Inaugural Wonder (April) Hawaii Cruise - Observations And Juicy Rumors

[Saratoga75]

Empress Room, the large pane of glass that was shattered at the cove cafe stairwell has been shattered since at least the April 15-22nd Mexican Rivera cruise which we were on. It's unfortunate they did not get it replace before the Hawaii cruise!

 

[Empress Room]

Empress Room, the large pane of glass that was shattered at the cove cafe stairwell has been shattered since at least the April 15-22nd Mexican Rivera cruise which we were on. It's unfortunate they did not get it replace before the Hawaii cruise!

Wow. That's a very interesting fact and one that makes my observation/criticism of maintenance issues a bit more troubling. As I previously stated, despite the Magic and Wonder aging each year, our experience had always been that the upkeep and maintenance was top notch and you really couldn't tell the wear and tear that obviously occurs from week-to-week. The shattered glass was a glaring (no pun intended!) maintenance issue, and I was ready to give DCL a free pass if it had just occurred and it was a special order. Now, however, it appears as if the glass was broken for at least two weeks prior to the Hawaiin cruise, which departed on April 29. With the premium prices we pay for these cruises, it sure seems like DCL, with all of its power and resources, should have been able to address, correct/fix this (and these other issues) much more quickly than they have.

 

[Saratoga75]

Empress Room, your absolutely correct! Now I am beginning to wonder how long the glass was shattered before our cruise, I truly believe it happened before since I first spotted it on our first sea day. That means they had 2-3 trips back to port minimum to come aboard to replace it. Disappointing. Not only an eye sore but really looked unsafe.

 

[TryingtoRelax]

My children are 3 and 6, so the port adventures were a challenge for us (many of them didn't allow my 3 year old, and others filled up before we could book them). My son really enjoyed Best of Hilo. My husband and I found it rather dull, but they brought us to the nut plant, where you could sample treats and watch the factory at work. They also brought us to a few waterfalls that he thoroughly enjoyed. On Maui, we took a taxi to the kite beach. It was windy, but there was a cove just to the right of the kite surfers that was secluded and they had a blast. Use lots of sunscreen. On Kauai, we stumbled into the same beach that port adventures team was arranging. We just hopped a shuttle (tipping the driver was the only charge) and walked where he told us to walk. Disney had bought out all the lounge chairs, but the beach is public, so we could just hang out on the beach. It was beautiful, and the time was unrestricted. The kids loved it, and so did we. Otherwise, I think mine got really spoiled by the low kid ratio. They got TONS of character time, plenty of attention in the clubs, and the pools weren't crowded. It was an amazing trip.

The only other note, if yours happen to be young like mine, the time change was hard, particularly on our three year old. We changed an hour each night, three days in a row, and the same on the way back. Once we returned to our normal life (still another hour difference) it took a solid week to adjust.

 

[Purplelv93]

Did any of the ports require tendering? Thanks!

 

[socababy]

Did any of the ports require tendering? Thanks!

None of the ports required tendering!

 

[Purplelv93]

Great news! Thank you!

 

[Empress Room]

None of the ports required tendering!

As I recall, at the beginning of the cruise, there was talk from crew/officers that one of the Hawaiin ports would likely require tendering. For the life of me, I cannot remember which one and (obviously) it did not happen. Whether they were misinformed or whether a dock opened up, I'm not sure, but it was nice to avoid tender boats.

 

[TDC Nala]

We did avoid tendering. However, I think that meant that in a couple of locations we ended up at an industrial docking area, away from the tourist areas, thus requiring transportation to get anywhere tourists might want to go.

 

[TDC Nala]

I was served cold, curled-up pancakes that I couldn't even cut w/a knife...no exaggeration

DCL is notoriously bad with pancakes, I've learned not to order them.

 

[Empress Room]

We did avoid tendering. However, I think that meant that in a couple of locations we ended up at an industrial docking area, away from the tourist areas, thus requiring transportation to get anywhere tourists might want to go.

Agreed. With the exception of our dock in Honolulu, the docks at the other three Hawaiin ports less than ideal and really not within walking distance of any tourist area. We did venture out on foot in Maui - it was a 10-minute hike just to get to a main road with a small strip mall.

 

[Purplelv93]

Was there a late night chocolate buffet? What about any other "out of the norm" things they tend to do on longer cruises? Like opening up the kids club at night to adults for Flubber making or painting animation cells? Special gifts like litogrqphs or commerative items? Playing classic Disney films in the theater?

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

We did avoid tendering. However, I think that meant that in a couple of locations we ended up at an industrial docking area, away from the tourist areas, thus requiring transportation to get anywhere tourists might want to go.

Lahaina is the usual cruise ship port in Maui and it obviously the ideal place for the shops, etc. But, it requires tendering which is why I had heard Disney chose Kahului instead. Of course my cynical side assumes it was cheaper for Disney too!!

 

[Lexa]

Was there a late night chocolate buffet? What about any other "out of the norm" things they tend to do on longer cruises? Like opening up the kids club at night to adults for Flubber making or painting animation cells? Special gifts like litogrqphs or commerative items? Playing classic Disney films in the theater?

Yes we had late night chocolate buffet..IMHO it could be better. I was waiting for chocolate covered strawberries and the had none We got special litho at the beginning and a set of 4 napkins with with Disney characters on it and wording Disney Inaugural Hawaii cruise at the end.

 

[Purplelv93]

No chocolate covered strawberries? Is that even legal?

Thanks for all the information!

 

[socababy]

One thing they did do on this cruise that I was told they hadn't done on the Wonder since the Jan 2011 Panama Canal cruise, was they had some sort of Princess meet that was held in Tritons. All the little girls attending were all dressed up and so cute. The got pink sashes as they entered that said Disney Cruise Princess. I don't know what actually happened inside (it was a kidless trip) so hopefully someone can elaborate on this. We were sitting on deck 4 by the DVC desk so we saw all the characters enter Tritons in a staggered order. They had the 5 princesses, Cinderella's 2 mice, Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale and Goofy (maybe I am missing one or two?)

I know I saw a sign for sign ups for this meet in one of the shops. I was talking with Tawanda (c0oncierge host) and he said that they shuld have it for the PC cruise this Dec. I sure hope so because I know dd would love it.

 

[Lexa]

I was there with my girl. They announced every little princess as she entered the Tritons. They treated them (and parents too) as royalty with some deserts, fruit and juice in tea cups. We had photo opportunity with every character and if you had autograph book with you they would sign them too. Princesses tough little princesses how to bow and wave as a princess and how to dance All together was about 20-30 minutes.

 

[nocruisecontrol]

Thanks for the well done and honest trip review. Hubby and I are booked on the October cruise. I've always cruised with our kids or friends as he has always opted not to go. I finally talked him into the Hawaii cruise but now I'm a little worried. I don't want his first cruise to be his last and cool weather and rocky seas alarm me somewhat. All of my other cruises have been in the Caribbean and I didn't guess it would be that much different.

I'll have to decide quickly as final payment is due soon.

 

[Empress Room]

Thanks for the well done and honest trip review. Hubby and I are booked on the October cruise. I've always cruised with our kids or friends as he has always opted not to go. I finally talked him into the Hawaii cruise but now I'm a little worried. I don't want his first cruise to be his last and cool weather and rocky seas alarm me somewhat. All of my other cruises have been in the Caribbean and I didn't guess it would be that much different.

I'll have to decide quickly as final payment is due soon.

I could see how a first-time cruiser may be a bit turned off by the weather and rocky sees, and certainly you don't want him to forever forego cruising, but it was a great adventure nevertheless. Perhaps we wouldn't have said that if it was our first cruise and didn't know that seas can be calmer and weather can be (much) warmer, but the Hawaiin islands were beautiful. At the end of the analysis, it's still a 15-day vacation no matter how you slice it!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Empress Room, the large pane of glass that was shattered at the cove cafe stairwell has been shattered since at least the April 15-22nd Mexican Rivera cruise which we were on. It's unfortunate they did not get it replace before the Hawaii cruise!

Taken on our Dec 2011 Wonder MR cruise: