May 18, 2003 Wonder

[disneygal58]

Hello,
I just booked the 5/18/03 Wonder to celebrate my daughter's graduation from (Homeschool) High School. Who will be joining us this time around and any suggestions for the celebration? This is our 5th DCL (2- 3 nights/ 1-4 night and 1-7 night) We've celebrated birthdays on board in the past, but I'm looking for something a bit more than a cake delivered at dinner.
We are : Dawn (proud mom) / Meagan - 19 and Erin (18 - graduate extraordinaire....)

 

[Disneyfan37]

DH and I will be on that cruise!We will be celebrating our birthday's as well as anniversary.This is the first time we will be celebrating an occassion onboard.Hope you all have a great time!

 

[disneygal58]

Congratulations! There is NO better place to celebrate. We are introducing friends to the DCL experience when we sail in May. We are so excited that we we couldn't sleep last night : picturing their faces when they first enter the terminal, hear "When You Wish Upon A Star", witness the light show at Animator's Palate etc....
Anyone else?
Dawn Hope

 

[Disneyfan37]

Thank you!You know that is a beautiful experience when you enter the terminal.My first time which was last September I had tears when I entered the terminal as they make it so special for you.We can't wait either.All we do is talk about it!

 

[fredms]

Disneygal58 - We will be on the same cruise for my Dfinacee's graduation from college/masters. I too was trying to find something special for him. I know that at perfectgifts.com and DCL itself lets you order gifts but what do I need a basket of food when I've paid all this $$$ for the food on the ship. Let me know if you think of any good ideas.

Can't wait!

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Hi all!!
Congratulations on all of the wonderful celebrations!!

We (me, DH, DD12 & DS9) will be on our first cruise on the 5/18 Wonder. I am really starting to get excited. Cruise Docs came in the mail on Friday!!

Can't wait!!!

 

[disneygal58]

Welcome to all of the new first time cruisers - you are about to open a door which you will never be able to close - DCL addiction. This is number 5 for us.
I checked into The Perfect Gift, but as you have pointed out - we do not need another food item available to us. DCL offers a room decorating package that reads "Congratulations" for $30 - a bit steep for a centerpiece and streamers.
I'll keep thinking and researching - and welcome any suggestions.
See you soon,
Dawn Hope

 

[luvstiggertoo]

disneygal....I was thinking of getting the "welcome package". The same thing, a banner and a centerpiece. I also thougth $30 was pretty high for that, but I thought it would be neat for the kids to see that when we first get to the room.

 

[disneygal58]

The only reason that I am hesitating (besides the cost) over the "Congrats" package - we are thinking of trying to upgrade at the port. I would hate to order it, have a cabin decorated and then switch gears at the last moment.
Shirley from The Perfect Gift is so wonderful and kind that I will probably order a basket (with little to no food) simply to help support her business.
40 days and counting,
Dawn

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Speaking of upgrading...what's the deal on that?
I've heard many mention of being upgraded.

How do you go about doing that...just ask?
Is there an extra cost?

 

[Fantasia Sam]

woo-hoo a May 18 thread !!

Hi everyone - Wow so many little celebrations as well !

Well this is my first cruise ever, let alone a Disney one. My DBF has been before about 3 years ago but you know some men, they never remember the details

Anyway I'm ever so excited about this cruise and I so can't wait - hope to bump into some of you. We'll be the ones with the British accent

 

[fredms]

In terms of gifts the one thing I was thinking was getting a basket with beer or wine since that's not included. Obviously that wouldn't work for high school grads.

luvstiggertoo - so excited you got cruise docs. I am waiting so patientlly for mine.

The cruise is going to be amazing!

 

[Kaslee]

WE'LL BE THERE TOO!!!

Any idea how soon we can expect the tickets? We are all so excited now that its only a few weeks away.

Fantasia Sam- I thought we might be the only brits on board. We are the ones with the Welsh accents!

Kay

 

[disneygal58]

We booked Friday night and our cruise docs were waiting for us today.
Any ideas about excursions? In the past, we spent very little time in Nassau - a quick trip for souveniers as we made the mad dash past the hairbraiders ( we have LOTS of hair between us - a braider's dream). We also visited the shopping area in Freeport last year (same items as in Nassau).
My daughters are very excited to meet other Dis-ers with British accents (we Americans are enchanted with such)....
5 and 1/2 weeks to go,
Dawn Hope

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Kay

Fantastic to hear there are more of us from over the pond on the Cruise. Have you been before?

Who did you book through - we're picking up all our cruise info at our hotel at WDW - I booked with Dreams and I believe they told me that DCL wouldn't ship the documents out to us, but I think if you book with a UK company you should be getting your documentation anytime now. I know some Brits travelling on the 17th May Eastern and they've all received their documents.

Can't wait for this cruise I'm so excited.

 

[Kaslee]

Hi Sam

We booked with Transolar through our TA. Haven't heard about the docs yet but sure they must come soon. I didnt know about DU or these boards before I booked, so I hadnt done much research at all. it was a spur of the moment thought which got out of hand and then booked before we had a chance to think about it. I am pleased with the service from Transolar. They altered our booking from a Cat 11 to Cat 9 and as the price had gone down since we booked it cost us no extra, even with an amendment fee of £10 each it was still worth doing. Then we found out that the onboard tips were included so we were even more thrilled (more money to spend). The only thing I think we missed out on was the first time cruise credit which they say they know nothing about. I suppose I cant have everything tho' .

I havent made plans for any trips yet. Have you? I quite fancy going to Atlantis but is seems a bit pricey.

Got to go, due in work in 10 mins!!!

Kay

 

[disneygal58]

We first sailed in 1998 and were able to walk onto the beach at Atlantis - I do not believe that is possible any longer. It is a stunning property. At that time we took a water taxi ($2 pp) there and auto taxi back (slightly more $s). I am considering the $25 tour, just for the chance to tour the property. If not, we will probably treat the Nassau day as an "At Sea" day. My DDs are uncomfortable with the high pressure sales tactics of the locals. Meagan has hair down to her waist and feels compelled to tuck it into a hat to avoid the dozens of hairbraiders that want to get their hands on it.
Has anyone else had experience with Nassau/Freeport excursions?
5 weeks and counting,
Dawn Hope

 

[Disneyfan37]

We were in Nassau back in September of last year as that was our first Disney Cruise.We took the taxi to Atlantis,and it was 4 dollars a person.We walked around there as much as they would allow it.We got to see the fish from the top floor near by the casino.We played in the casino for a little bit,and we looked in the shop.This time we are going to go ahead and pay the 25 to see the whole aquarium.You can also see the fish from outside near the back of the casino.There are two people out there that won't let you go any further,but at least one is able to see some of it.We left there,and we went to the straw market.The straw market is okay,but it is definitely tight in there as far as walking space goes.We are just skipping it this time around.One store you may want to check out,and it is on the same street as Straw Market is Del Sol.Everything in this store changes color when you walk outside it is cool.This time all we are going to do is go to Del Sol,and we will wait till Freeport to go to the straw market there as we missed it last time as well as go shopping at International Bazzaar.My dh hates crowds.I can't wait!We got our documents yesterday,and it has sunk in we are going on our second Disney cruise!Hope you all have a great time!

Maria

 

[luvstiggertoo]

34 days and counting!!!!
Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!!!!


I'm starting my packing lists and have begun to shop for "resort wear"!
Of course, living in Florida, I already have plenty of that....but I need some new stuff, right??

We are planning to spend the Nassau day at Atlantis. The kids are dying to do the slides, etc. Friends of ours went on the 4 day back in Sept. and they did Atlantis. They have not stopped talking about it!
We booked our room last night....now lets hope the weather holds up for that day or we're out a bunch of money!!

Disneygal.....about how much was the taxi ride?
I've heard the water taxis are very crowded and would like to avoid those.

 

[disneygal58]

I think the water taxi (yes, very crowded and iffy) was around $2 pp/ auto taxi about twice that (and well worth it).
One can never have too much "resort wear" - being a new Floridian, I am slowly converting my Colorado wardrobe.
Five weeks from this moment, I will force myself out of the Rainforest Room and venture into Nassau - not sure where or what, just yet.
Is anyone interested in a city or historical tour?
To my fellow Floridians, are you driving to the Port Sunday morning or staying in town Saturday night?
Dawn Hope