JJsmama
WDW addict
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2003
- Messages
- 2,978
Trip report for Disney Wonder Cruise October 24, 2004
Firstly, we had a great cruise! We were part of a three generation family group of 26. Thus my report will contain some things pertaining to groups and some pertaining to individual families.
Saturday
Four families (half of our group) met the afternoon before the cruise at the Radisson at the Port. Even though this is a huge place with a lot of rooms, our stay there was pleasant and check-in / check out / shuttle to and from the port was smooth for us all.
Sunday
We were booked (well in advance) on the 10:00 shuttle to the port. That all went smoothly and quickly. It was a bit of a hike from where the shuttle lets you out to the terminal so (especially if you have a young child who needs carrying) dont load yourself down with carryon luggage. We were early to the terminal but even though the signs said check- in would begin at 11:00, they opened earlier and we were all so glad to get through the line quickly and have all that stress behind us! The terminal was pleasant enough so waiting wasnt bad. The rest of our party who took the Disney busses from Orlando airport also arrived in plenty of time to check in early and we were all waiting together when they allowed boarding at noon.
We went up to the buffet and explored the ship. Our stateroom was ready and our luggage had arrived when we went down at 1:30 so we really hadnt needed to bring our swimsuits, sunscreen, etc as a carry- on. We all got the spa reservations and the Palo that we wanted without a problem.
We had booked the Family Reunion package and were supposed to get a Private reception. We had notes in our rooms saying it was in Cadillac Lounge at 5:15. First of all, this was not a good time sandwiched between the Sail Away Party and early dinner seating. We got there and there was another group taking up most of the room. They thought we were barging in on their private space and we wondered where we should be. Finally a manager said it was a shared reception. Someone should have made that clear to both parties beforehand as there was really not enough space for both and all the food was gone when our party arrived. Oh well. We were just glad to be there but it was a bit disappointing.
We went to Animators that night. We had an awful table in the corner right behind the maitre Ds stand at the entry. We couldnt see the room at all. Plus, they had sat another large group in one of our tables. When we asked where six members of our group were supposed to sit, they said oops. Guess we shouldnt have sat that party there. That was a bummer since we came from all over the country to be together to celebrate Dads birthday.
We began to experience such high seas that passengers were stumbling around and I had to go out on deck several times during dinner. I had not taken sea sickness precautions because most reports I head said that one barely feels the boat rocking at all. Eventually I left the table all together and went to my room. My husband said there was hardly anyone in Animators by the end of dinner. We were experiencing 13 foot seas, the crew said. The captain even had to make an announcement that the ship was not in trouble. I was violently ill all night and my three year old was thrown from the top bunk. Luckily he wasnt hurt badly but I never let him get up there again. He was very disappointed and dh slept in the bunk while ds was in bed with me.
Not a great first day. Not terribleother than the sea sickness. I had put on the patch the night before and continued taking the sea sickness pills the ship gives out every 12 hours for the rest of the cruise.
The next day was smooth sailing and we had a fabulous cruise from then on out. We were on deck 8 which we loved. It was so great to run up one flight of stairs to the pools, beverage station, Beach Blanket, Spa, etc. We were up there somewhere most of the time. (I have heard that the higher decks are worse for motion and sea sickness but we were on deck 3 and 4 when the rocking started, and it was just as bad down there.) We loved having the verandah but didnt use it all that much. I didnt want to stay in the room much and miss out on anything.
I enjoyed Tritons for breakfast. It was a nice break from the buffet and was beautiful and elegant. We had a lovely table by the window. The 13 adults ate at Palo and they gave us a private dining room. It was lovely. Our Server Sabucci from Hungary ordered us a TON of food. My brother and his wife were beeped twice by Flounders and eventually gave up on eating at Palo and the server personally hand delivered their dinners and soufflés to their stateroom. By the way, there were a lot of available tables at Palo when we were leaving, so I would think you could get reservations if you are flexible.
The next morning we were supposed to be at Castaway Cay, but I was awakened at 6 AM by lights outside and the boat turning. We were back in Nassau!! Then I saw an ambulance on the docks. I watched as someone was evacuated and then we left again. Because the Captain didnt want us to have a shortened CC day, they reversed the schedule and that became our day at sea. No one really cared much as DCL made the transition smoothly and all appointments that had been made were automatically honored on the opposite day.
Gorgeous, Wonderful day at Castaway Cay the next day! Now I know what the fuss is all about. We loved the snorkeling. Careful of that hot sun though!! We did not put any children in Scuttles Cove, so I cannot comment on that. My kids liked the Oceaneers Club, but were only in there less than 2 hours on 3 days. They allowed my 5 year old to move down to the 3 & 4s so my boys could be together and that was great.
The shows were fun. I especially enjoyed watching my kids become enthralled. There were plenty of opportunities for the kids to meet and have photos / autographs with the characters all over the ship. I was glad that wasnt too hectic.
All in all, wonderful trip!! It was the first trip in a long time when I wasnt really ready to go home at the end. We all actually got to RELAX!
** We had a difficult time actually finding the onboard shops open. So dont plan to buy things you will need there such as sunscreen, magazines, etc.
We bought .99 lanyards at Walmart which we wore all the time! It would have been hard without them. My SIL had to buy 5 onboard for $8 each!
We didnt bother with the over-the-door hanger, suction cups, duct tape, flash lights, and some others. They were all great ideas, but we did fine without them. Have a great trip!
Firstly, we had a great cruise! We were part of a three generation family group of 26. Thus my report will contain some things pertaining to groups and some pertaining to individual families.
Saturday
Four families (half of our group) met the afternoon before the cruise at the Radisson at the Port. Even though this is a huge place with a lot of rooms, our stay there was pleasant and check-in / check out / shuttle to and from the port was smooth for us all.
Sunday
We were booked (well in advance) on the 10:00 shuttle to the port. That all went smoothly and quickly. It was a bit of a hike from where the shuttle lets you out to the terminal so (especially if you have a young child who needs carrying) dont load yourself down with carryon luggage. We were early to the terminal but even though the signs said check- in would begin at 11:00, they opened earlier and we were all so glad to get through the line quickly and have all that stress behind us! The terminal was pleasant enough so waiting wasnt bad. The rest of our party who took the Disney busses from Orlando airport also arrived in plenty of time to check in early and we were all waiting together when they allowed boarding at noon.
We went up to the buffet and explored the ship. Our stateroom was ready and our luggage had arrived when we went down at 1:30 so we really hadnt needed to bring our swimsuits, sunscreen, etc as a carry- on. We all got the spa reservations and the Palo that we wanted without a problem.
We had booked the Family Reunion package and were supposed to get a Private reception. We had notes in our rooms saying it was in Cadillac Lounge at 5:15. First of all, this was not a good time sandwiched between the Sail Away Party and early dinner seating. We got there and there was another group taking up most of the room. They thought we were barging in on their private space and we wondered where we should be. Finally a manager said it was a shared reception. Someone should have made that clear to both parties beforehand as there was really not enough space for both and all the food was gone when our party arrived. Oh well. We were just glad to be there but it was a bit disappointing.
We went to Animators that night. We had an awful table in the corner right behind the maitre Ds stand at the entry. We couldnt see the room at all. Plus, they had sat another large group in one of our tables. When we asked where six members of our group were supposed to sit, they said oops. Guess we shouldnt have sat that party there. That was a bummer since we came from all over the country to be together to celebrate Dads birthday.
We began to experience such high seas that passengers were stumbling around and I had to go out on deck several times during dinner. I had not taken sea sickness precautions because most reports I head said that one barely feels the boat rocking at all. Eventually I left the table all together and went to my room. My husband said there was hardly anyone in Animators by the end of dinner. We were experiencing 13 foot seas, the crew said. The captain even had to make an announcement that the ship was not in trouble. I was violently ill all night and my three year old was thrown from the top bunk. Luckily he wasnt hurt badly but I never let him get up there again. He was very disappointed and dh slept in the bunk while ds was in bed with me.
Not a great first day. Not terribleother than the sea sickness. I had put on the patch the night before and continued taking the sea sickness pills the ship gives out every 12 hours for the rest of the cruise.
The next day was smooth sailing and we had a fabulous cruise from then on out. We were on deck 8 which we loved. It was so great to run up one flight of stairs to the pools, beverage station, Beach Blanket, Spa, etc. We were up there somewhere most of the time. (I have heard that the higher decks are worse for motion and sea sickness but we were on deck 3 and 4 when the rocking started, and it was just as bad down there.) We loved having the verandah but didnt use it all that much. I didnt want to stay in the room much and miss out on anything.
I enjoyed Tritons for breakfast. It was a nice break from the buffet and was beautiful and elegant. We had a lovely table by the window. The 13 adults ate at Palo and they gave us a private dining room. It was lovely. Our Server Sabucci from Hungary ordered us a TON of food. My brother and his wife were beeped twice by Flounders and eventually gave up on eating at Palo and the server personally hand delivered their dinners and soufflés to their stateroom. By the way, there were a lot of available tables at Palo when we were leaving, so I would think you could get reservations if you are flexible.
The next morning we were supposed to be at Castaway Cay, but I was awakened at 6 AM by lights outside and the boat turning. We were back in Nassau!! Then I saw an ambulance on the docks. I watched as someone was evacuated and then we left again. Because the Captain didnt want us to have a shortened CC day, they reversed the schedule and that became our day at sea. No one really cared much as DCL made the transition smoothly and all appointments that had been made were automatically honored on the opposite day.
Gorgeous, Wonderful day at Castaway Cay the next day! Now I know what the fuss is all about. We loved the snorkeling. Careful of that hot sun though!! We did not put any children in Scuttles Cove, so I cannot comment on that. My kids liked the Oceaneers Club, but were only in there less than 2 hours on 3 days. They allowed my 5 year old to move down to the 3 & 4s so my boys could be together and that was great.
The shows were fun. I especially enjoyed watching my kids become enthralled. There were plenty of opportunities for the kids to meet and have photos / autographs with the characters all over the ship. I was glad that wasnt too hectic.
All in all, wonderful trip!! It was the first trip in a long time when I wasnt really ready to go home at the end. We all actually got to RELAX!
** We had a difficult time actually finding the onboard shops open. So dont plan to buy things you will need there such as sunscreen, magazines, etc.
We bought .99 lanyards at Walmart which we wore all the time! It would have been hard without them. My SIL had to buy 5 onboard for $8 each!
We didnt bother with the over-the-door hanger, suction cups, duct tape, flash lights, and some others. They were all great ideas, but we did fine without them. Have a great trip!
