Christmas Cruise on the Wonder - 12/23/07

[TheTXTaylors5]

Is there anybody else going on this Christmas Cruise? This will be our second Disney Cruise and we are very excited!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Anyone joining us or have any feedback on the Christmas cruises?

 

[nanaguide]

We just got back from the 4 day Christmas cruise. It was the best!!! My husband had me book for next year. We even have the same rooms. My grandson, Aiden, loved every minute of it. The crew made it very special.
We'll look forward to meeting all of you.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Thank you for your response. Initially, we were concerned about booking a "Christmas Cruise" because of our small children. They seem to be warming up to the idea of being away from home on Christmas. We plan on bringing a small "fake" tree and their stockings to hang. Were there any special activities planned on Christmas day onboard? Also, were you on Castaway Cay Christmas Day? Our current itinerary shows we will be At Sea on Christmas Day. This year will go by fast and we will be on the Wonder before you know it! Happy Holidays - The Taylors

 

[nanaguide]

Happy New Year!!! Yes, there were lots of activities on Christmas Day. They do have church services. Some of the crew sang carols. Santa was by the big, beautiful tree handing out a present to each child. He was there for 4 hours. It was a Winnie the Pooh pillow. Our grandson slept with it the rest of the cruise. The kids can make adorable gingerbread houses with candy - be sure to sign up for this activity as soon as you get on the ship. We didn't and didn't get in. Next year that is the first place I will go so Aiden can make a candy house. We bought a small foldup tree that we bought at the Disney store in Downtown Disney - it lights up with batteries. It has little Mickey heads all over it. It fit perfect on the tall dresser. We put Aiden's packages around it and hung the stockings. We felt like Christmas. Everything on the ship is beautifully decorated. The huge gingerbread house is adorable next to shutters. There are characters everywhere. I forgot to tell you our rotation - the first 2 nights we were in Animators, then Parrot Cay, and Tritons the last night. We went to Palo's for brunch on Christmas Day and ate at Palo's our last night. We also ate breakfast in Triton's in the morning. They must be changing the schedule for next year. We left on the 24th, spent the 25th at Sea, the 26th we were at Nassau, and the 27th we were at the Disney Island - it took Capt. John 2 tries to get us in. The crew said they had been having trouble docking lately because of the winds and the current. The island was decorated for Christmas. On the dock was a big tree and snow blowing around it. They have a new trail on the island and a lookout post (2 stories up) that you can climb. Aiden and I rode our bike around the island a couple of times. The pirate ship is really something and of course Capt.Jack was there to take pictures of. Between us I think the real Capt.Jack is in Magic Kingdom.
I swear he is a clone of Johnny Depp. He is so good and handsome!!! Well, the one on the island is OK. You will love it and the kids will love it. I'm sure.
This is an expensive tradition to start - we'll see how long we can keep it going.Please don't hesitate to ask any other questions you might have.

 

[nanaguide]

Our grandson, Aiden, is 4 so next Christmas he will be 5. He loved going to the Oceaneer's Club. He called it "the area". The first night Mulan visited them. The 2nd night Jo Jo visited. The 3rd night was Snow White and the last night I believe was Tarzan. Aiden loved the 3 shows (Hercules, Dreams, and Golden Mickeys). We didn't take him to the comedy night show. I'll be honest he didn't last past the appetizer course at the big dinners. He told us he was ready to go to "the area". So of he went. We were pleased with the swimming. Last time he could only be in one ear as he wasn't potty trained. They have really enlarged that area. He loved being in the big kid pool and going down the slide at least 30 times he told us. It was just a great, great trip. Look forward to meeting you next year.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

DD4 (Emily) will also be 5 when we cruise. She is VERY friendly and loves to make friends.

Our children had the best time this past November on our cruise. When we saw how happy they were that made it so easy to re-book onboard. DD4 was crying in the car when we were leaving the port. She didn't want to leave the "Disney Boat" as she called it. We boarded the ship the Sunday after Thanksgiving. So, we got to see the ship and Castaway Cay beautifully decorated for Christmas. That was a nice treat. DD4 keeps talking about the reindeer bus on CC (the trams had antlers and a tail). Children notice things like that. Now we just have to be patient until next December...
- Jennifer

 

[simba2002]

Hi, just found this thread. We are going on the 12/23/07 4 night bahamas cruise. I am sooooo excited. This is our 1st cruise. I have a daughter that is 5 and she is so excited. Any exciting hints or tips for the Christmas cruise???

 

[debloco]

We're going for Christmas! It will be me and my DD (18). My parents are also coming. It's my 5th and my DD's 3rd Disney cruise. My DM's 2nd and for my DM's husband it's his 1st! We're all still a bit shocked that he agreed to go

We're so looking forward to seeing the ship and Castaway Cay decorated for Christmas

Nice to know that a few other DISer's will be on board!

 

[nanaguide]

Glad we are all thinking about Christmas. We got our package from Disney. Also they reminded us that we have to be paid in full by Oct.5 or thereabouts. As I said before we loved being on the Magic over Christmas. My one tip would be to sign up for activities as soon as you board. Last year I didn't sign up my grandson ( he'll be 5 in November) for the gingerbread activity and I was sorry that we missed it. Santa is out Christmas morning and gives each child a gift. The ship is decorated beautifully and the crew were all in the Christmas spirit. We went to Nassau on our own. We rode the little boats over ($5 each I think) to the big hotel and casino. My husband and kids gambled and I shopped and explored. We left Aiden on the ship. I went to the straw market across from the dock but didn't venture any further than that by myself. It was very special for all of us and we're excited to do it again. It is just a good time to be with family. Hope to meet you all on the ship.

 

[simba2002]

Glad we are all thinking about Christmas. We got our package from Disney. Also they reminded us that we have to be paid in full by Oct.5 or thereabouts. As I said before we loved being on the Magic over Christmas. My one tip would be to sign up for activities as soon as you board. Last year I didn't sign up my grandson ( he'll be 5 in November) for the gingerbread activity and I was sorry that we missed it. Santa is out Christmas morning and gives each child a gift. The ship is decorated beautifully and the crew were all in the Christmas spirit. We went to Nassau on our own. We rode the little boats over ($5 each I think) to the big hotel and casino. My husband and kids gambled and I shopped and explored. We left Aiden on the ship. I went to the straw market across from the dock but didn't venture any further than that by myself. It was very special for all of us and we're excited to do it again. It is just a good time to be with family. Hope to meet you all on the ship.

We are 1st cruisers and so excited about Christmas. I have questions if you can help.
What papers?? I thought you could sign up for the kid's activities on line; can you not?

Also, I have seen 2 schedules of the itinerary one shows we are at seas Christmas Day and One shows that we are at Castaway Cay? Do you know the correct one?

Thank You for the information. I love reading about the upcoming cruise.

 

[nanaguide]

The papers we received was the brown folder that had all the brochures in it. I haven't paid our final payment so I don't know if you can sign up for that particular activity on-line. I don't think you can but I could be mistaken.
You will just love all the decorations. There are lots and lots of families aboard so it is really a joyous holiday. The crew really seems to enjoy all the festivities. I take a little tree that has lights on it (it folds up) and I put it on the trunk in the middle of the room and put our few packages around it. The grandson has to have a few packages on board. It is also special to eat at Palo's. Of course I love to eat at Palo's whenever I'm sailing with Disney. Hope I answered your questions. Please feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[nanaguide]

Oh, I forgot to answer your other question. I have seen both schedules and I don't know which one is correct. You might call and ask them. I just wish Christmas Day was a Sea Day - so we could really enjoy it but I'll be happy with whatever they do.

 

[simba2002]

Thank You for some of the answers. We have not received anything yet. I did e-mail DCL and they said they may have some Christmas Decoration Packages coming out closer to the time. I was trying to think of what to do as we have a 5-year old daughter and this is the first time away from home on the holidays. We live close to orlando so we usually always go on the 23 and 24 to Disney world, but are always back home the night of the 24. She is so excited about the cruise that as long as I can get a few little things under "something" she will be fine.

Also when I e-mailed them they sent me the same itinerary that is on there website. I would like it to be at sea also on Christmas day.

Can you sign up for the Children activities on line?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Nette]

We just booked, and I'm terrified. I've never spent Christmas away from my mom and brothers... Last year was such a depressing holiday though that I don't want to deal with it this year.

(Mom's brother went to a strip club, and my brother was forgotten and didn't get to open presents with us. )

j.

 

[simba2002]

Got the Brown Folder Today. Getting Closer!!!!

 

[nanaguide]

I was thingking about the Christmas cruise today. I stopped at Office Depot to buy some magnetic sheets so I can make my door decorations. I'm going to also decorate my daughter's door but she doesn't know that yet.
I love doing these things-it helps me get excited about the cruise. I already decided what I am going to wear. Last year I was way over dressed when we boarded so I'm changing that. They do dress up for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is so much fun to see the kids in their "finery". I'll make our final payment on Oct. 1st then I'll be able to see what kid's activities we can sign up for. Of course we want to sign up for Palo's and tea.

 

[simba2002]

What day will they do the Pirate night with it being the Holiday???

 

[draamamom]

Hi! I am so glad I found this thread. We are first time cruisers. We will be traveling with my 8 yo dd and 1 yo ds, as well as my husband and my mom and dad. This is the first Christmas we've spent away from home in years, but I'm really excited. Thanks, Nanaguide, for all the great info about last year's cruise. I am nervous but know that it's going to be beautiful! I am curious about the Pirate dinner also. Another thing, how do they do Christmas dinner? Is it just regular rotation but a different menu? And how dressed up does everyone get? Looking forward to everything!
Jennifer

 

[nanaguide]

Last year I believe they did Pirate Night on the 26th. Don't know what they will do this year. Some people dressed up for Christmas dinner and others did not. I guess you just do what your family feels comfortable doing. They had a special menu for Christmas dinner. We will be making our final payment next week and then I can book Palo's and brunch - don't want to miss that.