Just booked our back to back Wonder!!

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm just so excited and wanted to share it with my fellow DIS'ers!!
I just put down my deposit on a May 2005 back to back Wonder cruise!! We'll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary but the kids will still be coming along too. I know it's a long time away but planning is half the fun.

Any words of wisdom from you previous back to back cruisers would be appreciated (Barb, that's you!) Also, any stories or experiences you want to share would be great.

Thanks for listening! Now don't tell my DH just yet...it's a surprise!

 

[mickeyboat]

Congratulations!

Back to back cruises sound wonderfuly - especially two days at CC. I hope you have a teriffic time.

There was a thread not too long ago that talked about back to back cruises. Maybe the search function will work and you will be able to find it.

Good luck happy cruising!

Denae

 

[Mjasp]

Lucky you. Enjoy and yes planning is half the fun

 

[Griggle]

I just noticed this in the countdown post! I first thought: huh??? Am I seeing things? May I ask why back to back and not a 7 day? Is it the two days a CC??

LMAO @ the planning for the next 400+ days - my DH has already forbide me to speak about it anymore..........I am a tad-bit AR It's killing me that I can't book the hotel for Saturday the 14th yet.....and I'm already stressed wondering if it will be a Star Wars weekend (for DS) or not.....

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Hi again Griggle! Yes, part of back to back Wonder is having the two Castaway Cay days! That alone could seal the deal I guess. Second, I like the fact we can have the ship to ourselves for a few hours after everyone gets off after the 3day portion of our trip.

Two sailaway parties, woo-hoo!

We don't really get off the ship other than Castaway Cay and I like the fewer people on the ship when we hit Nassau. Again, two days at Castaway Cay!

I'm a little sentimental about the Wonder too since it was our first Disney cruise. I'm trying to get the same stateroom too!

I know what you mean about booking the hotel! I checked and I can book it out 11 months prior so by June I'll be good to go!

Don't worry about talking to your DH about it...that's what the Dis boards are for! PM any time!!

 

[DisneyKids]

We did back to back Wonder cruises and enjoyed it a great deal.

<b>The good parts...</b>
2 days at Castaway Cay.
Staying on the ship and allowing my kids to swim in the Mickey Pool ALL ALONE.
Being alone on the ship for that time (I thought they said they may change to make you get off now - anyone know from recent experience).
Getting to know more of the crew (had different server teams each time).
The thrill of sailing away both times.
Being able to give yourself flexibility because you have 2 chances at so many thing.
2 days at Castaway Cay (oh, I said that already).

<b>The bad parts (not really that bad)...</b>
Repeat menus.
Repeat shows.
Getting off the ship at the end (oh that's always the case!!).

We have done the 7 day, as well, and love that too. NEITHER is a bad choice.

ENJOY!

 

[bkline]

Back to back sounds great. The only complaint my DW had about the 7 day was not enough beach time with the back to back, you get extra beach time and castaway cay is awesome. Where did you book? I looled on the Disney site and could only find pricing through the 5th of May. I'm beginning to think about a cruise for 2005 myself.

 

[inkkognito]

You will love back to back cruising!
Hopefully you won't have to get off the ship, although that depends on the Customs regulations and is always subject to change (especially with the terrorist alert levels).
We left our luggage in our stateroom and hung out at the pool or on the secret deck 7 aft verandah turning the turnovers on our three-peat. You can choose to get off the ship, but then you have to wait until everyone else is getting on again to return.
We definitely did NOT want to stay in our stateroom, as they blast in ear-splitting music. I'm guessing that's a not-so-subtle way to hurry the stateroom hosts along. After that three-peat, I thought I would probably have a psychotic episode if I ever heard "Video Killed the Radio Star" one more time!
The hot tubs might be open, but aware that they will be very cold since they have just been filled. We preferred just hanging out on the deck 7 verandah and also taking pictures of different types of staterooms for our website.
ENJOY!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Luckymommyx2]

bkline...I orginally got a quote from DU then decided to book with Costco since they were over $200 cheaper. Now I'm just trying to get them to release the stateroom I requested so I can have it booked through Costco!! (I'm sure they're not in any hurry since I'm not booking with them.) Shop around because it does pay. Maybe I'll see you on my cruise!

Barb, I'm glad you chimed in! How I envy a three-peat! I talked to a Castaway Club rep and they verified I could stay on the ship but like you said, things can change. I'm hoping they drain and fill the Mickey pool quickly so my kids can have some alone time in the pool!

I'm looking forward to meeting different servers and different dining mates. I'm sure the kids will enjoy making new friends half way through too!

I'm just so glad to hear positive things about a back to back! Two days at Castaway Cay...I can hardly wait already!!

 

[currycook]

Great idea. Have lots of fun.

 

[Debbie H]

We did back to back Eastern and Western 7 day. We stayed on the ship and did laundry and walked around. The cast members were busy cleaning the ship. I'm surprised that people were able to swim in the pools on their back to back because when we walked around, all the pools and hot tubs were drained and being cleaned. We had to get off long enough to sign back in but a CM took us off the ship and escorted us back on right away.

I felt that the two 7 day was a bit too long, only because everything other than the port of calls was the same. Same food, etc.. I think the 10 day would probably be perfect! Would I do another one? In a Disney minute!