Oct 24th, 4 nights on the Wonder... who's in

[tow-mater-1]

Just booked today! So who's with us. This will be our 2nd cruise, first one was just this January on the Magic with the kids. We booked on board but not until Oct 2011...too far away. This time around it will be just my DH and myself. Hope to meet some other cruisers.

 

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

 

[karriemouse]

Hi there, we're booked too! Unfortunately DH can't get the holiday so this time we're having a girls only trip!

Look forward to meeting you - hope some more people will be joining us.

 

[tow-mater-1]

Yay! Hi Karen, I was beginning to think we were going to have an empty ship! That's to bad your hubby couldn't join you this time but what an awesome girls bonding trip! I look forward to meeting you too It will be here before we know it!
Char

 

[NannyJessica]

My (then husband) and I will be going on the 2nd part of our honeymoon on this cruise. We are doing 5 nights at the parks and 4 nights on the ship. Very excited. We booked a state room (i think) the big honeymoon room! SO EXCITED! Our first cruise ever!

 

[tow-mater-1]

Welcome NannyJessica and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! This is an anniversary cruise for us, it will be 10 yrs. This past January was our first cruise ever and I wasn't sure how I'd like it. I LOVE Disney World and thought I'd be bored stuck on the ship but I could just do DCL now!! I'm a convert Good luck with all your planning... Wedding and honeymoon!

 

[Bride2be101610]

I had to change my name (username) from my work computer to the home computer!
So this is NannyJessica

I am a little worried/not sure off.....
-I have to book "excursions" 70days before the cruise? Does that mean all meals on the ship or just the adult dinner one?
-Is there stuff on the ship you have to sign up for in advance? I know the spa stuff but I don't think we will be doing that.
-Are their "special" nights we need to dress formal or fancy?
After a week in the park and 4 nights of cruise our suit cases are packed.
-What time does the ship usually leave dock and return. We have a late flight back home but, I wanted to make sure.
-Is there a shuttle to take you to the airport when you return?
-I paid for the "tips" to be included in the cruise package, was that a good idea?

-Any suggestions for the cruise?
worried bride

 

[tow-mater-1]

I had to change my name (username) from my work computer to the home computer!
So this is NannyJessica

I am a little worried/not sure off.....
-I have to book "excursions" 70days before the cruise? Does that mean all meals on the ship or just the adult dinner one?
-Is there stuff on the ship you have to sign up for in advance? I know the spa stuff but I don't think we will be doing that.
-Are their "special" nights we need to dress formal or fancy?
After a week in the park and 4 nights of cruise our suit cases are packed.
-What time does the ship usually leave dock and return. We have a late flight back home but, I wanted to make sure.
-Is there a shuttle to take you to the airport when you return?
-I paid for the "tips" to be included in the cruise package, was that a good idea?

-Any suggestions for the cruise?
worried bride

Hey Jessica, your excursions are the tours you might want to do in Nasau or CC but you can also book your Palo dinner and brunch as well as any spa stuff. Your regular meals you don't have to worry about, you just show up when and where they tell you. They also have wine and beer tastings as well as different tours but you sign up for them when you get on the ship. I've heard they can book us fast so you should sign up as soon as you get on the ship. We didn't do these the last time because we had the kiddies but we plan to try some of these this time around. The dress up night is on Monday and Pirate night is the Tuesday I think. I've heard on the 4 night it's much more casual though. On our Western we saw some pretty fancy attire with some guys in tuxes but I've heard on the 4 night dress shirt and tie is good for the guys. As far as the returning all people have to be off the ship by 9am so if you have a late flight you might have a long day at the airport. You might want to book a day room at the Hyatt or rent a car and check out the sites or even hang out at Downtown Disney. If you book Disney transfers they will pick up your luggage at your Disney resort and you don't see it until it arrives at your stateroom on the ship. The transfers through Disney are $69 per person or $35 each way if you only want one way. We used Fl tours last time and they were good but we are using Disney transfers because it's just the two of us. As for the tips we like paying for them ahead of time, it just saves you from having to take care of it with guest services. Anyway I hope this helps, if you have anymore questions ask away. Happy planning!

 

[Polyluvr]

We are also booked with all of you for this cruise!!! We are Angel (Me) 39 and DH Donald 52; and our 2 boys- Frank 9, and Dominic 5. We will be at OKW the week prior and are very much looking forward to this sailing!!

Angel

 

[tow-mater-1]

We are also booked with all of you for this cruise!!! We are Angel (Me) 39 and DH Donald 52; and our 2 boys- Frank 9, and Dominic 5. We will be at OKW the week prior and are very much looking forward to this sailing!!

Angel

Welcome aboard Angel! So glad we have more shipmates!! Have you cruised before? We just booked our flights a couple of weeks ago... makes it feel more real

 

[Bride2be101610]

Hey Jessica, your excursions are the tours you might want to do in Nasau or CC but you can also book your Palo dinner and brunch as well as any spa stuff. Your regular meals you don't have to worry about, you just show up when and where they tell you. They also have wine and beer tastings as well as different tours but you sign up for them when you get on the ship. I've heard they can book us fast so you should sign up as soon as you get on the ship. We didn't do these the last time because we had the kiddies but we plan to try some of these this time around. The dress up night is on Monday and Pirate night is the Tuesday I think. I've heard on the 4 night it's much more casual though. On our Western we saw some pretty fancy attire with some guys in tuxes but I've heard on the 4 night dress shirt and tie is good for the guys. As far as the returning all people have to be off the ship by 9am so if you have a late flight you might have a long day at the airport. You might want to book a day room at the Hyatt or rent a car and check out the sites or even hang out at Downtown Disney. If you book Disney transfers they will pick up your luggage at your Disney resort and you don't see it until it arrives at your stateroom on the ship. The transfers through Disney are $69 per person or $35 each way if you only want one way. We used Fl tours last time and they were good but we are using Disney transfers because it's just the two of us. As for the tips we like paying for them ahead of time, it just saves you from having to take care of it with guest services. Anyway I hope this helps, if you have anymore questions ask away. Happy planning!

I went and paid for all the tips for the dinners etc, I REALLY want to swim with the dolphins in the Bahama's. My fiancée and I are researching the resorts at the port ,but we want to do it. (Hope someone gets it for us for on our registry).

The paying for your baggage from the hotel in Disney to the cruise ship? Wouldn't I just carrying it on the ship w/ me? We are in a state room (I think) it's the one one the upper most floor. It has the little patio you can walk out on. I guess I will just play that my ear. I am really okay carrying my own luggage from the Disney hotel to the ship (but if they want to take it to my room- that's okay to)

The adult only restaurant - I was told to call (80 or 60-can't remember) to book that. Are there any other "private" restaurants? Or meals w/ mickey?

I am booking our restaurants for DW on Wednesday. So now I am focusing on the cruise.

-Formal night- As long as I wear a nice cotton type dress and my Fiancee wears nice shorts and dress shirt he is okay? We will have 6 days of clothes for DW and 4 for DC so we have to pack wisely.

Thanks for all your help/ advice.

 

[tow-mater-1]

Hey Jessica, just to clarify your transfers include handling your luggage. We just tipped the porter that picked it up at our resort. The port is about an hour away from Disney so if you hire a private company or Disney you either have to tip the porter at Disney or when you get to the ship. Your luggage is picked up at the terminal by porters and Disney delivers them to your room. Disney suggests just having a day bag with you, you can't get into your stateroom until 1:30 and they don't want all the guests carrying luggage around as it gets quite crowded. I checked out Florida Tours for the two of us and it was $220 plus they suggest 20% tip, then you have to pay the porters at Disney AND the port. We decided on the $138 round trip transfers though Disney for the 2 of us. The other companies are a good deal if you have at least 4 in your group. As far as Palo goes you can book it 75 days out and you can do it on-line right at midnight (I think Eastern standard time). That is the only adult only restaurant and it's wonderful!! Palo has a definite dress code, dress shirt for men, tie is recommended and no shorts or jeans, (they will send you out to get changed.) As far as the dining rooms I know on the Magic it's no shorts in any dining room but the Wonder I think they just recently changed that to just suggested. Good luck with all your planning! Can you believe it only 6 months away!!

 

[Bride2be101610]

Okay, I got all that but, I am not trying to pay more money for someone to drive me an hour to go from one Disney "event" to another. Seems a little fishy to me. When I contacted the Disney agent to book it I paid for the tips to be included and for transportation from the air port to disney hotel / and from the disney hotel to the Disney cruise and from the cruise back to the airport.
I will call the agent in the AM and see what the deal is about all that. I am happy I am finding out about this now and not while I am down there in 6 months. I always thought Disney had there act together but, since planning the land and now sea it's becoming a head ache.
Why can't you get into your room until 1:30, what time do you usually board? After being on land (DW) for 6/7 days I am sure our day bags will be filled and just a mess. We have a room on the upper most floor w/a balcony (one of the more expensive rooms, do they board by levels or by floors. I mean not to be rude ,but if someone is on a special occasion, just spent a lot of money on the land (DW), and is spending a lot on excursions and an "upgraded" room should mean something. I am not trying to act like a "princess" it's just a little frustrating.

 

[tow-mater-1]

-Is there a shuttle to take you to the airport when you return?

Sorry Jessica...this was the question I was trying to answer but I think I've confused you more than I've helped.

When I contacted the Disney agent to book it I paid for the tips to be included and for transportation from the air port to disney hotel / and from the disney hotel to the Disney cruise and from the cruise back to the airport.

If you have your transportation (which I was calling transfers) your all set...you don't have to do anything else. They will pick you up at the resort (and you can take all your luggage to the pick up place yourself, therefore you won't have to tip for bell service) and they will take you right to the ship terminal. When you get off the ship the Disney bus will take you right to the airport. It really is a very smooth process. Boarding is at noon and they board in order that you arrive at the terminal. When you get on the ship they direct you to the lunch areas... so by the time your done lunch and just check things out your rooms should be ready. You have to remember that the last people just got off the ship at 9am and they have only that time to get the whole ship ready for the next cruisers, that's why the 1:30 wait for your rooms. There is an awesome guide book that I would recommend, the Passporter's Disney Cruise Line and it's Ports of Call. It was an awesome resource for a first time Disney Cruiser. You should ask for that for your wedding shower. Hope I haven't made things worse.

 

[Bride2be101610]

Not at all! Your helped so much!

I was just getting frustrated that every
time I called the Disney Cruise Line information "desk" the woman/man would tell me something different then the person before them. I was just a little irritated that the first time a called I *thought* I was paying for the cruise, tips, and transportation. Then I call to conform that information and ask about the palo restaurant, and off boat excursions. I then found out I didn't have the tips or transportation added. So I added them yet again. I only paid once b/c my card wasn't "hit" once.
So, I called this morning and talked to this woman (who had to get off the phone in a hurry) and she rushed me through the whole process. I told her that I was doing some research and I wanted to make sure that I had the transportation set up. She rudely said "Yes you already paid for that". So apparently I paid $70 per person for round trip. I simple said okay and that was it.
Happy that is all taken care of! So now I book my Disney restaurants at 7am on tomorrow and then i will start researching the things to do at the ports. Do you suggest any adventures over another. And are they all contracted through Disney or are they locals that are trying to get american money. I have traveled out of the states a few times and have been hounded by "locals" trying to sell me everything (from illegal things, to hair braiding, trinkets,) do they have those at this beach?
Seems like when one door opens another closes. I am sure it will be okay once I get on that plane and fly south! And to be honest I could be doing nothing and enjoying my Honeymoon!

 

[tow-mater-1]

This is our first time to Nassau so I'm unsure of what to expect. I like reading the trip reports here to get some ideas of what there is to do. I know going though Disney for excursions can be very expensive but sometimes the peace of mind is worth it.

 

[Maza]

Hi,
we havent booked yet, but are seeing what kind of deal we can get when on our next cruise. BUT we have does this cruise before. The locals in nassau will hound the **** off you...be prepared. they do tend to go away with a polite but firm 'no' though.
nassua is a bit of a dive though...but the jewelerry shops are great
Think we will just stay onboard this time to be honest.

This will be our 4th cruise...and a bit spontaneous. we are doing Dover to barcelona in a couple of weeks ( about 12 i think) ..but need our annual Florida fix...hence this cruise. Summer isnt summer without a dip at castaway Key

Suprised there arent a few more bodies on the DIS though...Where is everyone? surely we dont have the ship to ourselves

 

[tow-mater-1]

Welcome Maza Here's hoping that you can get a good deal on this cruise so we can start filling this ship up! The OBC for booking on board is a beautiful thing

 

[tow-mater-1]

Sorry to say that our vacation plans have changed and I will no longer be going on this sailing. Have fun everyone and best of luck with your wedding Jessica!

 

[DLBDS]

Well, tow-mater-1's loss is our gain! We just signed on for this cruise today. We were originally booked for the Nov. 7th cruise until this morning when I checked my email and saw a 40% off pin code for a room-only reservation. In order to take advantage of it, I had to change EVERYTHING around as my original dates were no good for this offer. We're staying at the WL for 3 nights after this cruise. Has anyone arranged an FE exchange yet? I'm not volunteering to organize it but would definitely be interested in participating. Any volunteers?

Hope you enjoy whatever sailing you choose, tow-mater-1! As for Nassau.... you're not missing anything if you just choose to stay on board. It wasn't a very pleasant experience for us. That said, you should consider going to the Atlantis resort. We haven't done it yet but will probably visit next May when we sail the Dream. Nassau = Yucky. We didn't even get off on the last cruise and were happier for it!