Newbie - Wonder cruise questions...

[esulerzy]

I am taking two of my nieces on the Wonder in Feb. 2003 (ages 13 and 8). This will be our first Disney cruise and I have lots of questions. Can someone help?

1. I want to schedule all of us for the Dolphin encounter in Nassau. How long does each person get with the dolphins? Do you actually swim with them or just pet them, etc.?

2. Instead of spending the rest of our day in Nassau at the beach (since we will have beach time at Castaway Cay), I wanted the girls to see some of the Island - this is their first trip to Nassau. Any suggestions? I was thinking just walking around so they could see the Straw Market - side streets, etc. Or, should I rent one of those horse drawn carriages? Or, some other type tour? Any particular things to see? Does anyone know if a map exists on-line for Nassau?

3. Will any of our dinners be formal? If not, I was thinking we could wear capris and a nice top to dinner each night.

4. Does Castaway Cay or Nassau have those bikes (can't think of what they are called) that have huge tires and can be ridden in the water? Seems like they would be fun to try.

5. For the mugs on-board; what types of drinks are available? One girl doesn't like soda but will drink lemonade or fruit punch. I can get my money's worth from the sodas since that's what I drink in the morning (instead of coffee).

FYI. We currently have early dinner scheduled (6 pm) so we will attend the later show. I'm sure the girls will have plenty to keep them occupied during our day at sea.

Thanks for all your expert advice. Ellen

 

[din]

esulerzy: Let me try to help you with some of the questions:


First here is a great resource from Dave http://www.dcltribute.com
and
http://www.castawayclub.com

Should have most if not all for your questions. On a personal note your nieces will have a great time on the ship. If not with the clubs, just the activities. Also Castaway Cay is the place to be also. Nassau, having done it once, we most likely not do it again.

 

[MarkRG]

First, you should go to the cruise trip reports board and read my trip reports I'm writing on this Wonder cruise I'm currently on.

Now for your numerical questions:

1) No idea spent the day at Atlantis.

2) Go to Atlantis, I don't think there IS a rest of the island worth seeing from the few trips we've had. Go on the dig tour and look at all the huge fish! Details in the trip report.

3) Depends on your dining rotation, but there should be 1 formal night. What you described would work for the rest of the time.

4) Castaway has the water bikes, and 2 different types of floats. Lots of water fun there

5) You have Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea and Sodas. So you're good to go there

Any other questions? If I don't know I can currently find out and have a whole day of sea tomorrow

 

[herrmfam24]

Mark answered most of your questions...but about #2. The straw market is a great place to go and look at a bunch of stuff and also to experience what some of the natives are like. It was also a lot of fun to go over to the beach by atlantis and parasail! These are both really fun things to do!

 

[Peter Johnson]

I can help with the Dolphin programs, not from personal experience, but from researching them on this board. We're first time cruisers on the Wonder 5/23.

The program on Nassau is from Dolphin Encounters, www.dolphinswims.com. They offer two programs:

Encounter - a short dolphin visit in waist-deep water
Swim - a longer visit in deep water

Posters on this board have been mixed in their feelings about the Encounter. Some felt that they were rushed into and out of the water, and hardly had any time with the dolphins. Others said that buying the extra $100 photo package beforehand would insure more time, since they needed time to take all the pictures.

Only the Encounter can be reserved thru DCL; you or your TA must reserve the Swim. If you reserve the Encounter yourself the price is less than thru DCL, but you have to get yourselves from the Wonder to the Encounter dock and back.

We opted for the Swim (two adults). Buy a waterproof disposable camera before you cruise to use at the encounter and Castaway Cay.

Hope this helps!