Ok Need Advice- Driving Myself Crazy!

[placeela]

Hi,

I was hoping some of you experts may be able to give me your opinions. I have been driving myself crazy with what we should do. Here is my situation. It is myself, DH, DS (10), and DD(8). We have been to Disney 8+ times, but never on a Disney cruise. My husband and I have sailed once on Carnival, but without kids. We are hoping to take a cruise in the near future. We can't plan out our vacation years in advance because my husband is active duty military and we don't even know where we will be living next year Anyways, I have narrowed down taking a cruise to Nov (around Thanksgiving) and January.

Yesterday I saw that the Galveston Thanksgiving cruise just released military discounts. They had one inside stateroom that kept popping up and then disappearing that must sleep 4. It would be $3400 for a week for all of us. There are also verandah rooms that would run $4900. This cruise wasn't really on my radar due to the high regular price, but with the discount it is doable. I did have my TA put the inside stateroom on hold until tonight at midnight, so I must decide. Here is where I am having my problem...

After all my research, I pretty much have the least desire to go on the Wonder of the 4 ships. It hasn't undergone dry dock, doesn't have the show at Animator's Palette, no big waterslide, doesn't have the midship detective, etc. Of course, we have never been a Disney cruise so maybe we won't know what we are missing?

Also, although we can afford it, I have a hard time justifying the $5000 for a verandah. I feel like if I am going to spend that much money, I should see what discounts come on the Fantasy. The problem is the Fantasy doesn't seem to be having many good military discounts. Most are just a $1000 or so off the regular price. Also in January Disney got smart and put the star wars cruises on the non holiday (MLK) sailings.

Finally, the amount of school the kids would miss. Going over Thanksgiving, they will only miss 3 days (and two of those days -Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving are pretty worthless). If we do January, it will be 4-5 busier days of school. Also, the airline tickets are much cheaper into Houston now than Orlando.

So, after that short novel, here are my questions:

-Do you like the Wonder as much as the newer ships or should I hold off for a Fantasy cruise?

-Do you think 2A, and 2C could sleep in an interior room (11A) without being miserable? I don't see us in the room much at all..The kids will go to bed when we do and don't need naps, etc. I feel like I may enjoy the cruise more if I only paid $3400 for it instead of $5000 (I am weird I know - all about expectations.)

Thank you for any of your thoughts! I have until tonight to decide if we want to go (or at least keep the interior room).

 

[lillygator]

we have done inside cabins as 2a and 2c with no issues, you are not in the cabin that much. we even upgraded once to a i bedroom and probably used the veranda twice. use the extra money on booking a new cruise!

we have only been on the magic and wonder - going on the fantasy next year, so I can't compare, but we love both the magic and wonder.

 

[lucky1]

We have only been on the Classic ships.. The Wonder and Magic and love them both. The Wonder does have a show in AP and if you have never seen the AP show in the other 3 ships you will be just as impressed. Many people will say they prefer the Wonder to the bigger ships. I can not say, but we love sailing on both the Wonder and the Magic. There are lots of Fun things for your kids to do on the Wonder. My daughter started sailing at age 7 and loved the kids clubs.

We found the inside cabin 11 to be comfortable and we never spent much time in the room. Granted there was only 3 of us and our daughter was 11, but it worked out okay for us.

 

[WIFamily]

Hi,

<snip>

-Do you like the Wonder as much as the newer ships or should I hold off for a Fantasy cruise?

-Do you think 2A, and 2C could sleep in an interior room (11A) without being miserable? I don't see us in the room much at all..The kids will go to bed when we do and don't need naps, etc. I feel like I may enjoy the cruise more if I only paid $3400 for it instead of $5000 (I am weird I know - all about expectations.)

Thank you for any of your thoughts! I have until tonight to decide if we want to go (or at least keep the interior room).

I haven't been on the Wonder - I've been on the Magic and on the Fantasy (Magic was 8 years ago!). We've booked back on the Magic, I found that while the Fantasy had many great things, and many improvements over the Magic, I liked the smaller ship and crowd. So sorry, I don't have an answer for you on that first question.

I think that your second question is hard to answer as well. It really depends on the individual people and their personality. An interior will be cramped at times, when getting dressed in the morning, getting ready for bed, changing for dinner, etc. I think that a balcony can also be just as cramped at the same times. In my opinion the Balcony is my escape hatch when I'm overwhelmed with the scramble that happens at "shift changes". I also like my quiet areas, and having a balcony that's all mine (my family too, I guess is worth the extra money to me.

Hope that helps in some small way.

 

[ldo]

As you have never been on a Disney Cruise, take the $3400 cruise and have a great time!. DCL is awesome, esp. for your kids' ages. The rooms are a decent size for cruise ships. Since you have not been on the newer ships, you won't miss anything. Plus, pool and deck space is larger per passenger on the Wonder and Magic. When Wonder gets drydocked, prices might go up, as well. Cheaper flights, less school missed, cheaper--don't worry about the Wonder. The ship will look fine--it's not going to look old or rusty, etc. Wear and tear are little things like a guardrail needed another coat of varnish, a small tear in carpet in the room, a crack tile in a shower. They are not things that would make you not want to cruise on that ship. We have had balconies before and never pay much extra for them--not worth it to us. We enjoy the ship and usually only use the room to sleep, shower, rest. Cabin should have a sofa that makes into a single bed at night and a pull down bunk above it.

 

[placeela]

You guys are all making me feel so much better. I really think we will take the $3400 for a week and have a great time! I am getting excited now!

 

[DIS_Ag]

I've only been on the Magic pre-dry dock and will be on the Wonder this Nov out of Galveston (probably the week before you). We loved it and while we may be missing some things on the bigger ships, had no issues going back on a smaller one. Sounds like you got a great deal.

 

[jetskigrl]

We love the Wonder. We have also sailed on the Dream and Fantasy but the Wonder remains our favorite. The new technology on the bigger ships is cool, but as you have said, since you haven't sailed on the other ships yet, you won't miss them. Your kids are still young enough to use the Mickey Slide and there is a show in AP, just much smaller scale and not as techie.
You may enjoy sailing on the Wonder to see it before it goes into dry dock and changes also. A last chance to sail on one of the "classics."

I think you will be fine with an inside room if you don't plan on being in it that much. For me, a big part of cruising is the relaxation away from crowds so my room is my oasis (so for that reason, I always book a verandah). But that is just my cruising style. The only issue I can see with the 11a and 4 people is the single bathroom. If I recall correctly, that category of room does not have the split bathroom setup and that could make things tight when it comes to time to get ready in the morning or for dinner.

 

[thumpie's mom]

We love the Wonder! We have sailed on her 4 times, with #5 coming up next month and we are booked on her in 2016. She is a beautiful ship with plenty of activities for everyone. I have never been on the larger ships, but have really loved all of our cruises on the Magic and the Wonder. We always do a inside cabin simply because we are there to shower and sleep only. It works for us and we use the money towards other things like bingo and shopping! I don't think you will be disappointed with the Wonder...we have always had excellent service and the food for the most part is delicious. Have a great time!

 

[Shea&Van]

Hi there,

We went on our first ever cruise on the Disney Wonder over Spring Break. We LOVED it. The ship was super clean and comfortable. My children enjoyed the clubs and the staff was outstanding! We loved our Wonder Assistant Server (Harry G. from South Africa)!!! He was amazing, especially with my son!

That is a GREAT price for four people for a week. I'd say go for it. I certainly wouldn't hesitate a wink even thinking about it. We are doing the Dream in November, so I can't compare just yet, but I especially loved the uncrowded feeling at Castaway. The shows were entertaining, the movie theather was awesome and all the common areas were in top shape (at least IMHO).

A Disney cruise is a Disney cruise. Go and have a fabulous time. It's Thanksgiving on a Disney Cruise...DO IT!!!

Have an amazing vacation!

 

[placeela]

I am so glad to hear that so many people like the Wonder. I am definitely leaning towards booking, but will talk to my husband after he returns from work. Thanks again for helping me to feel better about my doubts!

 

[holula]

I also love the Wonder. We sailed the Magic last September and the Wonder last December. Other than the stateroom looking tired I thought the Wonder was in much better condition overall. We love the smaller ships as there is less people and (generally) better service. You won't miss things you haven't tried.

Also the show in AP on the Magic and Wonder brings tears to me eyes every time! It's a great way to see the classic show. Way better than Crush, IMO.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've been on the Magic twice, the Fantasy once, and the Wonder three times. Love the Wonder. The Fantasy is glitzy and has lots of bells and whistles, but it takes forever to walk from one end of the ship to the other. The Wonder just feels more like home. She's meticulously maintained and is holding her age very well.

Chances are, you'll get hooked on cruising, so if you cruise on the Wonder now before her re-Imagineering, it will give you a great reference point for comparing the other Disney ships.