Christmas/Holiday 2011 on the Wonder: 8 night Mexican Riviera 12/18/2011

[designertravels]

Hello All,
We are spending Christmas on the Wonder! We are Jill, Rob and twins Jenna and Brook (9). We'll be coming in from our home in Austin TX a couple days before the cruise. We plan on going to Disneyland on Saturday. This will be our 9'th Dis cruise, 2'nd X-Mas cruise, and 2'nd Wonder cruise. We are looking forward to being on the Wonder as we are always on the Magic. So if you have any cruise questions, ask away. We are looking forward to the FE, last X-Mas the exchange was a lot of fun.

We have friends joining us from San Jose that have never been on a cruise. (I'll show them disboards soon)

I still need to book hotel and transfers, let me know if you have any suggestions. I have our last X-Mas cruise blogged, it was in the Caribbean, but you can get an idea of all the special things to come. Just click to December 2010. www.guratravels.blogspot.com

Looking forward to meeting all of you! Jill

 

[SanDeeKath]

Hello All,
We are spending Christmas on the Wonder! We are Jill, Rob and twins Jenna and Brook (9). We'll be coming in from our home in Austin TX a couple days before the cruise. We plan on going to Disneyland on Saturday. This will be our 9'th Dis cruise, 2'nd X-Mas cruise, and 2'nd Wonder cruise. We are looking forward to being on the Wonder as we are always on the Magic. So if you have any cruise questions, ask away. We are looking forward to the FE, last X-Mas the exchange was a lot of fun.

We have friends joining us from San Jose that have never been on a cruise. (I'll show them disboards soon)

I still need to book hotel and transfers, let me know if you have any suggestions. I have our last X-Mas cruise blogged, it was in the Caribbean, but you can get an idea of all the special things to come. Just click to December 2010. www.guratravels.blogspot.com

Looking forward to meeting all of you! Jill

Hi Jill!

What a great blog you have! I just read the Christmas cruise and it sounded fantastic! I have one important question for you -- where did you get the mini christmas tree??? I would definitely like to surprise the kids with this decoration but I am worried about space in my suitcases since I don't pack light to begin with!

Welcome to the boards. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

Katherine

 

[betsy918]

#

1. NarrabeenSteph - Stephanie(30), DH Steffen(35) and DS Joshua(18months)
2. SanDeeKath - Katherine, Greg, Sarah (11) and Abby (6)
3. Dchachos- Dianne (47) DS James (9) DS Brendan (7) turns 8 on 12/22/11
4. MdLove2cruise-Debbie (44), Grandma, DD Anna (6) and DS Marco (4)-my dad is going as well but not in my cabin.
5. Tikerbellll - Monica (42), David (43), Nick (17), Marisa (14), Dante (7)
6. Silly Little Pixie - Christine (41), DH Stew (41), Rachel (14), Kyle (11)
7.Betsy918-Dion and Betsy (52) Mary-Grace (7-turning 8 on the cruise)

total:
14 adults
13 kids

 

[Dchachos]

Hi Jill!

What a great blog you have! I just read the Christmas cruise and it sounded fantastic! I have one important question for you -- where did you get the mini christmas tree??? I would definitely like to surprise the kids with this decoration but I am worried about space in my suitcases since I don't pack light to begin with!

Welcome to the boards. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

Katherine

Welcome Jill and family
I also was wondering where you found your tree. I have been looking but no luck yet. I also read that you can mail 1 box about the size of an office file box to the ship before the cruise and it will magically appear in your cabin.

I plan on helping Santa by sending the few gifts that we will open onboard ahead along with stockings and stuffers no candy because food may not be mailed.

I went to the fabric store today to buy the things needed to create our fis extender. I havent done crafts in a while so I hope it looks WONDERful.

Just think not too long until we sailing away!!!

 

[chernabogfamily]

1. NarrabeenSteph - Stephanie(30), DH Steffen(35) and DS Joshua(18months)
2. SanDeeKath - Katherine, Greg, Sarah (11) and Abby (6)
3. Dchachos- Dianne (47) DS James (9) DS Brendan (7) turns 8 on 12/22/11
4. MdLove2cruise-Debbie (44), Grandma, DD Anna (6) and DS Marco (4)-my dad is going as well but not in my cabin.
5. Tikerbellll - Monica (42), David (43), Nick (17), Marisa (14), Dante (7)
6. Silly Little Pixie - Christine (41), DH Stew (41), Rachel (14), Kyle (11)
7. Betsy918- Dion and Betsy (52), Mary-Grace (7 turning 8 on the cruise)
8. Chernabogfamily- Kellie (40), Jay (43), Hunter (11), Piper (8)

total:
16 adults
15 kids

 

[Tinkerbellll]

Wine tastings....when do we sign up for that as a group?

 

[Woodrow]

64 day 18 hours 15 min till we are on the plane to come.
but as I said before no one is really counting are they?????

 

[designertravels]

I bought our mini tree at a store here called Garden Ridge for $4.oo. I had all our holiday decorations in a boot box in my suitcase and they made it just fine. We received a lot of decorations from our FE, (63 cabins) so the room got more festive as the vaca went on. At the end of the trip I gave the tree to our room host. I believe you will also find mini trees at Michael's. Last year I also found Mickey battery operated lights at Lowes. Another EASY plan for an FE holder is to just use a stocking.

I have never mailed a box to the terminal, but I know people do it. I simply brought stocking stuffer sized Santa gifts. We will do the same this time.

We can't wait!

Jill

 

[SanDeeKath]

I bought our mini tree at a store here called Garden Ridge for $4.oo. I had all our holiday decorations in a boot box in my suitcase and they made it just fine. We received a lot of decorations from our FE, (63 cabins) so the room got more festive as the vaca went on. At the end of the trip I gave the tree to our room host. I believe you will also find mini trees at Michael's. Last year I also found Mickey battery operated lights at Lowes. Another EASY plan for an FE holder is to just use a stocking.

I have never mailed a box to the terminal, but I know people do it. I simply brought stocking stuffer sized Santa gifts. We will do the same this time.

We can't wait!

Jill

Thanks for the info! How big was the tree? I am looking at some 24" ones but I am not sure they would fold into a suitcase ok. Katherine

 

[Double Trouble]

Wine tastings....when do we sign up for that as a group?

When we get a bit closer, I will get all the info I can on tastings, either to do as a group (optional of course), or for individual use. We've done several before (group and individual) and have always had fun! More to follow...

 

[Dchachos]

64 day 18 hours 15 min till we are on the plane to come.
but as I said before no one is really counting are they?????

I am I can't stand it. Ironically I always tell people that when you wish for time to go by you are wishing your life away, and you never know what you might miss. But dang I am so excited for this cruise. This by far has got to be the BEST present I have ever received. We are flying in on Saturday so that my oldest son can accept the change in our routine and we don't have to rush. We are staying by the port so we can wake up and get to the ship.

Thanks for counting, oops I forgot who is counting anyway lol

 

[Double Trouble]

Hello All,
We are spending Christmas on the Wonder! We are Jill, Rob and twins Jenna and Brook (9). We'll be coming in from our home in Austin TX a couple days before the cruise. We plan on going to Disneyland on Saturday. This will be our 9'th Dis cruise, 2'nd X-Mas cruise, and 2'nd Wonder cruise. We are looking forward to being on the Wonder as we are always on the Magic. So if you have any cruise questions, ask away. We are looking forward to the FE, last X-Mas the exchange was a lot of fun.

We have friends joining us from San Jose that have never been on a cruise. (I'll show them disboards soon)

I still need to book hotel and transfers, let me know if you have any suggestions. I have our last X-Mas cruise blogged, it was in the Caribbean, but you can get an idea of all the special things to come. Just click to December 2010. www.guratravels.blogspot.com

Looking forward to meeting all of you! Jill

Welcome to our group!

I'm just getting started reading your blogs, but they're pretty amazing! We really wanted to do the Med cruise with the kids (haven't made it work yet) and will have plenty of questions for you.

The girls should have no problem finding friends on this cruise. We've got plenty of kids in our group including my 9-year-old niece and my 8-year old twin DDs. I sense a party coming!

Regarding hotels, we usually stay at the Doubletree in San Pedro near the port, but if you're going to DLR on Saturday you may want to stay (near) there and shuttle to the port on Sunday morning(?). I believe Disney has transfers from their hotels to the port, for a fee of course. Otherwise, LA is full of van/taxi/limo options. We're driving in so maybe some of those flying in can be of more assistance.

Anyway, glad to have you aboard. We've got an FE group going and are still setting up meetups and other activities. Looking forward to meeting you.

 

[Dchachos]

Welcome to our group!

I'm just getting started reading your blogs, but they're pretty amazing! We really wanted to do the Med cruise with the kids (haven't made it work yet) and will have plenty of questions for you.

The girls should have no problem finding friends on this cruise. We've got plenty of kids in our group including my 9-year-old niece and my 8-year old twin DDs. I sense a party coming!

Regarding hotels, we usually stay at the Doubletree in San Pedro near the port, but if you're going to DLR on Saturday you may want to stay (near) there and shuttle to the port on Sunday morning(?). I believe Disney has transfers from their hotels to the port, for a fee of course. Otherwise, LA is full of van/taxi/limo options. We're driving in so maybe some of those flying in can be of more assistance.

Anyway, glad to have you aboard. We've got an FE group going and are still setting up meetups and other activities. Looking forward to meeting you.

I am flying in to Long Beach and using Super Shuttle to get to our hotel. They charge $15 per person and it is a shared van with up to 9 people. If you can get a limo for around $100.00 I believe.

I am staying at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro but instead of booking through their website I went through Priceline, I bid $65.00 and narrowed the location to San Pedro only 3 stars and above. I lucked out and got The Crowne Plaza, their price was $135.00 a night. They have a free shuttle to the Los Angeles Harbor. I am taking the Super Shuttle back to the airport.

I booked my return flight at 1:20 now I am scared I picked a flight that is too early. What time do we disembark? I figured early because my check in time is 11:00 am so the people on the previous cruise must have had to be off by 9:00 or 10:00, am I right?

Oh and I found a good seller on E-bay for Christmas decorations. I got a 18 inch tree and battery operated lights to bring on the ship. If you combine purchases shipping is only $7 no matter how much you buy.
Here is the link: http://stores.ebay.com/Christmas-Central

Okay enough posting from me tonight. I can't promise anything about tomorrow. BTW my fe is coming along nicely I am so excited, I will post pictures when it is done.

 

[Tinkerbellll]

When we get a bit closer, I will get all the info I can on tastings, either to do as a group (optional of course), or for individual use. We've done several before (group and individual) and have always had fun! More to follow...

Thanks DT! My husband and I are interested in the tasting sessions as well as The Art of Entertaining series. We will probably go to many if not all of those. Really looking forward to December 18th, too, but I agree with Dchacos...every day is a gift! I don't want overlook that. So, for tonight, I will enjoy my son's football game...he is the varsity kicker which really is a great position in my opinion......kick the ball....(way to go! good job!)...... now get off the field!!!!!

TGIF! Have a great weekend

 

[Brooklyn]

Secret Mickey Gift Exchange:

Please fill out the following form in order to sign up for the Secret Mickey exchange. Please fill out the form for each member of your family who wants to participate. If you have any questions please send me a PM


SECRET MICKEY FORM


Please take time to fill out the following information thoroughly. The more info you give the better your Secret Mickey will understand what you like. You will receive your Secret Mickey assignment November 18th. The deadline to sign up is Nov 14th. Gifts should have a value of approx. $25.00 - $30.00 total. Toward the end of the cruise we will plan for a "Meet your Secret Mickey" gathering. *Please fill out the following information seperating for each person particiapting in your family.


Thank You!​

 

[Tinkerbellll]

Secret Mickey Gift Exchange:

Please fill out the following form in order to sign up for the Secret Mickey exchange. Please fill out the form for each member of your family who wants to participate. If you have any questions please send me a PM


SECRET MICKEY FORM


Please take time to fill out the following information thoroughly. The more info you give the better your Secret Mickey will understand what you like. You will receive your Secret Mickey assignment November 18th. The deadline to sign up is Nov 14th. Gifts should have a value of approx. $25.00 - $30.00 total. Toward the end of the cruise we will plan for a "Meet your Secret Mickey" gathering. *Please fill out the following information seperating for each person particiapting in your family.


Thank You!​

NICE! We will get our Secret Mickey assignment on Mickey's birthday.

BTW - thanks for organizing this. Sounds like fun!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Thanks for the great ebay link for the Christmas trees.

One thing to be VERY careful about. One year they CONFISCATED a tree from my neighbor because it had lights on it. I would get the ones that are without lights because I believe they are not allowed on the ship due to possible fire hazzard.

I am going to order the unlit 24" I think and then get some plastic ornaments to take along.

Katherine

 

[mdlove2cruise]

I believe for the FE I will be doing boy and girl bags. If you are participating in our FE could you please mark your kids names on the spreadsheet either g (girl) or b (boy). Thanks.

Debbie

 

[vmzach]

Does anyone have any feedback on the Cabo Canopy Adventure vs. the one in Puerto Vallarta? Most of the reviews I see are for the one in PV, but we would like to do the one in Cabo if it's comparable (all I've heard is that the PV one is more "green"). It's the first zipline for all of us!

 

[hitormiss]

I am flying in to Long Beach and using Super Shuttle to get to our hotel. They charge $15 per person and it is a shared van with up to 9 people.

I booked my return flight at 1:20 now I am scared I picked a flight that is too early. What time do we disembark?

You may want to look into a taxi from LGB. As of last year, they had a flat rate of around $45 to the port (not from the port back to LGB), and it's much more convenient than a shuttle - you don't have to wait for it to fill up, don't have to worry about additional stops, etc. You can call a Long Beach taxi company to check prices.

Regarding your flight back, you shouldn't have any problem. The Long Beach airport is only about 20 minutes from the port. If you are at all worried, you can ask to disembark on the early side. Confirm with the shuttle company that you won't have to wait a long time for your shuttle. You may also want to consider a taxi back to the airport - probably a little more expensive, and you might have to tip a porter to get you a cab. Is peace of mind at the end of your trip worth an extra $20 or so? Depends on the person.