December 21, 2008 Christmas Vacation on the Wonder

[plutospal]

Hi all!!
We will be joing this fine group of christmas cruisers also. It will be me (Terry) my wife, our two kids 22 and 21 my brother and his wife and their two kids and my mom and dad. Look forward to meeting you all!!

 

[sgpmaxx66]

What is a fish extender? I keep seeing posts about them, but I having come across any that really explain what it is.

 

[sgpmaxx66]

Do all the cruises have the pirate party that I've read about on this board? Also, do adults dress up in costume or only the children?

 

[sgpmaxx66]

Thanks! I will check out the website for the museum. I booked the zoo/gardens excursion (can't recall the name right now). Do you know anything about that one? I figure will be doing enough "water stuff" with the pools and the day at Castaway Cay, so I thought the zoo would be fun.

 

[KatRob]

I'll bite. Every Disney cruise has a pirate party. I know on the 3-night it is on the second night. Yes, the big people can dress up if they want to. At dinner that night, unless they have changed it, you will find a pirate bandana at your place setting.

Next item, fish extenders. Don't understand them either.

I have seen different versions of the extenders, but not that many when we went before. I did find this in one of the threads and thought I would just add it for you. I know there are more posts and things out there but I just don't have the time to look right now. Hope this one helps though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeymom30
Ok, I have to ask, what is an FE and what do you use it for?


Not a silly question. "FE" means Fish Extender - an item hung from the metal fish clip outside each stateroom that CMs/Staff members use to leave notes for you, if needed. The FEs are used for a Fish Extender gift exchange - a DIS-created secret santa type of game usually organized within a cruise meet thread. FEs are often fabric material with pockets (for gift receiving) but can be most anything - decorated gift bag, christmas stocking, tote bag, etc. The idea of the exchange is just to add a bit more magic and the fun and surprise of findng little treasures when you return to your stateroom. HTHs.
__________________

 

[Light3572]

I just want to get back in the mix. We signed up for excursions at Castaway Cay (snorkeling & parasailing) and we will have snorkeling and tube rentals also. Given that we have small ones (DS & DD both 6 - also DD13 & DS10 will be there) we do not want to overload them. We will play it by ear and hang out the rest of the day. We plan to explore Nassau so no excursions planned. DW & I will be dinning at Palo Tuesday (Day 3) at 9pm. after the kids eat.

 

[KatRob]

Have you let the kids in on it yet? If I remember correctly when first we met you and your wife had not told them anything.

We have booked a couple of things but may change it before we leave. I hate to plan too much in case something more interesting comes up.

If you are thinking of exploring Nassau, do not be afraid of those cab drivers that approach you at the end of the pier. If they have a lanyard with a large tag (id) they are legit. You can also verify the driver/guide inside the custom's house. They are trained Bahamahosts. We did this and had a great time with our driver. We went to Atlantis Resort, Queen's Staircase, Water Wheel, Fort Fincastle and a general tour of the town getting to all those places. There was a parade that day that blocked off a lot of streets so he took us though all types of neighborhoods (ghetto to million dollar homes). Ghetto is not what most people think of when we in America hear the word. It was a real eye opener and education for all of us. We liked seeing the town and hearing its history through the eyes of a lifelong resident. (He even took us by the church where he was raised, married, and daughter baptised.)
So if you see a guide by the name of Perry Mc(intentionally leaving out rest of name), he is a true gentleman and a great guide.

 

[Light3572]

Thanks for the insight on Nassau. My DW stated that she wanted to do some "shopping" that is why we did plan any excursions. I will see about that . The kids do not know and we normally do not tell them when Christmas is a vacation. We have been to Disney several times before, I just have not listed all the times but since we have DD13 and DS10 they can figure things out when we begin driving thru certain states. My DW & I do not want DS6 & DD6 bugging us for months counting down the days (twins if you haven't figured it out). You know what I mean.

 

[KatRob]

There is an open market at Fort Fincastle, at least when we were there. The Straw Market folks can bug you a lot, they expect you to haggle over prices. Do not try to haggle with the folks with shops in Festival Place (at the end of pier, Customs House) they have better stuff and set prices. The post office is also located there.

 

[Light3572]

Does anyone have any idea how to get the door magnets or do I have to send my scrapebooking wife loose at Michaels or AC Moore?

 

[sgpmaxx66]

Wow . . . I can't believe our trip is only three weeks away! My son and I are SO excited. From everything I've read on these boards, it seems like it would be very difficult to have a bad time on the cruise. Suddenly, I feel like I have so much to do to get ready. Where did the time go? Do you veterans out there still get excited as your sailing time draws near?

 

[KatRob]

Good night, yes!!!!!! I've been fussing with my husband about bringing the bags down from he attic (Think Everybody Loves Raymond in reverse). I have the locks and keys all laid out and have started gathering all my "essentials."

I actually thought of you earlier today when I printed out a list of Christmas activities on the Wonder for a friend who is going the week before us with her grandson.

This is from the Dis Cruise Line page:

HOLIDAY 2008 ACTIVITIES

These events begin November 22 on the Magic and November 26 on the Wonder

Onboard:

"King Triton's Tree Lighting" nightly in the atrium. A child will assist the Disney characters as the three-deck-tall tree is lit
Tropical Pool Party every afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Claus featuring food, games and activities. Lilo and Stitch, Mickey and Minnie, Chip 'n Dale, Goofy and Pluto will join in the fun which includes a "Winter-Sunnyland" Conga line
Special holiday crafts which could include making holiday cards, decorating stockings, creating holiday animation cells
Traditional holiday dinners in the three themed dining rooms
Holiday edition of "Till We Meet Again"
Castaway Cay:

Holiday Carolers, Christmas trees, Character meet and greets and "snow flurries" on Disney's private island
Kids crafts to include making candy cane reindeer, snowflake mobiles and paper plate angels
Thanksgiving Day: a Thanksgiving feast will be served. Mickey and Minnie will be meeting and greeting guests while dressed in traditional Thanksgiving garb. Kids will enjoy holiday crafts and the Ariel View Jumbotron TV on Deck 9 will feature the NFL football games being broadcast that day.

Christmas: Sunset Hanukkah services, Christmas services, including midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.On Christmas morning Santa Claus and his elves will be at the Christmas tree in the atrium with surprises for the kids, along with cookies and milk.

New Years: New Year's Eve Party with DJ, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes, confetti and balloon drop at midnight

 

[kris10mm]

Hi! We have a group of 11 people and 3 staterooms going on this cruise. My parents, grandmother, 5 siblings, husband, and 3 year-old son and I. We are SOO excited. It will be my 4th cruise, my parents and DH's 2nd, and everyone else will be cruising for the 1st time ever!. It's getting so close !

Anyway, I just wanted to say "hi" and I'm excited to meet people we'll be cruising with. For those with teens, my brother will have just turned 17 (Dec 18th), he'll be thrilled to know there will be others around his age.

Kristen

 

[liliagm]

How is everybody doing? gettin ready?? Have you heard about the fuel surcharge news??? (if not go to the main cruise forum), anyway have your Travel agent check if they will be refunding it as an obc, I'm waiting my answer from dreams unlimited......

just 20 days to go

 

[KatRob]

: Kristen, yep, my DD is 16 and loves the cruise. So there is definitely someone around his age. She just tends to hang around adults more than teens.

Now, to the important thing, anyone else got their Cruise documents yet? I just discovered mine outside on the ground--guess the new UPS guy is afraid of dogs!

Anyway, if you haven't gotten yours yet don't panic. It seems like last time those closest to FL got theirs and it just sort of drifted west.

 

[Light3572]

What all did you receive? I thought all the documents we needed to fill out where online and we already received the travel kit with the excursions.

 

[KatRob]

What you filled out online was your On Line Check-In. You need to bring that with you already signed.

First, the Travel Booklet. It contains, technically, your ticket. It has a page with bar codes (but I don't remember them ever scanning it). The transfers if you purchased those; a place to purchase those ground transfers if you decide you want them; important messages.

Second, Luggage Tags for your bags-2 per person. They have the primary person's name, each guest, cabin, sail date and reservation number.

There is also an orange paper with reminders of what is required ID wise for everyone. And the reminder that if you do not check in at Port Canaveral by 4:00 p.m. or you do not have the necessary identification, they will not allow you to board.

 

[liliagm]

I just emailed my TA asking about the docs! we are leaving on the 18th for a pre-cruise stay at wdw so I'm starting to feel the pressure...... So i'm going to be on the lookout for that UPS truck....

 

[KatRob]

Depending on the TA you use, it could be sitting in their office. I use DU and the docs are sent directly to me. If I was using a local TA it would probably be different.
Hope they are sitting in the office waiting for you!

 

[KatRob]

I just emailed my TA asking about the docs! we are leaving on the 18th for a pre-cruise stay at wdw so I'm starting to feel the pressure...... So i'm going to be on the lookout for that UPS truck....

I just noticed that you are leaving out the same day we are. Where will you be staying at WDW? We'll be at Shades of Green, across from the Poly.
Have you heard back from the TA yet?