Just back from 11/3 Wonder... Observations

[jel0511]

Well, we're back from our "Wonder"ful trip on the Wonder!!!! We had such a great time that we can't wait for our next DCL cruise. We're thinking either Nov 03, or March 04. I have a question on that one, but I'll post the reason on another thread. Anyway, the trip was again GREAT and I really don't have any complaints, except for our room creeking during the one bad night at sea when we has 8 - 14 foot seas. It kept me up, and it was LOUD!! Next time, I'll pack ear plugs so I won't have to hear it!!! OUr servers were excellent and food was just as good. The only bummer there was that we didn't get into Palo's so we'll just have to do that next time!!! Both of my kids liked their respective clubs, 3-4 and Flounder's, that they were clammoring to get there during dinner!! My daughter would "hoover" her dinner and than say, "When can I go to the club?" So, it was a great success for all!! Our biggest disappointment was our excursion in Nassau. We did the Blue Lagoon Beach Day, it was SUCH a long walk from the Wonder to the boat to take us there. With 2 small kids, TONS of beach toys and everything else, too long!!! Also, I didn't think the beach was that clean and the water definately wasn't!! We got back, and my son's life vest smelled like dead fish, and I ended up getting an eye infection from the water there also. The food provided wasn't that great, and all you get to drink was punch, unless you wanted to spend $2.50 for a soda. We did bring waters off the boat, but it wasn't enough. I wouldnt' do this excursion again, and if I took the 4 day again, wouldn't get off in Nassau. We stayed on the boat in Freeport and just enjoyed the Mickey Pool. Now for a VERY interesting observation: There didnt' seem to be ANY enforcement of the no non-potty trained children in the Mickey Pool. Now, my non-potty trained child didnt' go in the pool, I had brought a couple of buckets up to deck and he happily played on the sides with another child, whose mother was also following the guidelines. But there were SEVERAL toddlers, wearing OBVIOUS swimming diapers in the pool, and also a couple who couldn't even walk in the pool with their parents. I actually saw the lifeguard STARE at one of the children under 1 year old and just turn away. It seems that they aren't enforcing the rule. Now, I was one of the people who was very against this new policy, and I did follow it, but it doesn't seem tha Disney is enforcing it, at least not when I was there for approx 2.5 hours during our stop in Freeport. Castaway Cay was WONDERFUL and I could stay there for several days!!! It was very relaxing and just GREAT. It did get a bit crowded, but we left around 1:30, to get cleaned up for the matinee of Disney Dreams (AWESOME!). My hands are getting tired from all this typing, if I think of anything else, I'll add an update!!!

 

[heffie]

We were on the Wonder too- 11/7-11/10. What amazing weather! We were at Palo's the first night, had Palo's reservations for the third night but cancelled them since we were having so much fun in the regular restaurants. We were a tad dissappoited with the kids clubs. I think the older ones need to be spiced up a bit. All in all simply a fantastic trip!

 

[Michelle]

Thanks for the info, Lori, and glad you had a great time!

 

[BabySam99]

I agree jel I saw those same children in swimmers...I made sure my son was comfy with him being in big boy swim suit...he has been potty trained for a while but still warned him if he had to potty to tell me or daddy.

Those waves...wow...my cabin squeeked all night too...I finally covered my ears with a pillow and fell asleep.

Wasn't it great!! I am so bummed to be back! I had such a wonderful time...wasn't the weather perfect?!!

I also agree about Nassau...It was dirty and crowded had fun but I will opt to stay on the ship on future cruises.

We went to Lucaya in Freeport...long ride in a non-airconditioned van/taxi...very pretty but nothing beats Castaway Cay....what a lovely beach!

Did you love Dreams or what?! My son loved it!! Sorry I'm gushing...I just had such a great time...I can't talk enough about it!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

We LOVED it too!! We had such a wonderful time on the ship!!

Well - about the pool. My DD (2 1/2 was completely potty trained before we went on the Wonder and so was my niece!! They had sooo much fun in the Mickey pool!! My nephew (8 months old) is obviously not potty trained and my sister and I discussed the rules about non-potty trianed kids in the pool. She asked a lifeguard CM if he could go in the pool and she said YES as long as he had a swimmer diaper on and it was covered!! There were other non-potty trained babies in the pool but she got permission first. This is definitely on of the rules that they do not enforce.

Palo was such a nice restaurant - we were able to sit it in room in the secluded room in the back because we had 12 adults, however our ressies were for the last night and a couple of people in our party were sick (unfortunately I was one of them). Our waiter in Palo (Dragan) was the best. He brought us EVERYTHING - appetizers and dessert - without us asking for it!!

Because of our large family party we were in two sections for our regular rotation - most of the family had Agusti (sp?) and Iveta (sp?) and they said they were the BEST!! They had their drinks waiting for them when they got to their table and brought more of the things they liked and if they couldn't decide what they wanted for dinner Gus would bring out both!! My sister and I had Eduardo (sp?) and Jelena (sp?) and they were okay - nothing to write home about. Probably because they are both leaving.

Savannah loved the nursery for a couple of nights but the last night she didn't want to be there. They did page us and DH went to pick her up and she told him "I cry all by myself..." That just broke my heart. I am glad it was the last night and our two hour window was almost up!! She also had a ball in the kids club - we had to be with her at all times but we had fun with her too. She loved the slide from the pirate ship!!

Nobody in our group liked Nassau. The guys in our group went shopping in Freeport and said it was a much better experience than Nassau. EVERYONE loved Castaway Cay!! That island is awesome!! We met Sami (a waiter) on Castaway Cay and he wowed us with his napkin making ability!! He is such a nice guy!!

We LOVED our cruise so much - we ALL booked again. Some are going during the same time but others are going at different times. We are doing the 7 night Western in November 2004.

Well, that is all for now. I will write again soon.

Lisa