November 21, 2010 Wonder 3 day - FE Info Post #70

[JanDave]

Thank you Christine for the warm welcome and info on the fish extenders. I would love to participate. Please add me on the list. (The pictures were a huge help)

Does anyone know the dinner rotation for this 3 day cruise? Is there a formal night - if so, what day? I need to start shopping!! Any pirate or themed nights?

We got wait list for first dining seating - must be a lot of people on this cruise! Has anyone seen copies of the menus? My husband is a vegetarian and would like to see the choices ahead of time if possible.

Thanks for your help.

Goodnite!
Vicki

Welcome Vicki and Family!

Jan

 

[kalhun98]

Hello, all!
My family of four is taking our first Disney Cruise this November. Looks like we have a fun bunch of people to set sail with! We have been on other cruises but this is a Disney first. We are also taking some time on this trip to go to Disney for the 6th time. Time sure is dragging!!!
Like I said, we are new to the Disney Cruise Line, so any information and tips are very welcome!!

 

[JanDave]

Welcome Kalhun98 and family!!!

We will be on the 11/21 cruise with 4 of our 6 grandkids and parents. We are so looking forward to November. Although, I'm cruising on the Magic this October, so I can't wait for October to get here.

Jan

 

[jayally]

Hello, all!
My family of four is taking our first Disney Cruise this November. Looks like we have a fun bunch of people to set sail with! We have been on other cruises but this is a Disney first. We are also taking some time on this trip to go to Disney for the 6th time. Time sure is dragging!!!
Like I said, we are new to the Disney Cruise Line, so any information and tips are very welcome!!

Welcome! My tip is you won't be able to get your kids to go on another cruise line after DCL. Mine kids will only cruise disney even though they have never been on another cruise line to compare it to - this will be our 3rd Disney Cruise. You also will not see your kids unless you force them to at least go to dinner with you! This was the case on all 3 of our trips so the kids program is excellent. My 13 yr old daughter is excited to be able to hang out with the teens this time in Aloft. I still don't know what my 17 yr old Son did on our last cruise but he had a great time.

 

[kalhun98]

My husband and I have had several discussions on the onboard activities for children. Our daughter is 13 and our son is 9. My husband does not want to allow our daughter to go "alone" to Aloft. Any suggestions to make him feel more comfortable? It is Disney, so I figure, how unsafe could it be? He doesn't share my "Disney confidence"!

Sorry, all, I forgot to sign my first post! My name is Chrissy!
~Chrissy

 

[jayally]

My husband and I have had several discussions on the onboard activities for children. Our daughter is 13 and our son is 9. My husband does not want to allow our daughter to go "alone" to Aloft. Any suggestions to make him feel more comfortable? It is Disney, so I figure, how unsafe could it be? He doesn't share my "Disney confidence"!

Sorry, all, I forgot to sign my first post! My name is Chrissy!
~Chrissy

If we can get an active meet up group there will be quite a few 13 yr old girls so they can get to know each other. There are not many places they can go on the ship and the staff are very good at keeping teens in line. You can have her check in a few times throughout the day and put limits on when she has to be back in the room etc. A magenctic dry erase board on your door is good for her to let you know where she will be or I hear some people buy walkie talkies so they can keep in touch on board. They have structured activities for the teens that want it and girl's usually roam in packs so there is safety in numbers. I am a semi protective mother and I know we have to learn to let go at some point so teens can put to good use the skills we have taught them. In 2007 when my son was 14 he had an arcade card and never did use it all up because he was so happy in Aloft playing video games, board games, guitar hero competions, sports, movies etc. The older teens do not hang out with the younger ones.

Michelle (daughter is Allyson(13) and Son is Jay (17).

 

[kalhun98]

If we can get an active meet up group there will be quite a few 13 yr old girls so they can get to know each other.

I am all for getting a group together. I would like to make this trip as enjoyable as possible!
I think my husband and I have done a fairly good job setting boundaries and expectations for our children. I'm sure they will have lots of safe fun while away from us. I will just have to figure out how to help my husband feel better about it! As long as I can tell him of positive experiences you and others have had, he should be okay.
We tried the walkie talkies on another cruise line and did not find them very reliable, non to mention the interference from other cruisers on the same channels. We will have to try the dry erase board for her. That seems like a great idea and right up her alley!
I read about the fish extender exchange and decorating the cabin door, will there be room for a dry erase board!? ha ha

 

[eagles]

we are booked for this cruise. dh, ds, dgs and myself. i was wondering if anyone has booked ci&s thru priceline yet and got thru for the $49 rate?
i have been trying for a while. not sure if i am too early or too late.

oh and this is our first cruise. then we are going over to shades of green for a couple days after cruise.

 

[jayally]

we are booked for this cruise. dh, ds, dgs and myself. i was wondering if anyone has booked ci&s thru priceline yet and got thru for the $49 rate?
i have been trying for a while. not sure if i am too early or too late.

oh and this is our first cruise. then we are going over to shades of green for a couple days after cruise.

I think I figured out ci & s is country inn and suites. I just bite the bullet and pay for parking at the port. I like to come and go when I am good and ready. If this was a 7 day cruise it would be a different story. I did priceline for our arrival night in Orlando hoping for the airport hyatt but got the marriott. If you use priceline you have to be prepared to accept what you get.

 

[AStamm]

I'm counting on being on the cruise ...DH, DS, BFF, and I are all going on the Backstage Magic ABD trip in June and get a free cruise as an incentive. We won't be able to book until a few weeks before the ABD trip when our voucher arrives, but based on availability for the same trip this year, we're not too worried.

The plan is to head down to WDW on November 18, spend a few days at the parks, head to the cruise to relax a bit, and then spend a few more days at the park when we get back. Should be just about a perfect vacation!

It's official...we'll be joining you all on the cruise! We received our confirmation today. DH and DS are in 2538 and BFF and I will be in 2040, the adjoining room.

 

[disneyqueen72]

Hi everyone,
My family and I are going on this cruise! My son will be 8 and my daugther will be 5. We will be traveling with another couple and their two kids who are the same ages. We are on deck 7. It is our first cruise so we are very excited. Please let know any insider tips for Nassau and Castaway Cay. We hate not to get off the boat at least for a little while since it is our first cruise. What to you suggest for Nassau? What time is the best time to board the ship on the firsts day to avoid the crowds? We are driving down from SC and trying to decide if we want to come a day or two early and do a Disney park. According to touring plans.com, the parks are going to be deserted the few days before our cruise but packed after for Thanksgiving. Hope to hear from you all soon!

 

[AStamm]

Hi everyone,
My family and I are going on this cruise! My son will be 8 and my daugther will be 5. We will be traveling with another couple and their two kids who are the same ages. We are on deck 7. It is our first cruise so we are very excited. Please let know any insider tips for Nassau and Castaway Cay. We hate not to get off the boat at least for a little while since it is our first cruise. What to you suggest for Nassau? What time is the best time to board the ship on the firsts day to avoid the crowds?

We've been to Nassau 4x, split between two regular vacations and two cruises, so I'm definitely not an expert, but would like to at least make a suggestion. When DS was 8 we did the Dolphin Encounter excursion--it was fabulous! You stand on a metal platform that is submerged and the dolphin comes right up to you and into your arms. The cost is the only thing that keeps me from booking this same excursion again.

The Pirates museum is also fun for kids, inexpensive, and easy to walk to if you're looking for something closer to the ship.

I don't have any advice on a "best" time to board the ship, but seeing as this is your first cruise and it's such a short one, you can maximize your time on the actual boat by getting to the cruise terminal early. They distribute numbered boarding cards based on the time your arrive and as soon as they clear the ship and allow new passengers on, they start with the lowest boarding card numbers. You won't be bored waiting in the terminal either--the characters are out and about for pictures and you'll be able to get your pager for the kids clubs.

 

[JanDave]

Hi everyone,
My family and I are going on this cruise! My son will be 8 and my daugther will be 5. We will be traveling with another couple and their two kids who are the same ages. We are on deck 7. It is our first cruise so we are very excited. Please let know any insider tips for Nassau and Castaway Cay. We hate not to get off the boat at least for a little while since it is our first cruise. What to you suggest for Nassau? What time is the best time to board the ship on the firsts day to avoid the crowds? We are driving down from SC and trying to decide if we want to come a day or two early and do a Disney park. According to touring plans.com, the parks are going to be deserted the few days before our cruise but packed after for Thanksgiving. Hope to hear from you all soon!

Welcome! I will have 4 grandchildren with me on this cruise - grandsons 8 and 6; granddaughters 5 and 4.

Insider tip for CC - enjoy!!! It's beautiful!

Jan

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Welcome disneyqueen!

I second the Pirates Museum idea. Our kids loved it (and we enjoyed it as well) in 2008. We walked there in the morning, then ate at Senor Frog's for lunch (blech- overpriced and not very good, although we had a great view of the Wonder behind us!), then back to the ship for pool time.

Castaway Cay- my tip is to WALK down to the beach, so you can see Captain Jack Sparrow! It's a great photo op with the Wonder and the Flying Dutchman in the background. Be sure to note the character appearance time in the Navigator, as they will cut off the line at precisely the exact time.

 

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Just checking in, can't believe summer is here- We have serveral things planned for the summer -4 days at Disney parks and a weeked at ST. Augustine -actually looking forward to when school starts back up -this cruise will only be 3 mths away!!!!!.


HOping that 2012 dates will be released before we sail-would love to sail Alaska or the Fantasy for 2012

 

[soxyes]

Hi all,

I'm wishing for a bit of Pixie Dust! We just closed on our first DVC contract and are now waiting for ROFR on our second. If that one comes through, we'll be heading back to WDW for 11/19-21, Cruising 11/21-24, and then back to WDW 11/24-27. We already have the cruise deposit/reservations to hold the space, but we're really hoping to use our "extra" banked 2009 points to cover most of the trip. Now we're just tortured by the wait. We should know for sure in about 3 weeks (and then it's more waiting until we're closed and points are in the system). Patience is really not one of my best virtues.

Hopefully we'll (DH, DS 10, DD 6) get good news and will be joining you in November!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Just checking in, can't believe summer is here- We have serveral things planned for the summer -4 days at Disney parks and a weeked at ST. Augustine -actually looking forward to when school starts back up -this cruise will only be 3 mths away!!!!!.


HOping that 2012 dates will be released before we sail-would love to sail Alaska or the Fantasy for 2012

You are brave, going to WDW in July! I couldn't do it. The heat, the heat!! Ugggghhhh. I have family in Florida, so as a kid we'd go in the summer. Blech! I've done WDW in late May and that's about as late as I can stand it. Still, if you can take the humidity, WDW is always wonderful!

Hi all,

I'm wishing for a bit of Pixie Dust! We just closed on our first DVC contract and are now waiting for ROFR on our second. If that one comes through, we'll be heading back to WDW for 11/19-21, Cruising 11/21-24, and then back to WDW 11/24-27. We already have the cruise deposit/reservations to hold the space, but we're really hoping to use our "extra" banked 2009 points to cover most of the trip. Now we're just tortured by the wait. We should know for sure in about 3 weeks (and then it's more waiting until we're closed and points are in the system). Patience is really not one of my best virtues.

Hopefully we'll (DH, DS 10, DD 6) get good news and will be joining you in November!

Good luck!!! Where are you buying DVC? We own at AKV and VGC. Looking forward to our AKV stay before the cruise, too!

 

[soxyes]

Our home resort is SSR. If the second contract goes through we'll have a total of 360 points each year! (When we initially started discussing DVC early this year we were going to keep it at 160. Within 4 months that more than doubled - go figure!) And as I think about our kids getting older and the need for more space... I can see wanting a (small?) "add on" in the future. Hopefully we can hold off on that for some time now. It sure gets addictive though!

 

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

You are brave, going to WDW in July! I couldn't do it. The heat, the heat!! Ugggghhhh. I have family in Florida, so as a kid we'd go in the summer. Blech! I've done WDW in late May and that's about as late as I can stand it. Still, if you can take the humidity, WDW is always wonderful!

We've lived in FL most of our lives so we expect it to be hot- we bought APs this year so we've been to all the parks several times- we just want a quick vac b4 they expire- we don't even care if we don't do everything- we're planning to do a least 1 water park and the Hoopde do show.

 

[JanDave]

Our home resort is SSR. If the second contract goes through we'll have a total of 360 points each year! (When we initially started discussing DVC early this year we were going to keep it at 160. Within 4 months that more than doubled - go figure!) And as I think about our kids getting older and the need for more space... I can see wanting a (small?) "add on" in the future. Hopefully we can hold off on that for some time now. It sure gets addictive though!

Welcome soxyes! November can't arrive soon enough.

We're using DVC points for the 11/18 and 11/21 Wonder cruises. Got creative with banking and borrowing. Our home resorts are SSR and Hilton Head.

Jan