First Time Cruising on November 6 Wonder

[dvcersfromva]

Hello everyone.

My husband and I have booked our first cruise ever using our DVC points for the Wonder leaving November 6, 2005, and we have a few questions.

We will be taking the Autotrain to Sanford the day before the cruise. Do you know of any hotels near the port (and preferably on or near the beach) where we can leave our car and that will provide transportation to the port?

When we made the reservations, we requested early seating, but our DVC papers say that seating is assigned upon boarding. Is there any way you can secure seating before boarding?

Also, we will be traveling by ourselves (this is an anniversary trip! ), and we would appreciate any information about activities, excursions, packages, etc. that would be fun for couples only.

Thank you for any information you can provide! We can't wait!

Mary Beth

 

[Jillpie]

Hi Marybeth! We just got home from our first Wonder cruise and booked it on points too, what a way to go! It was awesome. About the dining seating, if you requested early seating, you probably already have it. What they mean about assigning it when you board is your rotation. Meaning the different restaurants you will go to. That you won't find out about till you board and it will show up on your KTTW card, very easy.

Things I would do again with my DH...(and we have three kids, felt like we were alone, the kids were busy the whole time )

l. Every night we ended each day on the deck 4 outside lounge chairs, a big ahhhhhhh...they were very nice and comfy.

2. On Castaway Cay, I wouldn't have gone down to the adult beach. It sounds nice, but it really looks like any other beach. Stay on the family beach where you can see that beautiful ship!!!! You can't see the ship from the adult beach. But go all the way over, to the hammocks near the bar. I thought I was in heaven. Order the drinks on the beach, a sheer luxury!

3. Definitely do Palo. Be sure to reserve at 1:00 pm on the day of embarkation, it fills up fast. We did the brunch, but wish we did the dinner for the chocolate souffle, I heard it was fantastic. Will do that next time.

4. Nassau...don't bother getting off the ship. Pretend its a day at sea. We got off, took a bus to Cable Beach and the water was freezing and the pool there was freezing. Enjoy that relaxing day with an empty adult pool.

5. I would have tried to relax more. There are so many activities that we didn't want to miss. Its so much fun, you'll LOVE this cruise!!!

 

[Paticake]

We're on that cruise too! It is our first time as well. We are flying down on the 5th and staying at the Raddison.

 

[Paticake]

Just re-read your post. We are cruising with our son and daughter in law. Just adults!! Looks like there is a whole area for adults only. We are also looking into spa treatments, taking the tour of Atlantis(on our own), my husband and son plan to do a fishing excursion at Castaway Cay. I'll just be relaxing on the beach!!!!! We took the late dinner seating.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

Try Dave's site dcltribute.com. It has great info on hotels and maps of the area around the port.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We will be on that cruise too!...and although we will be traveling with kids, there is sooo much to do for just adults! You may want to consider ordering the REAS package add-on!

 

[dvcersfromva]

Thanks everyone for the input! We are so excited to have another trip in the works! We just got back from Vero and BCV and had a great time, but it's wonderful to have something else to look forward to.

Thanks for all the information, Jillpie. We will definately relax and enjoy as much down time as we can!

Paticake--our children are grown, too but will not be with us, and we are looking forward to time by ourselves.

AspiringCindy, thanks too for your reply. What, though, is a REAS package? Sorry to be so uninformed!

NYGiantsRule--We did check out the "dcltribute.com" site, and it had great information! Thank you!

Hopefully we can meet other posters on our trip!

Thanks for your help,
Mary Beth

 

[AspiringCindy]

The REAS package is the Romantic Escape at Sea package. It cost $339 and you receive:
*A welcome aboard basket that has a silver frame, a box of chocolates and a
bottle of champagne
*side by side Massages for two
*Priority seating for Palos(make a ressie before you go)
*turn down service 1 night with rose pedals and bubble bath
*Champagne breakfast in bed 1 morning(expanded room service menu)

I may be forgetting something...but I think that is it!

 

[DiszyGram]

I was beginning to wonder "Wonder" if we were the only ones cruising on Nov. 6th. Nice to see more people are going from here.

I'll be sharing a cabin with my sister and treating my daughter and 6 yr old grandson to a second cabin. My son, daughter-in-law, 5 yr. old grandson and 4 year old granddaughter will be treated to a third cabin.

We'll be rounding out the trip with two nights in Disney World to visit the Magic Kingdom on Friday.

It's still a long way off but I'm really looking forward to it. This is my second cruise on the Wonder with my sister. Hope we'll meet some of you there.

 

[AspiringCindy]

I have a 4 year old DD that will be with us! My DD and your granddaughter will be in the same group at Oceaneer Club!

 

[smhollismd]

We're on that cruise too! It is our first time as well. We are flying down on the 5th and staying at the Raddison.

You'll like th Raddison if you haven't stayed there before. It's a nice hotel, especially the pool area (if it's warm enough). We stayed there once when down for a shuttle launch. We're cruising in Oct and will be staying there again. Have fun!