Cass, Rob & Kira - Christmas on the Wonder 2019 - "Seriously??? We just ate!!!"

[Timon]

December 24th, Part 3

After enjoying the storm on deck 4, we headed to the Walt Disney Theater to watch John Charles.

John Charles is a DCL staple and the longest running performer they have. He said he came out of retirement to do this cruise. Not sure if that meant just this sailing or he's doing more shows? We've seen him many times but he's good enough to see over and over.

Notice that there's nothing flashy about his show? No set dressings or crazy costumes. Just a man, a guitar and whole lot of talent.

He has a lot of audience participation, which keeps things fresh.

After the show, we went back to the room and found this...

Time for Tiana's again! This time it would be just Rob and I as Kira had a show in Edge that she wanted to participate in and it started at 8:15pm and was the only time during the whole cruise that they were doing it.

Tiana came around to our table that night and noticed my shirt. She told me to stay away from Shadow Man and I told her that I had ran into him in the FQL earlier in the cruise and that I now had friends on the other side.

Tonight was the Mardi Gras menu, woo hooo!

Since we had a terrible view, Rob went up and got a pic of the Crawfish Crooners, AKA The Brace Boys.

I looked over and noticed that our Palo server was serving the next section over from us. I told Rob that he was probably filling in for someone and sure enough, he was! He spotted us and came over to say hello and we chatted for a few minutes and he told us that there was a server down, meaning he wasn't feeling very well.

If you look closely, you might notice a family in this photo that are in other photos of mine. This was one of those families that we ran into everywhere!! Even in the hot tub one night, without their kiddo.

Rob's appy...

Mine...

My entree...

Rob's entree..

This is, by far, my favourite dessert of the entire cruise! I fell in love with it in 2016 and it never disappoints!

We also got beignets, of course! So delicious!! They are a close second favourite!

Back to the room to change for the pool and Alex had delivered the Navs to us tonight

Normally the Christmas Day Nav has holiday stuff all over it but this one was plain and normal like all the others!

Pool time was glorious!!! It was sprinkling a little, just barely enough to get wet if you were standing in it but nice and soft on my face when I looked up!

I had told Rob to go sit over by the Cafe to stay dry and warm and cozy in those nice chairs. He had better light here anyway to read his book. When they kicked me out, I joined him for a few minutes.

Notice my fanny pack there? It held my room key, lip balm and kleenex


Happy Cass...

Rob wanted to pop into Edge to hug our kid on the way back to the room. ❤

We sat out on the verandah for quite awhile that night. I found out it was a nice, natural way to dry my hair before bed. We opened up our curtains and enjoyed the Christmas lights too.

Rob went to Midnight Mass on his own that night. Kira had wanted to stay in Edge and I went to sleep.

This was the first Christmas cruise where Father Lloyd Rebeyro wasn't on the ship and doing the Mass. I wonder why

I honestly don't remember either one of them coming back, dang those DCL beds and pillows.

I sleep so much better on a cruise!

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Oh this is amazing!! We're going on the Wonder NEXT March, so this just whets my appetite for our short trip.

We'll be in Calgary THIS March for a thing in Airdrie, then flying directly to DLR for the week as the kids are on spring break that week. I know you don't like people but I'd love to meet up for chicken fingers and fries and listen to you talk about the Wonder and give us tips on our first trip.

I love all your photos, and Rob's too, natch. It's great to see all the things, especially the food we can look forward to.

 

[Darkrobe]

Oh this is amazing!! We're going on the Wonder NEXT March, so this just whets my appetite for our short trip.

We'll be in Calgary THIS March for a thing in Airdrie, then flying directly to DLR for the week as the kids are on spring break that week. I know you don't like people but I'd love to meet up for chicken fingers and fries and listen to you talk about the Wonder and give us tips on our first trip.

I love all your photos, and Rob's too, natch. It's great to see all the things, especially the food we can look forward to.

There's a place here in Calgary (Inglewood Drive In just south of the Calgary Zoo) that serves Dole Whips and it won't cost you an arm/leg to buy it either

 

[Canadian Harmony]

There's a place here in Calgary (Inglewood Drive In just south of the Calgary Zoo) that serves Dole Whips and it won't cost you an arm/leg to buy it either

That. Is. Outstanding!! We're in Airdrie the majority of the Friday/Saturday, but I might be able to wrangle a trip into town on Saturday morning because... mall... I'll think of something...

 

[bcwife76]

Ahhhh nothing like a good rain storm on a cruise Love that you were still able to go for your after-dinner dip as well!

 

[cntkg1]

Awwww, Rob wanted to give Kira a hug. Sooo sweet!
Isn’t it wonderful how the staff remembers you? I’m amazed by all that. Most times, I can’t even remember what I had for breakfast....10 minutes after I ate it.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We must have the same daughter. Mine wants to wear her dock martens and jeans in the middle of summer. We live in 100 plus degree area. UGH...

I'm enjoying your trip report. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

 

[Timon]

December 25th, Part 1

Merry Christmas!

As usual, we slept in

I had gotten up earlier but decided I was too comfy snuggling Rob to actually get out of bed so I dozed off again.

Eventually I got up and checked out the view from our verandah...

We are headed back already

As usual, Kira wanted to stay in bed so Rob and I got up and went for breakfast together.

I told him we should go check the ice cream flavours before heading back down to the room...

Rob was eyeing the Star Wars cooler but he was denied. We already have a DCL cooler at home.

Santa was so good to Rob, he brought him his ice cream!!!

So, of course, he had to have one!

Pool decks were pretty quiet even though it was quite hot out. Christmas is always the best day for swimming, most people are celebrating with their family.

I wanted to see what the crowds were like for Santa....whoa!

Christmas jammies, as far as the eye could see. That's a movie quote, that I actually just used yesterday, minus the Christmas jammies part.

We went down to check out the Christmas spread...they added some variety this year...

We passed the FQL, where a big family was opening their gifts together.

About 45 minutes later, we came back to FQL for some trivia. We did well but someone else did better.

We then browsed the shops...they had C-3PO with his red arm!

I almost bought like 3 of these...

Then it was time for Disney Tunes Trivia. We did well but there were a few tricky questions and I totally blanked on a few names that I knew. Ugh, I hate my Lupus brain!

You meet some really competitive people playing trivia, I tell ya! This one team got an answer wrong (they had yelled it out proudly) and was adamant that it should have been correct but we all knew they were wrong. They just kept yelling it out, I guess hoping that the host CM would say, okay, give yourselves a point or something but the host was sassy and told them three times they got it wrong, getting sassier with each time. It was pretty funny

Back to the shops where we spent a few bucks. We also bought this gigantic DCL reusable bag, which was perfect for laundry and will be coming with us on all future trips.

We didn't spend that much, the bag is just huge and has our little bag inside of it.

I popped out on our verandah to assess the situation...nope, still too hot and sunny for me.

We watched a movie in our room until it was time for Rob's lunch buffet.

He was a happy camper.

We love sitting on the bump and looking down the length of the ship. It was nice and quiet by then too.

I left Rob just before we was done eating and grabbed myself some chicken strips and headed back to the room to eat them.

Rob returned a short while later with his second pineapple coconut ice cream of the day

Not much later, our kiddo came in showing us what she won during an Edge activity. I was like, whoa, I hadn't seen her all day, I forgot what she looked like!

I have to say, as nice as it was to get some alone time with my hubby, it was even nicer seeing my girl with a big smile on her face and plans all day long with her friends.

She just came to drop that off and then she was gone again!

Finally, it was cloudy enough to spend some time on the verandah with my hubby!

We like to put the TV on the map channel to see where we are. I love that they show you where the other DCL ships are. We were all very close to each other!

A little closer to Texas now...sigh.

When I stepped back onto the verandah, I looked up and saw this....

I pointed it out to Rob but he didn't see what I saw and it quickly vanished. I told him that I took a pic for him and he could see it later. It was pretty bright on the verandah and it came and left rather quickly.

For those of you who believe, I know you can see it.

It made me stop in my tracks and think about how lucky we were. We first started cruising at Christmas because it's a very sad time of the year for me, having lost my Mom so many years ago at Christmastime. Now, it's become a tradition for me and my family and it's something I've come to look forward to all year long.

Not only had it been the best Christmas I've had since my Mom had passed but it was also fast becoming my favourite cruise ever. Rob got to finally relax and take it easy for a week, Kira got to meet some amazing friends and is having her best cruise for sure and I've made sure to enjoy all of the things I love about cruising.

Instead of being sad and wanting to lock myself in my room for most of the month of December, I now look forward to Christmas and being in Texas and on the Wonder. I even helped Rob and Kira decorate for Christmas at home this year, something I hadn't done in a very long time.


So, while Rob read his book, I thought about how lucky I am, how much I miss my Mom and how we can make this a tradition for our family as long as we possibly can.

 

[Sneaky3]

I never thought of it like that. That was a good idea on your part. I have started traditions with my daughter and my mom. With my mom it will be the second Year i got on a RCL cruise with her right before Mother’s Day and for my daughter and I the second weekend of December we head to Disney for a Christmas weekend. It is important to me to do these. Glad you were able to keep your tradition.

 

[tammy]

So beautiful Cass I lost my beloved mother 5 years ago during Christmastime...Christmas was her favorite. It will never be the same without her but like you, I've tried to make new traditions. My sadness starts around Halloween and last until January 9 which is when we buried her. I'm so glad you guys are having such a fun cruise. Looking forward to more. I'm not crying, you are

 

[cntkg1]

I sure see it and thought of your mom immediately! What a beautiful sign that she’s still watching over you all!
That would’ve taken my breath away!

 

[bcwife76]

Awww Cass I'm so glad it's been a great Christmas, you absolutely deserve it! And yes I saw the cross immediately in the photo

 

[Timon]

December 25th, Part 2

We enjoyed a gorgeous sunset that night.

I did a time-lapse of it on my phone

Rob's pics of it...show off

Next up was Frozen...

Kira told us she wasn't going to the show but after we sat down, we spied her with K over in the center part of theater.

Teenage sass....LOL!

Kira had left the show early to go to Edge. She had asked us to join her for the Open House because she wanted to show us something so Rob grabbed himself #3 and we headed over to Edge...

It's a good thing there's no Dole Whip on this ship.

I got myself my first ice cream of the cruise too!

We joined Kira but she couldn't show us what she wanted to so we peeked around, read the profiles and then headed out.

We wandered around, enjoying the atmosphere

Then back to the room to enjoy our lights for awhile. These are my favourite lights because of the reflection they make. I have another set of these that I put on our door but if we cruise again next year, they are soooo going in our room.

Then it was time for Christmas dinner at Tiana's. I love Tiana's and I love this menu.

Here's a photo of the carpet just around the hall from Tiana's that they had replaced, that I was talking about earlier in this report.

Here's what that same hallway used to looked like, just facing the other direction. You can see that art piece of the Magic (in the mirror) that I loved so much. This cool mirror is still there though.

It was semi-formal night but we weren't dressing up. We had matching shirts that we bought at the Space Center, that would be our fancy Christmas dinner attire

Usually we see half the restaurant in Christmas jammies but I guess since it was semi-formal, people refrained from wearing their jammies this year.

I had asked Kira to at least brush her hair but she was too busy having fun with her friends, she didn't even bother. She showers at night and then sleeps on wet hair and then it looks crazy the next day. This past summer in Orlando, she discovered the "messy bun" technique and uses that as an excuse now. I've explained to her that not brushing your hair is NOT a hairstyle. Teenagers.


We always give our servers and room host a Christmas gift and gift card, this year we skipped the gift and just gave cash in a Christmas card. Cash is king.

This is the meal where I eat the most. I skip the appetizers and order three entrees. I don't eat it all but Rob usually finishes what I don't.

There was nothing appealing to Kira on the dessert menu so she asked for this...

We rolled ourselves back to our room and Kira was off to Edge again...

And well, you know the drill....

It was delightfully quiet at the pool that night!!

Rob read, I swam, it was Heaven!

I had an entire hot tub to myself most of the night, so nice to stretch out.

About 20 minutes in, it had started raining so Rob came over to see if I was enjoying it and well...obviously I was

Apparently, he had a Santa Goofy fly-by.

And way too quickly, it was 11pm and they were kicking us out.


Rob took some photos of the FQL on the way back to the room for me but I am at my image limit so I will post them in the next chapter.

Here's the Navs for our last day on the ship.

This was my best Christmas in over twenty years!! I couldn't have asked for a better day!

 

[OurDogCisco]

I see what you saw in the sky without a doubt. Sounds like a great way to spend Christmas.

 

[Jillpie]

Love love this report!! Favorite part? the angel cross from your Mom, how special that is. That exact same thing happened to me last year while in Australia! Both my parents have passed now, and while we were relaxing at the hotel pool... Up I look, and a heart starts shaping right in front of me. omg I kid you not. And as fast as that happened, it disappeared. Just like that. I will never forget it, a gift from my Mom and Dad. So yes Cass, that was a gift from your Mom, without a doubt in my mind. How great is that?!!

 

[bcwife76]

Santa Goofy!!!!! AHHHHHH!! So cute!

Sorry, lol

You looked like you were in heaven in the pool and hot tub

 

[jenseib]

Gorgeous sky!

It's so great Kira found some friends to hang with.
Christmas on a cruise is my dream, as you know. One of these years i will make it happen!

 

[cntkg1]

I LOVE to hear you say how wonderful Christmas was last year!!!

 

[Timon]

December 26th, Part 1

Let's start with the photos of the FQL that Rob took for me the evening before...

The CM kindly took a couple of shots for him too.

Okay, let's start the day by sleeping in one last time and waking to this view....

The good thing is that you gain an hour on your last night.

We were having a LOT of issues with the TV today, so many glitches and it was super slow!

Getting closer and closer

Time for breakfast for Rob and I...

Then we played some trivia...

The answer to one of the questions was right here in the pub...the colour of Pongo's collar.

We had tried to do a load of laundry but all of the washers were taken on both decks 6 & 7 so Rob waited for one to open while I went down to play Disney Tunes Trivia. He found one on deck 7 and just stuck around there I think.

Gosh, this was the busiest I've ever seen trivia, the entire room was full by the time we began! I played along just myself and did really well but there was a team who got them all right. The CM didn't seem to believe them...so sassy!

Rob ran into Alex doing our room so he finally got a pic of him. He was a great host!

I joined Rob and then we got our laundry together when it was done. Like I said, great laundry bag!

Time for Rob's last buffet lunch, which he was very sad about.

It was too crowded, loud and too stuffy inside of Cabanas so we took it outside.

When he was done, we popped into the Cove Cafe to see if they had those little caramel things that I like and they did, so we got a couple of those. We also checked for his ice cream but I think today's special flavours were strawberry and banana.

I grabbed my lunch on the way back and headed to the room so we could watch a movie. I think we watched Saving Mr. Banks.

This was waiting for us. I always hate seeing this because it means your cruise is almost over. And to insult to injury, we got Minnie Mouse tags!

After eating, I packed up two of our suitcases and stored them in the closet.

Then Rob and I enjoyed our verandah for quite some time and we saw our final sunset at sea.

I was in my happy place. Chilling on the verandah with my hubby while my kiddo soaked up every last second in Edge with her friends. I don't often take selfies but I guess I wanted to capture this moment because I still remember how happy I was and I knew, in my mind, I would go back to that moment, over and over again.

I was trying to capture the sun going down too but it didn't work out so well.

I just loved the light, it was a great sunset!

I was a little disappointed in the New Releases section of the VOD system.

I was trying to figure out a movie to watch later, can't remember what I picked now

Back to the sunset...

 

[Timon]

This is helpful to see pictures of the port in Falmouth. We will be there in April and our plan is to just go to Margaritaville and take advantage of the pool. I suspect everyone else will too.

Awesome! Glad the pictures helped you out! Have fun!

We did the Green Grotto Caves excursion in Falmouth (FA73 on the DCL website), it was ok, interesting, but not thrilling. My kids didn't want to do Dunn's River and a few other excursions so we did this one then go right back on the ship. The bus ride was a bit intense/sketchy and I dunno...the whole area just felt "icky" Don't get me started on Ensenada and the excursion we did there.....

I hear ya! We felt like that about the whole island in 2003!

So we do our first Eastern the end of February, I am starting to count the days I am so ready to get away. I was almost drooling over the chicken tender pictures they are so good on the ship!

Oooh, that is almost here!!! You're going to have a great time! I am drooling over my pics of the tenders too.

Always love, love LOVE reading your trippies!!!

Thank you!!

I LOVE Rob's t-shirt! My adult daughter is a huge snacker and she gets lots of teasing from us. She refers to that quote all the time. So cute!

Hahaha! Too funny!!

The way they wrapped that clock! Sooo pretty!!

So, is that another Straw Market beyond the gates? I don't recall seeing all those information signs and the walk being that pretty when we were there in 2015. Must be newer since then or is my brain that fogged up and it was there all the time? Hmmmm, don't answer. I already know what you're going to say.

Yes, like a flea market type thing.

Not sure how new it is??

Ahhhhh, nothing like a good rain storm on a cruise, eh? Jamaica had the best one for us too. Lots of thunder and lightning. It was absolutely glorious!!!

Very nice!!! Wish we had some storms on our cruise back in 2018!

That is hilarious!



Exactly. I always see the same people over and over and may know of someone else on the ship and never see or see them once and thats it.



I have one like that! She actually said she may wear shorts next summer.



So funny!

All caught up. Loving all the updates. I need a cruise...but mr. grumpy pants is having a fit about me going anywhere lately.

Isn't it funny how you see the same people over and over? Rob is oblivious so he never notices but I do.

She would have worn shorts in Grand Cayman but she forgot to pack them!

Tell Mr Grumpy Pants you always need a cruise.

Oh this is amazing!! We're going on the Wonder NEXT March, so this just whets my appetite for our short trip.

We'll be in Calgary THIS March for a thing in Airdrie, then flying directly to DLR for the week as the kids are on spring break that week. I know you don't like people but I'd love to meet up for chicken fingers and fries and listen to you talk about the Wonder and give us tips on our first trip.

I love all your photos, and Rob's too, natch. It's great to see all the things, especially the food we can look forward to.

We are about as south in the city as you can get so Airdrie is a bit of a ways but feel free to PM me and let me know what day you will be in Calgary and if our schedules work out, we can meet up.

Ahhhh nothing like a good rain storm on a cruise Love that you were still able to go for your after-dinner dip as well!

I love a good rain storm anywhere but I especially love them on a ship!

Awwww, Rob wanted to give Kira a hug. Sooo sweet!
Isn’t it wonderful how the staff remembers you? I’m amazed by all that. Most times, I can’t even remember what I had for breakfast....10 minutes after I ate it.

I think some remember you and others act as if they do. Good for business

We must have the same daughter. Mine wants to wear her dock martens and jeans in the middle of summer. We live in 100 plus degree area. UGH...

I'm enjoying your trip report. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

LOL! Yup, sounds like Kira! We're having super nice weather now and she's still wearing her big heavy winter parka

I never thought of it like that. That was a good idea on your part. I have started traditions with my daughter and my mom. With my mom it will be the second Year i got on a RCL cruise with her right before Mother’s Day and for my daughter and I the second weekend of December we head to Disney for a Christmas weekend. It is important to me to do these. Glad you were able to keep your tradition.

Awww those sound like perfect traditions!!!

I had hoped we could do Mother's Day in Disneyland again this year but that's not going to happen I do get to go somewhere awesome on my birthday though, which will be a first for me and something I have been wanting to do all my life.

So beautiful Cass I lost my beloved mother 5 years ago during Christmastime...Christmas was her favorite. It will never be the same without her but like you, I've tried to make new traditions. My sadness starts around Halloween and last until January 9 which is when we buried her. I'm so glad you guys are having such a fun cruise. Looking forward to more. I'm not crying, you are

I'm sorry for you loss.

Yup, same with my Mom, she loved xmas so much. I feel for you, lost my Mom on the 29th and then my dad on Jan 18th, 11 years later, holidays are always hard.

I sure see it and thought of your mom immediately! What a beautiful sign that she’s still watching over you all!
That would’ve taken my breath away!

It definitely stopped me in my tracks!

Awww Cass I'm so glad it's been a great Christmas, you absolutely deserve it! And yes I saw the cross immediately in the photo

Awww thanks, hun!!!

I see what you saw in the sky without a doubt. Sounds like a great way to spend Christmas.

It was the best!

Love love this report!! Favorite part? the angel cross from your Mom, how special that is. That exact same thing happened to me last year while in Australia! Both my parents have passed now, and while we were relaxing at the hotel pool... Up I look, and a heart starts shaping right in front of me. omg I kid you not. And as fast as that happened, it disappeared. Just like that. I will never forget it, a gift from my Mom and Dad. So yes Cass, that was a gift from your Mom, without a doubt in my mind. How great is that?!!

Aww thanks hun!!

Oh wow!! What a wonderful gift from your parents, they are always watching over!

Santa Goofy!!!!! AHHHHHH!! So cute!

Sorry, lol

You looked like you were in heaven in the pool and hot tub

Except for the 2nd night when it was closed, this was the BEST cruise for my pool time! Couldn't have asked for a better cruise!

Gorgeous sky!

It's so great Kira found some friends to hang with.
Christmas on a cruise is my dream, as you know. One of these years i will make it happen!

Yes, it made a huge difference that Kira was having so much fun!!

It will happen.

I LOVE to hear you say how wonderful Christmas was last year!!!

Thanks babe! My favourite ever, since 1996!