Questions about May 2023 Pacific Coast San Diego to Vancouver cruise

[Sillysox]

Hi all! This will be our second cruise on the Wonder--last time was also a repositioning cruise, but it was in September 2012, and was a 6 day from Vancouver to LA. Things have changed!! (Including the price, as it's about the same now for 4 days as we paid for 6 nights but no surprise there!) But also now, our two children that we took in 2012 are now young adults and we have another two much younger children now. So this is really exciting to do a bit of a redo with our two youngest. Ok. My questions:

1: when we went on the 6 day cruise, it had almost all the same offerings as a 7 day cruise, including fireworks at sea, pirate night, a midnight buffet (after pirate night if I recall??) It had at least 2 big shows, and other nights where the show was a movie. The last night at Animators Palatte had a fun show.. Has anyone been on a 4 night cruise more recently and can report what is offered now?

2: I'm going to guess Wave PHones aren't a thing anymore--those were the bomb!! I'm struggling to figure how to keep in touch with my husband and two adult kids on the cruise (we wont' be in the same room as our adult kids, but a few doors down). Would we look into walkie talkies? (lol I'm dating myself here)

3: My 3rd child will be 8 and my youngest will be a few days away from turning 6. I know that the 8 yr old will be able to check herself out of the Oceaneers Club--I assume she will NOt be allowed to take her sister with her? (I'm not even sure I'd be ok with that--although our room will be a few doors down, so it would probably be fine, but without the wave phone--I'd be a lot less comfortable with it) When we went in 2012, our 8 yr old son had a wave phone and contacted us if he wanted to leave and go back to the room.

4: this hooks into the wave phone question...is wifi as exorbitant as it used to be? That's the one way I could see us being able to keep in touch, via ******* or whatsapp etc.

5: How have your 19-21 year olds enjoyed this cruise? I know I loved it as an adult with kids, but I'm ok to chill to piano music or do a wine tasting....I dont know if either of my young adult kids are really into that. Is there a mini-golf course? They're excited to go but I'm nervous they will feel disappointed now compared to their amazing memories as kids...

6: Are Fish extenders still a thing?!

7: I'm likely WAY overthinking this, sorry!!

Most amazing would be if anyone has photos of their Navigators from more recent 4 day cruises? Thank you!!!!

 

[Lillebelle]

I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I'll answer what I can.

Regarding communication, the Disney Cruise Line App is key here. Note that there are no longer paper navigators, everything is in the app. The app also includes a messaging service you can use with other people on the ship that does not require purchasing wifi.

I haven't done a 4 night but I'm pretty sure you'll still get a pirate night.

No mini golf course on the Wonder.

Would your adult children enjoy dining at Palo? They'll also be able to do all the evening adult activities so they might have fun with that?

 

[Sillysox]

I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I'll answer what I can.

Regarding communication, the Disney Cruise Line App is key here. Note that there are no longer paper navigators, everything is in the app. The app also includes a messaging service you can use with other people on the ship that does not require purchasing wifi.

I haven't done a 4 night but I'm pretty sure you'll still get a pirate night.

No mini golf course on the Wonder.

Would your adult children enjoy dining at Palo? They'll also be able to do all the evening adult activities so they might have fun with that?

Thank you for your reply! Yes after I posted all of that I did see something about the app and communicating with it--that gives me a lot of relief on that score! I'll have to look into it more and learn more about it. Do they not produce paper Navigators at all, or can you get them by request? They make a nice souvenir.

Now that I have young adults I see the appeal of some other ships that have rock climbing etc...however I do think they'll still enjoy it. It just won't be quite the same.. Literally, 10 years ago, we left the cruise ships and got to Disneyland and the kids were DISAPPOINTED (LOL!!). So this time we are going to Disneyland first then cruise home, so we can save the disappointment till they get home to mom's cooking

 

[lanejudy]

If your adult kids are college-age, have them check-out the 1820 Society. They are also old enough for all the "adult only" areas such as the spa, adult pool, bars at night (no alcohol), etc.

The 4-night should have most of what was offered on a 6-night, but obviously less of it with fewer days/nights. There should be 3 main shows, other entertainment in the theater on the night without a show, movies, rotational dining in each MDR, bingo, etc.

You can allow your 8-yr-old to have self-check-out privileges but it's not required at that age. And no, the 8-yr-old cannot check the 6-yr-old out, only an authorized adult (age 14+) can do that. They can check themselves in though. Many families will use an old wifi-enabled phone or ipod for young kids to keep in touch via the app.

 

[Lillebelle]

Unfortunately no paper navigators even by request. Believe me, there are many on this board who continue to be disappointed by this (can't hurt to leave feedback about it on your cruise!).

I'd be interested to hear back after you sail but I'd be surprised if your adult children find themselves bored, unless they really don't enjoy the sorts of things the cruise offers (trivia, bingo, pool time, etc). They could also go to the kids club open houses to play along with your younger kids if that's something they'd find fun. Also, I think doing Disneyland beforehand is smart -- I always find Disneyland so exhausting, the cruise will likely be a welcome chance to relax! Your adult kids are old enough to do the spa/rainforest room too.

I had another thought on the pirate night -- there is a small chance you might get the Frozen deck party instead of Pirates. I know they do that for the Alaska cruises...since you're the reposition cruise to the Alaska season, I'm not sure which way they'll go for that itinerary.

 

[bcwife76]

Unfortunately no paper navigators even by request. Believe me, there are many on this board who continue to be disappointed by this (can't hurt to leave feedback about it on your cruise!).

I'd be interested to hear back after you sail but I'd be surprised if your adult children find themselves bored, unless they really don't enjoy the sorts of things the cruise offers (trivia, bingo, pool time, etc). They could also go to the kids club open houses to play along with your younger kids if that's something they'd find fun. Also, I think doing Disneyland beforehand is smart -- I always find Disneyland so exhausting, the cruise will likely be a welcome chance to relax! Your adult kids are old enough to do the spa/rainforest room too.

I had another thought on the pirate night -- there is a small chance you might get the Frozen deck party instead of Pirates. I know they do that for the Alaska cruises...since you're the reposition cruise to the Alaska season, I'm not sure which way they'll go for that itinerary.

We have done both of the west coast itineraries - Van to SD and SD to Van and there has been pirate night on both

 

[laz8701]

Shows on The Wonder are Golden Mickey & Disney Dreams

Use The App to message family members

The kids club will message you through the App to collect your children

WiFi has changed on the ships, no need to buy it to keep in touch with people on board

1820 meet up club, events on the App

Fish Extenders are still a thing, check the cruise meet up section

Navigators are available on Disney Cruise Blog