Trip Report, finally!

[praisehisname]

Here is my trip report for the 2/1 Wonder (4 night). It was our first ever cruise, but thanks to this board, I felt like a pro! I really don't know how people do it if they don't have this board!

Day 1 (Sunday): We had already completed check in when we registered for the land part of our trip, so we simply got right in line to board. It was 11:30 and we were probably the 20th family in line. Not bad. They opened the doors right at noon, and we had our picture taken and then boarded. It was really neat to hear them announce our family and see the crew clapping for us! The kids loved that!

They directed us to Parrot Cay for the buffet lunch and we had a window seat. The food was fabulous, and Captain Hook and Dopey visited at the tables while we ate.

We went to find our room (beautiful!) and met our stateroom hostess, Marissa. The kids got changed into their swimsuits and we headed to the Mickey pool for a swim.

We had the early dinner, so after the safety drill, we got changed for dinner and headed down. Our rotation was PTAP. The family we ate with lived 2 hours away, so it was nice to talk with someone close to home. The sea was very, very rough that first night, and my 9yob and 7yog were too sick to eat. They never actually "got sick" but the nausea was there. My 5yog actually laid her head down on the table and fell asleep! By the time my hubby and I finished eating and got them back to the room, they were feeling hungry, so we ordered room service. Very fast delivery and delicous food!

Day 2 (Monday): Nassau. The sea had calmed down around midnight, so we all got a good night's sleep. We chose not to visit Nassau, and spent the day exploring the ship and swimming. So much to see and do! The kids all checked into the children's programming for part of the day and had a great time. My hubby and I actually got some quality alone time!

Day 3 (Tuesday): Castaway Cay. My absolute favorite part of the trip! It was high 80's, water temp around 80. I'm basking in the sun, sipping a Conch Cooler, my kiddos and hubby are playing in the water, and my family is shoveling ice and snow back in 30 degree Baltimore!!! The buffet at Cookie's BBQ was amazing! Yum!

Day 4 (Wednesday): Day at Sea. Another day exploring the ship and just relaxing. Rebooked for a 7 night Eastern in February 2005!

We tried to get Palo reservations, but our name never made it to the top of the waiting list. Oh well, next year! Loved the show at Animator's Palate. Loved the Golden Mickey's, but our favorite show was Disney Dreams. (Do they show that on the Eastern? I hope so, my 7yog fell asleep right as it was starting and slept through the whole thing!)

All in all, it was definitely the best vacation we have ever had, and we can't wait to go back again!

Denise C. in MD

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Hi! Thanks for the trip report! We have booked our very first cruise for Dec (3 Nt Wonder), but the kids don't know yet...thought we'd tie it in with Christmas!

How did you like early dinner? That's what we've requested, but I'm wondering if we'd like later better. At cruise time our 5 kiddos will range in age from 5-15, & the 5 yr old has no trouble staying awake! Also, we've been wondering how many people they sit at a table. With 7 in our family, I'm wondering if the tables are for 8 if they'll just have us alone or find a brave lone traveller! I just thought it sounded neat to meet other people but am afraid our crew is too big. Thanks!

 

[praisehisname]

I can see advantages to both sitting times. With the early, we did feel a little like our afternoon was cut short because we had to get ready for dinner. But if we had the late, I'm not sure our 5 yog would have made it! We requested early again for next year, but are toying with the idea of changing it.

The largest table I saw seated 8. We are a family of 5, so they sat us with a family of 3.

Have fun!
Denise C. in MD

 

[one_of_many_micheles]

I am a first time cruiser. Do you need to have reservations for the Disney shows on board, i.e. Disney Dreams? Thanks.

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

You don't have to make show reservations. Some shows can get crowded, so you may want to arrive 5 - 10 minutes early. Especially if you have a big party to seat together.



The navigator (ship itinerary) I saw listed Disney Dreams being shown 3 times in one day Might have been 3:00, 6:00 and 8:??.
So you'll have more than 1 chance to see it.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[susyq0210]

Your trip sounds great!! I am leaving on the same vacation March 3rd. Taking my 70 y.o. Mom, myself , my 18 y.o. ds and 7 y.o. ds. We have done Disney before, but never the cruise. Might I ask how much the deposit is to book another cruise while your are on board??? I'm sure I will need to go again!!! Glad to hear check in was easy. Wish me luck!! :

 

[B&T]

GREAT TRIP REPORT! OUR 1ST CRUISE IS ON THE WONDER LEAVING THIS MONTH FEB 26. WE CHOSE THE LATE SEATING BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE RUSHED AND OUR AFTERNOONS CUT SHORT. I'M WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE EATING DINNER WITH STRANGERS? HOW WAS THE PROBLEM FIXED? JUST CURIOUS!

 

[Cruisin]

DisneyMomx5- we had a group of 7 people when we went on Jan 29 3 night Wonder and we were seated at a table for 6 with one chair added onto the end of the table to make it for 7.

As for early or late seating it is a toss up-early seating you may feel like your afternoon is cut short because you have to get ready for dinner early, but really your theater show starts at the same time as early dinner so it really doesn't make much difference.
Late seating - then you feel like your evening is shorter, so I guess it is just a matter of preference.

 

[B&T]

GOOD POINT ABOUT EARLY/LATE SEATING. I GUESS I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE SHOWS STARTING AT THE SAME TIME AS DINNER...

 

[praisehisname]

Originally posted by susyq0210
Might I ask how much the deposit is to book another cruise while your are on board??? I'm sure I will need to go again!!! :

They ask for $250 per person. We have 5 in our family and it would have been $1,250, so the woman suggested booking it as 2 adults, and adding the children at a later time. That way we only had to make a $500 deposit.

Denise C. in MD

 

[praisehisname]

Originally posted by B&T
I'M WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE EATING DINNER WITH STRANGERS? HOW WAS THE PROBLEM FIXED? JUST CURIOUS!

I was very nervous about this, as I am an extremely shy introvert by nature! It was a little awkward at first, but by the second night, it was fine. It made it so much easier knowing we were eating with the same family every night (comfort and familiarity), and by the end of the cruise, we were genuinaly sad to say goodby!

Denise C. in MD

 

[swclark]

On the deposit.. what I have been hearing is that adding the kids onto the reservation is important - I would do it sooner than later. Apparenly, they will only take kids until the clubs are full then stop taking reservations for cabins with children. So, you have some time, but would add them as you get closer and not wait til the last minute.

Regarding late seating.. the only issue we found is that most families with kids book early so if your kids meet up with others and want to meet them places, the conflicting dinner time can make issues.. we have moved back to early seating because of it.

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Boy, those 2 points regarding early vs late seating are great!! I never would have thought about those! These boards are so awesome!! What would we do without them???