Just back from three WONDERful days

[SeaPA]

on the Disney Wonder. Just a short review, with comments on some of the things that have changed on the ship. We'd been on her twice before, in August 2003 and December 2003. Had a large group this time; my wife & 19 m/o son; my parents (mom is handicapped); wife's parents; both of wife's brothers & their families (and one of the MILs); and a group of one BIL's friends from work. I think it was around 30 but I never got an exact count.

DINING:
On our prior trips, I thought the food was very good in Tritons and just so-so at Parrot Caye & Animators Palate. We were VERY pleasantly surprised at the overall improvement in the food at AP & PC. Wife & I both had the glazed Salmon in AP and it was outstanding, probably the best meal I've had on the ship. In PC, I had the prime rib, wife had the grouper; both were excellent. I can't stress enough how much better the food was in those 2 places than on prior trips. In the past, I've thought of those 2 as having cafeteria food that's been fancied up; both of these meals were excellent. In Tritons, we both stuck with what we'd had in the past & loved - the beef tenderloin. It was as excellent this time as it had been the last 2 times.
Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Palo this time. We didn't eat much of the hot dogs/pizzas/burgers & such, so no comments on those.

SHIP CHANGES:
They did some remodeling as far as the night clubs & such. The high perch that used to house the ESPN Sports Club is now a teens only club. They moved the sports bar downstairs, on Route 66. Also there are another lounge & the disco/dance club, Wavebands. All were very nicely done.
They also did a great deal of repair type renovations, replacing warn carpeting, tile & such. The ship looked quite nice.

All in all, we had a wonderful time. Disney is superb for families, especially those with younger children. It is also outstanding in its handicap accessability (something I'd not observed so much on prior trips but stood out more this time with my mother & MIL-IL who have mobility difficulties).

If anyone has any questions, I'll try to answer them.

[macbest]

Thanks for the update. We are on the ship for the 10 day starting this Saturday.

Your comments on the food are very encouraging. We were also very disappointed at Parrots Cay last time we were on. It is nice to hear that they have done some upgrades.

Was the ship decorated yet for the holidays? I'm hearing some very impressive stories of the number of trees, the activities such as a family activity planned of making gingerbread houses, snow planned in Castaway Cay, etc.

[SeaPA]

Yes, the ship is fully decorated for Christmas, as is Castaway Caye. On the ship, they have a huge tree in the lobby atrium, and lots of decorations (garlands, wreaths & such) on many of the railings & such. There is also a huge gingerbread house down by the promenade lounge (near the entrance to Parrot Caye). They also had some Christmas-themed activities, including Mrs. Clause reading some Christmas stories in the lobby one evening (with some of the performers singing Christmas Carols).
There are other trees scattered around the ship, in the lounges & common areas, etc.
On CC, they have a huge tree & some decorations right where you get off the ship (this is where they have the snowblower set up, so it is falling on you when you get off the ship). The buildings on the island are also decked out with wreaths, garland, etc.

[momofmeg]

We were on the Wonder back in Sept. a couple of weeks before the remodel. I thought the ship looked great. I saw no worn stained carpet at all-something I have always seen when been on older Carnival ships.

I know we were on RCCL Sovereign in 99 and again in 2001. Sovereign looked great in 99 but 2 years later she really looked shabby with the stained and worn carpet. I guess she was due for an over haul. Ayway I was AMAZED that that much damage could be done to a ship in 2 years time. We were on Fascination in 2000- at the time the ship was only 4 years old and Fascination had the worse stained carpets I had ever seen.

So when we got on the Magic- a ship that was 6 years old and saw how great she looked we were really pleased. Obviously Disney does a great job on the upkeep of her ships.

[Senor Ferrari]

Was this the December 9 cruise?

[SeaPA]

Was this the December 9 cruise?

Yes, complete with a rainy, chilly, windy day at CC.

[teddykgb]

I saw on your review that you brought your 19m/o son. I may be cruising in Nov 05 and will be bringing my daughter who will also be 19m/o at that time.

Can you tell me how it was with a child so young? Any suggestions, complaints or ideas? I'm pondering whether to wait until she is a little older, but wanted to get some opinions before making a decision. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[SeaPA]

Teddy,
We had no problems onboard with our son & wouldn't hesitate to do so again, especially on Disney. There are loads & loads of kids, so you don't have the concern over your child being a "bother" to others if he/she acts up a little bit.
Don't really have any complaints. They have babysitting available during the afternoon & evening ($6 per hour); I think it closes at midnight if I remember correctly. The nursery appeared clean & the workers played with the kids a lot. There are loads of toys of all varieties - from educational to just fun stuff.
At mealtime, they will bring the kids food out first OR with your meal - your choice. Nice to have the option of getting the chow quickly if your child is ready to eat (and the macaroni & cheese is dang good).
All in all, I'd highly recommend Disney for cruising with a toddler. Everything went very smoothly; they clearly have plenty of experience with kids that age & make things quite easy for you.

[cruislovin]

We were on the Wonder in November and we were very disappointed with the food and the service in the dining rooms. We ate breakfast all 3 mornings in the dining room and the food was consistently cold all 3 days - it had definitely been sitting for quite some time. Dinners were hit or miss - much of the food was cold. Some things were good, primarily the entrees. Soups, appetizers, etc. were average to poor. The coffee everywhere on the ship was horrible.

Food is a very subjective thing for each person. But compared to other cruises we have been on we definitely had higher expectations of Disney in the food department.

Our waiter was excellent. But the assistant waiter seemed to not know what she was doing, often had to be asked for the same thing several times, and even then sometimes not bringing it.

This is the only cruise I have ever been on where I lost weight without even trying to do so!