Wonder 2-Night A Mess

[PrincessShmoo]

Wish there was a way Disney could make it a little less hectic and crowded. Other cruise lines are much more organized and adept and handling this part. There doesn't seem to be as much chaos on other lines and debarkation runs much smoother making for a better last memory of your cruise.

Sadly, I think it's not how Disney does it that's the problem. How they handle debarkation really doesn't differ much from how we've experienced it on the other lines we've been on. But what's different, is the large number of passengers (usually with kids and bags in tow) who want to be off NOW! Regardless of what debarkation tag/time they have.

It's the same mentality that causes large numbers of cruisers on embarkation day to crowd the entrance to the queue line before their boarding number is any where close to being called.

The other lines we've been on , everyone is willing to "wait their turn".

 

[Lizzards]

I was on this 2 night cruise as well, and we had a great time! So sorry your experience wasn't stellar! Our servers in the MDR were awesome, and the head server spoke to us both evenings, told jokes to our kids, and welcomed us to come back again soon. The shows were amazing!!! I really appreciated the fact that they did 2 (Broadway style shows) Frozen and Dreams in the theater. I know that is a lot of work for a 2 night turn around. Frozen was fantastic! The special effects were great. Don't miss it!

They also did a pirate night with the buffet, and I appreciated too. But I am sure getting all of these activities crammed into 2 nights is very stressful for the crew. The cruise director joked about how the guests shouldn't even sleep! Our friends went with us, and a 7 night is just not an option for them....so it was cool they got to experience as much of a 7 night as possible in 2. But, man we were tired by the end! I feel like I got my money's worth and would/did book another 2 night. Now, I definitely prefer a 7 night cruise, but for the 2 night, it is just a short drive to port (San Diego) for us and limited time off of work.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I don't want to derail the OPs topic, but yes, I totally agree that debarkation in San Diego on our cruise was also pretty bad. We had a ringside seat to watch the Panama Canal cruise debarkation before our boarding, and it looked like it took them quite a bit longer than usual to start releasing passengers. I would have chalked it up to the length of that cruise, amount of luggage, ports of call, etc, but we ran into the same delays on our short 5 day cruise debarkation as well. Not sure if it's a Disney problem, or an issue with US Customs in SD. Your experience seems to indicate other lines do it better, so maybe the Disney folks at port need to get up to speed.

I was on the Panama Canal cruise before yours & I know that at least one reason for the delay was because non-US citizens were supposed to report to a specific location at 6:30 am for customs reasons and some did not. They made an announcement at 8:00 asking for people by name, then we were cleared by customs shortly after that.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was on the Panama Canal cruise before yours & I know that at least one reason for the delay was because non-US citizens were supposed to report to a specific location at 6:30 am for customs reasons and some did not. They made an announcement at 8:00 asking for people by name, then we were cleared by customs shortly after that.

Yes, it's an issue in San Diego on all cruise lines. We finished a Panama Canal cruise in San Diego on Holland America, and they were still calling for non-US people to report to the immigration check at 10:00. San Diego's immigration process is the worst we've ever encountered. They board the immigration people once the ship is in the bay, and the process is handled onboard, before US citizens are allowed to debark.

 

[AquaDame]

I'm glad to hear some reports of a good time (though still very sorry for your snafu's OP! ) I did wake up early this morning and booked a 2-night for next year that will get us to Platinum before the new ships come down the line so I guess I will see for myself!

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the sarcasm.

This is not the first time I've seen people having issues with the Wonder and the service. That is what is making me iffy - the mounting reports of service issues.

For what it's worth, we had no problem with our servers in the dining room when we cruised on the Wonder last month. They were awesome. And the dining rooms are so entertaining, especially Tiana's Place!

 

[Dug720]

For what it's worth, we had no problem with our servers in the dining room when we cruised on the Wonder last month. They were awesome. And the dining rooms are so entertaining, especially Tiana's Place!

I decided to change to the Fantasy.

I really don't like supper clubs, and that is pretty much what they turned Tiana's into.

That is not the only reason - I'd been debating for a while and made a deal with myself when I called today after crunching numbers that if I got through before I had to get the kids from lunch (we have 50 minutes) it was a sign. I did not have to hold AT ALL! That definitely seemed like a sign!

And I have felt relieved ever since. So I am sure it's the right move for me to make.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I decided to change to the Fantasy.

I really don't like supper clubs, and that is pretty much what they turned Tiana's into.

That is not the only reason - I'd been debating for a while and made a deal with myself when I called today after crunching numbers that if I got through before I had to get the kids from lunch (we have 50 minutes) it was a sign. I did not have to hold AT ALL! That definitely seemed like a sign!

And I have felt relieved ever since. So I am sure it's the right move for me to make.

Definitely a good move

 

[o&smom]

I'm glad to hear some reports of a good time (though still very sorry for your snafu's OP! ) I did wake up early this morning and booked a 2-night for next year that will get us to Platinum before the new ships come down the line so I guess I will see for myself!

We did the same for the same reason and also to give us an OBB for a summer 2019 cruise since our WBPC does not go far enough. It looks like we wîll cancel though as airfare times and prices seem to be more than the savings.

 

[nancyjo1998]

Sorry I didn't keep them. We did have Brunch at Palo, and it was great (DH almost had to miss because of the pants rule, but he threw on a dirty pair and they were fine with that).
The only offered 3 movies, the shows were Frozen (AWESOME!) and Dreams. They had the Pirate night the first night. All in all there was a lot going on and of course not enough time to see/do it all.
I would do another 2 day -- I'm not off them. Just recognize that we are not going to get to know the staff especially in the MDR--nor are they going to get to know us and our preferences. I would also try to find more time to nap, I am exhausted at work this week!

Thanks for replying! I am really excited to hear they offered brunch at Palo as well as the pirate party.

 

[AquaDame]

We did the same for the same reason and also to give us an OBB for a summer 2019 cruise since our WBPC does not go far enough. It looks like we wîll cancel though as airfare times and prices seem to be more than the savings.

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't but San Diego is only a two hour flight and there are tons of cheap nonstops from here. Alaska point redemptions are pretty cheap on the leg as well. Hopefully something better comes around for you!

 

[cruiser21]

We did the same for the same reason and also to give us an OBB for a summer 2019 cruise since our WBPC does not go far enough. It looks like we wîll cancel though as airfare times and prices seem to be more than the savings.

That seems like a lot of money to spend to get an OBB. Being platinum isn't really a whole lot different then being Gold. There platinum perks are kind of joke IMHO.

 

[AquaDame]

That seems like a lot of money to spend to get an OBB. Being platinum isn't really a whole lot different then being Gold. There platinum perks are kind of joke IMHO.

Agreed, but we're going to try to do a maiden voyage. I have a feeling we'll want whatever head start we can manage for it..!

I also assume (hopefully incorrectly) that first voyage will be blacked out for OBB, so thats not on my radar personally.

 

[Drusilla99]

I've done the Wonder 3 times, 1- 7 day Mexican riviera, 1 - 7 day Alaskan, & 1- 2 night from San Diego. The 2 nighter was the only cruise were we had less than wonderful service. It was in the mdr...we never saw the head server, the photographers circled our table, but never came to us, and service was slow. We went back to the mdr on night 2 so my sister could check out ap and we split an appetizer and received the same service. We went to Palo for dinner the 2nd night and got great service! The other cruises were wonderful and I'm so glad we stuck with the Wonder!

 

[dani24]

The negative feedback is really disheartening to hear. We're getting on the Wonder tomorrow for our first Disney cruise. We could have done pretty much the same itinerary for 6 (instead of 5) days on Princess for half the cost. And we love Princess so we have high expectations (especially since many people seem to say Disney is "the best"). I'll have to report back in a few days with our experience.

 

[o&smom]

That seems like a lot of money to spend to get an OBB. Being platinum isn't really a whole lot different then being Gold. There platinum perks are kind of joke IMHO.

We are looking at the crazy expensive 10 or 11 night Southern Caribbean. So it actually did have enough benefit to make it worth our while, but just barely. We then plan on one of the new ships for our son's high school graduation in 2021, so we were adding in the benefit of free Palo for three of us. The reality is that I think we love the ships too much (and we really loved the Wonder for the WBPC) to really be satisfied with only a little more than a day on the ship. We would definitely do it if we were within driving distance!

 

[o&smom]

The negative feedback is really disheartening to hear. We're getting on the Wonder tomorrow for our first Disney cruise. We could have done pretty much the same itinerary for 6 (instead of 5) days on Princess for half the cost. And we love Princess so we have high expectations (especially since many people seem to say Disney is "the best"). I'll have to report back in a few days with our experience.

Do NOT be disheartened!!! We just spent 14 amazing days doing the Panama Canal cruise. We had last been on the Wonder in Akaska in 2011, and were quite excited to check her out again. We were not disappointed! I still love the Magic because she was our very first ship, but I do think that the Wonder is the prettiest, now. My son's favorite had been the Fantasy since we sailed in 2012, but the Wonder is now his favorite. My husband said that the Wonder is now his favorite. Every cruise is different and not always perfect, but we had really good food, an awesome serving team and just a very enjoyable time! Have fun on your cruise, we can't wait to get back!

 

[pudinhd]

Sorry you had a bad experience, but thank you for posting!! We took a 2-night cruise in 2011 on the Wonder and I think it was the first one. We have another 2-night cruise later this year with family that have not been on DCL before. I would love more information about the other aspects of the cruise and how busy it was in the public areas. Thanks!

 

[JakeRambo]

Sorry you had a bad experience, but thank you for posting!! We took a 2-night cruise in 2011 on the Wonder and I think it was the first one. We have another 2-night cruise later this year with family that have not been on DCL before. I would love more information about the other aspects of the cruise and how busy it was in the public areas. Thanks!

This was our third 2-day on the Wonder. I would say the fall 2-days are much better than the spring. In the fall we found the entertainment was higher quality, more in sync. Our biggest complaint was that there were about half the number of activities as the first 3 cruises. It was not at all crowded, a light crowd even for a 2-day. We had the adult pool to ourselves most of the morning in Ensenada. The stage show and jazz show in Tianna's were fabulous. The disappointment was the slow, low quality MDR service and the limited activities on board. I would agree with what I've seen in other threads, MDR quality on the whole is not what it used to be. In general, unlike the past 2-night cruises, it felt like DCL took the weekend off and sent in the B-team.

We've done all four ships, I would pick the Magic for the quality of the entertainment and the Fantasy for the food, though Tianna's is our favorite specialty restaurant.

 

[yargrnhoj]

Sadly, I think it's not how Disney does it that's the problem. How they handle debarkation really doesn't differ much from how we've experienced it on the other lines we've been on. But what's different, is the large number of passengers (usually with kids and bags in tow) who want to be off NOW! Regardless of what debarkation tag/time they have.

It's the same mentality that causes large numbers of cruisers on embarkation day to crowd the entrance to the queue line before their boarding number is any where close to being called.

The other lines we've been on , everyone is willing to "wait their turn".

Only cruised one other line (NCL) and they are more strict about forcing you to wait your turn. We had major issue in Miami boarding the Magic because no one was enforcing the boarding time - everyone just rushed up as soon as they saw people moving. A queue system would make more sense - block off access to the atrium and send people to clubs or the theatre based on luggage tag color to wait.

Making you leave your room by 8am when breakfast isn't until 8:30 only adds to the problem.