Countdown Cruisers - Ringing in the New Year on the Disney Wonder - 12/31/2013

[SerenityNowGirl]

Hi, all! I've been checking the weather for Cozumel and it looks like it may be rainy. We have booked the Dolphinaris excursion for my my two young sons with my husband, my adult daughter, and I as observers. Does the weather affect any of this? Sorry if that is a dumb question. This is our first cruise and I think I just assumed it would be sunny and dry in Mexico. Can you tell I'm a beginner?

Also, if it rains at sea, does everyone just stay inside? Probably another silly question. I'd be interested to hear everyone's experiences. I'm a little nervous about everything, as the time is almost up and I feel totally unprepared! Thanks!

 

[ukintheus]

Hi, all! I've been checking the weather for Cozumel and it looks like it may be rainy. We have booked the Dolphinaris excursion for my my two young sons with my husband, my adult daughter, and I as observers. Does the weather affect any of this? Sorry if that is a dumb question. This is our first cruise and I think I just assumed it would be sunny and dry in Mexico. Can you tell I'm a beginner?

Also, if it rains at sea, does everyone just stay inside? Probably another silly question. I'd be interested to hear everyone's experiences. I'm a little nervous about everything, as the time is almost up and I feel totally unprepared! Thanks!

Yes, unfortunately the weather can affect excursions. It really depends on a combination of weather though, wind and/or thunderstorms can really be more of a factor than just rain. Hopefully it won't be too bad and none of the excursions will get cancelled. If DCL do cancel excursions then they will refund your money. We were in Cozumel at the end of December in 2010 and the only excursions that were NOT cancelled were indoor excursions like the Cooking class at Playa Mia (which we happened to be on). It was pouring rain and blowing a gale that day. If it's raining pretty hard then people will definitely not be going off the ship like they would if it were nice weather, but the temperatures will still be warm and if it's showery then I think most will still brave it.

If it's raining on at sea days then the indoor things do get more crowded, the movie theater, trivia games, bingo etc all are busier but there is still plenty to do that the ship has enough room to keep it from feeling super crowded.

I am going to start packing this afternoon.

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

Thank you, UKintheUS! I'm sitting here, a ball of nerves. I'm beginning to pack and am feeling overwhelmed. If anyone has any last minute tips, I'm all mouse-ears. Don't know why I'm so jittery. Just afraid I'll forget something or do a crappy pack-job.

 

[ukintheus]

Thank you, UKintheUS! I'm sitting here, a ball of nerves. I'm beginning to pack and am feeling overwhelmed. If anyone has any last minute tips, I'm all mouse-ears. Don't know why I'm so jittery. Just afraid I'll forget something or do a crappy pack-job.

There are some good packing lists in the FAQ section on the main board. I usually start with those and at least it helps jog my memory! Just have your cruise docs, passports and/or ID and money and the rest will sort itself out . Just don't pack anything that you will need before about 4 pm as the bags may not get delivered until about 5ish.

I am procrastinating on packing and haven't started yet. I will get into it at some point before bed. LOL

At least with this bring a 4 night we don't have to bring as much stuff. Unless doing a back to back, which at this point I'm actually thankful we aren't as I would be VERY behind!! LOL

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

Thank you SO much for all of your help, REALLY! I'm making headway. I canNOT wait to do this deal!

 

[ultimate_ed]

I've been following the weather in Cozumel as well. Actually, it's improved compared to a few days ago. I was seeing 100% rain chance a few days ago. Now it's down to 50% with the major rain chance slipping back to Friday after we're gone.

I'm betting we'll get to do our excursions. We're going on the "Cozumel Highlights, Ruins, and Discover Mexico Cultural Park" tour, so lot's of time out doors for us. We'll probably get wet at some point.

I've got some disposable rain ponchos and small umbrellas that I'll be carrying in my backpack.

I think there's always a some sense of panic as a big event like this finally comes. The basic clothes and toiletries, comfortable shoes and swimsuits. I doubt we'll be doing any swimming tomorrow, but I'm still putting our suits in our carry on - I can see my son still be ready to jump in the pool.

As ukintheus said - make sure you've got your ID's, signed cruise docs, and confirmation for wherever you are parking. That will get you off to a smooth start.

And, if you do find you've come up short on some kind of clothing, there are washers and dryers on board. I bought a bag of the Tide PODS and have gotten into the habit of bringing a few in a sandwich bag when we travel in case the need arises.

Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow and ringing in the New Year Disney style.

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

I've been following the weather in Cozumel as well. Actually, it's improved compared to a few days ago. I was seeing 100% rain chance a few days ago. Now it's down to 50% with the major rain chance slipping back to Friday after we're gone.

I'm betting we'll get to do our excursions. We're going on the "Cozumel Highlights, Ruins, and Discover Mexico Cultural Park" tour, so lot's of time out doors for us. We'll probably get wet at some point.

I've got some disposable rain ponchos and small umbrellas that I'll be carrying in my backpack.

I think there's always a some sense of panic as a big event like this finally comes. The basic clothes and toiletries, comfortable shoes and swimsuits. I doubt we'll be doing any swimming tomorrow, but I'm still putting our suits in our carry on - I can see my son still be ready to jump in the pool.

As ukintheus said - make sure you've got your ID's, signed cruise docs, and confirmation for wherever you are parking. That will get you off to a smooth start.

And, if you do find you've come up short on some kind of clothing, there are washers and dryers on board. I bought a bag of the Tide PODS and have gotten into the habit of bringing a few in a sandwich bag when we travel in case the need arises.

Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow and ringing in the New Year Disney style.

Thanks so much for your reply. I've been watching the weather change and shift too and I finally just thought, "What will be, will be". We will have fun no matter what we're doing, so no need to worry.

As far as parking goes, I need confirmation for that? That's something I didn't know and didn't see in my paperwork. Suggestions? We're local (west of Houston), so we'll be parking at the terminal. Any suggestions/experience would be so appreciated! Thanks!

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

I was just reading about parking elsewhere on the board and I found something that says parking is $70 at the port of Galveston. Is this per day or just one flat fee. Getting sticker shock if it's per day.

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

Okay, excuse all the parking panic. I was able to reserve a spot for $40 total at Lighthouse Parking. Whew.

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow and ringing in the New Year Disney style.

One more question (probably not the last, sorry):

I think I saw something about the people on this thread meeting to say hello. Without pouring over this thread, can someone tell me where/when? I'd like to say "hi" in person and thank you all for your help.

By the way, my name is Lisa and we'll be in stateroom 8082.

Thanks!

 

[ultimate_ed]

The initial post was updated to indicate there will be a meet and greet about 3pm in the Promenade lounge. I went ahead and printed a copy of the first page of the thread since it has a lot of good info and a list of everyone who joined the cruise thread. I don't know why, but I never did get on the Facebook group.

Glad you were able to get parking. I've never sailed out of Galveston, so I too went with Lighthouse parking. The different places there look pretty similar in price and I'd just as soon know in advance that I've got a spot. There was at least one lot that I saw that didn't have anything available for our cruise.

We'll be coming from Manvel and I expect this sailing to be top heavy with fellow Texans

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

That's a great idea to print the first page of this thread! Will add that to my stack of paper.

 

[Matoll3]

Serenity, thanks for asking all those questions!!! I had the exact same ones. I didn't know about reserved parking!!! Thanks for the help.

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

Serenity, thanks for asking all those questions!!! I had the exact same ones. I didn't know about reserved parking!!! Thanks for the help.

Glad it was helpful! I feel like there's so much information to absorb and details to remember. I can't wait for my first nap!

 

[ultimate_ed]

And so it begins...

 

[SerenityNowGirl]

Here we go!

 

[Stephandy03]

On our way! Yippie!

 

[texasgirl29]

My daughters and Mother-in-law had a great time and I was awed at the FE gifts that all of you contributed. Thank you so much. (Ours was the 2014 kit with the poppers, blowers and confetti.... I neglected to put a "from" on it.)

My 13 year old Rachel had a particularly awesome time with her Edge friends and is now sick in bed with a cold but at least she had a great time and the cold held off.

JoAnn (from Waco, Texas)

 

[ksloane]

My daughters and Mother-in-law had a great time and I was awed at the FE gifts that all of you contributed. Thank you so much. (Ours was the 2014 kit with the poppers, blowers and confetti.... I neglected to put a "from" on it.)

My 13 year old Rachel had a particularly awesome time with her Edge friends and is now sick in bed with a cold but at least she had a great time and the cold held off.

JoAnn (from Waco, Texas)

We loved the New Years kits. I found out after we got home that Cameron thought they came from the ship. That's how awesome she thought they were.

Cameron is also sick..hmm..Might have been something in the Edge? Hope she gets better soon.

 

[Stephandy03]

My daughters and Mother-in-law had a great time and I was awed at the FE gifts that all of you contributed. Thank you so much. (Ours was the 2014 kit with the poppers, blowers and confetti.... I neglected to put a "from" on it.) JoAnn (from Waco, Texas)

My son LOVED the poppers. We had to refrain him from popping them everywhere!