comes off on Thursday.