A Quick Hello From The Wonder

[CarolAnnC]

Hi everyone! We are here enjoying the 4 day DVC Member Cruise and currently enroute to Nassau. Had a beautiful sunny, mid 70's day at Castaway Cay today. We return there Wednesday as a special itinerary for this cruise only.

One thing of interest, I noticed the Unlimited Soda Program is now $20 for this cruise, which includes a sticker on your room key card. The souvenir mug and strap can be purchased for an additional $5 with the program if you desire to use that.

I had my first visit to Serenity Bay, the adult beach, today and found it to be quite busy and crowded! John and I actually headed back to Cookie's Barbque for lunch and enjoyed that very much.

I will be dining at Palo's this evening, my first time in my 5 Disney Cruises! No DD's this time, so we are free to dine in the 18 yrs and up restaurant. I will report back later on our experience!

The last noteworthy item is that The Wonder pulled in front first at the Castaway Cay dock this morning! Very unusual and something I had not seen the past couple of years as they usually back in.

Ok, off to enjoy the cruise! Take care all...

 

[Hopkins]

Thanks for checking in with us! I'd love to have the Wonder/Magic docked forward at Castaway Cay. I think it's much prettier that way, but I guess harder to pull away .

Tina

 

[CarolAnnC]

Yes, Crissup picked up the photos at Shutters that we had taken in front of the ship as we headed for the island. They are beautiful with the front of the ship, so majestic looking!!

I am wondering if our second Castaway Cay day on Wednesday will find us backed in so everyone ends up with the nice view?

I am off to my first dinner at Palo's soon here. I hear the chocolate souffle is to die for...hehehe!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Palo's was excellent! Had Sea Bass along with some yummy appetizers and the obligatory Chocolate Soufle as well as a very good custard dessert. Surprisingly, there were empty tables there and it was not as crowded as I would have expected. On to Nassau now..

 

[pal2pluto]

Did I miss something? You're doing CC, Nassau, CC? What's up with that? I know I missed something!!

 

[LindaBabe]

special DVC cruise.

 

[maude39918]

Do you know if they were giving stickers instead of mugs for AAA members also? I know that the aaa mugs are different that the cruise ship mugs. I would rather have the stickers, so I am hoping the they are doing the stickers also. Then you don't have to carry around the mug.

 

[Michelle]

Carol!

Glad you're having an excellent time! I think the adult beach on CC may have been more crowded because there is an unusually high proportion of adults on this cruise. It has never been that crowded the times I have been there.

Enjoy!

 

[madcoco]

We have not used our mugs yet.They put a sticker on our cards($20) and we just show them to the CM to receive our drinks. The weather has been wonderful and the seas calm.
We are in port at Nassau Don't even know if we are getting off the ship today.There are 3 other cruise ships in port and a Navy Destroyer class ship pulled in right behind us. Looks like it will be a busy day in port. The DCL CMs (and fellow DVCers) are doing a wonderful job in making the SS Member Cruise a memorable experience.

CarolAnnK hope to get to meet you before we leave.Sometimes it's like a needle in a haystack on this ship.Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Madcoco! Hope to meet you as well. We were at the DVC Sailaway meet but very crowded there as you must know!

Not sure abou the AAA mug situation as all passengers on this cruised booked through DVC Member Services, hence no AAA mugs given out anyway. I will keep my ears open to see if I can find out.

Yes, Michelle, not many children it seems on this cruise, or I just do not run into them, LOL!

Gorgeous day here in Nassau! I just finished a manicure and pedicure at the spa and not sure what plans are for rest of day yet! I will check in later..

 

[Towncrier]

Great to hear from you Carol and John. Regarding Palo ressies. When DW Sue and I cruised on the 3-day last November, there were apparently empty tables at Palo each night. Apparently a lot of cruisers do not want to miss their one and only chance to see each dining room. I would imagine that Castaway Club members would be more likely to try Palo. My DW has been on 4 Disney cruises and has yet to eat at Palo. She promises me that we will go there on our next cruise (whenever that might be).

I want to hear all about your cruise (and the DVC goodies) when you get back Carol. And you must post some pictures too.

Take care and continue having a great time.

 

[pal2pluto]

Looks to me like madcoco and CarolAnnK were in the internet cafe at the same time! Look around!!!!!

 

[taswira]

CarolAnn - Do you think the increased soda program price is <I>for this cruise only</I>? Just wondered if that might be possible, since I believe the cost of the cruise itself was a bit more than usual, wasn't it?

Who is your server? I am still desperately trying to find someone to get a message to Mario from Croatia for me.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise. We all look forward to your trip report!

Shari

 

[CarolAnnC]

The signs regarding the soda program pricing seem pretty permanent to me, not like something just made for this particular cruise. The price of the cruise was not more, in fact I paid more last July for the 3 day cruise than I did for this 4 day cruise. The cruisers for this chartered voyage could use their DVC Points or pay a cash rate. Sorry but my servers are from Bulgaria and France, lol. One last note, the DVC cruisers have been offered vouchers good for up to 50% off on their next cruise, booking dates up through 14 months from now! Excellent news for DVC folks! Catch ya'll later!

 

[reneesam]

Oh Carol I love to hear your updates! Tell us, are the DVC discounts only for the cruisers on the special cruise or are they going to all DVCers who cruise soon? Also, I hate to ask, but any signs of illness around? (we're cruising Saturday and I'm interested for more than casual reasons...although we'll be on the Magic!)
Have a great time and hi to all the lucky DVCers and DISers!
Renee

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I have a question, did DVC "take over" the ship for 4 days? And, is it really only DVC members onboard? Is the ship full? And, what happened to the category 1, 2, and 3 staterooms?

Thanks Carol!

 

[Towncrier]

I can answer the first question. DVC did indeed book the entire ship.

 

[MarkRG]

Ok, I can cover one of these too!

Cat 1,2,3 rooms are being used by the DVC bosses who are ALL on this cruise!

They're using the Walt & Roy suites for invite only receptions.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Ok, let me try to answer your questions,lol.

The DVC discount is an offer being made to the members cruising on this ship right now. You must go pick it up from a particular CM at certain times, although I was fortunate enough to run into her on Castaway Cay in an info booth and was able to obtain my certificate at that time. They are allowing booking up to 14 months from this cruise date to qualify for the discount.

No signs of illness, unless you count the headcold I developed yesterday, LOL!!

DVC has, in fact, chartered the Wonder for this cruise and the passengers are all DVC Members. As MarkRG stated, there are many DVC employees on board, as well as various guest speakers, entertainers and other important folks who are occupying the Category 1, 2 and 3. There really are not that many staterooms total in those categories though.

I have to say here that the DVC has gone all out with gifts and perks on this cruise! Each day a surprise gift has arrived in our stateroom. In fact, just a few minutes ago Crissup and I received gorgeous DVC Member Cruise T-shirts with logos and in a nice blue color. We are scheduled to wear them tomorrow for a group picture on Castaway Cay.

Another beautiful weather day here. Sunny and mid to high 70's I would say. Breezy at night out on deck though so a sweater is still in order, or a light jacket.

We ordered room service on embarkation day since we were running around and missed the lunch buffet, LOL! Very tasty chili, cheese pizza and cheese and crackers. Yummy!

 

[madcoco]

CarolAnnK We missed you again. Playing computer tag. LOL

As far as illness goes, personally we have not seen one person with the dreaded signs of a virus yet.
Have to agree. Disney has went all out with the extras. Hats, pins, towels, tshirts,lanyards, free drink coupons , DVC tattoos, a chance for $1500 credit for annual dues etc. DD was given a mousepad and watch for some type of promo photos they took with kids from Common Grounds yesterday afternoon. Our tablemates won(at a member update) an invite to one of the cocktail receptions in the Roy Disney Suite this past evening. They were also given a set of SS Member Cruise wine glasses at the party. Hope the DVC cruise becomes a regular event.