The Wonder over New Year's Eve

[Suz D]

Hi, I'm Suz and I'm new to this board. We are first time cruisers and are cruising on the Wonder over New Year's Eve for my parents 50th wedding anniversary (which is actually ON NYE). I haven't really seen any postings concerning what special things we might expect for New Year's Eve. Has anyone done that cruise who might share a few experiences? I can't tell you how excited we are. We feel lucky because we just booked 8 days ago and got 3 category 11 staterooms and a category 7 for a really great rate! :thewave:

 

[uncle al]

We sailed on the Magic for the 2004 NYE cruise. I'm sure the activities are similar on both ships. My recollection is that we also recieved a special note in our cruise papers regarding NYE activities. Let's see- there were parties all over the ship - bow to stern. On deck there was a party, in the teen club there was a party, in the atrium there was a party, in the lounges there were parties, I mean there was a party to appeal to just about "party taste". The line suggested formal dress for the evening - it was fun to be dressed for NYE even my teen son and daugther. I also remember that for two days all of the wait staff were trying to interest my wife and I in a bottle of champagne for the celebration. Neither of us are big champagne drinkers so we declined. At the party in the atrium - they were offering complimentary flutes of champagne and sparkling cider all evening. Every hour there would be a crewmember and usually a character or two come out and they would look in on what was going on in other parts of the ship via simulcast and a big screen set up on the landing of the grand staircase. We didn't have any fireworks but there were tons of confetti and streamers and horns, etc. We have a great picture of my wife and I covered in confetti. It was a fantastic way to bring in 2004, one that we will not soon forget. In fact, 2004 was a pretty good year- I contibute that in great part to the way we rang the year in on board the Magic. You will have a great time - Happy Anniversary to the "newlyweds".

 

[tvguy]

uncle al were you on the 2003-2004 nye cruise or 2004-2005 one?
We were on the 2003-2004 one, and everything uncle al says was the same.

 

[uncle al]

I suppose that would be the 2003-2004 NYE - we rang in '04. I see you are from Carmichael- we lived in Sacramento while I was going through Nav school at Mather AFB (1984). Then in 1987 we lived in Elk Grove while I was an instructor at Mather. Our son was born at Mather - he loves the idea that he is a "California Boy". We loved it there- in fact we still keep in touch with our old neighbors that live in Elk Grove.

 

[tksbaskets]

We were on the Wonder for NYE 2002/2003. Dave posted the navigators on his website. it is: dcltribute (put www. before and .com after)

Hope this helps!

 

[Suz D]

Thanks for your input. It sounds like we will have a great time!

 

[tvguy]

I suppose that would be the 2003-2004 NYE - we rang in '04. I see you are from Carmichael- we lived in Sacramento while I was going through Nav school at Mather AFB (1984). Then in 1987 we lived in Elk Grove while I was an instructor at Mather. Our son was born at Mather - he loves the idea that he is a "California Boy". We loved it there- in fact we still keep in touch with our old neighbors that live in Elk Grove.

Sounds like you got in on the final years of Mather. Sounds also like we were on the Magic together. Great party, for sure.

 

[budwmn]

We were on the Wonder for NYE two years ago. It was amazing!

A special dinner was served in all dining rooms. Most men wore a tux, although many also wore suits. Most women wore cocktail dresses.

There was a family party in the atrium which was unbelievable. They set up two huge screens on which they broadcasted events going on all over the ship. Disney served complimentary champagne and sparkeling cider as well as finger food. I was worried that it would be too kiddie, but I was proven wrong (even though my son had a blast!). Music was playing, people were dancing. It felt like an upscale celebration. There were special parties in most of the bars as well.

At midnight, they dropped balloons and confetti. Disney also distributed a lithograph, special chocolates, and champagne glasses to all of the cabins. It was my favorite New Year's Eve to date. I can't recommend it highly enough.

__________________

 

[Keggy]

That sounds like a ton of fun - may have to start on the husband....


Kelly

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I will be on the NYE Wonder Cruise as well! I'm looking forward to it!

 

[jhiester]

We were on the Wonder when 1999 turned into 2000.

Remember that was when the whoe world was going to end because the computers couldn't handle the millenium? Were are the bolts going to come undone? At least the captain could navigate by the stars like they had been doing for centuries!

We had an incredible time! Those pixs are still our favorites. We had fireworks over both the Magic and the Wonder. It was a great holiday!

I am sure that NYE is handled differently now.

See ya real soon,
John

 

[GeneralMax]

We sailed on the Magic this past December for the 2004-2005 NYE cruise. There were parties all over the ship - bow to stern. In the teen club there was a party, in the atrium there was a huge party, in the lounges there were parties. At the party in the atrium - they were offering complimentary flutes of champagne and sparkling cider all evening. Every hour there would be a crewmember and usually a character or two come out and they would look in on what was going on in other parts of the ship via simulcast and a big screen set up on the landing of the grand staircase. At midnight they made a big deal and some of the characters came out and danced. There were tons of confetti and streamers and horns. In fact they gave out hats and crowns at dinner and had a special dinner menu that was designed to be a collectable take with you thing. We had our waiters sign it for the kids.

We had some confusion right up until we got there about the dress for NYE. It turned out to be formal dress for the evening and while it was fun to be dressed for NYE it added an extra formal night so we were a little short on formal wear.

They also gave us a special edition lithograph and for the pin traders in the bunch had a limited edition NYE pin. The only down side was that the ship was a little more crowded than we were used to. I think it was totally sold out -not terrible but not like sailing the first week in February. They do also push the champagne purchasing pretty hard.

All in all it was a Magical way to ring in the New Year. You will love it!

 

[Lisa F]

We were on the wonder for NYE 2003/2004 and it was a TOTAL blast. I'm including a picture of what the atrium looked like on the evening of the festivities but before the festivities started. You can see in the lower left there is a structure with a bell in it... a little "show" of sorts with characters who ring in the new year (literally!) and a dj and entertainment staff happens on the platform outside of Lumiere's/Tritons, so try to get a good view. In addition to what everyone else said, there was also a very yummy midnight buffet on NYE with lots of wonderful food as well as desserts in Parrot Cay (I had forgotten but when I looked over my pictures I saw pictures of it!)

Let me know if you would like to see any more pictures, I am including this "teaser" but I don't want to spoil the fun of experiencing the show by posting pictures of that, but if you want to see them I will be happy to.

 

[2canadianfans]

Love to see more pictures..very nice ..we are on the new years 2006 cruise.

 

[Suz D]

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! I actually would LOVE to see more pictures. My DH (who is wonderfully tolerant of my enthusiasm) was VERY impressed with the picture. How will I ever wait 10 more months??? Again, I so appreciate the posting of the picture. I can't wait to show my parents and sister/BIL. Suz