Misc. Questions for 1st Cruise -- Feb 12th -- 15th on Wonder

[apulk]

OK, here goes -- any help on these would be appreciated. With Christmas and New Year's over all of the excitement is focused on our first Cruise vacation in just over a month. FYI -- we'll spend 5 days at Disney's POP before the cruise.

* Anyone with experience with the Castaway Cay "The Wild Side" excursion for teens? We have one DS who will be 14. I think she would love it (but she doesn't want to go alone). Her brother is only 12 so it's going to take her having the confidence (or Dad pushing her). Any good experience I could share with her to talk her into it would be appreciated.

* We're planning to get to the ship early -- by 10:30 probably. We know we'll have to wait -- but, once on board -- WHAT DO WE DO?????????? I'm assuming we can't make SPA or Palo reservations right away (or am I wrong on that)??? Do they give you a daily schedule as you are coming on-board? Should we head to lunch first thing -- then where?

* Do we have to check in all of our kids for the various clubs? We have 14, 12, 6 and 5 year olds.

* How (and when) do you know what your dining rotation is?

* We plan to do Palo's one night and will eat very light with the kids at our regular seating then have dinner later if we can get reservations. If we can pull this off -- which restaurant should we "skip" to then eat later at Palo's?

* Anyone else going at the same time? Anyone else going with a 13/14 something old daughter? This could be the first/last cruise we do and I so want her to have a special time.

Thanks much all -- your posts have been very helpful so far and VERY enjoyable.

Andy

 

[cmitch9999]

Hi Andy
our family will also be joining you on the Wonder 2/12. 1st time disney cruise but a cruise veteran of other lines (this will be #15 for me!!) We have 2 boys ages 13 & 15 traveling with us. They like cruising but don't care much to join in the cruise line activities for kids. I am not sure if they will be going on the wild side excursion tho I expect to have them spend time at the teen beach there cuz hubby and I are ditching them to go to serenity bay!!!!

We are also going to Pop tho only the night before. Hope to get a bit more disney magic before our cruise. Also plan to get a fairly early start to the port. Expect to leave Pop around 10am and be at the terminal around 11:30 to noon after we drop off the car at avis. Are you parking or returning rental car at the port??

sorry don't know all the answers to your other questions. Most cruise lines have an open house 1st day of cruise to register the kids, some have an orientation session as well to inform the parents of the rules and activities. Our boys are in the teen age group and we will encourage (PUSH) them to go to the first night activities and hope that they will find some other kids to pal around with. This is the first cruise in a LONG time that they have been in the same age group so maybe that will help them join in. I know the older teen is going to want to participate and see any disney related activity..he is the ultimate disney addict.

We have used walkie talkies and watches for rendezvous on the ship..having been on multiple cruises they boys have become very comfortable finding their way around the ships. They always know where the PIZZA is and when!!!

Here's hoping we get great weather and a wonderful escape from winter in just 6 more weeks!
Chris Mitchell

 

[raisin64]

Upon checkin you will receive your Key Card where it will state your dining rotation. Once on board you will be directed to Parrot Cay or Beach Blanket for a lunch buffet . Spa & Palo ressies are usually at 130pm SPA ressies in the spa (deck 9) and palo in Wavebands (deck 3) . I would then sign up the kids in the clubs if they are interested.
On your cruise I would miss Parrot Cay for Palo

Have Fun