Sept 20,2011 Wonder Repositioning Cruise

[Johngar]

Then why next year, for the repo cruise back to LA, are they stopping in Victoria, San Francisco and San Diego, but NOT in Ensenada (or anywhere else in Mexico)?

I'm not sure what cruise you are looking at but the repo back to L.A. next year leave from Vancouver and goes to San Francisco and then Los Angeles. It leaves from one country (Canada) and goes to another (U.S.), ending in that country (U.S.).

Our cruise this year leaves one country (Canada) and stops at that same country (Canada). Therefore it must stop at another foreign country (this time being Mexico) before arriving in the U.S.

The Passenger Vessel Services Act was created to protect U.S. ferry companies from Canadian companies bringing visitors in to the U.S. from Canada and then continuing to operate at U.S. ports.

Besides, with the fine being $300 per passenger if the cruise line violates this Act, and with about 2,500 passengers aboard, I don't Disney wants to pay a fine of $750,000 so I think it knows what is doing with its port stops.

 

[sanjuan60]

LOL, if I win another pass I will definitely put it in your fish extender. On the two cruises I've been on, one Bingo night is designated for Spa door prizes. The navigator should list which night is Spa prize night. Even if you don't want to play Bingo, you should stop by because they have a table of Spa reps who let you fill out a card to win some spa coupons. The reps go around later that night and put coupons in your Fish clip.

Yeah I never got to try the loungers because the occupants looked like they were going to spend the night on the loungers . Plus the Rainforest Room is hot, hot, hot. Technically you don't even need to use a sauna to sweat, just hang out in the main room.

thanks missJ for the opinion.
I appreciate your candor. I just wasn't sure if it was worth a try or not.
susan

 

[dee bee]

To all you veteran Disney cruisers...This is probably a silly questions but I will ask anyway...Are there any dances that we should know before we go on the cruise? I am thinking of dances like the Macarena or YMCA type of thing. We have never been on a Disney cruise so we are not sure what to expect. We want to be at least somewhat prepared to join in and have fun!

 

[Steffy]

We're not called the spa twins for nothing.....

However, this past trip on the WBTA, the lounge hogs really made it difficult to enjoy the rainforest like I had on previous trips.

I would suggest getting a one day pass first. Then if you like it, they will apply the amount you paid towards the length of stay pass if you want to do that.

This past trip I was introduced to alone time. OMG. You go a private spa villa and there your masseuse washes your feet. Then you get into the jacuzzi. You don't have to wear your suit! You sit and look at the ocean and soak. Then you are taken into the massage room of your private villa. You have a massage. I choose my favorite... the stone massage. Ahhhhhhh. Then you go back into the other room in the villa and you are served tea and fruit while you relax on your private lounger. Ahhhhhh. That's what I'm talking about.

The spa has lots of specials. There are ladies specials where you get a facial and two other treatments. The facials are soooo sweet. And the stone massage.....once you go stones......

 

[MsRobbieA]

. Not some naked granny flashing a packed room of lounger hogs whilst I sweat in my soggy suit. That doesn't sound fun

Oh DD, I promise NOT to flash a packed room of lounger hogs.
Might be one way to clear the room though.

 

[tinker1bell]

We're not called the spa twins for nothing.....

However, this past trip on the WBTA, the lounge hogs really made it difficult to enjoy the rainforest like I had on previous trips.

I would suggest getting a one day pass first. Then if you like it, they will apply the amount you paid towards the length of stay pass if you want to do that.

This past trip I was introduced to alone time. OMG. You go a private spa villa and there your masseuse washes your feet. Then you get into the jacuzzi. You don't have to wear your suit! You sit and look at the ocean and soak. Then you are taken into the massage room of your private villa. You have a massage. I choose my favorite... the stone massage. Ahhhhhhh. Then you go back into the other room in the villa and you are served tea and fruit while you relax on your private lounger. Ahhhhhh. That's what I'm talking about.

The spa has lots of specials. There are ladies specials where you get a facial and two other treatments. The facials are soooo sweet. And the stone massage.....once you go stones......

Since I am your 'twin' I will agree with you Stephanie. I know the Rainforest Room is not for everyone. On our two four day cruises we had lots of time available in the Rainforest Room. In fact after our Dolphin Encounter,,,, we had a few Drink O Day and I went to the RF and enjoyed the tile lounger. I was so embarrassed to admit I had fallen asleep and they woke me up an hour after they had closed!!!!!

On our 14 day WBTA there was unfortunately one family that just hogged the loungers every time I went.

I am hoping with the wave phones, I can set an alarm and be done with the lounger in fifteen minutes like it should be.


I also enjoyed the Alone time. The private room was just unbelievable and I really enjoyed the time I had. That is something I would love to spend time with my hubby.

When I was able to afford a massage once a week, I was never sick and had fewer problems with my back.

It boils down to your own experience with a Spa encounter

 

[AJA55]

Sounds a lot like my Mom....If you remember, ask me about the time she wanted to ride Expedition Everest....

My daughter Tara is going to LOVE your Mom...she has the whole series of Golden Girls on DVD and she adores my Mom.!

LOL..hope she is old enough to take her comments on men's hummm..back sides. She has to have a pix of one for every vacation!

Any volunteers out there?

 

[CrystalS]

This past trip I was introduced to alone time. OMG. You go a private spa villa and there your masseuse washes your feet. Then you get into the jacuzzi. You don't have to wear your suit! You sit and look at the ocean and soak. Then you are taken into the massage room of your private villa. You have a massage. I choose my favorite... the stone massage. Ahhhhhhh. Then you go back into the other room in the villa and you are served tea and fruit while you relax on your private lounger. Ahhhhhh. That's what I'm talking about.

The spa has lots of specials. There are ladies specials where you get a facial and two other treatments. The facials are soooo sweet. And the stone massage.....once you go stones......

That sounds wonderful!
Is there a couples package like that? With the private villa? (Anyone know the name of the package, there was a couples thing to choose from in the spa services, but it didn't specify villa use, is that it maybe?)

Oh and about not having to wear a suit in the Jacuzzi, does the CM knock and give you a moment to get out and cover up or how does that work?

 

[KatiezMom]

The spa has lots of specials. There are ladies specials where you get a facial and two other treatments. The facials are soooo sweet. And the stone massage.....once you go stones......

This is what I was hoping to get, I read in one Navigator that you can choose three things for $99 or five for $129. The choices were a mini facial, foot massage, mini manicure, mini pedicure and some other things. I stopped reading once I got to the foot and ankle massage, that sounds lovely I was thinking of surprising my husband a back massage but I am not sure if he would be ok with a woman doing it. Actually, I am giving my head a shake, I am sure he would be ok

 

[Johngar]

That sounds wonderful!
Is there a couples package like that? With the private villa? (Anyone know the name of the package, there was a couples thing to choose from in the spa services, but it didn't specify villa use, is that it maybe?)

Oh and about not having to wear a suit in the Jacuzzi, does the CM knock and give you a moment to get out and cover up or how does that work?

There is some great info here -- disneycruiser (dot) info -- about the spa (scroll down to it). It covers the villas (along with a price guide from Oct. 2007) and other details about "spa-ing" along with a plethora of photos of the spa.

 

[CrystalS]

There is some great info here -- disneycruiser (dot) info -- about the spa (scroll down to it). It covers the villas (along with a price guide from Oct. 2007) and other details about "spa-ing" along with a plethora of photos of the spa.

This forum has blocked out the site name, could you pm it to me? or maybe repost but leave some spaces randomly so the filter doesn't catch it?
Thanks

 

[DisneylandGirl1998]

I was at Playland and I heard a couple talking about going on this cruise, that made me smile.

 

[rosiep]

LOL..hope she is old enough to take her comments on men's hummm..back sides. She has to have a pix of one for every vacation!

Any volunteers out there?

She sounds like a hoot!!

We'll get along great!!!

 

[CrystalS]

I was at Playland and I heard a couple talking about going on this cruise, that made me smile.

That is awesome! Did you go and say hi?

 

[roseburghughes]

Coffee drinkers and early wake ups:

I am looking forward to checking out the enclosed Cove Café. I only drink decaf coffee though.

I enjoy waking up early; Port Days to watch the docking and Sea Days for a jog.

Wow! A 9 mile run (CADZNYCHC) Good for you. I always wanted to run a half marathon. 10K is the longest for me. I will be jogging a couple miles every day, to ease the guilt of having dessert every night.

Stateroom Assignments: Glad to see that you got an upgrade (Makayna). We are not GTY kind of people. We like to pick out our inside stateroom and know where it is in advance. We have a sideways CAT 11 this time. We found out about them on a DIS stateroom tour last cruise.

Yay for fireworks!!!

We are dressing up for Pirate Night; Kathy made costumes for our WBTA cruise last year.

So sorry to hear about the job loss situations Rosie (Rosiep) and
Terry (Tinker1bell)

Nice job on the FE (disneydiane61) We will hang out our FE, as tradition, even though we are not doing the FE exchange on this cruise. We did the postcard exchange on the WBTA cruise. We have some door magnets too.

I like your Avatar John (GrumpyGoat)

Ensenada: We don’t plan on getting off the ship in Ensenada; unless my daughter wants to walk into town for shopping.

Thanks for the tip on pre-purchase of Rainforest Pass (KatiezMom). I may get a one day pass. On our 14 day cruise I went one time. I was nice and relaxing, but agree it is not for everyone. You should try it a least one time, to see if it is for you.

I have been using Google Street-view to walk the streets around our Vancouver Hotel and the tourists areas in Victoria and Ensenada. I noticed they have installed a rail along the sidewalk (busy roadway) in Ensenada from the Port to downtown. I also noticed that it is a long walk from the Port to the Waterfront near Empress Hotel in Victoria

We can’t wait to go on the new rides and see new shows at Disneyland, after the cruise; Ariel, Star Tours 2.0, and World of Color.

 

[KatiezMom]

Fed Ex was just at our door with our Welcome Aboard package We all did a happy dance, who knew that luggage tags could make a family to excited

A very good morning indeed, Steve finally found a new job at a great company this morning. It was starting to look a little doubtful that we were going to Disneyland after the cruise because the money could be used in so many more important places but all is good now Funny thing is, he was a little nervous about asking for time off so close to starting but when he mentioned it, his boss laughed and said his family are on the same cruise! Wonder if we should try and convince him to join the FE?

 

[FergusBC]

I also noticed that it is a long walk from the Port to the Waterfront near Empress Hotel in Victoria

It's not too bad...probably about 30 minutes if you're strolling along the waterfront. Less, if you're power walking Or commandeer a Harbour Ferry

 

[CrystalS]

Fed Ex was just at our door with our Welcome Aboard package We all did a happy dance, who knew that luggage tags could make a family to excited

A very good morning indeed, Steve finally found a new job at a great company this morning. It was starting to look a little doubtful that we were going to Disneyland after the cruise because the money could be used in so many more important places but all is good now Funny thing is, he was a little nervous about asking for time off so close to starting but when he mentioned it, his boss laughed and said his family are on the same cruise! Wonder if we should try and convince him to join the FE?

aww, I want my package now!
I'm in BC too so you'd think we'd get them somewhat around the same time...

 

[Camonkeygirl]

Fed Ex was just at our door with our Welcome Aboard package We all did a happy dance, who knew that luggage tags could make a family to excited

A very good morning indeed, Steve finally found a new job at a great company this morning. It was starting to look a little doubtful that we were going to Disneyland after the cruise because the money could be used in so many more important places but all is good now Funny thing is, he was a little nervous about asking for time off so close to starting but when he mentioned it, his boss laughed and said his family are on the same cruise! Wonder if we should try and convince him to join the FE?

Congrats on the new job to Steve and that is great that his boss is on the cruise too.

I want a visit from Fed Ex.......

Brenda and Laura - looks like I will not be able to make it to LA on the 21st - too many leads asking for the day off.

 

[CADZNYCHC]

It is part of the flowers that you bought me for my Birthday remember

Brenda, I was not sure if John would want to do it.

Ya John...remember those flowers????

I will be the voice of dissension. I am not a fan of the Rainforest Room.

On our December '10 Wonder cruise, we won a Rainforest Day pass playing Bingo so we gave it a try and hated it. The Rainforest Room really isn't that big. I think it had four of the tile loungers, several saunas and maybe four showers (2 were out of order on our day). ***there might have been more, my memory is trying to block the visit .*** Anyway, with the loungers in use and other people walking around, it seemed way too crowded.

We were told by staff to leave our swimsuits on. Apparently not everyone was told that because DH got flashed by a grandma. So DH lasted less then five minutes before he was out of there.

Since people were camping out on the loungers, and sweating in a sauna isn't my thing, I wanted to try the soothing showers that everyone just went on and on about. So I took a shower...and I still don't see the appeal. It was a shower...yeah it had lots of different buttons and settings but still it is just a shower...a shower with my swimsuit on. I hate taking showers with my swimsuit on. The suit sucks up all the water and then I had to walk around with a wet squishy swimsuit looking for a towel in the crowded Rainforest Room. Hmmm, wait I am pretty sure we were given robes to wear but I don't remember thinking they were very absorbant.

So yeah the Rainforest Room isn't for everyone. I did enjoy the changing room and got a free disposable razor...which was actually nice since I forgot to pack one for the cruise. But would I visit the Rainforest Room again? Absolutely not, not even if I won another pass.

OMG - that is a horrible experience - i hope i never have one as i have really enjoyed the RF wkly pass....

We're not called the spa twins for nothing.....

However, this past trip on the WBTA, the lounge hogs really made it difficult to enjoy the rainforest like I had on previous trips.

I would suggest getting a one day pass first. Then if you like it, they will apply the amount you paid towards the length of stay pass if you want to do that.

This past trip I was introduced to alone time. OMG. You go a private spa villa and there your masseuse washes your feet. Then you get into the jacuzzi. You don't have to wear your suit! You sit and look at the ocean and soak. Then you are taken into the massage room of your private villa. You have a massage. I choose my favorite... the stone massage. Ahhhhhhh. Then you go back into the other room in the villa and you are served tea and fruit while you relax on your private lounger. Ahhhhhh. That's what I'm talking about.

The spa has lots of specials. There are ladies specials where you get a facial and two other treatments. The facials are soooo sweet. And the stone massage.....once you go stones......

oh yeah i booked this same experience last year....heavenly to say the least!!!!

Oh DD, I promise NOT to flash a packed room of lounger hogs.
Might be one way to clear the room though.

Fed Ex was just at our door with our Welcome Aboard package We all did a happy dance, who knew that luggage tags could make a family to excited

A very good morning indeed, Steve finally found a new job at a great company this morning. It was starting to look a little doubtful that we were going to Disneyland after the cruise because the money could be used in so many more important places but all is good now Funny thing is, he was a little nervous about asking for time off so close to starting but when he mentioned it, his boss laughed and said his family are on the same cruise! Wonder if we should try and convince him to join the FE?

WONDERFUL news on both incidents - i want my stuff too!!!! LOL but truly great news on Steve's new job & how fun that his boss will be on the same cruise....if he chooses not to do the FE - at least invite them to the DIS meet Tuesday afternoon in the Promenade Lounge...might be a great way for them to know each other outside of the office

Congrats on the new job to Steve and that is great that his boss is on the cruise too.

I want a visit from Fed Ex.......

Brenda and Laura - looks like I will not be able to make it to LA on the 21st - too many leads asking for the day off.

OHHHHH
well then 9/17 aboard the train it is....