September 4th, 3 day Wonder

[hoop4321]

We booked this cruise with great hopes that our 12 year old would like the kids program. We went with Royal Caribbean, on the Navigator of the seas for Spring break in March. While we all had a good time, my son did not like the 12 year old kids activities. To say activities, would imply there were activities there. They did a lot of hanging out with the older teens, and any thing that was scheduled was done late in the evening, which we were very uncomfortable with. When we decided to book a cruise for our anniversary, it did not take long to figure out that our son would have to come along. Just for a look-see, we took a peek at Disney. Who we were sailing with was settled when we learned about the 12 year old activities scheduled on board. We thought we might be able to salvage a bit of romance if he liked the kids clubs

The week before we were scheduled to leave, tropical storm Hanna made an entrance. I fretted just like many people on this board about the cruise, possible change in itinerary, or cancellation. Hanna made the cruise very enjoyable. Other than some rough seas the first night, the weather was absolutly perfect. We had dinner the first night at AP. We all thought the food was really good. Much better than what we experienced on the Navigator. Our room steward was largely absent, not unlike our steward on RC, but when we saw him, he would greet us by our names, ask us how our day was, and made every effort to make sure that our cabin was perfect at all times. Our waitstaff, Witt, & Elizabeth were wonderful, with Witt stealing the show. He was very nice, did his job wonderfully, and was entertaining. He did a few magic tricks for us, and the kids beside us, who were not in his station would come up to our table to watch him perform. The captain was actually around the ship at various times. He was making the rounds, making conversation with everybody. At RC, we saw the captain at the end of a show, and making a champagne toast in the promenade.

We got into Nassau the next day. The day was gorgeous, very bright, very sunny. I kicked my self in the rear as I cancelled the ressies at comfort suites for the atlantis entrance for fear would not make it to Nassau. We walked around for a bit, shopped in the infamous straw market. The adults went to senor frogs, while I went to the ship with my son. We were the only ship in Nassau that day. I have heard many stories about the people of Nassau, (taxis, hairbraiding, etc) & was very surprised how laid back it was. A simple no thanks, and they left me alone. Some vendors would engage us in conversation. They seemed very pleased to tell me of their country. Everyone was very nice. I expected the locals to be very demanding as we were the only ship in port, but they were wonderful.

The next day we went to Castaway Cay. We waited a bit while they cleaned the island us from TS Hanna. Thanks to the advice from many on this board, we hiked all the way down to the end of the family beach. We had plenty of room under the shade and had some serious hammock time which was wonderful. The snorkeling was good to ok. I expected a reef there, but it is mostly artificial with some very friendly fish. A few mangrove snappers got a little close for my taste. Our family scuba dives, so we are used to fish being very leary of the divers and the bubbles. The snappers would never get that close in the real world for fear of being eaten. My hubby and his pals were salivating and picturing them on a plate. If they only knew what was on their minds, they would never have gotten so close! Part 2 continues later.

 

[ashleylovesthebeach]

Can't wait to hear more. Also, can't wait to hear how your son like the children's program. Mine will me going with me next year and I am really hoping they enjoy it!

 

[Fla Gator]

We were cruising with you on the Wonder.
Like you, I was worried about not making it into Nassau and so I didn't have any shore excursions booked in advance. (I was actually anticipating our ship going to Key West.) I went to guest services the night we boarded and the tours I was interested in were full, so we (me, DH, DD-15 and DS-12) ended up touring Nassau on our own. The street vendors were polite to us as well, and we actually stopped some locals here and there for directions and they were very helpful too. The taxi drivers wanted $80-$100 to take the four of us to three forts and Atlantis, but we opted for a $10/pp carriage ride around town and then we walked to the fort at the water tower and then to the Pirate Museum and then back to the ship.

My DS-12 went to the teen club instead of the kids program because his sister was going there, and since he'll be 13 next month. He enjoyed it but not as much as his sister did, due to the age difference. He might have liked the kids club even better.

 

[hoop4321]

I am glad all 2 of you are enjoying this lol! When we returned home I became sick, so I will finish when I am feeling better, hopefully tomm.

some pics to see

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[hoop4321]

and one of DS...hammock time

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[kimiza]

I am looking forward to part 2, I am going Oct 12th for a 4 day, who knows what hurricane will be around then.

 

[suzycute]

Am looking forward to part 2 - like kimiza, we're also on the 12 October Wonder cruise and wondering what the weather will bring us!

 

[jenseib]

Nice pictures. Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[hoop4321]

Sorry it has taken so long to post. Would you believe that I am still sick? I was getting better, just the tail end of the cold, and my DS comes home and brings what I have now. I can say with absolute certainty, I am sick of being sick!

Ok, Castaway Cay was great, the weather was very sunny, water was nice and warm. We saw our dining staff everywhere, and they would always stop what they were doing to say hello and chat for a while. We all loved our time with the crew, but when our waiter said goodbye and walked away my son asked where the locals were. He was quite surprised when we told him there were no locals there, it was all Disney employees. The bike ride is a must do, the island is so pretty.

Here is the Wonder from the observation tower.

Some of the pretty marshlands with the beach in the distance

The other side of the island

 

[jenseib]

beautiful!

 

[hoop4321]

Our son really like the kids program. Actually each day that goes by, his memories of the cruise grow fonder. The first night, he missed the show. We had to pull him out for dinner, and as he fininshed, he asked if he could go back. He didn't even have dessert! We were really surprised, because he thought himself that he would not like the kids clubs, after his royal caribbean experience. The next day was Nassau. We cancelled our rooms at the Comfort Suites to avoid being charged, because the forcasters predicted the TS/hurricane to be over the island on the morning that we were to be there. The day was absolutely beautiful. Dh and I discussed just going to Atlantis and paying the ships rates, but DS said he would rather stay onboard in the kids program. I never thought that I would be the type of parent to leave my kid somewhere else besides by my side in a foreign country, but well, he all but begged. It seems there are a ton of board games, A Wii, and other video game systems. The docking of the wonder is there and that seemed like a very popular station. He stayed on board while DH, our friends and I toured the island. He had a wonderful time. They did many things with the kids from flubber (apparently this is easy to make), painting, games, acting on a stage. There was so much that interested him. I was very impressed because he is disinterested in so much. This must be the worst age. Too big to play with toys and too young to do the teen things. So many things that other kids his age seem to be into bore him. I was so impressed that they were able to entertain a variety of kids. There were many kids from almost everywhere, and even a child who was deaf. That they can make all the kids welcome, and interested is so great.The best part of the kids clubs is, for the older kids at least, is that they move from one area to another. At first I was a bit confused, but it is all in the navigator on where they will be at any time through out the day. They are not stuck in a room all day. They have scheduled times for outdoor activities on the sports deck, visiting the stack. They also feed the kids, and they have their own restaurant, where it is just them. The staff were near perfect. Having him enjoy himself so much really was the best anniversary present.

 

[drlee]

Hope you feel better soon. My family was there with you too. This was our second cruise and we had a great time. One of our cruisers was 12 years old and she spent a lot of time in the kids club. Her parents were very surprised with how much fun she had. Loved your pictures. You were right about the weather. It was great and what a pleasant surprise. We had been in Orlando for the four days prior to our cruise and watched the weather and just knew that our cruise would be cancelled or changed in some way, but what great weather. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.