We just got back yesterday from our second back to back Wonder. We had a great time. The seas were quite calm except for a little rocking on Saturday night during the middle of the night. Other than that, it was quite calm.
There were 7 of us on the 4 day and then 5 of us stayed to go around again on the 3 day.
We stayed in an Ocean view Deck 2 midship the first 4 days and then moved to deck 6 navigator verandah room on the 3 day. We didn't use our verandah much. We don't particularly like the navigator verandah. You must stand to see anything. My Mom had a regular verandah just a few doors up from us and she lived on hers. They loved being able to see through the plexiglass and not have to stand.
The back to back part was simple, easy. We went off the ship at 9:20 and were back on by about 10:00. Yvette from Orlando was our escort in the terminal and back on the ship. She was incredibly nice and kept us informed about what was happening and what needed to happen before we could get back on board. She kept checking on us and let us know that we would be able to re-board as soon as the previous cruise info was cleared.
Since we had to change rooms, it was a bit more difficult than if you were able to stay in the same room. We had to pack up and call guest services who came down and got our luggage in the morning. It was already in our room when rooms were ready at 1:30.
We got to explore and take pictures of the empty ship. We hung out in the Cove Cafe where drinks were complimentary.
Alan from Ireland took good care of us. Around 11:45 we headed down to the atrium to watch the castmembers get ready for the next cruise. It was fun to watch from the inside this time.
We had excellent servers in the Dining room. Ramsay from India and Lucia from the Dominican Republic. We were able to keep them for both cruises and keep our same table #2 which we loved. I have been on 17 cruises and this team ranks right up near the top of the best servers we have ever had.
One thing we noticed, was how friendly everyone is on the Wonder. We have been on the Magic 13 times and the Wonder 4 times. The Wonder crew is very friendly, especially at breakfast and dinner. We had friendly servers in all the dining rooms. So many people spoke to us, said hello, stopped to chat than anytime on the Magic. I wonder if there is a much higher emphasis put on this ship than on the Magic. Don't get me wrong, the Magic is a great ship and there on friendly people there as well, but overall the Wonder seemed much more friendly. We mentioned it to a few crew members and they said that they hear that quite often, so I don't think we're crazy.
We had two beautiful days at Castaway Cay. The water was still warm enough to swim. The adult beach was very crowded on the 4 day, but not too bad on the 3 day. On the 4 day, there was not enough space for lunch and people had to wait for a table, but no problem on the 3 day. Only 1 cabana was rented on the 3 day, I didn't notice if any were rented on the 4 day. We were only on the adult beach, so no information about the family beach.
We went to the Castaway Reception. It was nice, but no real new information. They gave you some drinks, some kind of snack, but we had just finished breakfast, so we were not hungry. They brought in Mickey Mouse so you could have your picture with him. The officers came around to table and had an informal chat time. We got to chat with two people, one being Captain Gus. He was very friendly and was around the ship alot. They showed a video of the new Dream.
We thought the food in the dining rooms was quite good. Everything was hot and most of what we chose was very very good. My daughter loves Caesar salad and she got one every night even though it may not have been on the menu. We ate in the dining rooms for lunch when we could and we had breakfast in Parrot Cay usually except one day we went to Tritons for brunch, which was also good.
Alot of the crew seemed to be heading to the Dream. One of the officers told us 30% of the Dream crew will come from the Wonder and 30% from the Magic. The rest will need to be hired. Anyone who was staying on the Wonder seemed like they wanted to so they could go to Alaska. The crew was very excited about seeing Alaska, especially those who were from warmer climates.
We rebooked a Back to Back on the Dream next October and a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy for next May. I even one a $75 on board credit for rebooking. That was a nice surprise.
That's all I can think of now. Would be glad to answer any questions that I can. We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.
We are going on the 5 day Magic in January. Hoping the weather will be just as nice, but I am sure, not as warm. We have only sailed in October and March before, so this will be a new experience.
There were 7 of us on the 4 day and then 5 of us stayed to go around again on the 3 day.
We stayed in an Ocean view Deck 2 midship the first 4 days and then moved to deck 6 navigator verandah room on the 3 day. We didn't use our verandah much. We don't particularly like the navigator verandah. You must stand to see anything. My Mom had a regular verandah just a few doors up from us and she lived on hers. They loved being able to see through the plexiglass and not have to stand.
The back to back part was simple, easy. We went off the ship at 9:20 and were back on by about 10:00. Yvette from Orlando was our escort in the terminal and back on the ship. She was incredibly nice and kept us informed about what was happening and what needed to happen before we could get back on board. She kept checking on us and let us know that we would be able to re-board as soon as the previous cruise info was cleared.
Since we had to change rooms, it was a bit more difficult than if you were able to stay in the same room. We had to pack up and call guest services who came down and got our luggage in the morning. It was already in our room when rooms were ready at 1:30.
We got to explore and take pictures of the empty ship. We hung out in the Cove Cafe where drinks were complimentary.
Alan from Ireland took good care of us. Around 11:45 we headed down to the atrium to watch the castmembers get ready for the next cruise. It was fun to watch from the inside this time. We had excellent servers in the Dining room. Ramsay from India and Lucia from the Dominican Republic. We were able to keep them for both cruises and keep our same table #2 which we loved. I have been on 17 cruises and this team ranks right up near the top of the best servers we have ever had.
One thing we noticed, was how friendly everyone is on the Wonder. We have been on the Magic 13 times and the Wonder 4 times. The Wonder crew is very friendly, especially at breakfast and dinner. We had friendly servers in all the dining rooms. So many people spoke to us, said hello, stopped to chat than anytime on the Magic. I wonder if there is a much higher emphasis put on this ship than on the Magic. Don't get me wrong, the Magic is a great ship and there on friendly people there as well, but overall the Wonder seemed much more friendly. We mentioned it to a few crew members and they said that they hear that quite often, so I don't think we're crazy.
We had two beautiful days at Castaway Cay. The water was still warm enough to swim. The adult beach was very crowded on the 4 day, but not too bad on the 3 day. On the 4 day, there was not enough space for lunch and people had to wait for a table, but no problem on the 3 day. Only 1 cabana was rented on the 3 day, I didn't notice if any were rented on the 4 day. We were only on the adult beach, so no information about the family beach.
We went to the Castaway Reception. It was nice, but no real new information. They gave you some drinks, some kind of snack, but we had just finished breakfast, so we were not hungry. They brought in Mickey Mouse so you could have your picture with him. The officers came around to table and had an informal chat time. We got to chat with two people, one being Captain Gus. He was very friendly and was around the ship alot. They showed a video of the new Dream.
We thought the food in the dining rooms was quite good. Everything was hot and most of what we chose was very very good. My daughter loves Caesar salad and she got one every night even though it may not have been on the menu. We ate in the dining rooms for lunch when we could and we had breakfast in Parrot Cay usually except one day we went to Tritons for brunch, which was also good.
Alot of the crew seemed to be heading to the Dream. One of the officers told us 30% of the Dream crew will come from the Wonder and 30% from the Magic. The rest will need to be hired. Anyone who was staying on the Wonder seemed like they wanted to so they could go to Alaska. The crew was very excited about seeing Alaska, especially those who were from warmer climates.
We rebooked a Back to Back on the Dream next October and a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy for next May. I even one a $75 on board credit for rebooking. That was a nice surprise.
That's all I can think of now. Would be glad to answer any questions that I can. We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.
We are going on the 5 day Magic in January. Hoping the weather will be just as nice, but I am sure, not as warm. We have only sailed in October and March before, so this will be a new experience.
