August 22 Wonder cruise
Cast
DH 51
Myself (Pat) 50
DD 14 and DDs friend 15 (aka the girls)
Finally, after 18 months of planning, daily visits to the DIS boards and an obsession that was starting to worry my family, it was cruise day! Woohoo! We arrived at the port around 11:00 AM. It took less than five minutes for me to check us in while DH parked the car. The terminal, the ship is as beautiful as everyone says take the time to enjoy it. It all seems a blur to me now.
Boarded the Wonder around Noon and ate on the deck outside Beach Blanket. DDs friend called her parents to say goodbye before we sailed and let them know I had THREE desserts in front of me. When the mom asked which one I was going to eat, I replied Which? Why Im going to eat all three! Dont you just love vacations?
We watched the sail away party from deck 10 and I have great admiration for the CMs dancing and performing in that heat. They really got us into the party mood.
Our lifeboat drill was at F station. Except for my DH who was squished in the back and got overheated it wasnt bad for the rest of us. The CMs were extremely kind and did not require two small children in our group to put on the lifejacket and even excused them and their moms early so the kids did not have to wait through the entire drill.
The girls explored Common Grounds and met the counselors but except for the first evenings activity did not take part in any of the teen activities. That was a surprise and disappointment to me.
DH and I took Bonnine Sunday morning and it made both of us feel ill. We felt seasick and we were still at the dock! I stopped it but didnt really feel like myself until Monday night. DH continued to take it but at night and the side effects lessened.
We had stateroom 6044. I have to say my hats off to those families who book a category 10 or 11 stateroom for a weeks cruise. Ours was a category 6 and after three days we felt like we were falling over each other. Definitely worth every cent having the balcony as I very much enjoyed spending time out there watching the world drift by. Location was fine. Short walk to midship elevator. I was afraid it was going to be a noisy room as it was connecting but we rarely heard the family next door. The announcements into the stateroom (other than necessary ones like the lifeboat drill) were extremely annoying. We tried to take a nap the first day and were awakened three different times with announcements regarding shopping talks.
Our first night we ate at Parrot Cay. I liked all the restaurants but my favorite was Animator Pallette due to the show. Overall, I thought the meals mediocre. Nothing stands out as being terrific but it was nice to be able to try new foods.
DH took the girls shopping on Nassau day and I spent a delightful time talking to Florida Sun (Sue) from Wales. We had been corresponding on the DIS boards for quite some time so it was fun to get to know her.
We had absolutely perfect seas. Calm as could be. It was a bit disorienting the first night, though, walking along looking out the windows and seeing the movement. After the first day we got quite used to it and had no problem.
Castaway Cay is a beautiful island. DD and I enjoyed an hour of snorkeling (until she lost her snorkel LOL) You need to swim quite a ways out to see a lot of fish but definitely worth it (just bring your own equipment - pricey for a family to pay the $25/person rental fee.)
After snorkeling, we moved further down the family beach towards the Heads Up bar as this area had far less people so was much quieter. Everyone absolutely loved the softserve cookie dough cones. (okay I admit I had three! but hey they were small). Lunch was good. Had a taste of everything and really liked the ribs.
The girls were going to go to the teen beach but were warned by other teens that some boys were mooning everyone and it was kind of wild so decided to stay with us. We did rent bikes and the view at the end of the bike trail was beautiful. Fun way to spend an hour and work off those ice cream cones.
We all felt a bit bored on our day at sea. I tried to get the girls to go to the teens club but they werent interested. The pools were too crowded to enjoy. It took a while for DD and friend to find two loungers. Same old story a towel on the chair but no occupant for over 45 minutes. I finally told the girls to remove the towels and if anyone came back I would talk to them ( no one ever did). They did attend the class on making towel animals and enjoyed it.
The girls participated in How well do you know your Disney tunes and won. They were given medals which they thoroughly enjoyed wearing home. I told DDs friends dad she got it for kissing the most boys on ship. Hmm, wonder how soon shell be able to come visit.
DH and I went to Palo Wednesday night while the girls enjoyed room service. They got a kick out of the soup with noodles in the shape of Mickey. The ambience of the restaurant is very nice, but we thought the food was average. Was surprised after all the rave reviews here on the boards but frankly we have better tiramisu and filet at our local restaurants. My DH did try the chocolate souffle and that was very good. Minor but what a difference in the taste of the soda. It was the first one I had on the ship that didnt taste flat. (soda machines are a great addition but the soda tended to be flat)
Random thoughts
- would have enjoyed more Disney music at the pools and in the hallway.
- Servers - when my daughter ate something and realized it had peanut butter in it (shes allergic) they were very attentive. All of our following meals they made sure they pointed out any foods she should avoid. Even the head server came over to talk to us.
- even after all my hours on the Dis boards, I cant believe the things I forgot to do so the best advice I can give anyone is relax, enjoy the moments and forget trying to do everything its not possible
- The shows are outstanding wonderful entertainment. Dont miss them.
- the lounge chairs on deck 4 are the most relaxing way to spend an hour
- if you don't want to get up for early breakfast seating on the last day take advantage of the buffet.
- there was a long, long line for US Air check-in. Use the self serve if you can - cut our waiting time by 30 minutes.
- while these Boards are a valuable source of information, don't take anyone's comments as "gospel." keep expectations in check.
All in all we enjoyed the cruise and were glad for the opportunity but it is not something we plan to do again any time soon. Guess we're just not "cruise people."
Cast
DH 51
Myself (Pat) 50
DD 14 and DDs friend 15 (aka the girls)
Finally, after 18 months of planning, daily visits to the DIS boards and an obsession that was starting to worry my family, it was cruise day! Woohoo! We arrived at the port around 11:00 AM. It took less than five minutes for me to check us in while DH parked the car. The terminal, the ship is as beautiful as everyone says take the time to enjoy it. It all seems a blur to me now.
Boarded the Wonder around Noon and ate on the deck outside Beach Blanket. DDs friend called her parents to say goodbye before we sailed and let them know I had THREE desserts in front of me. When the mom asked which one I was going to eat, I replied Which? Why Im going to eat all three! Dont you just love vacations?
We watched the sail away party from deck 10 and I have great admiration for the CMs dancing and performing in that heat. They really got us into the party mood.
Our lifeboat drill was at F station. Except for my DH who was squished in the back and got overheated it wasnt bad for the rest of us. The CMs were extremely kind and did not require two small children in our group to put on the lifejacket and even excused them and their moms early so the kids did not have to wait through the entire drill.
The girls explored Common Grounds and met the counselors but except for the first evenings activity did not take part in any of the teen activities. That was a surprise and disappointment to me.
DH and I took Bonnine Sunday morning and it made both of us feel ill. We felt seasick and we were still at the dock! I stopped it but didnt really feel like myself until Monday night. DH continued to take it but at night and the side effects lessened.
We had stateroom 6044. I have to say my hats off to those families who book a category 10 or 11 stateroom for a weeks cruise. Ours was a category 6 and after three days we felt like we were falling over each other. Definitely worth every cent having the balcony as I very much enjoyed spending time out there watching the world drift by. Location was fine. Short walk to midship elevator. I was afraid it was going to be a noisy room as it was connecting but we rarely heard the family next door. The announcements into the stateroom (other than necessary ones like the lifeboat drill) were extremely annoying. We tried to take a nap the first day and were awakened three different times with announcements regarding shopping talks.
Our first night we ate at Parrot Cay. I liked all the restaurants but my favorite was Animator Pallette due to the show. Overall, I thought the meals mediocre. Nothing stands out as being terrific but it was nice to be able to try new foods.
DH took the girls shopping on Nassau day and I spent a delightful time talking to Florida Sun (Sue) from Wales. We had been corresponding on the DIS boards for quite some time so it was fun to get to know her.
We had absolutely perfect seas. Calm as could be. It was a bit disorienting the first night, though, walking along looking out the windows and seeing the movement. After the first day we got quite used to it and had no problem.
Castaway Cay is a beautiful island. DD and I enjoyed an hour of snorkeling (until she lost her snorkel LOL) You need to swim quite a ways out to see a lot of fish but definitely worth it (just bring your own equipment - pricey for a family to pay the $25/person rental fee.)
After snorkeling, we moved further down the family beach towards the Heads Up bar as this area had far less people so was much quieter. Everyone absolutely loved the softserve cookie dough cones. (okay I admit I had three! but hey they were small). Lunch was good. Had a taste of everything and really liked the ribs.
The girls were going to go to the teen beach but were warned by other teens that some boys were mooning everyone and it was kind of wild so decided to stay with us. We did rent bikes and the view at the end of the bike trail was beautiful. Fun way to spend an hour and work off those ice cream cones.
We all felt a bit bored on our day at sea. I tried to get the girls to go to the teens club but they werent interested. The pools were too crowded to enjoy. It took a while for DD and friend to find two loungers. Same old story a towel on the chair but no occupant for over 45 minutes. I finally told the girls to remove the towels and if anyone came back I would talk to them ( no one ever did). They did attend the class on making towel animals and enjoyed it.
The girls participated in How well do you know your Disney tunes and won. They were given medals which they thoroughly enjoyed wearing home. I told DDs friends dad she got it for kissing the most boys on ship. Hmm, wonder how soon shell be able to come visit.
DH and I went to Palo Wednesday night while the girls enjoyed room service. They got a kick out of the soup with noodles in the shape of Mickey. The ambience of the restaurant is very nice, but we thought the food was average. Was surprised after all the rave reviews here on the boards but frankly we have better tiramisu and filet at our local restaurants. My DH did try the chocolate souffle and that was very good. Minor but what a difference in the taste of the soda. It was the first one I had on the ship that didnt taste flat. (soda machines are a great addition but the soda tended to be flat)
Random thoughts
- would have enjoyed more Disney music at the pools and in the hallway.
- Servers - when my daughter ate something and realized it had peanut butter in it (shes allergic) they were very attentive. All of our following meals they made sure they pointed out any foods she should avoid. Even the head server came over to talk to us.
- even after all my hours on the Dis boards, I cant believe the things I forgot to do so the best advice I can give anyone is relax, enjoy the moments and forget trying to do everything its not possible
- The shows are outstanding wonderful entertainment. Dont miss them.
- the lounge chairs on deck 4 are the most relaxing way to spend an hour
- if you don't want to get up for early breakfast seating on the last day take advantage of the buffet.
- there was a long, long line for US Air check-in. Use the self serve if you can - cut our waiting time by 30 minutes.
- while these Boards are a valuable source of information, don't take anyone's comments as "gospel." keep expectations in check.
All in all we enjoyed the cruise and were glad for the opportunity but it is not something we plan to do again any time soon. Guess we're just not "cruise people."
