My first cruise- Daughter and I on the Wonder Sept. 20

[safetymom]

I spent many years wondering why anybody would want to take a cruise. My daughter has done a lot for me over the years so when she asked to take a cruise for her 25 th birthday I couldn't say no.

So the day finally came. My daughter being the typical last minute packer was still throwing things in a suitcase as I was loading the car.

We live about 70 miles from the port but they seemed to go on forever. I was telling my daughter all the things I learned on the DIS about the cruise and the Wonder. I think she thought I had lost it when I started telling her about the over the door shoe organizer, signs for the door, fish extenders, etc.

But it did pass the time on the trip. When we were closer she asked when would we see the boat. I explained it was a ship. About that time I knew we were very close to seeing it on the horizon. Suddenly there it was and we really got excited.

As we got off the exit for the port I cued the music in the CD player. I had brought along Michael Feinstein singing When you Wish upon a Star. I had a few misty moments as we saw the ship up close.

We got to the parking lot around 11 AM. The CM's directed us where to go to drop off our luggage. I thought it was interesting how the porter mentioned he didn't work for Disney. I already had the tip ready for him so as he loaded the bags my daughter went and parked the car. She got a first row parking spot so was back quickly. We went through security with no problems.

At the top of the escalator we were directed to the check in line. But first I wanted to check my paperwork. I had checked us in online so I thought I was ready but realized we hadn't filled out the small form for customs. They had them at the tables and a CM helped with directions. They should mention that in the checklist online or I would have had it ready.

We were handed a boarding pass in line. We had Boarding 5. This was at 11:15. We were checked in by a CM working the concierge line. We had a Cat. 5 so I think she wondered why were checking in with her.

So I proceeded to tell my daughter the story of the terminal. I made her walk over and view the scale model of the ship. Just then Goofy came out for pictures. The terminal didn't see very crowed.

My daughter kept asking what happened next. I kept reminding her she thought I was crazy for knowing all these details.

The time passed quickly and before you knew it they were announcing the family of the day. They started calling the boarding groups and pretty soon it was our turn.

My daughter was wearing a buttom from WDW saying it was her birthday so she received many birthday wishes. The CM waved us through, and wished Katie a happy birthday.

Now it was our turn for a picture. We dropped our stuff and I think it dawned on both of us at that moment that it was truly going to happen. WE ARE GOING CRUISING ON THE DISNEY WONDER!!!!

 

[safetymom]

We walked up the gangway. I had told my daughter that they announce you as you walk onto the ship. Well she totally forgot that and instantly had a case of the vacation duh's. She was awe struck when she saw the atrium. The crew member asked our names and we were announced. Wow, what a moment!

Then another cast member told us we should go to Parrot Cay for lunch. I knew from reading all the reports here that I wanted to try Beach Blanket Buffet. I wasn't disappointed in my choice. It was a great buffet with lots of selections. We decided to eat indoors and then walked the ship after lunch.

We did bring our bathing suits so we lounged by the adult pool for awhile. It was heavenly. Finally it was 1:25 and we decided to head down to deck 7 to see if our rooms were ready.

We were able to get into our room. We loved it. Our room was 7106 so it was very convenient to the elevators and a quick trip up the stairs to get drinks, etc.

I had ordered champagne and desserts and they were waiting for us. My daughter had asked for no surprises but a Mom has to do something to celebrate our first Disney cruise. My daughter had cruised before and kept telling me how much nicer Disney was.

We had a verandah and that was wonderful during the trip. I love to take pictures so that was great. But it also was nice to just sit out there and enjoy the cruise. I don't think I could ever do anything else after having a verandah.

I will be adding some pictures to each days report so stay tuned.

 

[safetymom]

I did get an extra navigator every day. I will be scanning them and will have them available. I will also send to the DIS for them to link to for anyone that is interested.

 

[LCtonra]

Great start!!!! I am so excited about you posting pics and navigators. I have a Katie also, she is only 6. Can't wait to read the rest.

 

[frdeb1999]

Great start...can't wait for the rest!

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

Thanks for sharing!! Can't wait for the rest!

 

[Kay1]

Wonderful details. Yes, please let us see your Navigators.

 

[disneydance]

great job enjoying this very much

 

[mruhaak]

Enjoying your reports so far!

 

[debnkay]

A great start! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Only a few more days before we board the Wonder to celebrate my 35th birthday.

 

[safetymom]

I promise an update tomorrow. Thank you everyone for reading and being patient.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

Hi Safetymom-
We were also on that 'Wonder'ful cruise. We were at the port by 10am..just a little anxious to get on board! We were about the 6th in line for pictures with Pluto. Then it was time to step through those magical ears! We ate lunch at Parrott Cay, which has always been one of our favorites. We made our spa reservation and then hung out on deck 9. We probably walked past you and your daughter several times. More later.
We are enjoying reading your TR...

 

[safetymom]

I will have to Parrot Cay for lunch on my next cruise. I wanted to try the Beach Blanket buffet so we went there instead.

 

[safetymom]

I am in the process of uploading lots of photos. I will post the link since the photos would overwhelm the trip report. http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/safetymom52/Disney Wonder cruise/?bulkComplete=1191586698772

So where did we left off last time????

So after the boat drill and the sail away party we went up on Deck 10 to watch us sail out into the ocean. It was pretty breezy up there but it was great watching us leave FL behind.

When we got back to the room we watched a little TV. I loved that they showed the old TV shows. I made my daughter watch Leave it to Beaver since she has heard me talk about the show.

We had the last dinner seating so we had plenty of time before dinner. We decided to get dressed and go explore the ship before the show started.

I had brought my highlighter to mark the Navigator with what I wanted to see and do that day. My daughter couldn't wait to go play Bingo. That was a disappointment. There weren't a lot of people playing but it was expensive. She quickly decided that she wouldn't be doing that again.

It's now time for the show. Tonight it was Hercules. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it since I never really followed that show, movie, etc.

We get to the theatre and of course there are people saving seats. We watched to see if anyone ever sat there and no they never did. They make the announcement about no flash photography but of course you see lots of flashes going off. I wish people could be a little more considerate.

The show was great, the actors were fabulous. I had a few misty moments but I forgot to bring tissues. Mental note to not forget for tomorrow nights show.

After the show we had over an hour to kill before dinner. We walked around and found Shutters and quickly realized that the area was too small and crowded. I had read where I shouldn't wait until the last night and boy that was right!!! They really do need a larger area though.

Finally it was time for dinner. We had read the menus ahead of time and I was underwhelmed with the food choices. I think that would be my only complaint. I didn't like the variety in any of the restaurants. I think next time we may skip the dinners.

We were seated at a table for 8. There were 2 couples, another Mom and daughter, and us. We were the newbies, the only ones that had never cruised on DCL before. Of course we got the warnings that we would quickly become addicted and would be on many more.

The seas that night were rough. I had thought I was going to be sea sick before I got on the ship but no problems!!! Yea!!! I had bought Bonine and Sea Bands and took 2 pills but I don't think I needed to. You could feel the movement of the ship but to me it seemed soothing. You could really feel it at dinner.

Our servers were great and very nice. The server didn't speak English very clear and when he explained the appetizers none of us understood what he said. He mentioned tortillas and we all didn't understand what that had to do with the appetizers. When he came back he explained it again and then everyone at the table ordered that appetizer.

My daughter was celebrating a birthday so the server knelt down and asked what night we wanted to celebrate. Of course my daughter was right there so I gave her another story because I wanted her to be surprised the next night.

The food was good but not what I would have usually ordered. It's tough though with the last dining since you don't finish until 10:30. It's great that you don't have to rush after a tough day of swimming or a shore excursion but we just came back after dinner to relax and then go to bed. I don't like to sleep on a full stomach.

My daughter took the sofa to sleep on. She said it wasn't very comfortable. I liked the rocking motion of the ship although it wasn't going to take much to put me to sleep.

I had brought the over the door show organizer, a surge strip, a night light. They were all great suggestions from folks on here!!!!

So night, night everyone. Tomorrow is Nassau, our first port of call. I can't wait.

 

[safetymom]

Well personally I thought Nassau was very forgettable. To me it seems if you have seen one junky seaside town you have seen them all.

We went up on deck to watch our approach into Nassau. It was a beautiful day. I am amazed how they just turn the ship and back into the dock.

Our room was on the port side so we watched for awhile as families got off the ship. Finally it was our turn. Room key, drivers license, check we are ready to go. We walked towards the building and we were approached by Gilligan, but he explained that wasn't his real name hawking his tour guide services. We told him we weren't interested, he thanked us for not wasting his time.

So we looked through the building but didn't see anything we needed to buy. So it was out of the building where we had to walk past what seemed like 100 ladies wanting to braid our hair. Hey ladies, hey ladies, hey sexy I'll braid your hair. No thank you. Also there were lots and lots of taxi drivers doing the same thing, you need cab??? I don't like things like that so maybe that colors my opinion of Nassau.

We wanted to go to the Straw Market. I can't believe how many people tried to sell us stuff along the way. Finally outside the market this lady says we have to follow her to the good deals. Wow, that Straw Market is crowded!!!! I wasn't impressed by any of the booths. I just wanted to get out of there. My daughter saw some knock off designer purses she wanted but wanted to think about them.

We walked around the town but I wasn't impressed. It didn't seem very tourist friendly. Maybe since I travel so much for work but it didn't seem any different that lots of cities I have visited.

Finally it was hot and I decided that swimming aboard ship seemed like a much better thing to do I left. My daughter went back to the market to get her purse.

Getting back on the ship was very easy. Our room had been cleaned so I hung out on the verandah for awhile watching for my daughter.

When I finally got up to the adult pool I was amazed to see how many people had stayed on the ship. It was funny watching people comparing our ship to the Carnival ship next to us. Of course the Wonder won as best ship.

Finally its time to get ready for shows and dinner. Today is Pirates in the Caribbean night. We didn't have costumes but I had my Pirate Mickey hat and my daughter had a Stitch pirate hat we wore to dinner.

Tonights show was the Golden Mickey's. My daughter didn't know about the red carpet so she thought that was cute. I truly enjoyed the show, thinking it was better than Hercules. My daughter still thought Hercules was better.

The water was much calmer tonight and you could notice that in the theatre. Once again you have people saving seats and you look later and no one is sitting there.

After dinner we strolled the deck just enjoying the beautiful weather. Those padded lounges are great too. We made plans for our next cruise. Of course we are addicted now, how silly I was for all those years not wanting to cruise.

We also went to Shutters but that is like being in a war zone. Why do people think it is ok to stand in the middle of the aisle when everyone is trying to get around them???? They really need to make that area bigger!

Finally it is time for dinner. Dinner tonight is at Tritons. The food is good but still no my taste for the menu items. Our servers were great and the company was very nice.

My only complaint with late dining is you have to cut your meal short if you want to see the Pirates show or the last night character goodbye.

We run up to Deck 10 since we were late and figured there wasn't any room on Deck 9 for the party. We had a great place to stand and see the sail away show but we didn't have good viewing for the pirates party. So I am ducking and bobbing around peoples heads trying to see the show. I really think Disney has to figure out something for the late diners. Either move back the time of the show or speed up dinner somehow.

Finally it was time for the fireworks. It was amazing watching fireworks in the middle of the ocean. So finally we head off to bed to rest up for our relaxing day at Castaway Cay. I can't wait.