What do I need to know about Miami and the Wonder?

[bethy]

Sorry, I seem to have missed that part. It's a night rate.

How do you get a day rate?

You can't necessarily. Usually only when bookings are low. That's why I'm hoping for better luck closer to our sail date. I would actually happily pay a "night" rate but that still wouldn't get us use of a room during the hours we need it between 9am and 4 pm. And I'm not really up for paying for two nights.

I'll post if I find something.

 

[PizzieDuster]

We sailed out of Miami and loved it. Stayed at the InterContinnental with a view of the ships. We enjoyed having dinner at the marketplace. We walked there and walked back - daylight.
We ended up just jumping in a cab before the busses even got there after we saw the long line of people waiting. I believe it was a 10 minute ride to port. It was a good move.

Be sure to be on the left side (?) of the ship when it sails away. Great views of mansions, huge yachts, huge condo high risers and a fantastic view of Miami Beach.

Have a great cruise!

 

[mevelandry]

Decided to change our Hotel!

Since it was really far away from the port (expensive cab fare) and a long walk to South Beach, I decided to book the Stanton instead... I booked a room this morning just to make sure we'll get one... but I'm going to try to get a room through DCL (maybe we'll get a discount).

 

[mevelandry]

Quick update: a guy from DCL told me that I would probably get a better price/deal by booking myself instead of booking through DCL (he says "It will come up at the same price as Marriott, or higher).

With the package I got, I end up getting 1 room, 1 shuttle to the port... and receiving 2 drinks + Breakfast for 2. No bad!

 

[mevelandry]

Is the boarding different than the one at Port Canaveral? Do they have a cute "port" like they do in PC? (You enter through doors with Mickey Ears).

 

[dcassetta]

The boarding process at the Port of Miami is very similar to Port Canaveral. You will check in and board in numbered groups. In the past, Disney has used Terminal F and they do add Disney signage and decorations. But, as it is not a dedicated Disney terminal it is not decorated to same level as Port Canaveral.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks!

I'll try to find pictures online.

 

[debdisneycruiser]

Completed a B2B in April on the Wonder sailing out Miami. Had completed 7 Disney Cruises on Dream, Fantasy, & Magic before that. This was our first on the Wonder and out of Miami. Flew into Miami the night before and stayed at Comfort Suites Miami Airport North. Able to secure an Orbitz booking there for $120.00 Free shuttle pickup at the airport and provide free shuttle to the Port and will provide pickup after the cruise as well. Clean comfortable rooms with complimentary breakfast. We called when we arrived at the airport, the shuttle was already on site and was able to grab the shuttle immediately after getting luggage. There is nothing near the hotel to really walked to in way of shopping or restaurants. We arrived around 9:30 pm, grabbed a Subway sandwich located nearby and some bottle waters at convenience store to take on board.

As to the Wonder, We prefer the classic ships, the crew was the friendliest and most engaging of any that we have sailed with. We would highly recommend giving the Wonder a try and Castaway has so much space for everyone as compared with the Dream & Fantasy. The Wonder does not have the water play areas for preschoolers that the Dream & Fantasy has. We stayed on Deck 7, great location for us. We always take the stairs, so 2 decks up for pool, food and snacks and 4 down for restaurants and shows.

We definitely will sail the Wonder again in the near future.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for your Wonder review. We do not have kids so we wouldn't use the water plays areas.

Is there some kind of Aquaduck/aquadunk on the Wonder?

 

[mevelandry]

I also read that the bigger ships are more stable... Do we feel the motion more on smaller ships? (I've had the worst evening on the first night while going from PC to Nassau)...

Is it going to be easier this time, since the first night we're (only) going from Miami to Castaway Cay?

 

[richmo]

...Is there some kind of Aquaduck/aquadunk on the Wonder?

Nope, not yet anyway. Its possible they may get one of those in the future, but I think there would be an issue getting the ship thru the Panama Canal. Once the Panama Canal expansion finishes up, they may be able to add one of those features.

 

[dcassetta]

I also read that the bigger ships are more stable... Do we feel the motion more on smaller ships? (I've had the worst evening on the first night while going from PC to Nassau)...

Is it going to be easier this time, since the first night we're (only) going from Miami to Castaway Cay?

To get from Florida to the Bahamas, you have to cross the Straits of Florida and the Gulf Stream. This is why people feel more motion on the first and last evening. However, the trip from Miami is shorter, so hopefully you will not be bothered. I have not noticed a significant difference between the Wonder and the Dream, both are very stable.

 

[dcassetta]

Nope, not yet anyway. Its possible they may get one of those in the future, but I think there would be an issue getting the ship thru the Panama Canal. Once the Panama Canal expansion finishes up, they may be able to add one of those features.

I hope they don't add one. I think they take away from the beauty of the ships.

 

[mevelandry]

To be honest, we only did the AD once. It was fun but we did not feel like we had to do it again. Not worth waiting 20 min +