Just off the Wonder

[lds0191]

We were on the Wonder for a 3nt 2/7 - 2/10. Here are a few tips/highlights of our cruise.

1. Jo is on the Wonder until May. She is so much fun and we were excited to see her again.
2. The Sail a Wave party was amazing. The music, dancing and overall experience was top notch.
3. There were a few changes to Disney Dreams. Nothing spectacular but previous cruisers will pick up on what they are.
4. Our servers were absolutely amazing. We had Stefan (Slovakia), Katie (Great Britain) and Kendal was the head server.
5. We have no complaints about the food. The best thing I had was Shrimp and Grits in Tiana's Place. Best thing I have had, ever. And I do not like grits, so that is saying something.
6. It seemed like the onboard booking specialist was more accessible than before. She was almost always at the desk when I was on deck 4.
7. We had Tritons, AP and TP as our dining rotation and table 65 which was a great location in all three dining rooms
8. We had no problem with the paper straws. We were given them on CC.
9. There is now 1/2 and 1/2 in Cabanas (about time), yay. The reason we were given is there are no more plastic containers of Coffee Mate in order to cut down on plastic.
10. In the bars they are now using cloth napkins for drinks to sit on.
11. The cabin was in great shape. We were in 5635 Deck 5 aft. There was a slight odor at times in the bathroom but nothing we couldn't live with.
12. Natalie is the current cruise director.
13. Guest services will check you in for your flight home and print boarding passes.
14. Castaway Cay - water was cool but ok once you were in it for a bit.
15. Platinum gift is still the same backpack with 2 luggage tags. Not complaining, just providing info.
16. Luggage arrived at the cabin in record time. I think we had it by 2:30.
17. Lots of little kids on board and they were so much fun to watch. The characters and crew went out of their way to make the kids feel special. We saw it everywhere.
18. We found out from our server that DCL is moving dining teams around as quite a few on the classic ships have not experienced how things operate on the bigger ships. Getting prepared for the new ships.
19. Weather was amazing for February.
20. Don't forget about the treats in Cove Cafe. Try the Cranberry Bars and the Rice Krispy treats on a stick.
21. Strawberry/Banana ice cream at least one day on the ship. Chocolate/Vanilla on CC.
22. We could view our account on the app. I don't remember that before so maybe something new?
23. Tax on CC purchases was 12%. Yikes!
24. There was a buffet after the pirate party. It was crowded but got my turkey leg! Our server actually mentioned the buffet at dinner on Pirate night. I had always felt before that is was kind of a secret, lol. I don't remember it ever being mentioned in the Navigator.
25. We had absolutely no issues using the app. As long as we kept it open on our phones we received texts immediately. It worked great on CC.
26. For some reason the Promenade Lounge always has the best chocolate martinis.

If I think of anything else I will post later. If you have any questions please ask! We had a great time but 3nts are not nearly enough. We live in central Florida and had company down from up north so decided to squeeze in a 3nt while they were visiting. DCL never fails to amaze.

 

[StlZNF]

Wow, awesome post!!!!

I'm so excited to see Jo!!!! We saw her on our first two cruises on the Magic then the Fantasy. Yay!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[closetmickey]

Do you know where Jo will be after May? Thanks!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Great post! Love, love Jo! She was with us in Alaska in August. Be tickled if she was headed to Fantasy. Shrimp and grits is my fave in Tianas as well. Sounds like a great trip. Love a 3 night every so often. A decadent long weekend away!

 

[Dug720]

I’m glad Disney is being proactive with their servers in advance of the new ships. When I was investigating some other lines and was looking on Cruise Critic, it seems that other lines have not been as proactive leading their servers to “sticker shock” with the new ships and how that dining goes.

Also thanks for the post!! So excited to board her in 6 days!

 

[scgustafson]

Do you know where Jo will be after May? Thanks!

She will be on her end of contract vacation.

 

[Magical_Suitcase]

9. There is now 1/2 and 1/2 in Cabanas (about time), yay. The reason we were given is there are no more plastic containers of Coffee Mate in order to cut down on plastic.

Wonderful! I hate fake half-n-half. Do not like drinking ingredients that I cannot pronounce.

Platinum gift is still the same backpack with 2 luggage tags. Not complaining, just providing info.

Ugh, I am so tired of the sling backpack.

19. Weather was amazing for February.

We have a cruise booked for next February. Hopefully it will be amazing then also.

20. Don't forget about the treats in Cove Cafe. Try the Cranberry Bars and the Rice Krispy treats on a stick.

I don't think I have seen either Cranberry Bars or Rice Krispy treats on a stick in the Cove. I will look for both next cruise.

21. Strawberry/Banana ice cream at least one day on the ship. Chocolate/Vanilla on CC.

Yum, my favorite.

22. We could view our account on the app. I don't remember that before so maybe something new?

We did not have this option in September so it may be new.

23. Tax on CC purchases was 12%. Yikes!

Ouch!

Thanks for sharing,
Kate

 

[DisneYE]

Thanks for taking the time to post this.
Especially #1. (mentioned it to DW and she's already looking at cruises in April LOL) - Yeah she's a rock star.

 

[ahen]

Great, we leave Friday on the Dream. We booked super last minute like Sunday just to get away!

 

[lorimay]

Thank you!
We board in less that 2 weeks, I appreciate all this info!!!

Glad you had a great cruise!!!

 

[bcwife76]

Thanks for the updates! We sail on the Wonder again in March; we had Jo last May as our club host and she's a riot, glad to hear we'll see her again next month!

I've heard lots of negative comments about the new deck party so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it! We will still check it out because it's new

Half and half in Cabana's??? This makes me weirdly happy as I really dislike Coffee Mate

 

[darnheather]

"13. Guest services will check you in for your flight home and print boarding passes."

Having never flown to our cruises I hadn't even thought of this! Thank you for mentioning it.

 

[anricat]

We were on a couple of weeks prior to you and our serving team as well as one of the people that work in the gift shops mentioned that they were going to start moving a lot of people in all positions around all the ships. They both seemed really nervous about it. I think it's good for them to get ready and to have experienced servers on the new ships right away, however, I also want a happy, comfortable crew. It's tough either way.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

"13. Guest services will check you in for your flight home and print boarding passes."

Having never flown to our cruises I hadn't even thought of this! Thank you for mentioning it.

Be aware this is only available at certain ports, if flying a domestic flight, on specific airlines.

 

[Dug720]

Great, we leave Friday on the Dream. We booked super last minute like Sunday just to get away!

The Dream still has the old sail away party. There has not been word as to when or if she and the Fantasy will upgrade.

 

[jetskigrl]

We were on the Wonder for a 3nt 2/7 - 2/10. Here are a few tips/highlights of our cruise.

1. Jo is on the Wonder until May. She is so much fun and we were excited to see her again.
2. The Sail a Wave party was amazing. The music, dancing and overall experience was top notch.
3. There were a few changes to Disney Dreams. Nothing spectacular but previous cruisers will pick up on what they are.
4. Our servers were absolutely amazing. We had Stefan (Slovakia), Katie (Great Britain) and Kendal was the head server.
5. We have no complaints about the food. The best thing I had was Shrimp and Grits in Tiana's Place. Best thing I have had, ever. And I do not like grits, so that is saying something.
6. It seemed like the onboard booking specialist was more accessible than before. She was almost always at the desk when I was on deck 4.
7. We had Tritons, AP and TP as our dining rotation and table 65 which was a great location in all three dining rooms
8. We had no problem with the paper straws. We were given them on CC.
9. There is now 1/2 and 1/2 in Cabanas (about time), yay. The reason we were given is there are no more plastic containers of Coffee Mate in order to cut down on plastic.
10. In the bars they are now using cloth napkins for drinks to sit on.
11. The cabin was in great shape. We were in 5635 Deck 5 aft. There was a slight odor at times in the bathroom but nothing we couldn't live with.
12. Natalie is the current cruise director.
13. Guest services will check you in for your flight home and print boarding passes.
14. Castaway Cay - water was cool but ok once you were in it for a bit.
15. Platinum gift is still the same backpack with 2 luggage tags. Not complaining, just providing info.
16. Luggage arrived at the cabin in record time. I think we had it by 2:30.
17. Lots of little kids on board and they were so much fun to watch. The characters and crew went out of their way to make the kids feel special. We saw it everywhere.
18. We found out from our server that DCL is moving dining teams around as quite a few on the classic ships have not experienced how things operate on the bigger ships. Getting prepared for the new ships.
19. Weather was amazing for February.
20. Don't forget about the treats in Cove Cafe. Try the Cranberry Bars and the Rice Krispy treats on a stick.
21. Strawberry/Banana ice cream at least one day on the ship. Chocolate/Vanilla on CC.
22. We could view our account on the app. I don't remember that before so maybe something new?
23. Tax on CC purchases was 12%. Yikes!
24. There was a buffet after the pirate party. It was crowded but got my turkey leg! Our server actually mentioned the buffet at dinner on Pirate night. I had always felt before that is was kind of a secret, lol. I don't remember it ever being mentioned in the Navigator.
25. We had absolutely no issues using the app. As long as we kept it open on our phones we received texts immediately. It worked great on CC.
26. For some reason the Promenade Lounge always has the best chocolate martinis.

If I think of anything else I will post later. If you have any questions please ask! We had a great time but 3nts are not nearly enough. We live in central Florida and had company down from up north so decided to squeeze in a 3nt while they were visiting. DCL never fails to amaze.

Awesome!!! We love Jo! Can't wait to see her again in April

 

[lilmc]

Half and half in Cabana's??? This makes me weirdly happy as I really dislike Coffee Mate

You mean now I don’t have to walk out with my tea to the drink station dispenser by the pool and then back in again getting dirty looks as I pass the hand washing station anymore? Yea!

 

[Curt Sole]

Sorry to ask.... Who is Jo?

 

[closetmickey]

She will be on her end of contract vacation.

Bummer! But thank you for the information. Shall I hold out hope that she will be back by the end of July? And on the Magic? Not sure how much time is typical between contracts.

 

[Stratus22]

terrific!! Great Report! I'll be sailing on her on February 17th and the 21st! I'll have to go and try a chocolate Martini in the Promenade Lounge now. The paper straws are kind of odd to drink out of. Took some getting use too.