Jan. 18 2009 Wonder - who's cruising?

[VA_mouseman]

To answer the recent questions:

We did a 7 night cruise in January 2007 and to my recollection, the water at CC was fine. Personally, I wasn't in the water at CC but plenty of kids and adults were, so I believe the water temp. was OK.

We went snorkeling in Cozumel and didn't need wetsuits (just a buoyancy vest), but that's a bit farther south (and west) of CC.

The seas - on our two cruises (7 night DCL Magic), the seas were not rough, but you will feel the 'rocking' of the ship. Saw lots of passengers with the rx earpatches for motion sickness,along with passengers who use the wristbands. Personally, I wasn't affected BUT I did continue to feel the 'rocking' sensation for a few days after the cruise!

Haven't been to Atlantis before. For the Nassau stop, we're looking at either at a snorkeling expedition OR a dolphin swim.

 

[VA_mouseman]

Although they're not required, it's a good idea to travel on DCL (or any cruise) with a passport.

Today, we renewed two expired passports (mine and DS7). Should have it back in about six weeks (maybe less). There's still a lot of time before our January cruise, so check your paperwork!

 

[wheelerkidz3]

hi everyone! we are also thinking of booking this cruise! we've been tossing it around for over a week now, but were kinda waiting to see what the 2010 itineraries would bring. we've cruised on the wonder twice (once in jan 2005 and again for halloween of 2006). we recently did the eastbound panama canal cruise. since disembarking that one, i've been having major dcl withdrawals!! we're hopefully making our decision this weekend whether we'll be cruising with you or not. (i'm really hoping that we are!!)

 

[VA_mouseman]

We are considering booking this cruise and will decided by Friday. It is our first DCL cruise and our DD5 DD2 first cruise ever. My parents are also coming for their first cruise. My question is . . . will the weather be warm enough for plenty of swimming? We are considering a March sail date as well, but for the price I rather go in Jan. Just as long as it won't be too "chilly." Any thoughts?
Thanks

Any update on your decision?

As I mentioned earlier, my recollection of the water at Castaway Cay was that it wasn't too bad; plenty of people were in the water. I'm not positive, but I believe the pools on the ship are also heated. Of course, there's always the hot tubs (front third of the ship, the 18+ crowd).

You may want to pose your questions on the DCL forum itself.

 

[VA_mouseman]

hi everyone! we are also thinking of booking this cruise! we've been tossing it around for over a week now, but were kinda waiting to see what the 2010 itineraries would bring. we've cruised on the wonder twice (once in jan 2005 and again for halloween of 2006). we recently did the eastbound panama canal cruise. since disembarking that one, i've been having major dcl withdrawals!! we're hopefully making our decision this weekend whether we'll be cruising with you or not. (i'm really hoping that we are!!)

Hope you can join us!

 

[VA_mouseman]

Interesting to note that our cruise is far from sold out. I just did a quick check on the DCL website, and I see for a family of four, there are many choices --

Staterooms in Categories 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are available (although I don't know how many in each cat. are still left).

Hmmm, I wonder if the economy right now is taking a toll on DCL? I recall that my last January cruise (albeit on the Magic) was sold out (Jan. 2007).

 

[wheelerkidz3]

we are definitely in!! i called the ta today to tell her to book for us...but i never did hear back from her! i'm hoping she got thru to dcl and got us booked...i'll be calling her tomorrow to find out for sure! airline tix are already bought!!!
we'll be leaving in 95 days!

 

[VA_mouseman]

we are definitely in!! i called the ta today to tell her to book for us...but i never did hear back from her! i'm hoping she got thru to dcl and got us booked...i'll be calling her tomorrow to find out for sure! airline tix are already bought!!!
we'll be leaving in 95 days!

Welcome aboard!

 

[VA_mouseman]

Of all the families going, are there any DS, 10-12 or so, who are into Pokemon? We're going with another family, and our DS7 is friends with their DS7. However, our DS11 won't know anyone on the cruise. He's seriously into Pokemon right now, so if there are any kindred spirits out there, he'd be thrilled!

 

[wheelerkidz3]

my ds will be 11 when we cruise, but he's not really into pokemon. i'm sure they could still have fun though!

 

[VA_mouseman]

As Castaway Club members, we can make our shore excursions / Palo reservations beginning at the 90 day mark.

Got Palo reserved for Tuesday night (Castaway Cay day), and the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter reserved for our Nassau day.

 

[wheelerkidz3]

we're not gonna do any excursions on this trip...and i'm not sure about palo either. i just want to sit by the pools and enjoy doing nothing!!! no schedule at all!! i can't wait...and i can't believe we are already at the 90 day mark!!

 

[VA_mouseman]

Although they're not required, it's a good idea to travel on DCL (or any cruise) with a passport.

Today, we renewed two expired passports (mine and DS7). Should have it back in about six weeks (maybe less). There's still a lot of time before our January cruise, so check your paperwork!

Wow ... both passports are done! DS's was received last week, and mine yesterday. This cruise is starting to feel a little bit more real!

 

[valtena]

That is good news about your passports, We just applied for ours this week. I was kind of nervous about the time frame but it sounds like there is a short turnover now. This is our first cruise. I have never been interested in cruising but we love disney and the bahamas so we thought we would give it a try. My husband is prone to seasickness so the 4 day cruise will a be a good test to see if he gets sick on the ship. We are going to wdw before and after the cruise. We are staying at cbr for a few days before then after the cruise we are stayin at cr. Is anyone else adding a trip to wdw to their cruise? My dd3 is turning 4 on the cruise. Does anyone know if they do anything special for birthdays? I booked the comfort suites for nassua day. We stayed at the Atlantis resort a few years ago and loved it so I think it will be very fun to spend the day there. I want to book brunch at Palo but I am a newbie so I get last dibs so who knows if I will able to. I have a ds7 also. It will be so fun to have something to look forward to after the holidays. We live in MI and it will so great to get away!

 

[hoff41]

Also going on the Jan 18 cruise. Does ne1 know why swimming with the dolphins excursion is supposed to be 4-5 hours?

 

[VA_mouseman]

Also going on the Jan 18 cruise. Does ne1 know why swimming with the dolphins excursion is supposed to be 4-5 hours?

First off, welcome!

I believe there are two dolphin-type excursions in Nassau. There's the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Swim. Also, doesn't Atlantis have a dolphin excursion?

We're tentatively signed up for the Blue Lagoon dolphin encounter, which is spending some time with dolphins in a waist-deep pool. The 'encounter' is relatively brief but from what I understand, there's a boatride to/from the site, as well as briefings, which presumably factor into the multi-hour excursion time.

Hope that helps.

 

[TNLaura]

Darn it -- two weeks later for our cruise and we would be eligible for the $99 bounceback. Not sure that we could have taken advantage of it, but would have been nice to have the option. Oh well . . . they had to draw the line somewhere, I suppose.

 

[VA_mouseman]

I've heard it before, but I'm not sure what it means. What's a "bounceback" ?

On another note, we're going back to WDW after our cruise! Our initial plan was to head to WDW the Friday before the cruise, spend Saturday in some of the parks, then off to the cruise and then straight home. The kids would only be missing two days of school, since the cruise coincides with the MLK holiday and inauguration day. However, our school district also has two additional teacher work days the following Monday/Tuesday .... so by staying at WDW through the following Tuesday (Jan. 27), we'll get five days at WDW and only miss one additional day of school.

AirTran changed our flight itinerary, and gave us the option to call them and let us revise it. We were able to change the comeback date ... at no charge!

We have arranged for a studio at SSR. Next up -- get some park hoppers and make sime dining plans!

 

[hoff41]

Great to be part of the crew. This is both mine and my wife's first cruise, but we are Disney nuts (3 years in a row at some form of disney: 2006: WDW, 2007isneyland, 2008-9:This cruise). We are both kosher and are hoping the food is better than we have heard

Anyway, does anyone know which of the excursions at Nassau give access to the giant aquarium besides the full day aquaventure for $155?

 

[VA_mouseman]

Great to be part of the crew. This is both mine and my wife's first cruise, but we are Disney nuts (3 years in a row at some form of disney: 2006: WDW, 2007isneyland, 2008-9:This cruise). We are both kosher and are hoping the food is better than we have heard

Anyway, does anyone know which of the excursions at Nassau give access to the giant aquarium besides the full day aquaventure for $155?

Thanks for joining in!

You may want to post your Nassau question on the DCL cruise forum itself. I haven't explored much into the Nassau excursions.

Have you alerted DCL about your kosher status? I'm sure they'll be able to work with you on it. I've read anecdotal evidence that Disney (particularly WDW) will work with customers regarding unique dietary needs. A recent allearsnet newsletter featured an article about a family that required gluten-free meals for one of their daughters. Their experience was fantastic in how the restaurants all were able to work with them.