Wonder - November 9, 2013 - Bahamas from Galveston

[Golden Rose]

There doesn't seem to be a thread for this cruise, so I'll start one. We're really excited. We just finished our first Disney cruise yesterday, and we loved it so much that we booked our second today!

We just got off the Magic yesterday, and after a family conference, we decided to book another Disney Cruise for next year and cancel the cruise on another line that we already had booked. (Yes, I know we should have made this decision while on the ship, but we weren't ready until today. Concierge class doesn't get the on board discount anyway.)

We will be traveling as a party of 5 - me, my DM, DH, DS (8 at the time of the cruise), and DD (2, but a month away from 3, and potty trained, so we hope she'll be in the Club/Lab with her brother.)

We love to cruise, but none of us except DM have ever been to the Bahamas, and we've never been to Castaway Cay. We're super excited about the route. We cruise a lot out of Galveston, because we're in Houston and it is really easy for us. We've been thrilled that DCL came to Galveston, and we're trying to encourage them to stay by booking cruises here.

 

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

have a great cruise!

 

[Menada1115]

I just booked this cruise today. We just got off of the Magic on 12/8 and loved it! I was hoping to do a March itinerary and do a day at WDW, but it's just too soon financially. So, we booked a little further out. A little sad that DCL has decided to leave Galveston. But, we'll hopefully get one more in before they go.
Looking forward to this group growing as it gets a little closer to our sail date...we're still a ways off.

 

[kgundyfire]

We will be on this cruise, just dh and myself. We are leaving in 2 days on the magic with the family. So excited. I am disappointed dcl has decided to leave Galveston seeing how we live close to Houston.

 

[loring]

Hi everyone!We just booked this cruise.It will be just my husband and I.We are so excited!This is our first Disney cruise!We live in Dallas and are unhappy Disney is leaving Galveston as well.That is one reason we picked this cruise and because it will be during my b-day as well.

 

[loring]

Hi everyone!We just booked this cruise.It will be just my husband and I.We are so excited!This is our first Disney cruise!We live in Dallas and are unhappy Disney is leaving Galveston as well.That is one reason we picked this cruise and because it will be during my b-day as well.

 

[DanaG]

Hi we are going on this cruise this November. This is our first Disney cruise and I have a few question.

How are the pools on the Wonder that time of year? We are bringing our 6 year old daughter and she loves to swim! I was wondering if the water would be to cold.

Traveling during the school year, does there seem to still be plenty of children on the ship? My 6 year old loves to play with other kids and I wasn't sure how many kids are usually on the ship during school.

Last question, I am booking our trip this week but I am undecided on which room I need to choose. I originally thought about a room on the 8th deck with a veranda. Then I thought maybe the 5th deck closer to the kids activities just in case my daughter wants to go there while I am getting ready for stuff. I am thought maybe I should just get an ocean view room instead of the veranda just in case my daughter gets out there without me noticing plus I really don't anticipate spending a lot of time in our room.

Thanks so much for any advice that you might have!! Over the last 2 years I have lost 91 lbs and this is my reward to myself I chose to go on a disney cruise because it seemed to offer so much for kids that will allow me to have plenty of time to myself and have some quality time with my husband!

 

[DCLShel]

Hello fellow cruisers! I will be sailing on this cruise with my DBF, Jane. This will be my 14th cruise on DCL. I am a member of the unofficial "Grand Slam Club" - ie -I've sailed on all four ships.

We're really excited about the itinerary! We went to Key West on our first cruise in 2004 and can't wait to go back!

 

[DCLShel]

Hi we are going on this cruise this November. This is our first Disney cruise and I have a few question.

How are the pools on the Wonder that time of year? We are bringing our 6 year old daughter and she loves to swim! I was wondering if the water would be to cold.

Traveling during the school year, does there seem to still be plenty of children on the ship? My 6 year old loves to play with other kids and I wasn't sure how many kids are usually on the ship during school.

Last question, I am booking our trip this week but I am undecided on which room I need to choose. I originally thought about a room on the 8th deck with a veranda. Then I thought maybe the 5th deck closer to the kids activities just in case my daughter wants to go there while I am getting ready for stuff. I am thought maybe I should just get an ocean view room instead of the veranda just in case my daughter gets out there without me noticing plus I really don't anticipate spending a lot of time in our room.

Thanks so much for any advice that you might have!! Over the last 2 years I have lost 91 lbs and this is my reward to myself I chose to go on a disney cruise because it seemed to offer so much for kids that will allow me to have plenty of time to myself and have some quality time with my husband!

The pools are heated so you shouldn't worry about the temperature. Besides, kids seem to always swim no matter what! There were kids in the pools on our Alaskan cruise.

No matter what time of year you cruise, there are always plenty of kids on the ship.

We usually stay on Deck 5 because on its central location on the ship. Room selection is a matter of personal taste. Everyone has different reasons for choosing different decks & stateroom types (inside, ocean view, verandah).

Congrats on your weight loss achievement! That is awesome!

 

[DanaG]

Thanks DCLShel!!! We are so excited about this cruise! I think my little 6 year old daughter is going to have a fantastic time This online forum is so amazing, I have found so many tips for our first time!!

Can't wait to meet you all on the cruise!

 

[loring]

We are so looking foward to meeting everyone!

 

[jknee74]

Is there a fish extender group for the Galveston cruise Nov 9

 

[jknee74]

We just booked our FIRST cruise. This is me & my hubby 20th anniversary. I am beyond excited!! I will probably be on this board until we sail, trying to learn and get great tips. I didn't see anything about a secret Mickey or fish extender. I would love to be involved if there is.

 

[Nanny2004]

I just booked this cruise! It will be me and DD and we will be celebrating my birthday ! I sailed on the Magic last year for my birthday and did not book onboard because I didn't figure I would be able to cruise again in the near future. (I already had a WDW trip booked before the start of last year's cruise.) Now I wish I had booked a "just in case" cruise, because I have two cruises booked right now-this one in November & one next year in June. Probably would have saved some money. I wonder if I could rebook the one for next June while we are on the November cruise?

 

[violetmonarch]

Hello all! I just switched our dummy date up from Feb 2014 to this one! So disappointed about losing DCL from Galveston, but hoping they can reconsider. Can hardly wait to go again, we were on the Magic in January this year and we had a blast! See you all soon! Also, is there a FE yet?

 

[aseyrick]

Hello fellow cruisemates!

We just booked on this sailing! There'll be 3 of us: DH, DS (will be 6) and me This will be our 3rd Disney cruise. We also booked a cabin for FIL & MIL, and it'll be their 1st. While we aren't exactly celebrating anything, I turn 40 on April 26, which also happens to be DH and my 20th anniversary. (Yes, you all can do the math. We're from the South, after all.) We are celebrating both occasions at WDW!! Yup, in 2 weeks + 1 day, we'll be in sunny Orlando jammin' it with Mickey & co. Can't wait!!!

For those who haven't sailed during this time of year, we cruised to W. Caribb in early Nov on the Magic in 2010. There are SEVERAL reasons why we're going again during this time ... low crowds, low prices, gorgeous weather and holiday decor. Need I say more?? .

We are DEFINITELY interested in participating in FE. Makes the DCL exp that much more enjoyable for everyone. Anyone interested in volunteering to be the organizer?? Pleeeeease?

Anyway, great to meet you all and looking forward to others joining!

Annabel

 

[aseyrick]

Hey, I just started Page 2. We're on a roll!

 

[aseyrick]

I just booked this cruise! It will be me and DD and we will be celebrating my birthday ! I sailed on the Magic last year for my birthday and did not book onboard because I didn't figure I would be able to cruise again in the near future. (I already had a WDW trip booked before the start of last year's cruise.) Now I wish I had booked a "just in case" cruise, because I have two cruises booked right now-this one in November & one next year in June. Probably would have saved some money. I wonder if I could rebook the one for next June while we are on the November cruise?

I hope you know that you can always book a dummy cruise while on board so that you can have the discount for when you need it. We actually booked the cheapest dummy cruise (2-night Bahamas for 1 in January) as far out as possible when we were onboard in May 2012, and finally decided on this one and were able to use our discount. With this, you can def rebook your June cruise when you're on this one. I'd keep your existing ressies just in case prices go up.

Looking forward to celebrating your b-day with ya!

 

[kjackson83]

We are also booked this cruise! It's my Husband, Daughter (2) and myself in one room (Cat 7A-GTY) and both my parents in another (Cat 7A-GTY). I can't wait to get our assigned rooms (I know it will probably be a while) My parents have never sailed on any cruise ship and we wanted DISNEY to be their FIRST!! Once you go Disney, it's hard to do any other cruise line (we've never sailed anything other than Disney). This will be our 6th cruise and we are sooooooooo ready for November to be here already! We are also glad we only have to drive 2 hours to get to the ship but we are so SAD to see Disney leave Galveston

I have never done the FE exchange but am interested. How do we do it?? I know very little about it so I guess I'll have to read up on it. I'm sure my little girl would love it!!

Question-Any Key West or Bahamas excursions you would recommend? Last time we went to Key West we just walked around and it was HOT as all get out!! We did the Blue Lagoon in the Bahamas and the Atlantis tour the last couple times we went but wanted to try something new this time.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[aseyrick]

Kjackson83 - Welcome! Can't help you much on the excursions. Our DS still takes naps, so we pretty much keep to the nearby surroundings versus a full excursion. That may change with this cruise, though, so something to consider ... hmmm...

As for FE's - it's similar to a secret Santa except you do it for everyone who signs up for the FE. Each family will have 1 "mailbox" for each member of the family or maybe 1 "mailbox" for the parents and 1 for each of the kids. Google fish extenders, and you'll see a ton of ideas.

Usually, most will make or bring gifts that are either native to where they are from, something useful while on the cruise or Disney-themed souvenirs. I've received everything from hand-sewn purses and elaborate picture frames to a "cruise kit" containing clips, sticky note pads, pens, flash light, games & goodies for the kids. There are some seriously creative (and generous) folks on my past 2 cruises. I generally give pre-made items. We live in St. Louis (originally from TX), so I made a St. Louis memorabilia pkg that had a cruise-usable item from each of our professional sports teams. It was cool to see a bunch of kids playing with a Cardinals baseball beach ball during our cruise.

We get so excited each time we return to our cabin because you never know what may be waiting at our door. Esp. those with little ones, it's absolutely priceless. I highly recommend it!!!