LIVE FROM the Disney Wonder Holiday cruise 2011!

[SanDeeKath]

Less than a week and we set sail on the Disney Wonder for the Holiday 2011 cruise and I thought I would share our adventures with you all since I have learned so much from this board in the past year or so.

One caveat: while I promise to try to post every day while on the ship, if the internet is nonexistent, you all will just have to wait till we get back on the 26th!

I will update this thread with links to pix and posts as I can. Enjoy the ride! I know we will.

Katherine

 

[SanDeeKath]

T-6 days till cruise!

It's Monday the week before our cruise on the Wonder out of LA to the MR. We have an unusual sailing that is 8n long due to the Christmas holiday and we are super excited to visit Manzanillo for the first time ever on a MR cruise.

Cast of characters: DH and I (early 40s), DD 7 and DD 12. Also quite possibly DD's BFF, 12, also scheduled to come with us but as of now is "unsure" if she wants to come or not (don't get me started). Instead of cancelling her, we have left her on the ressie and will just see what happens. If she doesn't come, mom is out a few thousand dineros. Oh to give the child a choice!?!?!

Anyway, this is our first real cruise on Disney, although we had sailed on the Wonder last Feb for the 2n cruise to nowhere. Not a great experience with an oversold ship and exhausted crew that is brand new to LA, but here we are again, hoping for the magic that we missed out on during the 2ner.

We have however sailed to the MR lots in the past on other lines (Mariner of the Seas with RCCL, Carnival Splendor and Sapphire Princess). We've also sailed to Alaska and the Caribbean with RCCL and Princess so we are pretty "seasoned" cruisers. We're excited to try something so different with Disney! We're big Mouse fans with a bunch of DVC points and lots and lots of stays at DL and WDW.

So precruise preparations have started. Here is what I have done so far.

1) Participating in an FE exchange so I made 30+ goodie bags filled with anything and everything Disney. Hope everyone likes them. I didn't have time to make all the home made/custom art that many on this board have made, but I have been shopping diligently over the last few months to gather fun things to stuff the bags with!

2) Ordered FE on eBay. Came out ADORABLE! I will post pix once we hang it on the door. I don't want to spoil the suprise for the kids. BTW, it took almost a month to get these so plan ahead!

3) Packed a couple suitcases already. One has a 3ft tabletop Christmas tree in it (unlit for safety reasons) as well as lots of cute Disney non-breakable ornaments. Yup, the whole suitcase is full. . 2nd suitcase has all the FE gifts bagged up plus the Secret Mickey gift exchange gifts that my 2 DD's are participating in (4 gifts each so 8 total). Yup, suitcase is full. 3rd is my meds/random stuff suitcase, which I like to pack ahead of time. It has all of the OTC meds like tylenol, sudafed, antibiotics (yes I take them with me before boarding just in case), spare inhalers for DD, Dramamine, etc. Also toothpaste, extra soap, lotions for my dry skin, etc. I will end up putting my toiletries in this also and doing this as a carry on the last day.

4) Made color copies of my passports x 2. One we will take with us, one we will leave at home, plus the original passports. Printed out all boarding passes and luggage tags and have it all in a pile. Plus our excursions.

5) Also notified Verizon and ATT of our international plans as well as Am Ex and my Visa card company. That always helps with rejected charges.

6) Speaking of excursions, here are our plans:

Day 1: at sea (likely massage for older DD and I)
Day 2: at sea (Palo brunch for DH and I)
Day 3: Manzanillo: snorkeling at Elephant Rock
Day 4: PV: Paradise Beach Adventure (through Disney)
Day 5: Cabo 1: Dolphin Swim, then hit the local beach, meet up w/ friends
Day 6: Cabo 2: Santa Maria Snorkel and Sail
Day 7: at sea (likely massage #2)
Day 8: home, sweet home

Since we live in San Diego, we are driving to the port so luckily we have no luggage issues. We'll be leaving around 10am Sunday and arriving probably around noon. Parking is easy at the port, right next to the ship, so we are not too worried about getting there early.

Cabin is concierge class so I'll report on this as the trip goes on too!

Kath

 

[Laundress]

Looking forward to your reports. we will be doing the MR in April. Have a great time

 

[UmmGooD]

I am excited to read your report. I used to live in San Diego I miss it.

Perhaps you could get some battery powered LED light strands for your tree? I have a couple strands we use for decorating our table centerpieces at parties and they would work great for your tree and would not create a fire hazard.

 

[Carester25]

So excited to read about your trip. We're going in Feb and I can't wait. We live in San Diego too and my neighbor is going on your cruise!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Sitting at work, drumming fingers, waiting for the day to go by so I can go shopping. I got battery powered "flameless" candles yesterday at Costco! That should add to the ambiance!


Katherine

 

[PizzieDuster]

I can't wait to read more! I'm getting excited for you!

My DD and I did the 2ner last January. It was cheaper than staying on property at Disneyland and going to the parks. It was enough to get my cruise fix in but I'm happy to be on a 7 day again. Just looking at the Personal Navigator on that ONE sea day is sad. Wasn't much going on.

 

[Cdaub]

Looking forward to your trip report. We go in March and I cant wait! Can you tell me why you chose the Santa Maria snorkel over the Chilean bay one? They look similar and I wasn't sure what to choose

Enjoy your wonderful cruise!!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Looking forward to your trip report. We go in March and I cant wait! Can you tell me why you chose the Santa Maria snorkel over the Chilean bay one? They look similar and I wasn't sure what to choose

Enjoy your wonderful cruise!!

Sure! I think the Santa Maria one has a shorter ride out to the snorkeling spot. On our last MR cruise, some of the people came back saying they were a bit seasick from the ride out to the snorkel site and back. I figured we want to avoid that and just spend the time snorkeling as much as possible. I'll report back and let ya'll know how it goes. We just got some wetsuits (well, the short ones) so that the kids can be comfortable in more chilly waters. Also, we decided not to bring our goggles and stuff because we figure they will supply the snorkling gear and I really, really have NO room in my suitcases...

One more day of work tomorrow and then full speed packing ahead! And laundry. And putting mail on hold. And getting puppies to sitter. And did I mention the actual packing part!

Oooh, forgot that I got some awesome pirate costumes on sale right after Halloween! We are all totally going to be decked out for pirate night! I got a pirate sword and a couple of eye patches also!

Katherine

 

[LuvEeyore]

On board for the trip!!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Looking forward to reading all about your adventure! Have a fantastic, magical time!

TTFN
Darlene

 

[Donathius]

Subbing.

We're heading out on January 15th and I can't stand it. It's the slow time at work now too (I work for a university and it's the end of a semester). I've got nothing to do until new years.

 

[SanDeeKath]

Oh the drama!

1) Couldn't finish everything at work that I really, really needed to get done before leaving. Sooooooo, back to work tomorrow I go for about an hour or two. SIGH. It's going to put a damper on my plans to stay home and do laundry and pack.

2) We are supposed to be taking my older DD's BFF on this cruise with us. Well, about 2 weeks ago, her mom (my good friend) told me in passing that BFF is having "second thoughts" about going. 3 days later, they basically cancelled (nonrefundable of couse)! Well, she called me yesterday in a frenzy asking if it's too late to add BFF back on the cruise because now she really wants to go! I am thinking WTH??? Luckily, I didn't cancel her spot because the good people here on DISboards recommended I keep her on till the last second in case she changes her mind! So here we are now, in that exact situation. Older DD tonight says to me, "I'll believe it when we are on the ship and she's on it with us." ROFL! She has a good sense of humor.

3) Younger DD has impromptu "holiday party, completely optional" at her school tomorrow at 8:30. ARGH. So not optional, if you know what I mean! Every parent will be there. So add that to my to do list....

So my peaceful Friday is looking not so peaceful anymore. 2 days till we sail! I can hardly wait to get away!!!

K

 

[lmhall2000]

Hope things went well for you today! The days leading up to a cruise are the most stressful and fly by with lightning speed! Here's to a wonderful trip and I know that little friend will have a great time and show up!! So glad she changed her mind!
Awesome!! Subbing so I can see proof she went

 

[SanDeeKath]

Thanks for the well wishes. DD's BFF is still on (!!!!!) and I had my first day off from work so I got a ton done (mostly phone calls, meeting with pet sitter, arranging trash pickup, mail hold, giving out last of the holiday cards...).

That and I went to Verizon to get a new cel phone because my brand new iPhone gave out 2 days ago. I threw in the towel and got the Galaxy Nexus and LOVE it! Installed skype and google voice, hoping I can make international calls that way without the huge Verizon fees! ($2.50 a minute.)

The one thing I did NOT do is actually pack. LOL! I did do 4 loads of laundry. DH is seriously worried about all of us fitting into the minivan with all the suitcases! We have 3 already packed and those are just the presents/FE gifts. AAAAAH.

Tomorrow we will try to fit in all the suitcases and see what happens. We may need to drive 2 cars up. UGH.

Anyway, I am looking forward to reporting on our first day on the ship. The weather looks perfect for the week!

Cabo:78ish and sunny all week
PV: 80-82 and sunny all week
Manzanillo: 85 and sunny all week

For those of you who like to see the sea conditions ahead of time, this is an excellent website that shows you the height of waves. Looks a little bumpy for our first sea day heading south, but once we are past Cabo, the waters usually really calm down.

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/mmm.html?map=wave&animate=1#map

 

[PizzieDuster]

You have ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

I live in Orange County. My DH is dropping us off and my dad is dropping my mom and Dnephew off. I'm taking all the luggage I can because my FE stuff is all in one suitcase! I just know that each one has to go into the other

Busy day tomorrow!

 

[SanDeeKath]

OMG, I completely forgot about the door magnets! AAAAAAH.

11:58pm and I am still up adding to my "to do list" for tomorrow.

Katherine

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Katherine, can't wait to see you Sunday!! I didn't know you were doing the Santa Maria Snorkel as well. I'm hoping that ends up being a good choice. DH and I did the Chileno Bay before on Princess, and it was great.

Glad it seems to be working out for your DD's friend to join you!

 

[nsiordia]

Have a WONDER-ful time and a great X-Mas!!! You get to stop in Manzillo? Lucky!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

OMG, I completely forgot about the door magnets! AAAAAAH.

11:58pm and I am still up adding to my "to do list" for tomorrow.

Katherine

Magnets? Did you say magnets? I probably have a few dozen I could give you, Hahahha! I have to downsize a bit this cruise because our cabin door was bigger last time, being the HA suite. I may have to rotate them in and out...!