Another 10 Night Southern Report -Long, Really Long!

[HiYaPal]

Background on us: Veteran Cruisers but first Disney Cruise. DW – 49, DH – 54 Traveling without kids.

Pre-cruise (Wednesday - 9/6/2006)
Once we found our way to the DisBoards, we believe the cruise experience started for us! Checking the boards, making our fish extender, planning our fishy gifts, and chatting on the phone with other Disers really added a new and wonderful element to this trip. It was so much fun to plan and we were very anxious to meet everyone. Due to possible hurricanes and the shuttle launch we changed our air flights to the day before to ensure that we would make the sailing. We always try to fly out the day before because it is so much nicer to arrive at the ship rested and ready to sail. This is the only time we were going to fly out the same day because we wanted to do the Disney transfers. However, worry got the best of me and we left on Wednesday and stayed at the Marriott at the airport. But first we stopped at the Disney store at the airport to stock up on pirate wear. I got the pirate Mickey ears and DH got a POC t-shirt. We used Marriott’s free shuttle and were at the hotel in about 5 minutes. We watched a great lighting storm from our window. We were very glad we were already in Florida!

General Info:
Ship: Disney Wonder
Itinerary: 10 Day Southern Caribbean
Captain : Captain Henry (Sweden)
Cruise Director: Brent (Australia)
Assistant Cruise Director: Christiaan (U.S.A)
Live Music: NTWINE (deck parties and clubs), Bobby Hamilton (piano), Tim Moss (piano), Ben and Dana (evenings in Promenade Lounge)
DJ: Brian
Server: Mark Anthony Salvacion Kapal (Philippines), Assistant Server: Jackie Brown (Jamaica) and Head Server: Jeff (“real name” Japheth Omwenga)
Stateroom Host: Christopher Raphael Tribhuwa

Day 1 Embarkation (Thursday – 9/7/2006)
Lunch available in Parrot Cay or Beach Blanket
Event: Muster Drill and Sail Away Celebration Deck Party
Evening Attire: Cruise Casual
Dinner Menu: Let the Magic Begin in all restaurants
Dining Rotation: Triton’s
Live Stage Show in the Walt Disney Theatre: Welcome Aboard Show –Mike Super (magic and illusions) and Michael Harrison (comedy and ventriloquism) and the Disney Wonder Dancers
Movies available in Buena Vista Theatre: The Shaggy Dog
Movies available on stateroom TV (Thursday – Monday): American Dreamz, Chicken Little, Eight Below, Rumor Has It, Chronicles of Narnia, Keeping Up with the Steins
Scheduled Character Appearances: Minnie, Dopey, Donald, Lilo, Stitch
Note: NFL Miami vs. Pittsburgh and the Canadian Open PGA Golf shown in Diversions.

We caught the 9:30 Marriott shuttle to the airport and they dropped us off right at the Disney Transfer area. We checked in and were given an “O” so we were on the second set of buses. A castmember told us they were about to bring down all of the people who were staying at the Hyatt, so we should get in line right away. So, we were actually in front of the Hyatt people. The “W” bus (the first set of buses) were people who were at the airport very early…I am guessing people who took red eye flights. We met two Disers in line (Celia – Tinkerme1 and Chris – Chipper) who we linked dining reservations with after meeting on the boards. We all ended up on the same bus and so we developed our game plan for once we embarked. Our plan was Celia and Chris, as Castaway Club members would get on the ship before us so Celia would go to Guest Services to work on Galley Tour tickets, Bridge Tour tickets, etc. and Chris would go to WaveBands to work on Palo Brunch reservations. Then we would all meet up at Parrot Cay for lunch. The film shown on the bus was the first thing that made me cry. It was so magical and a great introduction to our cruise. It was timed to end just as we went over the bridge and could see the ship for the first time. Fortunately, the shuttle launch was delayed, so we didn’t hit any traffic.

We arrived at the terminal and met up with FirstTimers, Alex and Carolyn, who were handing out the lanyards they made. They were awesome. Not only did the lanyards make it easy to spot other Disers, but so many Disers had the logo printed on shirts that it was really easy to meet the other people we had talked to on the boards. Celia told me where to watch for Captain Mickey and we were able to be one of the first people in line to get a photo with him. As it turns out Celia and Chris pulled # 4 and we pulled #5, so we got on the Wonder right after them.

Yes, no matter how many times you have cruised, it is a magical moment when they announce you upon boarding and you get applauded and escorted by a cast member through the lobby.

We notice Celia is still at Guest Services so we head over to help her. It turns out that they have no information on the Galley Tour so Maria made a few calls and found out that tickets would not be needed but the tours were scheduled for the 3rd and 4th sea day. (Note: Later in the cruise they did decide to issue tickets for the tours due to the number of people who wanted to attend). We then met up with Karen and Ed (poohluv2u) and headed over to WaveBands to help Chris. More success! We are scheduled for Palo Brunch on the 2nd day at sea, which will work perfectly since we have our DisBoard wine tasting later that afternoon. We finally meet up with Cheryl and John (micmse2003) and our dinner table group is complete!

We head to Parrot Cay for lunch and have a wonderful meal. Karen and I talked to one of the Chefs and inquired about the ingredients in the chocolate cake since I have food allergies. Before we knew it, he had a special chocolate dessert (minus the allergy ingredients) delivered to our table. It was scrumptious! All of our tablemates are great and if our lunch is any indication, we are going to be quite a table! This is going to be a great cruise!

Next stop – our stateroom. We are assigned to 7632 a starboard white metal veranda stateroom near the “secret” aft deck. We have the new bedspread and the Frette linens in our stateroom – very nice! The new propeller clock is very cool, too. Be sure to use it at least once as an alarm clock. It plays the whole “When you wish upon a star” tune. First impression, while I can see the split bathroom may be helpful if you are traveling with children, I would have preferred one bathroom that was a little bigger.

DH and I headed off to explore and ran into Steph and more of the DisBoarders on deck 9. Steoh said we could drop off the cheese curds at her room. We met John and Claire. While DH talked with John, I chatted with Claire and we had a great time. What a great family.

Before we knew it, it was time for Muster Drill. We made friends with Louise from Guest Services who snapped our traditional life vest photo. Cheryl and John were across from us. Attendance and the drill went quickly and we headed back to our stateroom. Still no luggage. But we decorated our door with our fish extender and magnets. We received our Character Breakfast tickets. Eek! We are scheduled for our character breakfast the same time as our Palo Brunch. I know we are adults but I do not plan to miss the character breakfast or Palo. I make it my personal mission to get the character breakfast changed. In the meantime, they delivered someone else’s character breakfast tickets to our room, so we went to deliver them and it turned out to be Jane McAsh and her husband RBMIII from the boards. They gave us a quick tour of their room and we were on our way again.

Well, we had a Sail Away party but no sail away happened. The cruise staff is sure energetic especially that dynamo, Ian. He is awesome. If he spots anyone without a smile he is right there…no wait…he’s there…oh no, now he’s over there…face it Ian is everywhere getting people involved and smiling!

Time to run to the room to get ready for the show and dinner. We had a great view of the bins of luggage that was still on the dock and all of the provisions they were still loading and it was after 6:00 pm!!! The terminal was already dark. We head off to the first of many magical shows and then to dinner. We have a truly great wait staff. No request is denied and let me say our pickiness matches our enthusiasm.

Before bed we decide to deliver the first of our fish extender gifts as a way of working off the wonderful dinner. Then we made one more trip to Guest Services to drop off our pillowcases and frame mats. Guess who was working the desk…Louise from the muster drill. We chat for a while. It is her last cruise of this contract and she has pulled the night shift for the cruise. I vow to visit often. We are exhausted and ready to be lulled to sleep by the rocking of being at sea! Yes, it creeks more than other ships we’ve been on but even though I am a really light sleeper I have no trouble drifting off to dreamland. Good night Mickey! Good Night Tinker Bell!

 

[HiYaPal]

Day 2 – At Sea (Friday – 9/8/2006)

Evening Attire: Formal
Dinner Menu: The Golden Mickeys in all restaurants
Dining Rotation: Animator’s Palate
Live Stage Show in the Walt Disney Theatre: The Golden Mickeys with Red Carpet Prelude
Events: Captain’s Reception, Balloon Drop and Golden Mickey’s After Party
Movies available in Buena Vista Theatre: Cars, Over the Hedge, Mission Impossible III, The DaVinci Code
Scheduled Character Appearances: Jack Sparrow, Princesses, Mickey and Minnie, Belle, Goofy
Note: College Football: Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati shown in Diversions.

Attended the first Disney’s Art of Entertaining in Studio Sea session with Chef Roland Muller (Coral Reef – Epcot). He demonstrated how to make Minced Pork on Lemongrass Skewer, Sweet Chili Sauce and served with Spicy Cucumber Slaw. After they passed out a sample, they also passed out a wine pairing. Delicious and a wonderful mid-morning snack.

We attended the Don “Ducky” Williams presentation in the Walt Disney Theatre. What a great story of persistence. Ducky is wonderful and I was thrilled when DH (who never wins anything) won one of Ducky’s Tinker Bell drawings. Well, the cruise staff decided that if you won, you had to come up and claim your prize acting as the character you won. Well, let’s just say, I never saw DH do a fairy dance before (and I hope I never see it again) but everyone in the audience seemed to enjoy it!

Today was the DisBoard’s ladies lunch in Triton’s. We had a great time and it turns out some of the men had their own lunch on the other side of Triton’s. Great conversation and great food.

On our way to The Golden Mickeys show one of the wait staff offered us some drinks from the Captain’s reception. What a great idea! So, we headed off to the show with our complimentary adult beverages. During the pre-show they interviewed some kids on the red carpet was hysterical. Once again, the show was terrific. Other than seeing the kids on the screen in the theatre, we haven’t really seen too many kids. The ship truly is designed to limit your exposure to children if you aren’t traveling with them. There are plenty of adult areas and activities. Everything from the layout of the pools to the location of the Oceaneer’s Club, Oceaneer’s Lab and Flounders Nursery is thoughtfully designed.

Even though our dinner rotation was Animator’s Palate they didn’t do the show since it was the Golden Mickey’s menu. Appetizer choices included: Peppered tuna roll, melon with Parma ham, crispy calamari, or pan-seared duck liver pate. Soups included: Blue Crab and seafood chowder or Chilled watermelon and mint soup. The salad choice included a roasted vegetable salad or a lettuce and hearts of palm salad. Main courses included: Bass with a teriyaki and ginger glaze, honey and soy marinated griddle pork loin chop, parma ham wrapped chicken breast, Caribbean seafood curry or a chipotle grilled sirloin steak. Tonight’s yummy bread was a carrot and scallion loaf. The vegetarian selections were a baked sesame tofu steak or vegetable puff pastry turnover. Everything we tried was excellent. We also talked to our head server about our character breakfast dilemma and he said he would make arrangements for us to go later in the cruise. Thanks Jeff!
Problem solved! The staff really does all it can to keep everyone happy.

We attended the John Charles cabaret “adult show” in WaveBands. John plays the guitar and does comedy at the same time. Oops…Disney forgot how many adults were on this cruise. WaveBands was overflowing and they were directing people into Diversions to watch the show on closed circuit tv. Since Diversions is a smoking lounge we ended up standing for the entire show. But John is very funny and it was a very good show. He did different material than he did in the Welcome Aboard show. There wasn’t really anything “adult” about it other than the time. On our way out I pretended to fall asleep in one of those big portholes (still in my formal wear) that is outsde of WaveBands...all of a sudden I had some bug turtles in my face! Sebastian and his turtle friends were walking through the hall and decided to have a little fun with me. Another magical moment!

We delivered some more fish extender gifts and then crashed. Another WONDERful day at sea!

 

[Amlee]

Great report! I just wish I could remember it all in detail like you!

I got my mother a shirt that said

Seen it all!
Done it all!
Heard it all!

Just Can't remember it all!


I'm thinking I should have got me one.

 

[HiYaPal]

Day 3 – At Sea (Saturday – 9/9/2006)

Evening Attire: Cruise Casual
Dinner Menu: Island Dinner – Parrot Cay, Triton’s - French Dinner, and Animator’s Palate - Show Dinner
Dining Rotation: Parrot Cay
Live Stage Show in the Walt Disney Theatre: Michael Harrison (comedy and ventriloquism)
Movies available in Buena Vista Theatre: The Wild, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie, Stick It, Step Up
Scheduled Character Appearances: Alice, Aladdin, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aurora, Jack Sparrow
Note: NCAA Ohio State vs. Texas was shown in Diversions.

First order of the day, send DH’s tux shirt and my evening skirt out for cleaning. The on-board cleaning is definitely cheaper than having it done at home. I also figure that if they can clean Belle’s and Cinderella’s gowns certainly they will do a great job on mine.

Question of the day…how many places can you be at one time? If you remember, we booked our Palo brunch for the second day at sea and then we received notice that our character breakfast was scheduled for the same time. Since Jeff, the head server, let us know last night that he would arrange a character breakfast for our whole table later in the cruise I thought the problem was solved. Well, now we received a letter in our fish extender that the travel agent seminar at sea was scheduled for the same time. Ugh! I feel like the White Rabbit running around late for everything. Chris (Chipper) and I went to the Discover Uncharted Magic Seminar at Sea for Travel Agents from 9:00 – 10:30 in the Buena Vista Theatre and everyone else went up to Palo. According to Mark the instructor, there is no “secret ship” being built. We learned more about the Europe itineraries and the Adventures by Disney.

Chris and I arrived at Palo just before they gave us the tour of the brunch offerings. WOW! Salmon, caviar, crab, shrimp, pizza, fruit, pastries, Eggs Benedict, Eggs Julia (lox instead of Canadian bacon) …anything you could possibly want. Our server was Gane and he was WONDERful. I am not much of a sweets/dessert person, so when I asked for a pizza while everyone else was getting their dessert, he fast tracked a pizza to me. Brunch is an experience not to be missed. Sure some of the food is the same that you will find at the Beach Blanket buffet or in Triton’s but the atmosphere, service and view make this a much more relaxed breakfast experience.

We missed the Disney’s Behind the Scenes session with Tom Wolber in the Walt Disney Theatre since it was scheduled, but we did not attend at this time due to the conflict with our Palo Brunch. We did, however, watch the replay on our stateroom tv – excellent speech.

We then went to the Oil and Vinegar Seminar in Studio Sea where we tried three different oils and one balsamic vinegar and learned how olive oil is made. Another informative and fun seminar designed for adults.

Well, it’s 3 PM and time for the long awaited wine tasting with Steph’s family. The wine selection brought by our fellow DisBoarders was amazing. Steph also had quite a spread of cheeses and munchies for us. The Roy suite sure does hold a lot of people! It was a great time. I found a hidden Mickey in one of the framed photos on the wall in the bedroom. The Wisconsin cheese curds were a big hit which made all of DH’s work getting them to the ship worth it. Thanks Steph and John for hosting this DisBaord event. We really enjoyed meeting so many DisBoarders. What in the world are you going to do with all of that extra wine???

We learned our lesson last night and sprinted after dinner to WaveBands in order to have seats for the adult cabaret. Michael Harrison the ventriloquist put on a great show!

Off to bed early tonight since we have to be ready for our St. Thomas excursion by 8:00 am. Good Night, Minnie. Good Night, Sebastian.

 

[micmse2003]

Linda, You are doing a really awesome job. I can't believe it is over. I can't wait to read more.

 

[MickMinandMe]

WOW!!!!!!
You really know your stuff. The details are amazing. I think the cruise lines should hire you to write their promotional materials. I am truly impressed with your writing.............Keep up the great posts..........
OH!!! by the way it's after 8:00 am, time to get up, breakfast is almost ready ..................OOOOOOOOPs !!!! Do you think they figured it out dear.

 

[tjeagle]

Great report....looking forward to the rest!

 

[HookedonMagic]

Thanks for the detailed report! So much fun to read...it really takes me back! I'd love to do it all over again...I guess I'll have to settle for reading your terrific report!

 

[jrose529]

Wonderful job! Thanks for your hard work. I can't wait for more!

 

[Stepht5]

We learned more about the Europe itineraries and the Adventures by Disney.

First..... I have to say WOW! What detailed, wonderful trip reports!

I wish I had known that they talked to y'all about the Adventures by Disney trips.... That is waht dh & I plan on doing next year with the kids! We are considering one of the Italy ones -- we know we will want to stay an extra day or two in Rome either before or after.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Day 3 – At Sea (Saturday – 9/9/2006)

Evening Attire: Cruise Casual
Dinner Menu: Island Dinner – Parrot Cay, Triton’s - French Dinner, and Animator’s Palate - Show Dinner
Dining Rotation: Parrot Cay
Live Stage Show in the Walt Disney Theatre: Michael Harrison (comedy and ventriloquism)
Movies available in Buena Vista Theatre: The Wild, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie, Stick It, Step Up
Scheduled Character Appearances: Alice, Aladdin, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aurora, Jack Sparrow
Note: NCAA Ohio State vs. Texas was shown in Diversions.

OK, you've set a new standard here for trip reports! I vote this format become mandatory trip report set up! It's especially interesting to see with this special itinariary. Can't wait to read more.

 

[HiYaPal]

Thanks for all of the great comments! I'm just trying to answer all of the questions I always have...

I will be posting more later tonight.

Happy reading!

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

What a fantasic start.


Very easy to read and very detailed. A great report
Thank you

 

[Tigger1221]

This format is awesome. We loved meeting you and your husband. We have a few pics with you in them we will eventually get around to showing you!!!

Great Trip report,

Jill and Matt

 

[Rate Queen]

Great Job!!!!
It is really bringing back a lot of thilnkgs I had forgotten.
I can't wait for the rest of the report.
Carol

 

[GoofyGuy777]

We Want More!!!!


It is great reading your trip report, but i want to read more. I will post mine soon too.


Steve

 

[LindaBabe]

Subscribing! GREAT STUFF!

 

[poohluv2u]

It's so much fun to read your report Linda, you really have included everything. I have to agree with the others and ask for "More Please"

 

[DisneyGirlTinkerbell]

HiYaPal!

I agree...this is the gold standard of trip reports! Love the format. Umm...my mouth is watering just thinking of those cheese curds. Thanks again. We had a great cruise and everyone got along so well. How can any other cruise measure up !

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

Linda this is a WONDERful report! Thank you so much for sharing!