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

[Dchachos]

OMG how did the time get away from me. I have been putting off finishing my FE gifts, and buying secret mickey gifts too.

This weekend my sisters and I went on a spa weekend and when I got home last night I had a mini melt down. I started thinking of all the things I kept thinking that's okay I'll get to that I have plenty of time.

I have since regrouped and developed a plan on finishing my projects, packing, shopping and getting gifts on the ship.

I am also good with a 3:00 meet.

I would come to a tasting but I can't drink. I can come and hang out.

I like the idea of having a red ribbon or something to identify us. We are pretty easy to spot. I will be the single lady on a scooter with 2 little boys walking right by me. And my kids will be the loud ones saying "Mommy look at ..... Mommy I see .......Mommy when do we get on the ship" They are practically busting at the seams.

So today I have finished Secret Mickey Shopping and one of my FE projects.

Sometimes I worry that I have been so excited about this trip there is no way it can possibly live up to my expectations, but then I think its Disney of course it will. These people who have been on multiple cruises wouldn't be coming back if it is not a magical experience.


18 days til we get on the plane 19 til we board the ship

 

[disfreaks]

HI! Just now joining! We just returned from a week on Maui! So nice to be warm for a week!
It is busy for us from August until Veteran's Day as DD 16 is a and in the marching band. Now a short break, then this trip. We also have a DS 13 who is busy as well!
I will try to catch up on everything you guys have been doing, we just booked this cruise in August when it went up that KSF! Yeah! Looking forward to more sun as it is so dark during the winter up here!

 

[Julie1]

Thank you for the welcome! I am going to search for the FE information. Also, I signed up yesterday for the Secret Mickey - first time using boards etc...do you know with whom I might check to make sure they received our information? Thank you.

 

[Double Trouble]

Just got back from DL! What an awesome weekend. Spectacular weather (mid-80s) the whole weekend and practically no crowds on Sat or Sun despite it being TGiving weekend. The Grand CA was in incredible shape and our 2br villa looked right over WOC and paradise pier. Awesome all around. We are all totally wiped out but ready to really start thinking about this cruise now that all of our other trips are over and done with!

Can someone help me out about all the different things we need to do when we board? I am getting so confused about all the stuff we need to sign up for.

1) Can we check what sort of table we were assigned (4 person, 8 person...)?
2) Do we need to do anything for the kids club if we filled out stuff on line
3) What else do we need to sign up for (Gingerbread making, tea, etc???)
4) When are we getting the final cabin list for the FEs and Secret Mickeys? Who is giving out the list in case we have something happen and don't hook up at 3pm?

Thanks so much for all the help!! I am feeling confused suddenly!

Oh, and before I forget: 20 days!!!

Katherine

1. Dining: You get your dining and table assignment via your Key To The World (KTTW) card...your room key...you get at check in; however, you can go to Wavebands where one of the head servers will take your requests to change dining times or rotations. They usually go from 12:30-3:30 but it will be posted on the boarding Navigator you get at check-in in the terminal. Seating is either Main (Early) or Late. Rotations will be something like PTAPT... (which means you do the first night in Parrot Cay, 2nd in Tritions, 3rd in Animator's Palate, etc. Note: You can also make/change Palo reservations.

2. Kids Club: There will be an opportunity (and one of the longest lines you've ever seen) to get their wristbands in the terminal; or, you can do it the easy way and just stop by the lab/club later that day and do the whole thing in a couple of minutes. I highly recommend the latter...piece of cake. Remember, this is only for club/lab age kids...the older ones can just come and go at will.

3. Sign Ups: You can go to guest services to sign up for the Tea Party, Gingerbread House Making, Tastings, selected ship tours/events, etc. If there is an event you really want to do, I suggest going there fairly soon after boarding before they run out. The Tea Party always seems to be in high demand. Also, our friends on the T-Day cruise said they did not have the Gingerbread House making (as expected) but we should have it on our week, but I'm sure it will go fast.

If you're concierge level, I imagine they can take care of most anything for you (not that I have any experience with that).

For a taste of what the first day is like, check out the following link to a Sunday Navigator:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...ZGJiNC00MDM3LTllMmQtOTYwNzc3YjkwMjZh&hl=en_US

Hope that helps!

P.S. I'll be out of town for a few days, but get some more info out on the tastings and the kids email group by this weekend.

 

[SanDeeKath]

Thanks for the great info, as always!! I was on the website tonight digging around and finally, after many clicks, found the detailed itiniary for our cruise including port times, so I thought I would post for all to see. Boy is this just a crazy website. Everything is hidden in layers upon layers of clicks. Argh. It took me 2 hours to find the form that I have to download for my DD's friend's mom to sign that says it's ok for her to travel with us. ARGH.

Anyway, here is the schedule:

Day Date Port Ashore Onboard
Sunday 18-Dec-2011 LOS ANGELES 4:00 PM
Monday 19-Dec-2011 AT SEA
Tuesday 20-Dec-2011 AT SEA
Wednesday 21-Dec-2011 MANZANILLO 8:15 AM 4:30 PM
Thursday 22-Dec-2011 PUERTO VALLARTA 7:30 AM 5:30 PM
Friday 23-Dec-2011 CABO SAN LUCAS 10:15 AM 7:00 PM TENDER
Saturday 24-Dec-2011 CABO SAN LUCAS 7:15 AM 1:30 PM TENDER
Sunday 25-Dec-2011 AT SEA
Monday 26-Dec-2011 LOS ANGELES 9:30 AM

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

If you're concierge level, I imagine they can take care of most anything for you (not that I have any experience with that).

For a taste of what the first day is like, check out the following link to a Sunday Navigator:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...ZGJiNC00MDM3LTllMmQtOTYwNzc3YjkwMjZh&hl=en_US

Yes, if you are concierge level there will be a reception in Cadillac Lounge shortly after boarding/lunch. There you will meet your personal concierge for the week, who can make any dining/excursion changes you would like. No need to go anywhere else! I imagine they could also hook you up with the Tea and gingerbread house making, but I can't guarantee that. There will also be someone there from the kids clubs to do the sign ups and someone from the spa to make any reservations you would like. They also will have free cocktails/beer and snacks. Concierge also gets boarding pass #1 so you will be first onboard- and get lunch in a pretty quiet Parrot Cay! We really enjoyed that last time.

 

[SanDeeKath]

Anyone have a good underwater camera rec? I am thinking I may just buy one for Xmas after all.

Kath

 

[Double Trouble]

You actually get your initial dining assignments on your KTTW card at check in. I don't know what I was thinking when I posted earlier. I updated my last post accordingly.

 

[DisneyDadHere]

Anyone have a good underwater camera rec? I am thinking I may just buy one for Xmas after all.

Kath

People on the boards have said the Fuji XP available at Costco was a good buy. I bought it last weekend and took it back. It looks very sturdy, waterproof and sand proof I heard, and it took decent pics outside, but the photos taken inside my house were horrible. I tried all settings and it didn't help. I don't want to pack TWO cameras for the cruise. (one inside and one for outside)

 

[betsy918]

Hey Everyone...I've got a question and a request.

Can little girls get their hair done at the salon? I know my daughter would love to have her first fancy up-do for a formal night.

Request: Would people mind signing their posts with their first names? I'm terrible with names, and it will help when we meet to connect you with the wonderful information everyone has supplied.
Thanks!
Betsy

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I've heard mixed things about girls getting their hair done. When we were on the Magic and were having our vow renewal on Castaway Cay, I had difficulty getting approval for my then-12 year old DD to get her updo done. The land based staff said yes, the onboard staff said no (even though I had a reservation for her already). Eventually the onboard wedding coordinator was able to make it happen. But, it took some doing. The stylist did a fabulous job with her hair!

I have read though on occasion about a girl getting her hair done. Could be different policies on different ships. Maybe the policy has changed? I hope so, I think it's a great idea and the hair salon is not in where the adults are in the spa. Anyone else have experience?

Christine

 

[Brooklyn]

Anyone have a good underwater camera rec? I am thinking I may just buy one for Xmas after all.

Kath

We have the Fuji underwater camera, 2 of them actually. We love them. This album was all taken by one of the Fuji cameras this summer. There is not a lot of underwater pics in this album but this is a camera that my husband always keeps in his pocket due to the size.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2690815759745.138941.1537030560&type=1&l=05095f9451

 

[Julie1]

We have a canon S90. Amazing little camera. Then we purchased a plastic casing made by polaroid (generic casing) it fits the camera snugly cost about $20 and it makes our camera waterproof! would protect it from sand as well. I have submerged the camera in the casing to take photos of my kids during their swim lessons. So if you would like to use your current camera consider looking into getting a plastic casing for it. I purchased mine via amazon.

 

[LovesToRun]

Hi everyone,

Boy, it's been a busy last few days with Thanksgiving, and getting back into the swing of things after the kids had a few days off from school.

I can't believe we all will be getting on the ship so soon!! I've got most of my FE gifts already, so that is fun.

HI! Just now joining! We just returned from a week on Maui! So nice to be warm for a week!
It is busy for us from August until Veteran's Day as DD 16 is a and in the marching band. Now a short break, then this trip. We also have a DS 13 who is busy as well!
I will try to catch up on everything you guys have been doing, we just booked this cruise in August when it went up that KSF! Yeah! Looking forward to more sun as it is so dark during the winter up here!

Welcome back from Maui! How fun... I love Maui!

I see you are from Washington!! Another Washingtonian! We are from the Seattle area.... where abouts in Washington are you from? I can definitely see why Hawaii was so appealing especially coming from our state at this time of year!!!

Anyone have a good underwater camera rec? I am thinking I may just buy one for Xmas after all.

Kath

We have one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/DicaPac-WP410...0816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322626495&sr=8-1

We LOOOOOVE this! It's perfect because this way we can use our digital camera and get high quality pictures, BUT it also will allow us to take videos, too, which is so much fun when you are in the water! We went to Hawaii a couple years ago, and we went snorkeling in this remote area, and just happen to come across a pod of Dolphins (which was beyond amazing!!), and I had our digital camea with the waterproof case, and I turned it to video and not only got a video of the dolphins, but you could hear the noises the dolphins make on the video. It was so great.

Anyway, I highly recommend something like this if you have a digital camera that will fit in it. But, they also make these water proof cases for higher end digital cameras, and different sizes of digital cameras (but then the prices get higher on the water proof cases). But, this particular one here on Amazon, we love and have had excellent luck with... doesn't leak at all, and is sand proof.

We have the Fuji underwater camera, 2 of them actually. We love them. This album was all taken by one of the Fuji cameras this summer. There is not a lot of underwater pics in this album but this is a camera that my husband always keeps in his pocket due to the size.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2690815759745.138941.1537030560&type=1&l=05095f9451

Your girls are ADORABLE!!!!!


Well, hope everyone is doing well.... I'll try to check back into the boards some time tomorrow.

Take care,
Kathy

ps. I willl try to wear something red on the day we board the ship... or put red on my boys. (well, my 9 year old is a bright red head, so I guess his hair will be the red part. None of the rest of us have red hair... only him... came out in the gene pool! ). Also, 3 PM for a meet in the Prominade Lounge works perfect for us! We should be at port by 11 AM. We are staying at the Crown Plaza the night before. I don't think we'll do a pre-cruise meet the night before because the 17th is my DH's birthday. We fly into Long Beach early afternoon on the 17th, so we are going to spend the rest of the 17th celebrating DH's birthday in Long Beach probably.

 

[Dchachos]

We should be at port by 11 AM. We are staying at the Crown Plaza the night before. I don't think we'll do a pre-cruise meet the night before because the 17th is my DH's birthday. We fly into Long Beach early afternoon on the 17th, so we are going to spend the rest of the 17th celebrating DH's birthday in Long Beach probably.

Kathy

We are staying at the Crown Plaza also and have an 11 am port arrival time, so if you are taking the hotel shuttle to the port we may see you then. We will also have some red item to help identify us.

We are a multi-racial family so we are pretty easy to spot however we will figure out something red to wear too.

I have a question for anyone to answer. I know I cannot cancel excursions onboard, but can I add one if I want?

Thanks

Dianne

 

[Brooklyn]

I have a question for anyone to answer. I know I cannot cancel excursions onboard, but can I add one if I want?

Yes as long as it is not full.

 

[jalismoore]

My family is also multi-racial..lol..My son is not liking the matching Mickey Christmas shirts I bought for boarding We will be in Grey and Black with Mickey and Christmas lights. I will head to Party City to get some red bands perhaps even red headbands for my Daughter and I.

Im still figuring how we are going to get all our luggage into the car..hmmm. Im almost done with the FE's got a little behind as we were in Las Vegas for The Thanksgiving Holiday.. I have a question for some of you I kind of bought a few too many Girl/Mom/Grandma items as well a few boy items..would you guys mind if I do a raffle(free of course) at our meet or would it take to long ( As our next trip is only to Disney Aulani in July and not sure when my next cruise will be due to my sons wonderful Club soccer schedule and him starting High School) Thanks for making our first cruise so exciting to get too!!!

Alis

Kathy

We are staying at the Crown Plaza also and have an 11 am port arrival time, so if you are taking the hotel shuttle to the port we may see you then. We will also have some red item to help identify us.

We are a multi-racial family so we are pretty easy to spot however we will figure out something red to wear too.

I have a question for anyone to answer. I know I cannot cancel excursions onboard, but can I add one if I want?

Thanks

Dianne

 

[Double Trouble]

Hey Everyone...I've got a question and a request.

Can little girls get their hair done at the salon? I know my daughter would love to have her first fancy up-do for a formal night.

Request: Would people mind signing their posts with their first names? I'm terrible with names, and it will help when we meet to connect you with the wonderful information everyone has supplied.
Thanks!
Betsy

I've heard mixed things about girls getting their hair done. When we were on the Magic and were having our vow renewal on Castaway Cay, I had difficulty getting approval for my then-12 year old DD to get her updo done. The land based staff said yes, the onboard staff said no (even though I had a reservation for her already). Eventually the onboard wedding coordinator was able to make it happen. But, it took some doing. The stylist did a fabulous job with her hair!

I have read though on occasion about a girl getting her hair done. Could be different policies on different ships. Maybe the policy has changed? I hope so, I think it's a great idea and the hair salon is not in where the adults are in the spa. Anyone else have experience?

Christine

I know it's not the "formal" hairdo you were looking for, but just FYI, they offer hair braiding with beads (like the Bo Derek "do" from the movie "10" ...which was filmed at Las Hadas in Manzanillo by the way) either on board, or at the Beach in Cabo. We've done both for the girls...the ship is more expensive, but the quality was much better. They have stations set up on the pool deck and also inside in front of the spa if the weather is not so nice outside. You can get an appointment or do a walkup if they are not busy.

On Medano Beach in Cabo, the ladies come by and will braid/bead kids hair more inexpensively, but some of their rubber bands were lower quality and broke within a day or two, and needed replacing. Just depends on who you get I guess. Anyway, it's a neat thing for the girls if they are into it. They can do simple beading (one braid), or do their full head with corn rows, beads, and all that. Maybe something for after formal night.

 

[SanDeeKath]

I hear the people at the beach don't sterilize their combs between kids. YUCK. I would seriously be worried about head lice and such. I'd go with Disney if you are set on doing this.

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

I hear the people at the beach don't sterilize their combs between kids. YUCK. I would seriously be worried about head lice and such. I'd go with Disney if you are set on doing this.

Katherine

Not quite the souveneer that you want to take home.....ewwweee.