The Wonder ?

[WDW_Diane]

I'm considering a cruise on the Wonder for next Spring break, but I haven't read a lot here about that ship and I haven't been on it before. How is it holding up? It hasn't been in a refurbishment recently has it? I'm looking at the 5 night cruise out of Miami. How did you get from the airport to the cruise port? I think I'd want to spend a day in Miami post cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm considering a cruise on the Wonder for next Spring break, but I haven't read a lot here about that ship and I haven't been on it before. How is it holding up? It hasn't been in a refurbishment recently has it? I'm looking at the 5 night cruise out of Miami. How did you get from the airport to the cruise port? I think I'd want to spend a day in Miami post cruise.

The Wonder did have a "regular" dry dock recently. Not the big re-imagining that the Magic had, but was spruced up.

AFAIK, there are DCL transfers from Miami airport to port. Or a taxi costs around $15.00 from what I've seen.

You can read up on the Wonder here:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/wonder/

We've taken 3 cruises on her, and will do more.

 

[WDW_Diane]

The Wonder did have a "regular" dry dock recently. Not the big re-imagining that the Magic had, but was spruced up. AFAIK, there are DCL transfers from Miami airport to port. Or a taxi costs around $15.00 from what I've seen. You can read up on the Wonder here: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/wonder/ We've taken 3 cruises on her, and will do more.

Thank you very much, I will look at the link.

 

[Grumpymom73]

We are also sailing the Wonder next Spring. This will be our 3rd time sailing this ship and we love it. It's my DS16 favorite. We love all the ships but the price decided this one for us.

 

[WDW_Diane]

We are also sailing the Wonder next Spring. This will be our 3rd time sailing this ship and we love it. It's my DS16 favorite. We love all the ships but the price decided this one for us.

Thanks....price is drawing me to the Wonder as well.

 

[Freesia123]

I find the description
Of 'classic' to be perfect. If it was a drink, it would be a well aged whiskey. It's like taking a steam train instead of the bullet train. It's very dignified and warm.

 

[WDW_Diane]

I find the description Of 'classic' to be perfect. If it was a drink, it would be a well aged whiskey. It's like taking a steam train instead of the bullet train. It's very dignified and warm.

I'm intrigued! Both ships I previously sailed on were in their inaugural years. As long as things are stable, in good repair, and clean, we will be happy.

 

[Freesia123]

When is your spring break? I'm booked first week of March

 

[WDW_Diane]

When is your spring break? I'm booked first week of March

I'm looking at the March 15th cruise.

 

[Freesia123]

You'll love it. July 7 is my second time on the wonder and can't wait. High quality for your $.

 

[twindaddy]

OP, I do not mean to sound rude, but I do not understand threads like this. I ask this question with all sincerity, why do people think the Wonder is some kind of piece of junk ship? This is about the fifth thread like this I have seen in the past few months.

I am wondering where that impression comes from. The Magic has complementary sewage overflows, the Dream and Fantasy tiny pools. The Wonder is a fine glass of wine, and still a Disney ship. Do people think DCL is just letting in fall apart?

 

[Saamh]

The Wonder was the first ship we sailed on in 2010 and have been on her 4 times most recently this past December. She's a beautiful ship and very well taken care of. We don't miss the AquaDuck or the midship detective agency when sailing on the Wonder. The crew is superb!

 

[blondietink]

Just grab a cab at the airport to the cruise port. Reliable and cheaper than a Disney transfer.

We have cruised out of Miami twice now (on another line). We love to hang out at South Beach before getting on the ship. Breakfast in one of the street cafe's enjoying Ocean Drive ... what more could you want?

 

[mrslaney]

The Wonder is my favorite ship. I prefer her hands down to the Dream, and I absolutely loved it. I absolutely cannot wait to be back on board. The ship is immaculate but what makes it so great are the people. The crew is absolutely amazing! The food was better, the crew was friendlier and everything ran so smoothly. I also didn't miss the extra 2,000 passengers. The adult pools are heavenly. I wish that they had kept the size the same way for the newer ships.

 

[jenifferf00]

OP, I do not mean to sound rude, but I do not understand threads like this. I ask this question with all sincerity, why do people think the Wonder is some kind of piece of junk ship? This is about the fifth thread like this I have seen in the past few months.

I am wondering where that impression comes from. The Magic has complementary sewage overflows, the Dream and Fantasy tiny pools. The Wonder is a fine glass of wine, and still a Disney ship. Do people think DCL is just letting in fall apart?

Not the op, but a first timer Disney cruiser who is booked on the Wonder. My 2 cents is there seems to be a lack of info on the Wonder compared to the other ships. There are a lot more trip reports for other ships, and many of those seem to tout the pluses of the larger, newer ships. Also there's a lot of hype about the refurb done on the Wonder's sister ship, which the Wonder obviously did not have.

That compiled with the large price difference to cruise the Wonder made me wonder (no pun intended) if there was a drastic difference and if I was going to be missing out on something. After reading some trip reports, and hearing that a lot of people love the Wonder for it's smaller feel I felt happier about my decision. But at first glance I was seriously nervous that I was going to be missing out on a true Disney feel by going the older, smaller route.

Right now there are a couple trip reports for Wonder and I've been eating them up. I'm very happy with my decision, and feel like the Wonder is going to be a great fit for my family.

 

[FiveForFun]

I think of the Wonder as my vacation spot. My Fifth cruise on the Wonder starts in 14 days, and I will book another cruise for the Wonder while on board

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I'm considering a cruise on the Wonder for next Spring break, but I haven't read a lot here about that ship and I haven't been on it before. How is it holding up? It hasn't been in a refurbishment recently has it? I'm looking at the 5 night cruise out of Miami. How did you get from the airport to the cruise port? I think I'd want to spend a day in Miami post cruise.

I was on the Wonder summer 2013 and she was in very good condition, this was a cruise straight after two Fantasy cruises and I didn't notice any difference on standards on board, was very pleased, photos in links below.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[pepe3penelope]

We love Wonder! She was our first DCL cruise October 2012 & we fell in love & were immediately hooked on DCL forever! Last year we went on Fantasy. Next May we will return on Wonder gladly!!! So excited!

 

[UmmGooD]

We have only sailed the Wonder. Mainly because of where it was at the time. We sailed out of Galveston mid December of 13 and it is truly awesome. I love that ship! While I haven't been on the other ones believe me you will not be disappointed.

While the wonder might not have all the snazzy new features what it does have is elegant. Plus one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the Wonder has a LOT of long term crew members on it. Every time we sail on her our servers have been on her for a very long time. Both of our servers we had both cruises have been on her for over 8 years. In Palo our server was on her since she started. Plus in addition they have great memories because we had people coming over to us that recognized us from our last sailing. Our previous assistant server came over and said hi because she was in the same dining rotation as us. Also our palo server also came over from our previous cruise and told our current server to take good care of us and he remembered us. I am not sure if we stand out like sore thumbs or not but I was impressed.

Because of this the service is top notch. It might be this way on other ships but we constantly praise the Wonder because we always are so sad to leave and we feel like they make it feel like we are at home with friends. My kids still talk about our servers at home and it has been months since we sailed. The first cruise they talked about our servers for over a year and were so excited to see them again. They even have pictures hanging in their rooms of them.

It is going to be hard to sail another ship for us. That is how much we love it!

 

[Kenny1113]

We first sailed the wonder in 2006. Then again this march. We loved it then and loved it now 8 years later. We have not sailed the newer ships so I cannot comment on how it compares, but we love the smaller ship. There is plenty to do. Yes there are some areas that show her age but in general the ship does not appear dirty or unsafe. Every morning when I would go for my run I saw them doing general maintence and up keep on different areas of the ship.

I agree with PP the price is keeping us from trying another ship next year. Besides cannot beat the port location!!! Saves us a four hour drive pre and post cruise.