Wonder 7/22 - 7/25

[lori saxman]

We're Back!! and it was great!! Our "gang" Myself 35, DH 43, DS 12, DD 8, DD 6, and both of my parents in their late 50's. Our trip post cruise was 7 nts in Orlando at our time share __Marriott's Grand Vista which was wonderful. I'm still tired so my trip report might reflect my being gone for 12 days and getting home late.

My past cruise experience was with RCCL twice before with the most recent trip in 2002. ( FYI... DCL is far better than RCCL!!)

We actually left for MCO the night before and stayed at the MCO Courtyard with our Marriott points. Room/Hotel were very nice/clean and they have a great breakfast buffet.


as a surprise for the kids and my parents we took a stretch limo to the port (with Happy Limo-- we had a very good experience with them -- on time for pick up, limo very clean, driver was great!!)

At the Port: We arrived @ 11am and started boarding @ noon. Everything went fast and smooth. We enjoyed looking around Disney's Terminal. They always do everything with class.

The Ship: WOW!! VERY BEAUTIFUL!! It seemed soooo large! It was too early for us to unpack at our stateroom so we ate at BBB for lunch. The food was good, but I think that the cafe is not big enough and the layout could be better.

The Stateroom: Better than I thought it would be!! DCL does a great job with decorating and cleaning of everything on the ship and the staterooms are no exception. We had cabins 2122 &2124. (lg. porthole rooms). We left the connecting doors open and it worked out great!! I would recommend connecting rooms for families. We had Shirley do bags for mom&dad & the kids. They were great!! and VERY surprised.

The Kids Programs: We enrolled the kids (seemed time consuming, very busy lots of standing in lines) but the kids areas were very very nice. Really large. However, our kids never went to any of the programs. We were not on the ship long enough for them to enjoy the programs. But I think that they would have loved it!

The ship overall was just absoulutley beautiful. Lots of care and detail goes into this ship. The staff was always great! That goes for our dining staff, cabin steward. My only complaint would be "Shutters" very, very forceful with wanting to sell you pictures and packages. Plus the photos are $$$

Food & Dining: Overall the food onboard was good not great but never bad either if that makes sense. Our rotation was AP, PC, T
My favorite was Triton's. Wish that some of the stations had later hours :Scoops, BBB. We LOVED the late night tropical deck party!!! the music, dancing, food, it was just wonderful!!!

Nassau: I have been there twice before and I think the next time I cruise, I won't go back, but I would rather enjoy the ship.

Cataway Cay: FANTASTIC!! Now that's a place I could have spent much more time in!! Again, typical Disney style and charm. It was great.

Regrets: Did not do any of the shows(too busy with other activities and enjoying the ship) * My DH did win over $170 playing BINGO* Palo's: we had NO problems getting in and I did not even make it over to sign us up until @ 3 or 4 pm but we had to cancel or 9pm reservation.

We really enjoyed our cruise and I will go with DCL again and again. They are the best I have cruised with, and I would pay the extra to do it!!! Even my parents thought that this was a cruise that could be enjoyed by adults without children and we agreed. DCL has it all!

 

[delo4]

Thanks for the report, I am curious about your reasons for liking the DCL cruise better. My daughter just returned from a RCL honeymoon cruise. She went with us last year on a Disney Cruise and she had the same opinion as you. She enjoyed the DCL trip much more. SHe said the RC ship was beautiful, but too stiff, not casual enough. She thought the food was better on DCL and the staff much better.

I was a bit surprised by her opinion. I thought for sure, being 20 something that she would love the Mariner of the Seas better than the Magic. I guess I was wrong.

 

[lori saxman]

RCCL vs DCL : IMO I could "feel" the warmth and character that Disney offers. I thinks it's a much classier ship than the RC ships we were on (monarch and majesty) I did see the ship your daughter was on however and it was pretty.(it was docked next to the Wonder when we pulled into PC.)

Overall DCL has a higher standard that we could immeditaly feel from the moment we walked onboard. WE LOVED IT!!

 

[PattiPB]

Thanks for the report, Lori!!!

Our group mirrors your group: Me and DH (39), DD10, DSs 8 & 6, and my parents (74).

I am very interested in what activities were so engaging to your family. What were the kids favorites?

What did you do on CC---excursions or relaxing?

We have connecting rooms on deck 2 also---how was the location?

Did you not go to Palo? Were your ressies just you and DH, or were your parents going, too?

Thanks for your responses---get some sleep then get back to me!

 

[lori saxman]

PattiPB I sent you a PM Lori

 

[SchultzFamily]

Thanks for the trip report! I'm so excited for our turn!
Vickie

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Great trip report!! Thanks for sharing!!! Sounds like a good time was had by all!!

I agree that the deck #2 porthole rooms were great. We spent so little time in the cabin that I would have hated spending the extra$$ for the higher catagories!

I am sad to hear you missed the shows. They are really spectacular! You will just have to rebook so you get to see them!! (Tell the DH all of us DISers say "rebook!!") Congrats on the BINGO winning!!

I have also sail on RCCL and I agree that DCL has them beat hands down!! Perhaps the food was about equal but the service on DCL was tops!!!

Thanks again for taking the time to share your report!! Do you have any pictures to share?