March 17 - 20 Wonder

[Disneyfamfan]

Thursday: We took the red eye from Seattle, Wa at 10:30pm and landed in Orlando at 6:30am. We probably will never do another red eye, it was just too tiring. We left the airport at 10am by DCL Shuttle. We arrived at the port at 11am and checked in right away, registered at the Kids Lab right away and by 20 minutes later we were being announced on board. It was funny, because we were told to look haggered for the boarding pictures, and let me tell you we did not have to try to look haggered becuase we were. We could not go to our stateroom (7035) becuase they were still cleaning, so we went up to Beach Blanket Buffet and had lunch. It was pouring rain so we explored inside and on the 4th floor deck outside. WOW! what a beautiful ship! We got into our room at about 3pm. It was nice, but was surprised by the small size, we had an inside stateroom. We had dinner at Triton's the first night at the main seating, we dressed up, as were most of the other patrons. We had great table mates, they were from Boston, and wonderful people. Tried to see the show Hercules, but we were so tired we left before it started and went to bed.

Friday: We woke up at about 7am and went to Beach Blanket for Breakfast. Great Food! We watched as the ship pulled into Nassau, what a beautiful day! We left the ship at 9:30am and went shopping. The Straw Market was very crowded and hot. My DH was offered drugs twice. We found some nice souvenirs though and headed to the ship for lunch. We stayed on board and enjoyed the pool and sipped some tropical drinks. We went and played disney trivia and how well do you know your family in Diversions. Me and my DD got picked to played the later and we won! We left with I am a winner gold medal. We had dinner at Animators Palate and received our Pirate Bandanas, but the dinner was standard, not on the scroll like others reported on other trip reports. The Pirate party was great, it was windy though. The Fireworks were awesome!

Saturday:We woke at 7am again and were already docked at Castaway Cay. We went to Parrot Cay for breakfast and it was a buffet, just like Beach Blanket Buffet. Got off the ship at 10am and set up on the family beach. We went snorkeling right away, the water was a bit chilly, but once we got in we adapted. The snorkeling was amazing! Saw all kinds of fish, bone fish, and a barracuda. Lunch at Cookies was just okay. The Lobster burgers were not that good. We went Bicycling around the Island and had a lot of fun! We got on board at about 3:30pm. We had dinner at Parrot Cay, and the food was just okay. Instead of seeing the show we went and saw The pacifier. Cute movie. My DD and me saw the afternoon primear of Ice Princess on Friday afternoon.

Now, the not so good news. We were given flyers about the Norwalk Virus before we boarded the ship and took precautions, and washed our hands a lot. Well, at about 11pm I became violently ill all night long. When it was time to deboard I was thoroughly dehydrated!

Sunday:Very sick. DH and DD was okay at this point. Slowly got ready to disembark, and did not eat a thing for breakfast. Disembarked by 8am. If I had felt better it would have been a flawless disembarking.

All in all the trip was amazing! The Norwalk Virus was horrible though. They warned us and the ship was really clean, but the virus was surviving on the ship.

 

[DiaLady]

Great trip report! Sorry you caught the virus . . . Glad your kids were okay . .no fun when mom and kiddies are sick. Sounds like you had a great trip, though. . .

 

[Stinasmom]

Were you on the Alaska Airlines direct flight? What time did it leave and arrive? How old are your kids? Did they sleep or were they cranky on or after the flight? Was it cheaper than a day flight? Well, guess it would be if you consider the cost of a hotel the night before cruising...Would you do the red eye again if you were going straight to a resort for 7 nights instead of a cruise first?
Hope you don't mind all the questions... Our kids will be 5 and 9 when we go to WDW again, this time tagging on a 4 night Wonder cruise in 12/06...Yes, this is a ways off but I figure it is never too early to glean information and tips from others!
(and we are sailing on the Magic in just 2 months West Coast!!! )
Thanks!
P.S. We lived in Tualatin back in 1991-92...Man, oh, man has that area grown up!!

 

[Disneyfamfan]

We will never do a red eye again, because my husband and daughter could not sleep on the flight. So, when we got on the ship they were exhausted by about 7pm. So, no show or evening activities, we went to bed. Yes, we were on the Alaska direct flight. It left Seattle at 10:30pm and arrived at 6:38am in Orlando. No, it was not much cheaper to fly the red eye.
Enjoy the West Coast Cruise, we have some friends who will be doing that cruise in July.
Yes, Tualatin is growing and so is Sherwood. You would be amazed at all the growth.
Again, have a great time!

 

[Typhoon Guy]

I'm glad to hear that you had a goodtime (except for thered eye and getting sick) I took the red eye only once after spending a week at Disneyland. My frirend and I flew into Tampa airport (it was cheaper) drove the 2 hours to Orlando changed out our suitcases we had packed before we left for California, picked up another frirend and was at Port Canaveral by 2:00 PM to enjoy a three night sailing on the Wonder. That was last year, this year my vacation plans are not as complicated. I am surprizing my Mother, Sister and Nephew in August. Thery all thing we are going on some unknown ship out of Ft. Lauderdale. Little do they know I have a Cat 4 verandah room booked on the Disney Wonder. I'm keeping this hush hush until we are on our way to the Port!

I have done both the East & West 7 night, as well as a couple 3 & 4 nighters. I highly suggest the 7 night eastern cruise.