Our First WONDERful Disney Cruise. 13th/16th Sept 07 *day 2 & 3 added with pics*

[squitty]

13th Sept 2007 – Day 1

I can’t believe it when I wake up this morning, today is the day we are Cruising on the Disney wonder.
After all the waiting it’s finally here.

I did set the alarm for 6:30am but excitement has got the better of me again and I am awake by 5am, I am not alone as DH & DD are also stirring.
Up and showered by 6am DH & I go down for breakfast at 6:30 and leave DD in the room finishing getting ready. We will bring her some up.

All done and packed up we leave the Fairfield Inn, well we thought so as DD suddenly announces that she has left her Ipod in the room. So DH does a quick turnaround and she has to go to the desk and ask the reception for the room key back so she can go back to our room. A few minutes later she returns empty handed, turns out it was in her bag all the time!

All sorted we are now on our way to Port Canaveral. I decide to pass the time I will type up the notes on the laptop.
A few photos were taken of the scenery.

I have to stop typing and I am all emotional writing this as I have just spotted our ship…..I turn my laptop off.
My first glimpse

I am sure they are doing this to me on purpose, we have to wait and let a boat through.

This is the view I have now

Fast forward to the next morning-
I am now sitting here in our stateroom watching the sun come up, typing my notes, it’s perfect….Back to yesterday

We arrived at the port a little early, 15 mins and had to wait in the car park opposite, no big deal we were not the only ones.
The first view of our room.

A guy on the golf buggy thing asked us if we were for the cruise and said he would tell us when we could go and check in.
A little while after 10am he waved us in our convoy, there was a few of us now.

DH dropped DD and I off with the case and drove the car around to the parking lot. DD and I went into the cruise terminal, not before giving the guy $5 for getting our case out of the car. Once inside I stood inline for the check in desks to open and DD finished the rest of her book.

DH came up not long after, $36 lighter for parking we stand in line, someone in front asks us if the kids need to be there to check in and they were told no as long as you have their birth certificate or passport. Shortly after 10:30am check in desks were open and we were giving boarding card 2, we were given our Keys to the World cards which have our Dining rotation, time & table no. PTA 8:30pm No.9
All checked in and I had even filled the Bahamian forms in correctly, off we went and just chilled and soaked up the atmosphere. We took a few photos while waiting for our boarding number to be called.

11:45am we started boarding, there was already a line forming so we joined it, even outside of WDW you still have to queue.

Photo taken just before boarding then it was the announcement of the Family name to a round of applause from the CM’s, this was great. The CM that announced us was from the UK and also the guy that told us to go to Parrott Cay was from Leeds.
In fact when I think about there are a lot of English CM’s on the ship.

We headed straight up to Beach Blanket for some lunch which was very nice as we’d had nothing to eat since breakfast at the hotel.

When we were fed and watered, we decide to go exploring. This was a good idea as we take loads of photos and got some lovely we were also able to find out where things were.
We go on to deck 9 & 10

Hidden Mickey

First impressions do last and we were very impressed with what we were seeing and experiencing. I think we will be back
We can see KSC from the ship and there is a storm over that way.

We head off down to Guest Services on Deck 3 where we sort our onboard credits out, we fine we have received our credits from both DCL and DU which was really nice. We though we should put a credit card on file, just in case.

At about 1:20pm we made our way to deck 7 as our room was to be ready at 1:30pm. There were a few people with the same idea. We were not allowed down the hallways as they still had them cordoned off, but that didn’t stop some.
Eventually the rope was dropped and we were off, our stateroom was #7620 and it was Aft…the back of the ship.

Continued below...

 

[squitty]

I was allowed to open the door for the first time. Wow I love this cabin.

We sat and chilled for a while before the mandatory life boat drill, it was on the TV when we came in so you know what to do.

I put the door magnets that I had made on our door.

DD’s invitation to the Aloft

At 3:45pm it was announced over the ships system that the drill would start in 15 mins and not to be late, so off we went wearing our matching life jackets. We were shown into Animators Palette for the drill so we were not standing in the heat which was nice. We were trying very hard not to fall asleep at this time.
Everything out of the way we were allowed back in the room.
We went up for the Sail away party and a drink

We are going to watch Hercules the Muse-ical at 6:15pm the other show is on when we are eating dinner.
The show is fantastic and DH and I laugh a lot, even DD did, so it must’ve been good.

After the show we came back and changed for dinner.
The view from our stateroom.

Arriving a little bit early there was a line already formed at Parrot Cay. At 8:30pm we were shown to our table. It was a long table with another 5 places set, so we knew we would be eating with strangers.
Our assistant server introduced herself as Kathryn from New Zealand and she was lovely. She asked us where we were from and we told her then she said we were football fans, No, Rugby then, erm No…so she gave in…lol. We are not big fans of sport, if there is a match that DH considers a good one then he will watch it.
The other family, from Georgia, USA, turned up about 10 minutes later and we introduced ourselves. There was Mom and Dad, Daughter (15), Son (9) and Grandma.
They were very nice and we got along well. There DD was a bit nervous about going to the teen club so they asked if DD and her would like to go together. So it was arranged. After dinner it was time for them to go, DD went and got changed and met Brooke at the Aloft, which was on Deck 11.
JoJo from India was our other server, we could hardly understand him as it was so loud, but we got the main bits.
For dinner we had Chicken wings for starters, all of us chose the ribs. We could not move after we ate these so declined the desserts. Then we were presented with a lovely cake for our anniversary and the servers sang to us and wished us a happy anniversary and gave us a badge. This was lovely and totally unexpected. The family were saying that it was brilliant. I think we went the same shade as the cake.

We couldn’t eat it, so asked if we could take it back to the stateroom with us which JoJo kindly did for us. I couldn’t get it in the fridge back in the room so I don’t think we will be able to eat it.

We went back to the room to get the camera and drop the cake off. Our stateroom host had made our beds and we had a new room mate on the bed, complete with our personal navigator for tomorrow.

DD’s bed

We had a lovely wander around the ship taking some great shots.

They were showing classic Disney cartoons on the large screen by the Goofy Pool.

It was 11pm now and we were flagging badly. So back to the room where we just started watching Monster Inc, not long after DD came back in. She was not impressed with the Teen club, I didn’t think she would like it.

Tomorrow Nassau......

 

[Joan1]

Enjoying your report - looking forward to the next day

 

[Kay1]

Beautiful trippie, beautiful pix. Thanks!

Btw, your daughter's bed looks a little small. Am I wrong? Just wondering if it will be long enough for my 5'11" son.

 

[Monica D]

That last picture on your first post (KSC) is AWESOME! Great wide angle shot.

 

[Neya]

Great Report!!! The pictures are so beautiful !!!! Can't wait for the rest!

Neya

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

Loving your TR!! Very specific and awesome pics!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[TCB in FLA]

I'm enjoying your report -- it's ALMOST like being there! Thanks for sharing!

 

[LCtonra]

Loving your trip report so far. I love that you included so many pics. I have a question as we have never cruised before. In one of your room pics there are 4 little bags next to the clock, what exactly are they? Can't wait to read your next installment.

 

[squitty]

Beautiful trippie, beautiful pix. Thanks!

Btw, your daughter's bed looks a little small. Am I wrong? Just wondering if it will be long enough for my 5'11" son.

Hi, my DD is about 5'2 and she was comfy.

Loving your trip report so far. I love that you included so many pics. I have a question as we have never cruised before. In one of your room pics there are 4 little bags next to the clock, what exactly are they? Can't wait to read your next installment.

I think they were glasses, I never opened them sorry.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments.

 

[lunsusie]

Great trip report! Looking forward to your next instalment. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Disneyday]

I'm loving your trip report, and the pics are fantastic. What make of camera do you have?
I was wondering what was under the 4 paper bags too. I imagined something more exciting than glasses though

 

[granmaz]

Great report thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more.

 

[squitty]

I'm loving your trip report, and the pics are fantastic. What make of camera do you have?
I was wondering what was under the 4 paper bags too. I imagined something more exciting than glasses though

We have 2 camera's and the photos are from both. I have a Panasonic FX-50 and DH has a Canon 400D

Thank you for all the lovely comments. I am just about to post Day 2

 

[squitty]

14th Sept 2007 – Day 2 – Nassau

Awake at 6am by DH sticking my hair up my nose! A great way to be woken up, not
We get up and have a look on the veranda. It’s lovely and warm and the sun is just starting to rise. Sunrise is at 6:55am so we have a little bit to wait.

We upload our photos of yesterday on the laptop and charge some batteries.

It’s light in no time. DH takes a walk out to the secret deck at the back of the ship and takes some photos.

The ship docks at Nassau today. We are not getting off to look around.
The plan is just to take it easy and enjoy the ship. We are only on it for 3 days, if we were on a longer cruise then maybe we would go off and explore.
We go up to Beach Blanket and have some breakfast, then head off to the front of the ship and watch as we sail into Nassau.
Our first view of Atlantis

We have a walk around the ship, DD & DH have a game of shuffle board on deck and we watch the people getting of the ship next to us.

We head back to the secret deck and do a spot of sunbathing and taking a few more photos and some video. It was really hot lying here.

Later on we go to the DVC presentation where we get some nice DVC stuff, a flashing DVC pin a bag and a couple of DVC hats and a nice DVC member pin lanyard. Sadly we don’t win any of the prizes.

We go back up on deck and take some photos as we leave Nassau.

Tonight is Pirates night, we are not dressing up and our dining rotation is Tritons.

 

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We have our photos took at various places on the ship and then it’s time for our dinner.
Our tablemates are not joining us tonight, the Dad did come down and let us know. So we took their bandana’s up to them for the party. The menu is French/Italian, not to everyone’s tastes.
We have shrimp medley to start, which is ok.

Next DD has slow roast Chicken, DH & I have lamb.

JoJo kindly brings us the Scallop pie to have a taste, but we don’t like it.

DD then goes back to the room to get changed for Pirate Party.

DH & I stay for dessert.
Crème Brule for DH and the Grand Marnier Soufflé with Chocolate for me.

We both enjoyed our meals very much.
We then left to change into something more comfortable and headed up to Deck 10 for the party.

The Pirate party was good. The fireworks were a very nice touch.

I was still stuffed after our dinner that we did not even touch the buffet, it looked amazing though.

We retired afterwards and found we had another guest staying with us in our room.

Cheeky Monkey!
I did some packing as I didn’t want it all to do tomorrow.

Castaway Cay tomorrow!

 

[squitty]

15th Sept 2007 – Day 3 – Castaway Cay

I woke this morning to the sound of DD’s alarm on her phone going off. Which was good as it woke us just as the sun was rising. I went out on the veranda and watched the sunrise. It was already hot and I video taped the sunrise, it was really wonderful. I woke DH up telling him that he was going to miss it if he didn’t get up now!
He got up and took some photographs.

Castaway Cay was in the distance, I could just make out the Flying Dutchman.
The ship reverses in to Castaway Cay.

We went for breakfast in Parrot Cay today and I was determined not to eat as much as I had the night before.
I only had a bagel, cream cheese a glass of OJ and coffee. DD & DH had bacon eggs etc.

Back to the room to get changed for the beach and we were on our way. Down to Deck 1 and we walked along to get our photo took with Capt Jack.
We took some photos on the way.

We just parked our bums on some nicely shaded sunbeds as it was getting very hot.

We thought now would be a good idea to do our bike ride rather than later on when it would be hotter.
So we left our towels on our beds and walked off to get our bikes.
I had pre booked these so it was just a matter of signing on the line and off we go.
I have not rode a bike in quite a few years and you could probably tell that when I got on it. Still didn’t take long to get back into the saddle and away we went.
It was getting very hot by now. We rode round the island bike trail, right up passed the Serenity Bay area. We stopped to take on some water and to take a few photos.

This is a beautiful Island, so peaceful.
We gave the observation tower a miss as we were extremely hot and those saddles are uncomfortable! Bikes handed back and DD was feeling rather faint, I had a stinking headache, so it was decided that we should go back on the ship to chill. I got under the shower and cooled off that way, poor DD was not feeling good at all.

We waited for the tram to take us back to the ship and got straight onto the ship. We walked up to Deck 2 and tried to get a lift, they were not working and it would be at least another 20 mins or so. So we had no other choice we had to walk up to deck 7. We did it eventually. We have never been so glad to see deck 7.

We arrived in our room. It was all nice and clean, so we just crashed. The sun and heat really does take it out of you.
DD even said she didn’t think she could come back in September it is just too hot for her.
So she asked to come back at Christmas time when it’s a lot cooler.

Refreshed and hungry we go up to Deck 9 and have some lunch from Pluto’s, hot dog and fries for DD & I, DH has a hamburger and fries but thinks the hamburger is not cooked, its too pink and he goes off to get chicken strips instead. He doesn’t like these either, oh well! We all have ice cream.

All happy, DD goes off to see what is on at the cinema and we have a wander around the ship. The weather looks to be turning, there are some clouds heading over.

We go up to the secret deck and just watch people coming back on to the ship. A banana boat comes past, they look fun.

Last night we also got our tipping envelopes for our servers etc, so we did those ready for tonight. Also our luggage tags have been dropped off and another customs form to fill out.

We attended the presentation for embarkation in the theatre. We already knew what to do. Thanks to reading all about it on the board’s beforehand, but just wanted to make sure.

We got ready and watched Dreams in the Walt Disney Theatre. Wow all I can say is that it was everything you expect from Disney and more. The show was Fantastic and the CM’s deserved every minute of the standing ovation that they got. They all worked really hard and I have to say that I had a tear in my eye when it was over.

After the show finished we went back to the cabin and finished getting ready for the last of our dining rotation restaurants. Animators Palette was our restaurant tonight.

Wow was it good. Our tablemates joined us tonight. They were a really nice family. Their DD and mine got on really well and over dinner they decided to swap my space addresses, emails and such. They both did not think much of the Teen club, so they had something in common. They wanted to meet after dinner to just chill and relax.

The food and atmosphere were amazing in this restaurant. I had the garlic mushroom, DH had the stuffed tomato and DD had nothing.
Main course I had the Fillet Mignon with shrimp and crabmeat in pastry on the side.

DH had Herb & Parmesan crusted veal.

DD had the Cannelloni with cheese.

Dessert was strawberry shortcake for DH & I.

DD had ice cream which was huge.

We said our goodbyes to our servers JoJo and Kathryn. We would see them again tomorrow morning for the breakfast for the last time. The family gave us their address so we could keep in touch which was really lovely of them.

I had to go back to the room to finish packing and DD went out to meet Brooke. I did the packing and DH helped! I got the case packed and out before 11pm, phew!

DD did not get back into the cabin till 1am, DH had a sly check in them at 12:20am and they were just chatting on deck 9. But he told her not to be long as she had to get up early.

I am really enjoying this cruising and have to say I am very sad it’s over.

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

Such a wonderful report. thank you for sharing it. I loved your sunrise photos

 

[lovetotravel07]

Loved your report. A couple of questions. We are four people with two older teen daughters. Is it worth the expense of a 3-night cruise, especially with older children? What type of cabin did you choose? It looks like you had a balcony?

We were thinking of the first week in June--is that as hot?? We already live in a very hot place, so it shouldn't be as hard for us!

Thanks!

 

[libpetersen]

Thanks for the great post! We are going on the 4 day Wonder on September 14, 2008 so it was really interesting to read your report. How hot was it? How humid?


Thanks!