January 4, 2007 Wonder

[Dreamin'O'Disney]

I would suggest getting off the ship early since the line for customs gets long. We thought about having their continental breakfast (which they serve in the same restaurant you ate in the night before) but decided not to wait for our seating (second) and just get off the ship when we saw the line starting to back up. It took us a few minutes to find our luggage. They have it in sections (Donald, Goofy, Daisy, etc) depending on your stateroom number. You will get luggage tags delivered to your room along with the customs declaraton. I suggest a distinct, bright luggage tag to spot it quickly. I believe they said they wanted everyone off by 8:30 AM or so. Non-US Citizens had to get their entire family up and meet in the Theater at 5:45 AM to appear before customs officials. The said you could come in your P.J.s. (Glad we didn't have to do that).

As for bringing a sweatshirt or jacket. I would say a sweatshirt would do for evenings if it's cool & real breezy. We had great weather, no rain or drizzle. We actually didn't need either when we were on deck 10 for the pirate party Friday night of the cruise. The only problem I had, is I wish I would have brought something to tie my hair back to keep it out of my face while on the outside upper decks.

 

[TreesyB]

We want to go again. 3 nights wasn't enough. I hope we can go on a 7 day cruise someday.

I so agree! I am really wanting to do the 7 day cruise now. I'm a little bummed that I wasn't able to take advantage of the on board ship offer via my DVC points. If they don't have points released, they won't let you book.

 

[klaubaugh]

We had breakfast at Topsiders around 8:00 - skipped our breakfast at Tritions, as we wanted to sleep a little later and we were still stuffed from the previosu night!

We got off the boat around 9:00 and didn't have to wait for customs at all. The best tip we had found prior to the cruise was about getting a porter. It was one of the best things we did! He found our luggage immediately, took it to our car and loaded it for us.

It was a "Wonder"ful vacation. The weather was great the entire time we were in Florida - especially compared to some years when we have been there in December.

We did rebook onboard for a 7 day cruise. Our hope was to do a 7 night Western cruise the summer of 2008, but looking at all the speculation on the boards, seems like the Magic will be on the West coast and the Wonder will continue with the 3/4 night itinerary. I'd love to do the repo coming back through the Panama Canal, but will have to seriously save some $ and I don't know if the dates will work with our school schedule. I'm very anxious for the announcement on the 17th!

Best wishes to all the DIS friends we met onboard.

Great pics Tressy!

Kristen

 

[dallastxcpa]

Well I hate to say this, but I will never cruise again.

Don't get me wrong. The service was impecable, but I was so green the first night of the cruise and then the other two I just got by. I used both Bonine and the patch (not at the same time though)

My husband had no problems at all. I told him that if the kids wanted to go he would have to take them.

 

[TreesyB]

Well I hate to say this, but I will never cruise again.

Don't get me wrong. The service was impecable, but I was so green the first night of the cruise and then the other two I just got by. I used both Bonine and the patch (not at the same time though)

My husband had no problems at all. I told him that if the kids wanted to go he would have to take them.

I'm so sorry you were so sick, but i remember the first night. I thought I was really drunk, and then was told it was just cuz the seas were rough.

 

[Tinkermom]

Hi All,

It truly was a little rough on that first night my DH had his patch so he was fine but he said he saw a lot of green that night. According to our waiters that was easy compared to the way it usually is in January, just going out of the Canaveral Port. "Summer flat but winter rough", he said.

Anyway we had a great time and yes three days wasn't enough. Especially the way they got you off the last morning no time for anything. I wanted to get some pins and saved my shopping day for last and I was SOL, stores were closed. So no pins for me. I'll have to cruise again if I want those special cruise pins.

The last morning we took our time with breakfast and were probably one of the last to leave the boat. Probably by 10ish. There was no one I mean no one in the lobby and our luggage was all there waiting as well as many porters so I have to say we breezed right through customs and were on our way with no waiting time. I'm glad because I would hate to have the last thought be a hurry up and wait one. it was bad enough I didn't get to shop.

I didn't have the time to even think of planning another cruise - are they flexible with what you pick if you have to change it? Every time we passed the desk no one was there.

My DD begged me to go to the science lab every day but we were too busy with excersions. If we weren't at a meal I hardly saw my 16 year old the teen program was right up his alley. He mentioned that he would have preferred a day at sea to start off with to get to know everyone better.

The day at Castaway Cay he did the wild side we only saw glimpses of him as he ran with the pack all over that Island. He wants to know when we are going again.

My cousin is going next month on the same trip, I can't wait to tell her what a great time we had.

Biding my time
Mary Lou aka Tinkermom

 

[awaldo]

Well, we faired ok. Our DD got sick at Nassau, the was pretty sick that night and also a CC. We thought just motion or something, come to find out she had an ear infection according to the ships doc, so that was probably messing with her equilibrium. Irreguardless, that was the first 3 day cruise we'd been on in a while, and we do not plan on taking another. For those of you that haven't experienced a 7 day or longer cruise, give it a try. The experience is totally different. I felt like we had just gotten on, then next thing I knew they were kicking us off! They never even put our luggage away....

 

[skillam]

First I would like to thank the Boons for puting on the meet and greet. Thanks Again. We apologize for not spending alot of time there, but places to go, things to do. It was nice putting faces to names.

I would have to say that the Killam's would not take a cruise again.....DS was a write off the entire cruise. Well almost. When we were not on the water anyways. My DW was not as bad, but still not great. DD, that's a different story. The Lab, people had said on the boards that it would be difficult to get the children out of there...I did not think I would have to start bribing her with large amounts of cash. It cost me a fortune just to have dinner come to dinner with us each night.

I faired well. Sea legs and all. Everything was perfect. Food okay..Service, almost perfect..(except for the waiter that could not remember our names or who we even were) His assistant was fantastic, caring for my sons well being and everything. I would agree with everybody that three days is not enough. I am glad though, I'm sure my family could not last seven.

We have been talking about our next trip and my DD asked that we don't pay for the ship next time !

Oh Yeah, I did not read a thing about that customs thing @ 5:45 am....Could that be any harder with a child tossing what ever is left. That did leave a bad taste in my mouth ..

Our couple of days at the Poly before the trip was worth every cent we paid. One day of rain, but otherwise some of the best weather.

We saw the NYE fireworks twice and video taped the entire show. I have seen it about 10 times all ready. The line at the parks were long, but we still planned rest times and worked perfectly.

I would like to thank all of you for the conversations. This is another part of our trip that made it perfect for us. It's just nice to hear what other people outside of our little world, think, say and experience.

The Killam will be back at Disney (late Jan 2008) and I hope in the future I will read about your trips and experiences again. Thanks Again for everything.

Killam's out......................for now!!! ....