This is about our 3 Days Wonder Cruise - 6th Arpil 2006

[scottishwee35]

This is about our 3 day Disney Wonder Cruise. It was fantastic. We did the booking through Dreams Unlimited Website as it was cheaper than booking in the UK. They really helpful and their prices for the Cruise were very good. When I did the booking I let them know that 3 of us travelling were deaf and they told me that there would be interpreters on the liner for us.

When we arrived at the Cruise Terminal we had to queue in the Non Us Citizen Line. The lady who processed us was new and she took quite a long time but it was not a problem as the children were able to play and get photos taken with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. It was funny to be called Aleins that it was non Us Citizens are called. I registered the Children for the kids club collected the pager and the Children got their wrist bands.

When we at last entered the Liner Members of staff greeted everyone at the door and called out their names what a lovely welcome - one of the crew told us she came from Glasgow and as we were from Edinburgh. She was happy to have people from her own country on board.

We checked out our cabins WOW we had two cabins with a connecting door as there were five of us in our Party. My husband and I discovered that we had a minicom telephone (for deaf people) and flashing light for Fire Alarm System. They think of everything. We toured the ship next and before lunch handed in pillowcases to be signed at Guest Sevices. Then up to the Beach Blanket Buffet for a lovely lunch. My mother in law and I had a cocktail, which we enjoyed at the Sail Away Party. Lots of the Disney Characters were on the stage dancing What A Lovely Atmosphere.

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I had been emailing a lady from the US named Jeinnifer48 and was hoping we would meet on board, imagine our Surprise when she spoke to us She saw my husband's Scottish Sweater and asked if I was Deborah. We had a chat, it was nice to meet her in person.

Our meal time was for the early sitting the staff were excellent for waiter Lito maded us very welcome and explained that the staff we had went to each resturant each night. The resturants each had a different theme. After that the children went to the Kids Club and husband, mother in law and I went to the Theatre where we saw Hercules The Musical show the Two Interpreters were brilliant and although the used Americian Sign Language. They were fantastic to watch.

Interpreter (Tara)

We had two doors sign which I made it up and to my surprise that I am only one to put up doors sign on our two doors and find that nobody did it as met Jennifer48 and she didn't see her floor well.

 

[scottishwee35]

Part 2.

Nassau Bahamas

My husband and his mother went to see Nassau and I went to the Beauty spa on board and had my nails and feet done. It was lovely being pampered. The Children again went to the Kids Club. They were keen to go and it was good to know that they were safe and enjoying themselves leaving us grown ups to enjoy the pleasures on board. That Evening our meal was served in the animators palate. We all enjoyed seeing the pictures on the walls changing colour. As it was pirates party later we all got bandanas for our head Lito made us laugh doing different ways of tying them on our heads. The Caribbean Pirates Party was brilliant and the fireworks fantastic to see.

The next day we woke up in Cataway Cay What a Beautiful Island. The weather was sunny but to windy for my husband to have his parasail but we still enjoyed the day at the Beach. Again, the Children went to the Club and had a great time.

We met two interpreters at Castaway Cay and took the picture.

When we returned to the ship we went to the theatre to see Celebrate the Journey. This is When All the Children Graduate from the club. Each child gets a T Shirt and wears a Motor Board. Just the same as a student from University. I was really proud to see my son receive the Scroll from Minnie Mouse I got it on Video. As this was our last evening on board I had booked a Meal in the Palo resturant. The food and service were excellent well worth making a booking.

The last show in the theatre was most enjoyable and then I took my daughter to say goodbye to the Disney Characters, she managed to get all their auotgraphs. Then it was time for bed as the worst part of the whole 3 days for us was getting up early to be in the theatre fro 6 am to get our passports back and report to immigration. We finished off our trip with breakfast in Parrot Cay resturant and said goodbye to Lito and the staff. As we were leaving my son started to cry because he had enjoyed himself so much and did not want to leave I had a lump in my throat seeing him but as he had received a certificate from the counsellors at the Kids Club for being the COOLEST KID in the Club. We said he could put it up on his bedroom wall when he got home so he would remember all the happy times he had in the Kids club on board the Disney Wonder.

3 days was not enough and we hope to come back again for a weeks Cruise in 2007/08.

Thank you Disney for making our holiday in the USA so enjoyable.

Scottishwee35

 

[E&BMom]

Thanks for the report!!! Glad you had such a great time!!! We started with a 4 day cruise and agree there was not enough time!!!! We are getting ready to go on our 2nd 7 day in just a few days!!!!! Hope you get to go again soon!!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Hi Deborah!

So glad to see you had time to write your trip report. Thanks for sharing your experience and I'm so glad I had the chance to meet you.

Ya know, I thought about how you got to enjoy the theater shows. I never saw a translator there. Silly me to think they wouldn't have one. Disney accommodates all.

Btw, what is difference in American sign language than to what you are used to? I'm curious. I didn't know there were different versions. Please educate me!

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi Jennifer48

Good to hear from you.

In UK Interpreter and deaf people use TWO hands signers.

In USA Interpreter/deaf people use ONE hand signers. They were beautiful signs at the Cruise on the show. They were so different from my signers as my husband have been learned about USA signers at school long times ago. He can followed it but lucky interpreters used their lipread for me as i can follow it cos different signers.

At the theatre, two interpreter Tara and Andy were beautiful signers as they were acted and dancing, signing which was WOW as never see my home like that!!

At Castaway Cay, lots of people stop them and telling them how mavellous at the theatre.

My husband got video of them will show my friend later.

Scottishwee35x

 

[Jennifer48]

Hi Jennifer48

Good to hear from you.

In UK Interpreter and deaf people use TWO hands signers.

In USA Interpreter/deaf people use ONE hand signers. They were beautiful signs at the Cruise on the show. They were so different from my signers as my husband have been learned about USA signers at school long times ago. He can followed it but lucky interpreters used their lipread for me as i can follow it cos different signers.

At the theatre, two interpreter Tara and Andy were beautiful signers as they were acted and dancing, signing which was WOW as never see my home like that!!

At Castaway Cay, lots of people stop them and telling them how mavellous at the theatre.

My husband got video of them will show my friend later.

Scottishwee35x

That is very interesting. Thank you so much for educating me! When I learn sign language, you'll have to teach me so I learn the correct way .

 

[Ruth B]

Hi
thanks for your report. My son and i are going in aug and dreading the 6am start for UK residence! Best, Ruth

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Deborah,
I finally found your report. I enjoyed it very much. Made me wish I was on the ship again!!
On our 3rd or 4th cruise we had noticed interpreters at the shows. The way they spoke with their hands and facial expressions was so beautiful. So graceful. I wound up watching them more than the show itself.

I have been attempting to learn some sign language the past few months because my littlest grandson uses it to communicate. He is not deaf, but he has a high level of autism and doesnt want to speak yet, so they have been teaching him sign language. Luckily for me, he just uses one word at a time, no long sentences or I would be lost. I only get to see him about once a year so it is hard to keep up with learning new words. I need more practice I guess.
Well thanks for the report, i did enjoy reading it and seeing the pictures!!

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[AbsyBabsy]