March 30, 2013 - Wonder 5 night Western Caribbean Cruise

[mcmckuf]

Has anyone heard anything about the Adventure Park shore excursion? We would really like to do the ruins but my 17-year old daughter gets motion sickness and I don't think that she would survive the boat ride. We have done the dolphin encounter and loved it. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

We have only done Paradise Beach and the local ruins on our own renting a car...

I think we are going to try Chankanaab this time around....

 

[mickymania]

We have only done Paradise Beach and the local ruins on our own renting a car...

I think we are going to try Chankanaab this time around....

I am not sure if things are the same, but during our last visit to Cozumel, we did Chankanaab on our own. We payed the same price as the Disney excursion but were able to interact much more with the dolphins compared to the Disney group. It was easy to catch a taxi and was a lot of fun.

 

[mcmckuf]

I am not sure if things are the same, but during our last visit to Cozumel, we did Chankanaab on our own. We payed the same price as the Disney excursion but were able to interact much more with the dolphins compared to the Disney group. It was easy to catch a taxi and was a lot of fun.

Great info! My daughters will get a kick out of playing with the dolphins...Its either horses or dolphins, they can't get enough.

 

[Momofpreteengirls]

We are so excited to be going on this cruise!!!
It will be myself, my husband, 11 and 9 yr old girls! I would LOVE for my girls to participate in the FE!! I've already been trying to figure out which FE I want to buy and what kinds of goodies that I want to bring!!

Can't wait…..we are swimming with dolphins at Cozumel! I see that there are some other families with same age girls as me…yay! Would love for them to have other kids to hang out with!!!

 

[mcmckuf]

We are so excited to be going on this cruise!!!
It will be myself, my husband, 11 and 9 yr old girls! I would LOVE for my girls to participate in the FE!! I've already been trying to figure out which FE I want to buy and what kinds of goodies that I want to bring!!

Can't wait…..we are swimming with dolphins at Cozumel! I see that there are some other families with same age girls as me…yay! Would love for them to have other kids to hang out with!!!

I've added you to the list for the FE, welcome aboard!

Can you send me your cabin #? I'll need that for the FE....

Thanks,
Matt

 

[canadian2013]

My husband, our 10 year old son, and I will be on the Disney Wonder for Easter, as well. We are very excited! We have never been on a cruise before, so if you have any good advice, please let me know. My son wishes he had a friend with him, so if you have a ten year old boy going, maybe we could introduce them before-hand. I've read lots of good reviews, and some that aren't the best. There are always people who like to complain, so I take the negative reviews with a grain of salt. Anyway, it will be nice to meet some ship-mates before we set sail. It will be a lot of fun!

 

[canadian2013]

Hi, I've been reading the posts here and finally figured out what FE means. I called my husband and he's interested in us joining in on this. Thank you for organizing it.

 

[Momofpreteengirls]

Hi, I've been reading the posts here and finally figured out what FE means. I called my husband and he's interested in us joining in on this. Thank you for organizing it.

There are lots of great FE's on Etsy.com anywhere b/t $20-40

Does anyone know if the gifts must be Disney related? And about how much do people usually spend on gifts??

 

[Momofpreteengirls]

Matt-
Our room # is 7578. We are from Egg Harbor Twp, NJ. Thanks so much for organizing!!


WHO else here has girls in the 9-11 range?? I would live for my girls to make some new friends!!

 

[mcmckuf]

My husband, our 10 year old son, and I will be on the Disney Wonder for Easter, as well. We are very excited! We have never been on a cruise before, so if you have any good advice, please let me know. My son wishes he had a friend with him, so if you have a ten year old boy going, maybe we could introduce them before-hand. I've read lots of good reviews, and some that aren't the best. There are always people who like to complain, so I take the negative reviews with a grain of salt. Anyway, it will be nice to meet some ship-mates before we set sail. It will be a lot of fun!

I could write a book about this stuff I'm so addicted...bottom line, don't feel like you have to do everything. You always will have something to try the next time.

My advice, ignore the reviews...sure not everything will be perfect but most of the negative reviews are by people that take many, many cruises and are splitting hairs. My family tends to do this vacation on a budget but it's Disney! We can't get enough. There is so much to do and the crew is usually there to make it fun.

A few helpful ideas...
Bring plenty of sunscreen, it's expensive on the boat and islands. After you figure out what you are going to pack, pull out about a third. You really won't need it. Want/need something on the cruise?...ask! Most cast members will do everything they can to help out. For dessert, ask for a Mickey ice cream with sprinkles at least once for your son. Not usually on the menu but always available. Really like coffee? the only "real" coffee is in the shop off the adult pool area. The rest is not like Starbucks if you get my drift...Take the tour of the spa on the first day, buy a rain forest pass if you like. It's a great getaway spot. A multi-day pass is a great deal....ask anything you want, if I can help I will....

-Matt

 

[Momofpreteengirls]

What is a Rainforest Pass???

 

[mcmckuf]

There are lots of great FE's on Etsy.com anywhere b/t $20-40

Does anyone know if the gifts must be Disney related? And about how much do people usually spend on gifts??

No, they do not have to be Disney related. Some like to bring something from their home state, others pirate themed items, sometimes homemade crafty items. Cost can be very low for craft items, on up to a few bucks per person. Don't feel like you have to go big unless you are comfortable doing so. It's the thought that counts.

 

[mcmckuf]

What is a Rainforest Pass???

The ships have a "spa room" with sauna, showers and heated ceramic chairs to relax in. The showers are hot or cold, with different jets, etc. The chairs are very comfortable and great for sore backs. There's fresh tea and lemon water for free...it will be covered on the tour. You buy a pass by the day for unlimited access or multi-day at a discount.

 

[mickymania]

Great info! My daughters will get a kick out of playing with the dolphins...Its either horses or dolphins, they can't get enough.

You probably are already aware, but if not, here is the website where you can reserve your time on your own. Have fun!

www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/

 

[mickymania]

What is a Rainforest Pass???

I have had a pass on every cruise and LOVE it. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

 

[Momofpreteengirls]

I have had a pass on every cruise and LOVE it. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

How much is the Rainforest pass?

 

[mcmckuf]

How much is the Rainforest pass?

It's usually $16/day and a discounted rate if you buy it for the length of the cruise. Here is some great info form another's post:

1. The length of cruise pass entitles you to go use the Rainforest whenever it is open.
2. The deluxe "length of cruise pass" entitles you to use the Rainforest whenever it is open, and they give you a small sponge and some scented scrubs to rub on your body, so you can do your own exfoliation in the sauna area. Not worth the upcharge for me. [agree]
3. The day pass is a day pass. I had not heard they no longer sell them on ship, but that may be true. What I have been told by the spa staff on previous cruises is that if they sell all the length of cruise passes, then they don't sell any day passes.
4. It is hard to use the Rainforest on a port day. You get up, you go off to the port, you return, change for dinner, go to a show. If you aren't getting off the ship, a length of cruise pass may be worth it. It is cheaper than individual day passes for every day of the cruise, but if you don't go on a couple days, it would have been better to buy individual day passes.

I usually just buy the at sea days now as it is too hard on port days as mentioned above.

 

[Momofpreteengirls]

Thanks for the great info Matt! I'm so excited!!! --angie

 

[canadian2013]

A few helpful ideas...
Bring plenty of sunscreen, it's expensive on the boat and islands. After you figure out what you are going to pack, pull out about a third.For dessert, ask for a Mickey ice cream with sprinkles at least once for your son. Not usually on the menu but always available. Really like coffee? the only "real" coffee is in the shop off the adult pool area. -Matt

Thanks, Matt! You're tips will definitely be helpful. Are you able to add me, my husband, and son to your FE? We're in cabin 7632.
~Corinne~

 

[mcmckuf]

Thanks, Matt! You're tips will definitely be helpful. Are you able to add me, my husband, and son to your FE? We're in cabin 7632.
~Corinne~

Added and uploaded...welcome aboard...

BTW, if anyone has any issue accessing the 4shared account to see the list PM me your email and I'll keep you up to date that way...

-M