Disney Wonder November 19-22

[jsjones105]

Anyone cruising before Thanksgiving? Its our first cruise--travelling with DH, and 2 DD (ages 8.5 and 2). Any words of wisdom? We're staying on Deck 8 8086.

 

[lgmtseawa]

Yes, we will be on that cruise! My mother-in-law is celebrating her 70th by taking all of us (10 in all, including 3 grandsons) -- her birthday is the 20th.

So, there will be her and my father-in-law, her older daughter (whose DH can't come ), her younger daughter and her husband and son (5 I think), and us (DH is her son, me, and our two sons, 8 and almost 3.

Words of wisdom, hmm... read all the great posts on the main forum! Esp. check out the sticky FAQ, as well as the compiled tips list someone just posted.

FTR, we just did a 7-day Carnival cruise in April. The kids did great (our older boy also was on a cruise at 18 months which went well too). The one downside of Disney is that their kids' activities only go down to 3, and since younger son won't be three til December, we can't check him in to that. (On Carnival they went to 2). But for 3 days, that shouldn't be too bad. You'll face the same with your younger daughter.

Did you know that at Castaway Cay they actually have the kids' clubs going? So they can participate in those activities, and you can do something with the younger one.

Nice room, btw! You will appreciate the size with 2 kids. We got upgraded to similar on the Conquest, and really loved it. Not that I'm turning my nose up at ours! We are in 6612, with one of the other families next door, and the other two cabins just down and across the hall.

I'm glad you started a thread for this cruise; I've been searching off and on for one and was about to start one if you hadn't!

Carolyn in Colorado

 

[jsjones105]

Thanks for the W.O.W report (words of wisdom)! I am so excited about this trip that I find I'm spending a lot of time on these boards, reading, exploring, etc. We're be spoiled----compliments of DH company. Its a bonus for 18 months of VERY hard work! We're extrememly humled and grateful.....

I was looking into shore excursions--I think we might swim with the Dolphins in Nassau. Disney won't allow the 2+ year old, but I read the website from what I think is the same company and they will allow them to either participate or at least observe. Do you have any thoughts on booking an excursion NOT through Disney? I'm sure it has some ups and downs....we'll need to really consider it.

We will be at the parks for 4 days prior to our cruise (BCV) so if it doesn't work out, I'm sure relaxing on the ship will be just fine with everyone also.

I guess at this point, we need to start a countdown!

 

[thompsonfamily]

We are also going to Disney Nov. 15-19 and cruise 19-22. WE are so excited. We have two boys 8 & 13. Glad to hear someone else will be there.

We did book the dolphin excursion through our travel agent. I am anxious to see how our 8 yr old responds (he is autistic) children with autism supposedly really respond to dolphins.

Counting Down!!
thompsonfamily

 

[lgmtseawa]

Thanks for the W.O.W report (words of wisdom)! I am so excited about this trip that I find I'm spending a lot of time on these boards, reading, exploring, etc. We're be spoiled----compliments of DH company. Its a bonus for 18 months of VERY hard work! We're extrememly humled and grateful.....

Nice bonus

I was looking into shore excursions--I think we might swim with the Dolphins in Nassau. Disney won't allow the 2+ year old, but I read the website from what I think is the same company and they will allow them to either participate or at least observe. Do you have any thoughts on booking an excursion NOT through Disney? I'm sure it has some ups and downs....we'll need to really consider it.

On our Carnival cruise we did not book excursions through Carnival. If you check some of the other cruise-related forums (CC, for instance), a lot of folks will steer you toward (or away from!) particular outfits, but most will recommend doing it yourself rather than through the cruise line. Cost is one big reason. Often fewer people. The only caveat I have is that if you do it through the cruise line and there is a problem, especially getting back, the ship will know and you will get more consideration. If you do it on your own, you are on your own. For myself, I would probably not reserve one getting back late-ish unless it were through the cruise line.

There are a number of websites out there with independent excursions. Often they are quite similar to the ones offered by the cruise line, but there are some the cruise line offers that you might not be able to find, and others that are unique. And hey, if you find one you like through the line that's better than elsewhere, go for it! You can also get feedback from others about particular companies (e.g., on Cayman, Captain Marvins and Captain Bryans, among others) if you go to the port-specific forums on CC. [I will be preparing a list of useful URLs for the rest of our larger party; if you let me know your email address by private message, I'll cc you when I get it together.]

In any case, watch out for lower age limits. There are several on the Disney list for both Nassau and Castaway Cay that exclude my younger boy. (some make sense to me, others not so much) -- oh, yes, now I see where you've already seen some of their limits! You may find that 2+ is ok with a different operator. I don't know.

OTOH, since Castaway Cay is owned by Disney, I think our choices are whatever Disney offers.

Carolyn

 

[lovinpoohbear]

We'll be there Can't wait and hoping for all the xmas decorations to be up and the characters in costume....I can't wait

 

[lovinpoohbear]

 

[lovinpoohbear]

ANy other disers on this sailing?? I can't wait! ANyone know if theres Pirate night???

 

[jsjones105]

anyone else......

 

[lgmtseawa]

Those of you with kids, how much time do you think they'll be spending in the kids' clubs, seeing as we are mostly in port? Evenings? on Castaway Cay?

I'm thinking that we may spend only the morning on Nassau, go to the pirate museum (have heard good things), then back to the ship to relax and do more ship stuff (older boy at kid club, younger one napping).

Carolyn in Colorado

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I can't wait either!! I think that for the Nassua day, we will stay on board and enjoy the ship! DS 9 will probably spend here and there in the kids club. Last year he would look at the schedule and when there were things he was interested in he would go for awhile. I might use Flounders for ds 2. I used it last year and Loved it. The cms were sooo nice!
I am really hoping the ship will be decorated for the holidays.....and that castaway cay will be decorated too!

 

[MrJimmyDale]

Looking forward to seeing everyone there......

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I was upgraded from a 12 to a 10!!!

 

[MrJimmyDale]

When are cabins assigned?...we got a guaranteed cabin and didn't think we would find out until we got to the ship

ME, DW, and DD(9)

 

[lovinpoohbear]

When are cabins assigned?...we got a guaranteed cabin and didn't think we would find out until we got to the ship

ME, DW, and DD(9)

If you have your confirmation #, go to www.disneycruise.com and click on My Reservation. It will ask you to log in, then put your confirmation #, birthdate etc and then will show you your reservation.
I had been checking each day, yesterday was the DAY, I think since it was the 19th, thats when they display the room assignments. So exciting!!
You can also book Palo ressies on line as well as any excursions!!
Hope this help

 

[MrJimmyDale]

2329 and 2631...no upgrade but aft and close to the elevators........but most importantly......MY ROOM IS ON THE DISNEY WONDER!!!!!!!

 

[MrJimmyDale]

Bump

 

[MrJimmyDale]

23 day to go!!!!!!!!!

 

[steverog]

We just booked and will be joining you guys on our 9th Disney Cruise, we have a DD age 4 and DS age 6. We booked the cat 12 guar and hoping for some upgrade magic. This cruise must not be real full as there is still Palo reservations available online and both dinner seatings available. Is there another family of 4 that would like to join us for dinner. We can call DCL and have them link us together for our dinner.

Steve

 

[twoprincessmommy]

Only 22 days to go This will be our (me and DH ) first Disney cruise. We have sailed on RCC before and it will be the first cruise ever for my 2 DDs (8 and 3) and then we will be spending Thanksgiving weekend at WDW...I can't believe it is almost here!! We have a Cat 5 on Deck 7.
We are planning a day at Atlantis while in Nassau and then just hanging out on the beach at Castaway Cay.