Cruise review-Disney Wonder 3/23/2003

[Bonnie Voyager]

I am still getting unpacked and caught up but thought I'd give a quick comparison of Disney verses the other cruises I've been on. I really hate posting anything negative on the boards as it upsets so many people and they take it to heart without realizing that one person's opinion really doesn't represent what they may experience and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt. Please don’t think that the few negative comments that I have are anything more than simple observations that I noticed when comparing this cruise to other cruises I’ve been on. This cruise included me, my Husband (both mid-40’s), Son (8) and my Parents (70’s). In general, I loved Disney Wonder. As with anything Disney, they know how to do things right! Embarkation/debarkation were the best of any cruise we’ve been on (this was cruise #10 for me). I found the ship to be lovely but prefer a more open layout. I tend to feel shut in when I am on a ship that is compartmentalized like the Disney ships are (Norwegian Dawn and Carnival's newest ships; Pride, Legend, and Spirit are like this too but are very popular among most people). As time went on I became more comfortable with the layout though. I just like to have more wide open spaces (which I found on RCCL’s Explorer of the Seas). Disney's food is much better than RCCL's and about the same as Carnival and Norwegian (who’s food I loved!) Disney's desserts were top-notch!!! Better than any I've ever had! The cabins (category 9 on deck 2…#’s 2622 and 2624) were nicely appointed but felt smaller than others I've been in even though it was supposed to be larger. I liked the split bath, but you sacrifice some standing room in each area in order to have the extra sink. I got use to the tight squeeze though and thought it was a fair trade to have an extra sink ;-) I usually have a balcony but traded that in for the two connecting ocean-view cabins on this cruise. I think that probably the cabin just felt smaller due to the missing balcony! I do think that if we had only one ocean-view cabin with the three of us, I would have felt crowded (this goes back to that need for open space….my quirk, no reflection on Disney). The location (deck 2 aft) was terrific! Very convenient to dining and easy to get on and off the ship. We had no real noise issues although there were occasional noises, they were not anything that would keep me from recommending these cabins or booking them again myself. I enjoyed the rotation dining, but prefer traditional dining in one “grand” Dining Room. I found each of the three main Dining Rooms to be nicely decorated and comfortable (but again, too closed in…I like open spaces and lots of windows). We didn’t go to Palo, so I have no comment on that. I enjoyed all the menus. Our Servers, Beata and Rea, were top notch! My main complaint with Dining on Disney was with the “casual” dining venues. I didn’t like Beach Blanket Buffet at all. The food was very good, but the area itself was tight, small, congested, and very hard to navigate, in my opinion. I was very surprised since Disney is King when it comes to crowd control and spatial engineering! We opted to visit the buffet at Parrot Cay from then on and were much more comfortable (back to that open-space issue I have). I also noticed that there were times when it was hard to find food on the ship. Now, I certainly never was in danger of starving, but on all other cruise lines, food is always easy to come by (perhaps too easy!) We loved all the shows, games, family events, and deck parties! I think Disney wins in this department, hands down! My Son loved the kid’s club too. We did the 4-day itinerary with Nassau, Freeport, and Castaway Cay. We spent our Nassau day at Atlantis (we booked a room at Comfort Suites for full privileges at Atlantis…total cost with taxes was $163). We had a wonderful day at Atlantis swimming in the pools and touring the aquariums. In Freeport we stayed on the ship and explored. Hubby and I did get off the ship briefly and visited the little “straw market” that was set up at the pier. It was nice and the people were very friendly and laid back. Castaway Cay is as nice as everyone says. We had a lovely beach day with a nice BBQ lunch. We did some snorkeling at the Family Beach but didn’t see too many fish. The water was nice, but a bit on the chilly side. Castaway Cay compared favorably to Labadee (RCCL’s private stop). I think Labadee is about the most beautiful place I’ve seen (however, the water is not as clear), but I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Castaway Cay too. Well, I don’t know if I’ve covered everything or not. If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to ask. Again, I reiterate, do not take my negative comments as any bad reflection on Disney. I think Disney has an amazing product here! I would cruise on Disney again in a heartbeat and probably will return to the 7-day in the future. My Son and my Parents can’t wait to go back on Disney! I will honestly say though, that Explorer of the Seas still beats out Disney for my number one slot. Disney is a very close second though and only for those issues that I addressed previously that are my own personal issues with spatial relationships. Next time I will just book the balcony and I will have the open space I need and I will be fine! Till then……may all your dreams be “Disney Dreams”.

 

[strawberryblonde]

Thank-you very much for your report. We are booked for 3/20/04 so I am very interested in any comments on the weather and water temp for march. If you had to go without a balcony for one of your DCL cruises, at least it was the short one, saved the balcony for your 7 day

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

We had varied weather on our cruise. Sail away day was cool and rainy. They did have the deck party outside, but it was drizzling and chilly. Our Nassau day was warmer but it still drizzled every now and then. We were in the pools at Atlantis so we were already wet. A little rain didn't hamper our fun. The water was cool, but we were able to get use to it. By the early afternoon the sun was out in full force. Our Freeport day and Castaway Cay day were both sunny and warmer (probably around 80 degrees). Again, the water at Castaway Cay was chilly but we were able to get use to it. All in all, the weather was good. I think you will find March weather in the Bahamas/Caribbean is typically warm with a chance of showers.

 

[hsteacher]

Hi Bonnie -- you are way ahead of me in getting on this boards after the cruise -- I just got through all the wash last night! We had a wonderful cruise also though the weather was different than my previous two DC's -- much chillier and rainy. How did you get such at great rate at Comfort Suites -- I paid $305 for the day (a rate of $255 plus all the add ons -- $4 per person housekeeping fee -- never used the room, etc.) Hope you are all doing well and it was nice to meet you and Singlemom. Back to school for me tomorrow -- I'm sure all my seniors will be ready to buckle down and get back to the books!!!

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

We booked our room at Comfort Suites nearly a year ago. We also were able to get a Government/Military rate. The room rate was $132 then with the added taxes/housekeeping fees, etc...it came to $163. Not too bad!

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

Post-cruise depression is always so difficult to get through! I sat in church this morning and waited for Mickey and Minnie to come running up the aisle. Alas, they never showed up. I already have 2 other (non Disney) cruises booked, which makes it a bit easier to make the transition, but I really miss my Disney Cruise!

 

[sandee]

I especially agree about the congestion and crowded feeling in Beach Blanket Buffet. Tables so closely bunched there's not much walking room. We were on the 4 day Wonder trip the week before you. I also felt RCCL had more wide open spaces on the decks which meant more chairs (easier to find a good spot to sunbath )and less of a closed-in feeling. I must say I felt there were more times on RCCL when you couldn't find anything to eat then on DCL, but it may be that I just wasn't looking in the right spots. My mom lives in Newark and she was on the cruise with us and Natt, a DISer from Dover was on our cruise too. I live in Rising Sun, but spend more time in Newark then in RS. Too bad we weren't all on the same cruise. We could have had a 1st State DIS mini-meet! Enjoy your upcoming cruise!

 

[PAGirl]

Bonnie Voyager - THANKS! I actually enjoyed reading your report because it was so honest! Your negative comments didn't affect me in the least. It's nice to see someone give a real down to earth report.

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

Thank you PAGirl! I really loved my Disney cruise and the "negatives" aren't really negatives, just differences. I have found things I liked better and things I liked less on every cruise I've been on. I think every cruise has something good to offer though!


sandee, hey neighbor! It's always fun to find a fellow cruiser who lives close by! Which Royal Caribbean ship/ships were you on? We were on Explorer of the Seas. They had 24-hour food at the Cafe Promenade which was really nice (pizza, sandwiches, cookies, pastries, coffee, etc...) Of course, I did not need to eat food 24-hours a day but it was nice that it was there. I suspect that RCCL's smaller ships probably don't offer the same food options as the mega ships. We had plenty to eat on Disney, but every now and then would look for a snack and not be able to find one. I am sure we just weren't looking at the right place though

 

[sandee]

I was on the Monarch of the Seas in Jan. It isn't one of the big mega ships, but we really liked it. We had been on several DCL trips and were so nervous about trying something new, but it was fun. The ship was a little dated, but very clean. My complaint about food was they'd print info about a buffet being set up in a couple clubs at 11 p.m. but we'd go there and nobody knew anything about food. The only thing we found was a pizza place in a sports bar that served bad pizza until about 1 a.m. One couple who were our table mates were also from Newark. We'd often run into them late and night and the 4 of us would go on what we laughingly called a "food hunt". There was always a line waiting to get pizza and I think they only were able to bake one med. size pizza at a time. The one fancy midnight buffet had a line almost the length of the ship and by the time we got near the food, it looked like cattle had run over the tables. Very little left and what was left was messy.
I plan on going on RCCL again - loved the open feel on the main deck. I didn't quite know how to explain it until I read your report.

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

sandee, definitely try a Voyager-class ship!!! They are really awesome (and the food is non-stop ) There must be a lot of us cruise-folks in this area! We should plan a get-together!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks for the wonderful report! Even though I have not cruised, I can see exactly what you are saying about the layout and the open deck areas! I am sitting here thinking about the RCCL commercials where it shows the steward going down that wonderful looking large deck area, making sure those rows of classic white and blue loungers are 'perfect' down to the last millimeter. Doesn't look like DCL has an area quite like that!

I do have to say, that with the number kids on DCL, some of this design, especially the restaurants, may have been done on purpose. Kids automactically seem to adopt large open areas as their place to run wild and play! And, boy, just imagine all the kids on a high-season sailing in one huge dining room.

I think I may PM you a few questions about Atlantis. Boy, have the rates gone up!!!

 

[strawberryblonde]

Thanks for the additional info about the weather. I'm hoping it is a bit warmer next year though. I'm dreaming of a sunny sail away.

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

I was also dreaming of a sunny sailaway, but I will tell you that even in the rain Disney made the sailaway as exciting as any sunny sailaway I've had on any other ship! The temperatures were generally in the mid-80-'s which isn't bad at all, but when the clouds blew in the air felt chilly. I think the few days of rain that had occurred prior to our arrival in the Bahamas had cooled down the water temps a bit. Hopefully you will have great weather, but don't worry too much about it as you will have a blast either way!

 

[Ashley24]

Bonnie,
Did your son go to the clubs on both ships? Which did he prefer?

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

My Son wasn't with us on Explorer of the Seas so I can't compare the kids clubs between the two ships. I did speak with some people onboard Explorer who's children have been on Disney as well as Explorer and they said the clubs were comparable. We will be taking our Son on Explorer next Spring and then I can compare first hand. One thing you definitely don't have on any other cruise line is the thrill of running into Mickey or Goofy, etc... I am nearly 50 years old and I still get a tingle when I'm near those guys

 

[PRaffen]

Thanks for taking the time to report.

I enjoy all reports on the Wonder especially what you liked and disliked. Gives us future cruises a "head's up" when we get to go.