November 25th, 2016 - Black Friday on the Wonder

[hamm1207]

Good Monday morning everyone! Possible topic of the day/week for discussion: how do you and your family save money to spend on the cruise? We try to keep a weekly grocery budget and extra money here and there goes in the disney fund. I attempt some basic couponing, but nothing major.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Well first I buy discounted Disney gift cards, usually from Sam's. If I am buying something with cash I never use the change, it gets dumped in a container and cashed in every so often. I love using coupons or a discount code, whatever will save me some money. I was quite proud of myself yesterday when I went grocery shopping and saved 50% just by using coupons and a loyalty card.

 

[hamm1207]

Good Tuesday morning! It's in the 90s here in Georgia...I think it's time for a cruise. Discussion idea: what are some essential things that you pack (aside from the obvious)? Such as dawn dish soap to wash items.

 

[Huskiesrule]

It's always time for a cruise!
As to the essentials - Shout wipes or Tide stick, safety pins, a little first aid kit(with plenty of band aids cause you just never know), night light, flashlight, extra FE type stuff to hand out randomly to kids, duct tape(actually used it once!). I have a list of things that I modify based on land or sea and location.

 

[hamm1207]

Okay...I have to ask. What situation requires to duct tape?

Some stuff we pack:
Dry erase board and marker
First aid kit
Medicine bag with every OTC med you might possibly need
Night light
Baby powder (to remove sand)

 

[Huskiesrule]

Oddly enough I had packed some Mickey Mouse duct tape and my sister needed it to make a last minute FE. She joined the cruise 5 days before sailing and didn't make one ahead so we got creative with tape. I wish I had a good reason that I used it, but there you go. Now as to why I pack it, I blame the Mythbusters show and all the uses they showed for duct tape. You just never know when you are going to need an oddball item like duct tape!

 

[hamm1207]

Sounds like a fun need for duct tape, and it's a prime example of one of the many uses for the stuff! We once borrowed packing tape and scissors from guest services--we pre-purchased art work and wanted to see how it looked so we took it out of the box. Needless to say, we had to repackage it at the end of the cruise.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Yeah, I don't think many people travel with scissors and packing tape. I take scissors but they are the little pair that are in a sewing kit, not big enough to really do anything with. I thought of something else I pack, a cup with a lid. It gets tiring refilling their little cups so I take a bigger one. 2 or 3 of the little cups of ice water dumped in mine lasts longer.

 

[hamm1207]

We always pack a water bottle or two to use at the drink station. As far as snacks and candy for the shows/theater, we usually bring along a few boxes. You can't beat $1-$1.50 at the grocery store...

 

[Huskiesrule]

Maybe it is because I am always flying in but I don't bring candy. I will usually get some type of candy in my FE that I can use instead. Popcorn on the other hand is mandatory for a movie I don't bring it but you know when they are making it cause the smell is awesome! Speaking of movies, we should get the new movie Moana onboard since it comes out November 23rd.

 

[hamm1207]

We've always flown in--never lived close enough to just drive to port. I've learned not to buy certain chocolate candies for the cruise...they tend to melt if not packed in my cruise carry on bag. Still totally edible...just a little melty. I think I might grab the refillable popcorn tub this cruise....save a little money on the delicious treat! They'll probably show Moana in the Walt Disney theater one night. We'll probably go see that and all the other recent Disney movies (6 month olds don't exactly sit through movies...) while on board.

 

[Huskiesrule]

The one benefit to doing concierge is the "free" bags of popcorn like you could buy in a store. Not fresh, but I've already paid for it in the cruise cost is how I think of it and it's easily transportable. Now I have seen some babies who can sleep through anything so you never know. I've never cruised with someone so young and we didn't start WDW until the kids were at least 2 or 3 years old. The earliest memory one has is Christmas when he was like maybe 5. I'm amazed he remembers back that far(he's 25 now)!

 

[hamm1207]

We've done concierge on the Dream and Fantasy, but never on the classic ships. How is it on the classic ships?

 

[Huskiesrule]

I've only done it on the Dream so I will have to get back to you. I am hoping they add a concierge lounge during dry dock though- not like I used the one on the Dream much!

 

[Gohawks]

Good evening! I have been quite but definitely following along hamm1207 a two year old doesnt sit well thru movies either
I received an email from our disney travel agent that details the updates being made to the Wonder during the dry dock. Just curios if you guys have seen it or if you would like me to share the info.
SUPER excited about our first disney cruise. We live in Iowa so I try not to think too much about the cruise because that would mean its winter again

 

[Huskiesrule]

I have seen the list and I am more curious as to what wasn't listed. There was no mention of changing the 2 staircases in the Atrium to 1, no mention of a concierge lounge and they really didn't say why no slide/duck tail addition. I know DCL wouldn't announce everything they will be doing in dry dock for whatever reason, maybe to surprise people It makes me 'wonder' what's up when the Wonder will be so much different than the other 3 ships with the lack of upgrades though. They had to update the kid's areas, add a new restaurant, upgrade Animator's, change Route 66 and change the buffet area. It just doesn't seem like that much especially considering they have 2 months to do the revamp. Maybe I am just disappointed as I was hoping for something else, who knows!

 

[hamm1207]

I've only done it on the Dream so I will have to get back to you. I am hoping they add a concierge lounge during dry dock though- not like I used the one on the Dream much!

A lounge would be awesome! We enjoyed the snacks and adult beverages offered each day! We're not huge drinkers, so it was a nice way to sample drinks for free. We always loved to people watch in there too---oh the things you over hear in the concierge lounge!!

 

[hamm1207]

I have seen the list and I am more curious as to what wasn't listed. There was no mention of changing the 2 staircases in the Atrium to 1, no mention of a concierge lounge and they really didn't say why no slide/duck tail addition. I know DCL wouldn't announce everything they will be doing in dry dock for whatever reason, maybe to surprise people It makes me 'wonder' what's up when the Wonder will be so much different than the other 3 ships with the lack of upgrades though. They had to update the kid's areas, add a new restaurant, upgrade Animator's, change Route 66 and change the buffet area. It just doesn't seem like that much especially considering they have 2 months to do the revamp. Maybe I am just disappointed as I was hoping for something else, who knows!

I think some of it they have to wait for--like the ducktail--until they know the PC locks are completed. Unless they keep the aquadunk off to keep the ships slightly different. Im excited for Tiana's Place's menu, although I am going to
miss Parrot Cay. They definitely need to upgrade what they can--last time we talked to folks (a few years ago) we were told they didn't have space to rewire staterooms for the on demand tv. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens! I'm kind of bummed to be losing the theming of Rt 66, but I know the area needs updated.

 

[Huskiesrule]

Just sitting anywhere on the ship(including balconies) and overhearing some conversations It's like people forget they are in public.

 

[hamm1207]

I guess they were in a rush to get to the tasty pie served in Ketchikan! Oops

http://www.ktva.com/video-celebrity-cruise-ship-slams-into-ketchikan-dock-501/