November 13, 2011 Mexico on the Wonder

[lucky1]

So the only things that they really charge for on the ship are.... (yoga was free), This might be a good list to have

Events: Any tastings that include Alcohol (wine, Tequila, Vodka). Spa Treatments, Personal Training at the Gym, Bingo (free to watch, cost to play)

Items: Acolohol, Specialty coffee or beverages,Canned drinks (Soda pop)
Packaged Snacks (Chips, candies)


Please add to the list, but I assume almost everything else if Free (or included in the price)

 

[lucky1]

dpygrl3 ... did you get hit by the Ha**** yesterday? We get the rain and you get the dust.

 

[lise maltais]

Thank you Lucky, all this info helps. So the free drinks for the kids are fountain I imagine. We don't do pop in my family....however I will lose total control as I am going to escape as much as possible while they do their thing!
I heard coffee is not so good on the ship, right?
Is espresso considered specialty coffee? That is what I enjoy and I wonder how much it cost for a cup, anyone knows?
Also there are laundry facilities onboard I understand, what is the cost of that?
Thanks!

 

[lucky1]

Thank you Lucky, all this info helps. So the free drinks for the kids are fountain I imagine. We don't do pop in my family....however I will lose total control as I am going to escape as much as possible while they do their thing!
I heard coffee is not so good on the ship, right?
Is espresso considered specialty coffee? That is what I enjoy and I wonder how much it cost for a cup, anyone knows?
Also there are laundry facilities onboard I understand, what is the cost of that?
Thanks!

Lise... Yes there is free drinks at the fountain on deck 9, easy access for the kids. We don't do pop either, so it is generally a treat for my DD. She loves to get Shirley temples at Dinner on the cruise.

Coffee was okay, but if you are use to Latte's and expresso's you will be disappointed. We generally would order a pot to be delivered to the room in the morning as our wake up call, with the room service card you put out the night before. It was nice to have a cup of coffee to wake up with and DD would have a bagel or fruit to wake her up before we got going.

I believe coffee's (espresso drinks) at Cove cafe are about Starbuck's prices. I think I remember paying about $3.50 for a Latte. They do have a drink card, so 6th speciality coffee is free. I will have to let you know. we visit Starbucks at least once a day at home and while on the cruise, we never had time to drink it. I think I got an speciality coffee 2 times.

 

[lise maltais]

Oh Shirley Temples are not too bad, my girls like those. I like the fact that kids can order from the adult menu, I will try to discourage the crappy food, at least at dinner time... we'll see how well that goes!
I hope I don't bug you with all my questions. I was planning to bring the girls' snorkelling gear with us, and I hope we can do that for a reasonable price in Cabos, with the help of locals.

 

[lucky1]

my DD is a follower, so if there are kids at her table that are ordering from the Kids menu she wants to do that.. I am not that impressed with the Kids menu, but sometimes she will order off our menu. I think at your girls ages they might consider them "adults" for dining, you can also request your server to give them adult menus each night.

 

[dpygrl3]

Well again I am not getting updates here
so I missed quite a few posts..sry not to have answered

Lucky..yeah dust dust & more dust..
But I can't complain since our summer has not been as horrible as the rest of the country is complaining how darn hot it's been..
99 for us is nuttin..LOL

I am on level 6 with a balcony
this is out first DC as well. DD is 4 & super excited!
I will work out as well when I can..just maybe not the 5-6 days I do here.
I'm one of the few that actually likes to workout b/c it makes me feel rejuvenated I am curious about the Yoga too. just if it's super early I don't think I'll be doing it.

I have been to Cabo..I have snorkeled off a reef on the way to the Arch..not sure what it is called but I can probably find out.
I know you can snorkel off of a couple of the beaches..that was free. but u have to be able get there. My hubby & I want to go back to Lovers / Divorce Beach which is a beach right at the Arch..totally awesome!! You can hail a Water taxi over at the marina (most have glass bottom boats) BUT you have to jump out of the boat into the water to get to the beach & then hail a water taxi in the water to one to get back..LOL I don't think we will have the time to do that plus not sure I want to risk getting stuck..I don't know if u can snorkel there..but what a beautiful place to picnic, have fun, explore & have a lil adventure

 

[stampinshauna]

We've taken our own snorkel stuff before, but have just used it on Disney's private island (Castaway Cay) which we don't get to go to since we're on the wrong coast. Anyway, once we took mask, snorkel, and fins, and it took a lot of space (and weight) in the luggage, so the next time we left the fins and took just the mask and snorkel. Maybe some of the beaches would rent just fins? I'm not sure though. We were able to rent just fins for less than all of the gear. Unfortunately, I don't know much about the beaches and how to get to them. I want to go to a beach, but I'm probably going to just do it through an excursion, or I've heard of the Crown Point resort in Puerto Vallerta that is supposedly in walking distance and they have day passes to use their resort and beach.

 

[lise maltais]

Hi,
Thanks for the snorkel info. I googled the Crown Point resort and seems it is an adult only type of all inclusive place.
Hum, what to do, to bring the gear or not to bring it...the heavier the luggage the more it will cost for the airline to carry, so either way you pay.
Been shopping with the girls today, all I have on my brain is cruise wear! Found some awesome stuff and deals in local thrift stores.

 

[stampinshauna]

Oops, I was wrong. Not Crown Point, it is called Crown Paradise. I emailed them to find out about a day use pass. Here's the info that they sent:

Hola thanks so much for contacting us
Yes we do have a use day of 35 usd per adult and children under 6-12 years old it is 18 usd
It is all inclusive all drinks meals and activities.
It is from 9am -5 pm.
For arrangement directly at the front desk upon arrival

I read about it on another thread and people have seemed to like it.

 

[lise maltais]

Stampinshauna! That sounds just perfect!
Thanks for looking into it, and even e-mailing them, that is very nice of you.
I will spend the day at that resort in Puerto Vallarta with the girls, they LOVE pools of all kinds, they will be so excited. Pretty good price considering food and activities are included. And it is a short distance from the ship.
I'm in.

In Cabos, I guess we'll just hang out, I hope to be able to practice my spanish. Also I was hoping that the girls could see some of the poor kids, you know, so they appreciate more what they have....I plan not to go to Cabos a second time, on the short day, I think I will stay and enjoy the ship.

By the way, I have read a few "critics" on the cruise critic website, about the Wonder. Such mixed reviews, unbelievable. Some just love it, others are quite upset! Sounds like the food is not very good. And I am pretty picky, I like my food fresh, as long as I have veggies, meat, fish or poultry, I am a happy camper. Don't do the fried stuff. I am bringing an extensive first aid kit, just in case!
Lise

 

[lucky1]

By the way, I have read a few "critics" on the cruise critic website, about the Wonder. Such mixed reviews, unbelievable. Some just love it, others are quite upset! Sounds like the food is not very good. And I am pretty picky, I like my food fresh, as long as I have veggies, meat, fish or poultry, I am a happy camper. Don't do the fried stuff. I am bringing an extensive first aid kit, just in case!
Lise

Lise, there seems to be critics in every bunch. The Wonder up until this year had only done 3 and 4 night cruises. As a matter for fact, our first cruise on the Wonder, was it's 2nd ever 7 night cruise. The Staff was just not use to doing things for as long as they had on previous cruises. I thought the Dining rooms were lacking based on what we had experienced in 2009 on the Magic, but we are not cruising for the food. I would say you will find so much more on the cruise than "fried" and Junk food. DH got sugar and starch free meals along with mostly veggie foods during the cruise. I have read a lot of comparisons that everyone ranks other cruise lines food above DCL, but DCL wins out in most other areas. I think the Wonder will be getting into the Swing of things with only 7 night cruises now and I expect we will have a great time and enjoy our time in the dining rooms.

 

[lucky1]

Lucky..yeah dust dust & more dust..
But I can't complain since our summer has not been as horrible as the rest of the country is complaining how darn hot it's been..
99 for us is nuttin..LOL

I am on level 6 with a balcony
this is out first DC as well. DD is 4 & super excited!
I will work out as well when I can..just maybe not the 5-6 days I do here.
I'm one of the few that actually likes to workout b/c it makes me feel rejuvenated I am curious about the Yoga too. just if it's super early I don't think I'll be doing it.

Dpygrl3 - The pictures and videos of the dust storm (Funny this site will not let me type the real name for it), were pretty amazing. We have another storm brewing here this evening, lots of wind, but very little rain.
FYI... you should look up a gelato place that just opened up there... FROST. It is pretty amazing. We go every once in a while here.

We had a Balcony on our Oct 2009 cruise. It was fantastic sitting out in the morning watching the water go by. But the last cruise and this cruise to save money we have a porthole. It seemed to work out for us, as we are just one short walk down to deck 4 and can get fresh air that way. We 3 adults and 1 kid, I am sure we will not be spending much time in the room. Just too crowded.


Laura

 

[stampinshauna]

By the way, I have read a few "critics" on the cruise critic website, about the Wonder. Such mixed reviews, unbelievable. Some just love it, others are quite upset! Sounds like the food is not very good. And I am pretty picky, I like my food fresh, as long as I have veggies, meat, fish or poultry, I am a happy camper. Don't do the fried stuff. I am bringing an extensive first aid kit, just in case!
Lise

It's interesting how everyone has a different opinion, especially when it comes to food. We sailed with Princess a few years ago and with the exception of a couple of dishes, I much preferred DCL's food. They've added more healthy foods over the years as well. I love Goofy's Galley (out by the Mickey pool). They have wraps and pannini sandwiches and fresh fruit all day--it's a great place to grab a snack or a healthy lunch. I think there is enough variety that you can choose from that everyone should be happy.

We've sailed on both the Magic and the Wonder and love them both. Last time around it seemed that the Wonder was in better shape, possibly because it had more recently been in dry dock. This cruise the Wonder will have been in dry dock just a month or so before, so it should be in great condition for us.

 

[lise maltais]

That is really interesting, I did not know that about the Wonder, doing only short cruises until now.
I tend to be a positive person, so I take the critics with a grain of pixie dust!
I am sure it will be all fabulous and magical

I think that when people write reviews, it tells a lot about the person and how they see life. For example, if you read Disneyzell's reports, you can tell he is a very happy kind of man.
Hey, it is our first cruise ever, I chose Disney because I was sure that my kids would have a blast and that I could spend some quiet time myself.

 

[lucky1]

Lise - My first cruise was in 1999, it was DCL, 4 night cruise. I didn't get it why everyone like cruising so much. But then again we were with Family and trying to coordinate activities with them made my enjoyment of the cruise difficult. Our next cruise was in 2009 and it was a DCL 7 night and it was wonderful. A great way to relax and now understand why people like cruising so much. Also everything is taken care of for you and gives you a opportunity to relax. Hence thus we have booked more DCL cruises. As for Critics, I am with you on that. For example: I am always baffled when people get upset over when their Stateroom host does not leave towel animals in the room for them on DCL cruise.


FYI.. if you are on facebook, this small group has sort of hooked up there as well.

Laura

 

[lise maltais]

Lise - My first cruise was in 1999, it was DCL, 4 night cruise. I didn't get it why everyone like cruising so much. But then again we were with Family and trying to coordinate activities with them made my enjoyment of the cruise difficult. Our next cruise was in 2009 and it was a DCL 7 night and it was wonderful. A great way to relax and now understand why people like cruising so much. Also everything is taken care of for you and gives you a opportunity to relax. Hence thus we have booked more DCL cruises. As for Critics, I am with you on that. For example: I am always baffled when people get upset over when their Stateroom host does not leave towel animals in the room for them on DCL cruise.


FYI.. if you are on facebook, this small group has sort of hooked up there as well.

Laura

Hi Laura
I would love to connect with this group on Facebook, is it by individual people? If so, my name is no secret, just look me up under Lise Maltais in Comox British Columbia.

 

[dpygrl3]

I'll send u a invite.
I created it off of my FB account for everyone.

if anyone needs one & has a FB account just request a invite
I did make the group private so it is not in a search
Also I am giving everyone administrators status as well so u can add people, info etc..

sry if i don't respond here as often..I am still not receiving updates thru email of this thread...well I do get some..just not all. it's weird

 

[dpygrl3]

Dpygrl3 - The pictures and videos of the dust storm (Funny this site will not let me type the real name for it), were pretty amazing. We have another storm brewing here this evening, lots of wind, but very little rain.
FYI... you should look up a gelato place that just opened up there... FROST. It is pretty amazing. We go every once in a while here.

We had a Balcony on our Oct 2009 cruise. It was fantastic sitting out in the morning watching the water go by. But the last cruise and this cruise to save money we have a porthole. It seemed to work out for us, as we are just one short walk down to deck 4 and can get fresh air that way. We 3 adults and 1 kid, I am sure we will not be spending much time in the room. Just too crowded.


Laura

I was totally sick with a horrible chest cold..I swear the Dust did not help..booo! But boy did we have a rain storm last night! LOUD & WINDY!!!
Frost? where is that PHX? right now any type of gelato sounds yummy!!

This is DH first cruise so he will be spoiled..my in-laws insisted we get balcony rooms and connecting. plus the "Kids Sail for free" promo was for this type of room..I'm not complaining..LOL having my in-laws in connecting rooms will be great since they want DD in their room some nights. & if we want to go out we will just bring our old baby monitor JIC she is in our room & we want to go out for a night cap.
DD is totally spoiled by MIL so I am sure she will be with her most of the time plus they are old & can only hang no later past 10pm..

I have to say b/c she tends to have a earlier bedtime I am a lil concerend how all this late stuff is gonna effect her like the shows & such..I don't want a crabby 4y/old on our trip..

Oh & the balcony?? the doors out to it are secure right? I think that is always a thought as a parent about falling over board..we have the see thru plexi glass deck ...I just hope it's way taller than her. she is about 42inches tall

 

[dpygrl3]

Anyone dressing up for pirate night?
it looks so much fun!!! like a Halloween party! we love Halloween