Diez (10) Noches Calientes en la Riviera Mexicana/17 de abril 2011 (4.17.11 Wonder!)

[szubieta]

Any ideas on what might be planned for the five days at sea? Has there been a 10-day MR cruise before? If so and there were five sea days just like ours, does anyone have the old Navigators so we can maybe have some well-educated guesses?

I have checked out the Navigators for the TA's "days at sea" and we should see more things that we can do on sea days when the PC cruise Navigators get posted. We have been on a 15nt cruise (RCCL) with 9 days at sea. There was plenty to do everyday and a show/act every night. This cruise will be nice with a sea day inbetween must of our ports. I believe it will be and educated guess too. Unless we have an insider.

There hasn't been another 10 day MR cruise to gauge things from, and I believe we are the first west coast Easter cruise also. I think this may also be the first time in Manzanillo, unless one of the Panama Canal cruises stopped there. For us, at least, this will be our first time on the Wonder. So there are lots of fun anticipation for new and exciting things.

The PC cruise does go to Manzanillo at this point. I have been reading the PC thread every so often trying to find out things to do there in Manzanillo. Not too many people that have been there or have any info on port adventures yet.

 

[michellert]

Hi True Romance ~

Thank you for the welcome! I noticed on a website, that there was a 10 hour limit for babysitting, is that correct even on a 10 night cruise? Doesn't seem like much as my hubby and I were hoping to utilize that for much more time!!

 

[True Romance]

I just made it to through the FE Homemade Gift Photos thread and my daughter was right, I'm caving - I just can't resist, despite the added stress. Sign us up for FE. I cannot believe how talented some people are. It was amazing. I'm already trying to figure out gifts! Do we have any idea what the group size cutoff will be? I'm trying to determine a budget, even a ballpark would be helpful.

Yay, happy to add you to the FE list. I read the Homemade gift thread too, got some good ideas. I am not the least bit crafty, however I got some ideas I hope to implement. It is easier for to come up with ideas for the kids than for the adults.

This is my first time participating in and organizing the FE group. I am getting suggestions and help from the other ladies on the thread. They suggested breaking into smaller groups, I had no idea that was done. It sounds like a good idea so we do not get overwhelmed.

I will try to go through my list tomorrow and get an accurate count of rooms/adults/children that have already signed up, so we have an idea of what we are starting with. We thought to revisit the list the beginning of January (when all the crazy holiday madness is over) to get final numbers and to see how we want to split the group. How many gifts do you usually get a day? 1, 2 or more? I am not sure if we break it up into groups as small as 10 familes(so you get 1 gift a day) of like 20 families, 2 gifts a day.

People that have already participated in an FE, what was your groups sizes?

Hi True Romance ~

Thank you for the welcome! I noticed on a website, that there was a 10 hour limit for babysitting, is that correct even on a 10 night cruise? Doesn't seem like much as my hubby and I were hoping to utilize that for much more time!!

I'm sorry Michelle, I am not sure exactly how Flounders Nursery works. I planned this cruise with the full intent of my son using the Oceaneers Club. I have read as long as he is fully potty trained, which he is, and within a month of his 3rd birthday he will be able to use the club. Ask this question on the main forum, I bet tons of people will have an answer for you.

 

[Travelbee]

Wow - a lot of chatter in just a few days. With all this talk about excursions, I thought I'd add an extra page on the website on that. I'll add the links that have been posted so far and if anyone wants me to post others, send me a PM with the link so I can add it. Hopefully this will help everyone with their planning!

The facility was nice, and very close, we walked to and from the facility, but the water was SO cold!!!! DD and I were the only ones that would even get in it. The other 3 hung out on the edge shivering. This is the 4th Dolphin Encounter I've done in different places, and other than the one at San Diego Sea World, where they gave us wetsuits - this was the coldest water.

DH and I have a timeshare in Cabo so we also have been there a lot. We've done the Dolphins Encounter at Cabo Dolphins and we liked it better than the one in Cozumel but the prices were a lot higher.

Regarding Randi's Happy Horses, and this may be really dumb question, her sight says to bring cash to pay with. What currency does she accept? : Also, how much extra should we bring for lunch?

The website says $45 US. And I agree - there's no need to exchange currency. In general, they prefer US dollars. There's no discount for children... but perhaps we can ask about a group discount? We need this in Grand Cayman for the sting ray tour and each person get a $5 discount!

Here are the average April temps for our ports (couldn't find Manzanillo):


Cabo - Avg High: 79 - 84 F Avg Low: 63 - 67 F
Mazatlan - Avg High: 84 - 87 F Avg Low: 72 - 74 F
PV - Avg High: 79 - 84 F Avg Low: 63 - 67 F

I've never found the seas to be rough going to Mexico, but that's often a matter of perception. What I find pretty calm others might think is rough. (Sorry, that's not a very helpful answer, is it? )

I'd suggest bringing some warm clothes too - I've heard the sea days can get breezy and a bit chilly.

The PC cruise does go to Manzanillo at this point. I have been reading the PC thread every so often trying to find out things to do there in Manzanillo. Not too many people that have been there or have any info on port adventures yet.

May I suggest checking Cruise Critics?

I will try to go through my list tomorrow and get an accurate count of rooms/adults/children that have already signed up, so we have an idea of what we are starting with. We thought to revisit the list the beginning of January (when all the crazy holiday madness is over) to get final numbers and to see how we want to split the group. How many gifts do you usually get a day? 1, 2 or more? I am not sure if we break it up into groups as small as 10 familes(so you get 1 gift a day) of like 20 families, 2 gifts a day.

People that have already participated in an FE, what was your groups sizes?

We had 2 groups on the last cruise. There were 18 staterooms and about 45 people in my group.

 

[Travelbee]

Hi Everyone,

I just booked the Kids Sail Free Cruise a couple of weeks ago and we are so excited to not only get a fab deal but to experience our FIRST cruise on the Disney Wonder!

My two kids will be 4 and 2, and hoping the 2-year old is able to enjoy the nursery. My husband and I are looking to utilize the babysitting option.

Nice to see such an active board for this cruise!

Welcome Michellert! I've added you to the roll call on the website. If you'd like to send a photo and other info, I can upload it.

 

[kjwemett]

Brooklyn, I see that your DH is a Marine, mine just retired from the Marines. They will at least have something to talk about.

 

[MousseauMob]

Yay, happy to add you to the FE list. I read the Homemade gift thread too, got some good ideas. I am not the least bit crafty, however I got some ideas I hope to implement. It is easier for to come up with ideas for the kids than for the adults.

People that have already participated in an FE, what was your groups sizes?

I'm not crafty either - but wasnt it fun seeing how creative / talented some people are, and it did give me some ideas. I could tell you exactly how large our last two FE groups were, if my hard disk hadn't crashed and burned. Sadly, I don't recall, but I'll see if I can figure it out - maybe old posts and stuff and let you know. I've never done the groups before, so that's all new to me, but I knew some people on the PC cruise, and they HAD to break into groups because here wer just SO many people.

 

[M2DD's]

Wow there have been lots of post the last few days
All these talks about shore excusion make me want Disney to release some info on what they'll offer I would think it would be coming up soon as the first MR departs in January. Anyways I was just wondering if anyone is staying on the ship at some of the ports?

on our last 7 day cruise we stayed on the ship the entire time except one day when we went to NCL private island. Other than that we enjoyed the ship and activities on port days. My girls loved having the pool area uncrowded and being able to use the kids club stuff without having to wait there turn. My DH and I our so busy during the school yr that we love to sleep in and then read/relax by the pool.
Also,I wish that Disney had a game room like on other ships. My family loved to go and play board games and cards.

Our last disney cruise the pool was so crowded the girls could not get in because there was no room at all I wish we would have taken a picture to show you guys. I'm thinking with the KSF offer that there will be a large amount of kids.

Hope everyone is off to a great wk

 

[michellert]

Hi Travelbee,

What a great site you have listing everyone and the details, thanks! I will send you more info. for our family so you can add it. Love that everything is on one page!

 

[szubieta]

Brooklyn, I see that your DH is a Marine, mine just retired from the Marines. They will at least have something to talk about.

Could ya tell by the picture of you two!!!

 

[True Romance]

Here is the list I have now for families interested in participating in the FE (Fish Extender gift exchange) Check out this thread if you want more info http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

We will revisit the list in January and split into smaller groups to make it more manageable. We are aiming to split the groups into 15 families, give or take a few. This will give you an idea of how many to plan for. We will also have a cut off date to be added to the list, 1 or 2 months before the cruise.

Amyamya (Amy)
Bitocas (Gabriela)
DisneyManFamily4 (Jennifer)
Deseriemilburn (Deserie)
fourmcds
Jareds Mommy
Jweiss (Jennifer)
LiserAnn (Lisa)
loving _life (Kristen)
Lucky1 (Laura)
LV Disney Fan(atic) (Dany)
Mariag481 (Maria)
Mjespro (Jennifer) 2 adults, DD (15) DS (11)
Mykids2 (Miriam)
Patricia1
Shellyamd
Susiesark
Sweetpea 4
Szubieta (Sandy)
Travelbee (Connie)
TrueRomance (Kristi)
Virdis 2 adults, and 2 children

If I am missing anyone, please let me know. Just send me a PM and I will add you to the list.

 

[lucky1]

Hi Luck1 ~

Thank you for the links, that helps so much! Today I was trying to explain it all to my hubby, and that needs more work, so the pics will help

Michellert - Here is the one that I copied.. I love the simplicity of it. Once again, if you don't have all the supplies at hand, it can be costly unless you make more than one. To purchase on ebay, I think you would spend $35-40, but then I think I spent close to $50 or more. Because I had nothing at home.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32264566&postcount=867

Y=
I will try to go through my list tomorrow and get an accurate count of rooms/adults/children that have already signed up, so we have an idea of what we are starting with. We thought to revisit the list the beginning of January (when all the crazy holiday madness is over) to get final numbers and to see how we want to split the group. How many gifts do you usually get a day? 1, 2 or more? I am not sure if we break it up into groups as small as 10 familes(so you get 1 gift a day) of like 20 families, 2 gifts a day.

People that have already participated in an FE, what was your groups sizes?

Kristi - Our group size was about 12 families. Our cut off was 1 month out and we really didn't have any late joiners. There was about 21 kids. We didn't arrange days to deliver and it seemed to work out. We got lots of highlighters and lots of hand sanitizers. We got some great handmade gifts, which also marvels me because of the talent people have. We also got some great small items that represented something from their home town or state. That was pretty neat.

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

Wow there have been lots of post the last few days
All these talks about shore excusion make me want Disney to release some info on what they'll offer I would think it would be coming up soon as the first MR departs in January. Anyways I was just wondering if anyone is staying on the ship at some of the ports?

We'll probably stay on board during our Cabo stop. Been there a few times and I think we'd rather enjoy the less crowded ship!

How many gifts do you usually get a day? 1, 2 or more? I am not sure if we break it up into groups as small as 10 familes(so you get 1 gift a day) of like 20 families, 2 gifts a day.

People that have already participated in an FE, what was your groups sizes?

We had about 20 in our FE group; that was manageable, but for me about 15 would be ideal.

 

[szubieta]

May I suggest checking Cruise Critics?

Been there too...isn't too much there either. But from the maps I e-mailed you there is a prospect without having to go too far from the ship. Palapa Cafe and the beach appear to only be a few blocks from the port. Las Hadas is in the running too. COME ON DCL and get the port adventures on-line.

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

Las Hadas is looking good to us too! A nice relaxing beach day and the photos I've seen are gorgeous. I've scoured the CC boards and there just doesn't seem to be that much else to do in Manzanillo. We enjoyed the turtle farm excursion last time and hopefully DCL will offer that one.

 

[Travelbee]

Hi Travelbee,

What a great site you have listing everyone and the details, thanks! I will send you more info. for our family so you can add it. Love that everything is on one page!

Thanks, I added your details to the website.

Connie--thanks for adding the excursions page, I will send you a bunch of links that I have collected and researched the last couple of months.

Here is the list I have now for families interested in participating in the FE (Fish Extender gift exchange) Check out this thread if you want more info http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

This equals 17 families. 34 adults (18+) and 32 kids.

The more info the better! I'll add it on the website so we can have a centralized place for all the great info! Also, I've updated the FE list on the webpage based on the list you just posted.

Been there too...isn't too much there either. But from the maps I e-mailed you there is a prospect without having to go too far from the ship. Palapa Cafe and the beach appear to only be a few blocks from the port. Las Hadas is in the running too. COME ON DCL and get the port adventures on-line.

Your maps have been added! The Google Maps on the website is interactive so you can zoom in, out and get aerial imageries too.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

so if you had to take a guess what night do you think the pirate dinner would be?
is it on a sea day or a port day normally?
Thanks

 

[szubieta]

We enjoyed the turtle farm excursion last time and hopefully DCL will offer that one.

THAT'S RIGHT...I forgot about that! Okay there's another one.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

THAT'S RIGHT...I forgot about that! Okay there's another one.

what was that one like?
We did a turtle excursion in the Grand Caymans but it wasn't that great it was just walking around looking at tanks of various size turtles and a gift store
In the Mayan we got to help release them that was very cool

 

[szubieta]

so if you had to take a guess what night do you think the pirate dinner would be?
is it on a sea day or a port day normally?
Thanks

I just pray it's not the night before a 7:30a arrival. I would say night 6 after leaving Manzanillo would be a good night.