Just Booked the NYE Cruise on the Disney Wonder

[PixieTrixie]

Hi,

I've just booked our first ever Disney cruise and we're sailing on the Wonder for the next NYE cruise. After reading reviews of other people who cruise DCL and all their recommendations, I've noticed that hardly any of the recommendations pertain to the Wonder. For example, "Top 10 Things to do on a DCL"....ride the aquaduck; visit the rainforest spa; book a cabin with magical portholes......etc. None of those things are on the Wonder and I'm beginning to wonder if the Wonder is worth it! lol To top it off....we were only able to book an oceanview room on Deck 1...as all the other comparative cabins were either sold out or cost quite a bit more...and we're already paying through the nose. There is nothing on this deck, aside from other cabins, elevators and the medical area...and we'd have to walk up two flights or take the elevators to the main lobby and then cross over to elevators to other areas of the ship. Doesn't seem very desirable. SO.....can anyone offer VERY HONEST opinions about their experience(s) with the Wonder? Is it worth it compared to the other ships? Should we move from Deck 1 even if we have to move into an inside cabin instead of an oceanview? (BTW, the inside cabins on higher decks even cost more than the oceanview on Deck 1!)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi,

I've just booked our first ever Disney cruise and we're sailing on the Wonder for the next NYE cruise. After reading reviews of other people who cruise DCL and all their recommendations, I've noticed that hardly any of the recommendations pertain to the Wonder. For example, "Top 10 Things to do on a DCL"....ride the aquaduck; visit the rainforest spa; book a cabin with magical portholes......etc. None of those things are on the Wonder and I'm beginning to wonder if the Wonder is worth it! lol To top it off....we were only able to book an oceanview room on Deck 1...as all the other comparative cabins were either sold out or cost quite a bit more...and we're already paying through the nose. There is nothing on this deck, aside from other cabins, elevators and the medical area...and we'd have to walk up two flights or take the elevators to the main lobby and then cross over to elevators to other areas of the ship. Doesn't seem very desirable. SO.....can anyone offer VERY HONEST opinions about their experience(s) with the Wonder? Is it worth it compared to the other ships? Should we move from Deck 1 even if we have to move into an inside cabin instead of an oceanview? (BTW, the inside cabins on higher decks even cost more than the oceanview on Deck 1!)

A cruise is any Disney ship is "worth it" to me.

Yes, deck 1 is a bit quieter, more removed that others, but you may find you like that. Even if you walk up the 2 flights to the atrium, it's not that far. I wouldn't give up a room with a porthole for an inside room. I don't like inside rooms, mostly because I've got to have some natural light to wake up in the morning.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The oceanview staterooms on deck one are lovely staterooms, and deck one is peaceful (a blessing on a ship filled with kids). Do not trade what you've got for an inside (unless you're doing it to save money): that would be a step down in stateroom quality.

The Wonder (along with the Magic) is a classic ship, so it does lack some of the bells and whistles of the newer Dream class ships (in particular, a major waterslide, although it does have a medium one). It's a lovely ship, though, with lots of fun activities going on. Anna's Chocolate Chase scavenger hunt isn't something you'll get on another ship, for example.

 

[PixieTrixie]

The oceanview staterooms on deck one are lovely staterooms, and deck one is pesceful (a blessing on a ship filled with kids). Do not trade what you've got for an inside (unless you're doing it to save money): that would be a step down in stateroom quality.

The Wonder (along with the Magic) is a classic ship, so it does lack some of the bells and whistles of the newer Dream class ships (in particular, a major waterslide, although it does have a medium one). It's a lovely ship, though, with lots of fun activities going on. Anna's Chocolate Chase scavenger hunt isn't something you'll get on another ship, for example.

Thank you....I needed to hear that. I was beginning to feel gypped while reading all about the fun things on the other, bigger ships. lol

 

[o&smom]

We will be on the Wonder in 33 days for 14 days. The Magic and the Wonder are my favorites with less people. Taking the stairs is the antidote to gaining weight on a cruise! We usually cruise on deck two. I have heard many people talk very positively about deck one because there is not much down there, so it tends to be quiet. We did a NYE cruise on the Fantasy a few years ago and loved the atmosphere of that cruise so much that we booked a NYE cruise on the Wonder for the following year. We cancelled it to go on the first Iceland/Norway cruise, but it was a tough call for us. We cannot wait to go on another NYE cruise someday. Enjoy!

 

[PixieTrixie]

OK, so my anxiety over this is unwarranted, you're telling me. I am still disappointed that we don't get to visit Castaway Cay...our boat sails out of Galveston and does a different itinerary for that cruise. But gives me something to look forward to next time!

 

[Marc D]

We did two NYE cruises and those evenings, with the party and the fireworks and of course loved ones, are some of the best DCL memories we have. Wonder is a great ship to be on. Frozen is a wonderful show, Tiana’s is one of the best dining room in the fleet. She does Alaska and Panama Canal cruises at other times in the year and people rave about those cruises, even without the slides and sweets shop and magical portholes.

You booked a great cruise on a great ship. Focus on having fun and you’ll have a wonderful vacation.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

The classic ships are my favorite. Their restaurants are the best! The wonder has the aqua dunk and shawarma!! I don’t believe the Dream has shawarma. The itineraries are more fun on the classic ships too. You’re gonna have a blast!

 

[Marc D]

The classic ships are my favorite. Their restaurants are the best! The wonder has the aqua dunk and shawarma!! I don’t believe the Dream has shawarma. The itineraries are more fun on the classic ships too. You’re gonna have a blast!

Correction : only Magic has the Aquadunk. Wonder wouldn’t fit in the old Panama Canal if she had it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were on the Magic this NYE, and it was great. I wouldn’t hesitate to book any DCL ship for NYE.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The Wonder has the Twist & Spout slide, which is a nice spiral waterslide. More pleasant than the Magic's Aqua Dunk imo, which I found to be a bit scary.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I would love to do a NYE cruise but couldn't justify it because a 7-night cost more than our Alaska cruise did! But I loved the Wonder. It's a classic, beautiful ship and there was plenty to do. Tiana's is a great restaurant, the Frozen show was a high-quality production, and my eldest loved the kids club.

 

[lorimay]

I will sail in any DCL cabin, if it means being on a Disney Cruise.

 

[NAB]

I felt the same way as you did when our guarantee room was on deck 1 and said it was an upgrade but we loved it so much we did our first 5 cruises on the same deck.

You can use an elevator up to any floor lots of times you get on first up to other floor (so empty). It’s just the forward ones. It is so easy to get up to the atrium using the stairs as well. Best part ...port days. You just go to your room instead of waiting on an elevator.

Just remember you can not use the aft elevators. No cabins over there. I have done that a few times, it’s like a dead end ...lol Foward elevators takes you to the Walt Disney Theatre and really not that far to Mid ship. The Wonder is also smaller so going from forward to aft isn’t that bad.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I love the Wonder, but I'm not a fan of the porthole rooms on deck 1 because I don't like the portholes. If the portholes are fine for you I would stay there.

I love the classic ships and you will get to see Frozen!

 

[PixieTrixie]

Thank you everyone...of course, I am totally looking forward to our first Disney cruise!!!