Best rooms on the Wonder verandah & ocean view

[wendlle]

Yes.
I'm concerned that if someone comes down with COVID we are all locked in a room without a window
But you are right though ,we could do a ocean view although I will need to see if the price is really that much cheaper.

I hear your concerns, the Aussie sailings are a year away. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about Covid, by then everything will be so much different. Look at how different it is now compared to this time last year.
You'll have a great time no matter which cabin you choose. If you can swing the verandah go for it, but don't stress if you can't.

 

[auntlynne]

Thank you.
We are from Australia and planning the 6 nights new year's eve from Sydney .

Do you think 6 nights is too long on the Wonder? We re a go go go kind of family and have never cruises before.

I think 6 nights will give you a real taste of cruising. You can get in the groove of a routine. There are people who are fans of varying lengths, so you can get lots of answers.

You will not repeat menus on any length cruise - every night is a new one.

There are laundromats, if kids mess up clothes.

Typically, a longer cruise (among 2-7 nights) is less expensive per night. Sure, more expensive overall, but not in a linear increase.

A lot of kids like the clubs. That will determine if your kids will like 6 days. Pools are small, but available.

I don’t know what port days will offer. I find cruising to be more relaxing, good for family time without the stressors of everyday life. On port-intensive cruises (like the Mediterranean, where each day brings a new city to explore), those are more go-go.

Sitting around, wondering what to do is personal. Some will be bored. Others say they couldn’t do everything. A lot depends on the Entertainment staff and the daily activities they offer.

Each night will have a show in the main theater (2 showings a night to cover both 1st and 2nd dinner seatings). There is a movie theater aboard showing recent Disney Co, movies. Whatever comes out at Christmas should be available.

From 5:30 pm (or so), you will have dinner + entertainment, then bedtime. There is no late night wild parties. The ship seems asleep by 11 pm.

Breakfast then pool time or crafts or trivia. Lots of kids go to the kids’ clubs while the parents chill. Breakfast can be sit down in a restaurant or buffet.

Lunch is the same situation or quick service on the pool deck. More activities or chilling.

I think of cruising as somewhat akin to camp. Not designed to wear you out, but to have fun.

There are bars and an activity or two at 10 or 10:30 at night Just for the 18+ crowd. Nothing beyond PG-13 rated. Some form of interactive show, designed to have people laughing. Followed by an opportunity to dance.

One night should offer a Pirate Night with a show on deck, followed by fireworks (depends on local rules - it doesn’t happen in Alaska, for example).

That’s some things to consider if it’s for you. There are a lot of happy, repeat cruisers on Disney (and other lines). There are some who would never do it again. And others who can’t imagine ever doing it.

You will be on a floating hotel with ~ 3,000 other people with a bunch of kids. I find them well behaved, more than I would expect (from Americans when sailing from Florida).

When Disney sailed the Magic around Britain for staycations (Summer 2021, with lots of Covid protocol), it seemed to have more grumbling in response. One, I think 2-night cruises are just not a great introduction. Masking and distancing just did not give a fun experience. Many if us in the US are basically living our normal lives. Some say cruising is not back to normal. I have sailed several times this past year and have not truly been affected.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[auntlynne]

Here’s the name of a YouTube video that shows a typical ocean view connecting cabin. It would be the same on whichever deck.



The thing to look for is how many people can sleep in the cabin. This cabin only sleeps 3. To accommodate 4, there is a pull-down bed (like a bunk bed) that comes down from the ceiling.

Here is what the flip-forward sofa bed with the upper bed look like (the room steward prepares it when you are at dinner).



The above configuration is a family stateroom, which sleeps 5. In front of the curtains us a pull-down Murphy bed (out of the way during the day. This is probably a family Verandah.

 

[auntlynne]

are you Australian?
I am and if I do decide to do one of the cruises here I will just get an inside cabin. I have no need to see what is outside from my room when I live here and can see it out my house window anytime I please.
I did a verandah once in the Caribbean and honestly it was a huge waste of money, I'm doing Oceanview for our Alaska sailing.

I spend next to no time in the cabin, so don't feel like I need to pay for a view of the outside.

I often book interiors for similar reasons. The cost savings can be significant; it just depends on the cruise.

I like the sideways cabins on Deck 5. They do not connect. The bathroom is one single room, instead of Disney’s two-room baths (shower/tub and sink in one, sink and toilet in the other). The layout gives a little more open floor space. And the movie theater and kids clubs are close.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

I think 6 nights will give you a real taste of cruising. You can get in the groove of a routine. There are people who are fans of varying lengths, so you can get lots of answers.

You will not repeat menus on any length cruise - every night is a new one.

There are laundromats, if kids mess up clothes.

Typically, a longer cruise (among 2-7 nights) is less expensive per night. Sure, more expensive overall, but not in a linear increase.

A lot of kids like the clubs. That will determine if your kids will like 6 days. Pools are small, but available.

I don’t know what port days will offer. I find cruising to be more relaxing, good for family time without the stressors of everyday life. On port-intensive cruises (like the Mediterranean, where each day brings a new city to explore), those are more go-go.

Sitting around, wondering what to do is personal. Some will be bored. Others say they couldn’t do everything. A lot depends on the Entertainment staff and the daily activities they offer.

Each night will have a show in the main theater (2 showings a night to cover both 1st and 2nd dinner seatings). There is a movie theater aboard showing recent Disney Co, movies. Whatever comes out at Christmas should be available.

From 5:30 pm (or so), you will have dinner + entertainment, then bedtime. There is no late night wild parties. The ship seems asleep by 11 pm.

Breakfast then pool time or crafts or trivia. Lots of kids go to the kids’ clubs while the parents chill. Breakfast can be sit down in a restaurant or buffet.

Lunch is the same situation or quick service on the pool deck. More activities or chilling.

I think of cruising as somewhat akin to camp. Not designed to wear you out, but to have fun.

There are bars and an activity or two at 10 or 10:30 at night Just for the 18+ crowd. Nothing beyond PG-13 rated. Some form of interactive show, designed to have people laughing. Followed by an opportunity to dance.

One night should offer a Pirate Night with a show on deck, followed by fireworks (depends on local rules - it doesn’t happen in Alaska, for example).

That’s some things to consider if it’s for you. There are a lot of happy, repeat cruisers on Disney (and other lines). There are some who would never do it again. And others who can’t imagine ever doing it.

You will be on a floating hotel with ~ 3,000 other people with a bunch of kids. I find them well behaved, more than I would expect (from Americans when sailing from Florida).

When Disney sailed the Magic around Britain for staycations (Summer 2021, with lots of Covid protocol), it seemed to have more grumbling in response. One, I think 2-night cruises are just not a great introduction. Masking and distancing just did not give a fun experience. Many if us in the US are basically living our normal lives. Some say cruising is not back to normal. I have sailed several times this past year and have not truly been affected.

Good luck in your decision.

Thank you this was very helpful.
I think that going with friends will also make it a bit more active.
It will all come done to how much Disney will change for a 6 days cruise down under!

 

[jasonriv]

Some people go for a Verandah stateroom with and Inside stateroom across the hall to save money.