December 21, 2008 Christmas Vacation on the Wonder

[DAggiesRWe]

We just got back from a 4-night trip on the Wonder. We had such a "Wonder"ful time we had to book another trip.

I figure that is far enough out to start a new meet thread for that trip.

I look forward to getting to know folks who will be cruising with us.

 

[brendalee59]

I'm Brenda,and our family of 9 will be on the Wonder for Christmas. Looks like we are on the cruise after you guys though. 12/24/08. I was searching for a meet, guess I'll have to start one. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi, and will check in from time to time to remind you to take good care of the Wonder for us. Hope you have a great turnout for your meet,and a wonderful cruise

 

[DAggiesRWe]

Less than a year to go.

Still working on the trip report from the last one

I saw a slight drop in price after they announced the 2009 schedule (suggesting that this cruise was a placeholder for a lot of folks). I'm looking forward to seeing the Wonder dressed for the holidays and doing those things we missed the last time around because we didn't have enough time.

 

[KatRob]

Hello Steve and Brenda,

Glad to see someone else on this cruise. This will be our second time on the Wonder. It's me, DH and DD (16 at cruise time).

I know what you meant about missing things. There had to be tons we didn't do, but we had a great time with all we did.

I even managed to find Christmas cards already that say "Wonder" on the front. Just lucked into those, but I love to plan ahead.

 

[DAggiesRWe]

I'm was just thinking about this trip and trying to come up with a name.

Since we are going to just miss being on board for Christmas, I had a couple of ideas...

"Skipping Christmas Cruise" - I read the book and saw the movie, and loved both of them.

"Make Way for Santa" or "Getting Ready for Santa" - With the idea that we are prepping the Wonder for Santa's arrival.

Any other ideas?

 

[KatRob]

Steve, I don't know about you but I am ready to go right now. I plan in such detail in advance for trips (hotels, kennels, car rental) that it seems late at this point.

I have even told my DD that she has to take her Dec 18 finals early or just be out the door at 10:50 so we can hit the freeway. The entrance ramp is only 1/2 mile from the school (between home and school) so we can get moving.

Now if we can just find a few more people who will be traveling with us, I could feel all set.

 

[d3boyz]

I am planning a surprise for the fam plus 3. If all goes as I hope, we will be on this cruise! Many would think that after doing back-to-back cruises that kept us aboard for 24-days, we'd need a little break. I doubt it!

I do have a question that maybe someone can help me with: if you're a non-US citizen, do you need any other documentation than a passport to go to the Bahamas and re-enter the US upon return?

Deb

 

[DAggiesRWe]

I am planning a surprise for the fam plus 3. If all goes as I hope, we will be on this cruise! Many would think that after doing back-to-back cruises that kept us aboard for 24-days, we'd need a little break. I doubt it!

I do have a question that maybe someone can help me with: if you're a non-US citizen, do you need any other documentation than a passport to go to the Bahamas and re-enter the US upon return?

Deb

I would check with your government's passport office. Their may be visa requirements that you have to get from your government and/or The Bahamas to allow you to enter.

From my understanding a passport just says who you are and what country claims you. A visa is the actual permission to enter the country. In some cases, the governments have an understanding and no visa is required (e.g., a US Citizen can go to the Bahamas without a visa and can re-enter the US without a visa). However, the more normal process is to apply for a visa through your government's consulate.

For example, our company took all the employees to the Bahamas a few years ago. One employee, from Cambodia, had to request a visa from the Cambodian consulate (who then had to request the actual visa from the Bahamas on his behalf). he also had to request a special amendment to his US visa to allow him to leave and re-enter the US . He ended up skipping the trip because there was just too much paperwork involved.

 

[d3boyz]

Thanks, DAggiesRWe. I did check with the Bahamian consulate and was told that my friends would need valid passports with multiple-entry visas (for the US), and round-trip airline tickets.

The multiple-entry visas are being applied for, and the passports and e-tickets are in-hand!

... wonder when I should tell them about the cruise? I made all the arrangements yesterday. We are in 6502 & 6504!

 

[d3boyz]

Who knows which are these rooms? I learned about them last year, but cannot remember NOR can I find any documentation about them...

 

[DAPford]

My family of 3 will be boarding on DEc21 after 4 days in the world this is mine and dd(13) first ever cruise and we can't wait We finally decided on trans to MCO this week so now its just plan and dream and count

 

[DAPford]

my DD who will be 13 when we cruise is looking for any tweens to chat with before the cruise she's unsure of where to spend her down time and is hoping to make a friend or two before cruising

 

[KatRob]

Just thought we needed to move up a bit.
Kathy

 

[d3boyz]

my DD who will be 13 when we cruise is looking for any tweens to chat with before the cruise she's unsure of where to spend her down time and is hoping to make a friend or two before cruising

We will have 5 kids, 4 boys (16, 14, 13, 12) and one girl (11) when we set sail. If your DD would like a pen pal, she could write with our 13 year old boy, Will. Our email address is d3boyz@gmail.com.

Deb

 

[princessdaisy]

Hi!

We will be booking this tonight me, DH, DD (16) & DS(6). We were supposed to be doing the Mexican DCL but had to cancel...ah, well, we have our "almost Christmas" cruise

I just did a 4 Day Wonder with my sister (our mom only cruise last Feb. and I am missing the Wonder.

-Steph

 

[AC7179]

My family will also be onboard this cruise!

My husband and I, along with my 15 year old daughter and 4 year old daughter, are looking forward to the trip.

The 15 year old is looking for people to befriend, so if you have a son or daughter that age, PM me!

 

[KatRob]

Welcome aboard!!
I will be traveling with DD(16). I have pm'ed you her info.
Kathy

 

[AC7179]

Great, I just passed the info on to her tonight! She's not home at the moment but I emailed her. Sorry---I had checked it and then never passed it on to her.........but now it's done.

I'm excited!

 

[DAggiesRWe]

Even though I started this thread, it turns out that I am going to have to miss this trip

My company just turned 30 this year , and we had one of the better years in our history, so the company is going to celebrate by taking all the employees and their spouses on a Western Caribbean cruise in January (on RCCL unfortunately).

Since we can't really afford all the extras that would go with two cruises a month apart (even when one is being given to us ), we decided to postpone our next Disney cruise until some time in 2010 (and will likely upgrade to a 7-nighter on the Magic since we will have longer to save for it).

I'll keep this thread in my subscribed list, and may still chime in from time to time.

 

[Carys]

Shh! Don't tell anyone but I just booked onto this one! Category 7, 7 day land and sea with the Poly. I'm boggling because the land and sea package ($2710) looks alot cheaper than booking the resort (garden view) and cruise components separately ($2292 + $1726 = $4018) - surely that much of a difference ain't normal! I couldn't pass it up.