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

[Kazabby]

Hi, All! I've had this WONDERFUL Christmas Cruise booked since July but I just recently started reading this thread and decided it was time for me to submit a post of my own! We heard about this Holiday Cruise from our long-time friends (& TA...how convenient!)...they were going & wanted us to join them. It was too hard to resist! We are HUGE Disney fans and have always dreamed of going on a Disney Cruise! We finally decided to turn our dreams into reality! Yay!
Now for some introductions! We are a Disney-loving family of 5...myself (Valerie), DH, DD(12), DS(10) & DD(4). I'm not sure who is more excited about this upcoming Cruise...DH & I or the kids! Our friends told us about the FE and Secret Mickey and we def want to join in! I was able to get the spreadsheet link & I took the courtesy of signing us up for both...I hope that was ok! I just wanted to be sure to make the Nov 7th deadline so we wouldn't miss out on all the fun this group has planned! We are soooo excited! We can hardly wait till Dec 18th!

 

[hitormiss]

Hi, All! I've had this WONDERFUL Christmas Cruise booked since July but I just recently started reading this thread and decided it was time for me to submit a post of my own!

Welcome, Kazabby! You and your family are going to have a FANTASTIC time! Welcome to the FE Club!

 

[Kazabby]

Thanks! We are excited to be part of this group! We've talked about, dreamed about, and 'almost' booked a Disney Cruise for years...we finally just decided to think less & ACT! If we LOVE it as much as I know we will than I think we'll have to make it a regular part of our future vacationing!

 

[Tinkerbellll]

to all the new cruisers!!!


Even though we don't know each other, we all have one thing in common: A really great vacation planned for Christmas this year!

Oh, I think we have another thing in common: Kids we adore!

Happy Friday!!!

 

[Kazabby]

to all the new cruisers!!!


Even though we don't know each other, we all have one thing in common: A really great vacation planned for Christmas this year!

Oh, I think we have another thing in common: Kids we adore!

Happy Friday!!!

Thanks for the warm welcome! You are absolutely right on BOTH remarks!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Welcome to the group! I think it's going to be time soon to plan some get togethers too (maybe once we close the FE exchange)! I can't wait to meet everyone and put names and faces together.

One major concern: DH's grandmother had a stroke last year and has been going downhill since then. The family finally decided to put her in hospice and withdraw support. This sweet lady has been such a firecracker, until her stroke. Since then, she's been unable to eat well or even recognize family members. Soooo sad. Anyway, DH is very worried about her passing during our cruise. I told him we have full insurance so we can cancel if we really have to. It's just so uncertain because I don't know how long she has to live. Anyway, I am keeping her in our thoughts and hope that it doesn't come down to us cancelling. That would be a total nightmare.

Thanks all for listening. Happy Friday and happy 43 days till sailing!!!!

Katherine

 

[Tinkerbellll]

(((( Hugs )))) I lost my dad to a stroke 10 years ago, so my heart is with you and your family.

 

[CountryCharmer]

Sending you strength, courage and hugs through this whole thing. Please know that even though we are strangers, I am praying for you all.

God Bless! Please keep up with posts and if anything is needed let us know.

 

[CountryCharmer]

We planned our trip and asked for accessible stateroom. We are not asking because we want more room, but because we are traveling with DD who has had three strokes, has Cerebrael Palsy, Erb's Palsy, Bell's Palsy, and thus her mobility is not great. She tires easily from trying to be independent and not always use walker and/or wheelchair.

Because we felt she may need these items, we planned for accessible room, noted it in our reservation, etc.

When we got our room number assignment, I was sad to see it was a regular room (#2500). I called and they told me that all the rooms were sold out and they had no handicapped rooms left. The female seemed not to really care that I had asked for this during initial reservation, etc., and said that I would have to live with what we have! I would think some "magic" should have happened and they would have considered changing someone who did not need this "handicapped" room to ours and vice versa..... oh, well!! Just venting.

 

[designertravels]

I would call back atleast a couple more times until you feel you have spoken to the "right" person. I get different answers from the CM quite often. Good luck!

Jill

 

[SanDeeKath]

I would call back atleast a couple more times until you feel you have spoken to the "right" person. I get different answers from the CM quite often. Good luck!

Jill

I agree. I would even go so far as to ask for a supervisor! Was this a GTY room that you just got assigned? I think you should call them back...

FYI, we asked for a handicapped room on our last cruise with Disney when my DD's cousin travelled with us. He has terrible asthma and has oxygen and a nebulizer he carries around. They told us too bad too. It turned out fine but I was not happy about the nonchalant attitude. Also, I filled out the medical form and faxed it in right at the beginning. They were not very nice to us at check in also (he had to use his meds during the 1 1/2h it took to get through the line but they basically told us too bad, just get back in line). However, I heard it was only their 2nd time in the port of LA and that things were not going smoothly that day. Since then, I think they have ironed out the delays (one hopes).

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

Kin

Welcome to the group! I think it's going to be time soon to plan some get togethers too (maybe once we close the FE exchange)! I can't wait to meet everyone and put names and faces together.

One major concern: DH's grandmother had a stroke last year and has been going downhill since then. The family finally decided to put her in hospice and withdraw support. This sweet lady has been such a firecracker, until her stroke. Since then, she's been unable to eat well or even recognize family members. Soooo sad. Anyway, DH is very worried about her passing during our cruise. I told him we have full insurance so we can cancel if we really have to. It's just so uncertain because I don't know how long she has to live. Anyway, I am keeping her in our thoughts and hope that it doesn't come down to us cancelling. That would be a total nightmare.

Thanks all for listening. Happy Friday and happy 43 days till sailing!!!!

Katherine

Katherine

I am so sorry to hear this news. I will say a prayer for you DH's Grandmother. I know how hard it is when someone so full of life becomes another person all together.

I will also keep my fingers crossed that you don't need to miss the cruise, we sure would love to meet you face to face. Of course we will all understand if you have to stay home.

I also like the idea of planning a meet and greet perhaps for the first day.

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed and if you don't mind I will say a prayer or two.

Dianne

 

[Dchachos]

We planned our trip and asked for accessible stateroom. We are not asking because we want more room, but because we are traveling with DD who has had three strokes, has Cerebrael Palsy, Erb's Palsy, Bell's Palsy, and thus her mobility is not great. She tires easily from trying to be independent and not always use walker and/or wheelchair.

Because we felt she may need these items, we planned for accessible room, noted it in our reservation, etc.

When we got our room number assignment, I was sad to see it was a regular room (#2500). I called and they told me that all the rooms were sold out and they had no handicapped rooms left. The female seemed not to really care that I had asked for this during initial reservation, etc., and said that I would have to live with what we have! I would think some "magic" should have happened and they would have considered changing someone who did not need this "handicapped" room to ours and vice versa..... oh, well!! Just venting.

That is horrible. I would call back and ask to speak to a supervisor perhaps they could contact someone who was booked in an accesable room to see if they needed it or were assigned it through GTY and then maybe they could switch. If you go to the website and search for a cruise and click accessable there are still Oceanview and Veranda rooms available.

I need accessable and I get annoyed by people getting the rooms because they have more space. I understand wanting more room, but they need to try and manuver a scooter in a small space, or try and get in a shower and fear that you are going to fall because you can't lift your legs high enough to get over the side of the tub.

If your DD needs to come to our room and use our shower I would be more than happy to share our shower with her. I fully understand how scary a shower can be lol.

Dianne

 

[TheLeMasters]

I suspect that most folks are voracious readers of the DIS boards and already have seen this, but in case you didn't: There is a recent trip report that nicely describes a few of the more "beachy" options for excursions on the MR itinerary. It can be found at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2811133 It also has some great pictures.

 

[Dchachos]

Whew I have been working on FE gifts today and I though huh I wonder how many days I have left to get these done. The answer:

39!​

Okay that's not quite true because there are travel and pack days to consider. We are getting closer everyday!

I am just like a little kid

I try really hard to live by the motto of not wishing my life away by wishing it was Friday on Monday, or wishing for a certain day, because you might miss something amazing by looking ahead. Somthing really great could be right in front of you. Let me tell you it is hard to not do that with this cruise.

 

[Brooklyn]

Hi, All! I've had this WONDERFUL Christmas Cruise booked since July but I just recently started reading this thread and decided it was time for me to submit a post of my own! We heard about this Holiday Cruise from our long-time friends (& TA...how convenient!)...they were going & wanted us to join them. It was too hard to resist! We are HUGE Disney fans and have always dreamed of going on a Disney Cruise! We finally decided to turn our dreams into reality! Yay!
Now for some introductions! We are a Disney-loving family of 5...myself (Valerie), DH, DD(12), DS(10) & DD(4). I'm not sure who is more excited about this upcoming Cruise...DH & I or the kids! Our friends told us about the FE and Secret Mickey and we def want to join in! I was able to get the spreadsheet link & I took the courtesy of signing us up for both...I hope that was ok! I just wanted to be sure to make the Nov 7th deadline so we wouldn't miss out on all the fun this group has planned! We are soooo excited! We can hardly wait till Dec 18th!

So excited to be cruising with friends!!! I can't wait to fill you in on the cruise last week. It was AMAZING!!! So excited for Christmas!!! We need to chat this week!

 

[Brooklyn]

We are back from a WONDERful week. The cruise could not have been any better!!! Makes us even more excited for Christmas!!! When we were leaving the Christmas decorations were coming out!!! It was so cool to enter the ship with Halloween Decorations and leave with Christmas decorations up!!!

If you have any questions let me know. I will scan in all the navigators this week.

 

[Dchachos]

We are back from a WONDERful week. The cruise could not have been any better!!! Makes us even more excited for Christmas!!! When we were leaving the Christmas decorations were coming out!!! It was so cool to enter the ship with Halloween Decorations and leave with Christmas decorations up!!!

If you have any questions let me know. I will scan in all the navigators this week.

Welcome back I can't wait to hear or I should say read all about your trip.

How was the weather? I am starting a mental packing list and I am trying to figure out what kind of clothes to pack I have considered packing and then I have to stop myself, it may just be a big tease to have packed suitcases mocking me. Oh and I have 2 other trips this month.

On Pirate Night how many people were in costumes. I got lucky and found the boys pirate costumes at Target in the after Halloween Clearance. I did not find one for me. I keep trying to find one, yet I get frustrated because most of the ones I am finding are "sexy" pirate. I want to be Mom pirate. The ones that aren't too revelaing are too expensive for me to spend on a costume. If I am going to spend $50.00 or more I want something I can wear all the time. So anyway back to my question will I stickout like a soar thumb if I don't wear a costume and my kids do? Side note it does give the excuse to buy a new dress.......like I need an excuse.

 

[Brooklyn]

Welcome back I can't wait to hear or I should say read all about your trip.

How was the weather? I am starting a mental packing list and I am trying to figure out what kind of clothes to pack I have considered packing and then I have to stop myself, it may just be a big tease to have packed suitcases mocking me. Oh and I have 2 other trips this month.

On Pirate Night how many people were in costumes. I got lucky and found the boys pirate costumes at Target in the after Halloween Clearance. I did not find one for me. I keep trying to find one, yet I get frustrated because most of the ones I am finding are "sexy" pirate. I want to be Mom pirate. The ones that aren't too revelaing are too expensive for me to spend on a costume. If I am going to spend $50.00 or more I want something I can wear all the time. So anyway back to my question will I stickout like a soar thumb if I don't wear a costume and my kids do? Side note it does give the excuse to buy a new dress.......like I need an excuse.

The weather was beautiful UNTIL we made the turn leaving Cabo. It got VERY windy and rocky. The last day was ROUGH! It did get better late afternoon on the last sea day.

There were a handful of parents dressed for pirate night. My husband and I did not dress us...we both wear pirate tshirts. You will not stick out if you don't have a costume.

People in general were VERY casual on the cruise....much more then we are used to. We had about 2100 on board and about 500 were repeat cruisers. Most people were new and just trying to figure it all out!

Trip report soon but for now I am happy to answer any questions. One of our best cruises to date!

 

[Brooklyn]

I don't laminate my magnetic paper. You're right, i think it would be too heavy or not stick well. I have a scrapbooking machine called a Xyron and I USED to be able to get cartridges for it that were laminate on the front and magnetic on the back. Not anymore So last cruise I just bought magnetic paper. It worked out fine.

I have never had an issue with the water onboard. We usually bring a couple bottles with us and refill as needed from the tap and leave them in our cooling box for excursions. I'm not picky however. They do sell water onboard especially on port days, so if the onboard water is not to your liking, then you can pick up some bottles on your way off the ship.

Christine

I still get the cartridges here....I love my Xyron