conandrob240
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
- Messages
- 2,470
Set sail on Disney Wonder's 3-night Bahamas cruise on Thurs Aug 31st just after Ernesto passed. We had good weather and a smooth ride. I have cruised 2 other times both on Princess so my reference point for comparison are those cruises.
Check-in: cruise terminal is an easy 75 minute drive from Disneyworld. It is a beautiful terminal and they have the organization down to a science. We pulled up at the curb at about 11:30am and our bags were tagged and whisked away immediately by a porter. As you enter the building, you go through metal detectors just like an airport. The terminal is beautifully decorated, all new and spotless. You go to the check-in line (no one waiting) where they take your paperwork and credit card. Simple & quick- took about 10 minutes. There is a booth set up right in the terminal to enroll your child in the kid's club (3-16 yr olds) and they give you a pager for use during the cruise. We sat down for about 5 minutes & they started calling peopleto board. We were called in about 10 minutes. The only line (about 10 minutes) was because they take pictures before you get on- that got a little backed up. You enter the grand lobby and they announce your name and all clap for you. We were on the ship eating lunch by 12:30pm. Check-in MUCH smoother than on either of the Princess cruises I have been on.
The ship was beautiful and spotless. Cleaner and better kept than the princess ships I have been on even though this one was a few years older. Details like murano glass chandeliers and disney character accents made it gorgeous to look at. Lobby area felt smaller as did elevators but i think that is because Disney uses their ship differently dedicating almost a whole floor to the children's program rooms.
Room- our room was lovely. A regular balcony stateroom with a great balcony. Much bigger (about 1 1/2 x the size) of the balcony room we had on princess and almost equal in size to Princess' mini-suite category. It was beautifully decorated and spotlessly maintained. Split bath with toilet and sink in one room and sink and tub/shower in other room was a great idea. Lots of storage & closet space as well. Stateroom steward catered to our every need and went above and beyond in her attention to our needs and to my nephew's preferences.
Food- dining was a great experience. Food ranged from good (buffets) to very good at restaurants. Service was fantastic- they are trained to entertain kids with jokes & Magic tricks. They knew our names when we sat down for our first meal and by the end of the first dinner knew our preferences & needs. they have little shows at each meal to keep the kids busy. Room service is included.
Entertainment: lots of bars and spaces to enjoy. Movie theater with first-run movies (Cars, Invincable, Pirates of Carrbean II), a great theater with excellent Broadway style shows and then lots of little parties & activities for kids, families & adults. Kid's club was incredible- absolutely beautiful and spotless and lots of great programs for kids. I felt completely safe leaving my nephew Joaquin there and he enjoyed himself immensely.
Service: Exceptional. Much more attentive than any other ship I have sailed on.
Ports of Call: nassau, bahamas was okay but a bit too much of a big city for me. We went to Atlantis for the day- their beach was very crowded and over-run with jet skis, vendors, etc. I do not think I would enjoy an long stay here.
Castaway Cay (Disney's private island in Abacos, Bahamas). Absolutely amazing! One of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. So peaceful and gorgeous. Set up really well with chairs and hammocks. Great food and lots of walking trails to explore. Little play area set up out in water with rope swings, etc was really fun for kids. Adults only beach that was empty- maybe 20 people on it) and it was so beautful. I wish they did overnights on this island- it was that great.
Disembark: simple. At 9am, we just walked right off the ship. No lines, no tickets for disembark times.It was a sheer joy.
Overall , a great experience. I am looking into Disney cruise for 7 nights- it was THAT great.
Check-in: cruise terminal is an easy 75 minute drive from Disneyworld. It is a beautiful terminal and they have the organization down to a science. We pulled up at the curb at about 11:30am and our bags were tagged and whisked away immediately by a porter. As you enter the building, you go through metal detectors just like an airport. The terminal is beautifully decorated, all new and spotless. You go to the check-in line (no one waiting) where they take your paperwork and credit card. Simple & quick- took about 10 minutes. There is a booth set up right in the terminal to enroll your child in the kid's club (3-16 yr olds) and they give you a pager for use during the cruise. We sat down for about 5 minutes & they started calling peopleto board. We were called in about 10 minutes. The only line (about 10 minutes) was because they take pictures before you get on- that got a little backed up. You enter the grand lobby and they announce your name and all clap for you. We were on the ship eating lunch by 12:30pm. Check-in MUCH smoother than on either of the Princess cruises I have been on.
The ship was beautiful and spotless. Cleaner and better kept than the princess ships I have been on even though this one was a few years older. Details like murano glass chandeliers and disney character accents made it gorgeous to look at. Lobby area felt smaller as did elevators but i think that is because Disney uses their ship differently dedicating almost a whole floor to the children's program rooms.
Room- our room was lovely. A regular balcony stateroom with a great balcony. Much bigger (about 1 1/2 x the size) of the balcony room we had on princess and almost equal in size to Princess' mini-suite category. It was beautifully decorated and spotlessly maintained. Split bath with toilet and sink in one room and sink and tub/shower in other room was a great idea. Lots of storage & closet space as well. Stateroom steward catered to our every need and went above and beyond in her attention to our needs and to my nephew's preferences.
Food- dining was a great experience. Food ranged from good (buffets) to very good at restaurants. Service was fantastic- they are trained to entertain kids with jokes & Magic tricks. They knew our names when we sat down for our first meal and by the end of the first dinner knew our preferences & needs. they have little shows at each meal to keep the kids busy. Room service is included.
Entertainment: lots of bars and spaces to enjoy. Movie theater with first-run movies (Cars, Invincable, Pirates of Carrbean II), a great theater with excellent Broadway style shows and then lots of little parties & activities for kids, families & adults. Kid's club was incredible- absolutely beautiful and spotless and lots of great programs for kids. I felt completely safe leaving my nephew Joaquin there and he enjoyed himself immensely.
Service: Exceptional. Much more attentive than any other ship I have sailed on.
Ports of Call: nassau, bahamas was okay but a bit too much of a big city for me. We went to Atlantis for the day- their beach was very crowded and over-run with jet skis, vendors, etc. I do not think I would enjoy an long stay here.
Castaway Cay (Disney's private island in Abacos, Bahamas). Absolutely amazing! One of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. So peaceful and gorgeous. Set up really well with chairs and hammocks. Great food and lots of walking trails to explore. Little play area set up out in water with rope swings, etc was really fun for kids. Adults only beach that was empty- maybe 20 people on it) and it was so beautful. I wish they did overnights on this island- it was that great.
Disembark: simple. At 9am, we just walked right off the ship. No lines, no tickets for disembark times.It was a sheer joy.
Overall , a great experience. I am looking into Disney cruise for 7 nights- it was THAT great.
