Disney Wonder - Galveston to San Jaun - January 20, 2017

[pixiehallow]

I am going to try to post this at the top of each page (going forward ) so new members won't have to search to find out what we are planning.

~Planned activities ~
(Meets, cabin crawls, mixology, etc )

Mixology
(will need a minimum of 20 - must be 21 or older)
Currently interested:
Pixiehallow (2)
SunI17 (2 )
StefunnyD (1)
MNnice (2)
Sian (2)
Bbrown (2)
ColoradoMrs (2)
DesertGal(2)​

Pre Cruise Meet for Harbor House
Pixiehallow
MNnice
StefunnyD
Zoijmvs
BBrown
crystalsnowseekins
Mngirl80
westonkamom
asperle
alaskanabbott
MNMommyof2
Grumpy's Group​

____________________________________________________

Cabin Crawl
(with or without poker)
Currently interested:
Pixiehallow
alaskanabbott
MNnice​

​

 

[pixiehallow]

We are staying in Fajardo for about 4 nights I think.

Did you scheduled the bioluminescent bay tour? If so, I would love to see pictures of it.

 

[Grumpy's Group]

We are staying in Fajardo for about 4 nights I think.

Thank you...we'll take a look at that area.

 

[adamki]

Thank you...we'll take a look at that area.

If you're looking for a resort style stay, the Rio Grande resort area is also nice. It is convenient to El Yunque and beaches. There are a few hotels there (St Regis, Wyndham, Gran Melia and others) or you can rent a house or villa (check out vrbo.com for rentals).

Right now, I've got a few nights booked at El Conquistador in Fajardo after the cruise. Perhaps not the best value, but I'm using some Hilton points. I still may change my mind.

 

[alaskanabbott]

We are staying at The Plaza Suites in Humacoa for a week. The area looked nice, and we got a 2 bedroom with full kitchen for the same price I was seeing on vbro, but with daily housekeeping, security and amenities. Doing the Bio bay kayak, but anyone willing to share other must do things in PR please let me know!

 

[alaskanabbott]

Oh, I forgot that I wanted to share a tidbit. Shoreside concierge offered to pre-book my daughter into the Royal Tea. 5 years ago I would have jumped at the chance, but at 12 she is MUCH more interested in Marvel now, (except Ariel, she adores Ariel). The Royal Tea is new to the Wonder I think. You'd have to confirm details, but the tea has a princess who hosts, the child gets a doll, and other stuff, it's around $250 and sells out pretty fast. I don't think many people know it's going to be offered, so the chances are good if booked early.
The other tidbit, there will be photo ops with Thor, Spiderman, and I think Capt America. He rattled a bunch off, but my brain was still on Thor, so again- probably get confirmation elsewhere.

 

[pixiehallow]

We are staying at The Plaza Suites in Humacoa for a week. The area looked nice, and we got a 2 bedroom with full kitchen for the same price I was seeing on vbro, but with daily housekeeping, security and amenities. Doing the Bio bay kayak, but anyone willing to share other must do things in PR please let me know!

Also, any good must try restaurants!

 

[alaskanabbott]

Also, any good must try restaurants!

OH YES!!

 

[pixiehallow]

Oh, I forgot that I wanted to share a tidbit. Shoreside concierge offered to pre-book my daughter into the Royal Tea. 5 years ago I would have jumped at the chance, but at 12 she is MUCH more interested in Marvel now, (except Ariel, she adores Ariel). The Royal Tea is new to the Wonder I think. You'd have to confirm details, but the tea has a princess who hosts, the child gets a doll, and other stuff, it's around $250 and sells out pretty fast. I don't think many people know it's going to be offered, so the chances are good if booked early.
The other tidbit, there will be photo ops with Thor, Spiderman, and I think Capt America. He rattled a bunch off, but my brain was still on Thor, so again- probably get confirmation elsewhere.

Question : Thor, Spiderman, and Capt America will be at the Royal Tea? Maybe you could book for the moms! Just kidding, but really, Thor, Spiderman, and Capt America are coming to the Tea?

 

[adamki]

Also, any good must try restaurants!

If you want to be a little adventurous, I have two recommendations, both require a car or a driver:

First, go to Luquillo Beach (Playa Luquillo, about halfway between San Juan and Fajardo) and visit some of the "kioskos", food kiosks near the beach. It's kind of like a real-life Epcot Food and Wine Festival with a great beach nearby. Here's a video from Travel Channel and a listing of some of the Kioskos.
Second, go the Cayey for Lechonera (roast pork stand). There are several in Cayey (in the mountains to the South), perhaps one of the Puerto Rican posters can make a more recent recommendation. I've been to Lechonera Los Pinos, but it has been years. Anthony Bourdain visited in his Puerto Rico episode of 'No Reservations', so maybe it's still fantastic.

Otherwise, I found this website, www.tastingpuertorico.com, their reviews appear to be thorough. Just browsing the site, La Mallorquina looks like a great option in Old San Juan.

 

[pixiehallow]

If you want to be a little adventurous, I have two recommendations, both require a car or a driver:

First, go to Luquillo Beach (Playa Luquillo, about halfway between San Juan and Fajardo) and visit some of the "kioskos", food kiosks near the beach. It's kind of like a real-life Epcot Food and Wine Festival with a great beach nearby. Here's a video from Travel Channel and a listing of some of the Kioskos.
Second, go the Cayey for Lechonera (roast pork stand). There are several in Cayey (in the mountains to the South), perhaps one of the Puerto Rican posters can make a more recent recommendation. I've been to Lechonera Los Pinos, but it has been years. Anthony Bourdain visited in his Puerto Rico episode of 'No Reservations', so maybe it's still fantastic.

Otherwise, I found this website, www.tastingpuertorico.com, their reviews appear to be thorough. Just browsing the site, La Mallorquina looks like a great option in Old San Juan.

Thanks for the info.
Pork, yum!
I will spend some time looking at all of them tomorrow.

 

[pixiehallow]

My DH 's thirst for news about the Wonder's dry dock finally resulted in a find today. Only problem is I need a translator.
Here is a news report about the Wonder in Cadiz.

Can someone with a good grasp of the Spanish language please translate it (or at least paraphrase it) for me (and everyone else who lost their high school Spanish years ago ).
Thanks!

~ Tink ~

 

[adamki]

I got lost quickly too, but the Google Translate app helped me fill in some of the gaps. The text is very similar to one of the articles posted in the Drydock mega-thread on the main board. Here's what I got:

The remodel of the Disney Cruise Line’s Disney wonder will require a maximum of 1500 skilled workers over the next 40 days. They will be supported by three ferries providing hotel and dining for the employees of companies contracted to work on the ship.

The council of Cadiz explained that the ship, which arrived on Monday at the Cadiz dock, has already employed 700 workers.

The Disney Wonder will undergo a complete overhaul of the interior completed by contractors hired by the company. Local workers will be responsible for painting the hull and the propulsion system and fitting a ducktail.

According to the council this is the first time three support ships have been used in Cadiz.

When the Disney Wonder work is complete, similar contracts will keep workers busy throughout November when one ship from a factory and two other ships will arrive.

The refurbished Disney Wonder can be enjoyed by customers starting on November 10th departing from Texas.

 

[pixiehallow]

I got lost quickly too, but the Google Translate app helped me fill in some of the gaps. The text is very similar to one of the articles posted in the Drydock mega-thread on the main board. Here's what I got:

New information or not, I think it is a fun way to help everyone get excited for the count down to double digits!
Funny thing, I kept trying to tell the camera to pan to the back so we could see the progress of the duck tail. We saw a picture earlier in the week that showed the back. Sadly it looked like the 2 secret decks were gone.

 

[adamki]

Sadly it looked like the 2 secret decks were gone.

Yeah, I think I saw the same photo. I noticed that the deck 7 area appeared to have a lot of new metal that had been welded on

 

[pixiehallow]

Happy Monday!!!!
- The good news is we are almost down to just double digits (108 days/ 11hours / 25 minutes / 10 seconds - see below)
- The Bad news is we still have 15 Mondays to go.

Today's Monday Forget me Not's is great for the little and not so little traveling companions in our travel parties that may not do so well in the dark cabins.

This is a Disney cruise, so a great number of us are traveling with kiddos, and we need to remember that adjusting to a new environment may be a little difficult. You can help bedtime go a little smoother with a simple item that could easily be forgotten. No, I'm not talking about a night light, we're not supposed to use those, plus your precious outlet space will probably be completely filled up over night charging you tech gear (phones, tablets, etc ). Instead, you can bring a flame-less (battery operating ) candle. These small tea light candles, are a cheap, safe way to bring a little bit of light to an otherwise very dark cabin. You can place one on the desk, and one in the bathroom to help everyone find there way when the lights are out. Another option (one we discovered on our last cruise) is glow bands (either necklace or bracelet size). We had given them out on pirate night, and saved one for each member of our family. That night, we left them in the bathroom, and they were able to replace the tea lights. They were so bright we actually did not need to turn on the bathroom light when someone had to use the potty. Which was a great bonus (the typical light on, everyone screams, 'turn off the light' and then has to fight to go back to sleep was eliminated). The glow bands lasted the rest of the cruise (3 more nights). So, 2 bands should due for our 6 days. One extra benefits of having the lights is emergency preparedness. I know no one likes to think about the what ifs, but it is a good idea to be ready for them.

Oh, and one last thing, you don't have to travel with kiddos to have a cabin mate that is afraid of the dark. That is a fear that can come in adult size as well. FYI we always have to leave a light on in hotel rooms when we travel.

~Tink ~

 

[alaskanabbott]

Shoreside concierge just called to offer the Royal Tea, so I got more info for anyone interested.
It will be 3pm on the day we port in Cozumel. kids ages 3-12 are $210 adults $69. There are 40 spots total and it will be released to public next week.

 

[pixiehallow]

This got me thinking....

...I can't wait until I can order a Mickey bar for my 1st and last course of dinner!

Anyone else?

 

[Angel Rae]

Well hello!
First Time Disney cruisers. Me (Angel) and Bear will be cruising with our 3 yo daughter! Just booked and paid today. A nice spontaneous vacation! these dis boards are amazing! So much I have to learn. We definetly want in on the FE. What a great thing.
Angel

 

[pixiehallow]

Well hello!
First Time Disney cruisers. Me (Angel) and Bear will be cruising with our 3 yo daughter! Just booked and paid today. A nice spontaneous vacation! these dis boards are amazing! So much I have to learn. We definetly want in on the FE. What a great thing.
Angel

Welcome Angel Rae!!

How exciting to be on your first Disney Cruise with only 106 days till we set sail!
I will get you added to the roll call, and the FE. If you have been reading through our thread, you know what I am going to say next....you need 3 more posts. Once you hit 10, I will send you the PM with the information needed for the FE spreadsheet.
We have a few other things the group is planning (check out post 882 below for a list ). If you want to join in on any of the planned activities, or you have any questions, just let us know. That would be a good way to get those 3 posts!

~ Tink ~