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

[Double Trouble]

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

You are correct...and I agree. Although DW closely scrutinized the combs/materials they used in Cabo, the lower quality was not worth the savings in the end. We will be doing this onboard this time if the girls choose to.

 

[Dchachos]

OK we are close enough for me to start making packing piles.

I know the weather is warmer there then here. Good thing too because here in Las Vegas today we go a big helping of winter. Tuesday I was out running errands and it was 75 out. I had brought a light jacket just in case, silly me. Today it is 48 burr and it is super windy with a high chance of rain and possible snow in the higher elevations. I also realize for some of you this is warm but the desert rats here bbuuuurrrr.


So I am trying to decide what to pack for the boys. Will they be able to wear shorts? or should I only pack jeans or long pants?


I will pack a light jacket for each of us. Thank you for your help.


Dianne

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

It should be cool on the first and last sea days heading from LA and back. Definitely likely to be pants weather. Other than that it should be warm weather down there. I've been to the MR in both November and March, and both times it was downright hot at least some of the ports, and definitely shorts weather in them all.

I'm jealous that you're packing already!!

Christine

 

[SanDeeKath]

We've been to MX in April and late Nov and both times it was quite warm to downright hot and humid once in Cabo and south. Between Cabo and LA, it's usually cool and windy on the ship so definitely 1 sweatshirt/jacket and a pair of jeans for those 2 days (day 1 and last day). Otherwise shorts/shirts and maybe a sweatshirt for late night strolls around deck is all you'll need.

Oh, and don't forget formal night! And bathing suits. Lots of them. Also, we had to have the kids change a LOT during the beach days due to sand/water/dirt on those days. So I usually bring extra socks, shirts and undies on these beachy trips. I cannot wait to start to pack!!!

Talking about all this makes me soooooooo excited!!!

Katherine

 

[Double Trouble]

The dining rotations are slightly non-standard due to the extra day on this cruise. Got the following info today from DCL (although it's "projected" and subject to change). Note: You can go to Wavebands after boarding and try to change your rotation (or seating) if you desire. For example, some people like to be in a certain dining room on a certain night...formal, pirate, etc.), or plan their dining rotation around Palo reservations or other events.

Rotations (You change dining rooms each night):
1. PTAPTPAT
2. TAPTATPA
3. APTAPATP
(P=Parrot Cay, T=Tritons, A=Animator's Palate)

Date/Port/Menu/Special
Sun/Depart/Let the Magic Begin/Cruise Casual
Mon/At Sea/Golden Mickeys Menu/Formal Night
Tue/At Sea/Rotational Menu/Cruise Casual
Wed/Manzanillo/Rotational Menu/Cruise Casual
Thu/Puerto Vallarta/Rotational Menu/Cruise Casual
Fri/Cabo/Pirates in the Caribbean Menu/Pirate Night-dress to the theme or cruise casual
Sat/Cabo/Captains Gala Menu/Semi-Formal
Sun/At Sea/Traditional Holiday Feast/Cruise Casual (this night is normally "Til We Meet Again" but they are changing it for Xmas)

Note: "Rotational" menu varies by dining room as follows:
Parrot Cay - Island Dinner
Tritons - French Dinner
Animator's Palate - Show Dinner
Bottom line is you'll get to see each of these three menus at some point during the cruise.

Again, here's a link to some of the menus...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43252543&postcount=3

Sounds yummy...I can hardly wait!

 

[Double Trouble]

For those interested...per the schedule, it looks like our Captain will be Fabian Dib, and our Cruise Director will be James Lynett (Christiaan is getting off as we get on).

 

[Double Trouble]

I got in touch with DCL Special Events today regarding the details for a potential private tasting for our group.

We would need a minimum of 25 people (max of 50).
We can choose only one "type" of beverage (like wine, OR beer, OR tequila/margarita, OR Mojito, OR Martini, OR Whiskey, etc.).
It's $20/per person.
Once we officially submit our request, you are charged even if you don't show.
They last one hour and generally start somewhere between 2 and 4pm (we can request).

I need to get a rough head count to see if we have enough people to book. I will not submit anything until we are assured of enough people and I reverify with everyone that they want to participate before going final.

So, even if you have already expressed interest, please reply with the following:

1. Number of people
2. Top 3 choices of beverage
3. Any beverage you definitely would not participate with.
4. Preferred Day and/or Time (normally the first full sea day-Monday-, but we could do Tuesday if that's better).
5. Any hard conflicts that rule out a particular time.
6. Any other comments.

Remember, if this doesn't work out we have other options, including a meetup at Outlook (bring or buy your own drinks) or joining in the regularly scheduled tastings they offer, as desired, so no worries!

Thanks!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Thank you so much for all this info!! So there is no way to know ahead of time what rotation we are assigned, right? What's the best restaurant to be in for Pirate Night?

1. Number of people: 1
2. Top 3 choices of beverage: Anything but beer
3. Any beverage you definitely would not participate with. BEER, blech
4. Preferred Day and/or Time (normally the first full sea day-Monday-, but we could do Tuesday if that's better). Any
5. Any hard conflicts that rule out a particular time. Nope
6. Any other comments. It would be my DH, Greg. I will come and watch but don't drink.

Thanks again for doing this! I hope we get 20 because I heard the tasting is a blast when you do your own group! Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

Today the nice people at Disney called and informed me that the vendor who facilitates the whale watching excursion would not allow me to participate because of my mobility scooter . The good news is it might free it up for someone else, I had three people booked.

I am very grateful that they checked on it for me and that they gave me the opportunity to cancel before I was billed and/or showed up and got turned away. But I am bummed because that was the one excursion that I really wanted to do.

So I now have the second day in Cabo free, and I am trying to decided what to do. I don't think I will book another excursion; nothing left looked interesting. On a trip report I read the ladies hired a water taxi for a tour of Los Arcos and Lands End, he dropped them off at Lover's Beach and then picked them up 2 hours later, all for $10.00 .

For a tasting I would love to come and join the group, but I would not be drinking. Unless is was a coffee tasting lol. I am going to miss my Starbucks.

15 days until we get on the plane 16 until we get on the boat

 

[SanDeeKath]

I don't know who our captain is (I googled him and didn't find much of anything) but I have heard about Jimmy Lynette from friends who sailed with him when he worked for HAL and he is supposed to be great! Since in my experience the CD is pretty important in setting the "tone" of a cruise, I am happy to hear that we have a good one.

Katherine

 

[DisneyDadHere]

Note: You can go to Wavebands after boarding and try to change your rotation (or seating) if you desire.

Anyone else here like me on the waiting list to be moved from second seating to main dining? I never cruised b4, anyone know what are the chances I can get main dining either before the cruise date or getting it changed at wavebands on boarding day? Should I prepare myself to just accept I'll be on late dining?

 

[SanDeeKath]

Today the nice people at Disney called and informed me that the vendor who facilitates the whale watching excursion would not allow me to participate because of my mobility scooter . The good news is it might free it up for someone else, I had three people booked.

I am very grateful that they checked on it for me and that they gave me the opportunity to cancel before I was billed and/or showed up and got turned away. But I am bummed because that was the one excursion that I really wanted to do.

So I now have the second day in Cabo free, and I am trying to decided what to do. I don't think I will book another excursion; nothing left looked interesting. On a trip report I read the ladies hired a water taxi for a tour of Los Arcos and Lands End, he dropped them off at Lover's Beach and then picked them up 2 hours later, all for $10.00 .

For a tasting I would love to come and join the group, but I would not be drinking. Unless is was a coffee tasting lol. I am going to miss my Starbucks.

15 days until we get on the plane 16 until we get on the boat

So sorry to hear about the cancellation. However, be careful with those water taxis because when we took one out a few years ago, they were these tiny little 6 person motorboats. If you have a scooter, I don't think they will be able to accomodate you. BUT, there are a LOT of vendors right off the tender so you can always just double check and book something when you get off. There is a pirate ship ride that goes out twice a day too (on a big ship) that looked fun and would probably be able to take you no problem. I am just not sure about the timing since we leave so darn quickly on that 2nd day!

 

[Tinkerbellll]

I'm up early getting ready: LAST day of classes for this semester. First year (15 units) DONE! It was a lonnnnng semester, but I am thrilled to have this first year under my belt. Come on wine tastings!!!

DT: As always, THANK YOU for all the great info. Here's our input:

1. Number of people: 2
2. Top 3 choices of beverage: Margarita/Mojito/Martini/Wine (all good!)
3. Any beverage you definitely would not participate with: no
4. Preferred Day and/or Time: Monday 1:00 or 5:00 Tuesday: Any
5. Any hard conflicts that rule out a particular time: 3:30 spa appt. on Monday and 10:30 Palo brunch on Tuesday
6. Any other comments: Thank you!!!

 

[Brooklyn]

Anyone else here like me on the waiting list to be moved from second seating to main dining? I never cruised b4, anyone know what are the chances I can get main dining either before the cruise date or getting it changed at wavebands on boarding day? Should I prepare myself to just accept I'll be on late dining?

You should have no problems switching when onboard. With that being said late dining has its advantages. We did main dining once and have never done it again.

1. Dine and Play only available at late dining. It is so nice to have the kids club come into the restaurants and pick up the kids vs having to run them up to the clubs.

2. You day ends a lot earlier to get ready for main dining, especially on port days. If you were skipping whatever is in the theatre that night then techinically you don't have any where to be until 8:15. We never skip the main stage shows but I am one to skip the comedians, etc. I just don't enjoy some of the "variety acts". If you are on late dining and skipping whatever is in the main theatre the pools are EMPTY! It is a great time to go swimming and watch the ariel vision movie playing.

3. There are less children in both the dining rooms and the shows. The later show I think are the worst bc there are so many cranky kids in the audience. :/

4. Our DD's LOVE LOVE LOVE the shows. When we did early dining they were falling asleep in the shows bc they don't start till 8:30. With going to the show first they are wide awake and super excited. Then we do an activity b4 dinner and then head to dinner. They usually eat quick and head to the clubs.

Late dining is not for everyone but for our family it works.

When I am getting the girls ready my husband goes to deck 9 and usually gets 2 plates of chicken fingers. We snack on those before the show and are good to go until dinner.

If you are planning on participating in the adult activities at night they start late. When we did early dining I was falling asleep in the shows with the girls and ready to head straight to bed. The shows were out around 9:15 and nothing else was going on till 10:30. Needless to say we never made it.

I think "late" dining has a bad rap to it. I think bc people think they are not on "main" seating that they are missing out on something. It is not the case at all. For our family it is the only way we do it!

I have been up since 3AM so sorry if what I typed did not make sense!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Thanks again for coordinating:
1. Number of people: 2
2. Mojitos, martinis, tequila- really any are okay
3. No whiskey though!
4 first sea day is okay, but Tuesday is alright also
5. No conflicts!
Christine

 

[DisneyDadHere]

You should have no problems switching when onboard. With that being said late dining has its advantages. We did main dining once and have never done it again.

Thank you very much for your advice Brooklyn! Relaxes me a little. I'll show my wife your valid points, I think my wife thinks that the food takes awhile after seating to arrive, Also its more of "what do we do now?" after a late dinner.

 

[SanDeeKath]

I agree with Brooklyn. We have late dining and we prefer it! We are never hungry at 5:30 or 6 because we are snacking all day on the various food choices. Plus it's really hard to be ready to eat dinner early when you are coming home from a port excursion. It's almost too rushed. We too enjoy the shows and end up doing the early show with the kids and then going to dinner. We have always done late dining (15+ cruises) and it's worked great for our family (kids are 7 and 12).

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

The dining rotations are slightly non-standard due to the extra day on this cruise. Got the following info today from DCL (although it's "projected" and subject to change). Note: You can go to Wavebands after boarding and try to change your rotation (or seating) if you desire. For example, some people like to be in a certain dining room on a certain night...formal, pirate, etc.), or plan their dining rotation around Palo reservations or other events.

Rotations (You change dining rooms each night):
1. PTAPTPAT
2. TAPTATPA
3. APTAPATP
(P=Parrot Cay, T=Tritons, A=Animator's Palate)

Date/Port/Menu/Special
Sun/Depart/Let the Magic Begin/Cruise Casual
Mon/At Sea/Golden Mickeys Menu/Formal Night
Tue/At Sea/Rotational Menu/Cruise Casual
Wed/Manzanillo/Rotational Menu/Cruise Casual
Thu/Puerto Vallarta/Rotational Menu/Cruise Casual
Fri/Cabo/Pirates in the Caribbean Menu/Pirate Night-dress to the theme or cruise casual
Sat/Cabo/Captains Gala Menu/Semi-Formal
Sun/At Sea/Traditional Holiday Feast/Cruise Casual (this night is normally "Til We Meet Again" but they are changing it for Xmas)

Note: "Rotational" menu varies by dining room as follows:
Parrot Cay - Island Dinner
Tritons - French Dinner
Animator's Palate - Show Dinner
Bottom line is you'll get to see each of these three menus at some point during the cruise.

Again, here's a link to some of the menus...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43252543&postcount=3

Sounds yummy...I can hardly wait!

DT Thank you so much for the link. I went to this thread and there is a ton of information there.

Port information:
Port Adventures Guide
Puerta Vallarta Shopping Map
Tendering Information for Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas Shopping Map
Los Angeles Disembarking Guide

Onboard account information, pictures of the laundry area and prices, and navigators.

Here is the link to the thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2833820

I found it helpful to see the port adventures guide because it has icons showing if they are handicapped accessible and the level of abilities that you will need.

I am super excited and must get back to work on my FE and packing the clock is ticking tick tock tick tock

See you real soon

Dianne

 

[LovesToRun]

I got in touch with DCL Special Events today regarding the details for a potential private tasting for our group.

We would need a minimum of 25 people (max of 50).
We can choose only one "type" of beverage (like wine, OR beer, OR tequila/margarita, OR Mojito, OR Martini, OR Whiskey, etc.).
It's $20/per person.
Once we officially submit our request, you are charged even if you don't show.
They last one hour and generally start somewhere between 2 and 4pm (we can request).

I need to get a rough head count to see if we have enough people to book. I will not submit anything until we are assured of enough people and I reverify with everyone that they want to participate before going final.

So, even if you have already expressed interest, please reply with the following:

1. Number of people
2. Top 3 choices of beverage
3. Any beverage you definitely would not participate with.
4. Preferred Day and/or Time (normally the first full sea day-Monday-, but we could do Tuesday if that's better).
5. Any hard conflicts that rule out a particular time.
6. Any other comments.

Remember, if this doesn't work out we have other options, including a meetup at Outlook (bring or buy your own drinks) or joining in the regularly scheduled tastings they offer, as desired, so no worries!

Thanks!

Hi There!

I can't believe the cruise is SO close!! So excited!!

We would be interested in just wine tasting. So, if the majority would like a tasting other than wine, we'll pass, but that is TOTALLY ok... we won't feel left out. So, please pick what the majority want!! But, we love wine, so if there is a wine tasting, we are in! There are always wine tastings offered in the navigator, so we can definitely always do that.

So, here are the answers for us:

1. Number of people 2 people
2. Top 3 choices of beverage Only wine
3. Any beverage you definitely would not participate with. all the other choices except wine
4. Preferred Day and/or Time (normally the first full sea day-Monday-, but we could do Tuesday if that's better). Monday or Tuesday should work fine for us, but we have early dining, so if it's late afternoon, we'll just need enough time to pick up the kids from the Edge and Lab, get to our room to freshen up and make it to dinner by 5:45... so if we get a late afternoon time, if it could end by like 5 PM, that'd be great
5. Any hard conflicts that rule out a particular time. none that we know of
6. Any other comments. again, if the majority want something other than wine, no worries! We'll pass in that case, but we are fine with that.


Thanks,
Kathy

 

[betsy918]

Hi Everybody! I started packing today, woo hoo!
Info: Neither my husband or I drink, so we'll pass on the tastings. Have fun!

Question: We didn't book anything for Manzanillo, and now I'm regretting that there are no resort or beach excursions left, at least not with space for 3. Does anyone know whether the resorts, such as Las Hadas that host the shore excursions that were available through Disney, sell day use passes for those of us that didn't make up our minds in time? If not, are their good, safe beaches with bathrooms and perhaps restaurants close by that we could just take a taxi to?

Also, I've been reading in my Disney Passporter book that in Manzanillo especially we should carry pesos as few locals make or carry change in American money. Can money be exchanged on the ship?

Thanks!
Betsy