The Wonder ?

[holula]

I've sailed on her twice and we are sailing her again in December. There are a few a where there are small amounts of wear and year but she is my favorite ship. The CMs have always been amazing to us - top notch service that no other ship has lived up to!

 

[jungle1]

Sailed the Wonder in March. If you go in looking to be disappointed, you can certainly find spots here and there that are not perfect. Probably true of any ship that has spent even a few months on the water.

If you go in expecting it to be wonderful, you will find it to be so. And I love the less crowded feel and the ability to actually see the ocean from several decks.

FWIW, we re-booked again in the Wonder while still on board, so you can tell which group we fell in to.

 

[CamColt]

8 of our 13 Disney cruises have been on the Wonder, the last being a couple months ago and I have no complaints. I didn't notice anything looking worn or old, but I really wasn't looking for it anyway. There are things on the classic ships I prefer over the newer ones (although some of those may have changed on the Magic since the reimagining). We had friends with us who were newbies to DCL and they absolutely loved the Wonder!

With that said we are booked on the Fantasy for this summer and the Dream for summer 2015, however those choices were made on the dates we can travel and where the ships will be (no interest in Alaska or Europe). And if the budget will allow I am trying to work in a Feb cruise for 2015 which would be on the Wonder.

 

[CaliforniaMama]

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?

We are going on Wonder, first time Disney cruise, in January. When I booked, I also wondered why it was so much cheaper than the other cruises, and if the others were that much better.

 

[WDW_Diane]

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?

The only ships I've ever been on were less than a year old. I just wondered what an older ship was like. I understand Disney maintenance standards from many visits to the parks, but I don't have the same experience with the ships. I thought DIS would be a good place to ask. That's all.

 

[harrisb1964]

We sailed on the Wonder back in 2/14. We loved the ship! It has an Art Deco decor. The restaurants were great especially Animator's!

 

[WDW_Diane]

The only ships I've ever been on were less than a year old. I just wondered what an older ship was like. I understand Disney maintenance standards from many visits to the parks, but I don't have the same experience with the ships. I thought DIS would be a good place to ask. That's all.

Hey, to everyone who sent information and fond memories....thank you! It sounds as though there are many reasons to love the Wonder, and I'm not surprised. Things I expect in a Disney vacation are present on the Wonder. I agree with the poster who said you just don't read as much about this ship, thus my original post seeking information. Thanks again!

 

[Freesia123]

It's normal to ask questions about price differences . The answer is honestly, that you are getting a bargain!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

The only ships I've ever been on were less than a year old. I just wondered what an older ship was like. I understand Disney maintenance standards from many visits to the parks, but I don't have the same experience with the ships. I thought DIS would be a good place to ask. That's all.

It's a good question and I saw one of the responses you got. Seemed a bit harsh.


It's a free forum anyone can ask any question they feel is important to them, and if others find the question is a repeat of a previous thread they do not have to answer that thread and leave it to others.

 

[AshleeH]

We're sailing on the Wonder next year (our first DCL cruise) and I can't wait! The way I look at it, WDW is over 40 years old and it's holding up just fine . I'm not worried .

 

[MPS516]

We were on her a few months ago and think she is just fine. Like a PP this ship feels like our vacation spot, the crew is the best and several recognize previous cruisers and go out of their way to great you and chat. We have 2 more cruises booked on the Wonder and picked them to be sure to get aboard before they send her to dry dock for upgrade.

.

 

[WDW_Diane]

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!

Sure wish they hadn't moved it from Galveston without really giving it a chance. We will have to fly to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale for the cruise. It was in Galveston such a short time! All our vacations during the time it was there were already 'done deals' and we never got to take advantage of being close enough to drive to a Disney cruise.

 

[tinkmom2]

It will be our third time on the Wonder next March out of Miami. We've been on the Dream once. Part of our decision to go back to the Wonder was we didn't want to go to Nassau again and the price was too good to pass up for a 5 day for a 4 day price. Like other posters have said, it may not have all of the bells and whistles the Dream has, but it has it's own "feel." We have had some of the best experiences in travel ever on the Wonder. You can see the videos in my signature. You are treated like royalty no matter which ship you choose. We know our way around the Wonder which I think is a plus. We felt kinda lost on the Dream.
We made friends with our server. I am sad he's not with DCL anymore Most of the servers actually enjoy their job genuinely and that shows with their interactions with people. Disney is not at the top of the industry for nothing.
I was hoping the Wonder would get some upgrades this coming year when going into drydock but if it doesn't we are fine with the way it is.

 

[WDW_Diane]

It will be our third time on the Wonder next March out of Miami. We've been on the Dream once. Part of our decision to go back to the Wonder was we didn't want to go to Nassau again and the price was too good to pass up for a 5 day for a 4 day price. Like other posters have said, it may not have all of the bells and whistles the Dream has, but it has it's own "feel." We have had some of the best experiences in travel ever on the Wonder. You can see the videos in my signature. You are treated like royalty no matter which ship you choose. We know our way around the Wonder which I think is a plus. We felt kinda lost on the Dream. We made friends with our server. I am sad he's not with DCL anymore Most of the servers actually enjoy their job genuinely and that shows with their interactions with people. Disney is not at the top of the industry for nothing. I was hoping the Wonder would get some upgrades this coming year when going into drydock but if it doesn't we are fine with the way it is.

I sure agree with not wanting to go to Nassau again. Twice is more than enough. Wish there was a double dip cruise when we could go!

 

[tinkmom2]

I sure agree with not wanting to go to Nassau again. Twice is more than enough. Wish there was a double dip cruise when we could go!

Ours is two at sea days which is why I think it was so cheap but it's going to Cozumel too which I always wanted to go to.

 

[goofynut41]

How big is the verandahs in 6a? Are they better than categories 5c?
Pros and Cons of each?

 

[Pens Fan]

We sailed on the Fantasy last summer for the first time after two trips on the Wonder. While we loved the Fantasy, one thing we noticed was that the service level was simply not the same as on the Wonder, especially in the dining room. Don't get me wrong, the service was perfectly acceptable and all of our servers were friendly, but there just wasn't that extra "connection" we always felt to our team on the Wonder. On the last night of the cruise, we lingered in the dining room after most people had left and had the first real one on one non-food related conversation with our head server. He had worked on the Magic for years and this was his first stint on the Fantasy. He noted that the galley was a much longer distance away from the dining rooms on the new ships than on the older ones. He lamented that they spent so much more time running back and forth that they didn't have much time to actually spend at the table. (And for all the cynics out there, he told us this AFTER we had given him his tip envelope, so I have no reason to think he wasn't being sincere.). We thought it was an interesting tidbit.

 

[scrappinginontario]

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?

I had the exact same questions as the OP and my questions were raised when I read reviews on Cruise Critic.' I feel they are another reliable place to research ship information and I believe many people use their reviews when selecting a ship.

Questions/concerns were raised for me when Disney's Fantasy had a 97% rating and Disney's Wonder only 78%! That's a HUGE difference!!!

I've only cruised once and it was on the Fantasy. We loved everything about it!!! I rebooked onboard on the Wonder. I will admit to losing sleep at first over this decision once I got home and read the reviews! I was the first to rebook and in turn 4 other families did too so I felt I had a lot of responsibility on my shoulders.

If I can recommend one thing to people, please take the time to complete reviews both here but on other sites too. If you love the Wonder than please share the love in reviews as I know many use those to select their cruises! Thanks! Hopefully that 77% rating can be raised if people feel it's worthy of raising!

 

[jrabbit]

Just off the Wonder less than a week ago (our 5th cruise on her). She's a fine ship and in good condition. There is some wear and tear - think of your brand new car a year after you bought it - still pretty nice but the "New Car Smell" is gone. It is a 90's model so some of the "cool high tech stuff" is not on the ship. If those items are important to you then the Wonder is not your ship. If you want good food, good service, smaller crowds and a great crew then the Wonder will fit your needs quite nicely

We noticed a lot of replaced carpet, and Palo has new (different) carpet and some new tile. Shutters was updated to the "Library" vs. the Where's my pictures scavenger hunt. And Shutters and the stairway down to midship has new carpet. The atrium still has two staircases which is nice - will reevaluate once I sail on the re-imagined Magic later this year.

Three areas where the Wonder has more room than the Classic Ships: Dinning Rooms, Staterooms (at least in cat 9) and the Walt Disney Theater. The pools are also more appropriately sized for the crowds than the new ships too (but they are to small too - but you're on a ship ... what do you expect

We had a great 5 nights onboard. The crew is first rate. It does not have the bells and whistles of the new ships ... but for the most part, that's NOT why we cruise. We enjoy relaxing and being treated like "royalty" There are plenty of activities on all days. Would have liked to take the pace a little slower, but they kept planning activities that I wanted to participate in

 

[WDW_Diane]

Just off the Wonder less than a week ago (our 5th cruise on her). She's a fine ship and in good condition. There is some wear and tear - think of your brand new car a year after you bought it - still pretty nice but the "New Car Smell" is gone. It is a 90's model so some of the "cool high tech stuff" is not on the ship. If those items are important to you then the Wonder is not your ship. If you want good food, good service, smaller crowds and a great crew then the Wonder will fit your needs quite nicely

We noticed a lot of replaced carpet, and Palo has new (different) carpet and some new tile. Shutters was updated to the "Library" vs. the Where's my pictures scavenger hunt. And Shutters and the stairway down to midship has new carpet. The atrium still has two staircases which is nice - will reevaluate once I sail on the re-imagined Magic later this year.

Three areas where the Wonder has more room than the Classic Ships: Dinning Rooms, Staterooms (at least in cat 9) and the Walt Disney Theater. The pools are also more appropriately sized for the crowds than the new ships too (but they are to small too - but you're on a ship ... what do you expect

We had a great 5 nights onboard. The crew is first rate. It does not have the bells and whistles of the new ships ... but for the most part, that's NOT why we cruise. We enjoy relaxing and being treated like "royalty" There are plenty of activities on all days. Would have liked to take the pace a little slower, but they kept planning activities that I wanted to participate in

Thanks, sounds like what I enjoy in cruising....although I've only been twice. Booked on the Wonder for March Spring. Break.
Would like to fly SW into Ft. lauderdale but I don't think we cqn book that through Disney and get the transfer or guarantee that the ship won't leave without us.